Popmatters’ 100 Essential Female Performances

The list here.

Second, I wanted to avoid the usual clichés, the performances that people expect to be on a list of “most important” female film performances—but several of those requisite turns actually are so good that they absolutely warrant a blip on every film lover’s radar. This list, then, can also function as a gentle reminder that there are some films and performances that should not be ignored (hint! hint!), no matter how well-known or popular.

So, while the overwhelming critical consensus might dictate that the buxom figure of Bette Davis’ Margot Channing be affixed to the mast of the “Best Actress” ship for her untouchable work in All About Eve, she is included here, instead, for a claws-out tour-de-force that merits more attention: Regina Giddens in The Little Foxes. My intention in a case such as that one is not to be a contrarian, but to highlight some of the excellent work that too often slips through the cracks; work that is equally important in understanding the role of women in film history. So while Vivien Leigh makes the list for her iconic Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (and what list of unforgettable female characters can exist without Leigh’s inclusion?), it isn’t out of obligation, its because she deserves to be there for a performance that is so well-put together, it holds up nearly seventy years later.

I love reading lists in which the writer(s) take some time to explain the merit of the inclusion. This list is generally a pleasurable read, so don’t just skim through for recognizable name. There are some sketchy inclusions (Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler, really?), some interesting but head-scratching picks (to me? Margaret Hamilton as the Witch in the Wizard of Oz?), and some unforgivable omissions (Gong Li’s absence is seriously jarring). But what lists wouldn’t have some of those? So forget the complaints, here are a few notable things I love about this particular list:

• No ranking! I like the categories they are organized under, and each actor got  her own due attention. How very laterally thoughtful of them.
• It’s a great reminder that there are so many great female performances that often get swept under the rug in favour of some male acting chops. Really, can you get a much better dramedy performance than Giulietta Masina in Nights of Cabiria?
• They cheated with Wit! It’s technically a television miniseries, innit? Emma Thompson was breathtaking in it though. I don’t know why I love that they cheated with this particular performance? Sneaky, they are.
• Much love for the inclusion of Oksana Akinshina in the little seen Lilya 4-Ever. It’s this kind of small-but-not-forgotten attribute that makes this list a pleasure to go through. And of course, the tribute itself.
• A whole section dedicated to the great Liv Ullman, one of the notable faces intricately tied to Bergman cinema. And there’s also this little gem quoted in the piece: “What I learned from Ingmar is really is if you have a lily, as an actor, you don’t try to make that actor into a rose. You water the lily so it comes to its full bloom.” *heart*

Maybe we can generate a list of our own some time in the near future, when we get our act together. Heh.

Lunar New Year: 12 Asian Film Characters to Celebrate

Excluding Indians, of course, as they don’t celebrate Lunar New Year? To celebrate the Lunar New Year with those who … celebrate it, instead of looking at films from the East, we thought we’d look to the colourful film characters that we’ve seen instead. The list will only include notable characters (as opposed to performances or actors) of the following ethnicity:

Koreans, Mongolians, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, formerly the Japanese before 1873, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

(Wikipedia, I love you.)

Let’s get to it, shall we? In no particular order (list compiled by FLEA and Aurelle, based on what we have seen, which, unfortunately, was not everything).

Top row to bottom row:

Wong Fei Hung – Once upon a time in China (HK) / Lai Yiu-fai – Happy Together (HK)

He may not mean much to the North American audience, but Wong Fei Hung is a revered name in Asia, so much so that they made movies after movies based on his supposed legend. This would not be a complete list without the character that inspired legions of fans and made a household name of anyone who played him, most notably Jet Li. More than an ordinary film character, Wong was a folk hero, a doctor, and a martial artist rolled into one. I’d probably compare him to James Bond, without all the womanizing and the gadgets, though that would probably take away the appeal of Bond to the Western (more specifically, North American) culture. He’s the straight face hero who kicks a lot of arse, and looks better than you doing it. That’s important, I think. – Aurelle & FLEA

Lai Yiu Fai, on the other hand, is not as famous a name, even if the actor playing him (Tony Leung) is. This character is as different from Wong Fei Hung as one can be. First of all, he’s gay. Second of all, he cooks and knows nothing of martial arts. Third of all, he’s got a tumultuous affair with a dude who is, in effect, a self-destructive, indecisive playboy. He is no folk hero, but a complex, modern man facing the uncertain complexion of relationships as they are on the brink of structural changes, giving voice to the much maligned gay subculture in the East in the process as well. – Aurelle

Shoot the Projectionist: 31 Films that give you the Willies

As my humble blog is currently dedicated to silent cinema, I hope my fellow chicks don’t mind this brief comment on 31 Films that Gave me the Willies! Although I missed the nomination process, I did vote despite my rather limited knowledge of horror cinema. I’ve seen most of the list from 20-31 but barely any of the top 10… I suppose I have a lot of work for next year! I’m just going to comment on the ones I’ve seen

31. The Bride of Frankenstein
A favourite of mine, it’s horror without the scares. Wonderfully baroque, it’s beautifully executed and is a lot of fun. I’m happy to see it make the list, as it seems many of the early horror films were looked over.

29. Poltergeist
I’m not really a fan, I didn’t like the fish lens thing, and with the exception of the melting face nothing really scared/drew me in. It became all too ridiculous towards the end.

28. Se7en
I probably wouldn’t consider this a horror first and foremost, but it is far more visceral and gripping than most films that call themselves horror these days. All around an excellent film.

27. The Night of the Hunter
An all time favourite of mine, I don’t think a villain has ever been so menacing as Harry Powell. Borrowing on German expressionism, and leaning heavily on biblical themes and motifs was a stroke of creative genius.

26. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
I love this film, more than I thought I ever would. It’s genuinly scary, always compelling and interesting as a reflection of the times.

25. The Ring (2002)
I was bored by it.

22. The Fly (1986)
It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen this, I was very much eewwwed.

20. Rosemary’s Baby
Another favourite of mine, even outside the genre of horror, Polanski manages so effectively to build up anxiety and horror that you never know when it really hits you. Everything about it works.

19. 28 Days Later
One of the best I’ve seen in recent years, I am even one of the few who likes the third act. It’s chilling and exciting. I think people will be talking about this in 20 years, in the same way we talk about Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

18. The Wicker Man
I own this, and should rewatch it because I first saw it when I was 14 and was like WTF.

18. Les yeux sans visage
Very scary, and surprisingly “realist” for a horror film. The operating scenes are almost too much for me, and I had to look away.

17. Nosferatu (1922)
I loves it, Shreck was one freaky looking dude.

17. The Descent
Another very scary recent film, I wish I had caught this in the theatres because I think it would have been even better. I love how it slowly builds up anxiety and claustorphobia, and long before the monsters appear you’re terrified.

13. Don’t Look Now
An all around great film, but I’d probably put it closer to thriller. Features one of the best sex scenes in cinema, and is visually stunning.

11. The Birds
I need to rewatch it, and while last time I saw it I didn’t find it particularly scary I’ve always loved it for the characters and their interractions. Hitchcock was da man.

10. Jaws
I like it, but never found it scary in the least. The only part that got me was when the head appears in the water.

6. The Exorcist
Like most of my favourite horrors, this one really builds up to it’s “terror”. There is so much uncertainty involved, and a lot of complex character development. It’s a great film.

5. Psycho
I don’t have to go into how much I love Hitchcock, and while far from a favourite Psycho always thrills me. I actually read a while back a very interesting case in defence of the “psychiatrist rant”, that came close to changing my mind on it. I wish I rememebered where I read it.

4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Saw it this month, pretty damn freaky.

Ten Great horror films that didn’t make the list:
Nosferatu (Herzog, 1979)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Wiene, 1919)
The Innocents (Clayton, 1961)
Les Diaboliques (Clouzot, 1955)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Repulsion (1965)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Mamoulian, 1931)
I Walked with a Zombie (Tourneur, 1943)
The Body Snatcher (Wise, 1945)
The Unknown (Browning, 1927)

The A to Z guide to Most Awesome Things in Films (MA TIFs): A to C

I don’t think this needs much of an introduction. I’d take you through what I consider to be the most awesome things that are presented in films. Feel free to make suggestions. It’s very possible that I’m making this up as I go along. Let’s objectify!

Art Works in Takeshi Kitano’s Hana-bi (Fireworks)

The artworks in the film were an integral part of the success of Hana-bi. I wish I have some of the more impressive pictures captured here, but I don’t have the film on hand and it’s a pain in the buttocks to do screen caps. Watching the process of art-making at times was a bit like watching paint dry for the uninitiated (namely, me), but the products were simply out-of-this-world extraordinary. For those who don’t know what this film is, it features ‘Beat’ Takeshi (Kitano) of Battle Royale and Zatoichi. Bursts of shocking violence punctuate an otherwise remorseful, tranquil, quietly poignant film. Highly recommended on the strength of watching artworks unfold alone.

Runner up: ‘Artworks’ in Mottola’s Superbad – Juvenile hilarity ensues.

The Great Screen Femmes of Our Time

In a recent interview with Ryan Gosling for TIME magazine, the versatile actor claimed that all the great performances nowadays were from the female side of the equation. It kind of gave me a pause: are we living a golden age for screen goddesses that I’m not are of? In the past, Hollywood gave us Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Katherine Hepburn, and the like. In the age of no mystery, where private sex tapes are badges of honour, D.U.I.’d chicklets pass for intriguing news, and paparazzi leer from random underwear drawers, it’s probably harder to focus on the screen long enough to be enchanted by the femmes filling it. I got to investigate, and came up with this list of what I’d consider great screen femmes of our time – a combination of presence and talent in abundance. And I mean to include those who are still having an active career and/or are in their prime. I invite my fellow chicks to edit this post to add your own personal picks.

First, let me get to those not-quite-there and almost-made-it choices:

I love Rachel Weisz. She’s charming, talented, and very underrated. She’s striking in a very subtle way, and perhaps that subtle quality may have prevented her from dominating the screen like she could.
Films to watch: The constant gardener, The Mummies!

The only strike against Shu Qi is that she needs to be seen more – or, rather, her films need to be seen more. This beautiful, talented woman has an amazing screen presence very few can summon. She basically is a walking scenery chewer, if given half a chance at a decent character.
Films to watch: Three times, Millenium Mambo, So close!

Julianne Moore is a terrific actor with a lackluster comedy timing. She’s just perfect for certain roles, and when it’s right, she hits it right out of the park. She has not been in any notable role recently (Children of Men was a great film but there wasn’t much for her to do), and she may have maxed out her range. A few years ago, she would have made it to the official list.
Films to watch: Far from heaven, Boogie Night.

Rachel McAdams may not have had a very lengthy career, but she’s got tremendous potential as an actor and as a movie star. There’s this radiance about her, especially when she flashes that multimillion dollar smile. She has just about perfect comedy timing. I’m just waiting for this girl to get big, really big. She could be that next Julia Roberts everyone in Hollywood is looking for.
Films to watch: Mean Girls, Red Eye

Keira Knightley is on her way to the royal road. While she has so far been popular because of her looks, she can act given the right role. She needs to pout a lot less – it looks good on the page, not so much on the screen, especially when her character is in mortal danger of some sort.
Films to watch: Pride and Prejudice

This woman has an old-world, enigmatic, demure, sexy quality about her (enough adjectives?). Nevermind that she likes to pose only in one position (that femme fatale stare behind the massive eye make up?), she’s absolutely stunning on screen. I can’t wait to see her in more films, and to see if she’s going to make it big based on one film alone. If Sandra Bullock can build a career from one film, so can Eva Green!
Films to watch: Casino Royale

Helena excels at quirkiness. She’s a great actor and has a great screen presence. I think it’s a mark of a great talent that an actor could disappear into a role that doesn’t ask much of the actor and elevate it like she can, but I wish that she was given (or had picked) a stronger, wider variety of roles to work with. I’m borderline on her work, and thus, she’s not on the official list. For me, for now.
Films to watch: Fight Club, The Corpse Bride

And now, the list, in alphabetical order.