Great Films That I Cannot Recommend

...and no, the Jazz Singer is not one of them.

I have a dilemma of conscience when it comes to film. You see, I've been keeping a film journal for the past several years resulting in a list of 450 films and an ever changing title for said list. The original title was "450 Great Films", then "450 Films Worth Watching", then "450 Worth Renting", etc. The problem is that as I go through the list these days, there are some films that stand as great film-making achievements that I just cannot recommend from a moral point of view.

I love the fact that the history of cinema is built on embarrassing achievements. For example, the first full-length motion picture was a little thing called "Birth of a Nation" and was essentially a billboard advertisement for the heroic struggle of the Ku Klux Klan. In 1927 "The Jazz Singer" became the first "talkie" film released by a major studio and it's depiction of Al Jolson in black face has since become a measuring stick for what qualifies as grossly racist, and a bad Halloween costume idea. Leni Reifenstahl's "Triumph of the Will" is still considered one of the greatest accomplishments of film-making even though it's subject matter is that of the 1934 Nazi Party Conference in Nuremberg, Germany.

These films share a common acceptance now that they've been relegated to a historical standing; and I hardily recommend everyone see these classics, but can I do so only because of the safety that comes with distance? What about the great challenging films being made today that are still waiting to mature. Time will probably knock some of them out because it's not usual to be swept up in the "new" of something and mistake it for good.

One of my consistent struggles as a follower of Christ is that so many of my brethren accept and deny things based on their limitations of understanding or the grand swipe of wisdom called "because that's the way God made it". I say bullshit. If God wanted us to be idiots he wouldn't have given us the struggle built into the human thread. He is the God of 'why', and there's no better place to begin these questions than with our passions. A moral stance doesn't have to deny the truth. In fact, in my life, it's greatest feat lies in the fact that morality gives me options to choose or deny not it's existence but my role in it's existence; taking me further from the position of spectator and into that of a participant in life. This is where my fellow recovering drug addicts collectively murmur "no shit", or your denominational equivalent.

6 great films that I can't recommend:

Man Bites Dog: Satirical Belgian film made for pennies tells the story of a film crew following around a charismatic serial killer.

Dead Ringers:
David Cronenberg's (Scanners, Spider, The Brood) incredibly chilling and brilliantly made film of twin brother gynecologists, OK, need I go further. As much as I would like to call this a 'cautionary tale', I just can't do so with a straight face.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer: A very well made first feature by John McNaughton, based loosely on the life of Henry Lee Lucas. I haven't watched it in years but it was pretty creepy in the 90s.

In a Glass Cage : Spanish film about a victim of pedophilia taking revenge on his assailant who is now in an iron lung after a failed suicide attempt. Sounds cut and dry? You wish.

Leaving Las Vegas: When life is going too well for you, pop this one in. Guy looses his job, then his dignity, goes to Vegas and drinks himself to death with his hooker girlfriend. Brilliant, but I still can't figure out why one should watch it.

Reservoir Dogs: I hear the moans from film fans, but this is a perfect example. Are stylish excellence, fantastic direction, and amazing performances enough to give it a pass?

Behind these five films are another 1000 based on opinions, and who fights longer and louder than a bunch of film snobs? But as for my list those left out mainly fall into the categories of "can't be taken seriously enough", such as any movie with zombies, which my list is full of; or they have begun to show signs of ageing well.

...but that is another blog.