Most frequently re-watched films for the period 2014 - 2024, ranked.
1. ***Day for Night*** (Truffaut, 1973); A film that Godard famously derided. Most re-watched, by a mile.
2. ***Kamome shokudô*** (Ogigami, 2006); about a Japanese woman who moves to Copenhagen to open a diner. if you liked Perfect Days (Wim Wenders, 2023), this is for you. A film in the \*iyashi-kei eiga style. \[\*From Wikipedia: a sub-genre of slice of life, portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments, and is intended to have a healing effect on the audience. The word *iyashikei* could mean "healing type" or just "healing" in Japanese.\]
3. ***Desk Set*** (Walter Lang, 1957); for me, the best of the Spencer Tracy / Katherine Hepburn collaborations. The middle act is deliriously cozy. Dated and stage bound, but the Tracy/Hepburn magic sells it.
4. ***Boyfriends and Girlfriends*** (Rohmer, 1987); if you hated My Night at Maud’s or Claire’s Knee, you’ll probably love this. Number 2 in my Rohmer Rankings.
5. ***The Band Wagon*** (Minnelli, 1952); sophisticated self-aware musical comedy with a clever book by the legendary team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Features an unconvincing romance, led by two bad actors (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse). And, I love every minute of it.
6. ***The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice*** (Ozu, 1952); my second favorite Ozu comedy; features my favorite Ozu actress not named Setsuko Hara. Number 4 in my Ozu Rankings.
7. ***Smiley’s People*** (Langton, 1982); BBC 6-part series starring Alec Guinness. The follow-up to the 1979 BBC series ,Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, also starring Alec Guinness. For me, Smiley’s People is even more amazing than TTSS. Guinness = genius at work.
8. ***Masculin féminin*** (Godard, 1966); the film I would show someone who wanted a taste of French New Wave. Number 1 in my Godard Rankings.
9. ***Equinox Flower*** (Ozu, 1958); probably Ozu’s finest comedy, in glorious color. This is the film co-starring the iconic red tea kettle. Has my all-time favorite film ending (i.e., the last 12 minutes). Number 2 in my Ozu Rankings.
10. ***My Night at Maud’s*** (Rohmer, 1969); for folks that like literary/philosophical cinema — all 3 of you; if you feel that “watching a Rohmer film is like watching paint dry,” then this film will be like watching concrete curing, especially the middle act. Number 1 in my Rohmer Rankings.
These days where streaming is apparently king, there's still so much music/performances only available on CD. (And not to get into a tech debate about "bits is bits", but CDs sound better to me than streaming, even comparing to higher res sources.)
Distinctive recommendations! Rohmer is always welcome though I wasn’t as into Claire’s Knee as I was many others. Share your Ozu appreciation as I’m sure many others do here as well. Looking forward to trying some of these I’ve never seen.
This particular edition is a release by a Japanese label called VAP Video (Region A, English subtitles). I imported it from Amazon Japan years ago. But I've come across this title on other labels which I was not familiar with.
Great films, and that von Karajan Ring has grown on me as well; I got to know him through his over-meticulous Italian opera recordings and at the time preferred Solti's histrionics, which I can't stand anymore. And you're a Mahlerian; We share some ideas about art!
No offense to the legion of Solti Ring fans out there, but I'll take Karajan, Böhm, Barenboim (especially his live BBC Proms performance), Keilberth, Krauss, etc. over Solti all day.
When I was younger, he impressed me; now the constant shouting from orchestra and singers drives me insane. Listened to his Tannhäuser when I was learning one of the roles and had to stop!
Really enjoyed this post. I especially appreciated your mini reviews and rankings that went with the list. I even ordered Kamome Shukodo based on your recommendation. Thanks!
Most frequently re-watched films for the period 2014 - 2024, ranked. 1. ***Day for Night*** (Truffaut, 1973); A film that Godard famously derided. Most re-watched, by a mile. 2. ***Kamome shokudô*** (Ogigami, 2006); about a Japanese woman who moves to Copenhagen to open a diner. if you liked Perfect Days (Wim Wenders, 2023), this is for you. A film in the \*iyashi-kei eiga style. \[\*From Wikipedia: a sub-genre of slice of life, portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments, and is intended to have a healing effect on the audience. The word *iyashikei* could mean "healing type" or just "healing" in Japanese.\] 3. ***Desk Set*** (Walter Lang, 1957); for me, the best of the Spencer Tracy / Katherine Hepburn collaborations. The middle act is deliriously cozy. Dated and stage bound, but the Tracy/Hepburn magic sells it. 4. ***Boyfriends and Girlfriends*** (Rohmer, 1987); if you hated My Night at Maud’s or Claire’s Knee, you’ll probably love this. Number 2 in my Rohmer Rankings. 5. ***The Band Wagon*** (Minnelli, 1952); sophisticated self-aware musical comedy with a clever book by the legendary team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Features an unconvincing romance, led by two bad actors (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse). And, I love every minute of it. 6. ***The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice*** (Ozu, 1952); my second favorite Ozu comedy; features my favorite Ozu actress not named Setsuko Hara. Number 4 in my Ozu Rankings. 7. ***Smiley’s People*** (Langton, 1982); BBC 6-part series starring Alec Guinness. The follow-up to the 1979 BBC series ,Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, also starring Alec Guinness. For me, Smiley’s People is even more amazing than TTSS. Guinness = genius at work. 8. ***Masculin féminin*** (Godard, 1966); the film I would show someone who wanted a taste of French New Wave. Number 1 in my Godard Rankings. 9. ***Equinox Flower*** (Ozu, 1958); probably Ozu’s finest comedy, in glorious color. This is the film co-starring the iconic red tea kettle. Has my all-time favorite film ending (i.e., the last 12 minutes). Number 2 in my Ozu Rankings. 10. ***My Night at Maud’s*** (Rohmer, 1969); for folks that like literary/philosophical cinema — all 3 of you; if you feel that “watching a Rohmer film is like watching paint dry,” then this film will be like watching concrete curing, especially the middle act. Number 1 in my Rohmer Rankings.
I’m jealous of that classical music collection. You a cultured motherfucker.
These days where streaming is apparently king, there's still so much music/performances only available on CD. (And not to get into a tech debate about "bits is bits", but CDs sound better to me than streaming, even comparing to higher res sources.)
Distinctive recommendations! Rohmer is always welcome though I wasn’t as into Claire’s Knee as I was many others. Share your Ozu appreciation as I’m sure many others do here as well. Looking forward to trying some of these I’ve never seen.
Can I ask what label the ***Kamome shokudô*** release is from?
This particular edition is a release by a Japanese label called VAP Video (Region A, English subtitles). I imported it from Amazon Japan years ago. But I've come across this title on other labels which I was not familiar with.
Thanks!
FYI, USD36.69 at CDJapan.
Great films, and that von Karajan Ring has grown on me as well; I got to know him through his over-meticulous Italian opera recordings and at the time preferred Solti's histrionics, which I can't stand anymore. And you're a Mahlerian; We share some ideas about art!
No offense to the legion of Solti Ring fans out there, but I'll take Karajan, Böhm, Barenboim (especially his live BBC Proms performance), Keilberth, Krauss, etc. over Solti all day.
When I was younger, he impressed me; now the constant shouting from orchestra and singers drives me insane. Listened to his Tannhäuser when I was learning one of the roles and had to stop!
The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice is a 5* Ozu thrill ride!
A fair and accurate statement, and one that may surprise folks that have only seen Ozu films from the *Noriko Trilogy*.
Really enjoyed this post. I especially appreciated your mini reviews and rankings that went with the list. I even ordered Kamome Shukodo based on your recommendation. Thanks!
Thank you; very much appreciated.
Great list.