Films and well-written series teach us plot, the importance of setting, rich characterization and its necessity, scene/sequel, and much more as writers. Cinema has always been a part of my life, especially when my folks were still alive. As little theater actors and “armchair” film critics, I was exposed to a myriad of great pictures growing up. All kinds of subjects, characters, action, genre films, you name it, we checked them out. I remember my Dad even kept numbered scrapbooks with pictures, synopses, and a “system” of organization for his collection.
I fondly remember my Mom and Dad sitting on the loveseat checking out movies and inviting me into their plethora of “make believe” but “oh so real” worlds.
Below are some of my fave films and series. I haven’t included as many golden age classics even though there are tons of those I admire and respect as well. Most are quirky, mysterious with an uneasy ambience, sometimes told with flashbacks or flash-forwards (difficult as writers to pull off!), and all say something about life in one form or another. Characters, setting, and theme are very important to me, and I think these selections speak to that as well. There are many more of course, this is just a sampling.
Film
Falling Down
A Clockwork Orange
Memento
The Doors
Boogie Nights
Internal Affairs
Primal Fear
The Game
Wild Things
L.A. Confidential
Mulholland Falls
Chinatown
American Psycho
Raging Bull
Scarface
Mulholland Drive
Unforgiven
Crash
The Big Lebowski
Fargo
Heat
Kalifornia
The Matrix
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Pulp Fiction
Goodfellas
The Lord of the Rings films
The Air I Breathe
The Butterfly Effect
The Machinist
Monster‘s Ball
Traffic
Donnie Darko
Natural Born Killers
Carlito‘s Way
The Breakfast Club
11:14
The Mothman Prophecies
Amadeus
Highlander
Slingblade
Training Day
Excalibur
Sin City
Stand By Me
Series
Twin Peaks
Bloodline
The Witcher
Columbo
