Best Pre-Released Movies Seen This Year.... So Far

I haven't just been seeing a shit-load of movies in the cinema this year! I've also discovered the joy of the audio-visual collection at my uni, and have been borrowing and watching a lot of films from their catelogue (which might explain why I've been getting shit grades in English this semester). Anyway, as well as the many DVDs I've watched for the first time this year, I've also seen quite a number of other pre-released films, ie. movies that were released in a commecial cinema before this year, whether at Acmi or at the Astor. And I thought I would share some of the ones that stood out the most for me this year in terms of visuals, characters, story, premise or for just being fun! I hope that someone will read this and watch some of them and get the same enjoyment that I did while watching these films. Anyway, on with the list!

10. Poltergay

And people think the French are classy! This film has the best title for its premise. A straight guy and his girlfriend move into a new home that is terrorised by 5 dead gay ghosts that only the straight guy can see. Holy fuck, that is awesome! That premise, and the fact that Clovis Cornillac is in it, made me need to see this film. And it's actually pretty good. The plot, while it has some cliches, can be fairly unpredictable at times. It treats the supernatural elements in a unique way, and the lead actors pull it off really well. There are some running gags and subplots that don't really go anywhere, and the ending is a bit abrupt, but I'm prepared to forgive its shortcomings because it has one of the best coming out scenes! And I am not going to spoil it! If you don't want to see this film based on the title and premise, then there is something wrong with you!

9. Troll 2

I kinda wish I'd done my guilty pleasure list after seeing this film, because this would definitely be in the top 3! I saw this at the Astor as part of Cinema Fiasco, a commentary series done all over Melbourne and is fucking hilarious. It was really the only way to see the film. The whole audience was in on the joke and there wasn't a moment when someone wasn't laughing. So, the history behind the film is better than the plot of the film itself, mainly because the plot makes no sense whatsoever! And that is only partly why this is incredible! There is crap acting, crap make-up, crap effects, non-sensical dialogue... All this crapness that combines to make something unbelievably enjoyable. I'm sure many people have seen the infamous "OH MY GOOOOOOOOOD!" clip on youtube, but believe me, that is only the tip of the iceberg. If you love Z-grade movies, then you have to see this one! But watch it with friends, cause otherwise your brain will melt.

8. The Intruder

There was a Roger Corman retrospective at Melbourne Cinematheque, and because his movies are just the sort of schlock I love, I decided to check it out. By far, the best film out of the bunch was this little 1962 race-relations flick starring a very young William Shatner. Considering the subject matter and when this came out, this is a really interesting photograph into the segregated south of the 60s. But what is more amazing is Shatner himself, playing against type as as sleazy, racist bastard who tries to stur up trouble in a small southern town (I say playing against type, but then again I've really only seen him as Kirk). This is a really brave film to make, especially for 1962. Mixed in with some of the more goofy moments, mainly down to the unprofessional actors, there are some really chilling visuals involving the Ku Klux Klan and a violent lynch mob. Unfortunately, it didn't get a big release, and wasn't even able to make back it's tiny $80,000 budget. If you get a chance to see this, do. It may be small, but it's also impressive.

7. Stage Fright

This isn't the only Hitchcock film I've seen this year. Nope, I've also had the pleasure of watching Notorious and The Birds for the first time. But I enjoyed this one more, not only because it first introduced me to Jane Wyman, who is quickly becoming one of my favourite dramatic Hollywood actresses. Not only because it's the first Marlene Dietrich film I've seen all the way through. And not only because it's a thriller set backstage at a theatre with excellent characters and a good twist. No, the one element that really made me love this film was the scene where Alistair Sim plays an accordion. Just to clarify the awesome, Alistair Sim plays the accordion in a Hitchcock movie! Yes I am insane, but it was that scene that made this film all the more amazing! Though you should check the other Hitchcock movies as well. In fact, watch all the Hitchcock movies! It's what I'm aiming to do!

6. Kelly's Heroes  

One word, Oddball. If you though Murdock was insane, he is nothing compared to Donald Sutherland's Oddball. I love this character to death! And considering that his total minutes of screen-time probably add up to something like 20 minutes, in what is meant to be a Clint Eastwood movie, he not only steals this film, but runs it over with his tank in the process! For some reason, I've been watching a lot of films this year with Clint and Donald, but when you pair them together, you get one of the most fun war movies, that actually plays out more like a heist movie than a war movie... but it's still awesome! Especially with the likes of Telle Savalas and Don Rickles in supporting roles, and if you look close enough, Harry Dean Stanton is in there as well! 

5. Subway

To some, he is Christopher Lambert, star of Highlander! But to me, he will always be Chritophe Lambert (the 't' is silent), the star of Luc Besson's Subway. This film is stylish as hell! And not surprising, considering it comes from the French cinema du look movement of the 80s, where style ruled and substance not so much. And yeah, the plot is kinda non-existant to not explained outright. But I don't like this film for the plot, I like this film for the characters. From Lambert's cooler-than-thou Fred, to Isabelle Adjani's stylish socialite Helena, all the characters, even the very minor ones are memorable. But my favourites are definitely Le Roller (Jean-Hugues Anglade), a pick-pocket who escapes the police by living on roller-skates, and Le Batteur, played by a very young Jean Reno, who makes the greatest face when he gets to do a drum solo at the end. If you like French films with more style that substance, then this is one for you.

4. La Strada

I saw my first Fellini film! And oh my god, it was heartbreaking! I can see why people say Giulietta Masina is a female Charlie Chaplin. Her face is so childlike and expressionful, and watching her being abused by Anthony Quinn is like watching a puppy being kicked! But at the same time, La Strada is such a magical film, and so simply told. I am definitely going to try and see some more Fellini this year, but for my first foray into the auteur, this film is incredible.

3. The Lost Weekend

Jane Wyman strikes again! And this time with Ray Milland and Billy Wilder! Wilder is one of my favourite directors, and Sunset Boulevard is one of my all time favourite movies, but I think I made a mistake of watching a double of Ace in the Hole and this. Don't get me wrong, they are both astoundingly excellent, but Ace in the Hole is so painful to watch, that watching this afterwards was not the best pick-me-up. But I did enjoy it more, mainly because of the flawed protagonist the Milland plays, an alcoholic writer, who tries to write by living off drink for a whole weekend. This again is a heartbreakingly beautiful film, and one of Wilder's finest. I don't think I can recommend it enough, so I'll stop now before I get repetitive.

2. Don't Look Now

Steven Jay Schneider, who wrote entry on Don't Look Now for the book series 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is the biggest dick in the world for spoiling the incredible conclusion of this film. If you own a copy of that book, and you haven't seen this film, don't read it! Don't Look Now isn't only considered one of the best thrillers, but also the greatest British film ever made. And of course, it has Donald Sutherland in it, which makes it all the more amazing. I don't really want to say much more, if only because you will enjoy this more, if you know less about it. The good thing is, even if this has been spoiled for you (as it was for me, and no, I will not get over it!) it is still full of suspense even if you know the twist.

1. Carnival of Souls

Now, why would I put this little known 60s horror film above the likes of Nicolas Roeg and Billy Wilder? I mean, it was made by a company that predominantly made educational films before making this tiny film, that flopped big time when it came out. The lead actress, Candace Hilligoss, isn't even a professional actress and only starred in one other film apart from this! I mean, really, this can't be good. And no, it isn't good. It's fantastic! Which is odd, because it probably has the most predictable plot out of any of the films on this list. But you don't watch this film for the plot, you watch it for the atmosphere, which is incredibly eerie, helped by the haunting organ score by Gene Moore. And there are some visuals which leap out at you and stay in your mind. After watching this, it's easy to see why directors like David Lynch and George A Romero were inspired by this film. And since it's in public, it's also the easiest film to find. If you're bored one day, check it out. You may be surprised by how hauntingly beautiful this film is.


This list was hard! Mainly because there were just so many good films I've seen so far this year. And not just on DVD, but a lot of the films I've seen in the cinema this year have also been really good, or at the very least watchable. Which means the end of year lists are going to be difficult to say the least. Anyway, hope that I've made these films seem interesting enough for you to check out at least one of them. Until next time, readers.