Thursday, July 4, 2013

Top 10 “American” Movies

On this day of American independence, I thought it’d be fun to list my 10 favorite American films of all time. Not films made in America, and hell, not even films necessarily about America, but rather, my top 10 films that simply have a variation of the word “America” in their title. Simple, right? Enjoy, and happy 4th!

American Graffiti (1973)
George Lucas’ American Graffiti is as fine an encapsulation of pop bubble gum American nostalgia as I’ve seen. Set entirely during one summer night in ‘62, the film is a series of vignettes that capture a time and place exquisitely. Never dated, never dull. Where were you in ‘62?

American Gigolo (1980)
After a narcissistic, materialist gigolo (Richard Gere, in the quintessential Richard Gere performance) becomes the chief suspect in a murder, he fights to defend himself against his own lifestyle. American Gigolo is one of the best films Paul Schrader has ever made, equipped with the director’s iconic cynicism and wit. A must see for Gere and/or Schrader fans.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Two American friends embark on a backpacking trip in England and are ultimately attacked by a werewolf. One friend dies, while the other slowly morphs into a werewolf (and is subsequently haunted and annoyed by the ghost of his dead friend). John Landis’ film is a classic horror/comedy, with Oscar-winning make-up effects to boot. The kind of film only a guy like Landis could pull off.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
I always love when a foreigner paints such a memorable portrait of past American life. And that is exactly what Italian master Sergio Leone did with his final film, Once Upon a Time in America. This grand epic takes nearly four hours to span nearly 50 years and not a single minute of it is misspent. As iconic as “American” movies get.

The American President (1995)
Perhaps the most carefree film on this list, Rob Reiner’s The American President carries a rare distinction: whenever it’s on television (which is All. The. Time. in the U.S.) I can watch some or all of it with perfect contentment. I never grow tired of Aaron Sorkin’s witty script, or Michael Douglas’ sardonic president. It’s just a damn fun movie, you know?

American History X (1998)
To shift to a far darker tone, Tony Kaye’s American History X is a raw and unflinching examination of the lengths at which men go to please other men. A son remembers his racist father by committing horrible acts of violence. A brother remembers his brother by pretending to believe in the rhetoric. And on and on. If anything, American History X proves how unrelenting the cycle of racism can be, and how it will never be broken, unless.

American Beauty (1999)
It seems as though the older I get, the more shit American Beauty gets. It’s a movie people love to hate. I remember Entertainment Weekly once listing it as the worst film to ever win Best Picture. I mean… really? Anyway, both then and now, I have always been infatuated with this gorgeous, emotionally brutal, and all around remarkable film. You have no idea what I’m talking about, but don’t worry, you will someday.

American Psycho (2000)
There are some fine films on this list. Damn fine. But my favorite, it must be said, is easily Mary Harron’s faithful adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial novel, American Psycho. As the title character, Christian Bale has simply never been better. Patrick Bateman is a hilarious, misguided, narcissistic psychopath whose lust for violence creates some of the most ironically hilarious moments I’ve ever seen. As far as I’m concerned, American Psycho is as perfect as satires get.

In America (2003)
I’m sad that Jim Sheridan’s magnificent and personal film, In America didn’t “make it.” Despite being a critical success upon its release, and earning a few Oscar nominations, the film doesn’t seem to have cemented itself into the brains of most contemporary movie audiences. That’s a shame. Me? I have never forgotten its honest power. I highly recommend this sentimental masterwork.

The American (2010)
I know damn well why Anton Corbijn’s perfect film, The American, failed to retain an audience in the U.S. Simply put, despite its title, the film was released in the wrong country. The only thing American about it is star George Clooney, who delivers a slow, methodical performance as slow and methodical as the film itself. It’s unlike any character Clooney has ever played, and the film is unlike any modern American film I’ve ever seen. Works for me.

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52 comments:

  1. Really nice list! The American President is one of my favorites. It's quite sad how much of it I can quote. Love Clooney in The American - he makes an amazing transformation even if the movie moves at a too slow pace.

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    1. Thanks Katy! The American President is so much fun. And I love hearing that you dig Clooney in The American. I always thought that movie deserved more praise.

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  2. Cool list. I like what you did with the first image.

    Why would people hate American Beauty? That's my favourite but I absolutely adore American Psycho too.

    Have to watch American Gigolo and The American. Maybe I'll watch one of them today itself.

    Oh and Happy Independence Day :)

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    1. Thanks! Making that image was a lot of fun. I dunno why so many people hate on American Beauty. I've always been in love with it.

      The American is different, but damn good. Be interested to hear your thoughts.

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  3. Great list! Awesome to see American Psycho here, though they didn't use a lot of stuff from the novel (I don't think they even could film that shit) Bale really captured Bateman as if they filmed the entirety of it. It will always be my favorite performance of his.

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, if they filmed everything from that novel, then the movie would've pretty much been a snuff film. Rats, crucifixions, babies - yikes. Either way, love the book, love the movie.

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  4. Great list my fellow American. In fact, yesterday, I finally saw American Gigolo as I decided to post my review of that film today in celebration of the 4th of July.

    Yet, there is one figure that personifies the brilliance that is AMERICA MOTHERFUCKER... KENNY POWERS.

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    1. Fuckin' Kenny Powers man. Goddamn genius.

      I love that we both commemorate our country's birthday with a movie like American Gigolo. That's awesome.

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  5. Canadian here! Great list here, I really like what you had to say about Corbijn's The American, what a flick, so very underappreciated and oh so European! It threw me off the first time I saw it, I was expecting more of what I saw in Control, instead I found myself facing a new and beautiful beast all the same.

    American Gigolo is a great fucking film, it's no Mishima but man, what a footnote. I recommend you track down a copy of Kazan's America, America if you get a chance.

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    1. Thanks man! I do need to see America, America... that was probably the biggest gap from this list.

      So cool that you're a fan of The American. I love that damn movie. I wish Corbijn made more flicks.

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  6. American Splendor is one well worthy of being on this list, if you haven't seen it.

    I actually did a category of these movies a while back. It's not a "best ever", but if you're interested in what I picked: http://www.tipsfromchip.blogspot.com/2012/08/american-movies.html

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    1. Yeah I really dig American Splendor. One of my favorite Giamatti performances yet.

      Groovy list. I thought people would give me more crap for not including the American Pie flicks here. I mean I like the first one, good comedy, but there's only room for 10 I guess.

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  7. Great list Alex. Two words - Team America! ;)

    Big fan of American Psycho & American History X, both superb films. Not aware of The American though. Sounds decent, I'll keep an eye open for it.

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    1. Team American was THIS close! That movie is fuckin' hysterical. Love it.

      I highly recommend The American. A very different film, though. Very European vibe.

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  8. Love love love your red white and blue photo collage! Great fun list idea. Coming to America would be in my top ten. ;-)

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    1. Thanks! I love Coming to America. Funny stuff!

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  9. Great list, Alex! Did Entertainment Weekly have a lobotomy when they watched American Beauty? That IS one of my all-time favorite movies, and I don't understand why anyone would label it the 'worst' film to with an Oscar...haters gonna hate.

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    1. Thanks! I was so stunned when I read that. I mean, the WORST?! Come on. I love that damn movie. Always have.

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  10. Nice list. I love that American Psycho is your favorite of the group, and I'm with you in that it's a damn near perfect satire. So good.

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    1. Thanks man. I love American Psycho. It knows exactly what it is trying to do, and, in my opinion, does it perfectly.

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  11. really good list man, i totally agree, happy to see i'm not the only one to adore bale's perfomance. American psycho and American Beauty are two cult movies, some of the bests ever made, what do you think about another great cult movie, donnie darko?

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    1. Thanks! I think Bale is perfect as Patrick Bateman. A risky and star making performance right there.

      I dig Donnie Darko. I'm not sure I love it as much as some other people, but I certainly do appreciate it. A groovy little flick.

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    2. exactly, bt obviously the oscar for the best actor went to russel crowe... i simply don't get it

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  12. Excellent list! Glad to see The American here, I think it's quite underrated.

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    1. Thanks man. Hell yeah man, such an underrated gem.

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  13. I absolutely need to see American Gigolo - Schrader is amazing. The Comfort of Strangers is, ahem, a searing satire of bourgeois morality. I hear he's written a few little films for another director too...

    First comment in ages - some righteous picks here. I'd personally have American Splendor up there. In terms of upcoming releases there's American Hustle, which should be awesome, and an adaptation of Philip Roth's American Pastoral - which is basically The Great American Novel (not to be confused with Roth's earlier book, The Great American Novel). Unfortunately, that's being directed by the same dude who did fucking Stand Up Guys, so it might not be awesome.

    Keep the good posts coming, man!

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    1. Schrader is one of my all around favorite people in the biz. Both his scripts and own films are usually suited to my style. I really dig him. Can't wait for The Canyons.

      Pumped for American Hustle. I think Russell is going to deliver greatness there. Or at least that's what I'm hoping for. Whatta cast...

      Thanks for the comment!!

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  14. Good list - some great films on here - Once Upon A Time In America is one of my top 20 films, and American Psycho is fantastic too - one of the great adaptations. American Beauty has slid down in my personal esteem (since being one of my favourite films a decade ago), but I definitely think that the widespread historical revision regarding the film as being "terrible" is misplaced; the plotting's not as tight as it could be and it's nowhere near as profound as it thinks it is, but Mendes' direction is tight and uses colour spectacularly while Spacey is hilarious.

    Oh, and I'll second what everyone else is saying - that cover image is sweet, nice idea and execution!

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    1. Thanks man, glad you dig the cover image!

      I will agree that I don't like American Beauty as much as I used to. When I first saw it, I thought it was thebestmovieofalltimeohmygod, but now I just love it. Still, a "terrible" film? Nah.

      Once Upon a Time in America is tops. Love that movie.

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  15. The diversity of these "American" films is brilliant. LOVE that you included The American here! I've been a huge fan of that since it I saw it on opening weekend. And Clooney gets Best Actor from me, so no problem there.

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    1. The diversity of this list was definitely a lot of the fun. Another fan of The American. I dig it!

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  16. I LOVE several of these films (American Psycho is a film I can always watch whenever I see it on tv). The American is great, I think Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton are wonderful in In America, and can't deny Beauty/History X/Werewolf In London/Once Upon A Time... either.

    As someone who recently went through and marathoned every Paul Schrader directed film (don't know why, but just did it in the span of like 3 days) I feel like he's a rather inconsistent director. He's made some great films (Hardcore, Affliction, and to a lesser extent Auto Focus), some decently solid films (American Gigolo, Light Sleeper, Patty Hearst), and some really terrible films (Touch, Forever Mine, and Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist) but I'd say I'd lean more on him being meh for me. Don't get me wrong, the scripts he's done for Scorsese are great, can't deny the power of those films, but his own films are just so inconsistent for me that I have trouble saying that I view him as a "great" director". Though When I watch the "great" films I can certainly see him getting some terrific performances out of his actors.

    But aside from all that, this was a cool post man, I was surprised you didn't include American Gangster.

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    1. Thanks man, glad you're a fan of a lot of these movies. American Psycho... I ALWAYS watch that one when it's on.

      I'm a fan of what Schrader has done for film in general, via some of his scripts and some of his films, but I will agree that he's an inconsistent director. I usually appreciate when he goes for darker tones, but either way, sometimes his films simply do not work. So we're in total agreement there.

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  17. Great list! American Werewolf is one of my favorite 80's movies -- somehow The Hubby and I never get tired of it. It took me a second viewing to appreciate American Beauty -- now I love it. American History X is also terrific, but I doubt I'll sit through it a second time. I'm still trying to erase the "curb stomp" from my consciousness.

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    1. Thanks! I had no idea you liked American Werewolf that much. Love it. Have you seen the sort of remake, An American Werewolf in Paris? Meh.

      AHX is a good film, but yeah, definitely hard to stomach.

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    2. We watched American Werewolf in Paris years ago, and we pretty much hated it. Not the same at all.

      I've been thinking about writing a blog post about my favorite movies I'll never watch twice (including AHX) -- films I really appreciate but don't wish to experience a second time. We'll see if I get around to it. ;-)

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  18. What, no trendy black and white picture of Jason Biggs and his American pie? Kidding. I love this list, but I cannot re-watch In America. That movie just tears me apart. When they lose all that money for an E.T doll, was it? It just breaks my heart. I love the line you used for American Beauty. Still my all time favorite movie, no matter how many people try to hate on it.

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    1. Ha, I was this close to including Biggs' pie molestation. This. Close.

      In America is definitely a tough watch. So honest and heartbreaking. That E.T. doll scene is devastating, but thankfully the scene doesn't exactly end the way you remember it ;-)

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  19. Great list, but I also LOVE the doc American Movie.

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    1. Thanks! I love that doc too, but I'm really due for a rewatch.

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  20. Alex, these are great choices, particularly films like In America and The American that didn't draw big audiences. I'm not a big fan of Once Upon a Time In America, though. I admire its ambition and think it's gorgeous, but it's also very sexist and tries to make heroes out of brutes. It's not a bad film, but I don't have much affection for it.

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    1. Hey Dan, so glad to hear you're a fan of In America and The American. You know, I will agree that OUaTiA is rather sexiest. But I am curious, have you seen the full, extended version?

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  21. American Sniper? Where?

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    1. Well, this list isn't ranked in terms of preference, but American Sniper would definitely be on it today.

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  22. What do you think about Jim Sheridan's body of work?

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    1. His first five films are damn near perfect. But his most recent three have problems, and Dream House is horrible (though he disowned the film when the studio took it away from him in editing).

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    2. I saw just Dream House. Nothing. This film is shit at best. Pretty much a D- or even a F.

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  23. American History X was masterful.
    American Beauty is one of my fav '90s film. Easy one of the greatest Best Picture winner.
    American Psycho is...good. I need to watch it again. It's pretty weird.
    Others ''American'' films that didn't make the list.

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    1. American Psycho definitely gets better everytime I watch it.

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  24. An American Tail, Coming to America, American Movie, American Pie, Angels in America, American Splendor, Team America: World Police, AMERICAN GANGSTER, American Hustle.

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    1. Angels in America should've been on my list. No excuse for it not being, unless I decided to exclude it because it's a miniseries. Such a great experience.

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