1995 List
1995 was an unusual year. My best-of list probably looks a lot different than many others because I’m not as crazy about some revered films (Se7en) and I like others less than other people (Heat, Babe). My list has a couple of relatively obscure titles that are worth seeking out, specifically The White Balloon and Zero Kelvin. I was also surprised by the lack of American indies near the top. The industry was transitioning during the year and trying to keep up with the post-Pulp Fiction market. There were a few gems, but most rounded out the latter part of my list.
1. Before Sunrise
2. La Haine
3. To Die For
4. Underground
5. Toy Story
6. Leaving Las Vegas
7. The White Balloon
8. Casino
9. Sense and Sensibility
10. La Cérémonie
11. Whisper of the Heart
12. Safe
13. Clueless
14. Twelve Monkeys
15. Zero Kelvin
16. Living in Oblivion
17. Heat
18. Kicking and Screaming
19. Welcome to the Dollhouse
20. In the Mouth of Madness
Posted on August 3, 2014, in Film, Lists. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Criterion Close-Up 
“La Haine” was absolutely brilliant, yet I almost never see anyone talk about it. I”m glad I’m not the only one who loves this film!
I was just recently nagging some friends to check it out. It seems to be somewhat forgotten, yet the theme is just as relevant today as ever. I look forward to delving into the Criterion at some point.
When I was in France recently, I really got to see how very real this side of France is. While most of us have this idealised vision of the country, “La Haine” is also a powerfully true vision of France’s underclass. I hope it doesn’t get remade because certain people don’t want to watch anything more than ten years old.
We’ve been to France, but never been able to see that side of things. That said, my wife is a English professor and teaches a lot of post-colonialism, and La Haine is great way of showing how immigration from the colonies to France resulted in them being mistreated. She often shows the film in class. I haven’t heard about a remake, but I agree that it makes no sense because the original is so powerful. Usually the French are good about not re-making their classics, so hopefully they’ll stick to that trend. The Americans on the other hand, not so much …