Armond White is film criticism’s most famous contrarian. At one moment he writes a review declaring Toy Story 3 to be the most obscene excuse for toy commercials he has ever watched, and then two weeks later type out a glowing review of Resident Evil: Afterlife. He is of split-mind for sure. But what does his Flickchart look like?
1. Zardoz – The way the film portrays masculine-centered society is really an enlightening experience for all. It stands as the finest film to grace my 300-strong DVD collection.
2. Breakfast of Champions – Nick Nolte‘s closeted transvestite is truly representative of today’s emasculated workforce. A man so afraid of revealing who he is, he will become anyone to sell a car.
3. The Room – Tommy Wiseau is this generation’s Tennessee Williams. I only wish others saw greatness in him as I do.
4. Manos: The Hands of Fate – Gloriously illuminates the stretches that people will go to save themselves. Perhaps one of the best statements about the human condition in horror history.
5. First Sunday – It uplifts the soul to see what good Ice Cube and Katt Williams do for modern cinema. One would almost call it saintly.
6. Who’s Your Caddy – A delightful role reversal of racial discrimination in sports – particularly golf. Andy Milonakis could be the Sean Penn of a new decade.
7. EDTv – A masterclass in acting from Matthew McConaughey. Society today is all about who you are seen with and what you are doing. Ron Howard showed us what the Facebook generation would look like way before pretender ‘The Social Network‘ did.
8. Swept Away – Guy Ritchie may have done well financially and commercially with flicks like Snatch and Sherlock Holmes, but it is here with Swept Away that Ritchie’s true colors as an epic romanticist are shown. Truly splendorous!
9. Never Back Down – Was everything that Fight Club couldn’t be. A telling satire of the plight of 21st century males.
10. The Godfather – Come on! Even I like this film. Nobody hates The Godfather.