I relish my newfound love affair with my new Mac laptop. I get e-mails from the Bill Clinton, One.org and recently from Goop, the official website of Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwenyth wrote about her and some of her favorite directors’ choice movies to watch on DVD. And these are good picks especially that Holy Week break is just round the bend.
Gwyneth wrote, “I’m not one of those film people who can tell you who the cinematographer was on On The Waterfront or who most influenced Truffaut. When it comes to knowledge of film history, I’m semi-rubbish (a friend of mine once left the dinner table when I admitted I had never seen one of the most famous and most well-regarded films of all time). I can do the whole rap at the end of The Revenge of the Nerds and all of Jeff Spicoli’s dialogue, but sadly, my expertise ends there. I do, however, love film and whether it is an exceptional documentary, a classic or a Seth Rogan vehicle, I am always excited about seeing something that my friends love. The films I love best usually contain a breathtaking female performance (The Reader, Sophie’s Choice, Klute), as the genius of a creative woman inspires me in all areas of my life. This week, I asked five brilliant directors (four of whom I have worked with and one who I worship) to share their Top 5 DVD rental picks. Their choices range from the serious to the whimsical to everything in between.”
Of Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth said, “Steven Spielberg is a pretty good director, you might have heard of him. When I was 17 he asked me to be in Hook (his film about Peter Pan) one night when we were all driving to a movie. They made me a custom wig and I only had one line. Filming that scene was one of the best, most memorable days of my life.”
Steven’s best movie rentals are The Best Years of Our Lives, Captain’s Courageous, The Godfather, The Searchers, and Tootsie. Steven says that these are not necessarily his best all-time favorite films but they are good choices to rent and enjoy.
Wes Anderson, Gwyneth’s director in The Royal Tenenbaums’ picked, Terror’s Advocate, Neon Genesis Evangelion, From the Life of Marionettes, Life Lessons and Missing. Gwyneth wrote, “Wes Anderson directed Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, etc. He is one of the most specific directors I have ever worked with. When I played Margot in The Royal Tenenbaums, he knew exactly how he wanted my hair, clothes and eye makeup. He is so inspiring to work with because you feel like you are the one crazy, important color he needs to create the whole picture. Also, he is a great dresser.”
Gwyneth’s director in Iron Man Jon Favreau chose Seven Samurai, an Akira Kurosawa masterpiece, Kung Fu Panda, Top Chef Boxed Set, Visions of Light and Westworld. Gwyneth said he and Jon met “When we both had bit parts in Dorothy Parker and the Vicious Circle about 15 years ago. He then went on to write and star in Swingers and become an incredible filmmaker. We reconnected when he asked me to be in Iron Man. Jon is not only a confident filmmaker, he is deeply calm and funny. I can’t wait to start Iron Man 2 in two weeks and hang out with him every day.”
James Gray her director in Two Lovers had the following choices: Rocco and His Brothers, The 400 Blows, Francois Truffaut’s classic about the struggles and joys of youth, Singin’ In The Rain, The Godfather/The Godfather Part Two and Tokyo Story by Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu. James according to Gwyneth is a beautiful, unique filmmaker. “He does know everything about everything that ever happened in film. He loves actors so much that he bursts into laughter if he loves what you did in a take. I did Two Lovers with him and it was one of the best artistic experiences of my life. Also, he made his famous pasta sauce for me in my trailer on my last day.”
Of the directors Gwyneth asked, it was only Sophia Coppola whom she has not worked with in a movie. “Sophia Coppola makes some of my favorite movies. When I saw The Virgin Suicides, I felt something I hadn’t really felt before. She captured the light and texture of youth so perfectly that it swept me away. I have never worked with her but I thought it would be cool to hear her picks, as she is not only incredibly talented, but a woman as well,” Gywneth concluded. Here are Sophia’s choices: The Last Picture Show, Tootsie, Chris Rock - Never Scared. Heartbreak Kid, Let the Right One In.
I like On the Waterfront, The Last Emperor, Citizen Kane by Orson Welles, Lawrence of Arabia, To Kill a Mocking Bird, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, Schindler’s List, Sophie’s Choice, Dances with Wolves, Tootsie, Marathon Man, The Graduate, The African Queen, Amadeus, Saturday Night Fever, Himala, Ina Ka ng Anak Mo, Nunal Sa Tubig, Relasyon.
I love the movies!