Many behind-the-scenes full-length documentaries about the process of assembling a film are mere love-ins during which the cast & crew blather on about how “brilliant” and “fun to work” they all mutually are. I recently watched such a featurette on the Changeling DVD, during which Angelina Jolie and Clint Eastwood practically gave each other a tongue bath, so effusive were they in their praise of one another. Nothing about the filmmaking process, just endless slobbery proclamations of what a mastermind he is, how strong she is, how funny he is, how friendly she is, how… slobber, grunt, hump, schlick.
Terry Gilliam and Johnny Depp: not about to give each other a tongue bath
But it doesn’t have to be like that! Thanks to user Moribunny, there is a collection dedicated to “real” making-of films. These documentaries truly attempt to shed light on the process of the craft, and some manage to be even more entertaining than their subject. And at least one concerns a film that was never even completed: Lost in La Mancha about Terry Gilliam’s attempt to bring Don Quixote to the screen.
The collection is public, so if you know other great making-of documentaries to add, go for it!
With Pixar gobbling up both critical praise and popular admiration, it’s easy to forget that there’s another li’l animation studio over there in the corner, whimpering for attention. There there, Dreamworks, we haven’t forgotten about you. How could we? It’s because of Shrek 2 that Criticker came into being!
Shrek 2: Humanity’s Cultural Nadir
To help us remember Dreamworks’ other not-quite legendary achievements is a collection of films, created by Hells Zargon. I was amused to see that all my PSIs for these films were in the yellow range. A confirmation of mediocrity.
What is it? Why is Dreamworks unable to ascend to the heights of Pixar? Corporate vision, or just hiring the wrong creative teams?
It’s usually true that the director of the film which won Best Picture at the Oscars also walks home with Best Director. The correlation makes sense… after all, if you directed the best movie, doesn’t that make you the best director? But it’s not always the case…
Criticker user Kangadoodoo has created a public collection which lists out the films which triumphed in the Best Director category (this link orders the films descending by year). It’s especially interesting when viewed alongside the one for Best Picture (created by Quicky).
The best movie of the year, just not the best directed one. Take a seat, Mr. Hitchcock.
The discrepancies are fascinating — a history of snubs and appeals to populism. Crash wins best picture, while Brokeback Mountain had the best director? Please, the Academy knew what the better picture was, they were just afraid to say so. We also find the historic 1940 snubbing of Alfred Hitchcock who lost to John Ford, although his classic Rebecca won the big prize.
Take a look, and if you have any thoughts on other discrepancies make sure to leave them in the comments!
Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) was one of the more beloved TV shows of the past couple decades. It ran from 1988 to 1999, with 198 episodes and a full-length movie. The premise is as simple as it is ingenious: make fun of bad movies.
Some of the worst movies of all time were mocked hilariously by Joel Robinson, Mike Roberts and their robotic friends during the show’s run. Criticker user ralexwr has created a public collection which gathers all these films. With “classics” like The Leech Woman and Outlaw of Gor represented, a chuckle can by elicited just by reading the names.
The list is currently incomplete… with 84 films, there are still over a hundred missing. This is a public collection so, if your favorite MST3K episode isn’t there, you can add it yourself. Check out the collection now!
Intelligent, classy cinema has its time and place, and Criticker’s new film database provides a great way to explore and discover obscure gems. But sometimes, you just want ass. Screw witty dialogue and complex themes: give me the booty.
Criticker Collections to the rescue! LordofDance has created a public collection called Cinéma Derrier… his description:
A movie that prominently displays the female backside as an object of aesthetic lust. (This does not include all movies where the female backside is visible, but rather those movies that lovingly, lustfully or intently linger on the female backside. Fetishism, perhaps.)
Contempt (1963) – Jean-Luc Godard
Currently, there are only 17 films in the set but, as with all public collections, you can add films which you think might fit the bill.
If you’re bored with summer blockbusters, and feel like checking out a quieter, more non-traditional flick, you’d be well-advised to consult a public collection started by djross – Non-Verbal Films.
La Antena
Eschewing films from the silent era, this collection brings together any movie which is “essentially without dialogue”. As would might expect, this isn’t the largest collection at Criticker, but there are some great ones included. Interestingly, the great majority of films which land on this list are well-recommended by Criticker users. (Note to wannabe auteurs: just make your artsy film silent, and we’ll love it!)
As with all public collections, registered users can add any films that might be missing.
The collections which Criticker users come up with never fail to surprise in their originality and curiosity. And Hailey has created a great one — Films which have inspired TV series.
“HAHAAH James Spader Be PWND”
There are a lot of interesting entries in this collection, ranging from series that would ultimately trump their precursor in popularity, like MASH and Stargate, to somewhat less successful ones like Uncle Buck (what, you don’t remember?)
7 users have contributed to Hailey’s public collection, which now collects 44 films. If you know another which belongs, why not add it yourself?
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