IONCINEPHILE of the Month: Eva Vives’ Top Ten Films of All Time List
Have you ever wondered what are the films that inspire the next generation of visionary filmmakers? As part of our monthly IONCINEPHILE profile, we ask the filmmaker (this month Eva Vives) to identify their all time top ten favorite films. To be released via The Orchard on September 28th, All About Nina premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. In A to Z order, here are Eva’s top ten films of all time (worth noting: as of September 2018).
A Woman Under the Influence – John Cassavetes (1974)
“I don’t think this is a movie about mental illness but a painful look at what it is to be misunderstood as a woman. And of course, a tremendous and powerful performance by Gena Rowlands.”
All About Eve – Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1950)
“Funny how outdated the directing and shooting are in this film, because the writing and Bette Davies’ performance are not just ahead of their time but electrifying. All the famous quotes aside, it is simply filled with great writing from beginning to end: “The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!” Or “Lloyd Richards: How about calling it a night? Margo: And you pose as a playwright? A situation pregnant with possibilities and all you can think of is everybody go to sleep.”
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – George Roy Hill (1969)
“Whatever they’re selling, I don’t want it” I say that line almost every day. Goldman at his best, supported by the hugely underrated George Roy Hill and with two stunning performances by Redford and Newman. A movie about technology catching up to men. 🙂 ”
Do The Right Thing – Spike Lee (1989)
“Justifiably rageful and funny at the same time, humane and balls to the wall. I love this movie every single time I watch it.”
Dog Day Afternoon – Sidney Lumet (1975)
“Compassionate and anarchical by turns and way ahead of its time, I love the social and personal aspects of this film about working class people. Pacino is wonderful as always but his intensity would have no where to go without John Cazale’s dogged sadness. What a heartbreaking ending.”
The Godfather – Francis Ford Coppola (1972)
“If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, this is it for me. The writing, the directing, the cinematography, the editing, the performances are all perfect. I saw it for the first time in a shitty 35mm print in Barcelona when I was 7 and I’ve watched it at least once a year since. Mafia and all, this is a movie about family to me. The effects that one person can have on a whole lot of people.”
The Harder They Come – Perry Henzell (1972)
“Four words: DONT.FUCK.WITH.ME”
Heat – Michael Mann (1995)
“I love the vulnerability in all of the tough guys in this film. The women play second fiddle but strongly so, specially the Ashley Judd character who kills me every time in that balcony scene. I don’t care what people say about Al Pacino, he’s taking chances here as every actor should. I also love watching the great Ricky Harris try not to laugh when Pacino screams at him: “Gimme all you got!”
The Night Porter – Liliana Cavani (1974)
“This movie still scares the hell out of me. A sad reminder of how trauma can sometimes win over us. A haunting performance by the great Charlotte Rampling and the always unsettling Dirk Bogarde.”
Viridiana – Luis Buñuel (1961)
“I am Spanish, I can’t help myself. What a fucked up look into the male psyche, like so many of Buñuel’s movies. The toothless dude in the famous dinner scene use to beg in my grandma’s neighborhood. Sacrilegous, tortured and with some stunning shots. One of my favorite endings all of time, up there with the HARD TIMES ending.”
