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Sunday Discussion: The Indies We Love
March 23, 2008
by Alex Billington
I just finished watching The Squid and the Whale this afternoon and Sunshine last night, two of my favorite indie movies of the last few years. Unfortunately there's not too much to say this afternoon, except maybe have a good spring break, if yours begins this weekend. But as I sit back and reflect on the week that passed and try and think of what would make a good discussion article for today, not much is coming to my mind besides those last two indie movies I saw. So while we wait for another week to begin, I'm curious to know what everyone else's favorite indie movies are.
While there was plenty happening in LA on Thursday and Friday, I'm not really able to talk about anything. I did see Pathology, but my review on that is due out mid-April. And I did meet with some more people, but you'll find out more on that when we get closer to the summer. Instead, this week was sort of the culmination of all of January through March's indie movie madness - Sundance and SXSW.
Five years back I probably would have told you that I never enjoy indie movies or even probably didn't know what they really were. But now I can't get enough of them. They get better and better, at least if you find the right ones. For every great indie, there are at least five bad ones. That's what I love about this - it's the pursuit of finding those cinematic gems that are so hard to come by. And when you do, the pay off is incredible. As with The Squid and the Whale and Sunshine, they're two movies I love that I'm glad I found because without them I wouldn't have the appreciation for cinema that I do.
There are so many more great indies that I could mention and that even have a place on my top 10 list - City of God, Donnie Darko, Death at a Funeral, and Fido to name a few. However, I want to open up this discussion to everyone else. What are your favorite indies? What are those little cinematic gems that you've found along the way? We've got another month or two to wait until the summer season picks up and fans will run wildly through theaters in anticipation of the next big blockbuster, so until then, I invite you to share those favorites that only you might know.
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Reader Feedback - 28 Comments »
1
Sunshine is one of my faves too…I think I first heard about it here actually! I thought Pi was brilliant. And as far as documentaries go, Scratch is my fave. It's a study of the culture & history of the scratch DJ/turntablist.
jason_md2020 on Mar 23, 2008
2
That's a hard one. I love Requiem for a Dream, Chasing Amy, Rushmore, Juno, Primer
Peter Sciretta on Mar 23, 2008
4
Wristcutters: A Love Story (my favorite film of 2007), Brick, Amelie, Juno, Memento, City of God, Clerks, Run Lola Run, The Boondock Saints, American Beauty, and more…
Ben on Mar 23, 2008
5
I could be "that guy" and say Juno… But I will go further than that. I loved stuff like Rocket Science, Donnie Darko, Clerks, Boondock Saints (that one counts, right?), Little Miss Sunshine, etc. As well, I also have a real sweetspot for great independent docs — The King of Kong, American Teen, Gonzo: The Life and Times of Hunter S. Thompson, Air Guitar Nation and Second Skin, just to name a few.
And not to be forgotten — the secret independent doc about the life of Alex Billington — which I believe is on Pete's computer somewhere. That is the most riveting, hysterical and tragic footage that has ever been recorded.
Neil Miller on Mar 23, 2008
6
Garden State.
Brad on Mar 23, 2008
8
Gotta go with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Garden State, and Leon the Professional…
Matt P on Mar 23, 2008
9
"Sunshine" was a great indie flick and sci-fi done just right–definitely one of my new favorites. I also like "Chasing Amy", "Sling Blade", "Bend It Like Beckham, "Glengarry Glenross" and "Garden State"!
Spider on Mar 23, 2008
10
Squid and the Whale is one of my top ten favourite films of all time. And to add to this list… I have so many indies that I love.
American Gun
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In Bruges
The Believer
Blair Witch Project
The Dead Girl
Eulogy
The Fountain
Imaginary Heroes
Interview (2007)
The Lookout - does this count?
Muholland Drive
The Nines
Right at Your Door
The Devil's Backbone
The Devil's Rejects
Sunshine
The Sweet Herafter
Thirteen
Jeff Warner on Mar 23, 2008
11
12
a guide to recognizing your saints is by far my favorite movie let alone favorite indie movie
Shawn on Mar 23, 2008
13
I just saw In Bruges and it was amazing!…Hard to break it down to 10, but these would probably be my top 10 Indies (in no certain order)…
Wet Hot American Summer
City of God
The Devil in Daniel Johnston
American Movie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Station Agent
Junebug
Rushmore
Cashback
Rocket Science
C.New on Mar 23, 2008
14
I actually haven't watched that many Indy movies well that I am aware of but here is a couple that i know are Indy films and that i really enjoyed.
Fido
Sunshine
A Guide to Recognizing your Saints
The Nines
The Devil's Rejects
Curtis on Mar 23, 2008
15
I forgot to mention I'm Not There…truly amazing movie!
C.New on Mar 24, 2008
16
Gardenstate? Are you kidding me? That movie was horrible. It didn't make no sense what-so-ever!!
Indie movies arrent about being weird and different. I don't understand why so many poeple like these fliks only because they are weird. The beautifull thing about an indy is that you get something you don't suspect. They are a little gift and therefore more fun.
Joppe on Mar 24, 2008
17
Is "The Proposition" considered indy? I know it's a few years old, but I just recently crossed it off my want to see list" and absolutely loved it. I think with a few more viewings it will be going into my top 3-4 of all time.
Joel on Mar 24, 2008
18
here are some I can think of that either seen and own…..so let me know folks ….(my last post didn't make the cut…..) been a fan of indies for about 10 years now….love it…love to dig out some cool films….("joppe" you don't need to be here)
shaun of the dead
empire records
heights
chumbscrubber
thumbscucker
dandelion
american girl
ballad of jack and rose
mind the gap
coffee and cigarettes
slackers
dazed and confused
scanner darkly
waking life
living in oblivion
igby goes down
paris, I love you
millions
Requiem for a Dream
Rushmore
election
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Brick
Juno
Memento
City of God
Run Lola Run
The Boondock Saints,
American Beauty
Donnie Darko
Clerks
Boondock Saints
Little Miss Sunshine
science of sleep
lars von trier films
pi
Chasing Amy
Bend It Like Beckham
Squid and the Whale
the savages
love liza
American Gun
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Believer
The Dead Girl
Eulogy
The Fountain
Imaginary Heroes
Interview
The Lookout
Muholland Drive
inland empire
Right at Your Door
The Devil's Backbone
The Sweet Herafter
Thirteen
basketball diaries
elephant
sex y lucia
gerry
good will hunting
Wet Hot American Summer
The Devil in Daniel Johnston
American Movie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Station Agent
Junebug
Rushmore
Cashback
11:14
Amelie
love me if you dare
we don't live here anymore
xx/yy
Fido
28 days later
trainspotting
beach
Sunshine
A Guide to Recognizing your Saints
The Nines
Gardenstate
scar on Mar 24, 2008
19
I would have to my favorite INDIES are
Clerks
Art School Confidential
EVIL DEAD
bully
kids
Ken Park
Funny Games both the remake and original
The Dreamers
little Miss Shunshine
Night of the Living Dead(original)
Pulp Fiction
Just to name a few
Maxxx on Mar 24, 2008
20
i forgot to add the John Carpenter's Holloween
Maxxx on Mar 24, 2008
21
22
im not afan of indies but my favourites are little miss sunshine and garden state. P.S. fuck u joppe garden state was good
Drake on Mar 24, 2008
23
Some of my favorites are
Me and You and Everyone We Know
The Motorcycle Diaries - if that counts
Once
Winter Passing
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and
The Science of Sleep
The Hawk is Dying (Paul Giamatti in very fine form, I might add)
The Fountain (and Aronofsky's other two films, Pi and Requiem for a Dream)
Clerks
The Dead Girl
Eulogy (I love Zooey Deschanel!)
American History X
United States of Leland
Igby Goes Down
Brick
Coffee and Cigarettes
Some of those might not count exactly, but those are some that I like. Good topic by the way, Alex.
Derek on Mar 24, 2008
24
sorry if this is a repeat comment, my computer is being wacky.
So I did a little investigation and found some that I didn't think were considered indies and it turns out they are. There are also a few other ones I forgot to put on my first list.
Magnolia
The Terminator
Once
Crash
Amores Perros
Fargo
Memento
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
You Can Count on Me
Killer of Sheep
Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Tracey Fragments
The Air I Breathe
There are so many… I love indie film… I think more then big blockbuster ones!
Jeff Warner on Mar 24, 2008
25
2 of my top 5 favorite movies haven't been mentioned-
Kafka
The Celebration
If you haven't seen these, I recommend you skip IMDBing them and just rent and watch them.
I walked into both of these movies knowing absolutely nothing about them and had 2 of my greater
movie theatre experiences. Though it renders a site like this somewhat useless, there is something incredibly special about seeing a great movie without having seen one ad, review, plot synopsis or screenshot. Its like getting on a rollercoaster that you haven't been able to stand there and look at beforehand/ You have no idea where it will go, or how or when it will end, or whether the people who just got off it are laughing or crying.
pd on Mar 24, 2008
26
Ok, I cant believe anyone liked Sunshine at all. It had to be the worst piece of shit I have seen in a long long time. There is really no reason to like it. It is completely and blatentely inaccurate for a film that boasts factuality. Its interest is mostly in killing and poor attempts at major CG sequences (which I hate). Seroiusly the whole last act of the film depended on some guy coming on board and killing for really no reason. They never explain anything about why or how the sun is burning out so fast or how they plan to reignite it with a bomb that size. And the thing that really pisses me off is the fucking pussy way that they have gravity without (again) an explanation. That is one thing that needs to stop happening in science fiction. Despite the scientific inaccuracies, and the stupid, stupid story and pathetic twists, there really is no point to it. Its just for entertainment (again, not a hallmark of good science fiction). There is no philisophical thesis or scientific poignancy to the film. It makes itself look smart, but it is really just for idiots. No self respecting science fiction fan would touch that piece of fucking Sunshine shit with a ten foot pole.
I really liked Once, btw.
Vega Bro on Mar 24, 2008
27
I'd name my favorite indies, but unfortunately most if not have already been named here lol.
I have to agree with Vega Bro though, sunshine was terrible. Well, let me specifiy, Sunshine was great until the last act when it turned into slashermovie09456794586 set in space.
Billy on Mar 25, 2008
28
Has anyone else seen "The Hawk Is Dying," with Paul Giamatti?
Derek on Mar 25, 2008