EL MARIACHI, GUMP, BIG HEAT, AND A PIXAR SHORT (KINDA) MAKE CONGRESS’ NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY

"El Mariachi" seems kinda dubious. But kudos to "The Big Heat," that's a great fucking movie.

I don't even know where to begin regarding "Forrest Gump" (UGH), but I would have liked for them to pluck "Quiz Show" from 1994, because I feel like people generally don't give a shit these days if payola occurs, whether it be in our entertainment, or even our politics. Also, it's a way fucking better movie than "Forrest Gump." Future generations are going to mock us for that one.

Top five things wrong about Gabe's post:

1. God, Quiz Show is fucking awful, and about as historically faithful as Gump. 

2. If the National Film Registry is meant to be -- like the Criterion Collection -- a collection of culturally and artistic films from our history, then yes, Gump deserves to be on there, and so does El Mariachi. Gump is a flawed, often poisonous film, but it's not the only morally repugnant movie in the registry, it was a phenomenon in its day, and the fact that it's still spurring debate almost 20 years on indicates that there's something worthwhile in it. It's in many ways the ultimate Boomer film -- a movie to show future generations when they wonder whose fault the smog-choked carmageddon they live in is. Although Gary Sinise is really, really, really good in it

3. And while I'm sure you, in your infinite wisdom, can pull some even more obscure independent filmmaker out of your ass to cite as more worthy as Rodriguez, he and his first movie are among the most famous and ultimately successful examples of D.I.Y. filmmaking. While it's not the Rodriguez movie I'd choose to include, I think it's selected for the story behind it moreso than the movie itself. 

4. There was nary a dead pornstar or ballsack in it.

5. You want to whine about questionable films, let's start with "Stand and Deliver" and "Norma Rae."

Now that that's done, Renn and the Washington Post bring up some good points when it comes to the lack of LGBT-centered films -- especially in a year when "Silence of the Lambs" was selected over "The Times of Harvey Milk" -- and it's pretty amazing that, for a film registry that purports to symbolize and be emblematic of American film, there hasn't been a signifigant AIDS film included yet.

Glancing at that title, I thought for a second it said 'RED Heat'. Not that I would've complained about that either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard 

Top five things wrong about Gabe's post:

 

1. God, Quiz Show is fucking awful, and about as historically faithful as Gump. 

 

2. If the National Film Registry is meant to be -- like the Criterion Collection -- a collection of culturally and artistic films from our history, then yes, Gump deserves to be on there, and so does El Mariachi. Gump is a flawed, often poisonous film, but it's not the only morally repugnant movie in the registry, it was a phenomenon in its day, and the fact that it's still spurring debate almost 20 years on indicates that there's something worthwhile in it. It's in many ways the ultimate Boomer film -- a movie to show future generations when they wonder whose fault the smog-choked carmageddon they live in is. Although Gary Sinise is really, really, really good in it

 

3. And while I'm sure you, in your infinite wisdom, can pull some even more obscure independent filmmaker out of your ass to cite as more worthy as Rodriguez, he and his first movie are among the most famous and ultimately successful examples of D.I.Y. filmmaking. While it's not the Rodriguez movie I'd choose to include, I think it's selected for the story behind it moreso than the movie itself. 

 

4. There was nary a dead pornstar or ballsack in it.

 

5. You want to whine about questionable films, let's start with "Stand and Deliver" and "Norma Rae."

 

Now that that's done, Renn and the Washington Post bring up some good points when it comes to the lack of LGBT-centered films -- especially in a year when "Silence of the Lambs" was selected over "The Times of Harvey Milk" -- and it's pretty amazing that, for a film registry that purports to symbolize and be emblematic of American film, there hasn't been a signifigant AIDS film included yet.

1. You're painfully unfuckingfunny. As always. But we all know that.

2. It's been awhile since I've seen Quiz Show, so, being that it's loaded to the gills with upper class white guilt, I'm sure you've seen it more recently than me. I'll yield to your point there.

3. Your arguments for Forrest Gump are... somewhat legit. I'll address that in another thread.

4. Your reasons for including El Mariachi are sound, but I just don't think that would be enough to allow the film to be preserved. It's just not a great movie, and that's obvious to anyone.

5. Agreed about Stand And Deliver and Norma Rae. Stand And Deliver is a great crowd-pleaser, but it's pretty ridiculous, and if we're considering which films are closest to the truth, well...

Regarding No. 4 - If you look at the film registry, they kind of have a history of including the most notable/recognizable examples of things, not necessarily the best. I think the dual inclusion of it and Faces are common examples of the D.I.Y./independent film ethos -- although I think the long-term effects of Robert Rodriguez's "Fifteen Minute Film School" and "Rebel Without A Crew" (a book as inspiring as it is harmful -- in many ways, it's to indie film what Robert McKee and Syd Field are to screenwriting; passionate but strangling, and responsible for lots and lots and lots of bad art) have yet to be seen. 

And for the record, Quiz Show's white guilt -- particularly in its vaguely anti-semitic treatment of John Turturro's character -- is why I loathe it.