"Entertainment" is a funny thing, particularly when it comes to film. While drama and comedy are easily understandable, horror is not so easy to explain. By all signs, "entertainment" is not so much about bringing pleasure, but bringing any sort of feeling or gestalt to our humdrum lives. But some films go beyond the ordinary, into emotional depths that leave us shell-shocked. Why would we watch such things? Because we can't look away.
Many films which I forgot or have not seen did not make it to the poll have come up since the poll began. Here are some of the apparently more noteworthy ones in no particular order: The Killing Fields, Saving Private Ryan, 1984, Breaking the Waves, Brazil, Philadelphia, Sophie's Choice, Hotel Rwanda, Kids, Beaches, Threads, Das Boot, 21 Grams, The Hours, Syriana, Leaving Las Vegas
I'll be honest... I write diaries like this for two reasons:
- To promote films I think should be seen (especially Grave of the Fireflies in this case)
- To get ideas for new movies to see. Several of which are above.
Someone suggested doing one for most uplifting films. I think that's a great idea and somebody should do it. But it won't be me. Actually I was thinking of writing one for best bittersweet romances, which in keeping with #1 above would include "Casablanca", "Comrades: Almost a Love Story", and "Lone Star". But I can't think of many more.
As for this poll... For me it's a toss-up between Requiem for a Dream and Grave of the Fireflies. In the case of the former, I felt like I might break out and scream at any given moment for several days afterwards. In the case of the latter, I felt like I might break out and cry. And every time I think of either since, I feel the same way.
All in all... tragedy is under-represented. In avoiding it, we may retain optimism, but we may also miss perspective. Whether it works out to our advantage or not is a matter of debate.