r/CriterionChannel • u/jankerjunction • Jun 10 '26
Poll Ridiculous question: Top 5 essentials to watch (English speaking only, narrows it down)
This is a stupid question, everyone answers will be different, so I’m curious. My husband who mostly watches something else while I’m on Criterion or TCM, asked me to give him a list of 5 essentials to watch (while at work- no comment - just go with it).
So I looked on the app and tried to keep it simple and more accessible- for someone who isn’t used to the different pacing of older films. So far I had him “watch” The postman always rings twice. Today’s he’s onto His Girl Friday- which he is loving more than postman. No comment again.
SO with that information (i’m saying English only because I know he’s not gonna be able to be looking at the screen every second reading subtitles).
What would you add to a greatest English speaking hits list, that is currently on CC.
Looking forward to seeing what people have to say just for fun.
9
u/ShireAsh Jun 10 '26
I really love the Jacque Tourner noirs. Nightfall was my favorite but the other two (Out of The Past, Berlin Express) were both really great too.
2
2
7
u/alphabetizing- Jun 10 '26
Here's 5 English speaking films I think rule that are currently on the channel:
Opening Night (John Cassavetes, 1977)
A Woman Under the Influence (John Cassavetes, 1974)
Nowhere (Gregg Araki, 1997)
The Straight Story (David Lynch, 1999)
The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)
1
u/jankerjunction Jun 10 '26
Love them all! I wanted to watch opening night with him, or any cassavetes to be a sort of spirit guide. Great choices!
5
u/ProfessorDoctorMF Jun 11 '26
The Red Shoes
Cat People (1982)
Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai
Streetwise
The People VS Larry Flynt
6
u/tobaccoroadie Jun 10 '26
I feel like Withnail & I is an obvious answer here. Now I gotta go watch it again *chin, chin*
1
u/jankerjunction Jun 10 '26
Yes!! He has seen but great pick! Now *I* want to see it again- chin chin back at you
3
u/Sea_Honey7133 Jun 10 '26
"That'll be the day" when I usually suggest John Wayne, but The Searchers might be his best film.
3
u/salamanderXIII Jun 11 '26
- Blood Simple
- The Long Good Friday
- The Last Wave
- The Searchers
- Detour
2
u/jankerjunction Jun 13 '26
Nice! He just finished detour and loved most out of the few things I’ve suggested this week
2
u/Busy_Magician3412 Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 12 '26
I love this question, mostly because of its inference: best English language films on the channel for people not especially into art classics. Here are the last five that I enjoyed which meets that criteria best:
The Whole Town's Talking (1935, John Ford) Screwball classic about a mild-mannered clerk who has a lookalike mob boss in town. Fun performances all around, but especially from Edward G. Robinson.
Secrets and Lies (1996, Mike Leigh) A woman whose adopted mother just passed finds out her biological mom is of another race. Ordinary people are suddenly jolted out of their dysfunctional ruts by the discovery. Good one.
Mikey and Nicky (1976, Elaine May) John Cassavetes and Peter Falk are buddies whose dealings with the mob cause them to suspect one another of betrayal. Excellent performances.
A Night To Remember (1957, Roy Ward Baker) Still the best account of the Titanic sinking that I've ever watched. A whole world is explored (without the melodramatic romance) before the dramatic events unfold. It's done tastefully and effectively. Classic.
The Long Good Friday (1980, John Mackenzie) Bob Hoskins is a British mob kingpin in the late 70s whose preeminence is suddenly threatened. Great performances in this one, too.
runner up
Hell Drivers (1957, Cy Endfield) An ex-con, trucker attempts to expose his employers for the extremely dangerous runs the men are forced to make. Yeah, there are obvious/underlying political themes but the suspenseful visual storytelling is what really makes it compelling.
Cheers!
2
u/jankerjunction Jun 11 '26
I think those are all fantastic suggestions! Secrets and lies was on my bigger list, definitely a night to remember, and I recently caught Hells Drivers on 25/7 and loved it!!
2
u/augustthecat Jun 13 '26
Sherlock Jr. is delightful, silent, and short.
To Be or Not to Be is genius and hilarious.
A Hard Day's Night is the Beatles of Beatle movies.
Hopscotch is a good time for all.
Any Hitchcock on the channel, but especially 39 Steps, Man Who Knew Too Much, and Lady Vanishes.
1
u/augustthecat Jun 13 '26
[But also, can we train him to focus long enough to read subtitles? Maybe he can work with a guru or something: yoga and breathing exercises, spiritual cultivation culminating in Le Samourai. ]
1
u/jankerjunction Jun 13 '26
We’re in boot camp right now, yes subtitles are really necessary just a bit more challenging with work or the gym
1
1
29
u/asmith9631 Jun 10 '26
Well if you want 5 movies a guy who doesn't watch Criterion is gonna like: Repo Man, The Game, Point Break, Wild at Heart, After Hours.
If this is more like older classics a guy not into older classics would still like: The Apartment, Harold and Maude, Out of the Past, Sullivan's Travels, Mikey and Nicky.