Great stuff! The inclusion of Prince Achmed feels so obvious in retrospect that it's kind of shocking the BFI hasn't done it already -- it *needs* to be covered. There's also a strong case to be made for one of Trnka's films, probably The Hand, given its international fame compared to some of his other stuff (although The Emperor's Nightingale would be another contender).
This is a pretty good list! I recently watched Mind Game for the first time, and it was a trip. For other recommendations, how about Richard Linklater's Waking Life? Or maybe a film by Marcell Jankovics?
Also, I think you make a compelling case for The Lego Movie. However, if we're going to have a Lord/Miller production in the Film Classics series, I would argue that, depending on how part three comes out, (or even if part 3 doesn't turn out so well) do a book on the Spider-verse trilogy.
In terms of influence, Into The Spider-verse has impacted the trajectory of mainstream CG animation significantly. The success of Spider-verse paved the way for stylized CG animation in many recent efforts, including-- Puss in Boots 2, TMNT Mutant Mayhem, Nimona, and arguably to disastrous and misguided results in Disney's Wish.
The films are also interesting as they how they exist in the current super hero ecosystem. On the surface, they share some characteristics of other contemporary super hero films, they are filled with tons of fan service and obscure lore. However, these are films that people who have zero interest in MCU movies enjoy. (like myself, I haven't watched a Marvel movie in years, and never bothered to go to the cinema to see one) So that tension of existing inside the super hero umbrella, while setting itself apart from it may be worth discussing. Super heroes are a part of the contemporary film landscape, so the Film Classics series might as well discuss one of the good ones!
I'm excited to read your blog Alex, good luck as it continues to grow!!
Waking Life is a great one. So much to talk about: the unusual subject matter, the blurring of doc and fiction, the rotoscoping, how to make an animated feature in the US outside the studio system…
And yeah, I agree about Spider-Verse, and thought about including it instead of The Lego Movie. Although it's clearly had an impact, as you describe, it might test the BFI's threshold for how old a film has to be before it can be considered a "classic". Wait more years, and there'll be even more to say about it. That said, the same could be true of The Lego Movie…
I'd love to see The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb by the Bolex Brothers and/or When The Wind Blows given their rightful air. Also, a personal favourite is Nova Seed, an independent feature by Nick DiLeberto from 2016 but I know that's a below-the-radar one (if you've not seen it it's quite a film).
Cheers Jim—Nova Seed is on my watch list. I haven't got round to it yet.
I often thought about When The Wind Blows when writing about Grave of the Fireflies. They have so much in common, and Wind is just as good an example of a film that plays with people's preconceptions about animation to devastating effect.
Great stuff! The inclusion of Prince Achmed feels so obvious in retrospect that it's kind of shocking the BFI hasn't done it already -- it *needs* to be covered. There's also a strong case to be made for one of Trnka's films, probably The Hand, given its international fame compared to some of his other stuff (although The Emperor's Nightingale would be another contender).
Good shout about Trnka. Which reminds me: loved your piece on him and Kawamoto.
Thanks very much!
This is a pretty good list! I recently watched Mind Game for the first time, and it was a trip. For other recommendations, how about Richard Linklater's Waking Life? Or maybe a film by Marcell Jankovics?
Also, I think you make a compelling case for The Lego Movie. However, if we're going to have a Lord/Miller production in the Film Classics series, I would argue that, depending on how part three comes out, (or even if part 3 doesn't turn out so well) do a book on the Spider-verse trilogy.
In terms of influence, Into The Spider-verse has impacted the trajectory of mainstream CG animation significantly. The success of Spider-verse paved the way for stylized CG animation in many recent efforts, including-- Puss in Boots 2, TMNT Mutant Mayhem, Nimona, and arguably to disastrous and misguided results in Disney's Wish.
The films are also interesting as they how they exist in the current super hero ecosystem. On the surface, they share some characteristics of other contemporary super hero films, they are filled with tons of fan service and obscure lore. However, these are films that people who have zero interest in MCU movies enjoy. (like myself, I haven't watched a Marvel movie in years, and never bothered to go to the cinema to see one) So that tension of existing inside the super hero umbrella, while setting itself apart from it may be worth discussing. Super heroes are a part of the contemporary film landscape, so the Film Classics series might as well discuss one of the good ones!
I'm excited to read your blog Alex, good luck as it continues to grow!!
Waking Life is a great one. So much to talk about: the unusual subject matter, the blurring of doc and fiction, the rotoscoping, how to make an animated feature in the US outside the studio system…
And yeah, I agree about Spider-Verse, and thought about including it instead of The Lego Movie. Although it's clearly had an impact, as you describe, it might test the BFI's threshold for how old a film has to be before it can be considered a "classic". Wait more years, and there'll be even more to say about it. That said, the same could be true of The Lego Movie…
Thanks for your thoughtful contribution!
Mind Game! YES!
I'd love to see The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb by the Bolex Brothers and/or When The Wind Blows given their rightful air. Also, a personal favourite is Nova Seed, an independent feature by Nick DiLeberto from 2016 but I know that's a below-the-radar one (if you've not seen it it's quite a film).
Cheers Jim—Nova Seed is on my watch list. I haven't got round to it yet.
I often thought about When The Wind Blows when writing about Grave of the Fireflies. They have so much in common, and Wind is just as good an example of a film that plays with people's preconceptions about animation to devastating effect.