Just.

Essential Films: La Haine & Alphaville

I saw La Haine when it came out and as soon as it was on DVD I bought it. I lent it out and it’s whereabouts are now unknown. Nevertheless, this is easily on my top ten of all time list, perhaps number 1. Black and white, with a close up, in your face attention to detail you’ll only see in a film like Jean Luc Goddard’s Alphaville. Alphaville I saw with a film maker friend of mine right after we graduated from college. Incredible, every shot is treated witht he care that a still photograph would be. Now that I think of it, I’m willing to bet Wong Kar Wai of In the Mood for Love fame  is a big fan of Alphaville.

Here’s links to both films on Netflix:

La Haine on Netflix.

French director Mathieu Kassovitz traces a fateful day in the lives of alienated ghetto youths Vinz (Vincent Cassel), Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui) and Hubert (Hubert Koundé) — a Jew, an Arab and an African, respectively — who are grappling with the aftermath of unexpected tragedy. When their friend Abdel lies comatose after a police beating, Vinz vows to dispense rough justice, sealing the destiny of all three.

Alphaville on Netflix:

Directed by cinematic legend Jean-Luc Godard, this mesmerizing sci-fi noir centers on secret agent Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) and his mission to destroy Alpha 60, the sentient computer that controls Alphaville by destroying freedom of thought or individuality. Brilliantly realized and crafted, Godard’s 1965 film helped to lay the foundation for future sci-fi classics such as Blade Runner, The Terminator and The Matrix.