My friend and former teacher, Mike Martin, knows film. He’s also a great designer. I don’t think those facts are coincidental.
In class at MATC, Mike told us that designers have to be culture-vultures, always immersed in the stories and images surrounding them in the media. Designers have to watch TV and surf the net and read magazines and go to movies and look at what’s out there all the time. From the sublime to the absurd.
Design is a conversation we have with all our various audiences: each other, the buying public, other artists, our clients. We play with symbols, presenting them in fresh ways to entertain and communicate.
For symbols, designers use what’s all around us in the media. If you’re not immersed in what’s going on out there in the culture, both high- and low-brow, you’re limiting your design vocabulary. You can’t afford to be so pure you never watch TV. But you also have to explore what’s best in the media and art worlds — such as great movies.
Mike is a demanding teacher, but he always saves a little time in class for movie reviews. He brought some great movies to my attention (Errol Morris!) and cracked me up with his commentaries on the duds (and continues to do so – see the above Photoshop cartoon he posted on Facebook today).
I asked him for a list of the best movies from the aughts. He produced this list in about ten minutes.
(in no order)
1. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
2. In The Mood For Love (2000)
3. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
4. Memento (2000)
5. The Fall (2008)
6. Talk to Her (2002)
7. Amelie (2001)
8. Maria, Full of Grace (2004)
9. Kitchen Stories (2003)
10. The Hurt Locker (2009)
Runners-up:
11. The New World (2005)
12. V For Vendetta (2006)
13. Best in Show (2000)
14. Dancer In The Dark (2000)
15. There Will Be Blood (2007)
16.The Station Agent (2003)
17. Wall-E (2008)
18. Quinceanera (2006)
19. Half Nelson (2006)
20. No Country For Old Men (2007)
21. Synecdoche, New York (2008)
22. Milk (2008)
23. Volver (2006)
Thanks, Mike!
tags:intelligent design
Comments:
Thanks, Ann. Very flattered that you posted my list. I’m sure I forgot a few, but all 23 films on that list really made an impact on me. I’d be interested in seeing other people’s choices.
—Michael Martin Dec 23, 09:08 AMThanks for posting this list – most of those are in my favorites as well. My additions are The Lives of Others, Gosford Park, City of God, Whale Rider, and keeping with the number of Almodovar films already on the list I would add All About My Mother.
—Laura McFarlane Dec 23, 01:25 PMi just wanted to let you know i have been enjoying reading your posts. keep up the great work!!!!!!
—sue dohm Dec 23, 03:32 PM
