So, last night we watched Cinema Paradiso, which got me to thinking. What are some of the best examples of Italian Cinema. I know Fellini and Antonioni a bit, and Roberto Begnini and Nanni Moretti are great. So what DVDs would folks recommend for Italian Cinema. These are the ones we own right now (not all have been watched - waiting to buy a front projector with a 92" diagonal screen first). 8 1/2 Amacord And The Ship Sails On L' Avventura Big Deal on Madonna Street Bread & Tulips Juliet of the Spirits Life Is Beautiful Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember The Monster Nights of Cabiria La Notte Il Postino Roma Satyricon Swept Away We have Malena on back order I was thinking of adding these: City of Women Il Grido Le Terra Trema Le Amiche Open City Ossessione Rocco And His Brothers I want to buy Cinema Paradiso, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. We had a copy that we rented from Netflix.com. BTW, does anyone know if there's a list of all the movies that were in Cinema Paradiso?
If you're interested in Italian cinema of the 40s and 50s (in particular the neo-realists) you have to see Martin Scorsese's documentary called "My Voyage to Italy". It's about 3 hours long and he analyses about 15 movies in details and mentions many more. It's very good. As for movie recommendations, I'm not sure which are on DVD but: "Ossessione" (Visconti) is a fascinating film, an Italian version of film noir. I recommend "Paisan" and "Open City" (Rosellini) and simply amazing - two of the most powerful films ever made. "La Terra Trema" I didn't like. Antonioni's films are interesting but a little tough to watch. Try "Blow up" and "The Passenger". I haven't seen much Fellini but "I Vitelloni" is supposed to be fantastic. "Bicycle Thieves" (De Sica) is one of the best movies ever made.
This was on either IFC or TCM a few months ago, and I am still kicking myself on a regualar basis for not taping it. You could take a one-semester course in Italian cinema in the best film studies department, and it wouldn't be as good as this was. Two of my favorites: Caro Diario (Dear Diary) by Nanni Moretti (I think), as well as his earler one that takes a waterpolo match as an allegory for contemporary Italian politics, and The Icicle Thief (or however you spell the word that sounds like Ice Sickle). Mike: did you see the "dirctor's cut" version of Cinema Paradiso? It's at theater's in Pittsburgh, but I haven't made it in yet.
I'm not going into any more detail than this because I don't want to ruin it for you but this movie has a scene that you will never forget.
La Dolce Vita La Strada Umberto D Il Gattopardo I Vitelloni has been mentioned. This reportedly was one of the inspriations for Mean Streets. The Scorcese documentary is essential.
Pasolini is essential to Italian cinema, as well as my personal favorite. http://us.imdb.com/Name?Pasolini,+Pier+Paolo