I’m having trouble remembering the particulars of how and when I first came to meet Nat Thomson. I do know that ever since that day, unbeknownst to him, I have been secretly in awe of how quick-witted and smart he is. I’ve been somehow containing the geeky friend crush I have, while inside my teenage self is maybe not so cool under pressure: smiling from ear to ear and probably laughing a bit too hard at his jokes and astute observations. I’m also supremely jealous of Nat’s knowledge and taste in music, which he shares though chillzone mixes he makes for his blog A Silent Flute. And it’s complimentary tumblr is a crock pot of internet randomness that leaves me inspired, laughing, and or happily confused almost daily. Did I mention he has great hair too? Here in no particular order is Nat’s The Perfect Ten.
Kikujiro (1999)
A slightly sad film for macho men like myself. It doesn’t make me cry, but it’s ultimately a sentimental movie, with only a peppering of schmaltz. Takeshi Kitano plays a way-past-his-prime gangster, half of a double act with a kid who is on a quest to visit his mother in the country. The kid’s the dead wood and Kitano is the funny-man, but both deadpan their way through the flick; the flatness of delivery in the first two acts sets up the third in a nice way. The soundtrack is great. The pacing of the film is different. If I had to pick one Kitano film it would be this one, but I like Dolls as well, just as a footnote.
Less Than Zero (1987)
The score for this movie gets it on the list. It’s a pretty by-the-books flick at it’s core, but the Thomas Newman theme does so much work that Newman probably should have gotten paid double Gertz (sorry, Jami), even though she’s very cute in this one, as usual. James Spader as Rip rules too; so slimy. I’m big on the Easton Ellis movies. Even The Informers. Ok so we’re 2 for 2 on the sad movies so far. *Editor’s note: Love this film more than strawberry JELL-O!
LA Confidential (1997)
Amazing film that makes you use your brain (sorry) and explores what drives a man (way deep). The period piece setting is just a cherry on top; swagged out suits and casual numbers, with the loose ‘50s LA trousers. Maybe the Adrien Brody get-ups in Hollywoodland top it (that suede baseball jacket; so ill), but only by a nose (no pun intended). Plus he plays a PI in that film, not a department man… know what I mean? Apples and oranges.
Fear City (1984)
Slept on this ‘84 Abel Ferrara flick. Way more of a popcorn feel than something like Bad Lieutenant, but that one has a way of making most flicks look like FernGully, as we all know. Nonetheless, it’s a grizzly slasher flick where a wacko martial arts nerd gets all serial killer on strippers. Good late-era disco soundtrack, Tom Berenger rocks some impressive leather jackets. A real mucho-macho affair. If you enjoy the tortured-boozer trope, check it out.
Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)
My mom rented this for my brother and I when we were in middle school, and that was pretty much that for getting me to take anything seriously. I shortly went on to write a skit for school (Catholic school, that is) entitled Totally Nude Radio. I got in deep shit for that one. My mom presented this movie to us as a double-feature with the less-good, but still groovy, Groove Tube. Both are fairly zeitgeistic and also both have lots of drugs and boobies. My mom simply remembered the spirit of the era in selecting them, I suppose.
The Long Goodbye (1973)
Elliot Gould is clever in this smooth, moody Altman number. If you liked Fletch, this kind of pre-dates that. Similar vibe; smart-mouthed detective on a case surrounded by the crooked, the stupid and the blonde. Makes you want to pick up smoking and give people more attitude than they may deserve.
Circle Of Iron (1978)
I’m a big swords-and-sorcery fan, but to be honest, most of them are pretty awful when put in practice beyond the poster. The theory is all there, but the executions just blow due to lack of true creativity, outside of loincloth design innovation. Beastmaster sucks, the second Conan is fun to watch, but simply not a dope flick. Circle Of Iron AKA The Silent Flute, however is a dope flick. It’s got a heavy zen/philosophical bent to it (co-written by Bruce Lee) and is fairly innovative, in that it blends fantasy vibes with martial arts.
The Seven-Ups (1973)
This one has a mad-real car chase that’ll make you wig out. Super gritty ‘70s detective flick with Roy Scheider, by Phillip D’Antoni who did The French Connection and Bullitt, so you do the math bro. ‘Nuff said.
Chinese Super Ninjas (1982)
Probably my favorite Shaw Brothers film. Probably not the best one. I saw it on TV in the late ‘80s as a kid, probably around the same time that teen-aged Wu-Tang clan members were peeping it. It really stuck in my head; I think it was the elements-themed ninjas, the slow motion and the blood. I never knew what it was called until I found it on DVD at a Suncoast.
Tequila Sunrise (1988)
Complex plot meets love triangle; my favorite. It’s not perfect, but it’s worthy. Kurt Russel rocks Pat Reilly swag, Mel Gibson plays another tortured-boozer type and Michelle Pfeiffer is one hot number. Marone! Sometimes the plot gets a bit “wait-what?” but it’s not too bad. I guess it’s poor politics to give Mel Gibson props, but he’s a real charmer in this one. If you want more explosions and monster trucks than this film may provide, please check out Tango & Cash. *Editor’s note: Available on Netflix Watch Instantly!
Nat Thomson is one chill business services professional, wrapping his brain around all sorts of marketing and communications problems as the strategy man at Exposure. Avocationally, he has contributed journalistic works to The Fader, XLR8R and a bunch of other magazines and websites in that vein, working the men’s fashion, contemporary culture and music beat. He regularly orchestrates fairly well thought out DJ mixes for his site, A Silent Flute, as well as writing alternately stupid and profound tweets; to wit.
Check out Nat’s sites!
http://www.asilentflute.com/
http://twitter.com/asilentflute
http://asilentflute.tumblr.com/
The Perfect Ten is a weekly series of top ten lists by friends of I Love Hot Dogs.
