Bryan Fogel

Hands down one of my all-time faves. Pulp Fiction shattered traditional storytelling norms, was morally complex and pushed the boundaries cinematically. The film challenged the status quo and fearlessly delved into controversial topics. Tarantino brings larger-than-life individuals to the forefront of his storytelling and blends entertainment with deeper themes. A masterpiece.

Alongside Pulp Fiction, I can’t think of a film I’ve seen more or laughed more with and from. The Coens’ genius, and the countercultural tone of the Dude’s resistance to conformity and societal expectations, creates one the greatest and most quotable film characters of all time. The Big Lebowski balances absurd humor with deeper themes and, much like Pulp Fiction, is a character-driven, ensemble-driven vehicle. While John Turturro or even Peter Stormare or Flea have relatively small roles, each actor left an indelible mark on this film. Its wit, its examination of human nature and its embrace of the unconventional easily make this an instant classic. After I won the Oscar, I was lucky enough that Joel Coen was standing offstage in the wings. It was a surreal moment for me!

French filmmaking at its best. Stylistically, this is one of my favorites. Jeunet made me fall in love with Paris all over again. The craft and colors and set design and cinematography of this film is unreal. A movie during which I find myself constantly asking, “How did they do that?” The editing is so intricate, set to music, a moment, a gag—similar to how Edgar Wright crafts a scene. Every frame is packed with texture and meaning, and Jeunet makes ordinary life extraordinary. To me this film is timeless.

Guillermo is a visionary whose meticulous attention to detail creates a visually captivating world. The dual narratives of Ofelia and Captain Vidal are so deeply layered, and like so many of his other films Pan’s Labyrinth explores how fantasy and imagination can provide refuge and resistance against the cruelty of reality. I personally relate to this film as I like to expose dark truths and investigate corruption, abuse of power and human suffering. I admire del Toro’s ability to craft a deeply personal yet universally resonant story, blending creativity with moral depth. A very, very special film that transcends so many boundaries.

This is easily one of my favorite movies. I love India—and here a British filmmaker brought India to a global audience in a way no one had ever done before. It was groundbreaking. The way Boyle captured Mumbai—the colors, the rich and the poor, the slums, the trains, and the human struggles which are so ever-present in India—was breathtaking. What I responded to was the kinetic energy. Much like he did with Trainspotting, the film never stops pushing. And then there’s A.R. Rahman’s electrifying score. The film’s exploration of inequality, the caste system and Jamal’s journey paint a deeper story about how humans overcome extraordinary challenges. This was a transformational film for me, one that I can go back to watch time and time again and find yet another reason to love. And the ending song and dance in the credits—pure joy.

I love that this is a real-life heist film with methodical planning, close calls, and an edge-of-your-seat climax. It was so inspirational to me in making Icarus, as it, at least for me, never feels like a documentary. Rather, it plays as a suspense thriller. I personally appreciated the extraordinary lengths that Philippe Petit was willing to go to in pursuit of his dream of the impossible. What an audacious story and brilliantly crafted film!

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This film reminded me of what it’s like to be in love with the wrong person. The toxic and all-consuming love. Vincent Cassel is an exceptional actor. The story captures the euphoric highs and lows of loving someone who is both magnetic and destructive. I think any artist can relate. It’s also so vulnerable and self-doubting, and the cinematography so intimate, that you feel as if Cassel is breaking the fourth wall. I truly connected to the film’s ability to humanize flawed, ambiguous characters and its exploration of manipulation and power dynamics within relationships. Such authenticity.

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Collin’s film is a haunting and poetic documentary about the life and death of jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan. Before seeing this film I knew nothing about Lee Morgan and his fatal shooting at the hands of his wife, Helen, between sets of a performance in 1972. I was riveted. Collin’s approach to storytelling feels like jazz, an improv. I learned so much (which is what great docs do) and loved the fragile intersection of genius, passion and human frailty. I found the film to be a meditation on the choices and circumstances that define us. I also love how the film weaves larger social and cultural themes into a deeply personal tragedy.

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The winner of the documentary Oscar for 2019, a year after Icarus. I couldn’t have been happier for Jimmy and Chai. I saw this in Imax and was gripped to my seat. Stunning, jaw-dropping and unbelievable—how the film was made and how Alex Honnold’s story is told is an accomplishment equal to his climb. Free Solo immerses the viewer in the sheer scale and danger of Alex’s climb, but creates a completely visceral experience that balances the thrill of achievement with the risk of death. My films like to explore the boundaries of human courage and resilience. I love people who challenge systems, conventions or themselves in extraordinary ways. This film is so good and one of a kind.
 

Unpredictable at every turn. Funny, outrageous, emotional—everything anyone could ever want in an action movie, musical or Bollywood film. Like The Matrix, this film has jaw-dropping action sequences so audacious and creative that I found myself in a constant state of  “How did they do that?” and a pure joy of filmmaking. What’s even better is that the story is based on the history of India. I love India, it’s perhaps my most favorite country, and this film solidified that for me. A must-see.