Review: My Own Private Idaho

Two best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way. My Own Private Idaho is a film of vast ambition and works as a brilliant piece of art and entertainment. For me this is Gus Van Sant’s finest film to date. It also features a beautiful performance from the late River Pheonix and arguably Keanu Reeves’ finest performance also. This film is a unique and poetic piece of work with great intimacy and sadness as its focal point.

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My Top 10 Favourite Films

Now am not trying to claim that these are the greatest 10 films ever made, because who can really do such a thing!? But these are the 10 films I have loved ever since I first saw them and have watched over and over and have hugely influenced my own films. Don’t get me wrong some of these would be considered some of the greatest films ever made, but that’s not what I am doing, hence “favourite” in the title.

10. RAGING BULL                                                             

Directed by Martin Scorsese


Phenomenal directing by Scorsese and an even better performance from De Niro. De Niro won an Oscar for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta but we all know Scorsese should of picked himself up an Oscar too. When I first watched it I actually didn’t even notice it was in black and white, which at the time (1980) was a huge gamble by Scorsese.

“You punch like you take it up the ass.” - Jake LaMotta

9. DO THE RIGHT THING                                                                        

Directed by Spike Lee


I’ve been a fan of Spike Lee’s films for quite a while, I love his unique style and use of blues music intertwined with the rap music of the day. This is without doubt his masterpiece. Not only is Lee a great director but he isn’t a bad actor either as he plays the lead role, Mookie.

“Whoa. Y’all take a chill. You got to cool that shit off. And that’s the double-truth, Ruth.” - Mister Senor Love Daddy

8. SLACKER                                                                                           

Directed by Richard Linklater


I knew nothing about this film when I first watched it, and it took me about half hour into it to realise that there wasn’t really a story to the film. The film follows numerous teenage twenty something’s around all day, it’s that simple. Completely original and even though there is really any plot, its very engaging. One of the true great independent films.

“Uh, I don’t do much really, I just read, and work here, and, uh, sleep and eat, and, uh, watch movies” - Anti-Artist

7. DOUBLE INDEMNITY                                                                       

Directed by Billy Wilder


In my opinion the best film noir film ever made. True film making. Would stand tall against any modern day film. Gripping story, fantastic acting and brilliant directing. What more can you say?

“Do I laugh now, or wait ‘til it gets funny?” - Walter Neff

6. BREATHLESS (A BOUT DE SOUFFLE)                    

Directed by Jean-Luc Godard


The film that started a revolution. Jean-Luc Godard’s new wave masterpiece. This film is cool, at the end of it you want to be Michel Poiccard. Godard made a big noise with this film and help changed cinema in the 1960’s.

“Don’t use the brakes. Cars are made to go, not to stop!” - Michel Poiccard

5. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO                                                        

Directed by Gus Van Sant


Visually amazing, with dramatic use of metaphors. Brilliantly acted, River Pheonix’s best performance and in my opinion one the best scripts ever written. Gus Van Sant has a big influence on my own work.

“This is a nice home. Do you live here?… I don’t blame you.” - Mike Waters 

4. RESERVOIR DOGS                                                                   

Directed by Quentin Tarantino


The greatest independant film ever made, ever! From a video store assistant to one of the biggest film director’s in the world, its safe to say Reservoir Dogs turned Tarantino’s life upside down, and the film industry. If you haven’t seen this film then what have you been watching?

Mr. Pink: “Hey, why am I Mr. Pink?”

Joe: “Because you’re a faggot!”

3. BLOOD SIMPLE                                                                         

Directed by The Coen Brother’s


The debut film from the Coen Brother’s. I know people will argue it isn’t their best, which to some degree I can agree with, but this is by far there most grittiest film. The music is amazing, (the Coen’s would prove in later films that they have a knack for picking great scores), an amazing performance by M. Emmett Walsh and brilliant camera work from Barry Sonnenfeld. A must watch film.

“You know, a friend of mine a while back broke his hand and put it in a cast. Very next day, he falls, protects his bad hand, and he breaks his good one. So he breaks it too, you know. So, now he’s got two busted flippers. So, I says to him: “Creighton,” I says. “I hope your wife really loves you, because for the next five weeks, you can’t even wipe your own god damn ass.” - Visser

2. DEAD MAN’S SHOES                                                                   

Directed by Shane Meadows


What do you get if you mix the best British director around and one of the best British actors around? Magic. Ok, it’s a bit gruesome, all essential to the story, but it does tug at the heart strings come the films finale. Toby Kebbell plays Anthony and for me steals the show. Can’t recommend this film enough.

“You were supposed to be a monster, now I’m the fucking beast. There’s blood on my hands, from what you made me do.” - Richard 

1. TAXI DRIVER                                                                                      

Directed by Martin Scorsese


My opinion, the perfect movie. Genius directing. Amazing script. The greatest performance ever. I could talk all day about this film, but I won’t. I’ll keep if short and simple, if you haven’t seen it, forget the other nine and watch this one. This film made me want to be a filmmaker.

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Other films that didn’t quite make the list; Pulp Fiction • Coffee and Cigarettes • Pi (π) • Fargo • Mala Noche • A Woman Is A Woman • Passion Of Anna • Raising Arizona • Mean Streets • Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead • True Romance •