The Lazlo Essentials: For the Casual Film Fanatic

The Lazlo Essentials are really quite simple. Phil and I compiled a list of films that we feel that any fan of the motion picture arts and sciences should have seen, see again or, in some cases, make arrangements to see immediately. And from time to time, we'll randomly post a few. And we're by no means saying that these films are classically and/or conceptually the greatest films ever made, they're just films, that for whatever reason, we think need to be seen.

#204: Schizopolis

What happens when an award winning young filmmaker finds himself continuing to spiral deeper into a professional and personal funk? If that filmmaker is Steven Soderbergh, then he makes Schizopolis. An independent film beyond independent that he wrote, shot, edited, directed and acted in and defies everything that Hollywood cinema represents. Schizopolis is a truly brazenly, self indulgent, deranged comedy that sort of makes sense, but is so off the wall you rarely care. Seeing Soderbergh's creative rebirth (going on to make Erin Brockivich, Traffic & Ocean's 11) happening right before your eyes, to me, is worth the insanity and the 96 minutes.

#178: Hellraiser

When one thinks of horror masterpieces, Hellraiser will rarely be given consideration. Which technically is the proper thing to do. Hellraiser is not a masterpiece by any stretch of anyone's imagination (except maybe Clive Barker's and who would blame him), but it does set itself above the run of the mill horror crapola that was being churned out in the 80's. It had an good story, it spawned a franchise (not always a good thing - thanks, Tremors!) and it brought back mainstream gore and almost desensitized it. But most importantly, it created a pop icon baddie in good ole' Pinhead. Personally, I kinda prefer his twisted S&M minions, guy with no eyes and permanent snarl, bald creepy lady and that pale and dead Sloth from Goonies looking fellow with the goggles. Shiny!

#63: The Crow

Beauty, action, tragedy and revenge - Alex Proyas style. Blending goth and grace beautifully, Brandon Lee gives the performance of his tragicly shortened life in The Crow. Lee plays Eric Draven, a guitar player who, along with his fiancee, is brutally murdered by a street gang. A year later, Draven returns from the grave to seek his revenge. The Crow is not an action movie, it's not a comic book movie, or a tragedy or a revenge story or a love story. It's all of the above and an art directors wet dream as shot by Proyas. It also just kicks ass! So, if you haven't seen this film, you'll be getting a visit from the "Seriously?!" police. So, ahem... seriously?