Top 10s

Frank Kozik’s Top 10

Frank Kozik’s Top 10

Credited with single-handedly reviving the lost art of the concert poster, Frank Kozik credits his career to his enthusiasm for Austin, Texas’s growing underground rock scene in the mid-eighties. Find out more, at frankkozik.net and fkozik.com. In addition to the poster included with Dazed and Confused, Kozik also designed Criterion’s cover art for Gimme Shelter.

General Idi Amin Dada #1 General Idi Amin DadaBarbet Schroeder

Possibly the most surreal documentary ever filmed. The restored print propels this into a realm of “reality” that’s nearly hallucinogenic. What a snappy dresser! A must for any accordion enthusiast.

The Last Wave #2 The Last WavePeter Weir

Death, bones, secret underground caverns . . . apocalypse. What more could anyone possibly want?

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou #3 The Life Aquatic with Steve ZissouWes Anderson

A masterpiece of art direction and set design. No other film in history has ever quite captured the essential dry rot of the 1970s’ fourth-rate Mediterranean beach world. Having spent sixteen summers in areas near, but not quite in, low-rent Med tourist towns, it was a thrill ride straight back to childhood.

The Naked Kiss #4 The Naked KissSamuel Fuller

Fuller at his atavistic best. No way out. No redemption. Possibly the best opening sequence in film history.

Oliver Twist #5 Oliver TwistDavid Lean

This contains some of the most luminescent black-and-white cinematography ever seen. Fagin, as portrayed by Alec Guinness, will have you squirming with repulsion, yet unable to take your eyes off his balding pate.

Time Bandits #6 Time BanditsTerry Gilliam

Best film Napoléon ever—courtesy of Bilbo Baggins, no less. Connery as Agamemnon isn’t bad either.

Walkabout #7 WalkaboutNicolas Roeg

I saw this when I was maybe twelve years old. The father’s suicide, the dead guy in the tree—images that bothered me for decades. Chop that meat.

Brazil #8 BrazilTerry Gilliam

Ian Holm seems to get into all the good movies (even, like, Alien). What’s with that? Never has dystopia looked so appealing. Count me in.

Burden of Dreams #9 Burden of DreamsLes Blank

All the goofy nature footage is worth sitting through for the ten seconds of pure hate that is Kinski’s freakout.

Lord of the Flies #10 Lord of the FliesPeter Brook

Something’s to be said for the Bicameral Mind. Kill the Pig and the Gods will commune through the head on the pole. I think I’m getting Lasik—just in case the veneer shatters.