(repost from JCC) The great Czech-American director celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday. There was a very nice documentary about his life and works on Czech Television, which I watched, and they played a number of his films on various Czech and Slovak TV stations. I haven't seen all his films, but what I've seen I really like. Maybe we can haz a discussion of his films here...?
Big fan of Forman. Gets great performances, uses memorable visuals that aren't ostentatious, and always has an interesting perspective. Amadeus is his masterpiece, followed closely by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but I'm also really fond of Konkurs, The Fireman's Ball, Man on the Moon, and the criminally undervalued Goya's Ghosts.
Amadeus is still a masterpiece. I enjoy Cuckoo's Nest, though it has its flaws and isn't a patch on the novel. I'd forgotten Ragtime was one of his movies; it's another example of novel being better, but Brad Dourif was very good in it and it is a kick to see Cagney again, however briefly.
I thought Rollins was the standout in Ragtime. I was pleased to learn he got an Oscar nomination for his work. As did Elizabeth McGovern, which is curious. Not that her work is bad, it's just odd that AMPAS singled her out.
