‘Scott Pilgrim’ Director Gives Us His Top 10 Underrated Films Of 2010 & Much More
Continuing our run of favorites from filmmakers and musicians, we’re pleased as punch to present a truly awesome list of underrated films, standout scenes, favorite performances and more from “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” director Edgar Wright.
We’re not sure how on Earth the man managed to find time to see as much as he did this year given that he spent most of it either finishing or promoting ‘Scott Pilgrim.’ But you can’t keep a cinema fan away from the movies for too long as they’ll still find a way to catch up even if it’s on airplanes, in hotel rooms or tracking down the multiplex in whichever city they happen to be in (it’s nearly like a sixth sense; a divining rod intuition that can find where there is a room, a screen and a projectionist). But needless to say, Edgar Wright pretty much saw it all and like any passionate film lover, has a lot to say about it to.
So, many thanks to Edgar for taking time out of his busy schedule to put his thoughts down and shoot them our way. In case you missed it, Louis Leterrier and Tegan & Sara have also contributed and we have some more on the way as well. But right now, sit back and enjoy Edgar Wright’s thoughts on the year that was.
Your most memorable moment on set this year.
My most memorable moment on the set of ‘Scott Pilgrim’ was probably shooting the final day of an epic five month shoot. Not only did we end on a perfectly round-numbered 2000 slates, but also Michael Cera never took his costume off and eventually walked into the night after wrap drinks still wearing his character’s parka. It was a very sweet image.
Your most proud moment of the year in 2010 on a film, during the promotion of a film, or otherwise.
I think showing the ‘Scott Pilgrim’ movie to the cast for the first time was something I’ll never forget. Many of them saw it for the first time at Comic Con and it couldn’t have been a better crowd reception. The fact that most of them watched it three nights in a row consecutively was very sweet too. Then also, the screenings we did for the BluRay promotion were all highly memorable in different ways; three midnight showings at the New Beverly with the whole cast answering questions long past 3am, the Guillermo Del Toro Q&A at the Egyptian was a total blast, as was doing two with Bill Pope in NYC back to back at NYU and Village East (with Bill Hader impersonating me for some of the latter) and then finally the Bloor Cinema screening in Toronto in November was just insane; the crowd chanting along with Kim Pine, applauding every K.O.
Any mass audience participation like that is very heartwarming. It was an epic year and I’m very pleased and proud to have had the opportunity to show the film so many times with my amazing cast. That was a long answer.
Your favorite action sequence of 2010 and why..
My knowledge of Eastern cinema was very dim this year, so I feel there’s something amazing I’ve missed and need to catch up on. But in Hollywood, there were some great set pieces this year; the revolving gravity defying corridor sequence in “Inception” stands out, as does the Monaco sequence in “Iron Man 2” and the Spring Break bloodbath in “Piranha 3D.” Also the hairy helicopter stuntwork in “Unstoppable” and the opening plane-bound fisticuffs in “Knight & Day” were nicely done.
I’d also have to give credit to the ‘Tron: Legacy” setpiece with the lightcycle. You can tell that this beautifully rendered sequence was most likely the whole reason for doing a reboot. So whatever you think of the movie as a whole, you can’t deny that this scene was superior eyecandy.
But a standout sequence for me would be the Big Daddy warehouse scene in “Kick-Ass,” which was skillfully designed by my ‘Scott Pilgrim’ stunt co-ordinator Brad Allan. He’s an action wizard and he did incredible work in that movie.
Your favorite sex scene in 2010 and why.
One 2010 film had the two best sex scenes of the year. And that film is “MacGruber.” One with Will Forte and Kristen Wiig. The second with a ghost. You had to be there. So be there.
Your five favorite performances in 2010.
In no particular order: John C. Reilly in “Cyrus“; Natalie Portman in “Black Swan“; Keira Knightley in “Never Let Me Go“; Shirley Henderson in “Life During Wartime” and Armie Hammer times two in “The Social Network.”
Your five favorite moments on screen in 2010.
Of the top of my head, the final seconds of “Black Swan,” the hypnotically long ascending aerial shot over Tokyo towards the end of “Enter The Void,” the open house scene with Aaron Eckhart in “Rabbit Hole,” Jeremy Renner’s final sip of a Coke in “The Town” and Will Forte’s begging scene in “MacGruber.”
Your favorite musical moments onscreen in 2010.
The most memorable sound has to be Hans Zimmer’s “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRM” noise in the “Inception” score, which echoed like God’s own phone vibrating. Ending “The Social Network” on “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” was pretty sweet. Loved Clint Mansell’s super melodramatic “Black Swan” score. Loved Richard Hawley’s “Tonight The Streets Are Ours” at the start of “Exit Through The Gift Shop.” The opening credits of “Enter The Void” were incredible. And who can forget the two uses of Toploader’s “Dancing In The Moonlight” in “Four Lions.”
Your #1 goal for 2011 professionally.
The same as 2010 and any other year I’ve worked as a director, I hope I get to do what I love and I hope my passion for film is obvious to all.