With James Gunn now in charge of the DC Cinematic Universe, there has been a renewed interest in his career and his approach to film, beyond just The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy. If you’re looking for insight into what makes Gunn tick when he’s in the director’s chair, the filmmaker has provided a glimpse into his movie-making mind. On several occasions, he has used social media to list his favorite films, with each tied to one of his favorite directors. It’s a diverse list, which mirrors Gunn’s ability to change his filmmaking style to match audience expectations.
When Gunn was initially hired by Marvel to write and direct Guardians of the Galaxy a decade ago, it seemed like an odd fit for both sides. At the time, Gunn had written the screenplays to both live-action Scooby-Doo films, but his specialty seemed to be horror and R-rated comedies. He had visited the superhero genre before, writing 2000’s The Specials and 2010’s Super with Rainn Wilson, both R-rated films that flopped at the box office. It was a bit of a surprise, then, that Gunn delivered one of the most original and entertaining of any Marvel films, suitable for all ages. He elevated B-level comic book characters to cornerstones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by offering a unique vision unlike anything the MCU had seen at the time.
Gunn’s list of favorite films includes classics that make most favorite movie lists, but there are also some surprising choices. A wide range of cinematic genres is featured, with a heavy focus on films released in the 1960s and 1970s, during Gunn’s formative years. Surprisingly, only three of the films were made in this century so far, reinforcing Gunn’s stated affinity for older films and nostalgia.
James Gunn didn’t rank his favorite films, but we did, listing 11 of his choices in order of their cinematic importance.
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11 The Brood (1979)
New World Pictures
Gunn’s directorial debut was 2006’s Slither, a gory horror comedy about alien slugs that turn its victims into zombie-like mutants. He spent part of his early career at Troma Studios, home of Lloyd Kaufman’s low-budget, schlocky cult films. It’s no surprise that the great David Cronenberg (whose films earned him the title “King of Venereal Horror”) makes his list of favorite directors, with this disturbing 1979 psychological horror film among his favorites.
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The Brood is a strange tale about deformed children that commit a series of murders, and it hints at Gunn’s willingness to push the envelope on content. It’s definitely not a film for general audiences, as the depictions of violence involving children would cause outrage today, but if you dare to watch, it’s available to stream on HBO Max.
10 Hail the Conquering Hero (1944)
Paramount Pictures
Preston Sturges’ screenplays are considered among the best to ever emerge from the Golden Age of Hollywood. His characters’ dialogue was considered natural and timeless, and that’s why Hail the Conquering Hero holds up so well today.
The film’s sharp humor is likely why Gunn favors this post-World War II gem starring Eddie Bracken (who starred in another Sturges classic, The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek), who played a veteran who returns home claiming to be a war hero. The social commentary is clever, and the humor somewhat subversive, and the film will whet your appetite for more of Sturges’ work.
9 United 93 (2006)
Universal Pictures
This isn’t director Paul Greengrass’ only drama to be presented in a documentary style (his Netflix film 22 July is another), but United 93 is easily his best. His somber, matter-of-fact recounting of the doomed 9/11 flight is a brutally honest, heartbreaking look at the cost of heroism.
Greengrass stated his intent to provide a factual retelling of that day, without melodrama or taking artistic license. Gunn could have chosen a number of other mainstream Greengrass films for his list (such as a Jason Bourne movie), so this selection seems to indicate an appreciation for the director’s unique approach to telling this factual story.
8 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Focus Features
This quirky comedy, written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry, seems right in line with James Gunn’s oddly humorous storytelling sensibilities. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind told the story of two ex-lovers (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) who undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories. It’s strange, sentimental, and hilarious all at once, and like Gunn himself, Eternal Sunshine offers a unique storytelling vision we need more of.
7 In the Mood for Love (2000)
Director Wong Kar-Wai’s romantic drama is nothing like you would expect. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the masterfully romantic In the Mood for Love follows an editor (Tony Leung) who discovers that his wife is having an affair with his next-door neighbor. The neighbor’s wife (Maggie Cheung) also learns of his infidelity, and the two jilted spouses confide in each other to discover where their relationships went awry, only to fall in love with each other.
The slow-burn character study is exquisite in exploring the nuances of love unfulfilled, and it does so without any sex or nudity. The characters refuse to succumb to the temptations their cheating spouses did, and it gives the film a unique, restrained energy. Even if you hate movies with subtitles, the film is a must-watch, as the film says so much visually. The film’s low-key drama is a stark departure from Gunn’s usual manic fare, which may be why he likes it so much.
6 The Long Goodbye (1973)
United Artists
A Philip Marlowe crime drama is an unlikely inclusion on Gunn’s list, but The Long Goodbye offers Robert Altman (M.A.S.H.) directing a Leigh Brackett (The Empire Strikes Back) script, and there’s even a John Williams score. One of the greatest neo-noir films ever made, the dialogue is snappy in this compelling mystery, creating an effective, almost lonely feeling of film noir stuck outside of time in a modern setting.
Today’s audiences may not be familiar with Elliott Gould (outside the Ocean’s Eleven films), but the Oscar-nominated actor gives a fantastic performance here as the iconic private detective, reminding us all why he was such a huge star in the 1970s. When his character gets entangled in a murder mystery, Gould’s cynical sarcasm is a delight, and the film even offers sly commentary on California’s elite class.
5 Jackie Brown (1997)
Miramax Films
Can a Quentin Tarantino movie be underrated? When it comes to Jackie Brown, the argument could be made. While Pulp Fiction gets all the press, Jackie Brown is a quirky character study wrapped in a crime drama. Pam Grier seemed like an unlikely choice to lead the film at the time, but she was the highlight of an all-star cast in one of Tarantino’s most satisfying viewing experiences. Even 25 years later, Jackie Brown is a blast. Given Gunn’s penchant for populating his films with larger-than-life characters, the eclectic cast of Jackie Brown provides a nice model to follow.
4 Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Euro International Films/Paramount Pictures
Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western masterpiece is often imitated, and it has inspired countless films since its release. It’s a stylized piece that boils down the moral ambiguity of the Old West into a focused tale of good versus evil. Once Upon a Time in the West casts against type — Henry Fonda appearing as the villain is a stroke of genius casting — and the film redefined the western for all time. It’s amazing to think that Charles Bronson almost didn’t appear in the film as “Harmonica.” He was offered the role only after Clint Eastwood and James Coburn turned it down.
3 Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece only improves with age. Jaws is a rare thriller that strings along the audience perfectly, building tension and delivering jump scares at just the right time. Spielberg is a master at manipulating audiences in all the right ways, and Jaws established his future success. While Gunn’s style has never been described as Spielbergian, his Marvel films do mimic his ability to elevate a genre film with crowd-pleasing originality.
2 Taxi Driver (1976)
Columbia Pictures
Martin Scorsese’s tale of a Vietnam veteran’s descent into madness defined the modern antihero, a theme echoed in Todd Phillip’s Joker (with Robert De Niro, no less). The film has become even more relevant in recent years, as America sees a rise in violence across the political and social spectrums.
Taxi Driver is the sort of cultural exploration the movies need right now, as the character study of Travis Bickle is a cautionary tale worth considering. In an age of CGI blockbusters, it would be a welcome thing to see these types of character studies — even with the signature bleakness of 1970s films — return to theaters more often.
1 The Godfather Part II (1974)
Francis Ford Coppola’s greatest film is a no-brainer number one here. The Godfather Part II expands the Corleone story by completing the descent to darkness for Michael (Al Pacino), as he orders the murder of a family member who betrayed the family. Though Pacino’s film career has seen many highs since then, his performance here is arguably his finest.
The story is juxtaposed with a flashback to a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) as he establishes his family empire. The sequel may be more quotable than the original, but at its core is an exquisitely told story that ends with a haunting, silent shot that says more than words ever could.
