Anthology films don’t get made often enough, but they are fun. This category of motion pictures normally consists of three or more shorter standalone films, though frequently bonded by similar themes. The history of the anthology film can be traced back to the 1910s when D.W. Griffith experimented with parallel storytelling inIntolerance, which presented multiple tales from different historical periods. It wasn’t until the 1940s that the format truly took shape, thanks toDead of Night. Since then, numerous directors have tapped into the genre occasionally.
So, which are the most recommendable ones?Roger Ebertreviewed a few of them in his lifetime. Judging from his reviews, he was a bit stricter on anthology films, given the varying tone of the contents. He’d probably have loved the highly recommendedWild Talesif it had come out when he was alive. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.
This list will focus on anthology movies that Roger Ebert gave two out of four stars or more.
6’Four Rooms' (1995)
Ebert’s Score: Two Out of Four Stars
four rooms
Four Roomsis an anthology farce black comedy film co-directed by Quentin Tarantino, Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, and Robert Rodriguez.Set in the fictional Hotel Mon Signor in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve, the film covers four stories about different patrons:one about witches trying to resurrect a goddess, another about a man caught in a hostage role-play, another about mischievous kids causing trouble while their parents party, and another about a deadly finger-cutting game.
Partly Funny
Thanks to a cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Marisa Tomei and Tim Roth,Four Roomshas great performances all around.Madonna is present too, but she didn’t impress. Many critics singled her out for criticism. Consequently, she won a Razzie for Worst Supporting Cast.
Roger Ebert concluded that the movie was occasionally funny, and could have been better. He was mostly impressed by Rodriguez’s “The Misbehavers” segment, labeling it the funniest of the bunch. Even though Quentin Tarantino was one of the most in-form directors at the time, Ebert felt thePulp Fictiondirector’s “The Man from Hollywood” segment was a little weak. He wrote: “Tarantino had the right idea in choosing to satirize himself but unfortunately does not seem to understand why he is funny. A movie about him making this film could have been hilarious.”
5’Twilight Zone: The Movie' (1983)
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Based on Rod Serling’s popularanthology television series,Twilight Zone: The Moviecoversfour stories directed by John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller.Landis' story is the only original one. The rest are remakes of episodes from the original series. Several original series cast members also star in the movie.
Landis’s story involves a bigot who gets transported back to different periods and gets subjected to the experiences of the oppressed, such as the Jews during WWII and black people during the slavery era. Spielberg’s segment is about elderly residents playing childhood games, Dante’s tale follows a boy with powers toying with reality, and Miller’s finale concerns a man who believes he has seen a gremlin outside a plane’s window.
A Shaky but Palatable Remake
Ebert accurately noted that"the surprising thing is, the two superstar directors are thoroughly routed by two lesser-known directors whose previous credits have been horror and action pictures.”Ebert further claimed that Spielberg must have realized that he and Landis had the weakest results, hence the reason he assembled the stories in ascending order of excitement.
No one asked for aTwilight Zonemovie, especially one that was more of a remake. But who could have said no when the likes of Spielberg and Landis were involved? Spielberg came up with the idea, but someone ought to have advised him to sensibly think it over first, since he does a pretty bad job. You’ll notice a sense of summering frustration, even among the actors. The good thing is that the last two segments will blow your mind.
4’New York Stories' (1989)
Ebert’s Score: Two and a Half Out of Four Stars
New York Stories
New York Storieshas two segments directed bygangster movie legends, the iconicMartin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, andone segment made by Woody Allen. In Scorsese’s “Life Lessons,” a troubled abstract artist obsesses over his beautiful assistant while trying to overcome creative block. Coppola’s “Life Without Zoë” is about a wealthy young girl dealing with numerous challenges in a Manhattan hotel. Allen’s “Oedipus Wrecks” concerns a neurotic man whose domineering mother starts broadcasting his secrets.
Scorsese to the Rescue
This groundbreaking anthology was screened out of competition at Cannes, but it sure deserved some awards. Among the directors, only Woody Allen chose to act, and he did it well. His character will leave you with mixed emotions. And watch closely for Adrien Brody and Kirsten Dunst in their first film appearance.
Ebert, who never hid his admiration for Martin Scorsese, singled out the director’s segment as the strongest. He stated that,“of three films, one good, one bad, one disappointing.“Ebert added that“the only really successful one is Life Lessons, the Scorsese story of a middle-aged painter and his young, discontented girlfriend.”He called Coppola’s segment“thin and unfocused,”and lamented that Allen’s segment“starts well but then takes a wrong turn about halfway through.”
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3’New York, I Love You' (2009)
Ebert’s Score: Three Out of Four Stars
New York, I Love You
New York, I Love Youhaseleven short segments directed by various filmmakers.Each of the storiesexplores love in New York City. The stories range from chance encounters to lengthy relationships, while the characters include immigrants, artists, elderly couples, and teenagers. All shorts have a uniting thread: a videographer who films the rest of the characters.
Something for Everyone
Roger Ebert called the film a jumble sale, but noted that“you can make some nice discoveries.”He also liked the fact that there was something for everyone, saying,“By its nature,New York, I Love Youcan’t add up. It remains the sum of its parts. If one isn’t working for you, wait a few minutes, here comes another one.”
Indeed, some stories thrive on caustic wit, others on voluptuous carnality. You’ll find plenty of dazzling couples, where one partner knows how to take a backseat to the other’s outsize persona. Some court and date/marry, others make only a few types, but it’s all beautiful to watch. With an ensemble cast consisting of James Caan, Eli Wallach, Bradley Cooper, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Robin Wright, Julie Christie, Maggie Q, and Ethan Hawke, little goes wrong performance-wise.
2’Creepshow' (1982)
Directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King, with inspiration from the 1950s EC horror comics,Creepshowpresentsfive chilling stories as seen through the eyes of a boy reading a cursed comic book.In “Father’s Day,” a murdered man resurrects for revenge. “The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill” is about a farmer consumed by alien moss. “Something to Tide You Over” involves a millionaire punishing a cheating spouse. “The Crate” is about a ravenous creature emerging from a mysterious box, and “They’re Creeping Up on You” concerns cockroaches terrorizing a germaphobe.
Collaboration of the Decade
This unique anthology film includesRomero’s trademark, amalgamating vividly conscious and slightly unconscious imagery, all in fresh and incendiary contexts. Additionally, we revisit King’s signature themes: namely, the disruption of vacuous, well-ordered lives and the base evil desires that always lurk beneath most people’s routinized lives.
Roger Ebert acknowledged that“Romero and King have approached this movie with humor and affection, as well as with an appreciation of the macabre.“He also advised everyone to watch it, saying,“The horrors inCreepshoware universal enough, and so is the approach.
1’Cat’s Eye' (1985)
Yet another gem written by Stephen King.Cat’s Eyetellsthree different stories as seen through the eyes of a stray cat. “Quitters, Inc.” is about a sinister program for people who want to quit smoking; “The Ledge” is about a gambler facing an unusual form of punishment. The finale, “General,” finds the cat protecting a young girl from a killer troll.
A Cat Sees a Lot
Ebert was awed, calling it a“superiorTwilight-style anthology.”He further noted that“Stephen King seems to be working his way through the reference books of human phobias, and ‘Cat’s Eye’ is one of his most effective films.”
You’ll be scared, but watch this for the performance. The sprightly James Woods and debonair Alan King make a winning duo, but Drew Barrymore takes top acting laurels as the anthology’s mystery girl. The film was nominated for the International Fantasy Film Award for Best Film in 1987. Barrymore was also nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Starring Performance by a Young Actress in a Motion Picture.
