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It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers one item each week-day between now and December 11th. That’ll leave some time for shipping if you’re the last minute type. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.
There are a million “most stylish movies” lists out there. And yes, plenty of the classics are available for free streaming on Netflix or Amazon. But there’s something about having the physical DVD in the collection. You pop it in, maybe jump to a favorite scene, and great dialogue is spoken by very well dressed people. It’s mental candy with little risk of brain decay. Add your suggestions in the comments if you would.
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The Original Ocean’s 11 – $9.83
(Spoiler alert. This video ^ is the end of the movie. Not that it gives anything away.) Rat pack. Las Vegas before they built enormous hotels in the shape of castles and pyramids. Frank Sinatra wearing a sweater made from a jaundiced Wookie pelt. And proof that adding a random musical number to any movie will work if the cast is dressed well enough. E. O. ELEVEN.
Inception – $7.29
The movie that sent Joseph Gordon Levitt rocketing away from any pesky Shia Labeouf comparisons for eternity. Lots of suits. Lots of guns. Lots of “whoa hey WTF is happening here?” And as good as the wardrobe is, the visual from the movie that might be the most violently attractive is a locomotive plowing down a city street. Christopher Nolan darkness, a belching orchestral soundtrack, and obligatory Zero Halliburton cases. The type of movie that makes some of us wonder if it’s not time to upgrade to a Blu-ray.
To Catch a Thief – $11.93
Grace Kelly. Damn. Still won’t attempt an ascot. Sorry. (This is one of those that you can stream for free in a few places. If you have Amazon Prime, you can stream it for free there.)
North by Northwest – $6.49
As good as To Catch a Thief is, it plays a distant second fiddle to North by Northwest. Cary Grant & Alfred Hitchcock once again. Proves the power of a grey suit and a great pair of sunglasses. Also streams free on Amazon Prime.
The Bank Job – $6.99
Can someone call Jason Statham’s agent? Get his client to make more movies like The Bank Job, and a few less movies like The Mechanic and Safe (not that those weren’t enjoyable and don’t have their time and place…). Has a little bit of an upbeat Ocean’s feel to it, up to a point. You’ll know it when you get there, then the thing turns on a dime.
C ‘était un Rendez-vous – $29.95
Who needs dialogue? Or character development that’s more in depth than “LADY GET OUTTA THE WAY!!!” Lots of mystery and legend surrounds this 1976 eight and a half minute burn-through-Paris flick. Yep. Under ten minutes, thirty bucks. Still worth it and makes one hell of a gift (speaking from a recipients point of view).
Casablanca – $8.41
Better yet, if you have a small independent theater, or an older theater that likes to do special showings of classics every once in awhile, get the guy on your list a pair of tickets. Seeing one of the greatest movies ever made on the big screen is something else. Hard to believe anyone can wear a dinner jacket with the same ease one of us might wear a pair of pajama pants.
The Thomas Crown Affair – $6.99
Obligatory.
Headhunters – $14.99
More art crime, but this time it’s in Norwegian. Steve Buschemi’s nephew is married to Heidi Klum’s little sister (okay, not really) and he understandably has a bit of an inferiority complex. Meets a guy he’s jealous of at his lady’s art gallery opening… and this chiseled fella has a what now hanging in his place? Clocks in at an outrageously high 92% at Rotten Tomatoes.
From Russia with Love – $9.99
As sharp as 007 has ever been. Exotic locations (read: not Kentucky
Ocean’s 11, 12, & 13 – $25.00
Had to end where we started. Not Oscar worthy, but fun as hell. Plus, your Mrs. won’t mind watching them with you since she gets to oggle the likes of Clooney/Pitt/Damon/etc.
Your turn guys. What’s at the top of your all time best dressed movie list? Leave it all below…
How is A Single Man not on this list?
I work part time in a video store, and this topic always crosses my mind. I’m often limited to the more recent films (to create that fresh, exciting atmosphere).
Some vaguely stylish films include The Adjustment Bureau and The Ides of March (they’re only pretty good, but you can only see Ocean’s Eleven so many times), Margin Call (an awesome financial drama), Charlie Wilson’s War and Limitless.
Sherlock the TV series gets an honorable mention for getting me through last Sunday morning sane.
Am I the only person that wasn’t really impressed or interested in the wardrobe from Inception? For some reason it just didn’t appeal to me.
If you want a movie with great style, check out An Education
cetait un rendezvous, seriously? i mean, its a cool lil short but it just doesnt belong on this list. get with an alain delon flick like cercle rouge or some such.
Totally agree about having physical copies (and totally know I’m in the minority here), but there’s also the extra features that you get with having an actual copy. Behind the scenes, alternate takes…that sort of thing. And if you appreciate attention to detail, you can’t go wrong with just about anything in the Criterion Collection.
Alfie deserves a mention as well.
The Matrix.
Can I add *Crazy, Stupid, Love* without worry of man-card suspension or loss? I know it’s a chick-flick (or whatever), but damn, I actually enjoyed it too when my wife brought it home, borrowed from a co-worker a while back. Great style inspirations from Gosling throughout, and of course Carell is still hilarious.
Do TV shows count? Boardwalk Empire, Birdsong, Downton Abbey, Mad Men? Bill Nye the Science Guy (for wearing bow ties before they reached thermodynamic equilibrium)?
I’d like to add the Ipcress File (1965 with Michael Caine). Takes place in London, has a great plot with a great twist, and everyone is so well dressed!
Charlie Wilson’s War. YES. Great flick. And Julia Roberts in a bikini Post kids. Good for her (and good for us.)
Gotta throw in some Woody Allen movies…how about Match Point?
I like the Orvis/ Filson’ish tones of style represented in A River Runs Through It
http://bit.ly/YEVDww
http://bit.ly/UI4hGb
Any movie with Ryan Goslin – Crazy, stupid, Driver, ect.
ANy movie with Joseph Gordon Levitt- 50/50, 500 days of summer, dark knight
Any movie withDaniel Craig – all the new James Bond
Any movie with George Clooney
Quadrophenia, Le Samourai, pretty much anything with Marcello Mastroianni.
Probably the best depicition of the power of men’s clothing since Great Gatsby.
I would add ‘Layer Cake’ to the Daniel Craig list as well.
If doing a well dressed movie list, it’s almost a crime (pun may be intentional) to leave out Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables (1987.)
Match Point was great. Excellent plot and Jonathon Rhys-Meyers and Scarlett Johansson work well on screen. She was also good in ‘Scoop’ (another Woody Allen movie).
That’s a great, fun movie, and it’s totally a worthy viewing for men. Besides, anyone who would threaten your “man card” over a movie choice doesn’t deserve any power over you or any other man.
DVD? Definitely time for a Blu-ray player. Especially with old movies that have been remastered.
X-men: First Class
For some of the best casual style by McQueen, the greatest car chase scene of all time, and San Francisco, it has to be Bullitt.
I love the phrase “all due respect.”
It endorses nothing while seeming to be respectful.
You might even question whether that was style at all. Like wearing the MHS in the snow — that’s what it’s for.
I liked Scoop as well…and if you liked Match Point, check out Crimes & Misdemeanors (Match Point was a remake of one of Woody’s older works).
In defense of the disc: I’m less apt to find something else to do with what is rapidly becoming my fly-like attention span when I’m watching something that’s recorded on a physical object not tied directly to the vast network of programming. It feels like a commitment to a single story, which in this day in age is pretty close to meditation.
That, or I’m too lazy to even change the source selection on my tv because it’s 1 extra step. Also possible.
The original Italian Job, Michael Caine was dressed pretty sharp.
That is a stylish movie despite the fact that you can tell it was made in the ’80s, though set in the ’20s. I think it suffers from the tailoring being less than of-the-moment.
Woody himself looked pretty sharp in Manhattan.
The man is more stylish in North by Northwest, but any movie with Grace Kelly is easier on the eyes than one without. With apologies to Marilyn, no one wore diamonds better than Kelly did in To Catch a Thief.
Speaking of that, I can not wait until the Great Gatsby movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rARN6agiW7o
I was watching X-Men: First Class last night while wrapping a couple Christmas gifts and the whoever designed the costumes for the movie absolutely killed it. Fassbender pulled off the leather jacket and turtle neck look like a boss.
Mission Impossible 3, starring Jeremy Renner’s suits, Tom Cruise’s suits…
Great classic wardrobes there, for sure. Another show, albeit “current” timeline based, which features some pretty styling clothing, is *666 Park Avenue*. John Locke… err… Mr. Doran is always dressed to the nines, even casually when at the driving range. The young lawyer, Henry, looks like he stepped off of the J.Crew/Banana Republic webpage; along with another tenant, a playwright named Brian (I think), who makes a pretty solid casual wardrobe statement most days too. And that’s just the dudes. Vanessa Williams’ character, Mrs. Doran, seemingly spares no expense on her duds either. She takes Henry’s girlfriend Jane (the main focus of the series thus far, along with Locke… err… Doran) out shopping from time to time. All in all, it’s a classy looking cast of characters.
Rocknrolla…great style in that flick
Talented Mr. Ripley.
This is one that I was looking to mention if it didn’t show up earlier. Great movie and even better style.
No Pierce Brosnan? He is one of those guys who just owns whatever he wears. Like he doesn’t think twice about changing his oil in a tux type of guy. The Thomas Crown remake shows him pretty well. Heist is the movie that made me fall in love with Jaguar. Then there’s The Tailor Of Panama. A mediocre movie at best but some great clothes.
I also find Steve Martin to be one of those guys who tends to be well dressed in his movies. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels made me want a linen suit when I was a kid in the worst way. L.A. Story with his casual comfort is another that stick out in my mind.
Such a good movie and absolutely everything and every one is beautiful in it.
Casino Royale
Though Mr. Bond is already at this party, I love the lush and luxurious spring-time feel of Casino Royale. Great Brioni suits and Sunspel casuals.
Directed by Tom Ford, its unsurprisingly alluring.