Movie Playlist: Robert Pattinson

elcome to another edition of Movie Playlist, where we talk to the writers, directors, and stars about their favorite films. I’ve always found the celebrity playlists on iTunes to be interesting. Most everyone in the film business moved to Hollywood after discovering their love of films. And I’ve always love talking to people about their favorite films. So talking to the people who make the movies about their favorite films just seemed like a natural idea.

Last week I had the chance to sit down with Robert Pattinson, star of Twilight. In the past editions of Movie Playlist, I have gotten pretty much what I’ve expected. The intellectual director usually spouts off a bunch of cool obscure films from the 1950’s and 1960’s, and actors usually focus on the careers of a few key actors. But I’ll admit, Robert’s choices were both surprising and refreshing.

/Film: What’s the movie that you’ve seen the most, do you think, in your lifetime?

Robert Pattinson: I go through periods where I just watch the same thing again and again and again. I’ve been watching this movie called Ivansxtc. It’s a Danny Huston movie. I watched it like 50 times this year.

/Film: Why were you so attracted to that film?

Robert Pattinson: If you watched it, you’d understand. It starts off kind of stupid, but it ends up being Danny Huston. It’s kind of transcendent. He lifts the whole movie. It’s like when you just see an actor and they’ve got the part of their career, and the scene and they’re not messing up. It’s an amazing, amazing movie. I don’t even think you can buy it in America.

/Film: I haven’t even heard of this one.

Robert Pattinson: I know. It’s like they don’t sell it anywhere. They sell it in England everywhere, but I can’t get it anywhere in America.

Robert Pattinson: I grew up watching lots of different Jack Nicholson movies. So, I was like kind of really into Jack Nicholson. Five Easy Pieces - I guess I’ve watched that a lot.

/Film: Why Jack Nicholson?

Robert Pattinson: I think he is literally the only actor who I can guarantee if I see a Jack Nicholson movie which I haven’t seen, even though I’ve seen them all now, but it’s like the same Jack Nicholson on a DVD box or whatever. It’s like seal of approval. So, you know that there’s something going to be worth watching about the movie. Every single thing he’s done, It’s bizarre.

/Film: You’ve never been disappointed by a Jack Nicholson film?

Robert Pattinson: Sometimes a little bit by the movie, but like there’s always something. There’s a few other actors who have quite a good track like him; maybe 90%, but like he has 100%.

Robert Pattinson: I mean I guess like a lot of guys just think like he’s cool or whatever, but.. What else? There’s a French actor called Romain Duris, The Beat That My Heart Skipped. It’s probably the best modern movie I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve also seen a couple of his other things. He did another thing called Russian Dolls, which is like the polar opposite. He’s like this tough gangster guy in The Beat That My Heart Skipped and then he’s literally a Hugh Grant in the other one. It’s the most bizarre experience. He’s an amazing actor. I mean like hilarious in Russian Dolls and The Beat That My Heart Skipped there’s like three scenes which are some of the greatest– There’s this scene where he sees his father dead and like that’s in so many movies where the guy goes, “Ah” or whatever and it’s like literally you’re watching it and just completely mesmerized. It’s like one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. And, what else?

/Film: I’ve done this with a lot of actors and directors. Directors usually focus on filmmakers and then actors usually tend to keep with certain stars or actors.

Robert Pattinson: Well, in terms of directing, one of my favorite films is Prenom Carmon, the Godard film, which I just found out is on the Internet now, which is strange for him. I love the way Godard directs. I think in the same way Nicholson has an acting track record, I think every single Godard movie bar maybe two, they’re worth watching for one reason or another, like everything. The Prenom Carmon is the best Godard movie. It’s amazing. I mean in terms of shock composition, in terms of like performances and just in terms of originality. The whole soundtrack of the movie is recorded. I forgot what piece. I think it’s a Beethoven string quartet piece, but they filmed the string quartet and it has a separate story on it when they’re rehearsing, when they had rehearsal. The soundtrack is this string quartet rehearsing this piece and it fits perfectly with the other half of the story. He has really clever little ideas and it’s amazing.

Robert Pattinson: The Exorcist is like my other one. It’s a flawless movie. It’s completely flawless. You can watch it again and again and again and again. You’ll never ever, ever get bored with it. I’ve never got bored with it. Like every single about it is perfect and it shows why like the CGI should have never have been invented.

Twilight hits theaters on November 21st 2008.

  • emmanuel munoz
    Why is it that 99.9% of actors always list off classic movies that they watch "like 50 times this year."? i hardly ever read an interview where the actor lists off something more recent like the diving bell and the butterfly.
  • miklebanks
    ELCOME?
  • If we all hate Twilight so much, why are we interested in this guy?
  • Anon
    According to Rotten Tomatoes, Pattinson also likes Corky Romano.

    http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/twilight/news/178...
  • maybe thats because they like watching movies so much...?
  • he has good taste in movies at least. And I wish he wouldn't have done Twilight so I'm with you
  • I like this guy . He doesn't seem to take himself too seriously and he's down with some awesome movies. And his hair is out of control.
  • Robert P. seems like a pretty easy going guy and speaks much better in sit down interviews than when a mic is being shoved in his face at an event. I'm interested in watching the two indie films he has coming out.
  • Daniel
    Like like like like. Twenty four of them!
  • he doesn't seem like a douche. and he seems totally aware of how silly and ridiculous twilight is. i just wish kristen stewart was as cool because i wouldn't mind seeing more of her around here.
  • I think that kristen stewart really has the potential to be the next Jodie Foster. It funny that they were both in Panic Room together as mother daughter.
  • truly
  • its supposed to say 'welcome'.. was that so hard to figure out?
  • it should say 'like every single thing...'
    you couldn't deduce that for yourself?
  • Mike Z.
    the guy from TWILIGHT cursing the day CGI was born. I just had my neck bitten by irony.

    Does sound like a decent bloke though.
  • Mick J
    Haha, he does say "like" a lot. I was considering counting, but gave up.
  • I thought that too, but he seems genuinely aware of the silliness of the film, which somehow makes me like him.
  • Has this guy seen The Bucket List? I'm actually impressed that he likes The Exorcist though...that's one of my favorite films too...god I love that movie so much. I feel like watching it right now. :)
  • Rotten tomatoes almost has the same interview.
  • Yeah, I know, After my interview Robert told me, "I did one of these a couple days ago with another site" And I was like ::facepalm::
  • Ouch, thats a put down.
  • Shells
    Where does he seem genuinely aware of the silliness of the film?
  • Lhea
    I've watched some of his indie movies, and he was good in them.
    Why on earth did he agree to do twilight?
  • Shells
    because otherwise he's a good actor. well thats why i like him, because of his other movies. not twilight.
  • One would have to, to rattle off a list like that. His note about CGI helps too.
  • lhea
    Little Ashes and How to Be? he's done a good job in both.
  • One would have to, to rattle off a list like that. His note about CGI helps too.
  • linn
    huh?
  • lhea
    yeah which is why I feel surprised he agreed to do it. And he generally tends to do good movies (small budget indie movies but good ones). In Twilight he looks uncomfortable, probably because he realises how stupid it is.
  • (*points up*) Sorry, posted in the wrong spot.
  • He's right though Romain Duris is a great actor. I love his work.
  • He is so right - The Exorcist is truly flawless.
  • Embry
    I'm origanlly from Ohio and I bought Ivansxtc here in Australia for $2. I know what he means about that movie, you can watch it over and over especially if you like movies about the film industry.
  • Marty J
    "Like every single about it is perfect and it shows why like the CGI should have never have been invented."

    This sentence doesn't make sense to me. Are you sure that's exactly what he said?
  • jo_gra
    I love his choices. He's got great taste
  • Liz
    well, yeah, maybe. It just seems to me that he felt awkward playing that demi-god type of role as Edward in Twilight. I don't think he liked the books either. He has already done meaty roles earlier, but they were all in small budget films.
  • coco
    He did a great job in Twilight! If he looked "uncomfortable" it was because of his tormented feelings for Bella. Hello?! You know what they say about opinions...
  • Shells
    have you read the reviews? not just critics but even fan reviews have panned his performance, which is a shame, because he's done such a good job in how little known movies which aren't so big because of financial issues.
  • lhea
    ah well, the explanation he gives kind of makes it better. and also, at least he's honest!
  • msb
    Why would he do Twilight? For the same reason so many other actors choose to do something so mainstream. Exposure, exposure, exposure. He's not half bad. Now hopefully he can start doing some meaty larger budget fare.
  • do you have like no life all you do is comment on blogs or whatevs?
  • hop off his jock!! haha do you rate or fancy him dont be a skank face

    kthnxby*
  • because he hates twilight too?
  • boobsicle
    Funny how many times he said "like". I thought he was Californian, not British. He must be the most retarded Brit I've ever heard butcher the English language since Noel Gallagher. Sad. Just sad.
  • wat the hell r u LIKE the most retarded person on this world
    everyone says like!
    (OMG)
  • i have no life because i comment on a blog? do you have no life since you look for my comments so that you can ask me if i have no life? idiot
  • dude.
    because your like the number 4 commenter obviously. duh. you friggin idiot. seriously i do have a life. its called be social. and not drink from the hate cup. kk.but im not the one that comments on every friggin blog about something i dislike.i have friends maybe you dont
  • sekseypink
    omg!!! Robert pattinson is like so fit.he is the hottest guy ive seen in a film yet,even if you don't see his body but u do in the second 1.im from Manchester.innit.
  • pariss
    wow!! so many people that dont like robby??? why?? he is great!!! hes hott, he has GREAT hair, and he is a really good actor. and he rocked in twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Allie.
    he's just simply amazing and plain out gorgeous.
    oh and he's also a good actor and an.. "eh" kind of singer.
    LOVED him in twilight and those of you who didn't can just go suck it k? (:
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