Citizen Kane first. As this was explained to me earlier, i understand why at the time it was considered a masterpiece of cinematography.
Then its cinematography was absorbed by other films, which carried forward its innovations, so much so that they became the standard of filmmaking.
And that is why you dont need to see it. You can see those tools being used in any film, often better. You can pick up any modern film and watch it and you've absorbed all the content of Citizen Kane.
You can walk into a movie today, a weird soundtrack starts playing, and you think "oh yeah, pulp fiction"; but you dont see a dutch shot and think "oh yeah baby, Third Man!" because they have becomes so commonplace that there's a hundred examples prior to reference. (Deutsche angle comes from the earlier Man With A Canera film, but The Third Man is the goto reference for it)
It certainly has a historical significance, but if you want to make films or simply understand the artistry of filmmaking, you dont need it, just like you dont need to study the Model T if you can study the McLaren F1.
Then, The Matrix. And not The Matrix Trilogy.
I was watching this awesome video, which i wont embed,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvyCyyFRpfE
cleverly called "on finally understanding the matrix sequels" ..
"Cleverly" because i would have titled it "i actually do not understand the matrix at all", a rather common theme among matrix viewers; and the matrix is scarily self-referential, you do not understand the message, but you can
feel it.
The matrix is not about bullet time. It's not about Neo being called Neo or the other "mystical" names other characters have. It's not a fight of good vs evil, it's not about pseudo-alien robots farming you for electricity, it's not about work, it *is* a metaphor but it's trying to tell you something that is very real:
you were born inside a prison, Zin. A prison for your mind.
This prison isnt the storyline's energy farm. It's not the simulation that drives you to compete and work and struggle.
The film spells it out in a crucial scene, the bug removal:
When Trinity tells Neo "you already know what's down that street".
Down that street is
the prison for your mind. The prison YOU have created, not by the matrix, not by giant-ass alien robots. If you walk down that street, you already know what is there, it's a prison built of "i must do this" and "i need to do that".
The prison, is trying to live in the future. Hey, responsibility is awesome, man, but freedom is going from "i must do X" to "i have done Y".
When i walked out of the theaters in 1999 (went with friends, because i had originally preferred to spend my little money on Strange Days) i was shocked; i thought "wow the waichovsky penisborn persons have really done it! They have managed to create a visual aid that will explain to the masses what they are doing wrong and how to find happiness - HOW could someone not understand that message" and as always, i was wrong.
Nobody gets it. Matter of fact, ep. 2 and 3 completely ignore this message and just do more wuxia.
See, the film had to sell; once neo is free (after the pill, BEFORE the couch scene) the film ends.
What comes after is just some silly Buck Rogers zappp zoink blast the badguy chinese-style. It's your reward for having sat through the explanation of "why yo dumbass is duumb" and as such, you get a cookie. It also pads out the run time. OR JUST MAYBE it's there to make you feel like YOU are Neo, YOU walk into the phone booth and YOU say "i am going to wake them up".
I dont know how people can not get the message - that you *can* not go down that road, and the only reason you need is simply that you already know what's there; but .. as always ...