The Words trailer

New York Stories: Life Lessons (1989)

Famed directors Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Francis Ford Coppola teamed up to make the artsy New York Stories movie. In the Life Lessons segment, Martin Scorsese delivered an artsy portrayal of an obsessed painter, Lionel Doble (Nick Nolte), seeking out vulnerable young women, including the central understudy Paulette (Rosanna Arquette), as muses to find inspiration in his art projects.

New York City is one of the premiere art scenes. Lionel is commissioned to complete an art project. Paulette rents out a room, which Lionel finances to keep her around. The two establish a relationship, albeit we never realize this relationship is a pattern. Most young women view Lionel as a genius, so his influence enables him to woo them into an understudy job.

Paulette wants Lionel to be honest of his painting abilities. However, Lionel string Paulette along to ride out his passion to deliver a finished product to the upcoming art exhibition. We see a desperate Lionel trying to win over Paulette's affection. He only becomes interested again once another man shows interest in her.

Lionel needs a young female muse to find passion. We can view Lionel's muse as a positive distraction to keep the creating juices flowing. Most writers rely on passion to defeat writer's block. Artsy movies such as New York Stories are passionate artistic exhibitions to convey creativity.

Buy or rent New York Stories to see three artsy movie directors use their auteur vision to tell their New York story. Good artsy movies provide a foundation to artistic expression. Scorsese's story allows the moviegoer to enter the NYC art scene to watch as voyeurs. We see Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese put their creative talents on display.

  

Top 10 Artsy Movies

Artsy movies are artistic films which possess creative cinematic execution and feature high concept plot-driven storylines. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognize artsy movies in their annual award gala, the top film event held at the Kodak Theatre every winter. Thus, artsy movies represent Shakespearean movies, art movies, dramatic vehicles, and stylistic films crafted to reach art lovers, movie buffs, and moviegoers alike.

The best artsy movies span the genres. Movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, Indie films, top film festival submissions, Christopher Nolan movies, and independent films deliver the top artsy movies. Nolan conveys that a talented writer/director is capable of reaching a mass audience with artsy films.

Have you watched an artsy movie lately? Are you into metaphysical movies? Artsy films show moviegoers many types of movies, especially the Shakespearean films that entertain dramatic students. We can view Broadway productions as artsy shows that cater to artsy audiences. Great performers and intriguing set designs make Broadway engagements visually appealing.

In a way, artsy movies are represented in the Academy Awards on annual basis. Most great writers and directors sought after making great movies. Artsy movies are an example of auteur theory at its finest. Know of any good artsy movies to share?

The top 10 artsy movies are must see entertainment:

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. The Dark Knight Rises
3. Lord of the Rings movies
4. Being John Malcovich
5. Inception
6. Shakespeare in Love
7. Magnolia
8. American Beauty
9. Black Swan
10. Sucker Punch

Honorable mentions: 

• Frida
• Prometheus
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• The Gift
• Hong Kong films
• Chinese films
• Cannes, Sundance, and Venice film festivals 
• A Very Long Engagement
• The Wizard of Oz
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Ready to share your artsy movies list? Please begin the artsy movies discussion below.