Foutaises (Things I Like, Things I Don't Like)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
1989
****
The fifth and final short Jean-Pierre Jeunet made just before the step up to feature length films is the perfect introduction to the genius director. Dominique Pinon, who would become a regular collaborator, is fantastic and hugely watchable. Jeunet has such a great eye for detail and a wonderful sense of humour, you'd have to be pretty cold not to enjoy this or indeed any of his films to come. Foutaises is a perfect example of how to make a short film, what can be achieve with only the simplest and pure of ideas.

Alien: Resurrection
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
1997
****
I seem to be one of the only people who really like Alien: Resurrection. I would argue that it's not just because I'm a big Jean-Pierre Jeunet fan either. To be fair to Jean-Pierre Jeunet, he had the hardest film in the series to follow as *Spoiler* Ripley died in the last one, so I think he did a pretty good job considering. I have read that this film was offered to many great directors before Jeunet and they all terned it down as it was just too hard a project to work on, so credit due. Sure the half Alien/half human monster looked rubbish but apart from that it was ace. The underwater scene alone should have fans agreeing that it certainly isn't rubbish. I've heard many of the people who say they preferred Aliens to Alien say that Resurrection is rubbish which I don't fully understand. If everyone prefers the action over the intelligence then surely this fourth film with it's full on 'Predator' style action and ideas of cross genetics serves both? I really wish they'd follow on from this story but I think there is little chance of ever happening, especially now that the Alien vs. Predator series exists.

Amélie
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
2001
*****
In 1991 Jean-Pierre Jeunet co-directed one of the decades defining films. Ten years later he does exactly the same with his first independent film, Amelie. The colour, charm and unmistakable quirkiness that you'd expect from Jeunet are here in abundance and are practically popping out of the screen. The world fell in love with Audrey Tautou in 2001 and understandably so, her performance is beautiful, touching and nothing short of iconic.

The City of Lost Children (La Cité des enfants perdus)
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
1995
*****
Alas, the brilliant collaboration of Jean-Pierre Jeunet and  Marc Caro ends with only their second film, the visually stunning The City of Lost Children. Their first film Delicatessen, is a masterpiece, The City of Lost Children is much the same but on a much larger scale. Although I prefer the previous film, The City of Lost Children is probably a better film technically. The production, editing, cinematography, lighting, effects, make-up, costumes...the lot, it's nothing short of breathtaking. The beginning title sequence alone is better than most of the Hollywood films released in the same year put together. The inventiveness and stunning visuals are incomparable. Warning: Under no uncertain terms should you watch the dubbed into English version which has been cut to pieces and rearranged with wall paper paste!!

Delicatessen
Dir: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
1991
*****
There is nothing quite like a good collaboration, Jeunet and Caro being one of the best in the history of cinema in my opinion. Delicatessen crosses into so many genres; Comedy, Apocalypse, Cannibalism, Futuristic, Noir...the list goes on. It's comedy is black, surreal and absurd, and quite glorious it is too. The cinematography is second to none with simple yet beautiful visuals that have satisfied the staunchest of critics. I love every aspect of it, from it's mysterious horror to it's awkward romance, its bizarre circus references, sexual innuendos and political swipes. This is something special indeed. One of the best of the decade.