Five movies that make me want to make things

There are some movies that are so sumptuous, so beautiful, so nearly tactile that every time I watch them it makes me want to make things. I'm not talking about movies that are just shot beautifully or have amazing editing or directing (if so, Lawrence of Arabia and Godfather would totally be on this list). Here's a list of movies that make me want to create beautiful projects, in no particular order. What are some movies that do that to you?

1. Dracula

I love Eiko Ishioka's work, and in Dracula it's combined with amazing practical effects, that always make me want to create things that are totally unwieldy but absolutely sumptuous. The costumes, man, the costumes!

2. The Fall

Speaking of Eiko Ishioka, I reviewed The Fall when it first came out, and it's still just as wonderful and stunning and delightful as it was then. Every shot makes me want to create something colorful and wonderful and LOOK AT DARWIN'S COAT.  I mean, come on.

3. Marie Antoinette

And speaking of Coppalas, Marie Antoinette makes me want to make things out of silk and embroidery and chocolate and raspberries and... everything. Seriously, I cannot watch this movie and not want to work on some ridiculous purse or random bit of something over the top. Or baking. Let them eat cake indeed.

4. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman

Segueing into movies that make me want to cook, this was the first. The cooking sequences in this movie have to be seen to be believed, and if you want to learn something about real Chinese cuisine you should definitely watch this. It almost hurts how good the food looks in this movie.

5. Ratatouille

Of course this gets a place on my list. Ratatouille shows you how pro kitchens operate, explains how flavors work together to make beautiful new things, and shows exactly how the creative process in the kitchen feels. I only wish I was nearly as good as Remy at plating. (I can make amazing tasting meals but I just don't have time to plate properly.) Regardless, this movie nails it. Perfection.

Honorable mention: The complete works of Wes Anderson

Seriously, the man can do no wrong (and of course he's totally in with the Coppolas - you'll find them all over his movies). I have loved every single one of his films, and every one makes me want to make some piece of fashion or leatherworking. Thank you, Wes Anderson (and his production designers David Wasco, Nelson Lowry, Mark Friedberg and Adam Stackhausen).