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.