One of the biggest challenges faced by any movie lover is finding a way to fill in the gaps in our film-viewing history while continuing to catch new releases. Even the most diligent soul is going to have blind spots that manage to elude us each year. To rectify this issue, I put together the List of Shame marathon for the last month, but it only scratched the surface. I've decided to convert it into an ongoing project with a new post at the end of each month. This follows the path of other fine bloggers like Ryan McNeil of The Matinee and his 2012 Blind Spot Series. I'm hoping to coordinate my posts with those series, which should help me stay motivated to catch films I've neglected for too long.
I've compiled a diverse collection of films that I need to see but have avoided up to this point. During the last week of each month, I'll post my thoughts about this movie following the same question-and-answer format of the List of Shame marathon. These picks come from around the world and spread across a variety of time periods. They include pictures that are recommended frequently by friends and other bloggers as must-sees. Here are the 2012 choices for a series that I'll hopefully continue for years to come:
The Red Shoes (1948)
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Wild Strawberries (1957)
Easy Rider (1969)
Solaris (1972)
West Side Story (1961)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Cabaret (1972)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
What do you think of these choices? I'm really looking forward to checking out each one, and I'm curious to hear if I've made the right picks to make this a valuable series.
Next week, I'll hang on for the ride with Steven Soderbergh as Gina Carano goes Haywire.
Good list. I've seen all but The Red Shoes (which is also on my Blind Spot Series list), In the Mood for Love, and Cabaret.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave! I'm looking to catching up with all of these. There were a lot of exciting options that I still haven't seen.
DeleteNice list, Dan. I watched Once Upon a Time in the West and Wild Strawberries last year for my own personal movie project -- you're in for a treat with both of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric. It's good to hear about those two films. I've heard a lot of great things about both of them.
DeleteFITZCARRALDO!
ReplyDeleteFitzcarraldo (1982) had an interesting premise, but was a bit slow in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIf you liked 2001: A Space Odyssey, I would think Solaris would be to your taste.
Easy Rider is my fav from your list above ( :
Chris, it's interesting that Easy Rider is your favorite one from the list. I've heard mixed things, but I'm excited to see it. I am a big fan of 2001 and did enjoy the Solaris remake, so the odds are good that I might enjoy it. Thanks!
DeleteGood list. I've seen all but The Red Shoes, Solaris, and Fitzcarraldo.
ReplyDeleteIn the Mood for Love is all about one word from the title - mood. The film may not be what you expect.
Once Upon a Time in the West is a absolute classic. Henry Fonda is chilling.
Wild Strawberries did not do much for me, but then I could say the same for almost every Bergman film I've seen. For whatever reason he doesn't work for me.
Easy Rider was very much a product of its time, and it hasn't aged well (other than the soundtrack.)
West Side Story didn't work for me, not because it was a musical, but because I just didn't believe any of the "gang" guys were remotely tough enough for the roles they were playing.
Barry Lyndon is an okay movie, but I liked several of Kubrick's other movies more.
I loved Cabaret. Even if you hate musicals, at least here the music is given a more realistic reason for existing since they are mostly performances on the stage in the Cabaret. I consider this, not the best musical, but the best movie that happens to be a musical, if that makes sense. The many, small background hints about the rise of Naziism add a chilling counterpoint to the music.
The Best Years of Our Lives is a great movie about the effects of war - and it was made right after the most patriotic war there was. That makes it something special.
Chip, thanks for all the info on your reactions to these films. It's impressive that you've already seen most of them. I can't wait to check them out.
DeleteBergman and Herzog, my two favorite filmmakers. Have at it!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I still need to see a bunch of films from both directors, so one of them may get a marathon at some point.
DeleteThere are some fantastic movies here. Especially looking forward to your take on Once Upon a Time in the West and In the Mood for Love.
ReplyDeleteJames, I figured it would be tough to go wrong with this list, so I'm looking forward to checking them out. Both of the movies you mention have been on my "to see" list for a long time. Thanks!
Delete