2. The Hill (1965) - [blind spot] I was talking about iconic opening shots in film, and someone recommended this to me as having the "best", and, well, they're not wrong! It's gorgeous! But I didn't realize it was Sean Connery in this, and ew. I can't stand him for a lot of reasons. But I will admit that I don't think I've ever seen him in anything in which he actually tries to act like he does here? And he's really, really good. It's shocking! But WHATEVER I still hate him. But Sidney Lumet, though. Just one of the best directors ever - I consider 5 of his films to be among the greatest of all time (Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Serpico, and, my favorite, 12 Angry Men). I loved this too, but it probably wouldn't make it to my list. Although - technically it's amazing, and very Lumet. Just incredible blocking, camera angles, and some shots are so spectacular so maybe in a few years, I will change my mind. The circular tracking shot in the prison when they are all chanting is also very memorable (I think I like it even more than the opening shot!). The sound was a little muffled - I'm not sure if that was just the version I watched being messed up (I watched it on TCM) or if it was intentional - a lot of background noises seemed very clear, which makes me thing it's kind of like how Nolan plays with sound a lot. The story is really good, but feels a little stretched out - it didn't need to be over 2 hours. But overall, it's great!
3. Shanghai Express - [blind spot] I was excited for this first-time watch because Marlene Dietrich is a LEGEND, but unfortunately I didn't love it. It's...fine. But I was very bored, and it feels way longer than 90 minutes. There's some gorgeous cinematography and costume design, though. Dietrich looks like she just killed her husband and got away with it with that face netting, feather boa, and those eyebrows! My god, she is stunning. But all of the other characters are boring and everyone is very under-developed. I had high hopes with the opening tracking shot and then the train halting for the cow on the tracks (lol). And there's some great dialogue (and a lot of dialogue about race, which I wasn't expecting. "I'm not proud of my white blood" is surprising dialogue for a film from the 30s). I just kind of lost interest about 30 minutes in, so that was unfortunate.
4. Manhattan - [blind spot] I always get this confused with Annie Hall and mix up which one I've seen, so I honestly wasn't sure until I started this as to whether I had seen it or not. But I definitely haven't and FUCK, I love it so much. Feelings about Woody Allen aside, I really love a LOT of his films, especially his mid-2000s run with Match Point, Cassandra's Dream, and Vicky Christina Barcelona. And then Midnight in Paris is one of my favorite films of the last 15 years. I would love to say, especially considering the subject matter (Allen dates a 17 year old because OF COURSE HE DOES), that this movie is garbage, but with that opening monologue about NYC followed by the swell of the orchestra, I instantly fell in love. It's just so good. And Meryl Streep is so hot in this. She's always gorgeous, but she's like peak Meryl Streep in this. Plus, I love Diane Keaton (maybe one of the few celebrities that I was star-struck by seeing in real life - she sat next to me at a restaurant a few years ago). It's hard to believe that Allen is supposed to be younger than me in this?! He just always looks over 50! Obviously there is great dialogue because that's sort of what Allen is known for, but there are also some beautifully stunning shots (the shot of the spiral staircase with a young Mariel Hemingway reading under the floor lamp??? SUBLIME!). I think the story would have been stronger had the girl been at least 25? He didn't need to make it creepy. The story really isn't about them anyway - it turns into more of a love triangle between him, his married friend, and his friend's lover (an appropriately aged Keaton). And that would have been a strong enough story. Overall, though, I loved this - up there with top-tier Woody Allen.
5. It Came from Outer Space - [blind spot] I know the behind-the-scenes story to this (it's technically written by Ray Bradbury!), but I've never actually seen the whole thing in one sitting (I've seen pieces of it, most likely). It's basically Invasion of the Body Snatchers but not as dark - the aliens are trying to be peaceful and just want time to figure their own shit out but humans are gonna human. It's a good sci-fi story. I laughed hard at all the screams - she screams so loud and wildly at...nothing. It's very funny (not sure if that's the intent, though). And I never noticed that the alien design is basically what Monsters Inc. copied. Overall, this is a great sci-fi movie that inspired countless other films.
6. Lilies of the Field - [blind spot] Another film with Arizona as its location (It Came from Outer Space also takes place in AZ. Those cacti are very specific to AZ only - and I think some part of Mexico?). Anyway, this is another Sidney Poitier film that I haven't seen, and I really liked it. Sidney is so damn charming and funny - him trying to teach the nuns English is so funny. Him saying "I stands up, y'all" and then laughing is so hilarious. And him complementing them "you girls look nice" and they're all wearing their nuns outfits. LOL. He's just so charming and effortless. I don't think the film is anything special, but his performance really makes it interesting.
7. She's Having a Baby - [rewatch] I always get this movie and the one where Molly Ringwald says "I'm pregnant, can you pass the turnips" confused (I just looked it up - it's called For Keeps and it's definitely what I thought I was watching until I saw Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern and NO Molly Ringwald. LOL). I have seen this movie before though, and it's good. I like the honest depiction of marriage - but I also think it's a bit depressing for young people to look at marriage like this and still go through with it *just* because of the social pressure. And most problems in a marriage can easily be solved if they just TALK TO EACH OTHER. Like with the scene where she makes dinner that he doesn't want to eat it and she gets all upset and dramatic about it and she says "I didn't know what you wanted and I didn't feel like guessing"....um...just ask him? Or you can just not care? I usually make dinner for my husband and I rarely ask him what he wants. If I'm cooking, I'm making what I want. He can eat it or make something else for himself. Done and done. (and for the record, my husband eats his whole plate and says "thank you" because he's not an asshole). But some couples, especially ones depicted in the media, have all these passive-aggressive arguments and constant bickering and it honestly makes the whole concept of marriage seem unappealing. There is a very telling line "yeah, you'll be happy, you just won't know it", which is very astute. And kind of crazy sad to think about. Anyway, the best part of this movie is the end credits. HOLY SHIT. I definitely have never seen them before. But it's basically EVERY SINGLE FAMOUS PERSON from the 80s giving ideas for baby names. Like everyone - John Candy, Dan Akroyd, Matthew Broderick, Belinda Carlisle, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, Magic Johnson, Penny Marshall, Annie Potts, Ally Sheedy. You name 'em - they are all there. It's very entertaining.
8. Uncle Buck - [rewatch] One of my favorite 80s movies and definitely in my top 3 John Candy films (Once Upon a Crime and Planes, Trains & Automobiles are the other two. Home Alone doesn't really count, although I love his scene in it). Candy is so missed - my top three comedians growing up were John Candy, Robin Williams, and Phil Hartman and all three were gone way too soon. I definitely haven't seen this since I was a kid (I was 8 when it came out, so probably at least 30 years, so this will be an interesting watch). Macauley Culkin and Gabby Hoffman were so damn cute!! But, it's far more serious of a film than I remember? It's got some funny moments (like Candy walking through the crowd of teens dancing to "Bust a Move". SO FUNNY) and definitely some sexual innuendos that I didn't catch as a kid. I also didn't realize that the neighbor lady was played by Laurie Metcalf! How funny. Anyway, this was interesting! Far more grown up than I remember, but still cute. I love the relationship that forms between him and the older, rebellious teen daughter - I remember thinking she was so cool when I was a kid. Haha! A great, fun re-watch.
9. The Running Man - [rewatch] Technically, this is a rewatch because I definitely watched this a while back while it was on tv, but I remember being really bored and I didn't pay that much attention to it (I couldn't even tell you the plot), so I decided to give it another go (especially since Edgar Wright is doing the remake this year (YAY), starring Glen Powell (hmmmmm...)), but...um...I was really bored again?! I like a lot about it though - like how it starts with Arnie saying "I'm not firing on helpless people". I wish more people in law enforcement (cops, border patrol, etc.) would say no, but instead "follow orders" (and then are confused when people call them nazis?? Make it make sense!). Anyway, unfortunately, the film is just too campy and ridiculous. And they don't get the "future" of 2019 right AT ALL. It still screams 80s movie - both aesthetically and from a fashion standpoint. And why is she wearing lingerie to work out?? Also, he says "I'll be back" in this too????!! That's amazing.
10. Psycho (1960) - [rewatch] So, I had a really cool experience rewatching this because I got to see it in a theater! My first ever Hitchcock on a big screen, which is kind of crazy to think about considering how much of a fan I am. I literally own a majority of his films (even multiples of some). So, the Paris Theater (now owned by Netflix) did a Hitchcock retrospective and showed a ton of his films, along with some films inspired by Hitch. I wish I saw more, but it's not the easiest place to get to (not super difficult either - a 40 minute train ride, followed by a 30 minute walk or smelly/sweaty subway ride). I picked Psycho because it's one of his most iconic and the timing of it was right. And I think it was a great choice! It's not my favorite Hitch, but it's a classic for a reason. It was really fun seeing it with an audience. I was happy that everyone laughed at the right parts (it's very funny! like when the car is sinking and then just *stops* sinking). There are a few jump scares that got a few people in the audience too, which is always fun to see. I also noticed how *dumb* some of the plot points are - how he doesn't notice the weight of the newspaper that contains 40k?! But, overall, a close masterpiece - Janet Leigh and Vera Miles are great, but Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates is one of the best performances in film history. I know people have spoken about the resemblance before, but if they ever do a biopic on Perkins, Andrew Garfield is a dead ringer, and has the charm to boot!
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