Tomorrow I’ll be posting this month’s Blind Spot entry – the tenth in the series. Today though, I’m casting an eye towards entries thirteen through twenty-four.
See the great thing about being surrounded by such film-literate friends (and family members), is that they can point me in the right direction. Looking back on this year for instance, I might not have caught up with films like A MAN ESCAPED, FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO, CARNIVAL OF SOULS, CUBE, and GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES were it not for the specific suggestion of others.
So in thinking about next year’s Blind Spot Selections (yes, I’m keeping this series rolling), I’m turning the curation over to anyone who reads this post.
Over on my Letterboxd profile, you’ll find fifty-plus titles that I haven’t seen. Choose the eleven you believe are most egregious and the top choices will make up next year’s list. For bonus points, if there’s a film that isn’t listed there that you know I haven’t seen (or think I haven’t seen), feel free to make note of it.
One note: I’m being especially shamed over my lack of BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN know-how, so that’s an automatic selection to the tally. I now need eleven more.
So have at it folks – what am I watching in 2013?
Edit:
So with 20 or so of you having weighed in, here are some front-runners…
- THE BIRDS
- THE KID
- SUNRISE
- LES DIABOLIQUES
- IKIRU
- THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
- BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA
- THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS
- PERSONA
- LE GRANDE ILLUSION
- L’AVVENTURA
- TOKYO STORY
28 comments
Andrew Robinson says:
Oct 29, 2012
from the list you have there the films that I’ve seen and I personally recommend you see are:
Big Trouble in Little China
Dr. Zhivago
Enter the Void
Ikiru
Once Upon a Time in the WestTokyo Story
The FP???? A modern day classic.
Nostra says:
Oct 29, 2012
Well, I guess I have to hang my head in shame because there are so many in that list I have not seen yet. But from those I have which are on your list are: Enter The Void (a movie you should at least experience once), Doktor Zivago (great epic movie), Les Diaboliques (had me glued to the screen), The Birds (classic Hitchcock) and The Kid (one the best Chaplin movies).
I would like to add one of my personal favorites, Mr. Nobody.
JayCluitt says:
Oct 29, 2012
Great idea. Unfortunately there’s so many on there that I’ve not seen either! Of the ones I have, I recommend The Birds, L’Avventura, Great Expectations, Satantango and Tokyo Story. Going in the other direction, I wouldn’t recommend Big Trouble in Little China, Doctor Zhivago, Man with a Movie Camera, Au Hasard Balthazar or Battleship Potemkin.
Bob Turnbull says:
Oct 29, 2012
L’Avventura
Battle Of Algiers
Ikiru
Man With The Movie Camera
Once Upon A Time In The West
Passion Of Joan Of Arc
Pather Panchali
Persona
Sunrise
Tokyo Story
Ugetsu
The three silent films on that list are among my all-time favourites of any type. Of the others (all amazing), Persona and Ugetsu would be my other personal faves.
L’Avventura is probably the hardest to like, but it’s well worth seeing if you like gorgeous people in gorgeous places doing…well, don’t expect hand-to-hand combat action. My fave Antonioni is still Blow-Up – add that to your list if you haven’t seen it.
Sean Kelly says:
Oct 29, 2012
Many of the films on that watchlist I’ve also haven’t seen, however here’s a few I have and recommend:
Hard Core Logo
Battle of Algiers
The Kid
Man with a Movie Camera
As for Battleship Potemkin, it’s not the easiest film to watch and I don’t think I’ve watched it once without falling asleep at some point.
Sean Kelly says:
Oct 29, 2012
Opps, I missed two
The Grande Illusion
Sunrise
Squasher88 says:
Oct 29, 2012
My picks are:
Charade
The Birds
The Kid
Les Diaboliques
I haven’t seen most of the other ones.
Will says:
Oct 29, 2012
Here’s my 11 from your list:
Passion of Joan of Arc
The Kid
The Best Years of Our Lives
The African Queen
Sunrise
Ikiru
Grand Illusion
Crumb
Brigadoon
Big Trouble in Little China
The Birds
They’re all good stuff. I’m surprised you haven’t seen a few of those already!
Louisa says:
Oct 29, 2012
Big trouble in Little China (I have it and can lend it to you)
24 Hour Party people (ditto)
Hard Core Logo (It’s a canadian Classic and a brilliant film)
The Birds (Classic in so very many ways, and still freaks me out)
Charlie Chaplin Gold Rush and the Kid (If you elect to only see one of these, make it the Kid)
African Queen (Bogart and Hepburn at their best)
Hunger (I’ll admit this one is because of Michael Fassbender, who is a great actor and beautiful even when he’s emaciated)
Pierrot Le Fou
Backbeat- I was obsessed with this movie in high school. Great performances, great soundtrack
Brigadoon- It’s obviously set on a soundstage and it’s cheesy as all get out, but Cyd charisse and Gene Kelly have never been more timeless
Doctor Zhivago- Sweeping, epic, the quintessential telling of this story for the screen
Rachel W says:
Oct 29, 2012
I love Battleship Potemkin. Glad you’re finally watching it. It came up on the syllabus at least 3 times in 4 years of film school (and in grade 11 film class).
These would be my picks for must-sees:
Passion of Joan of Arc
Eyes without a Face (my favourite on your list)
Battle of Algiers
If…
Grand Illusion
The Birds
The Kid
Les Diaboliques
Man with a Movie Camera (I think you’d enjoy this with your photography background)
I’d strongly recommend The Last Laugh over Sunrise for Murnau films if you haven’t seen it (assuming you’ve also seen Nosferatu). Much more engaging, heart breaking, rewarding film with few title cards and amazing performance by Emil Jannings.
I’d also suggest something by Ernst Lubitsch if you haven’t seen any of his films: Ninotchka, Shop Around the Corner, To Be or Not to Be or one of his musicals like The Merry Widow, The Love Parade, One Hour with You. He’s know for sophisticated “comedies of manners,” great dialogue, and musicals.
Rachel W says:
Oct 29, 2012
Shane and I also own a lot of the movies on your list if you decide to watch them.
Max says:
Oct 29, 2012
Battleship Potemikin
Close Up
Les Diabloiques
Grand Illusion
Late Spring
Joan of Ark
The Kid
Battle of Algiers
Big Trouble in Little China
The Birds
Andreas says:
Oct 29, 2012
Out of the couple dozen masterpieces on the list I’ve seen, these ones are top of the heap for me:
The Birds
Close-Up
Ikiru
Jeanne Dielman
L’Atalante
Pather Panchali
Persona
Satantango
Sunrise
Tokyo Story
Ugetsu
SDG says:
Oct 29, 2012
Like most others, I haven’t seen half of them myself. So, from what I know and have seen, here goes the list –
L’avventura
Contempt
Dr. Zhivago
Pather Panchali
Hunger
Ikiru
Sunrise
Persona (If you haven’t seen any Bergman before, DO NOT get to Persona directly. Ease yourself to him)
Battle of Algiers
The Lost Weekend
The Birds
P.S. If you are continuing the series, there is a very good chance that I will join you this year. There are a few I can include myself in your list above.
James Blake Ewing says:
Oct 29, 2012
Au Hasard Balthazar
Close-Up
Eyes Without a Face
Intolerance
L’Atalante
Ordet
Stalker
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Man with a Movie Camera
The Passion of Joan of Arc
What do you know, that came out right to 11. All of those films that I selected from your picks are among my favorites. Look forward to hearing from you on some (or hopefully all) of these films.
Jandy says:
Oct 29, 2012
Mostly this just reminds me how dismally I did in my own Blind Spot series. I think I managed to watch four of them, but only write about two. Anyhoo. There’s always other years (I’m not sure next year is a great one to plan to watch a bunch of specific movies, though!)…
From your list…
Grand Illusion
Le mepris/Pierrot le fou (if you only pick one Godard, do Pierrot le fou)
Persona
Sunrise
The Birds (The 39 Steps is also great, but The Birds is one of my top 5 Hitchcocks)
The Gold Rush
L’avventura
Charade
Intolerance
The Long Goodbye (especially if you’re reasonably familiar with 1940s detective films, as Altman pastiches them quite well)
Les diaboliques
I wouldn’t really consider Brigadoon a blind-spot, unless you’re being a completionist. It’s fun times if you’re a big Gene Kelly or Cyd Charisse fan (or a fan of movie-Scotland), but it’s pretty much a lesser MGM musical. Have you seen The Band Wagon and On the Town? They’re both 5-star MGM musicals in my book.
Danny says:
Oct 29, 2012
Charade and Contempt from your list. It looks like you need to see Roman Holiday if you haven’t.
Anna says:
Oct 29, 2012
Dude, something’s not right if I’ve seen a number of these films and you haven’t. But choosing 11, I’ll pick:
Charade (one of my faves)
Diabolique
Eyes Without a Face
Hunger (how haven’t you seen that yet?)
Ikiru (my favorite Kurosawa film)
Persona
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
The African Queen
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Gold Rush
The Lost Weekend
Come on, man. Pick up your A-game!
Sam McCosh says:
Oct 29, 2012
Being the Japanese film buff, i have to encourage you to watch those 0 Ikiru is one of the few films I would call a masterpiece. Man with a Movie Camera is simply astounding, i was blown away after seeing it. Hunger is one of the rawest performances you’ll ever see an actor give. Here are my picks
*24 hour Party People
*Enter the Void
*Big Trouble in Little China
*Hunger
*Ikiru
*Ugetsu
*Tokyo Story
*Man with the Movie Camera
Jess says:
Oct 29, 2012
None of those are particularly fun. You need to choose a few that wont feel like homework.
Ryan McNeil says:
Oct 30, 2012
There aren’t too many “fun” ones I’ve never seen – or feel ashamed for not having seen.
Besides, there’s fun to be had on that list. THE BIRDS, THE KID, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA…they might not be the fluffiest of selections, but they’ll provide a few thrills and perhaps even laughs themselves.
I vote you take part in the blind spot series in 2013!
Dan Heaton says:
Oct 30, 2012
Hi Ryan. This is a fun way to set up your blind-spots series! I’m going to continue mine and focus solely on the most notable movies of the 2000s (the first decade) that I’ve missed. It will start with Black Swan and Brokeback Mountain for sure.
Here’s what I think you have to see:
Big Trouble in Little China
24 Hour Party People
Bob Le Flambeur
Ikiru
Sunrise
The Gold Rush
Tokyo Story
The 39 Steps
The Passion of Joan of Arc
L’Avventura
Backbeat
I’ve seen all these and think they’re all definitely ones you should see. The most suspect is Backbeat, but I figure it’s a good change of pace from the heavier films.
Shane says:
Oct 30, 2012
Here is a list of 11 I would choose based on what is on your Watchlist and what is not in your list of Letterboxd films. These are in order of importance.
The Passion of Joan of Arc (with a C)
Greed
Grand Illusion
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Battle of Algiers
The Young Girls of Rochefort (or Umbrelas of Cherbourg)
The Earrings of Madame de…
A Matter of Life and Death
Stalker
The Guns of Navarone
Written on the Wind
I think you’ve seen “Rome, Open City” but if not, this would be #2 on my list behind Joan.
It’s classic-heavy, but you’ve only got five films made before 1930 on Letterboxd and 19 before 1940.
Steph says:
Oct 30, 2012
For the serious cinephile, I suggest:
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Battleship Potemkin
Sunrise
Grand Illusion
Persona
Contempt
For still serious, but slightly more fun:
The African Queen
Bob le Flambeur
The Best Years of Our Lives
For pure fun:
Charade
For a bit of CanCon (and still fun):
Hard Core Logo
John says:
Oct 31, 2012
I could take or leave The Birds, and I normally LOVE Hitchcock.
As for the rest? Ikiru, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Persona, and Grand Illusion are some of my very favorite films ever made. They’d all be in my top 100, maybe all in my top 50, and at least two (Ikiru and Passion of Joan of Arc) are in my top 20.
Ryan McNeil says:
Nov 6, 2012
After I posted this, I realized that half of the titles that are leading the scoreboard are sitting on my PVR just waiting to be watched.
I think that makes them even more shameful omissions…
Shoumik says:
Nov 4, 2012
I’d recommend
andrei rublev
ikiru
le grand illusion
the gold rush
the mirror
the passion of joan of arc
tokyo story
battle of algiers
the long goodbye
24 hour party people
crumb
just to mix up the heavier and lighter stuff.
Ryan McNeil says:
Nov 6, 2012
Welcome to The Matinee!
I’ve added your suggestions to the tally, though it looks like those titles I added to the post will be making up the bulk of my workload in 2013.
Be sure to keep checking in and see how I make out with them!