For as long as I can remember, I have been deservedly
derided by my friends for having seen so few classics, despite being such a huge movie
person. This was the year I decided to start to change that. Slowly, of course – it’s an uphill battle at
this point. Plus, it’s harder for me because I fail miserably at watching
movies at home. It’s just not my ideal
environment – too many tempting distractions, and I cannot abide watching films
with distractions. That leaves me with
theatrical experiences. But, I’m in luck; I live in the best city in the world
for seeing older films.
I wound up seeing around 42 “older movies” in theaters this year –
mostly at the IFC Center, but also The Film Forum, Museum of the Moving Image
and MoMA.
To be fair, I also saw Goodfellas and The Game this year,
but not in a theater. Loved them both, especially the latter. Oh, and I also watched Ghostbusters for the
first time. Twice! It’s hard to appreciate a movie like that as
much as I know I would have if I’d seen it as a kid – but I do at least totally “get”
what the fuss is about.
I took advantage of some awesome programming from local
movie houses – my favorite of which being the Universal 100 this summer at the
Film Forum, where they showed multiple double features in honor of Universal’s 100th
anniversary. I saw my first, second and third Douglas Sirk films as a part of
that. Such good stuff.
But, the IFC Center also spoiled me by showing a different
Alfred Hitchcock film every weekend at 11 AM for months in a row. Of his
notable ones I missed Rope, The Birds, Dial M for Murder and The Man Who Knew
Too Much.
I want next year to be an even better year for me in terms
of catching up on classics. Also, I’m
going to make an effort to improve my watch-at-home habits. And also to improve
my keeping track of my watch-at-home habits.
Here are a few notable “bests:”
Best Hitchcock (of the 11 I saw for the first time in 2012):
Vertigo
Most Embarrassing Confession: This
was the year I finally saw Back to the Future 1 and 2
“What’s the Big Deal” Award: American Graffiti. Meh!
Most Fun: Miami Connection
Top Five Overall
5. Wake in Fright
4. Annie Hall
3. Imitation of Life
2. Vertigo
1. Three Colors: Red
Also amazing were Life is Sweet, The Conversation, Psycho, L’Enfant,
Nashville, Oldboy, The Battle of Algiers, To Catch a Thief, Rebecca, Rosemary’s
Baby
Here's the full list of older movies I saw theatrically in 2012:
Zelig |
L'Enfant |
Life is Sweet |
Marathon Man |
Annie Hall |
The Conversation |
Nashville |
Oldboy |
Funny Face |
Murder! |
The Battle of Algiers |
Cape Fear |
Shadow of a Doubt |
Saboteur |
Psycho |
To Catch a Thief |
The 39 Steps |
Rear Window |
Lifeboat |
Hello, Dolly |
Imitation of Life |
American Graffiti |
Vertigo |
Baraka |
Magnificent Obsession |
Written on the Wind |
Rebecca |
Big River Man |
Wake in Fright |
Miami Connection |
Robocop |
The Spy Who Loved Me |
Gasland |
Torn Curtain |
On Her Majesty's Secret Service |
Rosemary's Baby |
ExistenZ |
Three Colors: Red |
Annie |
Back to the Future |
Back to the Future 2 |
Ninotchka |
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ReplyDeleteOoh - I'll play! Keeping mine to big-screen first-timers only...
ReplyDeleteBest Hitchcock (of the 6 I saw for the first time in 2012): NOTORIOUS
Most Embarrassing Confession: Despite owning ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE in some form or another for fourteen years, I only saw it for the first time this year (on a big screen at least)
“What’s the Big Deal” Award: PICNIC. The titular picnic is indeed epic, but what the hell?
Most Fun: Tie - ZARDOZ and ROBOCOP
Top Five Overall
5. WILD AT HEART
4. A MAN ESCAPED
3. BREATHLESS
2. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM
1. PICKPOCKET
I'm so glad you saw Annie hall! one of my favorites. definitely my favorite woody Allen movie.
ReplyDeletehave you seen the godfather series and falling down? two of my other favorites. oh and scarface!
Seeing ANNIE HALL in the theater way back when (I think it was a 1983 or 4 re-release) was just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis series is new to me and I want to read the book one. Sounds really gooooood.
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