#42: Stars Wars: The Force Awakens
Of course I was gonna see this movie whether it was on the list or not. And it's pretty surprising to me that it is. Not because it doesn't deserve to be, it actually fits in with classic Star Wars like a glove. But you'd think it'd have to be REALLY fucking good just for people not to underrate it due to expecting too much. Mind you, I don't know if the first 2/3 are really as good as the old movies, but the last 1/3 starting at Starkiller Base is some of the best shit we've ever seen in Star Wars, including the absolute best lightsaber fight. Been meaning to make a more spoilery post in the other thread for a while now.
#128: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
I actually watched It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas. I guess that's not a surprise, but it's the other big Capra/Stewart outing. I don't think Mr. Smith is as good, but it's still pretty good. It's a little soft and naive for a film about capital corruption, and I must have fucking hallucinated it when the main character assaults about a dozen reporters with no consequences. Still, I came out of this movie thinking that we really need another non-partisan movie about political corruption. And while Stewart is very good, Jean Arthur and her character really steal the show, esp for the portrayal of a female character in the 30s. The thing that hurts this film the most was its abrupt ending. Common for the time, but really regretful here.
#129: My Neighbor Totoro
The only Miyazaki movie on the list I had yet to see (but not the last I have to see), this was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. Well made. Ahead of its time. Probably going to be really good to watch with my kids... but not by myself. It's a bit better than Ponyo in that regard; while it's a lot simpler, the lack of excess helps it in this case. But while the subtle angst that permeates Miyazaki's films does exist, there's no real bite, or consequences, or much of a linear narrative at all. Things happen and are cute. I've seen both the English and Japanese dubs for most of Miyazaki's movies, but as per what I've done with everything else on this list I went with Japanese, and I thought the voice acting was super endearing.
#130: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Another long movie that mostly uses its time well, though it sags the most in the middle. It's certainly an interesting dramatic story with amazing acting from all sides, but for the life of me I just can't empathize with Obi-wan's character at all. Bridge is about a Japanese POW camp. Soldiers and officers alike are enslaved to build a bridge over a river. I didn't know this, but I guess the Geneva Convention states that officers can't be made to do manual labor. Far be it from me to argue with the Geneva Convention, but I don't give a shit at all about this. Why shouldn't officers work if soldiers have to? The first hour is spent grandstanding about the injustice of this, but I don't give a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. When Obi-wan finally gets his way and the movie treats it like a big heroic victory, he then decides to help build the bridge quickly and effectively. Now, the movie knows that he's being a questionable prick at this point, but it's supposed to be balanced out by him upholding the convention while his soldiers literally work themselves to death. It's a movie worth watching because it gives you a lot to think about, but seriously fuck this character.
#131: Ikiru
The first Akira Kurosawa movie I've seen that isn't a period piece. It's uh, it's very ponderous. It's also very boring. But I guess it's worth watching, I felt it payed off in the end. There's just a lot to get through, and slowly, before that. Ikiru means "to live", as in the main character has only half a year "to live", but "to live" is also what he's going to start doing for the first time. It's Breaking Good, and with just as many slow scenes, but without television series pacing. I could probably recommend this movie the most next to Yojimbo.
Bonus Movie: Krampus
Instant Christmas classic. Like, holy shit, in a year of 10/10 films, this is maybe the 3rd or 4th best I've seen all year (the other would be Star Wars). I mean, seriously, I'll watch this on future Christmases. It's just an entertaining movie with real holiday spirit, except everybody fucking dies horribly. Lots of families I know enjoyed this together. Go see it while you still can.
I don't know who is reading at this point, but I've been thinking lately. I tried explaining to a friend what Oscar bait was the other day, and I realized that I had NO idea what movies actually qualify as that right now. Even looking into it, I guess The Big Whatever where a bunch of actors used makeup to look ugly will probably get nominated. I have no idea what else will, because Star Wars is overshadowing everything. And frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Star Wars and Mad Max got nominated (but they won't win). I just really don't know what they are going up against at all.
Of course I was gonna see this movie whether it was on the list or not. And it's pretty surprising to me that it is. Not because it doesn't deserve to be, it actually fits in with classic Star Wars like a glove. But you'd think it'd have to be REALLY fucking good just for people not to underrate it due to expecting too much. Mind you, I don't know if the first 2/3 are really as good as the old movies, but the last 1/3 starting at Starkiller Base is some of the best shit we've ever seen in Star Wars, including the absolute best lightsaber fight. Been meaning to make a more spoilery post in the other thread for a while now.
#128: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
I actually watched It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas. I guess that's not a surprise, but it's the other big Capra/Stewart outing. I don't think Mr. Smith is as good, but it's still pretty good. It's a little soft and naive for a film about capital corruption, and I must have fucking hallucinated it when the main character assaults about a dozen reporters with no consequences. Still, I came out of this movie thinking that we really need another non-partisan movie about political corruption. And while Stewart is very good, Jean Arthur and her character really steal the show, esp for the portrayal of a female character in the 30s. The thing that hurts this film the most was its abrupt ending. Common for the time, but really regretful here.
#129: My Neighbor Totoro
The only Miyazaki movie on the list I had yet to see (but not the last I have to see), this was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. Well made. Ahead of its time. Probably going to be really good to watch with my kids... but not by myself. It's a bit better than Ponyo in that regard; while it's a lot simpler, the lack of excess helps it in this case. But while the subtle angst that permeates Miyazaki's films does exist, there's no real bite, or consequences, or much of a linear narrative at all. Things happen and are cute. I've seen both the English and Japanese dubs for most of Miyazaki's movies, but as per what I've done with everything else on this list I went with Japanese, and I thought the voice acting was super endearing.
#130: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Another long movie that mostly uses its time well, though it sags the most in the middle. It's certainly an interesting dramatic story with amazing acting from all sides, but for the life of me I just can't empathize with Obi-wan's character at all. Bridge is about a Japanese POW camp. Soldiers and officers alike are enslaved to build a bridge over a river. I didn't know this, but I guess the Geneva Convention states that officers can't be made to do manual labor. Far be it from me to argue with the Geneva Convention, but I don't give a shit at all about this. Why shouldn't officers work if soldiers have to? The first hour is spent grandstanding about the injustice of this, but I don't give a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. When Obi-wan finally gets his way and the movie treats it like a big heroic victory, he then decides to help build the bridge quickly and effectively. Now, the movie knows that he's being a questionable prick at this point, but it's supposed to be balanced out by him upholding the convention while his soldiers literally work themselves to death. It's a movie worth watching because it gives you a lot to think about, but seriously fuck this character.
#131: Ikiru
The first Akira Kurosawa movie I've seen that isn't a period piece. It's uh, it's very ponderous. It's also very boring. But I guess it's worth watching, I felt it payed off in the end. There's just a lot to get through, and slowly, before that. Ikiru means "to live", as in the main character has only half a year "to live", but "to live" is also what he's going to start doing for the first time. It's Breaking Good, and with just as many slow scenes, but without television series pacing. I could probably recommend this movie the most next to Yojimbo.
Bonus Movie: Krampus
Instant Christmas classic. Like, holy shit, in a year of 10/10 films, this is maybe the 3rd or 4th best I've seen all year (the other would be Star Wars). I mean, seriously, I'll watch this on future Christmases. It's just an entertaining movie with real holiday spirit, except everybody fucking dies horribly. Lots of families I know enjoyed this together. Go see it while you still can.
I don't know who is reading at this point, but I've been thinking lately. I tried explaining to a friend what Oscar bait was the other day, and I realized that I had NO idea what movies actually qualify as that right now. Even looking into it, I guess The Big Whatever where a bunch of actors used makeup to look ugly will probably get nominated. I have no idea what else will, because Star Wars is overshadowing everything. And frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Star Wars and Mad Max got nominated (but they won't win). I just really don't know what they are going up against at all.
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