Paco
It's true. There are movies out there that I haven't seen. Movies that any self-respecting cinephile should have watched (and what am I if not self-respecting?) and yet our paths have not crossed. Some omissions are too egregious to mention here *cough* Lawrence *cough* of Arabia *cough I'm waiting to see it on the big screen cough* but I think in part of my 12 cinematic step program it's a must.
Below is my very own Shelf of Shame (that snazzy name duly homaged --or stolen-- from
Film Nerds) where I have listed twelve films I am ashamed I've never seen for one reason or another. The idea is to watch one a month and hopefully do a little write up about each. The best part? CoCo has agreed to watch them all with me! Muaaaahahahahaa
How did I whittle it down to only twelve? There were a number of criteria that I considered. Chief among them: Can I get CoCo to watch this? Other than that I looked at some directors' work I wanted to delve into more, a wide spread of eras, languages and I wanted to pop in one animated film. Sorry, documentaries. Better luck in 2014.
Without further ado:
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| She should share |
January
My Neighbor Totoro (Hayao Miyazaki, 1988)
The lone animated film. I've been meaning to delve deeper into Miyazaki's movies (having only seen Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away) and figured that if I must put an animated feature on this list then of course it would be one of his films.
Studio Ghibli churns out animated films that appeal to both adults and children (think Pixar but more nuanced). The few of theirs that I've seen really moved me so I'm looking forward to this one. Fortunately, so is CoCo.
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| No room for color here! |
February
Stagecoach (John Ford, 1939)
I haven't seen any John Wayne movies (yes, I know that means The Searchers, Rio Bravo and Red River are also on my Shelf of Shame... One day, one day!) because he comes off as a schmuck. The whole old school western genre doesn't speak to me. It seems so old-timey in a way that rings false to me. They had their heyday in a time when US mainstream culture was predominantly white and the films reflected that. I like the hell out of some revisionist westerns (late 60's to modern era where the western genre is deconstructed. examples: Wild Bunch, McCabe & Mrs. Miller) but I was never attracted toward the true westerns. As a cinephile I've got to put away my prejudices and meet these films halfway. So why Stagecoach? It is heralded with igniting John Wayne's stardom and considered a true classic of its time. I figure if I've got to watch his films then I might as well go chronologically. CoCo factor: cold to ice cold. She hates westerns. Even modern day ones. I'll be watching this one solo.
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| Adorbs |
March
Election (Alexander Payne, 1999)
The movie that put Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants) on the map. I've enjoyed everything of his since Election and considering how well regarded it is in many circles I can't believe I haven't seen it yet. If this movie is half as satirical and inappropro as I've been lead to believe then I'll be one happy dude. CoCo factor: She has seen it and is down to revisit it.
April
Slacker (Richard Linklater, 1991)
Another 90's gem (don't worry the oldies are still to come). I'm a big Linklater fan (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise/Sunset, Waking Life) so it irks me that I never saw the movie that got him a bunch of exposure (cinematography pun unintended but highly welcome). He's always been a unique voice in the sea of Hollywood mediocrity and after last year's surprisingly hilariously warm Bernie, I've decided to right this wrong. CoCo factor: I don't think she's heard of it and the premise (a camera following random people in a town around ala that sweet "day in the life of Springfield" Simpsons episode) won't be too enticing.
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| Who's Chopper is this? |
May
Short Cuts (Robert Altman, 1993)
Jesus, another 1990's movie. Okay, I promise it's the last one but May is my birthday month so screw it I'm going to watch one of my all time favorite directors do his thing. Having recently removed the phenomenal Nashville (1975) from my Shelf of Shame I am in an Altman kind of mood. Too bad I have to wait until May. Damn. When people were going gaga over Crash in 2005 the snarks were all like yeah I liked it better when it was called Magnolia and then they got out snarked by the dudes who were all like I liked Magnolia better when it was called Short Cuts. I strive to be that dude one day. CoCo factor: I'm not sure. She fell asleep in the first thirty minutes of Nashville asking when it would start. When it ended I woke her up and told her it was 2 hrs 30 mins of never starting. 5 stars!!
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| They'll probably downplay my Angloness with a throw away line |
June
The Last of the Mohicans (Michael Mann, 1992 <---- damn it!)
Light summer fare. With Daniel Day-Lewis considered to be one of the best living actors around I guess I should see this puppy. Growing up I lumped this film into something sappy like a Legends of the Fall or bloated and boring like Braveheart (sorry, friends) but once I knew the director of Heat was behind it something changed. I was open to it but never made it happen. CoCo factor: She loves it, loves period pieces and wants to see it again. Let's do it.
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| Different Strokes |
July
The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock, 1963)
Summer fun! If I had done a Shelf of Shame list this time last year there would be a ton of Hitchcock. A year ago, I had seen but one of his films (North By Northwest) but one Hitchcock college course later and boom I'm proud to say I've seen about 1/3 of his filmography. Not bad if you consider the man made over 50 features. I stayed away from The Birds since I'd always heard it was phony and over the top --not classic Hitchcock. But after talking to some other folks whose cinematic tastes I respect I think I'll give it a go. Plus, I've seen all his other big ones. CoCo factor: She's expressed interest in Hitchcock's oeuvre so I think it'll be pretty high. I hope those CGI birds don't throw her off his scent.
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| GIVE ME BACK, MY WIFE |
August
Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971)
The early 70's. My favorite era in cinema. Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia) is the man but I suppose it's the subject matter that kept me away. A nebbish man in England has his home invaded by some jerks who do terrible things to his family. Seems like a great one for the dog days of summer (note: I put Straw Dogs in August only so I could make that joke...) CoCo factor: I have no idea. After reading this probably not. Prove me wrong, baby!
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| Holy Moly, Joseph Cotten is in this! |
September
Citizen Kane (Orson Welles, 1941)
I've never seen Citizen Kane. There I said it. Look, I never took a film course in high school or in college. When else do people see this movie? I put it off for a long time because I didn't want to feel like it was homework (how is this any different than that? I'll get back to you) and I always knew what Rosebud meant. But I think I'm ready now. I'm versed enough in cinema's history and filmmaking techniques of its time that I think I'll appreciate its legacy. CoCo factor: I doubt it unless my cinephilia has some how rubbed off on her and she sees it as a sort of cinematic rite of passage.
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| I Want You... To Buy More Blu Rays |
October
Videodrome (David Cronenberg 1983)
A Halloween special! I'm a massive Cronenberg nut and having recently scratched off his version of The Fly (1986) which I thought was genius. I'm super pumped to take this one off my Shame Shelf. I hate horror films (I don't like being afraid) but his films I adore. I think it's because he strays from cliches and holds his camera on the brutality or gore that is unfolding in real time before the audience. Most importantly, his films always tend to subversively comment on some societal malignity. CoCo factor: If I play my cards right and play up the horror and gore angle there might be a chance she'll watch this one with me.
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| We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life. |
November
Hidden Fortress (Akira Kurosawa, 1958)
Like I need an excuse to watch a Kurosawa film. Every one of his I've seen I've loved (Ikiru, Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Yojimbo, Sanjuro and to a lesser extent Dreams). This film is said to have severely influenced George Lucas into creating Star Wars and I want to see that for myself. Honestly, I could make a whole Shelf of Shame exclusively filled with Kurosawa films. CoCo factor: It's foreign and old and black/white. That's a trifecta that few average movie-goers can muscle through but I'm rooting for you, baby!
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| Chevy Chase called. He wants his smile back. |
December
The Jerk (Carl Reiner, 1979)
We'll round off the year with a light hearted one. Considering by the time I came of age Steve Martin was in full-fledged has-been mode this one always slipped through the cracks. Once I learned that he used to be really funny and clever and weird I was on board to give this one a go. About a year ago, CoCo showed me a little movie she used to watch as a kid a lot called, The Man With Two Brains starring Steve Martin. I loved it. It was so silly, ridiculous and genius. It turns out it was directed by Carl Reiner and they did The Jerk together as well as Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid too (also on my shelf). Anyways, The Jerk is considered a classic comedy and there's no anxiety riding on this one. While watching Ocean's Eleven the other night I pointed to the old guy and told CoCo that he directed The Man With Two Brains. She chuckled. CoCo factor: Pretty high.
And there you have it. My 2013 Cinematic Resolutions. I could make a Shelf of Shame list for every month until I'm 95 years old and I still wouldn't be halfway there. That's the beauty of it all. There's so much! That's not to mention revisiting films too. I tell people that the best part about getting older is that there are great films out there that I haven't seen in over ten years and soon it'll be twenty, thirty, forty!! It'll be like watching it with fresh eyes again. <---- I can't believe I wrote that. Thank goodness, I have CoCo.
