The very first post I wrote on here was about books, specifically how voraciously I’d consumed them during the pandemic. I’m still reading often, but have slowed down a bit as I turn my attention to another medium called film. Years from now, with the benefit of hindsight and more therapy, I will understand why 15 months of quarantine made me want to parse the history of everything ever (see also my History of Rock project; I swear I will finish The 60s playlist any day now.)
Anyway, movies. Regular readers know that earlier this year I became obsessed with this site called Letterboxd, ‘social film discovery’ in their words, ‘Goodreads for movies’ in mine. While I enjoy reading others’ reviews on the site, the real reason I love it is its lists. There are approximately ten kabillion lists cataloging movies in just about every grouping you can imagine. For those who love checking boxes on a to-do list - and who among us doesn’t - it’s a fun way to figure out what to watch and build up your repertoire in the process. (If that’s a thing that matters to you. It may not. I have questioned my sanity frequently over the past year.)
Some of the more inventive lists on the site include Nu Metal Horror, Cowboy Bebop Influences, and perhaps my favorite, Films where the main character visits his partner’s parents house for the first time, only to realize they are racists who have hatched a plan to have a white guy steal their identity.
Keeping to my theme of Trying to Learn Everything About Everything, I’ve been working my way through a few lists to build up my movie bona fides: Top 100 Films by Women Directors, The 2021 Criterion Challenge, and Guide to Film Movements. This has resulted in some interesting viewing over the past few months—with the added bonus that my profile on Letterboxd now looks like I’m hip AF. (Except for that Notting Hill viewing yesterday. A girl’s gotta eat.) If you’d rather not sit through insufferable French people or barely discernible prints that seem to have been filmed through wire mesh, here are a few stand-out recommendations for when you’re feeling arty.
Man with a Movie Camera - An astounding achievement in a variety of ways, with multiple film techniques that are way WAY ahead of its time. Beyond that, it’s just fascinating to see so many slices of life from 1920s Russia. There’s no dialogue, just real-life capture and accompanying music, with the images knit together to form a very effective narrative. It’s just over an hour long and I spent the bulk of that time gobsmacked by how visionary the director was. I know, I know, you’re skeptical. Just give it a shot.
Easter Parade - Actually watched on Easter Sunday, after Allyson recommended it, and my goodness was she right. What a delightful movie this is. The hats! The dancing! The flightiness of Judy Garland! The pettiness of Ann Miller! It scratched an unnameable itch that I haven’t been able to replicate and am still searching for. Recommendations of similar vibes are welcome.
Vivre Sa Vie - Directed by Jean-Luc Godard so you know it’s about to get hipster up in here. It had me rooting for a character, though, like I have yet to with any other of these films. She is a woman who gives no fucks during a time when she was expected to. Watch this on a rainy night with a bottle of red wine and you’ll be brooding in a beret in no time.
Harlan County USA - A timely film for our current moment. Documenting a year-long strike by coal miners in Kentucky, this should be shown in every history classroom in America. It’s also one of the most unflinching movies I’ve ever seen, impossible to look away from even when you might want to. If you were able to cross picket lines before, watching this will change that. (Or it damn well should.)
Johnny Guitar - I mean, Joan Crawford in a Western; do I really need to say more than that? Ok fine, how about the fact that the main conflict of the plot *and* the final showdown are between 2 women? That it’s visually stunning at pretty much every turn? That apparently it’s a veiled dig at McCarthyism? There is a lot going on in this movie. I will definitely have to rewatch.
Shadows - John Cassavetes’ first movie as director and considered by many to be the first independent film. It’s a little messy at times but that’s kind of the point. Effortlessly cool, thoughtful and thought-provoking. You’ll dig it, man.
Feel free to come back to this post and yell at me if you disagree with my thoughts on any of these. Happy week, y’all!