2019 Shame Statement

Another year, another list of cinema shame. I’m going to start with knocking off John Carpenter’s “The Thing”. I think this movie has been on my list for at least the past three years, so it is time to retire this one from the list. I’ve owned this on DVD and Shout Factory’s Blu-ray edition, sitting on my to-watch pile since that purchase. Below is my shame statement and a little bit of background on why I picked them.

 

1. “The Thing” – It is time for me to watch this, as much as I loved Carpenter’s “Prince of Darkness,” then I should be ready to watch this masterpiece.
2. “Body Heat” – Currently own and was listed in Danny Peary’s “Cult Movies 3.”
3. “The Stunt Man” – I’ve had the special edition DVD for a while and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Peter O’Toole film.
4. “Lawrence of Arabia” – Well if I’m going to see Peter O’Toole, then I need to see the best.
5. “Ride the High Country” – This quote from Neil Fulwood’s book, sold me on it,  “The Films of Sam Peckinpah” really sold me on it, “ What he achieved was masterful, a low budget picture which MGM treated like a B-movie but which had a quality of acting, cinematography, intelligence and moral complexity that made it stand head and shoulders above most of the A-pictures fo the day. It elevated the western to art and established an intellectual blueprint for Peckinpah’s career as a film-maker.
6. “The Quiet Man” – John Ford + John Wayne + a pricey purchase of Olive’s Signature Blu-ray release = I need to watch this.
7. “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” – Pure Cinema Podcast’s recent episode on Martin Scorsese made me realize there are huge gaps in his filmography I am overlapping. Which is kind of crazy because along with Sam Peckinpah, Scorses was an early influence in my early film loving days. “Goodfellas” and “Casino” were constant repeats or discussion points with friends. I decided to go with some early work and some of the big films I have missed.
8. “New York, New York” – Musical + Scorsese = I’m not sure what to expect.
9. “Cape Fear” – Didn’t realize until a recent trivia contest that De Niro received an Oscar nominator for this performance.
10. “Age of Innocence” – Keep the Scorses train rolling with this recent Criterion release.
11. “Nashville” – Long time cinema shame that has been on previous yearly lists, time to take this Altman classic down.
12. “Tom Jones” – Need to watch more Albert Finney, enjoyed his performance in “Under the Volcano.”
13. “Moonlight” – I’ve seen bits and pieces of this film and they were mesmerizing. I need to give Mr. Jenkins the respect he deserves and watch this film.

 

Alright, I think I have enough to last me for the year. I’m sure there will be plenty more to add, as we start the prompts and hear everybodies lists. Here is too many more discoveries over the year and to a neverending list.

Advertisement