Ryan McNeil
First things first – many thanks to Jake Cole for reminding me that tomorrow is Blind Spot Tuesday and that I have some watching to do tonight.
Last year, my friend James McNally came up with the idea to make a concerted effort to finally scratch particular titles off his “movies to see” list, and he inspired many of us to do the same. Now even though James couldn’t complete the mission that he himself set out to do, he still came up with a great idea.
By keeping the tally to a mere dozen films, he made it a watchlist that was both enjoyable and attainable…as opposed to drawing up a to-see list of, say, fifty.
Of the ten films I’ve watched so far on my own list, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every last one, and that three or four of them endeared themselves to me immediately. You have to love it when that happens – when you watch a classic film and end up asking yourself “How have I never seen this before?”
Likewise, I’m really impressed that several of my brothers and sisters in arms joined in on the project. I’m hoping that some of them will keep the project going and choose a new dozen films. I’m even more hopeful that some of the other movie-lovin’ bloggers who frequent this space will set out a dozen of their own to dig through in 2013! In case you’re new to the whole idea, here’s the skinny:
I intend to post my entries on the final Tuesday of every month, and at the bottom of each post, will likewise link to anyone else who is participating in the series. So if you want to partake, drop me an email (ryanatthematineedotca) when it’s up and I’ll make sure you get linkage at month’s end.
In trying to cull a list for next year, I turned much of the choosing over to my readership. I chose two of my own, and after that ran with the next ten highest vote-getters. Here’s what I’ll be watching…
My Blind Spot piece will probably be a little late this month…totally forgot about it.
A few weeks ago, just before Reel Asian started, I sat down and complied my 2013 Blind Spot list (though it will not post until January). Two of the titles on your list, Battleship Potemkin and Les Diaboiques, made mine as well.
While not on my blind spot list for next year, I am hoping to catch up with Ikiru, The Passion of Joan of Arc, and Tokyo Story at some point in the near future.
We all forgot about it, including me – take your time.
Yeah, beyond what’s on this list, I want to try and chip away at the BFI lists in 2013 along with upping my know-how on Bergman and Bollywood.
Here’s hoping 2013 allows me the time to do so…
I’ve seen half of those… great picks… I can’t wait to hear your response to BROADCAST NEWS, one my favourite Criterions I own.
That’s funny: someone else was trying to convince me how BROADCAST NEWS isn’t really all that “essential”.
Definitely looking forward to it. You gonna join the ranks this year?
Ryan, that’s a strong list. I’ve seen all but The Battle of Algiers and Les Diaboliques, and all are interesting films. You’ve got a lot of heavy material there, particularly Ikiru and Tokyo Story. I’ve watched my film for this month’s blind spot series (The Best Years of Our Lives), but I haven’t written anything! It may be tough to put together a post for tomorrow.
I also still need to pick my blind spot list for 2013. Next year’s going to very busy, so I may have to avoid the three-hour movies.
Part of the reason that LITTLE CHINA and BROADCAST NEWS are in there is because the list is so heavy. Likewise, it’s why selections like LOCK, STOCK and WILD AT HEART were part of this year’s tally. I’m trying to keep the list diverse, y’know?
Ain’t no shame in picking short selections – at 75 minutes, FRANKENSTEIN was one of my favorite entries from the 2012 list.
I’ve been failing miserably on my Blind Spot Series this year, I’m only half way through! I’ll try and catch up in December (I’ve got a week and a half off around Christmas), but it’s doubtful I’ll get them all watched. I’ve been way too greedy with hoarding screeners for the site this year so I rarely get chance to sit and watch my own Blu-Rays/DVD’s I have waiting on my shelf. I intend to try again this year though, probably adding some of my left over titles to the list.
My main New Year’s resolution 2013 is definitely to pass more screeners on to our other contributors! I just struggle to say no to free movies 🙂
Now David – what did we learn about sharing in our elementary school days? No seriously, I was sick that week – what did we learn? Will there be a test??
Don’t feel bad – a lot of people who started out with me on the project couldn’t finish, and that’s alright. Sometimes it’s just hard to gear yourself up to do homework.
A new year is a new slate though – bring the goods in 2013.
I am doing this next year. I even have my list almost finalized. Tokyo Story will almost certainly make the cut, maybe even Broadcast News.
As per your list, I have seen almost half of them and they are all worth the praise they all get. I will say one thing though – Persona. I don’t know how much Bergman you have seen but don’t go to this directly. Watch something like Wild Strawberries, Fanny and Alexander or Seventh Seal before you get to this.
I’m going to try and up my Bergman IQ next year independent of this whole project, so hopefully by the time I get to PERSONA, I’ll be a bit better armed to handle it.
Looking forward to having you take part!
All my blindspot films for next year are going to be chosen from the book “101 Cult Movies You Must See Before You Die.”
I only have one confirmed selection so far, which will be Plan 9 from Outer Space
I’ll make an official post on my blog soon, but I spent some time going through the book and came up with my list of cult films to watch for the 2013 blindspot.
In alphabetical order:
– Barbarella
– Braindead (aka Dead Alive on this side of the pond)
– Harold and Maude
– Hedwig and the Angry Itch
– Pink Flamingos
– Plan 9 from Outer Space
– Reefer Madness
– Run Lola Run
– The Blob (original 1958 version)
– The Warriors
– This is Spinal Tap
Still have to decide the order I’ll see them in.
The order is completely arbitrary (I made up my order as I went along – sometimes out of convenience)
I’ve seen a few of these and can tell you for certain that you are in for a treat.
I have seen 8 from your list and really love a few of them. I have seen Persona but don’t remember much about it beyond how it bored me senseless. I have never been much of a Bergman fan, maybe its time I gave him another chance!
As previously mentioned, I’m in for 2013. I don’t have a list yet. I started with the IMDB top 250. There are 33 movies of the 250 that I haven’t seen. That’s probably a good place to start. I guess I should also include ET (my only Spielberg blind-spot other than Tintin). There will be some animation as I have seen very little, I’m thinking either WALL•E or Up and something by Hayao Miyazaki.
I had a lot of fun catching up with Miyazaki in my anime syllabus, so I can’t recommend that highly enough. As for E.T., I just rewatched that two weeks ago, and if you’ve never seen it, then I highly recommend getting your mitts on the blu-ray that hit shelves last month:
It looks and sounds *stunning*
Of the films in that list, I’ve seen 8. The only ones I haven’t seen are The Passion of Joan of Arc (which I’ll probably see next year), Battleship Potemkin, The Kid, The Birds, and Broadcast News.
I’m working on figuring out my plans for 2013 on what films to see.
Well, if you decide to join in on this little project, let me know!
Does one have to announce one’s complete list in advance?
Not necessarily. A lot of the posts that were sent to me by others were viewings that I didn’t know were coming until I got the links.
You’ve got an absolutely terrific list lined up for next year. I need to pick up three of those myself. Is the order flexible? If you’ve ever made a New Year’s resolution then you should start with IKIRU; you’ll know what I mean when you see it.
There’s no set order at all (part of the reason why two of my longest 2012 selections are all that’s left), so I will do what I can to make IKIRU my January watch. Thanks for the tip!
I’m surprised you never saw The Birds. Great film!
I’m a bit grumpy too as I actually just missed out on a screening of it.
I can loan you my copy. It’ got some extras that you might be interested in.
Stealing this idea and will be starting in 2013. Thanks!
Huh. I even totally inadvertently stole your voting idea AND the way in which you’re conducting the poll. Ah well, great minds think alike.
It’s all good, I consider it a compliment. I emailed you as much, but I envy you: There are some titles on your list I would love to be able to watch again for the first time…not the least of which are SOME LIKE IT HOT and SAY ANYTHING.
I’ll partake this year. There’s a whole bunch I need to catch up on anyway.
Broadcast News and the Birds are good … I wouldn’t consider either of them essential. But I have a lot of affection for any film about journalism.
It’s been interesting to see what people do and don’t consider “essential”, but I’m definitely looking forward to both of the ones you mentioned, essential or not.
Happy to hear that you’ll be taking part this year! Looking forward to reading your reactions.
Broadcast News (which is to Network as City of Angels is to Wings of Desire) and Big Trouble in Little China seem out of place, but I am glad you are finally seeing Potemkin, Joan of Arc, and The Kid (my favourite Chaplin). Good luck.
Love me some NETWORK, so your allusion is ominous.
It’s funny, Shane reacted the same way to those two choices. “Great minds” I suppose, right? The thing is, I didn’t want to bog the whole list down with tiles from “Film Lit 201”. I did that last year as well by including selections like WILD AT HEART, THE THING, and LOCK STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS.
At a glance, the NEWS and CHINA seem like lesser choices, and yet just this week I’ve had people say to me “What? You’ve NEVER seen ______ ?!?” for each of them.
Weird, eh?
Great to see a couple of Japanese classics on your list. IKIRU is such a moving film which is still relevant.
After reading this post and Sam Fragoso’s post, I have been inspired to participate! My picks are here: http://www.anonlineuniverse.com/2012/11/blind-spot-series-2013/
REALLY happy that you’ll be joining the fray, and super jealous of some of the titles you’ll be experiencing for the first time.
I think I’ll have to get in on this in 2013. During October, when I only watch horror movies, I made it a point to watch as many unseen big horror titles as I could, and I had such a fun time. So it only seems natural to latch on to this and keep that fun rolling!
I think you’ll have fun. One-a-month is a good pace, and it can make for some good content. Not only do you have the one to write about every month, but those twelve can also inspire you to find others from the same era/director/what-have-you.
Here’s to 2013!
I can honestly say that I love each and every film on your blindspot list for at least one reason, and I love most of them for several reasons. That’s a really great list.
That fills me with a lot of excitement.
Why don’t you join in on the project?
I’m very intrigued by this idea Ryan but not sure yet if I’ll join in. I only have Netflix Instant and iTunes to rent movies right now, not sure how easy to find these titles are. If I decide to join, I’ll be sure to let you know 🙂
Slight misunderstanding: If you want to take part, you choose your OWN twelve blind spot films. Any dozen films that you feel like you should have seen by now, and you watch them in any order you like.
Oh my god, I’m committing this year. I have no post-grad and only TWO jobs instead of three or four. I can do it! And as I said in my podcast appearance I need to see me some Ingmar Bergman or my film degree is going to be revoked (HOW I got through 4 years of film school without Bergman as mandatory viewing is a MYSTERY that I blame on the Japanese…or the French.)
I vote you just re-use the watchlist you set for yourself last year, minus the one or two you actually got to see!
This is a great idea! I’ve seen a handful of the movies on your list. My favorite, hands-down, is Ikuru. I really loved that movie.
Welcome to The Matinee Steph! I’m certainly looking forward to IKIRU, and it even looks like it’ll be my first watch for the series.
Why don’t you set yourself a series of twelve and join in on the fun?