I've enjoyed the posts about 2010 from everyone lately. It looks like I missed a lot of great conversations in the first 11 months of 2010 before I joined Film Club. Thinking about my own Top 2010 List I find myself facing a problem. I have not seen many new films this year - and definitely not anywhere near the number most of you have seen. It is difficult because I do not get to the theater often. The fact that I still have not seen True Grit is evidence of that. So, I have to wait for them to hit Netflix, which usually is 3 months after they have gone to DVD. There is a significant gap in movies that I would like to see before I can really make a good list. For example, I have not seen True Grit, The Fighter, Somewhere, Let Me In, Shutter Island, Inception, Alamar, Please Give, The Tillman Story or Everyone Else. Those are all movies that have made various "Best of" lists and that I am really interested in watching.
For now I'll just comment on the films from your lists that I have seen, which will actually be a really sad exercise. You will understand why in a minute.
John, I'm really glad to see The Oath so high on your list. I have been thinking about another viewing of that documentary for a while but I feel so far behind in my movie viewing that I have not had a chance. I have, however, been telling several people about it in an effort to spread the word. I also really liked Winter's Bone. I'll be writing about it soon so I'll leave it that. And I'm with you on Exit Through the Gift Shop regardless of what Brandon says. I really enjoyed it. Even more, I thought about it for a long time afterwards, which is always a sign of a good film.
Brandon, Everyone Else, Alamar and Sweetgrass have been at the top of my NWI queue for weeks. I'll get to them soon. I also have The Ghost Writer sitting on my desk right now and plan to watch it later tonight. As for Prodigal Sons, I think you know that I feel deeply indebted to you for that recommendation. One of the best documentaries I have seen - not just in 2010. You spent a lot of time discussing your reasoning behind including The Social Network. I have been lukewarm on that film since I saw it, but you have convinced me that it probably deserves another shot. I suspect that the few things that annoy me about it will still be too obvious though.
Jason, guess what? The only 2010 movie we have in common is The Town. I don't think I would include it in a category called "Almost Made It" though. But it was an entertaining popcorn movie.
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Also, thanks again to everyone for including me so graciously in Film Club. It has been fun and has encouraged me to get back into watching and appreciating movies again. I have learned of some great films that I would probably otherwise have missed.
I particularly enjoyed the Aronofsky and Linklater discussions. I also appreciate all the great Criterion movies that I have seen because of Film Club.
Looking forward to great films and even better discussions in 2011.
2 comments:
Hey, Shutter Island is on NWI now. You should watch it.
It is? I know I have it in my queue but have not been paying attention. I wish they had an alert system for when stuff in the queue became available on NWI. I'll check it out.
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