Slouching Towards Membership...: responding to responses

Alright, now that I am done with my 2011 list, I'm not going to worry too much about watching those few remaining films that I want see from last year. As I said on Facebook, I'll see them in time and will re-evaluate my list then.

For now I want to get back into the groove of catching up on some of the classics that I have missed. I'm not the film buff a few others on here are, but watching The Story of Film has been inspiring. The series has given me a new perspective on film and what is has meant and can mean for society. I appreciate that the show forces a look at films from around the world and does not focus on just the evolution of Hollywood. Instead, as it states in the first episode, it worries about the history of ideas in film and pursues that line with passion.

Now, onto some responses.

Thanks for the responses so far, Brandon and Jeff. I've been meaning to write about your lists and the "lists" that Jason and Adrienne have put up. I really like seeing the lists in the context of film club because it makes an interesting contrast between our viewpoints. The ranking may be somewhat arbitrary, but it is still fun to see the significant differences and important overlaps between us.

Brandon, as for the 4 movies on my list that you haven't seen, I'd probably say that you should watch Bombay Beach first. That is mostly for selfish reasons: I want to know what others think of this hybrid documentary. You are probably the one who will appreciate it the most.

I am aware that some of my pics, especially those four and Black Death, are probably a bit controversial. I have not seen them on many of the other lists I've been reading over the last few weeks. My taste tends towards the smaller films. They are not always the most technically beautiful or impressive, but sometimes I find that is where the most honestly can be found.

As I said on my list, The Skin I Live In really surprised me. Brandon's characterization of it being "just plain bonkers" is perfect.

Jeff, Trust is not a rape movie like Dragon Tattoo or any others that dealt with it this year. It's a complex family drama. Schwimmer has apparently done a lot of work with rape awareness organizations and he brought his knowledge about it to this film. I'd also recommend it because, if her performance in this film is any indication, Liana Liberato is going to be great.

I'm going to continue championing Black Death and Melancholia no matter what others have to say. The reasons may be very different but I loved both of them.

Lisa, keep practicing your Settlers and then next time you're in town I'll bring you to game night. Just a word of warning, John is even more ruthless when you put him in front of a board with wooden pieces than he is when you put him in front of a blog.

As for Woody, my Top Ten list look like this: