Help Me Watch More Movies
I’m in the process of putting together a list of movies that I want to see but have never got around to watching. My aim is that when I’m walking around the video shop I’ll know what to target. So what should be on my list?
I’m looking for movies in any genre and from any decade. I’m especially interested in those movies that either get a limited cinema release or go straight to DVD that are under appreciated gems. Cult movies are warmly received.
If it’s a big budget blockbuster from the last ten years or so, you can go ahead and assume I’ve either seen it or have chosen not to see it. I watch a lot of movies, but there are far more movies out there that I haven’t seen.
As an indication of taste, some of my favourite movies include (in no particular order):
- The Crow
- Fight Club
- Josie and the Pussycats
- Donnie Darko
- Almost Famous
- The Matrix
- X-Men 2
- Warriors
- Waiting
There’s gotta be a stack more on my favourites list, but that’s just off the top of my head.
So what should I add to my list? What’s on your must see list?
Pop Culture Christ 
I’m not sure if you’re asking for recommendations along the lines of your tastes or just recommendations of stuff that your blog readers like that isn’t widely known.
I’m going with the latter and recommending my favourite Studio Ghibli film Whisper of the Heart. It’s a gentle coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in Japan who is an avid reader and notices that the same guy has checked out all the books that she has before she has done so. Nothing flashy, but very beautifully done, and it expresses something about adolescence and trying to figure out what you should do with your life in a way that no other film I’ve ever seen has.
On the subject of anime, girls and adolescence, though, have you seen The Girl Who Leapt Through Time? Another one of my favourites.
I like Wes Anderson filums.
The Royal Tenenbaums.
Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
The Darjeeling Limited.
Karen: Those both sound very interesting. I’m especially keen for movies that I might not normally have picked up. My tastes can be very eclectic.
Matt: Seen Royal Tenenbaums. Wasn’t a huge fan, but I think the other two are worth checking out. I’ll add them to the list
I always found Life Aquatic wasn’t in when I went to the video store. This was 2 years ago. I had to reserve it, and then get my local Video Ezy to ring whoever had it to remind them that it was overdue by a day, and someone else was waiting to hire it.
Maybe it’s just popular out my way!
I don’t know if you’ll also follow non-English movies, but
My Sassy Girl (Korean)
Shaolin Soccer
Who Am I? (Jackie Chan… You may have already seen it)
… to name a few.
Here are some you may or may not have already seen
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
Avatar: The Last Airbender (I’m assuming you’ve already heard of this but just saying the TV series, as opposed to the movie, is a keeper).
Always willing to give foreign language films a go.
Have seen Eternal Sunshine.
Am aware of Avatar, but a bit hesitant to start watching another series at this point in time (ie just before all my favourite shows start again)
Have you seen:
Kung Fu Hustle
Stranger Than Fiction
Vertigo
Bulworth
Big Fish
The Wire (not a movie, but a super-brilliant TV show)
Seen Stranger Than Fiction and Big Fish. The Wire is on my list of box sets to buy
Vertigo is classic Hitchock.
Bulworth is the best political satire I’ve ever seen.
Kung Fu Hustle is possibly the funniest movie I’ve ever seen. Hong Kong action comedy and super-super good.