Sunday 14 November 2010
I've recently become addicted to a brilliant American podcast called Filmspotting. What I particularly enjoy is that its presenters Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson aren't afraid to admit when they've never seen a so-called classic.
One of the show's regular features is its 'marathons' wherein Adam and Matty spend five weeks watching films on a particular theme. When I started listening they here half-way through their Powell-Pressburger marathon. I don't think the pair had seen any of these classics. I''m slightly embarrassed to admit that neither have I. That got me thinking about other apparently great films I really should have seen by now.
Here's my top ten unseen classics.
Brief Encounter (1945)
One of the most loved and most parodied British films of all time. I really should find out what all the fuss is about.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Th only Romero film I have seen is Knightriders!
Solaris (1972)
I struggled with the 90 minute remake so I'm not convinced I can hack Tarkovsky's three-hour original.
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
I don't think I've seen any classic Ealing comedies.
Duck Soup (1933)
Ditto Marx Brothers films
Tokyo Story (1953)
I meant to see this at the BFI when it was recently re-released and it is in my LOVEFiLM queue so that's a start.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
I've seen Citizen Kane a lot but never Orson Welles' other early classic. I think I've been put off knowing that the definitive version does not exist though it still appears in critics list so I should take a look.
Bicycle Thieves (1938)
A film that is always on greatest films lists and one I've been meaning to watch for at least 18 years.
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Rich Hall's recent BBC Four documentary about the portrayal of the South in the movies reminded me that I've never seen Sidney Poitier's first outing as Detective Virgil Tibbs.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Some claim it's greatest war film ever made. I wouldn't know.
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
This final pick is inspired by a conversation I heard on Filmspotting that argued that Saturday Night Fever should be regarded as a serious film rather than a piece of kitsch. I'd like to have an opinion on the matter.
That's my list, what's yours? Which films have you heard are brilliant, have never seen, but feel you should have?
Related links
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