2021 Film Challenge

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Boop! Can you tell it's been a rough month, LOL!

A. Get lost in the movement:
[Watch one film belonging to each of the following cinematic movements]
1. French Impressionism La Dixième Symphonie
2. Polish Film School Ashes and Diamonds
3. Dogme 95 Kira’s Reason
4. New Hollywood (1968-1980) Wanda
5. Mumblecore Blue Jay (2016)

B. Times are a-changing
[Watch one film from each of these iconic decade-genre combinations]
1. 1930s Musical The Mikado
2. 1940s War film Germany Year Zero
3. 1970s Apocalyptic film Chosen Survivors
4. 1980s Coming-of-age film Dirty Dancing
5. 1990s Courtroom Drama Reversal of Fortune

C. I coulda been a contender:
[Watch a film that has won the following awards in any category]
1. Cannes Film Festival Killing of a Sacred Deer
2. Academy Award Capote
3. BAFTA Ghost
4. Independent Spirit Awards Judy
5. Sundance Film Festival God’s Own Country
6. Venice International Film Festival The Last Circus
7. Locarno Film Festival Cosmos

D. Lets break this down, shall we?
[Pick one of the following genres and watch one film from each of its subgenres list below]
1. [Science Fiction: Cyberpunk] Johnny Mnemonic
2. [Science Fiction: Alien Invasion] Invasion of the Saucer Men
3. [Science Fiction: Dystopian] Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
4. [Science Fiction: Time Travel] 41

E. It's a big world out there:
[Watch a film from the following regions]
1. North America Slut in a Good Way (Canada)
2. South America Bacurau (Brazil)
3. Europe Ordet
4. Asia Sword of the Beast
5. Africa Of Good Report
6. Oceania The Plumber

F. I see dead people:
[Watch one film from each group of deceased directors, actors & cinematographers]
1. Anthony Mann The Furies
2. Pier Paolo Pasolini Mamma Roma
3. Ricardo Montalban Love is a Ball
4. Katina Paxinou Mr. Arkadin
5. Jack Cardiff Web of Evidence

G. I have always depended on the lists of strangers:
[Watch one film featured in each of the following prominent lists]
1. Roger Ebert's Great Films French Cancan
2. Sight & Sound's top 100 (any category) Spirit of the Beehive
3. AFI's top 100 (any category) The Nutty Professor
4. IMDb's top 250 (2020 finalized edition) Tangerines
5. Steven Jay Schneider's 1001 movies The Black Cat
6. Criterion Collection The Picture of Dorian Gray

H. We've met before, haven't we?
[Watch a film that migrated to cinematic form from another medium]
1. a franchise with 5 or more sequels/remakes/reboots Nightmare on Elm Street 4
2. a novel adaptation The Rhythm Section
3. a film adapted to or from a TV series Steven Universe
4. a theatrical play adaptation Sister My Sister

I. War, what is it good for?
[Watch one film centered around each of the war themes below]
1. World War I Paths of Glory
2. World War II Overlord
3. Cold War Pawn Sacrifice
4. Vietnam War Little Dieter Needs to Fly

J. Are we there yet?
[Watch one film for each of the miscellaneous challenges listed below]
1. a film more than 160 minutes long Gangs of New York
2. a film with a budget lower than 1 million Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
3. a silent film The Circus
4. a film directed by a woman Always Shine
5. a 2021 release Below Zero
6. a film suggested by another participant of this challenge Color of Pomegranates
__________________
Captain's Log
My Collection



The trick is not minding
Boop! Can you tell it's been a rough month, LOL!

A. Get lost in the movement:
[Watch one film belonging to each of the following cinematic movements]
1. French Impressionism La Dixième Symphonie
2. Polish Film School Ashes and Diamonds
3. Dogme 95 Kira’s Reason
4. New Hollywood (1968-1980) Wanda
5. Mumblecore Blue Jay (2016)

B. Times are a-changing
[Watch one film from each of these iconic decade-genre combinations]
1. 1930s Musical The Mikado
2. 1940s War film Germany Year Zero
3. 1970s Apocalyptic film Chosen Survivors
4. 1980s Coming-of-age film Dirty Dancing
5. 1990s Courtroom Drama Reversal of Fortune

C. I coulda been a contender:
[Watch a film that has won the following awards in any category]
1. Cannes Film Festival Killing of a Sacred Deer
2. Academy Award Capote
3. BAFTA Ghost
4. Independent Spirit Awards Judy
5. Sundance Film Festival God’s Own Country
6. Venice International Film Festival The Last Circus
7. Locarno Film Festival Cosmos

D. Lets break this down, shall we?
[Pick one of the following genres and watch one film from each of its subgenres list below]
1. [Science Fiction: Cyberpunk] Johnny Mnemonic
2. [Science Fiction: Alien Invasion] Invasion of the Saucer Men
3. [Science Fiction: Dystopian] Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
4. [Science Fiction: Time Travel] 41

E. It's a big world out there:
[Watch a film from the following regions]
1. North America Slut in a Good Way (Canada)
2. South America Bacurau (Brazil)
3. Europe Ordet
4. Asia Sword of the Beast
5. Africa Of Good Report
6. Oceania The Plumber

F. I see dead people:
[Watch one film from each group of deceased directors, actors & cinematographers]
1. Anthony Mann The Furies
2. Pier Paolo Pasolini Mamma Roma
3. Ricardo Montalban Love is a Ball
4. Katina Paxinou Mr. Arkadin
5. Jack Cardiff Web of Evidence

G. I have always depended on the lists of strangers:
[Watch one film featured in each of the following prominent lists]
1. Roger Ebert's Great Films French Cancan
2. Sight & Sound's top 100 (any category) Spirit of the Beehive
3. AFI's top 100 (any category) The Nutty Professor
4. IMDb's top 250 (2020 finalized edition) Tangerines
5. Steven Jay Schneider's 1001 movies The Black Cat
6. Criterion Collection The Picture of Dorian Gray

H. We've met before, haven't we?
[Watch a film that migrated to cinematic form from another medium]
1. a franchise with 5 or more sequels/remakes/reboots Nightmare on Elm Street 4
2. a novel adaptation The Rhythm Section
3. a film adapted to or from a TV series Steven Universe
4. a theatrical play adaptation Sister My Sister

I. War, what is it good for?
[Watch one film centered around each of the war themes below]
1. World War I Paths of Glory
2. World War II Overlord
3. Cold War Pawn Sacrifice
4. Vietnam War Little Dieter Needs to Fly

J. Are we there yet?
[Watch one film for each of the miscellaneous challenges listed below]
1. a film more than 160 minutes long Gangs of New York
2. a film with a budget lower than 1 million Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
3. a silent film The Circus
4. a film directed by a woman Always Shine
5. a 2021 release Below Zero
6. a film suggested by another participant of this challenge Color of Pomegranates
That’s amazing!
😳



Boop! Can you tell it's been a rough month, LOL!

A. Get lost in the movement:
[Watch one film belonging to each of the following cinematic movements]
1. French Impressionism La Dixième Symphonie
2. Polish Film School Ashes and Diamonds
3. Dogme 95 Kira’s Reason
4. New Hollywood (1968-1980) Wanda
5. Mumblecore Blue Jay (2016)

B. Times are a-changing
[Watch one film from each of these iconic decade-genre combinations]
1. 1930s Musical The Mikado
2. 1940s War film Germany Year Zero
3. 1970s Apocalyptic film Chosen Survivors
4. 1980s Coming-of-age film Dirty Dancing
5. 1990s Courtroom Drama Reversal of Fortune

C. I coulda been a contender:
[Watch a film that has won the following awards in any category]
1. Cannes Film Festival Killing of a Sacred Deer
2. Academy Award Capote
3. BAFTA Ghost
4. Independent Spirit Awards Judy
5. Sundance Film Festival God’s Own Country
6. Venice International Film Festival The Last Circus
7. Locarno Film Festival Cosmos

D. Lets break this down, shall we?
[Pick one of the following genres and watch one film from each of its subgenres list below]
1. [Science Fiction: Cyberpunk] Johnny Mnemonic
2. [Science Fiction: Alien Invasion] Invasion of the Saucer Men
3. [Science Fiction: Dystopian] Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
4. [Science Fiction: Time Travel] 41

E. It's a big world out there:
[Watch a film from the following regions]
1. North America Slut in a Good Way (Canada)
2. South America Bacurau (Brazil)
3. Europe Ordet
4. Asia Sword of the Beast
5. Africa Of Good Report
6. Oceania The Plumber

F. I see dead people:
[Watch one film from each group of deceased directors, actors & cinematographers]
1. Anthony Mann The Furies
2. Pier Paolo Pasolini Mamma Roma
3. Ricardo Montalban Love is a Ball
4. Katina Paxinou Mr. Arkadin
5. Jack Cardiff Web of Evidence

G. I have always depended on the lists of strangers:
[Watch one film featured in each of the following prominent lists]
1. Roger Ebert's Great Films French Cancan
2. Sight & Sound's top 100 (any category) Spirit of the Beehive
3. AFI's top 100 (any category) The Nutty Professor
4. IMDb's top 250 (2020 finalized edition) Tangerines
5. Steven Jay Schneider's 1001 movies The Black Cat
6. Criterion Collection The Picture of Dorian Gray

H. We've met before, haven't we?
[Watch a film that migrated to cinematic form from another medium]
1. a franchise with 5 or more sequels/remakes/reboots Nightmare on Elm Street 4
2. a novel adaptation The Rhythm Section
3. a film adapted to or from a TV series Steven Universe
4. a theatrical play adaptation Sister My Sister

I. War, what is it good for?
[Watch one film centered around each of the war themes below]
1. World War I Paths of Glory
2. World War II Overlord
3. Cold War Pawn Sacrifice
4. Vietnam War Little Dieter Needs to Fly

J. Are we there yet?
[Watch one film for each of the miscellaneous challenges listed below]
1. a film more than 160 minutes long Gangs of New York
2. a film with a budget lower than 1 million Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
3. a silent film The Circus
4. a film directed by a woman Always Shine
5. a 2021 release Below Zero
6. a film suggested by another participant of this challenge Color of Pomegranates
GGs.



An update...titles I've seen are in blue. Titles I plan on seeing are in red. A couple that are re-watches will be in bold. Those I'm unsure about will be italicized.

Edited as of April 1 (no fooling):

Main Challenge  


Got one title in here so far with plans to continue to get more of them. Solved the director dilemma this morning, unexpectedly.

Nightmare Challenge  



FWIW, watching that many movies in a month really is a testament to how stressful the last 4 weeks have been. Like, I'm sort of proud and my competitive side is sort of satisfied (because if you put a list in front of me, we are now in a race, even if there is no prize and even if, like, it is NOT actually a race). I really did take care to pick movies I thought looked interesting and not just stuff that would check the different boxes.

But . . . dang. It mostly says a lot about how much time I spent on the couch working and how many nights I was so stressed out that I didn't want to go to bed and would watch 30 minutes of a movie instead.

I did watch most of the films on either Amazon, Hulu, Criterion, or HBO Go. And I would recommend almost all of them, if you are looking for something for one of the categories.

An update...titles I've seen are in blue. Titles I plan on seeing are in red. A couple that are re-watches will be in bold. Those I'm unsure about will be italicized.
Love seeing Shoplifters on your list--I thought it was fabulous.

And of course I can't wait to see what you think of Short Term 12.



The trick is not minding
Well, finally found a film for The Locarno Film festival category. So now I have most of them saved with a movie to watch on normal mode. I’m not concerned over the four or five I hadn’t found one for yet, as it’s only February.


Don’t mind my rambling.



Women will be your undoing, Pépé
FWIW, watching that many movies in a month really is a testament to how stressful the last 4 weeks have been. Like, I'm sort of proud and my competitive side is sort of satisfied (because if you put a list in front of me, we are now in a race, even if there is no prize and even if, like, it is NOT actually a race). I really did take care to pick movies I thought looked interesting and not just stuff that would check the different boxes.

But . . . dang. It mostly says a lot about how much time I spent on the couch working and how many nights I was so stressed out that I didn't want to go to bed and would watch 30 minutes of a movie instead.

I did watch most of the films on either Amazon, Hulu, Criterion, or HBO Go. And I would recommend almost all of them, if you are looking for something for one of the categories.



Love seeing Shoplifters on your list--I thought it was fabulous.

And of course I can't wait to see what you think of Short Term 12.
I read your review of The Last Circus when you first posted it and I've been wanting to add it to my WatchList.

Also, which version of Dorian Gray to you watch?
__________________
What I actually said to win MovieGal's heart:
- I might not be a real King of Kinkiness, but I make good pancakes
~Mr Minio



Women will be your undoing, Pépé
An update...titles I've seen are in blue. Titles I plan on seeing are in red. A couple that are re-watches will be in bold. Those I'm unsure about will be italicized.

Main Challenge  


Got one title in here so far with plans to continue to get more of them. Solved the director dilemma this morning, unexpectedly.

Nightmare Challenge  
Some great films on here, good call on choice of Actors (Paul Newman) You even have a couple I haven't seen. And a nice selection from Scorsese making for a broader experience of the man. Nice!



The trick is not minding
Some great films on here, good call on choice of Actors (Paul Newman) You even have a couple I haven't seen. And a nice selection from Scorsese making for a broader experience of the man. Nice!
Yeah, I watched Hud last year for this challenge, and it was great.
I’ve previously seen The Verdict and Absence of Malice and enjoyed them both. The rest I’ve heard of and haven’t gotten to yet.



Women will be your undoing, Pépé
The 40s version. Watched it on the Criterion Channel and it was excellent.
I've seen a few different ones and that's always remained as my favorite. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.



Well, finally found a film for The Locarno Film festival category. So now I have most of them saved with a movie to watch on normal mode. I’m not concerned over the four or five I hadn’t found one for yet, as it’s only February.


Don’t mind my rambling.
I think I am going to use Locarno for Nightmare Mode. I wasn't familiar with it before seeing it mentioned in this challenge.



The trick is not minding
I think I am going to use Locarno for Nightmare Mode. I wasn't familiar with it before seeing it mentioned in this challenge.
Same, it was the only festival I hadn’t heard of prior to this.
The others I’m familiar with.
The Czechoslovakia version of Baron Munchausen is available to stream on Amazon, so that should help you get started...I think?
It’s what I chose for my normal mode category.
For nightmare mode I’m sticking with the Oscars, but swapping out Ebert’s Great movies for Steven Jay Schneider’s 1001 movies.
Already found 10 to watch and have them saved.



Same, it was the only festival I hadn’t heard of prior to this.
The others I’m familiar with.
The Czechoslovakia version of Baron Munchausen is available to stream on Amazon, so that should help you get started...I think?
It’s what I chose for my normal mode category.
For nightmare mode I’m sticking with the Oscars, but swapping out Ebert’s Great movies for Steven Jay Schneider’s 1001 movies.
Already found 10 to watch and have them saved.
You are allowed to pick from any winning category, so that broadens the selection. I haven't made my list for it yet.

I did Ebert's Great Movies last time. I'm not sure if I want to do them again or go with a different list.



The trick is not minding
You are allowed to pick from any winning category, so that broadens the selection. I haven't made my list for it yet.

I did Ebert's Great Movies last time. I'm not sure if I want to do them again or go with a different list.
Yeah, it’s a nice option to have this year. I still have a decent amount his Great list to see, so I could have chosen that, but the 1001 offered a wider selection by far and were more readily available just going by a casual look through Amazon.
Really looking forward to see what you select for Nightmare Mode.



Yeah, it’s a nice option to have this year. I still have a decent amount his Great list to see, so I could have chosen that, but the 1001 offered a wider selection by far and were more readily available just going by a casual look through Amazon.
Really looking forward to see what you select for Nightmare Mode.
I'm doing two categories at a time, and alternating between them. Then onto the next two categories.

So right now I am doing my 10 foreign language films and I have chosen the 70s as my decade. You can probably trace my path through all of this via the "Rate the Last Film . . . " thread. I might post my film list for each category as I finish them.

There are a lot of films that have been languishing in my netflix queue for, no joke, like 15 years. I am planning to use some of the categories (and especially the documentary category) to finally knock them off my watchlist.



Main Challenge 45/52
 


Nightmare Mode 45/110
 



There are a lot of films that have been languishing in my netflix queue for, no joke, like 15 years.
That drives me insane. Often when I'm stuck for something to watch I'll deliberately head to the bottom of my watchlist, just to get something off of there once and for all. Which is absolutely the wrong reason to consume works of art, but it is what it is.

(Because simply deleting it from the watchlist isn't an option. What am I, a quitter?)



Main Challenge
 


Nightmare Mode
 
We can count Mank as a 2021 release? I watched it this week but Letterboxd is calling it 2020.