SPECIAL: October Thriller Challenge

October is here and Halloween and horror movies are popping up on TV and on DVD shelves. My plan is to watch 10 classic thrillers, some I've seen bits of long ago, some that are new to me. All are critically acclaimed and exciting in their own unique way. Here, I've anticipated what I think I'll rate each. We'll see how well I predicted.

1. Jaws (1975)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

2. Alien (1979)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ

3. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=4 Average OJ

4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

5. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=5 Average OJ

6. The Fugitive (1993)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=4, P=3 Thanks But No Thanks

7. Bullitt (1968)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=4, P=2 Thanks But No Thanks

8. Notorious (1946)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=6, P=5 Average OJ

9. Marathon Man (1976)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ

10. Wait Until Dark (1967)

Elizabeth's Predicted Rating: Q=5, P=4 Average OJ

A Separation

A Separation (Asghar Farhadi, 2011)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=2

Iran, Laws, Religion, Gender Issues, Alzheimer's Disease, Complex Relationships

It was so hard to watch this film- very difficult subject matter and incredibly tense. The title speaks volumes: the story is about the separation of two lovers, two genders, two families, two truths, two reasons, two actions, two children... it is about choosing safety or family, the self or others, what is easy or what is right. There is even a sharp contrast between startlingly dramatic dialogues and painfully, moving silences. I also found Roger Ebert's review very strong- read it here.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Beginners

Beginners (Mike Mills, 2010)

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Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Grief, Relationships, Family, Philosophical, Melancholic

This quote from the film says it all:
Hal: Well, let's say that since you were little, you always dreamed of getting a lion. And you wait, and you wait, and you wait, and you wait but the lion doesn't come. And along comes a giraffe. You can be alone, or you can be with the giraffe.
Oliver: I'd wait for the lion.
Hal: That's why I worry about you.

This is a film about coping, trying, and trying to understand life's mysteries. It is subtle and simple and very touching.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

How Green Was My Valley

How Green Was My Valley (John Ford, 1941)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=2

Classic, Based on Novel, 19th Century, Family Saga, Emotional

This is a film about the fragility of life. It is about the endurance of family, the beauty of childhood, and the importance of tradition and truth. My eyes were full of tears multiple times. John Ford was one of the greatest and this film is absolutely timeless. That's all I have to say.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here