May Challenge - 8 Classic Films I Still Haven't Seen

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of lists and film challenges. Several years ago, AFI came up with a list of 100 Years, 100 Movies. I, naturally, made it a goal to see them all eventually. I'm still working on the list and decided to designate May as my month for some classic film watching. Here's what I'm planning...though I have seen parts of most of these, never the entire film. Once I see it, as usual, I will post my impressions!

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)


The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)


The African Queen (1951)


An American in Paris (1951)


Shane (1953)


The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)


The Defiant Ones (1958)


Ben-Hur (1959)

Italian For Beginners

Italian For Beginners (Lone Scherfig, 2000)
Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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

Danish, Grief, Love, Complex Relationships, Coping

I love the simplicity of this film. The concept, camerawork, setting--all simple and yet the individual stories and characters are all quite complicated. A reminder that life changes can seem devastating but somehow we all manage... sometimes the little things are enough to make everything better. A shoulder to cry on, a stranger to confide in, a language barrier that allows the truth to be spoken...

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Happy-Go-Lucky

Happy-Go-Lucky (Mike Leigh, 2008)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

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

Whimsical, Philosophical, Light-Hearted

 

We all need to be reminded that happiness, optimism, and kindness will serve us well in this world. In this troubling world where angry and cynical people seem to be around every corner, someone like Poppy is a rare gem. Silly, childish, not grown-up, too nice, etc... Since when has a free-spirited and fun-loving personality meant "not taking life seriously"? If you learn anything from this film, you'll know it's exactly the opposite. Great film.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Brave

Brave (Mark Andrews & Brenda Chapman, 2012)

Click here for the basics

 

Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 4=2, Scale 5=2

Disney, Fairy Tale, Scotland, Legend, Coming-of-Age

A nice breath of fresh air from Pixar. This is a feel-good story about the importance of family and tradition, but also being true to yourself. Great animation, music, and characters. I especially liked the blue wisps

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here