'1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die' Challenge

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Running Time: 178 minutes Directed By: Sergio Leone Written By: Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone Primary Cast: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef Summary: A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery. My Thoughts: I can't possibly think of a more exciting cinematic experience.  From start to finish, I cannot think of single dull moment throughout its three hour running time.  It never fails to ooze of pure love for cinema.  Highly stylized, a billion dollar screenplay, insanely good atmosphere/soundtrack and a great sense of humor; it's just a flawlessly executed film.   The Mexican stand off sequence near the end just might be my favorite moment in cinema.  Does It Belong In The Book?: Oh yes.  One of the most epic, iconic and groundbreaking films of all time.  The king of Spaghetti Westerns and is what people think of when We

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Running Time: 110 minutes Directed By: Billy Wilder Written By: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder Primary Cast: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim Summary: A screenwriter is hired to rework a faded silent film star's script, only to find himself developing a dangerous relationship. My Thoughts: The ultimate Hollywood film noir.  It's a fascinating and endlessly entertaining study on the grit of Hollywood and the effects of being a has-been celebrity.  This thematically reminds me of David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001).  No wonder he considers this to be his favorite film.  It's an absolute gothic masterpiece.  It's top tier classic cinema in every way.  I feel very fortunate to have experienced this in theaters. Does It Belong In The Book?: Absolutely.  It's a top tier noir experience.  My Rating: 9/10

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Running Time: 149 minutes Directed By: Stanley Kubrick Written By: Stanley Kubrick Primary Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester Summary: Humanity finds a mysterious, obviously artificial object buried beneath the Lunar surface and, with the intelligent computer HAL 9000, sets off on a quest. My Thoughts: Oh my, where do I even begin with my favorite film of all time?  It's so epic and massive that it's overwhelming to even write about it.  It's a film that will mean something slightly different to just about everyone who watches it.  Even my interpretation of it changes with time.  I feel that a film that has the power to grow up with a person is the sign of an all time masterwork.  This is just an insane achievement on every level.  How this was made in 1968 is unfathomable.  The filmmaking technique still seems futuristic by todays standards.  There simply isn't another film like it.  This is a film t

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Running Time: 165 minutes Directed By: Richard Linklater Written By: Richard Linklater Primary Cast: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke Summary: The life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college. My Thoughts: This is one of my all time favorite films.  Truly a special one of a kind cinematic experience that I hold dearly.  This is the kind of film I just love coming back to every few years or so.  It never fails to move me deeply.  It's full of endless warmth, joy, reflection, honesty and depth.  Simply the greatest coming of age film I've ever seen.  It brings me so much joy to know a film this good exists that explores childhood all throughout the 2000's (I'm a few years older than Mason, so I naturally connect with being a child in this time period).  What really struck me on this viewing is how it isn't characters themselves are that makes this film work so well.  I feel that there is

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Running Time: 102 minutes Directed By: Victor Fleming Written By: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson Primary Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger Summary: Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land in Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home in Kansas and help her friends as well. My Thoughts: This is just a timeless and endlessly magical film.  Everyone has seen or at least heard of it.  This takes me back to plenty of fond childhood memories of watching this with my grandmother, so naturally I have plenty of sentimentality attached with this one.  But it's honestly just a great film at any age.  The music is absolutely catchy and fun, the technicolor is stunning (goodness I bet people were blown away in 1939) and it's just an all around charming film.  Does It Belong In The Book?: Absolutely.  A groundbreaking film for its time and

Forever Changes (1967)

A strong contender for my favorite album of all time.  The places this record takes me are absolutely magical and dreamy.  It's one of the most unique and timeless things I've ever heard, yet it's the perfect counterculture album of 1967.  One of the few albums where I find that every single song makes some kind of special impact on me (a few other examples of albums I feel this way about include R.E.M.'s Murmur (1983) and Miles Davis's In A Silent Way (1969)).  To me, this will always be a life affirming masterpiece. 1. Alone Again Or- ***** The most well known song off the album.  Love its unique Spanish influenced vibe.  Has an excellent soul searching vibe. 2. A House Is Not A Motel- ***** A groovy rocker with some great energy.  Unbelievable that Love could create this much energy with an acoustic set.  It's such a rocker.  Especially in the final minute or so. 3. AndMoreAgain- ***** This one just takes me to a dreamy place.  One of my abso

Have I Seen It Before?: No Running Time: 96 minutes Directed By: Kenji Mizoguchi Written By: Matsutaro Kawaguchi Primary Cast: Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo, Kinuyo Tanaka Summary: A tale of ambition, family, love and war set in the midst of the Japanese Civil Wars of the sixteenth century. My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one!  Glad I went into it without knowing anything about it.  It's essentially a morality tale on the consequences of choosing greed over family.  The most notable aspect of this film is the excellent cinematography.  It truly gave the film a uniquely mystical air, which really kept me captivated.  Does It Belong In The Book?: Yes.  An excellent morality tale with a magical cinematography approach. My Rating: 8/10

Have I Seen It Before?: No Running Time: 96 minutes Directed By: Dario Argento Written By: Dario Argento Primary Cast: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno Summary: A witness of an attack, a writer becomes stalked by a serial killer. My Thoughts: I was pretty underwhelmed by this one.  I've absolutely loved the two Dario Argento films I've seen (Deep Red (1975) and Suspiria (1977)).  I felt like this was essentially a much lesser Deep Red.  I really don't have anything to complain about here, it just seems dated now that we have films doing this kind of thing much better.  For a Dario Argento film, I was a bit disappointed by the lack of over the top color schemes and, for the most part, a low key soundtrack (especially coming from Ennio Morricone of all people).  Does It Belong In The Book?: Yes.  The blueprint for the slasher horror genre, although films like Deep Red (1975) and Halloween (1978) greatly improve upon it. My Rating: 5/10

As perfect of a psychedelic pop album as one could ask for.  It's essentially Sgt. Peppers Part II.  Even though it's technically more of a compilation album, it still flows as a strong album.  One of my personal favorite Beatles records.  So many of their greatest songs to be found here. 1. Magical Mystery Tour- ****1/2 A groovy way to start the album.  Just love getting lost into this little jam.  Think I love this one even more than the opener for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.  I especially love the piano outro. 2. The Fool On The Hill- ****1/2 An amazing McCartney song.  Love its whimsical vibe.  Especially that flute solo. 3. Flying- **** Even though it doesn't really stand out much, it's such a soothing little piece.  This one has really grown on me lately. 4. Blue Jay Way- **** Probably my least favorite on the album but I still love it.  Even though it isn't one of my favorite George Harrison songs, it's grown on me a bit overt

Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

A great progressive rock album.  One of the most upbeat and fun ones I've heard.  Although it isn't without corny and plain odd moments, it's consistently awesome from start to finish.  Such lively instrumentation.  A go to summer record for me. 1. Roundabout- ***** Who doesn't love this one?? Just a perfect progressive rock song in every way.  So fun and over the top in the best way possible.  Insanely good instrumentation. 2. Cans And Brahms- **** Sounds like a progressive rock take on classical.  Yeah it's pretty corny but I really enjoy it for some reason. 3. We Have Heaven- **** This one is completely ridiculous but I enjoy it greatly. 4. South Side Of The Sky- ***** I'vc come to realize this is my personal favorite on the album.  Such a massive soundscape this creates.  Sports one of my favorite Yes guitar riffs. 5. Five Percent For Nothing- *** Eh don't really care for this one.  Just aimless noodling. 6. Long Distance Runaro

Fragile (1971)

Let It Bleed (1969)

An excellent rock record.  While the first and last tracks are by far the best moments on the album and it isn't without minor flaws, it's such a blast to listen to.  It features the Stones at full on transitional mode.  Gone with the psychedelia and in with the gritty country/R&B influenced rock and roll.  1. Gimme Shelter- ***** A flawless song.  Everybody knows this one.  It's an apocalyptic masterwork.  There's a good reason why Martin Scorsese has used it an absurd amount of times in his films.  2. Love In Vain- **** The Stones show their country roots.  Sounds very Robert Johnson-esque.  While it seems a bit underwhelming after Gimme Shelter, it's a nice heartbreaking blues song.  Nice guitar work. 3. Country Honk- ***1/2 The country version of Honky Tonk Women.  Decent but nowhere as good as the single version.  4. Live With Me- **** Fun dirty rocker with an awesome bass line.  5. Let It Bleed- **** Another fun dirty rocker.  The

Running Time: 125 minutes Directed By: Billy Wilder Written By: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond Primary Cast: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurcurry Summary: A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. My Thoughts: This is one of the most perfect films I've ever seen.  I absolutely adore it.  Just one of the most heartfelt and genuine films out there.  I'd always loved it but this viewing particularly struck a chord.  It hits in emotions that remind me of how I feel while listening to The Beach Boy's Pet Sounds (1966).  Being a pretty turbulent and naive personality, CC Baxter is a character I find easy to identify with.  Jack Lemmon is just the best.  It's impossible to not completely feel for him here.  Shirley MacLaine is absolutely adorable as well. The overall pacing is what really makes this special.  For the first hour, it's a satire,

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes. Thoughts Before Viewing: I saw this one back in high school around the time I saw The Graduate (1967).  Re-watching that and loving it made me realize I need to rewatch this as well. Running Time: 113 minutes Directed By: John Schlesinger Written By: Waldo Salt Primary Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Sylvia Miles Summary: A naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune but, in the process, finds himself a new friend. My Thoughts: Wow, this is just an incredible film all around.  Along with Easy Rider, I like to see this as a powerful study on the transition from the flower power 60s era to the gritty 70s era.  It's a very sad tale on loss on innocence.  Joe Buck and Ratso have got to be some of the saddest characters in cinema.  The pure sleaziness of New York City in the late 1960s really hits you in the gut.  As mentioned earlier, it foreshadows the grittiness of 70s cinema.  I also can't get en

One of the most aggressive and hard rocking albums I've ever heard.  It makes most rock seem tame by comparison, everything is cranked up to 11 here. 1. Search And Destroy- ****1/2 Great rocker. 2. Gimme Shelter- ***** Excellent slower jam (still hard, just in context of the album).  My favorite one.  Very unique sound. 3. Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell- **** Kind of a dumb song but so awesome. 4. Penetration- **** Cool jam. 5. Raw Power- ****1/2 Probably the most upbeat on the album.  The title definitely delivers on what it claims to be. 6. I Need Somebody- **** Cool slow, yet hard jam 7. Shake Appeal- **** Cool song, that guitar riff makes me want to dance. 8. Death Trip- **** Maybe a little too long but awesome riff with some blistering guitar solos. My Rating: 8/10

Raw Power (1973)

A worthy follow up to the masterful Murmur.  If that album is the sound of exploring a forest, this is the sound of exploring a small southern town.  So underrated. 1. Harborcoat- ****1/2 Very interesting song.  Love it. 2. Seven Chinese Bros.- ****1/2 Can't get enough of the jangly guitar on this one.  It just sounds heavenly. 3. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)- ***** Best song on the album.  Just a perfect song in every way.  What a great melody.  One of Mike Mills greatest bass moments (which is really saying something). 4. Pretty Persuasion- ****1/2 Cool sound here.  Such a great song. 5. Time After Time (Annelise)- **** Weakest song on the album but still a great mood piece.  Contributes to the albums unique vibe. 6. Second Guessing- ****1/2 I can see why this would generally be considered filler but I love it.  So upbeat and fun. 7. Letter Never Sent- ****1/2 Such an underrated song.  What a fantastic guitar riff.  I could listen to it all day. 8.

Reckoning (1984)

A bold, rocking epic with a timeless mystical air that always keeps me compelled.  I discover something new every time I revisit it. 1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35- ****1/2 An awesome stoner satire.  I just love its sloppy waltz vibe.  Sounds like everyone in the studio was having a party. 2. Pledging My Time- **** It's a filler blues rock jam but it's awesome. 3. Visions Of Joanna- ***** An absolute beauty.  One of Bob's very best achievements.  Love the mystical air. 4. One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)- ***** Absolutely amazing song.  I always fall into it big time when I hear it.  I particularly love how excitable the instrumentation gets in the chorus. 5. I Want You- ***** Just a perfect folk pop song.  Absolutely love its unique vibe. 6. Stuck Inside Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again- ***** My favorite song on the album.  Just a perfect groove in every way.  Very surreal lyrics.  I never want it to end. 7. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat- ***

Blonde On Blonde (1966)

A timeless masterpiece of minimalism.  Underneath the depressing air is an ocean of comfort from the perspective of a defeated optimist.  An enlightening record on how I perceive things.  A true one of a kind. 1. Pink Moon- ***** A perfect song.  It never fails to melt me.  The only one to feature anything more than Nick's guitar and voice with a piano solo in the middle. 2. Place To Be- ***** One of those songs that never fails to hit hard.  A perfect song about loss of innocence. 3. Road- ***** Just a perfect song.  Love the guitar riff to pieces.  Sounds defeated, yet comforting. 4. Which Will- ***** Such a dreamy song in Nick's unique way. 5. Horn- ****1/2 An excellent piece of minimalism.  Works so well in the context of the album. 6. Things Behind The Sun- ***** This one always hits me in the gut.  It's so heartbreaking and raw. 7. Know- ****1/2 Childish fun in the midst of defeat within the album.  Love it. 8. Parasite- ***** Powerful and

Pink Moon (1972)

An all time hard rock classic.  I go way back with this one.  It has a timeless sound.  The bass playing in particular is a strong personal influence. 1. War Pigs- ****1/2 An all time classic metal anthem for a good reason.  Timeless rocker. 2. Paranoid- ***** A timeless masterpiece.  My favorite on the album.  Heavily influential to me and my perception of musicianship when I was younger.  It's simple, yet never fails to be completely awesome. 3. Planet Caravan- ****1/2 I remember not liking this one when I was younger but now it's one of my favorites.  So ethereal.  I think getting into jazz is why I love this one now. 4. Iron Man- ****1/2 Who doesn't love this one??  An all time classic. 5. Electric Funeral- **** Slightly weaker than the previous four but awesome all the same. 6. Hand Of Doom- ****1/2 Very dark anti-drug song.  One of the most powerful on the album and a personal favorite. 7. Rat Salad- ***1/2 Weakest song on the album but still

Paranoid (1970)

This is a continuing list of my thoughts on all albums in my collection that I am familiar with.  I'm not literally listing every album I've heard necessarily but albums I know very well and have had a significant influence on me at any given period of my life.  My basis for selecting these albums is by choosing the ones where I instantly know every song on the album without having to replay it to remind myself what it sounds like.  Thought I'd do this since I love listening to albums equally as much as I love film.  Enjoy! Newest additions (5/02): Love- Forever Changes The Beatles Black Sabbath Drake, Nick Dylan, Bob Love R.E.M . The Rolling Stones The Stooges Yes

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Thoughts Before Viewing: This is one I've been meaning to re-watch for a long time.  Saw it once in high school and I remember loving it.  Feel like it'll resonate more with me now. Running Time: 106 minutes Directed By: Mike Nichols Written By: Calder Willingham, Buck Henry Primary Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross Summary: A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter. My Thoughts: Wow this is fantastic!  Can't believe I'd forgotten about it.  Just such an entertaining coming-of-age film.  There are countless memorable moments found here.  I absolutely love the screenplay and overall pacing, it really felt like a descent into this total mess of a situation.  Dustin Hoffman is fantastic at playing this aimless nervous wreck who gets completely over his head.  I absolutely love the cinematography style here.  Never flashy, yet plays a huge role in the fi

Have I Seen It Before?: No Thoughts Before Viewing: I really don't know what to expect with this one.  Surprisingly enough, I've never seen a Michael Caine film (outside of the Dark Knight trilogy) so this will be an interesting watch. Running Time: 112 minutes Directed By: Mike Hodges Written By: Mike Hodges Primary Cast: Michael Caine, Ian Hendry, Britt Ekland Summary: When his brother dies under mysterious circumstances in a car accident, London gangster Jack Carter travels to Newcastle to investigate. My Thoughts: I really couldn't get into this one for the most part.  Just seemed like a typical British gangster film to me, most of which I seem to have a difficult time getting into.  I did like the ending and the soundtrack was great at times.  Michael Caine plays a very good cold, calculated character but overall this just seems to me like a lesser version of Dirty Harry (1971) and The French Connection (1971). Does It Belong In The Book: Eh,

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Thoughts Before Viewing: I've only seen this once a few years back.  I honestly don't remember too much about it.  Always exciting seeing one of Jack Nicholson's first performances though. Running Time: 108 minutes Directed By: Bob Rafelson Written By: Carole Eastman Primary Cast: Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy Green Bush Summary: A dropout from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels and other points of interest. My Thoughts: I really liked this one.  More than the first time I saw it a few years back.  Of course, plenty of its brilliance is credited to Jack Nicholson, who can make just about anything highly entertaining.  Although it's one of his more low key performances, he makes for such a compelling character in the way that only he can.  Here, he plays an aimless man in his 30s who just can't settle down with anythin

L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential

Stairway To Heaven (A Matter Of Life And Death)

Stairway To Heaven (A Matter Of Life And Death (1946)

If.... (1968)

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Thoughts Before Viewing: This is one I haven't seen in a long time.  A recent re-watch of Chinatown (1974) put me in the mood for this one. Running Time: 138 minutes Directed By: Curtis Hanson Written By: Brian Heigeland Primary Cast: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce Summary: As corruption grows in 1950s LA, three policemen-one straight laced, one brutal and one sleazy- investigate a series of murders. My Thoughts: This is a masterful character film.  While it is often labeled as strictly a neo-noir, which it certainly is, it's just as much of a police drama.  The heart and soul of this film is all in the dynamics of the three vastly different characters.  The entire film carries kind of a similar spirit to Chinatown (1974).  They are both period pieces set in LA and involve layered plots.  What really separates the two is the approach.  While the former is subtle, this one is more energetic and in your face.  While t

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes Thoughts Before Viewing: This is one I haven't seen in a few years.  Been long overdue for a re-watch.  I'm awfully curious about this one. Running Time: 111 minutes Directed By: Lindsay Anderson Written By: David Sherwin Primary Cast: Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick Summary: In this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England. My Thoughts: This is film I feel like should be one of my all time favorites.  It's a 'rebel against the system' story, features Malcolm McDowell's debut performance and is a definitive countercultural exploration of the late 1960s.  On paper, it's everything I love.  However it's a film I appreciate more than consider a personal favorite.  I somewhat feel this is down to some of the British subtext going over my head.  Malcolm McDowell is very entertaining here and reminds me a of British Ja

Have I Seen It Before?: No Thoughts Before Viewing: Well being on a French New Wave kick, I figure I will go through Jean-Luc Godard films in chronological order (within the list, that is).  This is one I've been particularly interested in seeing for a while. Running Time: 85 minutes Directed By: Jean-Luc Godard Written By: Jean-Luc Godard Primary Cast: Anna Karina, Sady Rebbot, Andre S. Labarthe Summary: 12 episodic tales in the life of a Parisian woman and her descent into prostitution. My Thoughts: I really didn't enjoy this one as much as I'd hoped.  On paper, this sounds fantastic; a humanist Jean-Luc Godard film.  I love the episodic approach and there were some interested philosophical monologues but it ultimately left me feeling cold and distant.  Despite the short running time, I found this to be quite a chore to sit through.  I was expecting a slow burner descent into prostitution but it just...kind of happened.  I didn't really feel the