02013.01
by writingarises | created - 03 Jan 2013 | updated - 02 Feb 2013 | PublicThese are films I've watched in January 02013.
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1.
Histoire(s) du cinéma (1989–1999)
Episode:
Toutes les histoires
(1989)
51 min | Documentary
An 8-part documentary chronically the history of cinema: "All the Histories", "A Single History", "Only Cinema", "Deadly "Beauty", "The Coin of the Absolute", "A New Wave", "The Control of the Universe", and "The Signs Among Us".
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Votes: 988
02013.01.01: The first episode of Jean Luc Godard's History of Cinema. DVD from MCPL.
2. The Ladykillers (1955)
Not Rated | 91 min | Comedy, Crime
Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.
Director: Alexander Mackendrick | Stars: Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom
Votes: 31,363
02013.01.01: Delicious. Alec Guinness leads the engaging cast in this wry comedy. Tivoed.
3. Skyfall (2012)
PG-13 | 143 min | Action, Adventure, Thriller
James Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Director: Sam Mendes | Stars: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Judi Dench
Votes: 730,647 | Gross: $304.36M
02013.01.02: Went with my sweetie. We were underwhelmed. AMC Bloomington 11.
4. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
PG | 81 min | Documentary
A documentary on 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono, his renowned Tokyo restaurant, and his relationship with his son and eventual heir, Yoshikazu.
Director: David Gelb | Stars: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama
Votes: 37,981 | Gross: $2.55M
02013.01.03: "I fell in love with my work and gave my life to it." Streamed on Netflix.
5. Albert Nobbs (2011)
R | 113 min | Drama, Romance
Albert Nobbs struggles to survive in late 19th-century Ireland, where women aren't encouraged to be independent. Posing as a man so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most elegant hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living.
Director: Rodrigo García | Stars: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Antonia Campbell-Hughes
Votes: 25,574 | Gross: $3.01M
02013.01.03: Streamed on Netflix.
6. Promised Land (2012)
R | 106 min | Drama
A salesman for a natural gas company experiences life-changing events after arriving in a small town, where his corporation wants to tap into the available resources.
Director: Gus Van Sant | Stars: Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, Hal Holbrook
Votes: 39,882 | Gross: $7.60M
02013.01.04: Went with my sweetie at AMC Bloomington 11. The film has some challenges, but I appreciated the experience while it was unfolding, and I'm glad I saw it. Matt Damon is always worth watching. Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, Hal Holbrook, Titus Welliver and many other strong performances.
7. Cinematographer Style (2006)
86 min | Documentary
110 of the world's top cinematographers discuss the art of how and why films look the way they do.
Director: Jon Fauer | Stars: Remi Adefarasin, Russ T. Alsobrook, Howard A. Anderson III, Howard A. Anderson
Votes: 392
02013.01.01: Watched the film with my sweetie on DVD from Netflix. 02013.01.03: Watched Gordon Willis' extended interview. 02013.01.04: Watched Vittorio Storaro's extended interview. Storaro talks my language - energy, love, authenticity.
8. How the West Was Won (1962)
G | 164 min | Adventure, War, Western
A family saga covering several decades of Westward expansion in the 19th century, including the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the building of the railroads.
Directors: John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall, Richard Thorpe | Stars: James Stewart, John Wayne, Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda
Votes: 23,264 | Gross: $46.50M
02013.01.05: Watched on TCM. Part of my process of watching as many films from National Film Registry as possible. There’s a lot of beautiful scenery, but the film’s story is quite whacky and somewhat tedious/offensive. Well, I’ve seen it in full now. I'd seen parts of this before.. or perhaps when I was a girl I'd seen it, but it slipped my mind!
9. Serenity (2005)
PG-13 | 119 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The crew of the ship Serenity try to evade an assassin sent to recapture telepath River.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alan Tudyk
Votes: 305,505 | Gross: $25.51M
02013.01.05: This film never gets old. I love it.
10. The Original Movie. (1922)
Unrated | 8 min | Short, Animation, Comedy
A look at the filmmaking process in the prehistoric era, inside the Stonehenge Film Company. It seems some things haven't changed much. The process begins with the writer dropping off his ... See full summary »
Director: Tony Sarg
Votes: 255
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
11. Blacksmith Scene (1893)
Unrated | 1 min | Short, Comedy
Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around.
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Stars: Charles Kayser, John Ott
Votes: 2,761
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
This film is on the National Film Registry.
12. The Gay Shoe Clerk (1903)
Unrated | 1 min | Comedy, Short
A woman being fitted for shoes exposes her ankle to the shoe clerk, who is intrigued. He kisses her, but her chaperone hits him with her umbrella.
Director: Edwin S. Porter | Star: Edward Boulden
Votes: 1,182
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
13. Three American Beauties (1906)
Unrated | 1 min | Documentary, Short
Images of a rose, a young woman, and the American flag.
Directors: Wallace McCutcheon, Edwin S. Porter | Star: Deyo
Votes: 417
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
14. Princess Nicotine; or, the Smoke Fairy (1909)
Unrated | 5 min | Comedy, Short, Fantasy
A drowsy pipe-smoker attempts to nap, only to be tormented relentlessly by the mischievous Princess Nicotine and her fairy companion.
Director: J. Stuart Blackton | Stars: Paul Panzer, Gladys Hulette
Votes: 1,023
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
This film is on the National Film Registry.
15. The Confederate Ironclad (1912)
Unrated | 16 min | Drama, War, Short
Lieutenant Yancey's southern sweetheart, Rose, is jealous of Elinor, a northern girl, who is visiting her aunt Mary de Lane. This jealousy is excited by an invitation which Yancey receives ... See full summary »
Director: Kenean Buel | Stars: Guy Coombs, Anna Q. Nilsson, Hal Clements, Miriam Cooper
Votes: 236
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
16. The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Unrated | 13 min | Short, Horror
An avant-garde take on Poe's classic story of a traveller taking shelter at a household under a mysterious curse.
Directors: James Sibley Watson, Melville Webber | Stars: Herbert Stern, Hildegarde Watson, Melville Webber, Friedrich Haak
Votes: 1,430
02013.01.06: from Treasures From the American Film Archives Program 1
17. Seven Up! (1964 TV Movie)
40 min | Documentary, Biography, Reality-TV
In this the first installment, we get a chance to meet some of the individuals who took on the responsibility of the 7 Up project, 21-years-ago - Tony, Bruce, Suzi, Nick and Peter.
Director: Paul Almond | Stars: Douglas Keay, Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield
Votes: 4,356
02013.01.06: Revisiting the whole Up Series. Starting the review with the first: 7 Up.
18. 7 Plus Seven (1970 TV Movie)
52 min | Documentary, Biography
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children after a seven-year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield
Votes: 3,215
02013.01.06: Revisiting the whole Up Series.
19. 21 Up (1977 TV Movie)
100 min | Documentary, Biography
Director Michael Apted interviews the same group of British-born adults after a seven-year wait as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield
Votes: 2,921
02013.01.06: Revisiting the whole Up Series.
20. Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
TV-14 | 97 min | Drama, History, Romance
Dramatization of the bitter blood feud between the two families on the West Virginia/Kentucky border in the years after the Civil War.
Stars: Kevin Costner, Bill Paxton, Matt Barr, Tom Berenger
Votes: 29,314
02013.01.06 Part 3 this evening. Saw Parts 1 & 2 months back.
21. 28 Up (1984 TV Movie)
136 min | Documentary, Biography
This eye-opening episode uncovers human nature and the desire to survive and succeed in all its heart-breaking glory.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield
Votes: 3,094
02013.01.06: Revisiting the whole Up Series. 28 Up has a more expansive presentation... and delves in a more focused way into the lives of each of the participants.
22. 35 Up (1991 TV Movie)
123 min | Documentary, Biography, Romance
Director Michael Apted interviews the same group of British-born adults after a seven-year wait as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Director: Michael Apted | Stars: Bruce Balden, Jacqueline Bassett, Symon Basterfield, Andrew Brackfield
Votes: 2,727 | Gross: $0.92M
02013.01.07: Continuing to relish this amazing series.
23. The Merry Widow (1934)
Passed | 99 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
When a small kingdom's main taxpayer leaves for Paris, its king dispatches a dashing count to win back her allegiance.
Director: Ernst Lubitsch | Stars: Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald, Edward Everett Horton, Marcel Vallée
Votes: 3,252
02013.01.08: Delightful. Funny. Inventive. Ernst Lubitsch!
24. The Muppets (2011)
PG | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A Muppet fanatic with some help from his 2 human compatriots must regroup the Muppet gang to stop an avaricious oil mogul from taking down one of their precious life-longing treasures.
Director: James Bobin | Stars: Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones
Votes: 96,812 | Gross: $88.63M
02013.01.09: Enjoyable frothy musical film with a meta edge to it. Watched at the urging of friends. Good way to start today... as I lounged in bed delaying the start of work.
25. Running Around San Francisco for an Education (1938)
Unrated | 2 min | Short
To encourage voters to approve a bond issue, the city commissioner of schools talks about some of the typical problems that students face.
Star: C. Harold Caulfield
Votes: 94
02013.01.09: From Treasures From American Film Archives Program 1.
26. Tevya (1939)
Approved | 93 min | Drama
The original, non-musical film version of the book which inspired "Fiddler on the Roof".
Director: Maurice Schwartz | Stars: Maurice Schwartz, Miriam Riselle, Rebecca Weintraub, Paula Lubelski
Votes: 393
02013.01.09: From Treasures From American Film Archives Program 1. On the National Film Registry. This film is the inspiration for The Fiddler on the Roof. Just watched a 17 minute sequence. That's all that I have access to.
27. Cologne (1939)
Unrated | 14 min | Short, Documentary
Structures, people and events are documented in Cologne, Minnesota, USA in 1939.
Directors: Esther Dowidat, Raymond Dowidat | Stars: 'Old Man' Guettler, Hans Guettler, Bill Guettler, Esther Dowidat
Votes: 253
02013.01.09: Delightful amateur documentary by Raymond and Esther Dowidat that is included on the National Film Registry. Lovely look at smalltown life. My favorite intertitle: "In Cologne everybody drinks beer." From Treasures From American Film Archives Program 1.
28. Offon (1968)
Unrated | 9 min | Short
An experimental film consisting of rapidly changing, heavily modified images.
Director: Scott Bartlett
Votes: 484
02013.01.09: Exhilarated by this Experimental film... from Treasures From American Film Archives Program 1. On the National Film Registry.
29. Samsara (I) (2011)
PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Music
Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.
Director: Ron Fricke | Stars: Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika
Votes: 38,005 | Gross: $2.67M
02013.01.09: Netflix DVD.
30. Tabu (I) (2012)
Not Rated | 118 min | Drama, Romance
A restless retired woman teams up with her deceased neighbor's maid to seek out a man who has a secret connection to her past life as a farm owner at the foothill of Mount Tabu in Africa.
Director: Miguel Gomes | Stars: Telmo Churro, Miguel Gomes, Hortêncílio Aquina, Américo Mota
Votes: 7,421
02013.01.10: Saw this intriguing film at Indiana University Cinema.
31. Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
Not Rated | 93 min | Comedy, Romance
To save his career, a writer for television advertising wants a famous actress to endorse a lipstick. In return, he has to pretend to be her new lover.
Director: Frank Tashlin | Stars: Tony Randall, Jayne Mansfield, Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell
Votes: 4,082
02013.01.11: On the National Film Registry. I enjoyed the cinematography.
32. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
R | 157 min | Drama, History, Thriller
A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 in May 2011.
Director: Kathryn Bigelow | Stars: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Strong
Votes: 318,693 | Gross: $95.72M
02013.01.12: This afternoon we went to see Kathryn Bigelow's film at the AMC Bloomington 11. It felt to me like it was a handful of films smashed together.
33. Melody on Parade (1933)
5 min | Short
A sing-along short with Irving Kaufman singing, Lew White at the organ, lyrics displayed for the viewing audience, and film clips illustrating the songs. "I Love a Parade" includes a ... See full summary »
Stars: Irving Kaufman, Lew White
Votes: 88
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
34. In Youth, Beside the Lonely Sea (1925)
5 min | Short
Thomas Bailey Aldrich's poem is dramatized in triptych. In the center panel, a young man muses on the seashore where mermaids beckon, then he walks through the woods, accompanied by ... See full summary »
Star: Winston Miller
Votes: 220
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
35. Westinghouse Works (1904)
Not Rated | 68 min | Documentary
Collection of 21 American short silent films. The films were taken from April 18, 1904 to May 16, 1904 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and document various Westinghouse manufacturing plants.
Votes: 354
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
36. Palace of Electricity (1900)
1 min | Documentary, Short
A panoramic shot, making a full circle, at the 1900 Paris Exposition. It begins and ends looking at the front of the Palace of Electricity. As it pans, first we see a workman hosing down ... See full summary »
Director: James H. White
Votes: 216
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
37. Captain Nissen Going Through Whirlpool Rapids, Niagara Falls (1901)
2 min | Documentary, Short
Here we show Captain N. P. Nissen, formerly known as Captain Bowser, making a trip through the Whirlpool Rapids in his famous twenty-four foot craft known as the "Fool Killer." Captain ... See full summary »
Votes: 188
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
38. Down the Hudson (1903)
3 min | Documentary, Short
Film taken from a boat heading down the Hudson is shown at varying speeds, often giving a sense of rapid transit. We see empty hills sweeping by, then a steamboat passes. A few houses ... See full summary »
Directors: Frederick S. Armitage, A.E. Weed
Votes: 240
02013.01.12: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye.
39. La cartomancienne (1932)
12 min | Short
In a European seaside village, a maiden takes clean sheets down from the clothesline. Carrying her basket of linens home, she stops to consult a fortune teller, whose been napping the the ... See full summary »
Director: Jerome Hill
Votes: 183
02013.01.13: From Unseen Cinema: The Mechanized Eye. Beautiful film....
40. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931)
TV-PG | 86 min | Adventure, Drama, Romance
On the South Pacific island of Bora Bora, a young couple's love is threatened when the tribal chief declares the girl a sacred virgin.
Director: F.W. Murnau | Stars: Anne Chevalier, Matahi, Hitu, Bill Bambridge
Votes: 6,378
02013.01.13: Netflix DVD. This film is on the National Film Registry. The 2012 film Tabu references this 1931 film in a number of ways - most obviously in the division into 2 identically named segments. Also in the illicit love affair, etc.
41. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
PG-13 | 129 min | Action, Adventure, Mystery
Detective Sherlock Holmes is on the trail of criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty, who is carrying out a string of random crimes across Europe.
Director: Guy Ritchie | Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Votes: 480,087 | Gross: $186.85M
02013.01.13 - 02013.01.14: In this film, which I saw for the first time just now tivoed from DirecTV, and in the original, which we saw in the theatre, I think what I'm most drawn to is the calculated previsualizations of impending hand to hand combat. That interests me not only in the way it is filmed, but as an exploration of how Holmes' mind functions in a form of precise overdrive. I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan. And I like Downey, Jr. and Law, but somehow this series seems to lack the core of what has always drawn me to Holmes... and doesn't sufficiently replace it with something equally compelling. If they make another, I will probably eventually watch it out of the corner of my eye on TV as I did this one.
42. The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Passed | 112 min | Crime, Drama, Film-Noir
A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore
Votes: 29,897
02013.01.14: My sweetie and I watched this film tonight.... continuing my process of watching as many films on the National Film Registry as possible. Tivoed from TCM. First time I've seen this delightful John Huston film noir. Great stuff. We loved it.
43. Portrait of a Young Man in Three Movements (1931)
54 min | Documentary
Without sound, in three movements. Title cards declare that what a person likes and his manner of liking them reveals character. There are long looks at forms and rhythms. The film begins ... See full summary »
Director: Henwar Rodakiewicz
Votes: 159
02013.01.14: What an amazing film! I was exhilarated. "Without sound, in three movements." IMDB lists this as a documentary, but I experience it as an intuitive, raw, dynamic art piece.
44. Star Trek (2009)
PG-13 | 127 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.
Director: J.J. Abrams | Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy
Votes: 619,987 | Gross: $257.73M
02013.01.15: Own this one. Felt like watching it again last night as a soothing tonic after starting to watch Damsels in Distress and finding it not up my alley. I enjoy what Abrahms did with this Star Trek reboot. Looking forward to Star Trek In Darkness this summer.
45. Jack and the Beanstalk (1902)
Not Rated | 10 min | Short, Fantasy
Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of the famous fairy tale story of Jack and his magic beanstalk. Borrowing on cinematographic methods ... See full summary »
Directors: George S. Fleming, Edwin S. Porter | Stars: James H. White, Thomas White
Votes: 799
02013.01.16: Short from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism.
46. The Hunger Games (2012)
PG-13 | 142 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.
Director: Gary Ross | Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci
Votes: 1,002,701 | Gross: $408.01M
02013.01.16: Netflix DVD. Watched this one out of curiosity.
47.
Independent Lens (1999– )
Episode:
Soul Food Junkies
(2013)
TV-14 | Documentary
Soul food's relevance to black cultural identity.
Director: Stanley Tucci | Stars: Queen Afua, Will Allen, Christopher Barnes, Miguel Brito
Votes: 24
02013.01.16: tivoed from PBS Independent Lens.
48. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
PG-13 | 103 min | Drama
Charlie, a 15-year-old introvert, enters high school and is nervous about his new life. When he befriends his seniors, he learns to cope with his friend's suicide and his tumultuous past.
Director: Stephen Chbosky | Stars: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd
Votes: 547,461 | Gross: $17.74M
02013.01.17: watching my Film Independent screener!
49. Black Metal (2013)
Not Rated | 9 min | Short, Drama, Music
When a teen murders his math teacher in the name of a black metal band, the mid 30s lead singer will have to re-evaluate the two things he loves most, his music and his family. Black Metal,... See full summary »
Director: Kat Candler | Stars: Jonny Mars, Heather Kafka, Addisyn Stevenson, Lowell Bartholomee
Votes: 182
02013.01.18: watched this short film in the Screening Room on YouTube. This film is in the the U.S. Narrative Short Films category at Sundance Film Festival 2013.
50. Time Bandits (1981)
PG | 110 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.
Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, John Cleese, Katherine Helmond
Votes: 68,259 | Gross: $42.37M
02013.01.18: We had fun revisiting Time Bandits at Indiana University Cinema. We particularly enjoyed watching it with an eye on the inventiveness of the costumes - following Costume Designer James Acheson's visit yesterday. So many great little touches. One of my favorites has always been the way Evil's minions have plastic covers - just like the furniture Kevin's parents sit on in the opening sequences of the film.
51.
AFI's Master Class: The Art of Collaboration (2011– )
Episode:
Robert Zemeckis and Don Burgess
(2013)
TV-PG | Documentary, Talk-Show
Director: Robert Trachtenberg | Stars: Don Burgess, Robert Zemeckis
Votes: 10
02013.01.19: Thanks, TCM, for airing this series. Tech talk.
52. What Do We Have in Our Pockets? (2013)
4 min | Short
A most unusual love story unravels when the objects in a young man's pockets come to life.
Director: Goran Dukic | Stars: Azazel Jacobs, Diaz Jacobs
Votes: 110
02013.01.19: Watched this fun little short - part of 2013 Sundance Film Festival Shorts - on YouTube.
53. Mirror Mirror (I) (2012)
PG | 106 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.
Director: Tarsem Singh | Stars: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane
Votes: 91,031 | Gross: $64.94M
02013.01.19: The costumes in this film ARE inventive. And, although the film is not a success, I did find it enjoyable.
54. Happy (2012)
Not Rated | 76 min | Documentary, Drama, Family
Happy takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy.
Director: Roko Belic | Stars: Marci Shimoff, Ed Diener, Richard Davidson, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Votes: 3,380
02013.01.20: Streaming on Netflix. Maximize Gross National Happiness.
55. Gangster Squad (2013)
R | 113 min | Action, Crime, Drama
It's 1949 Los Angeles, the city is run by gangsters and a malicious mobster, Mickey Cohen. Determined to end the corruption, John O'Mara assembles a team of cops, ready to take down the ruthless leader and restore peace to the city.
Director: Ruben Fleischer | Stars: Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Giovanni Ribisi
Votes: 222,647 | Gross: $46.00M
02013.01.21: This film is a confused mess. It suffers from gratuitous violence, a muddled plot, perfunctory direction, inelegant cinematography, and actors who - for the most part - appeared to be wasting their time and talents. I laughed a lot - though not in ways I imagine the production team would appreciate.
56. Irish Folk Furniture (2012)
9 min | Documentary, Animation, Short
An animated documentary about repair and recycling in an Irish village.
Director: Tony Donoghue
Votes: 86
02013.01.21: Love this beautiful stop animated short...
57. How to Survive a Plague (2012)
Not Rated | 110 min | Documentary, History, News
The story of two coalitions -- ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) -- whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition.
Director: David France | Stars: Peter Staley, Larry Kramer, Iris Long, Bob Rafsky
Votes: 4,354 | Gross: $0.13M
02013.01.21: Streamed on Netflix.
58. Chasing Ice (2012)
PG-13 | 75 min | Documentary, Biography
Follow National Geographic photographer James Balog across the Arctic as he deploys time-lapse cameras designed for one purpose: to capture a multi-year record of the world's changing glaciers.
Director: Jeff Orlowski-Yang | Stars: James Balog, Svavar Jónatansson, Louie Psihoyos, Kitty Boone
Votes: 8,859 | Gross: $1.33M
02013.01.22: We went to IU Cinema and saw this on the big screen. The visual images are intense.
59. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)
PG | 88 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.
Directors: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt | Stars: Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, Martin Freeman
Votes: 51,376 | Gross: $31.05M
02013.01.22: I'm getting a real kick out of this animated pirate story, which has been nominated for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.
60. Adam and Dog (2012)
TV-PG | 16 min | Animation, Short, Drama
Adam, and a dog, in the Garden of Eden.
Director: Minkyu Lee | Star: Alexander Jasho
Votes: 2,320
02013.01.23: Enjoyed watching this Oscar Animated Short film on Vimeo. Thanks to Roger Ebert for sharing the password protected link.
61. Paperman (2012)
G | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
An office worker meets the girl of his dreams and uses a fleet of paper airplanes to get her attention.
Director: John Kahrs | Stars: John Kahrs, Kari Wahlgren, Jack Goldenberg, Jeff Turley
Votes: 35,356
02013.01.23: Enjoyed watching this Oscar Animated Short film on Vimeo. Thanks to Roger Ebert for sharing the password protected link.
62. Fresh Guacamole (2012)
Unrated | 2 min | Animation, Short
Transforming familiar objects into fresh guacamole.
Director: PES
Votes: 4,247
02013.01.23: Watched this Oscar Animated Short film on Vimeo. Thanks to Roger Ebert for sharing the password protected link.
63. Head Over Heels (2012)
TV-PG | 11 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Walter and Madge have grown apart: he lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling. When Walter tries to reignite their old romance, the couple must face their equilibrium.
Director: Timothy Reckart | Stars: Nigel Anthony, Rayyah McCaul
Votes: 2,380
02013.01.23: Watched this Oscar Animated Short film on Vimeo. Thanks to Roger Ebert for sharing the password protected link.
64. Arbitrage (2012)
R | 107 min | Drama, Thriller
A troubled hedge fund magnate desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire makes an error that forces him to turn to an unlikely person for help.
Director: Nicholas Jarecki | Stars: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Brit Marling, Tim Roth
Votes: 54,789 | Gross: $7.92M
02013.01.23: Watched Netflix DVD. The film suffers from too many focuses and I ultimately didn't care about Gere's character, but Tim Roth is always a joy to watch and I genuinely did wonder how it was going to work out.
65. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
R | 122 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
Director: David O. Russell | Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Votes: 742,204 | Gross: $132.09M
02013.01.23: Saw this film in the theatre last month. Loved it. Watching it again tonight thanks to the Independent Spirit Awards screener. Love it even more this time. Love being able to really appreciate the way the script is constructed.
66. Bernie (2011)
PG-13 | 104 min | Biography, Comedy, Crime
In small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Brady Coleman
Votes: 63,380 | Gross: $9.20M
02013.01.24: I found Bernie initially engaging, but my interest flagged once we were into the center of the film. The story lacked dimensionality. Not enough complexity. It was just taking us through to the inevitable conclusion.
I appreciate receiving a screener for this film. It's helping me determine how I want to vote in the Independent Spirit Awards.
67. The Thieving Hand (1908)
Unrated | 5 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Short
A one-armed man obtains an artificial limb which he cannot control.
Director: J. Stuart Blackton | Star: Paul Panzer
Votes: 686
02013.01.25: from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism.
68. The Impossible Convicts (1906)
3 min | Short
Four prisoners, in convicts' stripes, march backwards down stairs and, under the watchful eyes of guards, hop backwards into their cells. Later, one overpowers a guard and springs his three... See full summary »
Director: G.W. Bitzer
Votes: 227
02013.01.25: from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism.
69. When the Clouds Roll by (1919)
85 min | Action, Comedy, Romance
Psychiatrist Dr. Ulrich Metz attempts to drive Daniel Brown to suicide.
Director: Victor Fleming | Stars: Douglas Fairbanks, Albert MacQuarrie, Kathleen Clifford, Frank Campeau
Votes: 979
02013.01.25: from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism. Great nightmare imagery.
70. The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Not Rated | 72 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Allan visits the sinister Usher family mansion, where his friend Roderick is painting a portrait of his sickly wife Madeline. The portrait seems to be draining the life out of Madeline, slowly leading to her death.
Director: Jean Epstein | Stars: Jean Debucourt, Marguerite Gance, Charles Lamy, Fournez-Goffard
Votes: 4,492
02013.01.25: from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism. On the National Film Registry.
71. The Life and Death of 9413, a Hollywood Extra (1928)
Not Rated | 11 min | Short, Drama, Horror
A wannabe movie star experiences the surreal horrors of dehumanization at the bottom of Hollywood's social ladder as his hopes for success vanish and his identity is reduced to a number.
Directors: Robert Florey, Slavko Vorkapich | Stars: Jules Raucourt, Voya George, Robert Florey, Adriane Marsh
Votes: 1,425
02013.01.25: from Unseen Cinema: The Devil's Plaything: American Surrealism. On the National Film Registry. Loved this expressionistic exploration of Hollywood extras in the 20s.
72. Ruby Sparks (2012)
R | 104 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A novelist struggling with writer's block finds romance in a most unusual way: by creating a female character he thinks will love him, then willing her into existence.
Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris | Stars: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas
Votes: 105,389 | Gross: $2.54M
02013.01.25: I found this film satisfying. I like meta stories about writing and creativity ... and about the necessity to love freely.
73. Keep the Lights On (2012)
Not Rated | 101 min | Drama, Romance
In Manhattan, film-maker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.
Director: Ira Sachs | Stars: Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson, Souleymane Sy Savane
Votes: 6,140 | Gross: $0.25M
02013.01.25: This film is ultimately too long and too self-indulgent. That's what I'm coming away from this experience with. I never invested in the primary relationship... so all the hoopla didn't seem worth it.
74. Hysteria (2011)
R | 100 min | Biography, Comedy, Romance
The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.
Director: Tanya Wexler | Stars: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Felicity Jones
Votes: 33,167 | Gross: $1.80M
02013.01.25: Revisiting this funny film, which I first saw at IU Cinema last summer.
75. Magical Mystery Tour (1967 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 55 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Musical
The Beatles charter a special bus for a surreal mystery tour.
Directors: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bernard Knowles | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 7,889
02013.01.25: Enjoying revisiting Magical Mystery Tour. Nicely restored version.
76. The Invisible War (2012)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Crime
An investigative documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the US military.
Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick, Kori Cioca, Jessica Hinves
Votes: 7,082 | Gross: $0.07M
02013.01.26: This documentary is powerful.
77. Return (2011)
Not Rated | 97 min | Drama
A soldier returns to her family, friends, and old job after a tour of duty, though she finds herself struggling to find her place in her everyday life.
Director: Liza Johnson | Stars: Linda Cardellini, Michael Shannon, John Slattery, Talia Balsam
Votes: 1,054 | Gross: $0.01M
02013.01.26: watched the Independent Spirit Awards screener for this film. I found the film compelling.
78. Captains Courageous (1937)
G | 117 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
A spoiled brat who falls overboard from a steamship in the 1920s gets picked up by a New England fishing boat, where he's made to earn his keep by joining the crew in their work.
Director: Victor Fleming | Stars: Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas
Votes: 10,914
02013.01.26: We watched Captains Courageous tonight. I remember first seeing this film at the St. Louis Art Museum on their Friday night classic film series... when I was in high school. Loved seeing it again. Thanks, TCM.
79. End of Watch (2012)
R | 109 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Shot documentary-style, this film follows the daily grind of two young police officers in LA who are partners and friends and what happens when they meet criminal forces greater than themselves.
Director: David Ayer | Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
Votes: 268,770 | Gross: $41.00M
02013.01.26: Loved the cinematographic lens flaring, psychedelic textures. I was taken aback a bit by the film as a whole. Had read reviews indicating this was a film that depicted life of everyday cops, but it felt more like a video game coming to life.
80. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)
R | 86 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Three magazine employees head out on an assignment to interview a guy who placed a classified advertisement seeking a companion for time travel.
Director: Colin Trevorrow | Stars: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni
Votes: 130,814 | Gross: $4.01M
02013.01.27: Netflix DVD. This is a funny film. Quirky and not entirely successful in its storytelling, but I enjoyed the experience.
81. The Poor Little Rich Girl (1917)
Not Rated | 78 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The wealthy but selfish parents of a lonely young girl begin to rethink what is important to them after a servant's irresponsibility results in a crisis.
Director: Maurice Tourneur | Stars: Mary Pickford, Madlaine Traverse, Charles Wellesley, Gladys Fairbanks
Votes: 1,546
02013.01.27: Borrowed the DVD from Monroe County Public Library. Funny and engaging early Hollywood film feature starring Mary Pickford. Frances Marion wrote the script. Particularly loved the dream sequences. This film is on the National Film Registry.
82. The Believers (2012)
TV-14 | 83 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
"The Believers" follows how two scientists have coped with ruined reputations after announcing the discovery of 'cold fusion' in 1989, even as a community of believers continues to search for evidence of its truth.
Directors: Clayton Brown, Monica Long Ross
Votes: 31
02013.01.28: Monica Long Ross and Clayton Brown of 137 Films were present tonight at Indiana University Cinema to share their documentary film The Believers and talk about it afterwards. Engaging look at the Cold Fusion controversy. Keep an eye out for it. Looks like it may be streaming online soon or coming to a local theater!
83. Kon-Tiki (1950)
Approved | 77 min | Documentary
A documentary about the Kon-Tiki expedition of the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl.
Director: Thor Heyerdahl | Stars: Thor Heyerdahl, Herman Watzinger, Erik Hesselberg, Knut Haugland
Votes: 2,804
02013.01.29: Streaming from Amazon Instant Video. It's been a LONG time since I've seen this documentary. I'm looking forward to the chance to see the new Kon-Tiki feature film... when it is available.
84. Flying Lotus: Until the Quiet Comes (2013 Music Video)
4 min | Drama, Music
Director: Kahlil Joseph | Stars: Solomon Gibbs, Storyboard P., Flying Lotus
Votes: 118
02013.01.29: A short film by Kahlil Joseph featuring music from the Flying Lotus album.
85. Ballplayer: Pelotero (2011)
Not Rated | 77 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
Two top baseball prospects in the Dominican Republic face fierce competition and corruption as they chase their big league dreams.
Directors: Ross Finkel, Trevor Martin, Jon Paley | Stars: Jean Carlos Batista, Miguel Angel Sano, John Leguizamo
Votes: 506 | Gross: $0.04M
02013.01.30: John Leguizamo narrates this challenging story about the politics and pressures of baseball in the Dominican Republic.
86. The Transporter (2002)
PG-13 | 92 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
Frank Martin, who "transports" packages for unknown clients, is asked to move a package that soon begins moving, and complications arise.
Directors: Louis Leterrier, Corey Yuen | Stars: Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Matt Schulze, François Berléand
Votes: 320,887 | Gross: $25.30M
02013.01.31: we watched this film - partially with sound off - aware that no dialogue is needed to follow the action.... and not needing the sound effects to punctuate and heighten the stream of explosions, fights, etc. Goofy film. We were SUPER impressed with the way Qi Shu's lipstick stayed almost flawless despite the duck tape over her mouth, and other situations that might have explained a bit of roughing up around the edges if realism were called for ... which clearly it was not.
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