The Films

Lists

Friday, August 6, 2010

From the Desk of a Film Fanatic

My name is Dave, and I’m a film geek.

No, this isn’t a cry for help, or a sad, pathetic attempt to gather up sympathy. I’m not looking for a comforting hug, or a support group that meets once a week in the local community center. I crave no condolences, invite no pity, nor desire any reassurances that my condition will improve. Truth be told, I don’t want this so-called ‘condition’ of mine to change in the least. I wear the label of ‘film geek’ as if it were a badge of honor.

I love movies with an almost frightening passion (I know it frightens my family, anyway). I am forever watching films, and when I’m not busy watching them, I’m usually reading about them, whether it be a history of the French New Wave or a biography on B-Movie aficionado Roger Corman. What’s more, in my quest to further expand this cinematic palette of mine, I spend a large amount of time on-line, visiting film sites such as imdb.com, aintitcool.com, rogerebert.com, and so on. It seems I can never escape the draw of the cinema. When I lie down in my bed at night, I drift off to sleep with the gentle sounds of Turner Classic Movies playing softly in the background.

Ingmar Bergman once said, “No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls”. I believe this. What’s more, I believe film to be the perfect art form, one that challenges a variety of senses while simultaneously altering our perceptions of the world around us. Film is the doorway to many lands, laid out through the combined efforts of technicians, artisans and entertainers. As an entertainment, film is an escape from the everyday. As art, it is a conduit for emotions, thoughts and ideas, many as challenging as they are persuasive. This is what film means to me; it is this, and so much more besides.

Now, it’s time to take this infatuation of mine to the next level.

I am about to embark on a cinematic journey, one that will surely take me many months, even years, to complete: I plan to view exactly 2500 movies, either on DVD or Blu-Ray, and encompassing as many genres and styles of film as I can muster; in short, a smorgasbord of all that the cinema, past and present, national and global, has to offer.

Let me reiterate once again, at the outset, that this will be a journey through the world of film, and as a journey, there’s no telling what I’ll be encountering along the way. I will be imposing no rules upon myself as to which films I will watch, or in what order they will appear. For example, I could follow up a viewing of John Carpenter’s Halloween by watching the 1982 Henry Fonda / Katherine Hepburn drama, On Golden Pond. Furthermore, watching Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope doesn’t necessarily mean Episodes V and VI will follow in suit; they could appear months, maybe even a whole year, after Episode IV, if they appear at all (though I will promise this much: if I choose to watch a series of films such as the original STAR WARS trilogy, I won’t watch them out of order). A love of film is what led me to this journey, and it’s the unpredictability of it all that has me excited to be making it.

I welcome all of you to follow along, tracking my progress as I make my way through 2,500 examples of what the cinema has to offer. I’ll be presenting each movie here, in order. It will include a brief synopsis (lifted directly from the DVD cover) as well as a paragraph or two on my reaction to the film. Also, I’ll place a link to amazon.com, through which you can purchase the DVD or Blu-Ray (and please do so…I can use the money!), and finally, I welcome each and every comment.

Well, not much more to say, I suppose, except Let the journey begin!

37 comments:

  1. Unless I missed it, did you say whether all these movies you are going to watch are films you haven't already seen?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello, and thanks for posting.

    Actually, I didn't stipulate that above (though I probably should have):
    The 2,500 will be a mixture: some I've already seen (including my top-50 films of all-time) and others I have not.

    Also, something else I should have stated above is that I'm open to suggestions...If anyone would like to recommend a movie, please post it below.

    Thanks again for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Justine once again, just read your Bio, I have a movie it is disturbing and is "supposedly" real called "Faces Of Death" banned in most countries, please remember it is disturbing to say the least. Love your web log. Leaving now but I will be back.

    ReplyDelete
  4. @JUstine: I have heard of FACES OF DEATH before, but haven't checked it out as of yet. I appreciate the recommendation (I can also tell you that I plan to watch the MONDO CANE movies during this challenge of mine, which are also supposedly 'real', though I've heard otherwise from a few sources).

    Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to hear from you again in the near future.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great site Dave, I really enjoy your eclectic selection of films and insightful reviews. Keep'em coming!

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Klaus: Thanks so much. I really do appreciate it.

    Any my plan is to keep 'em coming as long as I can!

    ReplyDelete
  7. EU again had to read your bio, no mention of Planet Macabre? You're an iconic horror critic, readers should know.

    What is the chance of an all horror blog? Looking at the right where you have what "Others are checking out..." 9 out of 10 are horror movies. I for one would be checking everyday for more horror movies, but hey, I am a horror nut too.

    Stosfread

    ReplyDelete
  8. @Stosfread: This was actually written well before Planet Macabre was in existence (and before I even knew I'd be part of a bi-weekly podcast). Still, I suppose I do need to update it, don't I?

    As for the "Others Are Checking Out" section, I'm only seeing 6 out of 10 for horror )CHUNGKING EXPRESS, MCCABE & MRS. MILLER, SEXY BEAST and SUNSET BOULEVARD being the exceptions).

    Still, even 6 out of 10 is impressive!

    At this point, I'd have to say there's no plans to go all-horror (though you can't see the numbers here, CHUNGKING EXPRESS actually has twice as many page views as the #2 film, THE HAND), but I will continue to post 2-3 horror films a week, as a thank-you to all the listeners of Planet Macabre.

    As for what the future holds, who knows? It's certainly not out of the question.

    Thanks again for the excellent comments, and for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wonder if The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane is on your list... rynnjacobs blogspot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello, and thanks for stopping by.

    Being a fan of Jodie Foster's, I'm sure I'll be checking out LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE at some point down the road, though I can't say when.

    BTW, nice blog!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You just got an award! It’s the the Irresistibly Sweet Blog award, and I know you got it because I gave it to you (though I didn’t choose the name of the award). You can read about it here:
    http://u-town.com/collins/?p=2337

    ReplyDelete
  12. @Anthony: Thanks so much for thinking of me.

    I did check it out, and will certainly participate (though it may take me until this weekend to do so). But I did want to thank you before then!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey I really like your website and I was wondering if you would like to write for mine! The website is www.mrmoviefiend.com, we get about 400 hits a day so please get back to me and I hope that you will want to!

    My email address is mrmoviefiend@gmail.com

    Nicholas Dry

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Quackser Fortune has a Cousin in the Bronx"

    This recommendation stars Gene Wilder and Margot Kidder (in probably the most obscure film in either one's career). The first line of the movie is "Fresh Dung!" as Gene Wilder's character, Quackser, sells manure out of a wheel-barrel type cart for a living and that is his standard tout.

    Good luck - hope you're still at it (last comment was a long time ago).

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for stopping by, and for the recommendation! Yeah, I;m still going strong.

    There aren't many comments left here anymore b/c this was my very first post! But yeah, I'm still going strong. I'm up to over 500 movies so far (just hit the MY 2,500 MOVIES CHALLENGE logo above to be taken to the main page).

    Thanks again. I'll keep an eye out for "Quackser Fortune has a Cousin in the Bronx"

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Dave,

    I recently started a new job that requires, unfortunately, two hours traversing an interstate highway each day. The Planet Macabre podcast has kept me awake for the better part of two weeks, so I want to thank you for that. Although BillChete is a very good moderator (he stays focused and maintains an equality of engagement from his guests) your ability to articulate your insights are clearly the highlight of the program.

    Anyhoo, regarding your current mission to watch 2,500 movies (in as many days if possible), I have a question. It seems to me that you not only have to set aside the time to watch these films, you also need to process what you've seen in order to express your findings in this blog. I assume that - like the rest of us - there are 24 hours in your day, so how are you actually doing this? Have you felt that you really weren't able to give any film a good analysis due to this pace?

    - your fellow Philadelphian

    ReplyDelete
  17. @Kublahken: Thanks for the comment. Always nice to hear from a fellow Philadelphian!

    I also9 thank you for the kind words regarding the Planet Macabre podcast. It's been a while since we've rcorded those, and it's good to know people are still enjoying them. You flatter me with your praise, and I certainly do appreciate your insights.

    As for my quest to watch 2,500 movies, yes, it can become taxing. In the beginning, I definitely felt I wasn't giving the movies their proper due (my entries were around 150-200 words total the first 3-4 months, mostly because I felt I wouldn't be able to handle writing more thna that on a daily basis). As time progressed, I found myself able to write twice as much, sometimes more, in the same amount of time, allowing me to go a little more in-depth into each film (an average of 450 words per film now, including my own synopsis), and I make sure I dedicate just as much time to writing as I do watching

    As for the 24-hour time limit we're all given on our days: One advantage I have is that I sleep no more than 4-5 hours t night. It's been that way for me since childhood, and it seems to be plenty to get me by. I'm asleep by 11 p.m. and awake between 3 and 4 a.m. each and every day! This definitely helps with both watching the films, which I can complete before my day even gets started, and writing, to which I can dedicate the entire evening. This gives me time in the middle of the day, when i'm not busy, to process my thoughts. Thus far, and almost 550 films in, it's been working well for me.

    I hope this helps to explain the "hows" a bit more, and again, I thank you for the kind words, and for listening to Planet Macabre.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello, I'm new to your blog. I learned this blog from one of your podcast: Horror Metropolis -- RIP :(

    Anyway, I'm surprised you haven't reviewed THE SEVEN SAMURAI by AKIRA KUROSAWA. Man, that's an Asian classic. Became archetypes for a lot of american movies - STAR WARS, BUGS LIFE, MAGNIFICENT SEVEN to name a few. You should see that :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Eufemio: Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving a comment (and yes, RIP Horror Metropolis. Sorry to see that show go!)

    I will definitely be adding THE SEVEN SAMURAI to the blog at some point. I've seen it twice before, and it is, as you say, a classic, and a very influential film. Along with that, I rank it as one of the best movies ever made...period!

    That film, as well as a number of Kurosawa classics, will be reviewed before I reach the 2,500 mark. I can guarantee you that!

    Thanks again for the comment, and for being a loyal listener of Horror Metropolis. It's certainly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey Dave. This is Chrisexcess. You Rock. Best Blog. EVER.

    ReplyDelete
  21. @Chrisexcess: Thank you, sir! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support you've given me. It means a lot. See you on Twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Amen, brother. Here's to film geek's everywhere!
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  23. @Beerbombastic: Thanks so much! And yes, there are many things worse than being a movie geek! I appreciate the comment, and thanks also for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, just got randomly to your blog and i have to say that it's really interesting! Maybe because im a film geek, too, and i love reading somthing from guys like you who are like me who ... wow just got confused...

    Back, thumbs up for your Blog, i really really like it :-)

    PS: Don't judge me for my bad english, I'm german ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Doc ~ This is one heck of a challenge! I admire it and fully support it - I may not have been here when you began this crazy journey, and I will certainly not check in every day....but I do, and will continue popping over a few times a month to see and read what you have reviewed. I admire your determination, but more importantly your dedication to the schedule. Many of us know you from the numerous podcasts you are on, so we understand the "time suck" this must be, so I for one say, "Give 'em Hell and keep up the excellent reviews!"

    Slasher Matt

    ReplyDelete
  26. Doctor Shock,

    I've perused this site several times since becoming a fan of you on HMP, but damn, my man... your written reviews are positively stellar, and your writing style is about as clear and informative as it gets. And this "From the Desk of a Film Fanatic" piece is just beautiful!

    I'm hoping to see you review this year's DARLING, directed by Mickey Keating, on this site or on HMP. It's right up your alley, I think. A nod to classic horror, but with 21st century sensibilities. Trailer below. Thanks for all this great work on this wonderful blog. :)

    Cheers,
    Mister Watson

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s1iY_fOpls

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is such a crazy idea and I kind of love it, I wish I had found this blog when you started as I can hardly believe you are already over 2000 movies! That's truly quite commendable, and shows a very series(if not slightly frightening) love for the medium. I'll no doubt check back periodically as you go through your lost 400 or so, and see where this little journey ends.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Let me be the first to congratulate you on the completion of your journey! I haven't been to your blog in a while and decided to check in today, assuming you had finished a few days ago - but, lo and behold, today was the day you finished!

    It was really neat having this type of blog as we were almost always assured of new content everyday! I hope to take some time to explore it more!

    Have you thought of a follow up journey to take?

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is wonderful!
    I'm ashamed of myself for not finding your blog until today.

    Congrats on finishing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Dave. I discovered Horror Movie Podcast a few months ago and have been downloading as many of the "Back Issues" as I can. Unfortunately the feed only goes back to the January, 2018 episode of "the Winter of Stephen King" on my old iPhone (now podcast and audio book listening device). However, I am downloading every episode I can, listening while I do everything from cutting the grass to sitting in traffic - ahem - I mean, driving to and from work. It is by far the best horror movie podcast anywhere. After the Horror Etc. podcast went away I was so upset I got away from horror podcast listening, but boy I am back, listening with a vengeance. I think my taste in movies is similar enough to yours that I had to check out your website, and I am NOT disappointed. It is the horror movie resource I was looking for. I just signed up for a Letterboxd account and I look forward to interacting with you, Josh and all the folks in the community, and checking out your other podcasts. Thanks for what you do! I don't know if you realize there are people out here who really appreciate it (staying up until 3:30 a.m.....are you kidding me!!!??!!) but we do.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you so much, Jeff! That is an amazing compliment, and it really does mean a lot to me. I hope you don't mind but I'd like to read some of this on an upcoming episode of HMP.

    Thanks again, my friend! And I hope you continue to enjoy the show (BTW, I miss Horror Etc. as well. I loved that podcast! Their episode on Jack the Ripper is, to this day, one of my all-time favorite podcast episodes).

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Dave: I hope all is well. This is Truby Chiaviello, editor and publisher of PRIMO Magazine. You have an incredible web site. You're an avid and passionate fan of horror. Like you, I too am a horror fan. I just published a book "Italian Horror Cinema: The Most Influential Horror Films from Italy." I noticed on your DVD page, you list a good bunch of Italian horror films. Hence, I am writing to see if I can be a guest on your exceptional podcast and discuss my book and the Italian horror films that influenced so many American horror directors. I am confident you and your fans will love it. My email address is potompub@aol.com. About PRIMO...a quarterly print magazine. We also have a web site at www.onlineprimo.com. PRIMO is geared towards Italian Americans and much of articles about Italian history, art, food and wine. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks and all the best.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Dave
    Any chance you could review a film I starred in called Dace Decklan: Private Eye?

    cheers
    Tom Vogel
    mob 0417 550 537
    angryproductions@icloud.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love to share with you my own list, begun in 2004 or so and continuing.

    It includes all films I would recommend to others, but not all films I have seen. Many hundreds of those I haven't liked and wouldn't recommend are not included.

    My list is Alpha'd as yours by title and includes year, director and a one-line synopsis (to remind me years later what it was I watched ;-)) It is also tiered with a numerical best of all list that is currently 112 films long and three further tiers of separation based upon quality (my own opinion, of course) that are only alphabetical.

    Send an e-mail and I'll gladly send a plain text copy.

    My e-mail is bobt145@yahoo.com.

    Bob Thomas, Budd Lake N.J.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I apologize. I meant to include the number of films on my list, as of 1-31-2022 it is 3,055. Also by request, there are lists by director and year.

    Bob Thomas
    Budd Lake, NJ
    bobt145@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. your experience helps me in re living my student days when I watched every great movie of the 50s and 60s...great it is to be alive and watching again...

    ReplyDelete