2016 BLIND SPOT series film picks

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Blindspot2016Ok, so I dropped the ball last year on this Blindspot series as I wanted to spend more time on my script. I’ve also blogged a lot less for the same reason and will continue doing so until my script is done. But given how much I’ve enjoyed discovering *old classics* or acclaimed films I’ve missed over the years, I thought I’d do it again this year. But instead of doing 12 films, I opt to do just 10 films in 2016.

As I did last year, I try to cover a variety of genres here, and include at least one that I don’t normally go for. In this case, I include… I’m also putting in one of the films I missed in 2015 (The Big Sleep). I included mostly classic films here but there are a couple that fulfilled two criteria I wanted to be represented on my list: a foreign film that’s preferably directed by a woman. Well, After the Wedding is an Oscar-nominated Danish film by Susanne Bier and Andrea Arnold‘s Fish Tank fit perfectly. I also have to have at least one period drama on here, and why not one directed by a woman (Sofia Copolla’s Marie Antoinette) as I’ve pledged to participate Women in Film‘s #52FilmsByWomen movement. Do join if you haven’t already!

Anyhoo, here’s my 10 picks in alphabetical order:

  1. 8 1/2 (1963)
  2. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
  3. After the Wedding (2006)
  4. American Graffiti (1973)
  5. Fish Tank (2009)
  6. Funny Face (1957)
  7. Laura (1944)
  8. Marie Antoinette (2006)
  9. Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
  10. The Big Sleep (1946)

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Per usual, I will just pick at random which film I want to see in a given month and I shall try to publish it in the first week of every month.

The Blind Spot series was originally spearheaded by Ryan at The Matinee, and I was also inspired by Dan’s list at Public Transportation Snob.

Well, have you seen any of these films? Which one(s) are your favorite?
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61 thoughts on “2016 BLIND SPOT series film picks”

    1. Hi Michael! Yes I’m looking fwd to that as well, for our girl Audrey and I also love Fred Astaire. Plus it’s set in Paris, can’t go wrong w/ THAT! I didn’t get to see The Big Sleep yet but will definitely do so this year 🙂

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    1. Hi Cindy! It’s got Michael Fassbender in it, that’s how I heard about it. But mostly interested in the female-driven story and that it was done by a female director!

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  5. You have some INCREDIBLE films on this list, and have touched a very soft spot in my heart with the inclusion of “American Graffiti”. That’s my father’s all-time favorite film, and one that makes him laugh every time he watches it. I actually got misty during my recent California adventure when I drove by the diner so prominently featured.

    Thanks for taking part again and spreading the word – looking forward to reading your entries!

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    1. Hello Ryan! Thanks again for spearheading this series, it’s one that keeps on giving 🙂 Glad to hear about American Graffiti. The reason I put it on here is because George Lucas did it and there’s been talks about how he might’ve been *sidelined* (if you will) by Star Wars that he never made another film like it again. That’s cool that it was your dad’s all time fave.

      I look forward to seeing ALL of these!

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  6. Paul S

    I’ve seen four of your selections and American Graffiti is a particular favourite of mine. I always make a point of watching it on the last weekend in August to mark the passing of summer.

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    1. Hello Paul! Wow, another one vouching for American Graffiti, I’m glad I included that on here then. Maybe I’ll save it for Summer! 😉

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      1. Yeah – I decided to finally join in this year. 🙂 I’m not sure I’ll manage one every single month but I’ll try to do them all before the end of the year. I did manage to watch one already, though! Mine aren’t very traditional classics. 😉

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  8. Oh wow! What an assortment of movies Ruth! You are going to have a blast. If my memory serves me right I have seen eight of them. Fish Tank didn’t do a lot for me and I don’t remember if I saw it all the way through. We talked about Sweet Smell (sooo good) and The Big Sleep is one of my favorite Bogart pictures (and you know me, that is saying a lot). American Graffiti is a lot of fun and it is one of my father’s favorites. Streetcar is absolutely stunning. Such a hypnotically toxic relationship at the center and a Brando performance you must see to believe. And then 8 1/2. Not my favorite Fellini but VERY close. It is such a superb bit of cinema that has so many themes woven throughout its run time. I found 8 1/2 takes a couple of viewing to really grasp most of them. I adore Fellini and 8 1/2. What a way to start off your Blind Spot..

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    1. Hi there Keith! I honestly don’t know how I’d feel about Fish Tank given the subject matter, but I want to see a lot more films directed by women and that’s one that’s been on my list for some time.

      I can’t wait to see ‘Streetcar’ and to be honest w/ you, I was already um, mesmerized by Brando’s hotness in that particular role. Plus his name there is Stanley 😉 I saw NINE which was a remake of 8-1/2. I’ve been wanting to check out Fellini’s film for some time, so I can’t wait to see it as well. I’ll take your advice about possibly seeing it twice if I don’t get it the first time 😉

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      1. Oh yes, Nine. As a remake I think it will surprise you how completely different those two pictures are. Funny thing about 8 1/2 – at first it may seem like it is starting to wander, but the way Fellini connects his doubts and pulls his themes together. Early last year I did an examination of 8 1/2. Here’s a link but don’t check it out until after you have watched it. Juuust in case. 🙂

        An examination of Fellini’s “8 1/2”

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  9. American Graffiti has Ford in it maybe I should get on that….but he is a bit too young there 😛 Fish Tank is awful, but at least it has Fassbender

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    1. Ahah, you don’t like young Harrison Ford? I think he’s handsome at any age 😉 Bummer you didn’t like Fish Tank, but I’m curious to check it out as it’s gotten a mixed review. Btw, you’ve seen Marie Antoinette right? I just tweeted that Tom Hardy is in it too, and he looks good even in a powdered wig!

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  10. I actually enjoyed Fish Tank. It’s an awful topic but it’s a good movie with some interesting scenes.

    I’m not sure if I should do a Blind Spot series but.. I might try and fail yet again.

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    1. Hi Getter! Yeah I heard the topic is disturbing, but glad to hear you love it. I heard that the main actress had never acted before this film, which made me even more curious to check it out.

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      1. And she never acted again after.. I heard she got pregnant and I think her character in the film pretty much reflects her own life in a way. So having that mindset going into the movie, you definitely feel a lot more towards her character.

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        1. Oy really? That’s a bummer. Man think of how many people who actually WANT to be an actress but never got afforded the opportunity. Wow and to act w/ Fassbender in your first film too?

          Thanks for the tidbit, how very interesting!

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  11. I’m sometimes a commitmentphobic, I can’t promise myself too much for fear of not following through or for using time on something simply because I want to check it off a list. I admire your public commitment to seeing these films. There are three on your list that I have not seen and I should try to join you when you get to them. Of the ones I have seen there is only one that I would not spend time with again. Best of luck, I’ll be watching your progress.

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    1. I hear ya Richard. I dropped the ball last year but it still doesn’t stop me from trying again, ahah. If I can only complete parts of the list, that’s still ok I think. Which movie you didn’t care to ever see again? I’m curious now.

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    1. Hi Anna! I remember you love Tony Curtis so yeah, I’m curious to see ‘Sweet Smell of Success’ as I haven’t seen a lot of his work.

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  14. Of the ones I’ve seen, Sweet Smell of Success and 8 1/2 are must-sees while Fish Tank I think is one of the best films of the last decade. And of course, you know my love for Sofia Coppola as I do recommend Marie Antoinette though it is a flawed film.

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    1. Glad to hear there are lots of must-sees on my list here. I have seen most of Sofia Coppola’s film but they have been hits and miss, so I hope I love Marie Antoinette.

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  16. I haven’t seen a single film on your list! I hope you enjoy working through it, I dropped off last year too but it is such a cool idea I’m gonna hop on board again.

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    1. Hello Jordan, happy new year mate! Yeah we dropped off around the same time last year but hope you’ll join again, there’s always some great discoveries from doing this series.

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      1. I need to hurry up and sort out a list! The reason I dropped off was simply because I was forgetting the last Tuesday of each month!! This year I’ll set reminders 😀

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    1. This is so interesting that a lot of people have seen Fish Tank who’ve commented here, and mostly have positive response too. I’m optimistic!

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  18. Hello my dear! My Lady Ruth, how are you doing? It’s been too long. I am planning on playing catch up and coming back to posting on my blog as well. 🙂 YAY. Feels good to be back in my groove. Such a great list, I love love American Graffiti I have probably seen it a million times. Also love Marie Antoinette, another one I have seen tons of times, my sister loves it and she always puts it on when we have nothing to watch. I think you will like them!

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    1. My gosh, what a special day it is! How’ve you been Queen Mel? I’ve missed you!! I’ve been super swamped all day I haven’t even been on Twitter until late afternoon. Thanks for commenting and hope we can catch up soon. I need to check your blog too, that’s great that you’ve started posting again, woo hoo! Did you post a top 10 list of 2015? I’m curious which films make your list. I posted mine around New Year’s Day.

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      1. Helloooo I know so good to be back. I have missed our chats too. Are you still crushing on Stanley… I am going to guess YES?! I have posted some reviews, but not too much yet. I didn’t do a top 2015 films because I feel like there are quite a few good ones I still haven’t seen yet. But once I feel like I have a little more well rounded list then I will do it. Hope you had a nice Christmas and New Years. Here’s to 2016! Cheers dahhllinggggggg. 🙂

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        1. Hello again! I so look forward to chatting again w/ you, about life, films and of course, cute boys. Speaking of which, YES still crazy for the Frenchman. I just tweeted about him https://twitter.com/FlixChatter/status/685597057541914625 OMG!!!! Season 2 can’t come soon enough! I love him so desperately, even though there’s barely no updates on his projects lately but I’m loyal to a fault when I’m in love 😉 I have to know what you’ve been up to and hope your Christmas was great as well. Talk to you soon dahlinggg!!

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          1. Ohh he does look quite nice as a royal Frenchman. Shoot I still haven’t seen that season. He’s so damn hot. The one I have been crushing a lot on lately is Oscar Issac I mean I have always loved him, but now with all the press he is getting with Star Wars I am getting to see him on magazine covers and all that. Unfortunately now other people will try to steal my crush away. I am sure of that. hahaha. That’s what my sister keeps telling me because she said now everyone will become a fan of his because of Star Wars dammit. Yes we do need to catch up. Although I don’t have much to report (how lame). Life has just been busy and it kind of took over everything and I wasn’t feeling good for quite some time. Feeling really lethargic and tired because of my thyroid (long story for another day), but now I am on the road to recovery and starting to regain my old self back. Which of course feels great. Well have a good weekend and we will catch up some more!!

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  19. I’ve only seen your number 1 and 10. The Big Sleep I quite liked, but while 8 1/2 had its moments I really could not get into its story. Hope you’ll enjoy all of them!

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    1. Hi Nostra! I need to catch up on your blog soon. Glad that you at least appreciate both of those films, yeah I hope one of these become my favorites 🙂

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