These days, it’s much easier to keep my obsessive tendencies in check. I’m not sure how that happened — probably just the natural process of feeling more content and level with each passing year. Whatever the reason, it feels nice. However, there are two obsessions that I make no qualms about not keeping in check…because they make me happy. One, obviously, is writing and recording music. The other is film. Lots and lots of film.
Moving to LA turned out to be a very good thing. In addition to relaunching Bleeding Skull, I started working on a book with my friend Dan, and also contributed to Cinefamily’s monthly calendars. And the screenings…I saw everything from The Gold Rush to Shadows to Breathless to Brewster McCloud to Black Devil Doll From Hell to Playtime to Manhattan to The Legend Of Billie Jean on the big screen. Plus, I met Elliott Gould. He said that I reminded him of Bud Cort in M*A*S*H. I think it was a compliment.
For the last seven years, I’ve kept a spreadsheet of every movie that I watch. This is fun in a strict novelty sense, but also kind of beautiful as a diary of life. I can look back at any month of any year and see exactly what I was going on, all thanks to the movies. At the end of each year, I make a list of the films that enhanced and inspired some aspect of my life. This year, I’ve decided to share it with you.
So, here it is: a list of the ten most enjoyable films that I experienced for the first time in 2010, in the order that they were viewed. Linked titles lead to reviews on Bleeding Skull.
Seventeen (Joel DeMott & Jeff Kreines, 1983)
The Beaver Trilogy (Trent Harris, 1979–84)
The Last Of The American Hoboes (Titus Moede, 1967)
My Man Godfrey (Gregory La Cava, 1936)
It Happened One Night (Frank Capra, 1934)
Kenny & Company (Don Coscarelli, 1976)
The Zodiac Killer (Tom Hanson, 1971)
I Love You Again (W.S. Van Dyke, 1940)
The Iron Rose (Jean Rollin, 1973)
Times Square (Allan Moyle, 1980)
Plus: All of the Laurel & Hardy films. (I couldn’t pick just one.)
Plus, again: Happy holidays. Truly.
106 Trackbacks