2015 Blind Spot Series: My Selections

Sometimes, we all wanna do what the cool kids are doing. In 2015, and for the now complete 2014, all the cool kids are participating in the 2015 Blind Spot Series headed up by Ryan McNeil at The Matinee. This year, yours truly is going to join in on the fun. I'm in no way suggesting that I'm a cool kid. I'm just going to do what they're doing and at least act like one.

The premise is simple enough for even me to understand. In case you're unfamiliar with it, I'll give you the Dell Notes version. Pick out a dozen movies of some significance that, for some reason, you haven't seen yet. Watch one each month and create a post about it. "Some significance" basically means it's a movie that's been deemed one you should see by most people. So, while you might really want to see Die Hard Dracula, I don't think that quite fits in with the spirit of the series. By all means, watch it anyway. Just post about it on your own time. Or just read my post about it...and comment...anyhoo, moving on.

I've scoped out a number of similar posts to this one where my fellow bloggers announce the movies they'll be watching for the series during the coming year. Some have let their readers vote to decide what they'll watch, some picked a specific time period to focus on, and some went down the list of imdb's top 250 and chose what they haven't seen, yet. For me, I'm going to dive into my own personal DVD collection. I've got roughly 800 titles in my private inventory. There are probably three or four dozen I haven't seen yet. Enough of those are of "some significance" for me to make a list for 2015. I haven't pinned down what order I'm going to watch them in, so here they are alphabetically...

Eight Men Out

(1988)

This shows up near the top of lots of lists of the greatest sports and/or baseball movies ever made. I'm a movie buff and a huge baseball fan. I must see this.

The French Connection

(1971)

Probably the biggest shame in my collection. I've owned the DVD for several years, it's hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made, yet I've never been moved enough to pop it in and press play. Sad.

From Hell

(2001)

Not as acclaimed as most other movies on the list, but the last missing piece of the Hughes Brothers' filmography (at least, of their work together). I love their three other full length features: Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, Book of Eli and have fun with their documentary American Pimp. Might as well see them all.

Glengarry Glen Ross

(1992)

Another one that I've owned for a while, but haven't watched. What makes it even more egregious is that I was in sales for about five years and at several of my stops people who seem to have no interest in anything other than getting in your pockets have recommended this movie to me.

The Great Escape

(1963)

At the risk of going all broken record on you, I've had this one sitting on a shelf in my living room for a number of years. The only reason this isn't the biggest shame of my collection is because I've owned The French Connection for a longer period of time.

Manos: The Hands of Fate

(1966)

Many have told me that this is the worst movie ever made. I'd say that's of "some significance." I also own, and watched several times, the other worst movie of all time - Plan 9 From Outer Space. I desperately need to compare. With any luck, this will be so bad it's awesome!

The Outlaw Josey Wales

(1976)

I keep seeing this on lists of the best westerns ever made. Plus, it stars Clint Eastwood. I fully intended to watch this within days of buying this. About three years have passed. Sigh.

The Phantom of the Opera

(1925)

I'm familiar enough with the story that I basically know it. I even saw a telecast once, years ago, of the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical. Yet, I've never sat down and watched the 1925 original silent film version. Let's fix that.

Philadelphia

(1993)

This isn't a true blind spot, but it still needs fixing. By that I mean, I've seen most parts of this movie by catching bits and pieces here and there on TV over the years. Still, I've never sat down and gave it a proper viewing.

Pi

(1998)

I think Darren Aronofsky is a terrific director. I've seen four of his six features, missing The Fountain, and this one, perhaps his most critically acclaimed. It's often cited as one of the best movies of the 1990s. I'll be the judge of that.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

(1980/2006)

As a kid, I thought Superman II was the greatest superhero flick ever made until Tim Burton's Batman came along. In 2013, I revisited the entire Superman franchise, and I don't think it surpasses its own predecessor. There are a lot of problems with it. Many of them directly attributable to the mid-filming firing of director Richard Donner. The battle between Donner and the Salkinds, the producers and owners of the rights to the character. Though the actual movie came out in 1980, Donner's cut surfaced in 2006. I finally got my hands on it a few months ago. Just haven't time to give it a go. Now, I'm making time.

They Call Me Mister Tibbs!

(1970)

Of all the movies I plan on tackling, this is probably the least significant. However, it is the sequel to a movie at least as important as any of these, 1967's In the Heat of the Night. I've seen that and probably every episode of the legendary TV series. Why not be a completist and take in this one?


Am I in for a good year of movie watching, or what?