This blog is intended as a guide and/or introduction to learning about and enjoying classic cinema. It will present one film a week for you to watch (currently one film every third Tuesday), with information about the film before you watch it, and sometimes a section to read after you've seen it (containing spoilers). This list of movies will be ongoing. SUBSCRIBE BELOW so you never miss a post. To see and read about the films in order, scroll to the bottom of this page or click on the THE MOVIES or BLOG POST LIST links at the top of this page, and begin with film #1 - "All About Eve".
A classic can be seen countless times, so if you've already seen any of these films before, I highly recommend watching them again, for as our perspectives change, you will definitely see things with new eyes, and often come away with a new appreciation and understanding of the film. I’ve revisited films I didn’t particularly like, only to find that I suddenly love them (and vise versa).
My focus will be from the beginning of film though the 1970s, with an emphasis on classic films made during the great Hollywood Studio Era (which ended in the 1960s), and films from the second wave of classic American cinema (the late 1960s through the 1970s). While the main focus is on Hollywood films, I will also include important classics from around the world.
The films are not listed “best” to “worst”, but are put in an order to give you a comprehensive, entertaining, and diverse exposure to classic cinema. Most will be in black and white, and many will be in color. You will like some, dislike others, and hopefully discover many you will love. There will be something different each week as I will present films from all genres, will be introducing just about all the major stars of the era, iconic performances, directors, cinematographers, writers, and more. It’s pretty much impossible to see every classic film, but each film will expose you to at least one important aspect of cinema.
I’ve been approached many times in my life by people wanting to learn more about classic films, movie stars from the past, and even some directors. I’ve often guided people and have yet to find someone who started watching “old movies" who didn’t find it an exciting and surprising world. Many people who know me and my heavy film background come to me for suggestions (you can read more about my background HERE). So after making list after list for people year after year and hosting many movie nights, I've decided to write this blog as an informative guide to open people’s minds and hearts to great films. It is meant for anyone who wants to broaden their experience and knowledge of cinema.
To get the best, most complete experience, I suggest watching the films in the order I have presented them. They will be labeled in numerical order, and were put in that order as a sort of film curriculum (the posts accompanying the films will build on previous posts). Ideally, I suggest you pick your own “movie night" of the week (perhaps with family, friends, a special someone, or as your own treat) and watch each succeeding film week by week. Obviously, you can watch more or less each week as your schedule permits. While in college I constantly went to a repertory movie theater and saw between 3 and 8 films a week - it was heaven!
Not sure if all of these titles are available to view, but I’m choosing films for which I have a BluRay or DVD - so they existed at some point to the public. Nowadays they might be streaming, might be found on the Turner Classic Movie site (TCM), The Criterion Channel, Amazon, Netflix, you might find it at your local library, or even a cheap copy on Ebay. And, by all means, if you happen to see one of these films coming to a theater near you - GO! There's a HUGE difference in seeing a film on the big screen in a theater with strangers, as opposed to an iPad, phone, or TV (no matter how large). These films were made to be watched in a theater, as it forces you to focus on what the director wants you to see instead of seeing the entire screen all at once as on a TV or device. It is a completely different experience, deepening everything about a film — the acting, cinematography, directing, lighting, details — everything! That said, if you can't see them in a theater, see them anyway you can.
You can contact me here with questions or comments: moviebuff@pacbell.net
If you enjoy this blog, please share it. like posts, and leave comments as I’d love to know if you liked a film, an actor, and/or discovered a new favorite. I truly cherish all comments!
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