My Movies, My Thoughts
In an effort to get back into the habit of writing, and in preparation for working on loftier writing goals, I have decided to embark on a writing exercise that pairs my long love of movie watching with journaling. An English major by training and a movie lover by practice, I thought I’d start with what I know and love.
I invite you to join me on my journey. Watch the movies. Write about your thoughts: How does the movie make you feel? What does it make you think? What makes this movie stand out as one of the “best of” all time?
The List
After reviewing several “best of” movie lists, I chose as the focus of my little writing project the movies listed on AFI’s "100 Years 100 Movies, the 10th Anniversary Edition." I decided this list was most appealing in that it is composed of many movies that I have loved, and also ones that I have wanted to see but have never taken the time to watch. I will watch, review and write about each of the 100 movies on the list. I'm excited about this journey, partly because I'm not sure where it will take me!
The AFI list was originally completed in 1997 and updated in 2007. I am focusing on the revised list, however I may choose, from time to time, to add a movie from the original "100 Years" list. You may find the list of AFI’s movies by following this link: http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx . You may even download your own movie checklist to help you in checking movies off and rating them as you watch along with me! The AFI website also features other "100 Years" lists, including such lists as "100 Passions" and "100 Laughs," which I may choose to select from as well.
I make lists…lists for the normal things like groceries and supplies, as well as “to do’s” for work, but also for goals. One of my goals this year is to write my first book. If it’s on the list, then I’m going to do my best to check it off! Which is how I came to land on blogging…something I never really thought about doing before.
My “Best Of” Movie List
One of the first things that I did after I read the AFI list aloud to my fiancé Brian, was to begin writing my own favorite movie list…on a napkin at Mama Bear’s Pizzaria in Bloomington! Brian has agreed to watch all the movies with me, and as we love to see movies together, I’m glad to have a partner in my efforts.
The following is my list and Brian's—some are favorites from childhood—some are movies that are tied to a special time in our lives--others are simply the ones that we love to watch over and over:
Karen’s list:
Wizard of Oz (my favorite since the first time I watched it on television)
Sound of Music
Gone with the Wind
Shawshank Redemption
Brigadoon
Rear Window
Vertigo
North by Northwest
Harry Potter (all, but the first is the best)
Lord of the Rings (all)
Matrix (all)
Indiana Jones (all, but The Last Crusade is the best)
Miracle on 34th Street (the original)
Wurthering Heights
Quiet Man
Harvey
Brian’s List:
Shawshank Redemption
Forest Gump
Princess Bride
Driving Miss Daisy
Rocky
Caddyshack
Castaway
It’s a Wonderful Life
Dirty Harry
Groundhog Day
The Jerk
Smokey and the Bandit
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