100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(99/100)~

A frequently powerful and starkly shot slice of Italian neo-realism thats weakest aspect is actually its most recognizable aspect - the titular organizer played by Marcello Mastroianni. I typically like him a lot, but he overacts here and stands out like a sore thumb. The narrative would have been a lot more organic if it wasn't like a Western with its hero entering from nowhere half an hour in. Nevertheless, some great sequences, it's just the film's sense of character that holds it back.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(98/100)~

The letterboxd synopsis really overstates the 'turmoil' the boys' silence puts the neighborhood in. It's a super gentle film - to a fault. I got very very little out of it and didn't care for any of the characters one bit. At least it looks and sounds nice. It's just the script is useless and thematically flimsy. The endless fart jokes were not cute.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(97/100)~

This feels very, very relevant.

The only thing that held me back was the mystery of the motive... but it all comes together by the end. This has a dazzling creative vision and an absolutely reprehensible leading performance you love to hate. Who's crazy? The psychopath or the system? Brilliantly unconventional thriller that manages to be quirky and sinister in a unique way. The only example I can think of where the victim wants to murdered and the killer wants to be caught yet justice can't prevail.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(96/100)~

From the first scene onwards this is one delightfully oddball movie. I'd only started to hear about it this year but the only things I heard was ion, and it's easy to see. There's a lot of brilliant sequences, scenes and moments, but it's dragged down by misguided creative flourishes and superfluous vignettes. As entertaining as a couple of them were, I would've preferred if the story stuck strictly to Tampopo and allowed that story to blossom more instead. Still, a thoroughly great film.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(94/100)~

Actually kind of pleasantly surprised by this. I'm pretty fickle when it comes to Asian cinema, but the film entirely lives in a fantasyland anyway. Magnificent visuals, that expressive mask still haunts 50 years later. It's the final 10 minutes that really seals the brilliant ironies of the film, but man it gets dark before that point anyway.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(93/100)~

That feeling when you know you're watching a masterpiece. The central dilemma of the third act is incredible, and expert way the film juggles its tones yet feels original is to be marveled at. Really loved this powerful film.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(92/100)~

Certainly one of the most entertaining Akira Kurosawa films - but that comes with the territory when it's setting the formula for buddy cop movies that would provide the most entertaining films of the 80s and so on. Techs are on point, but there's much too focus on the look and editing of the film than the substance, which stretches the theme of responsibility too far.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(91/100)~

Didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I'm pretty fickle with horror movies, but the cinematic gloss of The Innocents combined with the ineffable charm of its (kind-of) cheesy dialogue and the conviction of its cast makes it a thoroughly engaging, spooky and emotional archetypal horror classic. Loved Deborah Kerr and her young co-stars. It's the ultimate 'scary kids' movie, and with hardly a drop of blood.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(90/100)~

Damn, what a gorgeous movie. It really conjures mysterious nostalgia well. I just wish that I connected with it a little more, or perhaps a little more development on that inner conflict between the girl's father and grandfather. It still operates very well on its implications. Love the way the backgrounds are almost always darkened.... like lost in memory.

Only 10 more to go in my project! This was a good idea. I used to see no more than 20 classics a year. I plan on watching these asap.

100 Classics to See in 2017 ~(89/100)~

Been meaning to see this for a while now. I don't think I've ever seen Alan Arkin this young but damn does he do slime well. Audrey Hepburn is reliably terrific too. It's a deliciously entertaining film but it's hard not to be held back from its theatrics and unnecessarily convoluted plot.