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At the end of every year, throughout the month of December I have the ubiquitous “top ten” list conversations with many friends. I admit I have never really understood the desire to create one, which is not to say I haven’t made a few of my own. A list such as this seems to be much more telling about the person who made it. However, I wonder if it is really as “telling” as one may think. It only tells the reader what one liked without telling us the totality of what one has engaged in. A reader isn’t offered the larger picture of discriminating (or indiscriminating) behavior and practice. It would be an interesting study to compare all of one particular art form someone has engaged with to what is selected as part of a top ten and why. Now that I have briefly discussed my perspectives on top ten lists, I am – yes, you guessed it - offering a list. However, this is not a top ten list. It is a list of my favorite film discoveries of 2007 and it is not a top ten.
I should preface this list by stating that I do not see enough newly released movies during the year to either warrant a “top 10” list or make it possible to actually have ten to choose from. The reasons for not seeing a lot of new releases at the theater are many, including what/why movies actually get released, time, and money. Most importantly, there are so many films over the last 12 decades that truly need to be seen and experienced. It is in the exploration of the films that have shaped this art form that I choose to spend my time, money, and mental/emotional engagement. Hence, this list of favorite discoveries in 2007 as opposed to a top ten 2007 release list. Favorite Film Discoveries of 2007 (listed by date viewed beginning January 2007) Kiss Me Deadly (1955 Robert Aldrich) Fanny and Alexander (1982 Ingmar Bergman) Repulsion (1965 Roman Polanski) – This is not a new discovery but I had such a great experience with my third time seeing it that it deserves to be on this list as a renewed discovery of 2007. The Spirit of the Beehive (1973 Victor Erice) Tape (2001 Richard Linklater) High School (1968 Frederick Wiseman) Grey Gardens (1975 Albert Maysles/David Maysles) The Gleaner's and I (2000 Agnes Varda) Monsieur Verdoux (1947 Charles Chaplin) 28 Up (1985 Michael Apt) However, it is best when viewed with the entire series. (7 installments) The Man with a Camera (1929 Dziga Vertov) The House is Black (1963 Forugh Farrokhzad) - another rediscovery I am thankful for. Grizzly Man (2005 Werner Herzog) As enjoyable as it is to sit in a theater watching a new release – as long as you are not in the front row - I would like to encourage everyone to look deeper than the multiplex, film festivals, or the familiar ticket selling stars to help determine what to watch. Travel outside your comfort zone and the formulaic story structure of Hollywood. Stepping outside of the box begins to level the playing field of your cinematic experience allowing you to explore a broader perspective of the filmic world and the way life is represented. You can experience the history of film through the works and decisions of the artists that have created the world of cinema.
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