The Titfield Thunderbolt
No progress on the August ohnotheydidnt challenge, but it belatedly fulfils one requirement for July (a satirical comedy).
This film definitely would have been topical when it first came out, around the time that Dr. Beeching was shutting a lot of railway lines. The film is about a community who take over a railway line after it is threatened with closure, only for a bus company to start sabotaging their efforts.
It took me a little while to get into this one, and this definitely wasn't as good as previous Ealing comedies I had seen, but I eventually started to find the plot more engaging, and I loved the visuals, with the peaceful rural settings - it made me wish my commute to work were more like that.
1. The Olympics continue this month, watch any sports movie.
2. Watch any previous Palme d'Or winner.
3. Watch any movie that has featured on the How Did This Get Made podcast.
4. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress that has their own podcast.
5. Watch any movie that was released this year.
6. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress that started out on reality TV - a link with examples is on Letterboxd, the source is banned :(
7. Watch any movie about obsession. Thanks decemlvng for the task!
8. Watch any movie with a majority yellow poster.
9. Watch any 80's crime movie.
10. Robert Redford's birthday is August 18th, watch any one of his movies OR any movie that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
July
1. Directors sometimes hate their own movies, maybe studio interference or just plain ol' lack of talent (which they won't admit, but I'll gladly call them out for), watch any movie that has been hated on by the very director that made it (I linked ideas over at Letterboxd, but its from a banned source... so go over there for a link or google for ideas).
5. According to They Shoot Pictures, Don't They here are the top 250 directors. Watch any movie from a director that is featured in the top 100.
6. On July 16th Anthony Bourdain's documentary will be released, watch any movie he's previously called one of his favorites.
9. 20 years ago Wet Hot American Summer was released. Watch any satirical comedy.
10. Using this list find a movie you've previously seen and liked and watch a movie that is in the same row and is apparently similar to the one you've previously liked.
June
1. Pick any user who has previously participated in this challenge and watch one of their favorite movies (any movie featured in their top 4 or that they've given 5 stars). If you're not on Letterboxd, then this might be a difficult one, but here's some lists from users who have participated, you should be able to see them without having an account.
7. June 20th is Fathers Day. Watch any movie where an actor works with their real life son or daughter.
May
1. Melissa McCarthy's newest movie (Thunder Force) is a continuation of her making the bad decision to work with her husband. Watch a movie that a couple (past or present) worked on together (actor/actor, director/actor, etc.) I wanted to include some sources with names, but they're all banned sources, so use this IMDB Collaboration thing maybe. Thanks to decemlvng once again for the task (you da best)!
4. Watch any streaming original movie.
5. Watch any movie where the city is a character.
6. Watch any movie where the cinematography was done by a woman (some ideas).
April
2. Pick any movie from this list and watch the suggested companion movie (if you like the older one then watch the newer one, if you like the newer one then watch the older one).
3. Watch any movie on the 250 Essential Female Filmmakers list.
5. April 25th is the Academy Awards. Watch any short that is nominated this year or any previous year. Options: Animated, Live Action, Documentary.
March
1 and 2. Same Name, Different Movie. Watch two movies that share a name. Some ideas: here and here. Thanks to decemlvng for coming up with the task!
5. Pick any film movement and watch one of the important movies within it.
6. Martin Scorsese once again upset some Twitter folks with a recent essay. Watch any movie he mentions in the essay (to expand your options, you could watch any movie by any of the directors on the list).
February
1. Pick any top member on Letterboxd (under the members tab) and watch one of their favorite movies.
3. Watch any movie that was the most popular film the year it was released.
4. Watch any movie that is on the 2020 Best Picture According to Letterboxd Users list.
5. Watch any movie on the Top 100 Narrative Feature Films By Black Directors list.
8. On February 4th the SAG nominations will be announced, watch any movie that has previously been nominated for Best Ensemble.
10. Watch any movie that has been referenced on the show Community.