Raging Bull
A film I'd been meaning to watch for ages, this is a biopic of boxer Jake LaMotta (who also acted as consultant on the film). Shot entirely in black and white, it is quite unflinching as it tells exactly what LaMotta was like as a person, including his relationships with his wife, and also his brother.
The film doesn't hold anything back from the audience, as the film portrays his eventual fall from grace. This includes how LaMotta mistreated his wife after he believed she slept with his brother, and shows how nasty he was able to be towards her. A later scene that takes place in a prison cell is particularly unsettling.
The boxing scenes themselves were amazingly choreographed, and were almost mesmerising at times. The moments when you see from LaMotta's point of view make it feel almost like you're experiencing everything he does.
I loved the cinematic style of the film, which put me in mind of Stanley Kubrick. It's probably a film I would watch again. It also managed a sort-of happy ending that made it feel like it wasn't all doom and gloom.
So, for one of the ohnotheydidnt film challenges, this was on Harvard University's suggested viewing list for cinema students, as shown on Letterboxd. Seems they have a high opinion of it, and it's easy to see why.
April 2022
8. Watch any movie with a female cinematographer.
January 2022
1. January 5th is National Bird Day, watch any movie that features a bird on the poster (some ideas).
6. Watch any movie that has been mentioned on the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
December 2021
10. Watch any movie that takes place during New Years (some options).
November 2021
7. Watch any movie that is adapted from a television show (some options).
8. Wonder what it's like to spend hundreds of thousands to go to Harvard all to get a PhD in film? Well now you can get a glimpse; watch any movie Harvard has on their suggested viewing list.
9. November is Native American Heritage Month. Watch any movie featuring a Native actor/actress.
October 2021
1. Watch any movie that features an actor/actress that has appeared in the Scream franchise.
3. Watch any horror movie directed by a woman.
7. Watch any giallo.
September 2021
7. It's September, watch any movie that features the song September by Earth Wind & Fire. I made a list with some options that is hopefully helpful, here, but I'm sure there's other options out there.
August 2021
3. Watch any movie that has featured on the How Did This Get Made podcast.
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 :(
July 2021
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).
6. On July 16th Anthony Bourdain's documentary will be released, watch any movie he's previously called one of his favorites.
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 2021
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.
May 2021
4. Watch any streaming original movie.
April 2021
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 2021
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 2021
1. Pick any top member on Letterboxd (under the members tab) and watch one of their favorite movies.
4. Watch any movie that is on the 2020 Best Picture According to Letterboxd Users list.
8. On February 4th the SAG nominations will be announced, watch any movie that has previously been nominated for Best Ensemble.