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Looking for FB input on the "I Just Watched..." Project
  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Last year, I kept a list of every movie I watched for the entire year: I watched 407 movies, 345 of which were unique titles (read: not a lot of repeat views, though I did have 8 viewings of Idiocracy in there).

    This year, I am trying to top 500 unique titles (as of Jan 20, 2009 I have already viewed approximately 43 unique titles, so I'm well on my way).

    But I'm calling on my fellow Fancy Bastards for help with this project.

    PLEASE recommend a movie to me (if it's on Netflix, all the better, but if you know it's going to be airing on basic cable or on the HBO/Encore/Starz movie channels, that works for me too, as do movies that are out in theaters).

    I don't care if it's a classic, excellent movie, or the shittiest hour and a half ever committed to celluloid. If it's a movie, I want to watch it.

    For those interested in following the progress of the project, I've got a twitter account dedicated to it: @ijustwatched. Updates are posted each time I finish watching something (hence "I Just Watched...").

    Being a bit of a research nerd (by hobby and profession), I'm tracking the following: what method I used to view it (ie: in theater, netflix, d/l, DVR'd recording from a broadcast net, etc), whether or not I've seen the movie prior to this year, whether or not I've already watched the movie this calendar year, and if it's recommended to me, by whom. At the end of each month, I'll be sharing selected stats on the twitter.

    So please, I implore you, aid me on this ridiculous quest. And thanks :)

  • FerrosFerros January 2009

    What have you already watched? Wouldn't it be better if we weren't recommending repeats. Last night i just watched Monster Camp, a documentary about LARPing that wasn't bad, give that a go.

  • Locke+Cole117Locke Cole117 January 2009

    I really, really enjoyed Lord of War, despite all the flaws that become apparent with multiple views.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: FerrosWhat have you already watched? Wouldn't it be better if we weren't recommending repeats.Never go with a hippie to a second location.


    Everything I've watched so far this year is listed at @ijustwatched. I haven't publicly listed the 2008 list yet, I need to clean it up for public consumption and find somewhere to post the whole thing, but I'll update this post when that happens.

    Monster Camp has been added to the netflix queue, thanks Ferros!

    Also, Lord of War has been added to the queue, thanks Locke Cole117!

  • FerrosFerros January 2009

    See now the thing is do we take this in a FB direction and start recommending stuff like Manos hands of fate and Plan 9 from Outer Space or do we take it easy on you and recommend stuff that's actually watchable. Throw Ping Pong Playa and Taken on the pile, watched those recently, Ping Pong Playa is ok, but Taken is awesome.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    I've watched "Streets of Fire" and "Cool as Ice" back to back (last year's list). If you don't know either of those, look them up, but I'll tell you right now that's a MotorcycleExplosion of crappitude, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. Plus one of those stars Vanilla Ice - I'll let you figure out which one.

    I'm REALLY not picky about movies. I'll watch the good, I'll watch the bad. The only place I'm iffy is horror, I can't watch those alone. But in general, you'd be surprised at how many "good" movies people recommend to me that I've never seen.

  • Llama_BillLlama_Bill January 2009

    I'll be keeping my good eye on this (my good eye is at the start of Ian), I'll recommend Eden Lake and Shaun of the Dead.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: Llama_BillI'll be keeping my good eye on this (my good eye is at the start of Ian), I'll recommendEden LakeandShaun of the Dead.


    Eden Lake's been added to the netflix queue, so thanks for that! I've seen (and LOVE) Shaun of the Dead, that's always good for a repeat viewing in my book (as I haven't watched it yet in 2009, it would count towards my unique title count). I'll probably be saving that one for later on in the year, though.

  • KristiKristi January 2009

    I have no idea if it's any good, but I just added "Bubba Ho-Tep" to my netflix.... Bruce Campbell plays Elvis in a nursing home and fights mummies. Seems worth a watch. I also recommend "In Bruges" if you haven't seen it.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: KristiI have no idea if it's any good, but I just added "Bubba Ho-Tep" to my netflix.... Bruce Campbell plays Elvis in a nursing home and fights mummies. Seems worth a watch. I also recommend "In Bruges" if you haven't seen it.


    "Bubba Ho-Tep"!! This SHOULD be on my netflix queue, and yet when I went to check I saw it wasn't there, so I'm definitely adding it!

    "In Bruges" was actually the very first movie I watched in 2009!

    Thanks for the recommendations :)

  • John+DarcJohn Darc January 2009

    This is actually quite an interesting project, coming from a film enthusiast/prospective cinema major.

  • FerrosFerros January 2009

    If you liked Shaun of the dead then you've gotta go Hot Fuzz, the next Pegg, Frost, Wright movie.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: John DarcThis is actually quite an interesting project, coming from a film enthusiast/prospective cinema major.Move over, bananas! I've got a new source of potassium!


    Prospective cinema major, very exciting! I've got a Masters' in Television/Radio/Film but my focus was Television (and that's where my true passion lies), so the prospect of tracking my film viewing instead of my tv viewing is an interesting one for me.

  • RerunRerun January 2009

    All of the Wes Anderson movies or, at the very least, The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore...

  • DramDram January 2009

    You've probably seen a few if not all of these but here goes my highest recommendations. LIT and STF are by far the best of the bunch, but they're all amazing.

    Little Miss Sunshine
    Howl's Moving Castle
    1980s video version of The Pirates of Penzance
    Lost In Translation
    Stranger Than Fiction

    Damnit, now I have to watch Lost In Translation right now. Damn Joel for recommending it so many moons ago.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Ferros: Hot Fuzz will probably get watched again some time this year, but not likely unless it pops up on cable and I'm bored. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as Shaun.

    Rerun: I once made it halfway through Royal Tenenbaums - maybe this is the year I actually finish watching it?

    Dram: Thanks for the recommendations! For Pirates of Penzance, do you know who's in that one? There's a couple different ones that came out in the 80s and I'm curious which you are recommending.

  • RerunRerun January 2009

    Posted By: DramYou've probably seen a few if not all of these but here goes my highest recommendations. LIT and STF are by far the best of the bunch, but they're all amazing.

    Little Miss Sunshine
    Howl's Moving Castle
    1980s video version of The Pirates of Penzance
    Lost In Translation
    Stranger Than Fiction

    Damnit, now I have to watch Lost In Translation right now. Damn Joel for recommending it so many moons ago.Rimshot: The shit baby was malformed, and in that time there was only one thing to do with the miscreated: leave them to the wolves.


    Haha, me too. Damn you for reminding me. Stranger Than Fiction is incredible, I second that. Also, fuck Howl's Moving Castle, just watch all the Ghibli films (especially My Neighbor Totoro)...

  • FerrosFerros January 2009

    Stranger Than Fiction is the best date movie ever. Invite a girl over for dinner and a movie pop that in and you'll be getting some action before the end of the evening.

  • Llama_BillLlama_Bill January 2009

    Some fancy bastard reminded me to say Hard Candy. The trailer makes me want to see the movie again so bad, I think the trailer is better after you've seen the movie.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: Llama_BillSome fancy bastard reminded me to sayHard Candy. The trailer makes me want to see the movie again so bad, I think the trailer is better after you've seen the movie.


    Watched Hard Candy twice last year, without having ever seen the trailer... I think I have to watch the trailer now though to see quite what you mean!

  • kertapkertap January 2009

    I'm going with some oldies. I watched The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at the end of last year and thought it was amazing.

    I watched The Warriors last week. That movie made me want to create a gang, it was brilliant.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: kertapI'm going with some oldies. I watched The Good, The Bad and The Ugly at the end of last year and thought it was amazing.

    I watched The Warriors last week. That movie made me want to create a gang, it was brilliant.


    Two movies I haven't seen - added to the list. Thanks kertap!

  • ArcysArcys January 2009

    Eli mentioned this once... The Pixar Story. It's available for your Instant Queue on Netflix. I was in awe the whole entire time I watched it.

    I've had a massive Mary McDonnell boner lately. So for that comes Dances With Wolves and Donnie Darko.
    Dances is classic gold, while Darko leaves you with a "What the flying fuck?!" feeling with a slight "It could have been better" aftertaste.

    "This is the earth. And this is Pinky. You can tell the difference quite easily. One is a lump of inert matter hurtling blindly through the void. The other... is the earth." -The Brain
  • Mike+BradyMike Brady January 2009

    My mom would disown me if I didn't recommend "Stand and Deliver" starring a younger Eddie James Olmos as the first calculus teacher at an underserved SoCo latino high school.

    HBO recently made a documentary called "Resolved" about national-level high school debate. I found it suprisingly interesting, partly because I didn't realize debate was about trying to out-Micro Machine the Micro Machine guy.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    I've seen The Pixar Story, I think it was on Starz last month (most stuff on Starz is also on the Instant Play on Netflix, apparently). In fact if I recall correctly I watched it with JonnyAce!

    Posted By: ArcysI've had a massive Mary McDonnell boner lately. So for that comesDances With WolvesandDonnie Darko.
    Dances is classic gold, while Darko leaves you with a "What the flying fuck?!" feeling with a slight "It could have been better" aftertaste.


    Dances with Wolves, I haven't seen in so long I can hardly remember anything other than the character "Stands With A Fist", because her name was Christine. And I'm Christine. And I have tiny fists of fury. It's going on the queue right now, and it's going to be epic.

    Also, I think I'll throw the directors cut of Donnie Darko on there, because I'm interested to see what the difference is.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: Mike BradyMy mom would disown me if I didn't recommend "Stand and Deliver" starring a younger Eddie James Olmos as the first calculus teacher at an underserved SoCo latino high school.

    HBO recently made a documentary called "Resolved" about national-level high school debate. I found it suprisingly interesting, partly because I didn't realize debate was about trying to out-Micro Machine the Micro Machine guy.


    I've never seen Stand and Deliver, so I'll definitely check that out. And Resolved sounds interesting, I'll see if it's available to me somehow! Thanks!

  • FerrosFerros January 2009

    If you're going to watch The good, the bad and the ugly you should probably watch the first two movies in the so called Man with no name trilogy. Starts with A Fistful of Dollars, then For a Few Dollars More and finished with The good, the bad and the ugly.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: FerrosIf you're going to watch The good, the bad and the ugly you should probably watch the first two movies in the so called Man with no name trilogy. Starts with A Fistful of Dollars, then For a Few Dollars More and finished with The good, the bad and the ugly.Never go with a hippie to a second location.


    Thanks for the protip. Noted!

  • RerunRerun January 2009

    Oh, oh! My favourite movie, period - Harold and Maude. Incredible!

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: RerunOh, oh! My favourite movie, period - Harold and Maude. Incredible!


    I NEED to rewatch Harold and Maude! Thank you!!!

  • SeanSean January 2009

    One of my favorite underrated movies of all time is "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". It can be a little tough to find, but it's worth it. Steve Martin stars "along with" a mashup of clips from Bogart/Grant/Bergman films cut together to make a new movie.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: SeanOne of my favorite underrated movies of all time is "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". It can be a little tough to find, but it's worth it. Steve Martin stars "along with" a mashup of clips from Bogart/Grant/Bergman films cut together to make a new movie.


    Netflix is a godsend. It's on there, and has been added to my queue. Your description has me sold!

  • KristiKristi January 2009

    Posted By: Dram1980s video version of The Pirates of Penzance


    Are you thinking "The Pirate Movie"? Cuz that's wonderfully bad. It's like Pirates, but some bad 80's music and hair. Definitely on my "so bad it's good" list.

    Also, if you're interested in older movies "Charade" is great. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, and the movie is way ahead of its time. Very underrated. Also under old bad movie musicals, "Paint Your Wagon" has Clint Eastwood attempting to sing.

    And for the Browncoats, "Slither" is a great cheesy horror flick staring nathan Fillion. I'm sure most of you have seen it already. Watch the gag reel and the extras on the dvd, definitely worth it.

    I could go on, I'm a bit of a movie nut....

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: KristiAre you thinking "The Pirate Movie"? Cuz that's wonderfully bad. It's like Pirates, but some bad 80's music and hair. Definitely on my "so bad it's good" list.

    Bad 80's music and hair? SO sold on this.


    Also, if you're interested in older movies "Charade" is great. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, and the movie is way ahead of its time. Very underrated.

    I must say I'm lacking in older/classic films, and have never seen this. Consider it added.

    Also under old bad movie musicals, "Paint Your Wagon" has Clint Eastwood attempting to sing.

    There's no such thing as a bad movie musical. Not in my world. Plus this would make me feel a lot better about Clint Eastwood, after his butchering of the adaptation of one of my favorite books.

    And for the Browncoats, "Slither" is a great cheesy horror flick staring nathan Fillion. I'm sure most of you have seen it already. Watch the gag reel and the extras on the dvd, definitely worth it.

    At times I feel I'm in the minority, what with not being a Browncoat... but as a Nathan Fillion fan I'll have to check this out. I'll try to remember to watch the gag reel, etc.

    I could go on, I'm a bit of a movie nut....

    Please do!

  • ArcysArcys January 2009

    If you want something completely horrid... may I suggest Mystery Men starring Ben Stiller and William H Macy? It would have been better if they replaced Macy with just his mustache.

    "This is the earth. And this is Pinky. You can tell the difference quite easily. One is a lump of inert matter hurtling blindly through the void. The other... is the earth." -The Brain
  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: ArcysIf you want something completely horrid... may I suggestMystery Menstarring Ben Stiller and William H Macy? It would have been better if they replaced Macy with just his mustache.


    Oh don't be so cruel. Mystery Men isn't completely horrid. Just... misguided!

  • BillBill January 2009

    Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The end.

    "Never hold your farts in. They travel up your spine and into your brain, and that's where you get shitty ideas from." - Unknown
  • TarmanydynTarmanydyn January 2009

    If there's one movie I just had to recommend, it's Primer. Go see it if you haven't already, it may top out Idiocracy in terms of repeated viewings.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: BillDark CrystalandLabyrinth.

    Admitting right now that I've never seen either of these, despite the endless jokes I've made about the prominence of Bowie's junk in Labyrinth. Added.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: Tarmanydynit may top out Idiocracy in terms of repeated viewings.

    That's scary, considering how many times I watched Idiocracy last year.

    Then again, I've seen "Jurassic Park" over 1000 times (this is not an exaggeration).

    Added!

  • RerunRerun January 2009

    Posted By: JustChristine
    Posted By: Tarmanydynit may top out Idiocracy in terms of repeated viewings.

    Then again, I've seen "Jurassic Park" over 1000 times (this is not an exaggeration).

    Added!@ijustwatched: "I Just Watched...", the 2009 Movie Watching Project. Help me watch 500+ unique titles!


    The theme gives me goosebumps every time...

  • TarmanydynTarmanydyn January 2009

    Posted By: JustChristine
    Posted By: Tarmanydynit may top out Idiocracy in terms of repeated viewings.

    That's scary, considering how many times I watched Idiocracy last year.

    Then again, I've seen "Jurassic Park" over 1000 times (this is not an exaggeration).

    Added!@ijustwatched: "I Just Watched...", the 2009 Movie Watching Project. Help me watch 500+ unique titles!


    I should note that you'll probably have repeated viewings, not because it's a particularly fun movie to watch, it's just that it's a complete mindjob. And the movie is not afraid of leaving the viewer 2 steps behind with the plot, and once you finally figure out what's going on, it's another thing entirely trying to make sense of it all.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: TarmanydynI should note that you'll probably have repeated viewings, not because it's a particularlyfunmovie to watch, it's just that it's a complete mindjob. And the movie is not afraid of leaving the viewer 2 steps behind with the plot, and once you finally figure out what's going on, it's another thing entirely trying to make sense of it all.


    Well then I definitely look forward to it! My brain could use a good exercising after some of the crap I've watched this month.

  • denisedenise January 2009

    Gone with the Wind. Although I am one of *those* people that annoyingly insist the book is always better than the movie, in this case they are about on equal ground. Do set aside an entire afternoon for this one though, it's quite a doozy.

    Singing in the Rain. The ending is a bit strange but the movie itself will make you understand why Gene Kelly was such a heartthrob despite the pastel colored shirts and all the fancy footwork. He's so dreamy!

    Princess Bride. This should be an absolute no brainer but in case you have been living in a cave, under a rock on a different planet, this is an absolute REQUIREMENT.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: deniseGone with the Wind. Although I am one of *those* people that annoyingly insist the book is always better than the movie, in this case they are about on equal ground. Do set aside an entire afternoon for this one though, it's quite a doozy.

    I'm one of those people too, most of the time, so I take your word that the film is on par with the book. I've never set aside an entire afternoon for just one movie (on the weekends sometimes I do 6-7 movies a day!), so that would be quite a task.

    Singing in the Rain. The ending is a bit strange but the movie itself will make you understand why Gene Kelly was such a heartthrob despite the pastel colored shirts and all the fancy footwork. He's so dreamy!

    Another movie I'm almost ashamed to admit I haven't seen, it will promptly be added to my list.

    Princess Bride. This should be an absolute no brainer but in case you have been living in a cave, under a rock on a different planet, this is an absolute REQUIREMENT.

    Princess Bride is always good for another viewing... haven't watched it yet this year, so it's going on the list.

    Thanks Denise!

  • DramDram January 2009

    Posted By: denise
    Singing in the Rain. The ending is a bit strange but the movie itself will make you understand why Gene Kelly was such a heartthrob despite the pastel colored shirts and all the fancy footwork. He's so dreamy!

    Oh god, I wanted to marry his tap shoes the last time I saw it. I was raised on that movie.

  • KristiKristi January 2009

    I thought of another one.... if you like Shakespeare, there is a really great version of "Richard III" with Ian McKellan, set in WWII. Also the Reduced Shakespeare Company's Complete Works of Shakespeare is great for a laugh. They cover every single play and sonnet. Plus they perform Hamlet backwards in 5 minutes. it's acutally a recording of a stage play, so I'm not sure it counts.....

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: KristiReduced Shakespeare Company's Complete Works of Shakespeare is great for a laugh. They cover every single play and sonnet. Plus they perform Hamlet backwards in 5 minutes. it's acutally a recording of a stage play, so I'm not sure it counts.....

    If I can find it to watch, then I will count it (granted there's a possibility it would have an * next to it due to the possibility that it could not be considered an actual movie). I really just want to see Hamlet backwards in 5 minutes.

    Also adding Richard III, thanks :)

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Posted By: JustChristineIf I can find it to watch, then I will count it (granted there's a possibility it would have an * next to it due to the possibility that it could not be considered an actual movie). I really just want to see Hamlet backwards in 5 minutes.


    It's on Netflix, so I will count it as a movie. Done and done.

  • JustChristineJustChristine January 2009

    Unique Titles Watched in 2008

    This link goes to an alphabetical list of all 345 unique titles I watched last year, as promised earlier.

  • HeronSilverHeronSilver January 2009

    Some favorites of mine, though by no means comprehensive... I didn't see any of these on your list from last year

    The Name of the Rose - Yay! Sean Connery! Young Christian Slater... Based on the Umberto Ecco book - very good
    The Three Musketeers - The Dinsey live action one... Despite being Disney I think it's a great movie. Plus, Tim Curry as the villain!
    Dangerous Liaisons - Glen Close and John Malkovich... A good watch
    Andy Goldsworthy: Rivers and Tides - an engaging documentary about an amazing artist
    Curse of the Golden Flower - Talk about a dysfunctional family...
    Hero - Even if you don't particularly love Jet Li in a period kung fu piece this movie is worth a watch. The costuming and story telling are pretty great.
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Another great Asian period tale
    Spaceballs - Geekatude at it's funniest!

    Okay... I'll stop for now or I'll spend all afternoon trying to think up movies I really like :) I apologize for the mangling of any proper names ;)

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