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Monday, July 8, 2013

Movies I Haven't Seen, But Should

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

When my wife and I started dating more than 20 years ago, we went to the movies all the time.  In those early years, we saw everything from Jurassic Park to Basic Instinct to Dennis the Menace.  So as you can tell, we had quite the variety.  Fast forward to marriage and children and busy lifestyles, working weekends, base ball games, dance recitals, and life in general.  We stopped going to the movies, and when we do it's usually the latest Pixar film or something else family related.  The last movie just the two of us went to was This is 40, which was appropriate as we were both facing the big birthday.

So I've been thinking about the films that I have yet to see.  Some of you will shun me for this list.  I'm actually kind of embarrassed to admit I haven't seen some of them.  I was going to do a top 5, but because number 5 includes its sequel, the list is actually 6 films.  By the way, I'm only listing films that are not currently in theaters.

The Green Mile
1.  The Green Mile: I really can't use the kid excuse for this one.  Well, I guess I technically can.  My wife was VERY close to delivering when The Green Mile was released in late 1999.  It's one of those films I've always wanted to see, but refused to ever watch on basic cable because it's something I feel like I need to watch without commercial interruptions.  The death of Michael Clarke Duncan served as a reminder that I still haven't seen this classic. (is it too soon to call it a classic?)

"I see dead people..."
2.  The Sixth Sense: This is another pre-kids release.  But a quick back story on it.  The film came out in the summer of 1999.  I had just been laid off from my job in Alabama after the station decided to end the local newscast.  With a baby on the way, hitting the movie theater fell to the low end of the totem pole.  I have heard plenty about The Sixth Sense and know how it ends, but I still really want to see it.

Silver Linings Playbook
3.  Silver Linings Playbook: I'll admit, I don't know a whole lot about this one, but there's been plenty of hype concerning it.  Some of my friends have seen it and said it was a great film.  Silver Linings Playbook and its cast has been nominated (and won) several awards, so by that alone, I should probably see it.  Another confession, I haven't seen many Best Film nominees or winners through the years, so I think it's probably time to open myself up to a wider variety of films.

Blazing Saddles
4. Blazing Saddles:  Kind of a tongue and cheek post here.  When I admitted about two years ago to my coworkers that I hadn't seen Blazing Saddles, my friend Weston quickly provided me a copy of it on DVD.  That DVD is still sitting in my closet, waiting to be played.  I haven't not made it a priority to watch, but before the end of the year (maybe the summer) I will watch it.  I've seen bits and pieces, but need to find two hours to sit down and enjoy this classic comedy.

Use the force!
5. & 6.: Star Wars Episodes II & III: I was a kid when New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi were released.  I saw all of them in the theaters and/or at the drive in.  I had the lunch boxes, action figures, and plush toys.  In the spring of 1999, I actually convinced my wife to see The Phantom Menace.  The new film didn't really hold up to the three before it.  That's part of the reason I haven't taken the time or made the effort to see the other two.  However, since I've committed myself to the Star Wars franchise as a child, it's only fair that I see Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith,  especially before Disney releases Episode VII.

So there's my list.  There are plenty more films to add, but these are the ones that immediately come to mind.  Wish me luck in seeing these before the end of the year.

1 comment:

  1. Blazing Saddles is such a CLASSIC! When you are finished, if you haven't seen History of the World Part I, rent it! Mel Brooks is fantastic!

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