These film lists grow out of the traditional year-end motivations, but also from finally keeping a film journal since this summer. I’ve said I was going to do this for years, but now that I’m old enough to forget films I’ve seen, and along with the business of working and raising kids, it’s practical now.
Rewatched and Retired
The first movies listed here are favorites that I’m not going to include in other lists. These are films that I plan on writing about more in the future.
Godzilla (1954)
As many times as I’ve seen it, I think this was the first time I watched the Japanese version. I’ve always loved Godzilla films and my almost four-year-old daughter caught me watching it and is now obsessed with the movies and the ‘70s cartoon.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Before video rentals, when these holiday shows would come on they were events. I’m more excited about watching these shows with my own kids than I was watching them when I was younger. We got rained out this Halloween, so we rented this one.
It was really nostalgic. The voices. The music. Charlie Brown’s costume. “I got a rock.” I’ve watched this and other holiday specials throughout the years with many family members who are no longer here. It was nice connecting with my kids and reconnecting to some of my memories of being a kid.
The Grandmother (1970)
I think I was introduced to David Lynch in grade school. I believe I saw Elephant Man late at night on HBO. I’ve been hooked since. Eraserhead is one of my favorite films and the one I’ve probably seen more than any others.
I happened to watch The Grandmother again when Criterion offered a nice transfer for free online.
Jaws (1975)
I think I watch this every summer. I have an Amity Island vacation poster in the living room.
Road House (1989)
I have pieces of an essay on ‘80s masculinity and Road House that I’ll eventually put together.
The Brothers Quay Short Film Collection (2015)
Probably my favorite artists and filmmakers. I won the new Blu-Ray in a contest that involved identifying ten stills from their films. The Blu-Ray transfer is fantastic and the new content is as great as anything they’ve done. The Christopher Nolan directed Quay (2015) is fascinating in that it’s the most detailed, though brief, discussion I’ve seen the Quays give on their techniques. Their work is a continual inspiration.
The Rest
I’m never able to get out to see current films, so I doubt if I’ll ever write anything like a “year’s best.” These are simply films I liked this year. Some are here because I think they are great (Son of the White Mare) and others, though flawed, worked for me on a particular level (Session 9).
Animated
Gertie the Dinosaur (1914)
Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
The Mascot (1933)
Son of the White Mare (1981)
The Junky’s Christmas (1993)
Documentaries
4 Artists Paint 1 Tree (1958)
The Love Goddesses (1965)
Surviving Edged Weapons (1988)
Corey Haim: Me, Myself, And I (1989)
Dream Deceivers: The Story Behind James Vance vs. Judas Priest (1992)
In the Mirror of Maya Deren (2002)
Rewind This! (2013)
Dark Star: HR Giger’s World (2014)
Free the Jazz (2014)
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story (2014)
Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys (2014)
What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
Art House
Shana Moulton: Everything. One of my favorite artists and my favorite film discovery this year.
Aleph (1966)
Fuses (1964-7)
Plumb Line (1968-71)
Zorns Lemma (1970)
Hotel Monterey (1972)
They Do Not Exist (1974)
Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight (1975)
Horror / Sci-fi / VHS Weirdness
Don Dohler:
The Alien Factor (1978)
Fiend (1980)
Nightbeast (1982)
The Galaxy Invader (1985)
Blood Massacre (1988)
Blood Freak (1972)
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
Logan’s Run (1976)
Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977)
The Shout (1978)
Fascination (1979)
The Children (1980)
Inseminoid (1981)
Visitors from the Galaxy (1981)
Deadly Prey (1987)
Creating Rem Lezar (1989)
Session 9 (2001)
Primer (2004)
The Descent (2005)
The Triangle (2009)
Absentia (2011)
Everything Else
Dr. Mabuse, The Gambler (1922)
Foolish Wives (1922)
The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Pickpocket (1959)
Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)
Daisies (1966)
Donkeyskin (1970)
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Empire of Passion (1978)
Camera Buff (1979)
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
The Dead (1987)
The Double Life of Veronique (1991)
Tree of Life (2011)
Stephen McClurg 