esrosedotblog

BEST?

I found out today that the New York Times 1000 Best Films has a new edition. I knew this would happen. It puts a fly in the ointment as far as my 'project' is concerned. A quick perusal of the list now shows (of course) that a lot of films produced in and since the year 2000 have made it into the pantheon. I am dubious. There was not a sudden jump in quality of world films in the new millenium. If anything, by my estimate, this has been one of the most barren periods for good movies since I was a kid and everyone was off fighting WWII.

Here is my beef. New reviewers have had at the list and, not being satisfied with making careful selections from films made since 2000, replacing only a few formerly listed films, they have gone in and revised the core listings themselves. A cursory inspection reveals that the film we saw yesterday AKIRA KUWASAWA'S DREAMS is no longer on the list but THE BANK DICK with W.C.Fields is. As I said, I am dubious. The other thing is that the new list has some items that I would immediately disagree with just in the A's!. For example they put that relentlessly awful Spielberg film A.I. in there as well as the annoying Nicholas Cage film about Charley Kaufman and the orchid man film ADAPTATION; middle brow mishmash. Jeezus. Worst, there is ABOUT SCHMIDT; fat, overblown, downwardly spiraling Nicholson. Now, I know there are a lot of people who think at least two of these clunkers are good. There may be some people who think that they are worthy of, maybe, a top ten or so list for their year, given the drab competition; but surely NO ONE THINKS that these vanity projects--all of them vehicles for a star or a director--qualify for anything like a 1000 Best Film Ever list. Yes, I know about the Oscars. (sigh)(rolling of eyes)

So I reject the Second Edition. I may go back someday, after I have completed the 1st Edition to see if there is some possible redemption for various items if not the list; but for now, I am staying with my course.

It would appear that the same rule applies to books as to films: Sequels Invariably Suck.