2025 Film Challenge

Maybe the Death of Stalin for #4? Comedy from the creator of Veep.

Already seen it. The Great Dictator was the other one that popped into my head, but also seen that one.

I am looking for something more comedic/light, which is a bit challenging given the category.

Ooh, or maybe I need something really fictional/sci-fi? Like Equilibrium?

Anyone have opinions on Equals? Is it finally time for me to watch The Clonus Horror?

It is NEVER time to watch the Clonus Horror.

If you really want to cheat you can watch The Death of Stalinism in Bohemia which is just a 10 minute collage type of thing from Jan Svankmajer. Available on YouTube.

Another category in the books. This one was a good batch. All of which are 1st views.
D. I coulda been a... European contender:
[watch a film that has won the following European awards]
1. Cannes Film Festival - Secrets & Lies (1996) / Palme d’Or / Best Actress / Prize of the Ecumenical Jury I feel it's way better than I rated it. I just couldn't get around how the daughter and mother could be related.

2. Venice International Film Festival - Sweet Country (2017) / Special Jury Prize This is probably my favorite of the category. I never knew that "meat pie westerns" were a thing and wouldn't be surprised if this is 1 of 1.

3. Berlin International Film Festival - The Defiant Ones (1958) / Silver Bear for Best Actor It took me a few tries to get through it because I was exhausted, but it was an excellent film. At this rate I should just use Sidney Potier for the Nightmare mode. This is my 3rd movie starring him this year. I think 6th in the past 3 months. He's good.

4. Locarno Film Festival - Carmen Jones (1954) / Golden LeopardDorothy Dandridge carried this movie but Pearl Bailey was my favorite in this one.

On to the next...

Temptinggggggggggggggg . . .

Now is a never time! Wait . . .

I really liked all of them! Blue Velvet was my favourite but they were all very close!

I feel you. Just got through Gone with the Wind for the 'political turmoil' category and the revulsion I'm feeling is hard to contain.

I will also be watching Gone with the Wind for the first time. It's part of the 34th HoF. I'm filing it as one of Ebert's Great Movies.

I just watched Einstein and the Bomb for the nuclear category (and did quite like it). That just leaves environmental collapse and totalitarianism. You know, the light topics.

And I haven't even gotten to poverty, urban crime, political turmoil, or female suppression yet!

Was I too bleak this year?

Not entirely but it certainly veers into it. Especially with the top 2 categories are festive and positive.

I like my films downbeat and bleak.
Break my heart. Make me cry. Make me sad.

Maybe a smidge, lol.

But as we're discussing, there are ways to get around it being too close to real life. For example, it can be a film with a fictional tyrant.

Would V for Vendetta be a suitable #4? Maybe you can find movies with big payoff at the finale, for hope's sake.

I've already seen it, sadly.

And I agree that a film featuring triumph over tyranny would be very welcome.

@Takoma11

I figured you probably did. But I hope the suggestion can open up some ideas of what you could watch.

I think it's easier to find easier-to-digest movies under the Environmental Collapse and A.I. segments.

Environmental Collapse gives you a lot of choices for action movies like Fury Road or any Mad Max Movie, Book of Eli, or Snowpiercer. If you want something '"light-hearted" there Wall-E, even though that one tugs at me a bit. I heard good things about Love and Monsters.

You already got the A.I. one done, but I would say that Big Hero 6 was good lol and Chappie is a choice

For #4, you can also watch Mockingjay Part 2 or Metropolis

The only one I struggle with is Nuclear Issues, which I think is the bleakest of all. You may have to buckle down on that one.

If all else fails, go to letterboxd, type a theme in the search bar, and look up lists, those usually help me out.

I forgot to mention Sorry To Bother You for #4. It fits under economic tyranny, and it is a trip of a watch. Another is They Cloned Tyrone is also a comedy about tyranny. It's one of my recommendations.

Thank you!

For the nuclear category, I watched Einstein and the Bomb which was, yes, bleak, but also hopeful.

For the tyranny/totalitarian one, I'm looking at: What Happened to Monday?, Equals,, or, yes, The Clonus Horror (Sorry, Stillmellow!).

Love and Monsters is one I haven't seen yet, and someone else recommended The Day After Tomorrow.

Also, every time I search "tyranny" on IMDb it's like "Did you mean 'Tyrannosaurus Rex'?" and I'm like "I wish that's what I meant!"

Ooh, I've seen Sorry to Bother You, but They Cloned Tyrone has been on my watchlist. Sounds perfect, thanks!

I’ll second Love and Monsters.*
Nothing great but it has its moments.