2025 Film Challenge

Registered User

01-29-25

Originally Posted by Takoma11

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!"

Let letterboxd be your guide. The themed list are a life saver when you're stumped. I even used it to help with the awards section.

ApexPredator

Registered User

01-31-25

Originally Posted by Jabs

Was I too bleak this year?

I find there was some balance between heavier and lighter topics, although it does skewer a bit darker in the second half of the list (maybe it was the numbers?).

But despite this (and the madness happening in RL), I'm determined to knock things out this year. Probably might sub some lighter films for the categories.

Takoma11

Registered User

01-31-25

I'm looking at the book adaptation part, and I'm seeing lots that I loved (and have already seen). So for anyone intimidated by the thousand-plus book list, here are some recommendations from the first 500 or so (I'll skim the list again later for more recs):

The Handmaiden (adaptation of Fingersmith)
The Namesake
Atonement
I'm Not Scared
Life of Pi
Under the Skin
The Hours
Veronika Decides to Die
Enduring Love
Our Lady of the Assassins
Morvern Callar
Before Night Falls
All the Pretty Horses
The Virgin Suicides
Smilla's Sense of Snow (this book is AMAZING, highly recommend it and the film)
American Psycho
Contact
Perfume
The Piano Teacher
The Color Purple
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Crash (the sexy one, not the vicariously embarrassing one about racism)

ApexPredator

Registered User

02-01-25

Originally Posted by Takoma11

So there are . . . things . . . happening right now that are making me very anxious, and I'm having trouble even thinking about the movies in this category, especially number 4:

K. The End is Nigh
[watch a film matching each of the world-ending themes below]
1. an environmental collapse film
2. a film about Artificial Intelligence Wallace And Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
3. a film concerning nuclear issues
4. a totalitarian control film

As you can see, I was able to find a light-hearted movie for the AI category. I'm looking for other films that meet the assigned themes, but that aren't total bummers and that wouldn't be too triggering in terms of stuff happening in the real world right now. Any suggestions welcome!

Maybe a tad bit late for this, but:

1. If you're looking for something lighter, maybe Wall-E or The Day After Tomorrow might fill the bill. Maybe Snowpiercer?

2. Looks like you found something already. I was planning on Big Hero 6 myself. Other options could include AfrAId, M3gan and the correctly spelled Presence.

3. Silkwood or The China Syndrome? I'd suggest Amazing Grace and Chuck for something lighthearted, but it might be a reach for what Jabs is looking for.

4. Maybe Atlas Shrugged or Toy Story 3 or even Wicked?

Takoma11

Registered User

02-01-25

Originally Posted by ApexPredator

Maybe a tad bit late for this, but:

1. If you're looking for something lighter, maybe Wall-E or The Day After Tomorrow might fill the bill. Maybe Snowpiercer?

Thanks!

I've watched all of the categories except 1, and I do plan to do Day After Tomorrow for it.

*Sky*

Registered User

02-02-25

Originally Posted by Jabs

Was I too bleak this year?

I don't think so.

Iroquois

Welcome to the human race...

02-02-25

Originally Posted by Jabs

PS. Where is @Iroquois?

who cares

__________________

Originally Posted by Yoda

I really just want you all angry and confused the whole time.

Iro's Top 100 Movies v3.0

Jabs

Msg

Also answers to Jabba

02-02-25

Originally Posted by Iroquois

who cares

Obviously I.

Are you joining us this year?

Captain Terror

Fouke-a-delic

02-03-25

Main Challenge

Nightmare Mode

@Jabs
Gimme one of those front page links, please. I abandoned this last year but am trying a new strategy this year. I'll check in every month and see what slots I've filled in the previous month. Might be more manageable for me that way. I'll post a list of 10 recs in the next couple of days.

Last edited by Captain Terror; 1 week ago at 11:17 PM.

Jabs

Msg

Also answers to Jabba

02-03-25

Done. Welcome aboard @Captain Terror!

Captain Terror

Fouke-a-delic

02-03-25

Recommendations:

The Fabulous World of Jules Verne aka Invention for Destruction 1958
The Day the Earth Caught Fire 1961
Shiva Baby 2020
A Touch of Zen 1970
The Quiet Girl 2022
PlayTime 1967
Keep an Eye Out 2018
The Blue Bird 1918
One Wonderful Sunday 1947
The Wild, Wild Planet 1966

These are some films that I've rated highly in the past couple of years. I think I've covered a wide enough spectrum to include most participants. I can help with links if some of these are hard to find.

@Jabs

__________________
Captain's Log
My Collection

Takoma11

Registered User

02-03-25

Originally Posted by Captain Terror

Shiva Baby 2020

I appreciate your whole list of recommendations, but I really loved Shiva Baby.

Captain Terror

Fouke-a-delic

02-03-25

Originally Posted by Takoma11

I appreciate your whole list of recommendations, but I really loved Shiva Baby.

As an introvert from a large family, this was harder for me to watch than the DDay scene from Private Ryan.

Jabs

Msg

Also answers to Jabba

02-04-25

Ah that feeling of being ahead of schedule for a few films because it's still only February!

Bored

Registered User

02-04-25

Went to the movies today and finished another category in the process.

M. Are we there yet?
[watch one film for each of the miscellaneous challenges listed below]
1. a film taking place in a single day - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

An all too familiar story with top-notch performances. I wish it was longer than it was for no other reason

2. a psychedelic film - Space Is the Place

A unique movie, for the most part, I liked it but I feel it requires more than 1 viewing to grasp fully.

3. a narrated film - Deep Cover

I regret waiting so long to see this movie. This is an excellent movie that doesn't get enough love amongst the 90s "hood" movies

4. a film in theaters - Companion (2025)

This wasn't going to be the movie I would here but I didn't get to see that movie yet. I went into it almost completely blind to what it was about and was more than pleasantly surprised.

On to the next...

Captain Terror