Have you ever pushed yourself? I mean, really push to finish a goal?? What if that goal was to watch 100 films. Easy right??? For this prestige TV fan, it proved way more difficult than I could ever imagine.
Since mid 2024, and for the most part of the year I’ve been working on this challenge I have time, and wanted to explore and embrace cinema, you know, the good suff. I had acquired a taste for it with a Criterion Channel subscription but wanted to delve a bit deeper.
For novices, the Criterion Channel is intimidating! I wish they had an introductory series like “INTRO TO CINEMA” and have one of their personalities to gently walk you into the pool. I think it’s a tall order; cinema is way too vast; it’s like an ocean baby.
CHALLENGE
Watch all the films of the BFI 100 Greatest Films of All time (Directors’ List). Any previously viewed films could be struck off. LINK TO LIST Directors’ 100 Greatest Films of All Time | BFI
METHOD
Printed out the list. Strike off the seen films (about 30) and then begin to whittle away the list.
I had no plan, no goals and at times got stuck in ruts because DUDE some of these films are grim or deep AF.
CHALLENGES
About a month into the challenge I got rid of my Criterion channel subscription. Why? When I first subscribed, I binged on the stuff I had always wanted to see, and after that initial rush, I retreated to my cozy and safe prestige tv cave. Also, I’m thrifty and thought I could get them all for free on other platforms.
FEARS
There are a couple LONG ASS FILMS, and I’m not sure about you but my attention span is fried. I need to get that back and am hoping this challenge/experiment will help to do as such.
RESULT
I took my time and explored adjacent films, exploring this new world, and learning about directors, styles, techniques and artistic movements within film, I was hooked.
As I write and you read, I have a deep appreciation for film as art, folks some of this stuff is out of this world. I cannot express the joys I’ve had discovering new films and experiencing new perspectives.
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?????
I want to convince you to start your own exploratory journey into this vibrant art form.
When I talk about the challenge in conversation, it ALWAYS falls flat. ALWAYS. Am I not articulating properly? Is there way too much to convey? People glaze over. Is it because I sound pretentious, and come across as a filmbro? There’s value in this list, seriously, and experiencing the films, and that is what I’m trying to work out, and learn how to properly convey.