Written by Michael Napoli
Earlier this week, I posted my the
first half of 50 films that I sent to the library of Congress that I
would like to see preserved. Now, may I present the other 25 that I
asked for recognition.
26. Sounder (1974)
Based of the classic children's novel, Sounder emerged at a time when black films were breaking through the mainstream. A film not only about the black experience, but a family one too. One of the most underrated films ever.
27. Superman (1978)
Essentially, the first big budget superhero film, cementing the late Christopher Reeve as the iconic man of steel. Remarkable special effects as well as the well known theme composed by the great John Williams.
28. The Atomic Cafe (1981)
Complied completely of footage during the Cold War, The Atomic Cafe is viewed as one the most important documentaries ever. By using archival footage to it's advantage, the war has never been so terrifyingly funny.
29. Stop Making Sense (1984)
During a three day period, Jonathan Demme gives life this innovative concert film showcasing Talking Heads. With its long shots, lack of audience shots, and use of digital audio recording techniques, it's study of the performers themselves more less the show itself.
30. Style Wars (1984)*
There are only so many films that capture the essence of the time. Blackboard Jungle defined the 50's, Style Wars defines the 1980's with the growth of the hip hop culture.
31. The Breakfast Club (1985)
A classic in every way. The John Hughes movie is clearly one of the definitive movies of the 1980's.
32. Blue Velvet (1986)
A completely surreal film brought to you by David Lynch. We see suburban American and the secrets, mystery, violence and sex that lives within it. At the very root of it is Frank Booth.
33. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
My opinion, Woody Allen's best film next to Annie Hall. Rich in dialogue and character, Hannah and Her Sisters reminds us why Allen is one of leading philosophical minds in film.
34. Your Face (1987)**
Independent animator Bill Plymton delights with this offbeat piece that showcases his humor and simplistic, charming style.
35. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
I cannot praise this movie enough. With groundbreaking technology allowing cartoons and humans to live in the same world, it's the absolute ode to our childhood fantasy.
36. Roger & Me (1989)
Roger & Me introduces us to Michael Moore. The controversial activist gives us a tale of big business against rural America. Though it's criticized for the depiction of actual events, it allows to be satirical as well as a conversation starter.
37. For All Mankind (1989)
NASA had footage from the Apollo missions from the 60's and 70's that weren't released. For All Mankind creates an absolute experience as film heads to the moon and stars.
38. Tongues Untied (1989)
One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. A film that exemplifies the human spirit and redefines what film as art can be.
39. Heart of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
Who would've thought that one of the greatest films ever would be such a horror story. Artistic integrity is in full force as we watch Francois Ford Coppola trying to create Apocalypse Now.
40. Pulp Fiction (1994)
There really is nothing I can say about Pulp Fiction that hasn't already been said. Maybe, the fact that it hasn't been picked yet.
41. Before Sunrise (1995)
The first part of Richard Linklater's daring romance. Hearing Jesse and Celine talking about life and love celebrates human connection in the city of Vienna.
42. Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)***
In this Oscar winning documentary short, we meet Mark O'Brien, a man struck with polio confided to an iron lung. The film respects Mark fully as an human being with a voice that can be heard through his poetry. Mark O'Brien was the focus of the beautiful 2012 film The Sessions.
43. The Big Lebowski (1998)
It's the dude, need I say more? But in all seriousness, the Coen brothers crafted on the most interesting comedies and one of their most popular in their already legendary canon. It survived the mild reviews and poor box office and has become a staple of dark comedy.
44. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Many agree that it's the best war film ever made. One of Spielberg's finest achievements. The film's D-Day sequence alone has it's own merits.
45. The Sixth Sense (1999)
At the time, M. Night Shyamalan was considered the new Hitchcock. While that statement now seems ludicrous, it should not discredit The Sixth Sense as a classic in its own right. Of course, one of the best twists of all time.
46. Rejected (2000)
Yes. Don Hertzfeldt's cult classic is wickedly hilarious. But most importantly, a film that gained popularity through the internet, providing a whole new venue for films to be discovered. Would you believe it was nominated for an Academy Award?
47. George Washington (2000)
A summer unlike any other changes the lives of children in North Carolina in George Washington. David Gordon Green paints childhood with color and heart in this overlooked film.
48. Shrek (2001)
Shrek was a breath of fresh air when it opened and Dreamworks became a new competitor to Disney/Pixar. It's pop culture references and breakthrough animation set the bar for animated films in the 21st century. Also giving us one of the most lovable characters in film.
49. Waking Life (2001)
Where Shrek struck chords with mainstream audiences, Waking Life appeals to the thinkers and dreamers in us all. Bursting with philosophy and ideas, Richard Linklater creates a new universe where our dreams and reality collide.
“One of the titles on your list would not likely pass the Board or Librarian's litmus test and that's the "Sledgehammer" music video. The justification for adding "Thriller" to the Registry is that Michael Jackson -- consumate showman that he was -- released it theatrically at the same time it aired on MTV, in order for it to be considered as a short subject by the Motion Picture Academy... I'm not familiar with any other music videos having been distributed that way.... Registry criteria does not specifically prohibit television programs, commercials or music videos, however, the National Film Preservation Board and the Librarian of Congress historically have not included television on the Film Registry." - Donna Ross
Based of the classic children's novel, Sounder emerged at a time when black films were breaking through the mainstream. A film not only about the black experience, but a family one too. One of the most underrated films ever.
27. Superman (1978)
Essentially, the first big budget superhero film, cementing the late Christopher Reeve as the iconic man of steel. Remarkable special effects as well as the well known theme composed by the great John Williams.
28. The Atomic Cafe (1981)
Complied completely of footage during the Cold War, The Atomic Cafe is viewed as one the most important documentaries ever. By using archival footage to it's advantage, the war has never been so terrifyingly funny.
29. Stop Making Sense (1984)
During a three day period, Jonathan Demme gives life this innovative concert film showcasing Talking Heads. With its long shots, lack of audience shots, and use of digital audio recording techniques, it's study of the performers themselves more less the show itself.
30. Style Wars (1984)*
There are only so many films that capture the essence of the time. Blackboard Jungle defined the 50's, Style Wars defines the 1980's with the growth of the hip hop culture.
31. The Breakfast Club (1985)
A classic in every way. The John Hughes movie is clearly one of the definitive movies of the 1980's.
32. Blue Velvet (1986)
A completely surreal film brought to you by David Lynch. We see suburban American and the secrets, mystery, violence and sex that lives within it. At the very root of it is Frank Booth.
33. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
My opinion, Woody Allen's best film next to Annie Hall. Rich in dialogue and character, Hannah and Her Sisters reminds us why Allen is one of leading philosophical minds in film.
34. Your Face (1987)**
Independent animator Bill Plymton delights with this offbeat piece that showcases his humor and simplistic, charming style.
35. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
I cannot praise this movie enough. With groundbreaking technology allowing cartoons and humans to live in the same world, it's the absolute ode to our childhood fantasy.
36. Roger & Me (1989)
Roger & Me introduces us to Michael Moore. The controversial activist gives us a tale of big business against rural America. Though it's criticized for the depiction of actual events, it allows to be satirical as well as a conversation starter.
37. For All Mankind (1989)
NASA had footage from the Apollo missions from the 60's and 70's that weren't released. For All Mankind creates an absolute experience as film heads to the moon and stars.
38. Tongues Untied (1989)
One of the most beautiful films I've ever seen. A film that exemplifies the human spirit and redefines what film as art can be.
39. Heart of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
Who would've thought that one of the greatest films ever would be such a horror story. Artistic integrity is in full force as we watch Francois Ford Coppola trying to create Apocalypse Now.
40. Pulp Fiction (1994)
There really is nothing I can say about Pulp Fiction that hasn't already been said. Maybe, the fact that it hasn't been picked yet.
41. Before Sunrise (1995)
The first part of Richard Linklater's daring romance. Hearing Jesse and Celine talking about life and love celebrates human connection in the city of Vienna.
42. Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien (1996)***
In this Oscar winning documentary short, we meet Mark O'Brien, a man struck with polio confided to an iron lung. The film respects Mark fully as an human being with a voice that can be heard through his poetry. Mark O'Brien was the focus of the beautiful 2012 film The Sessions.
43. The Big Lebowski (1998)
It's the dude, need I say more? But in all seriousness, the Coen brothers crafted on the most interesting comedies and one of their most popular in their already legendary canon. It survived the mild reviews and poor box office and has become a staple of dark comedy.
44. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Many agree that it's the best war film ever made. One of Spielberg's finest achievements. The film's D-Day sequence alone has it's own merits.
45. The Sixth Sense (1999)
At the time, M. Night Shyamalan was considered the new Hitchcock. While that statement now seems ludicrous, it should not discredit The Sixth Sense as a classic in its own right. Of course, one of the best twists of all time.
46. Rejected (2000)
Yes. Don Hertzfeldt's cult classic is wickedly hilarious. But most importantly, a film that gained popularity through the internet, providing a whole new venue for films to be discovered. Would you believe it was nominated for an Academy Award?
47. George Washington (2000)
A summer unlike any other changes the lives of children in North Carolina in George Washington. David Gordon Green paints childhood with color and heart in this overlooked film.
48. Shrek (2001)
Shrek was a breath of fresh air when it opened and Dreamworks became a new competitor to Disney/Pixar. It's pop culture references and breakthrough animation set the bar for animated films in the 21st century. Also giving us one of the most lovable characters in film.
49. Waking Life (2001)
Where Shrek struck chords with mainstream audiences, Waking Life appeals to the thinkers and dreamers in us all. Bursting with philosophy and ideas, Richard Linklater creates a new universe where our dreams and reality collide.
I know what you're thinking. What and where is
number fifty? The answer, there isn't. Here's the story. While going
through the Registry, I saw that Michael Jackson's Thriller was
selected back in 2009. It was quite a shock knowing that one of the
most famous music videos was chosen. My thought process was that a
music video counted as a film, which led to my fifth film. I decided
to chose Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer
music video. Often hailed as one of the greatest music videos, it
takes full advantage of stop motion animation and gives a surreal
video that only Gabriel could think of. I thought this would be a
great addition to the registry. After sending my ballot in, I
received an email a few days later:
“One of the titles on your list would not likely pass the Board or Librarian's litmus test and that's the "Sledgehammer" music video. The justification for adding "Thriller" to the Registry is that Michael Jackson -- consumate showman that he was -- released it theatrically at the same time it aired on MTV, in order for it to be considered as a short subject by the Motion Picture Academy... I'm not familiar with any other music videos having been distributed that way.... Registry criteria does not specifically prohibit television programs, commercials or music videos, however, the National Film Preservation Board and the Librarian of Congress historically have not included television on the Film Registry." - Donna Ross
I
can sincerely say that the National Film Registry is one of THE best
places for anyone who wants discover, learn, and watch great films. A
new door for me as a film lover. It's a testament to the importance
of film as entertainment and art form. These films truly stand the
test of time. To all my fellow readers, I strongly suggest that you
create your own list. Whether you have a full fifty or maybe even
one, it does not hurt to try.
You may think that this list was easy to comprise. But let me tell you, it wasn't. I wanted a fair representation of all different types and eras. Also I had to have seen them in order to even consider putting it on my ballot. Honestly, fitting the criteria was the easiest part of it all. I would be absolutely ecstatic if any of these films were chosen. And if they don't, there's always next year and that is one of the best attributes of the Registry. I am already preparing my fifty for next year. What will you chose?
You may think that this list was easy to comprise. But let me tell you, it wasn't. I wanted a fair representation of all different types and eras. Also I had to have seen them in order to even consider putting it on my ballot. Honestly, fitting the criteria was the easiest part of it all. I would be absolutely ecstatic if any of these films were chosen. And if they don't, there's always next year and that is one of the best attributes of the Registry. I am already preparing my fifty for next year. What will you chose?
For further information on the National Film Registry:
*Style Wars (complete film)
** Your Face (youtube version does not have the correct music)
***Breathing Lessons (complete film)
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