"Wait a minute... did you say that... that you haven't seen...? Oh, you... don't mean that, d-do you?"You know that situation I guess, almost everyone knows it. Whether it's books, music or movies - you can't have experienced it all. But especially when you call yourself and act as if you were a movie buff, people get really happy and self-satisfactory when they've seen a "must-see" movie you haven't seen.I've learned to see it as a chance though. When somebody tells you about a great classic you should've seen, that's just great because you're probably up to see a really good movie - and we all know how sometimes it can be incredibly hard to choose the "right" movie to see.So I always follow that kind of recommendations. And it usually pays off.
In 2012, I managed to see a big bunch of these movies that have caused some of those "WHAAAT?" moments among friends, bloggers and other people. There are also movies that nobody has ever talked to me about but that I was personally ashamed of not having seen.Notably, this isn't a "best formerly unknown-to-me movies I saw in 2012" kind of list, as I didn't like or love all of the movies mentioned here. However, I'm happy I watched them.
Here we go... explaining in what way each of the movies changed or had an impact on any part of my life, philosophy or attitude towards anything.
Andaz Apna ApnaOne of the most famous Indian comedies - I definitely see Aamir Khan in a different light now.The Shawshank RedemptionOn top of the IMDB Top 250, this one shows that in general, people do have some kind of good taste.
Stand by MeI really, really hope I'll never lose my friends the way the protagonist did in the end.
2001: A Space OdysseyThe best thing about watching all these movies is the touch of enlightenment you feel once in a while.PsychoI wonder if any people would've died of fear if they had watched something like The Shining back then - this really was more of a thriller, let's be honest. A good one though.
Super Size MeYeah, I still go to McDonald's but mainly for the ice cream - and not very often.
LagaanThe thing I never thought possible happened; I wasn't bored by this.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindJim Carrey and Kate Winslet are officially some of the bestest actors I know.
The Great Train RobberySo, at least this was short.
The Truman ShowDefinitely increased my paranoia.Toy Story 1,2,3Pixar rules - and surprisingly, the third part was the best.
The Birth of a NationI think I hate Griffith, despite the half-way okay-ish Broken Blossoms.
Rebel Without a CauseSometimes I wonder what it would be like... to have something to rebel against instead of my summer-of-69 hippie-ish, and nice parents.There Will Be BloodI don't remember much of it, but I guess it was great and... didn't really teach me anything.
La Dolce VitaSo, you can make movies without a plot, that's a new thing.
Paranormal ActivityNot trying to be cool, but this one was quite boring if I'm honest. I understand the popularity though... probably got something to do with voyeurism etc.The Virgin SuicidesMore great female directors please!
Million Dollar BabySo Clint Eastwood is a good director too...
(500) Days of SummerOne of the most inventive films I saw last year, especially this scene which was shown twice with different off-screen dialog.Kill Bil Vol. 1 and 2So that's what it's all about, Tarantino and stuff... yeah, he is pretty cool.
Lawrence of ArabiaAbout three hours long, no female characters at all... and of course I loved it.
PyaasaSome films are simply timeless (cough-incontrarytoMotherIndia-cough).Les quatre cents coupsYeah, I didn't get what was so great.
OmkaraI didn't see enough good Indian films last year, but that's going to change - a great exception was this Othello-remake though.
The Wizard of OzI still sometimes find myself singing "We're off to see the wizaaaard" in my head. At least I hope it's only in my head...Pulp FictionAnd that was when I really "got" what was so great about Tarantino.
A Clockwork OrangeOr Kubrick for that matter.
Notting HillYou know, I found the real Notting Hill to be just as beautiful and cute as this movie.Amar Akbar AnthonyLady Gaga stole the egg-song move from Amitabh.
Fish TankI simply can't get this movie out of my head, it's so haunting really.
Love ActuallyDefinitely a new addition to the list of movies I watch each year around christmas. "Christmas is all around us...".Á bout de souffleVery, very, very stylish.
Fight ClubYeah, I don't know, it was kinda... all right ya know...
... Sorry, that wasn't funny.
