12 to see

Copying from my friend Nick (who was copying from an article he read), here is a list of 12 movies that I need to see. Given the choice between watching a classic masterpiece and a direct-to-DVD Wild Things sequel, I'll choose the crappy movie every time. There is something living inside me that thirsts for garbage. Thus, many older movies have gone embarrassingly unwatched by me. And despite this list, many will continue to be usurped on my Netflix list by the inevitable release of Species 5. So for me, this list is more an admittance of guilt than a list of desires.

12. MASH
Too many memories about the terrible TV show have always kept me from watching the original movie, despite the fact that many consider it Altman's best film.

11. The Blues Brothers
I hate blues, and the sequel was terrible. But I keep hearing how funny the movie is, and that there is an amazing car chase.

10. The films of Sidney Lumet
I haven't seen a single one. Seriously. That needs to change.

9. Any Martin Scorsese movie made before 1985
After Hours is the earliest Scorsese film I've seen. Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Mean Streets, The King of Comedy. Haven't seen any of them. I have no excuse.

8. Matinee
I've been wanting to watch this Joe Dante comedy for a while now, but it's out of print at the moment.

7. City of God
This one will happen. It's on my Netflix list.

6. Secret Honor
A little-seen Altman film about Richard Nixon, which apparently features the best performance ever given by Philip Baker Hall.

5. Chinatown
Don't say a word, Nick. It's on my media center PC at home, I just haven't watched it yet. But it's there, ready to be viewed the instant I am in the mood for a classic. So back off.

4. The Deer Hunter
Also on my media center PC.

3. 12 Angry Men
Lumet's films are already on this list, but this one gets its own entry. The high-mark for single-set character studies. So I'm told. But I will find out for myself.

I would also like to see William Friedkin's 1997 made-for-TV remake. Look at that cast!

2. The Conversation
#2 on my Netflix queue at the moment.

1. The French Connection
I will watch this tonight. I swear.