Alex, I hope your mother continues to improve. As for myself, I have wondered about the fact that as good as a movie can be, it doesn't always lend itself to multiple viewings, while others can be seen many times. The same happens with TV series. I have watched Peaky Blinders, Andor, and a few others over and over, but, for example, I have never been able to re-watch Mad Men, even though I think it's brilliant. My top two theories: 1) the story is good enough to deliver the same emotional impact every time. It just doesn't get old. 2) viewers enjoy immersing themselves in the world of that story.
Great observations, Camila. It's a puzzle for sure, and your theories are compelling. What strikes me is how deeply subjective rewatchability can be. I remember reading an article about a closeted man living in a remote part of the U.S. who became obsessed with rewatching Brokeback Mountain every day for years. Certain films tap into buried parts of us, sometimes even helping us see ourselves more clearly. But that same film might leave someone else completely unmoved.
If we confine the argument to people who just want to hear a good story, it could be more akin to the 4-yo who wants to hear the same story every night. Why is that? The repetition helps children to predict events in the story, which can enhance their logical thinking and comprehension skills. In adults, it might be wanting to rethink the plot or see new details they may have missed. Hearing the same stories can also be a comforting ritual for children, and guess what? Adults seem to need this too. Hence your guy watching Brokeback Mountain a zillion times.
Hoping you mom feels better soon. “Detour” is an all-timer of a pick. I don’t think I ever understood David Lynch’s “Lost Highway” specifically or his approach to noir generally before I saw this movie.
A film that I can't stop watching, again and again is "Resurrection" (1980). This film would be one to watch at the hospital. It has a lot to say about life and a lot to say about healing.
lovely to hear the gathering of family in this way, sending good vibes to recovery for your mother. As far as traditions for most of my childhood "Lawrence of Arabia" was a Christmas Day (or Boxing Day sometimes) tradition. The films I end up rewatching over and over are ones where the characters and world are ones I want to return to and be with. Films I've watched bunch of include Inception, Casablanca, In the Mood for Love, Dunkirk (a lot of Nolan films are rewatchable for me), Rushmore, LA Confidential, Rogue One, Truly Madly Deeply, and I'm sure a few more I'm forgetting.
Thank you, Julian - I really appreciate the good vibes. So far, so good. It's been a strangely wonderful week, under the circumstances. Nurses and doctors are incredible people, and I'm so grateful to them. I have an uncle who is by no means a movie buff, but he LOVES Lawrence of Arabia and rewatches it often. He also loves Zootopia, oddly enough - and that's pretty much it. Re: your picks, LA Confidential doesn't get old for me, either, and you've got some excellent other titles on the list here as well. Thanks for sharing!
Great Writing. I watch Fellini's City of Women at least once a year, when things appear a bit bleak. Marcello Mastroianni brings joy and sadness , and ultimately a celebration of life. It always picks me up. I have a similar connection with Rome the HBO/BBC series from 2006, this takes you there, with incredible acting, direction , musical score and production values. Rome to me, sets the template and standard for GOT.
I must admit: most of my Most-Rewatched Movies are films I feel compelled to share with uninitiated friends. It's not that I sit and rewatch them by myself. It's more like "YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!" But the net result is that I've seen them all dozens of times. And, of course, I need to share them because they number amongst my faves. So, I mean, it's not ALL altruism and stuff!
They include:
SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS
HAROLD AND MAUDE
HEATHERS
REPO MAN
DAWN OF THE DEAD (original)
DAY OF THE DEAD (original)
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (original)
TAMPOPO
THE THING (Carpenter version)
FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!
68 KILL (which I consider to be the FASTER, PUSSYCAT! of the 21st century)
HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING
FORBIDDEN ZONE
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
AKIRA
REAL GENIUS
12 HOUR SHIFT
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
THE ARISTOCRATS
DEMONS
A BAY OF BLOOD (aka TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE)
BARTON FINK
MILLER'S CROSSING
BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
PINK FLOYD: THE WALL
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP
THE GREAT McGINTY
BALL OF FIRE
BLOOD SIMPLE
DEAD ALIVE
RE-ANIMATOR
BRANDED TO KILL
THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD
THE HUSTLER/THE COLOR OF MONEY
COWARDS BEND THE KNEE
CREEPSHOW
DESPERATE LIVING
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
TWIN PEAKS in its entirety (including FIRE WALK WITH ME and THE RETURN)
SANTA SANGRE
EVIL DEAD II
FREEWAY
FREAKED
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
JACOB'S LADDER
KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY
LET THE CORPSES TAN
MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN/MEANING OF LIFE/HOLY GRAIL
THE ROAD WARRIOR
TOP SECRET
RESERVOIR DOGS
ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD
KILL BILL (both volumes)
AMADEUS
SOMETHING WILD
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
TOURIST TRAP
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (original)
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (original)
WAITING FOR GUFFMAN
PEE-WEE'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Now, mind you, there are 1,989 movies that I DEARLY, TRULY LOVE listed on my Letterboxd page. But most of my favorite recent ones haven't reached a dozen watches yet. And as suggested, there are tons of movies I love for which one watch (or three) is plenty.
I just couldn't let this wonderful post slip by without adding my trillion cents. Forgive my indulgence. And THANKS!!!
Best wishes to you, your mom, and the rest of your family, Alex; may many more Scrooge rewatches dot your futures!
As a sort of Frankensteining of reasons 3 and 4, my favourite kind of rewatch is when someone offers a new lens that flips the film's subtext on its head. Not too long ago, I challenged a friend to watch A Real Pain under the assumption that Benji didn't survive the overdose, and that his social command of the group was David mythologizing Benji's people skills in his head. A stretch, maybe, but certainly not the furthest in the world.
Sorry to hear of your Mom's health. So great that you all get to be with her.
Thank you so much, Ted. Appreciate it. It's been great to be together here.
Alex, I hope your mother continues to improve. As for myself, I have wondered about the fact that as good as a movie can be, it doesn't always lend itself to multiple viewings, while others can be seen many times. The same happens with TV series. I have watched Peaky Blinders, Andor, and a few others over and over, but, for example, I have never been able to re-watch Mad Men, even though I think it's brilliant. My top two theories: 1) the story is good enough to deliver the same emotional impact every time. It just doesn't get old. 2) viewers enjoy immersing themselves in the world of that story.
Great observations, Camila. It's a puzzle for sure, and your theories are compelling. What strikes me is how deeply subjective rewatchability can be. I remember reading an article about a closeted man living in a remote part of the U.S. who became obsessed with rewatching Brokeback Mountain every day for years. Certain films tap into buried parts of us, sometimes even helping us see ourselves more clearly. But that same film might leave someone else completely unmoved.
If we confine the argument to people who just want to hear a good story, it could be more akin to the 4-yo who wants to hear the same story every night. Why is that? The repetition helps children to predict events in the story, which can enhance their logical thinking and comprehension skills. In adults, it might be wanting to rethink the plot or see new details they may have missed. Hearing the same stories can also be a comforting ritual for children, and guess what? Adults seem to need this too. Hence your guy watching Brokeback Mountain a zillion times.
Hoping you mom feels better soon. “Detour” is an all-timer of a pick. I don’t think I ever understood David Lynch’s “Lost Highway” specifically or his approach to noir generally before I saw this movie.
Thank you, Doug! I wouldn't have connected it to Lost Highway, but you're so right. Now I want to watch it again and look for parallels.
Hey, I’ve started an account where I collect some out of context captions of great films in cinema history. Just wanted to share it with the cinephiles around here : https://substack.com/@pariscinema?r=1x6h4r&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile
Thanks for sharing. I dig that Stolen Kisses poster you've chosen as your profile pic.
Really?! That’s an amazing coincidence and you are an immensely gifted artist!!
Hope your mother pulls through.
Thank you, Mo. She's doing great so far. Appreciate the kind wishes.
A film that I can't stop watching, again and again is "Resurrection" (1980). This film would be one to watch at the hospital. It has a lot to say about life and a lot to say about healing.
I don't know this one! Looks terrific, I'll see if I can track it down this week. Thanks so much for sharing it.
lovely to hear the gathering of family in this way, sending good vibes to recovery for your mother. As far as traditions for most of my childhood "Lawrence of Arabia" was a Christmas Day (or Boxing Day sometimes) tradition. The films I end up rewatching over and over are ones where the characters and world are ones I want to return to and be with. Films I've watched bunch of include Inception, Casablanca, In the Mood for Love, Dunkirk (a lot of Nolan films are rewatchable for me), Rushmore, LA Confidential, Rogue One, Truly Madly Deeply, and I'm sure a few more I'm forgetting.
Thank you, Julian - I really appreciate the good vibes. So far, so good. It's been a strangely wonderful week, under the circumstances. Nurses and doctors are incredible people, and I'm so grateful to them. I have an uncle who is by no means a movie buff, but he LOVES Lawrence of Arabia and rewatches it often. He also loves Zootopia, oddly enough - and that's pretty much it. Re: your picks, LA Confidential doesn't get old for me, either, and you've got some excellent other titles on the list here as well. Thanks for sharing!
Great Writing. I watch Fellini's City of Women at least once a year, when things appear a bit bleak. Marcello Mastroianni brings joy and sadness , and ultimately a celebration of life. It always picks me up. I have a similar connection with Rome the HBO/BBC series from 2006, this takes you there, with incredible acting, direction , musical score and production values. Rome to me, sets the template and standard for GOT.
Thanks, Geoffrey! I love City of Women. Don't know Rome, but I've heard great things.
I must admit: most of my Most-Rewatched Movies are films I feel compelled to share with uninitiated friends. It's not that I sit and rewatch them by myself. It's more like "YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!" But the net result is that I've seen them all dozens of times. And, of course, I need to share them because they number amongst my faves. So, I mean, it's not ALL altruism and stuff!
They include:
SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS
HAROLD AND MAUDE
HEATHERS
REPO MAN
DAWN OF THE DEAD (original)
DAY OF THE DEAD (original)
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (original)
TAMPOPO
THE THING (Carpenter version)
FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!
68 KILL (which I consider to be the FASTER, PUSSYCAT! of the 21st century)
HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING
FORBIDDEN ZONE
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
AKIRA
REAL GENIUS
12 HOUR SHIFT
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
THE ARISTOCRATS
DEMONS
A BAY OF BLOOD (aka TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE)
BARTON FINK
MILLER'S CROSSING
BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
PINK FLOYD: THE WALL
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP
THE GREAT McGINTY
BALL OF FIRE
BLOOD SIMPLE
DEAD ALIVE
RE-ANIMATOR
BRANDED TO KILL
THE SADDEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD
THE HUSTLER/THE COLOR OF MONEY
COWARDS BEND THE KNEE
CREEPSHOW
DESPERATE LIVING
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
TWIN PEAKS in its entirety (including FIRE WALK WITH ME and THE RETURN)
SANTA SANGRE
EVIL DEAD II
FREEWAY
FREAKED
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON
JACOB'S LADDER
KIDS IN THE HALL: BRAIN CANDY
LET THE CORPSES TAN
MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN/MEANING OF LIFE/HOLY GRAIL
THE ROAD WARRIOR
TOP SECRET
RESERVOIR DOGS
ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD
KILL BILL (both volumes)
AMADEUS
SOMETHING WILD
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
TOURIST TRAP
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (original)
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (original)
WAITING FOR GUFFMAN
PEE-WEE'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
Now, mind you, there are 1,989 movies that I DEARLY, TRULY LOVE listed on my Letterboxd page. But most of my favorite recent ones haven't reached a dozen watches yet. And as suggested, there are tons of movies I love for which one watch (or three) is plenty.
I just couldn't let this wonderful post slip by without adding my trillion cents. Forgive my indulgence. And THANKS!!!
Best wishes to you, your mom, and the rest of your family, Alex; may many more Scrooge rewatches dot your futures!
As a sort of Frankensteining of reasons 3 and 4, my favourite kind of rewatch is when someone offers a new lens that flips the film's subtext on its head. Not too long ago, I challenged a friend to watch A Real Pain under the assumption that Benji didn't survive the overdose, and that his social command of the group was David mythologizing Benji's people skills in his head. A stretch, maybe, but certainly not the furthest in the world.