Major film academies such as the New York Film Academy or American Film Institute Respected reviewers such as Roger Ebert Acclaimed directors such as Spike Jonze and Martin Scorsese
Gone With The Wind (1939) Casablanca (1942) King Kong (1933) Citizen Kane (1941) It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) Vertigo (1958) Sunset Boulevard (1950) Some Like It Hot (1959) Duck Soup (1933) Ben Hur (1959)
Truly great films transcend genre. You may think most sports movies boring, but find yourself drawn in by the humor and humanity of Rocky. Or perhaps you can’t stand fantasy, but are still blown away by the visual splendor of Lord of the Rings.
Doing a little research on the film beforehand, as well as the country it was made in, can help give you a better understanding of its significance and make it easier to follow the plot.
Many modern films release short “making of” or “behind the scenes” features, which can usually be found online or in the DVD’s special features. There are several very interesting documentaries on filmmaking and Hollywood which can teach you more about life behind the scenes, such as Casting By,[3] X Research source And the Oscar Goes To… and Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film. [4] X Research source
If you can’t go through all your chosen films in chronological order, try watching an older movie followed by a newer movie in the same genre. For instance, if you are watching 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the first and most famous movies about space travel, you might follow it with newer movies in the same theme, such as Contact or Solaris, and note how they compare. [5] X Research source
Make sure you know the basic details about each movie before you watch it - director, release date, stars, and any particular details the film is famous for. Try not to read anything that will give away too much of the plot. Don’t worry if you don’t like every “important” movie you see. You can still appreciate and understand its significance even if it isn’t one of your favorites. [6] X Research source
Try hosting a movie marathon and inviting a few friends to watch some of your chosen films with you and discuss them afterwards. They may have insights you hadn’t thought of, and talking about the movie will help you develop your opinions further. Learning some common film terms and what they mean will enhance your discussions and help you better understand reviews. Look for filmmaking glossaries geared towards film buffs, rather than those written for film professionals, which will contain technical terms not relevant to viewers.
Pay attention to things like how the movie begins and ends, and repeating images or concepts throughout the movie. [7] X Research source Since you already know how the movie ends, you will be able to pick up on foreshadowing and recurring themes more easily the second time around.
It can be helpful to start a “viewing journal” where you write down your thoughts and impressions of each movie you see for future reference. Try to write it down as soon after viewing as possible - it’s easy to forget details once some time has passed, especially after watching other films.
You may want to join an online community or local film club that focuses on the genre you choose. This can be a great way to have helpful discussions and get more film suggestions.
Every time you watch a new movie, find out who is responsible for that element and look up what other work they’ve done. You may quickly find you have a favorite costume designer, makeup artist, etc. , which can lead you to discover more films of your liking.
