This may have been my best month of movie watching yet. By my count, I would give at least 15 of these an 8 or 9/10. Here’s the rundown:
In order of viewing:
1) The Sting [1973]
![The Sting [1973]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-sting-1973.jpg "The Sting [1973]")
2) The Intouchables [2011]
![The Intouchables [2011]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-intouchables.jpg "The Intouchables [2011]")
3) Gilda [1946]
![Gilda [1946]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/gilda-1946.jpg "Gilda [1946]")
4) Once Brothers [2010]
![Once Brothers [2010]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/once-brothers.jpg "Once Brothers [2010]")
5) O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]
![O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/soggy-bottom-boys.png "O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]")
6) Singin’ in the Rain [1952]
![Singin' in the Rain [1952]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/singin-in-the-rain.jpg "Singin' in the Rain [1952]")
7) The French Connection [1971]
![The French Connection [1971]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-french-connection-1971.jpg "The French Connection [1971]")
8) A Woman Is a Woman [1961]
![A Woman Is a Woman [1961]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/a-woman-is-a-woman.jpg "A Woman Is a Woman [1961]")
9) Out of the Past [1947]
![Out of the Past [1947]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/out-of-the-past.jpg "Out of the Past [1947]")
10) Persona [1967]
![Persona [1967]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/persona-1967.jpg "Persona [1967]")
11) The Thin Blue Line [1988]
![The Thin Blue Line [1988]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-thin-blue-line.jpg "The Thin Blue Line [1988]")
12) Bonnie and Clyde [1967]
![Bonnie and Clyde [1967]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/bonnie-and-clyde-1967.jpg "Bonnie and Clyde [1967]")
13) The Master [2012]
![The Master [2012]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-master-hoffman.jpg "The Master [2012]")
14) The Window [1949]
![The Window [1949]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-window-1949.jpeg "The Window [1949]")
15) Total Recall [1990]
![Total Recall [1990]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/total-recall-1990.jpg "Total Recall [1990]")
16) Adaptation. [2002]
![Adaptation. [2002]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/adaptation-2002.jpg "Adaptation. [2002]")
17) Let the Right One In [2008]
![Let the Right One In [2008]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/let-the-right-one-in.jpg "Let the Right One In [2008]")
18) Cry Danger [1951]
![Cry Danger [1951]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/cry-danger-1951.jpg "Cry Danger [1951]")
19) Pretty Poison [1968]
![Pretty Poison [1968]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/pretty-poison-1968.jpg "Pretty Poison [1968]")
20) Pink Flamingos [1972]
![Pink Flamingos [1972]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/pink-flamingos-1972.png "Pink Flamingos [1972]")
21) Lady Vengeance [2005]
![Lady Vengeance [2005]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/lady-vengeance-2005.jpg "Lady Vengeance [2005]")
22) Before Sunrise [1995]
![Before Sunrise [1995]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/before-sunrise-1995.jpg "Before Sunrise [1995]")
23) Natural Born Killers [1994]*
![Natural Born Killers [1994]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/natural-born-killers.jpg "Natural Born Killers [1994]")
24) Lethal Weapon [1987]
![Lethal Weapon [1987]](http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/lethal-weapon.jpeg "Lethal Weapon [1987]")
* denotes rewatch
Movie of the Month: This is a ridiculously hard choice this month. The Sting is the best caper film I have ever seen, Out of the Past is one of the best Film Noirs, and Singin’ in the Rain gave me a new appreciation of musicals. But I am going to cop out and choose The Master, partly because of the unforgettable experience I had in seeing such an early screening. I can’t wait to see it again.
Dud of the Month: Pink Flamingos. I will have a review of this coming soon, but yeah, this one was pure garbage, plain and simple. Only film I saw this month that I would consider “bad.”
How about you guys? What’s your favorite of this group of films? What was the best movie you saw in August?
My favorite in this group of films you have listed is The French Connection, which is just jaw-droppingly good. The best movie I watched in August was The Long Goodbye.
Yeah, The French Connection is fantastic. I was lucky enough to see that on the big screen, too. I haven’t seen The Long Goodbye, but it’s in my Netflix queue. Will give it a boost now per your recommendation — thanks!
A good mix of classics and contemporary cinema right there!
I’m considering giving Out of the Past (1947) a watch, I see here you loved it …I found it on youtube today, yippee!
If you liked Before Sunrise [1995], (which is a favorite of mine) I’d recommend Before Sunset, which is one of the better sequels around. In fact some people say it’s superior to the original.
Oh cool, didn’t know Out of the Past is on YouTube. It’s one of the great noirs, for sure.
I really, really want to see Before Sunset now. I also heard they are working on a new sequel, which should be interesting.
Yes, the latest report is the third film is called Before Midnight, and according to theplaylist today, they apparently have completed its principal photography: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/surprise-richard-linklater-has-completed-before-midnight-with-ethan-hawke-julie-delpy-20120905
Awesome. So it sounds like they do this every nine years, eh? I just saw Before Sunset a couple days ago and loved it. Can’t wait for Before Midnight now.
Lots of great movies here! I will be rewatching Natural Born Killers soon for my visual parallels post, love this movie so much. I have “A Woman Is a Woman” lying on my desk for a long time now and I still haven’t seen this one.
Yeah, it had been years since I last watched Natural Born Killers. I liked it a lot more this time around.
A Woman is a Woman is pretty decent but not anything terribly special. Probably a 6/10 for me.
Many good movies here! And on a side note, how did you like Pretty Poison? I see that it has Anthony Perkins, and I’ve been interested in his work ever since I watched Psycho last week, in which he did a fantastic job.
Pretty Poison is a solid flick. Perkins and Tuesday Weld are a lot of fun in that one, and the story is pretty twisted. Plus it’s got a layer of dark comedy if you’re into that.
Interesting list Eric! Certainly very few recent releases and a lot of older movies. I guess that’s where it’s at
Yeah man, there are still soooo many classics I need to see. I’ll take them over new, mediocre films any day
Glad to hear that most of the movies you saw were satisfactory, Eric, that’s always a good feeling. Interesting that you almost chose a classic film as your movie of the month, I certainly did myself
Yeah, it was way too hard to pick a “movie of the month” this time. So many awesome movies up there. So you picked a classic, eh? I’m going to have to see what you picked…though I have a good feeling I know what it is
Proper jealous you have seen The Master already, looking forward to it (fingers crossed) being featured at LFF this year.
I hope you get it in 70mm, too. Makes a huge difference, man.
Quite impressive list man! “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” is very good, I haven’t watched it for a while, but it is a crazy, funny movie for sure! Have to watch it again I guess
Also Total Recall (the original) is a good movie, one of Arnold’s best.
Among the movies I’ve watched probably Horrible bosses is the best. A lot of great laughs!
Haha yeah, I got a kick out of Horrible Bosses, too. Loved Jamie Foxx’s character in that one.
Definitely agree with you on O Brother and Total Recall. Had some good fun with those.
Hi, Eric and company:
Interesting group of films.
Can’t disagree with you on ‘Pink Flamingos’. John Waters revels in the arena of little to no budget. Though he seems to know people and places around Baltimore and points west that few have ever seen.
Can’t go wrong with ‘The Sting’, ‘Gilda’, ‘Out of the Past’ or ‘The French Connection’. All great to look at while superior stories are told.
Cheers, Jack! Still not sure what to make of Pink Flamingos. Somehow it managed to be even more disgusting than I had anticipated…
I love these monthly recaps because:
a) you always watch a lot of good movies
b) they’re really diverse
Off of this list, I love Persona, Lady Vengeance, Let the Right One In, A Woman is A Woman, and O Brother. And I like a lot of the others to lesser degrees.
Thanks, man. I try to switch it up often because too much of the same can get stale, quick.
You’re getting me seriously excited about The Master. Love Before Sunrise. Still really need to see The Sting.
Man, I loved the hell out of Before Sunrise. Can’t wait to see its sequel now.
The Sting will not disappoint.
Great list. Some good titles. I just watched The French Connection for review. An outstanding William Friedkin film. I haven’t seen The Sting in ages. Gotta check out The Intouchables as well.
Cheers, Victor. Glad to hear you’re a big fan of The French Connection, too. That one holds up remarkably well today.
The Intouchables is good fun. Can’t go wrong there, either!
There’s some impressive stuff on there Eric. The best film I seen during august would have to The Skin I Live In.
Wow, that good, eh? I plan on getting The Skin I Live In soon from Netflix — can’t wait to finally see that one!
Nice month. I’ve been really into the 30 for 30 docs lately. Might check out Once Brothers tonight. Heard nothing but good things.
Mine would have to be the French Connection and O Brother where art thou. As far as my picks for August, I have not seen anything yet that appeals to me.
Great choices! Both were definite highlights for me as well.
Once Brothers is at least in my top three from that series so far. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, man.