Today is the final day of 2015. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a hard year. It began badly with the Charlie Hebdo shootings and ended even worse with the Paris terrorist attacks. Film has always been a refuge for me to escape some of the horror the exists in the world and helped me (and I’m sure many others) cope with the events of the past twelve months. So today I’m asking you to reflect upon what was your favorite non-2015 movie that you saw for the first time this year?
For me, it was Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring, which immediately became one of my favorite films. It was a surprisingly heart-wrenching experience, even for a Bergman picture, and one I won’t forget any time soon. Some of the other great new movies I saw included Blue, Code Unknown, and Belle De Jour.
But what about you?
The best film I saw this year was without a doubt Nicholas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now. I still have to watch it again, but it was a very rewarding viewing experience, and very surprising considering I only found out that it existed right before I saw it! I definitely want to get to some more of Roeg’s films next year. Other highlights include Paris, Texas, Altman’s 3 Women, and The Big Combo.
I haven’t seen any of the films you mentioned, though Belle De Jour has been on my list for a while. I’ll have to try and get them next year! Happy New Year!
By: Hunter on December 31, 2015
at 9:23 am
Been meaning to watch 3 Women for quite some time, so it’s good to hear it’s good.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 6:17 pm
I saw The Last Picture Show for the first time this year and it blew me away. I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen. Other ‘new to me’ films that made an impression were (off the top of my head) Casablanca, Nashville, Brokeback Mountain and Persona. It has taken me a while to get round to these!
By: Stu on December 31, 2015
at 9:50 am
I saw Persona last year and it blew me away (topped my list in 2015). Haven’t seen Last Picture Show but I like Bogdanovich’s old stuff.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 6:19 pm
It’s well worth a look! I read the book too, by Larry McMurtry, which is pretty cool.
By: Stu on January 1, 2016
at 8:55 am
I think it’d have to be ‘Lenny’ (1974) by Bob Fosse. Only the second time I’ve seen it (at this year’s TCM Film Fest) — saw it first-run back in the day, in fact. Devastated me all over again, and in the same setting of a full house of mostly strangers and a few friends gathering together for a communal event at the cinema.
Wonderful question to close out the year, my friend. 🙂
By: le0pard13 on December 31, 2015
at 10:45 am
Haven’t seen that before, will definitely check it out. Thanks, happy new year to you too.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 6:24 pm
Hi – yes, great question. Mine is certainly ‘Mademoiselle Chambon’ – I picked it off the library shelves and watched it there and then. Totally transfixed. A very simple, incredibly moving story.
Helen
http://52frenchfilms.org/2015/01/22/mademoiselle-chambon/
By: Helen Van Kruyssen on December 31, 2015
at 11:09 am
Haven’t heard of that movie before, I’ll try to check it out.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 6:25 pm
It’s great!
By: Helen Van Kruyssen on January 1, 2016
at 9:06 am
I think it may be La Dolce Vita. Watched it early in the year as one of my Blind Spots and it instantly became an all-time favorite. I’ve watched it three other times since. Absolutely superb.
By: Keith on December 31, 2015
at 1:09 pm
I’ve had La Dolce Vita on my shelf for several years actually but haven’t made time to watch it yet because of its length. I really ought to see it.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 6:21 pm
Paths of Glory was my favourite film, It had incredible direction, and a solid run time as well, so that makes repeated viewings go smoothly & frequently!
By: Jon Harrison on December 31, 2015
at 9:01 pm
Paths of Glory is one of my all-time favorites. Undoubtedly one of the best war movies ever made.
By: ckckred on December 31, 2015
at 9:03 pm
I guess it’s one of my Blindspot movies…probably the Three Colours trilogy.
By: Nostra on January 2, 2016
at 4:02 pm
I saw the first of the Three Colors trilogy last year and thought it was amazing. I’m hoping to watch the other two in 2016.
By: ckckred on January 3, 2016
at 7:48 am