Sunday, November 14, 2010

College of Film

As I get further behind in my mail, reading, and writing, I feel this blog slipping away from me. I no longer have that creative spark I once had—that sudden flash of humor, of goofy stories and dialog, or of brutal honesty about me, my family, and my past. I am, in two words, frustrated and discouraged.

To keep some of you snoops hanging around, however, the University has a new College of Film. I’ve been working on it in bits and pieces throughout the summer and, now that its reached 50 movies, I think it’s ready for unveiling. You may praise, ridicule, laugh, or snort at my choices, but I don’t give a crap—nothing can make me un-like them.

The College has its own page, which you’ll find in red below the blog header.

41 comments:

Djanstewart said...

I'll go check them out, Charlie. Glad to know you are doing something creative, even if it's not here. Thanks for taking the time to say hello, and I say hello back!

Djanstewart said...

I've seen 17 of your 50 films, Charlie, but I couldn't figure out how to leave a comment on the bottom, so here's my answer. I think of these movies, the Shawshank Redemption is my favorite.

Charlie Callahan said...

Since the film list is a page and not a post, comments must not be allowed on a page. Thanks for letting us know.

And Shawshank is a great favorite.

Pat said...

I've learned to ignore it when the muse disappears and just write drivel - which you are incapable of.
The film link sounds interesting and I'll click on it as soon as I can without causing chaos. I have always also loved the Shim shank film - apart from the title which I always get wrong.

Pat said...

Now visited and there are so many old favourites there but the ones that really hit home are WC Fields ( I once had a book of his which made me laugh out loud.) 'Midnight Cowboy' and the heart breaking 'Umbrellas of Cherbourg.'

Kim Ayres said...

I've seen about 21 of your list. I was shocked when I didn't see "The Blues Brothers", which always features in the top 5 of any of my film lists. Fortunately I found it on the 2nd scan through :)

savannah said...

42! we share quite a few favorites, sugar. enjoy your film studies. ;~) xoxox

Thegoodcook said...

My late husband was a film addict. He even attended Film Camp at New York Academy of Film and made a movie short. (Dirty Water Dogs)
So, the list... own and have seen most of them, but what about Lord of the Rings? Saving Private Ryan? The Big Chill. ALL the Star War Movies.. Out of Africa. White Christmas. Miracle on 34th. Street. Titanic. Pearl Harbor. The Longest Day. Heaven Can Wait. Dirty Harry, High Plains Drifter, The Cowboys (love John Wayne) I could go on and on and on... but it's your list... perhaps I should start my own?

barbara said...

You've got eclectic taste, Perfessor! Now I want to start my own film college.

Kid-at-heart said...

Two of my favorites that never show up on anybody's lists are on yours (why am I not surprised?) Honeysuckle Rose, and Medicine Man. Maybe I have a thing for old men with pony tails or braids---what's your excuse?

Robert the Skeptic said...

We're still hanging in there with ya, Charlie.

Macy said...

Don't worry about me - as a new snoop round here I'm enjoying reading your back catalogue not end

Stinkypaw said...

I miss you dear Charlie. Do take care xox

Bibliophilebythesea said...

Hi Charlie....it's just nice to see you posting period. We are easy to please :)

Syd said...

I am finding it more difficult as well Charlie. I guess I am contented and that is a good thing. I have written and written and now it is hard to have much to say other than I'm enjoying life. At last.

hope said...

On my way to work but I'll be back to check them out.

I understand frustrated and discouraged. But I promise to try and climb over that hurdle if you do. YOU make life fun. :)

TechnoBabe said...

Your list of movies is interesting. I have seen just about all of them. Some of them are favorites of mine too. Hubby and I enjoy older movies and rent them from Netflix. We think of you so often, Charlie.

unknownmami said...

I hate to be contrary, but you could never ever lose your creative spark.

Kevin said...

There's nine I've not seen, and a good few I could argue with you about, but it's a good list to play with.

A friend just bought her partner 50 fillums on DVD for his 50th birthday. They've just had to buy a DVD player to watch them on.

Alice said...

I have seen 13 of them. Arsenic and Old Lace being my favorite of those. Mad Max? Really? To each his own.

Charlie Callahan said...

I don't want to argue, but I'm an expert at writing drivel. My teachers always told me, "Charles, this is drivel."

It's Shawkshank, Pat, probably an Indian name, and it's a real prison in Maine.

Charlie Callahan said...

I'm delighted (and shocked) that you like W.C.! Mae West sure as hell didn't. I love your other two choices too.

Charlie Callahan said...

Did you like the Blues Brothers?

Charlie Callahan said...

Holy non-buttered popcorn! 84% is pretty amazing because some of these movies flew pretty much under the radar.

Charlie Callahan said...

Slow down there, Cookie: This is just a partial list. Dirty Harry is on my list. Star Wars is not because I didn't like Star Wars. Same goes for John Wayne—I don't even like his airport in Orange County, CA.

But we'll agree on some sooner or later.

Charlie Callahan said...

My taste is electric, isn't it. And go ahead and start your own film college—there aren't nearly enough of them for snooping or lurking purposes.

Oh, yeah. There'll be a lot of horror flicks, huh.

Charlie Callahan said...

Same as yours—got something against it? (You forgot Steven Seagal, or is he too young for you?)

Charlie Callahan said...

I liked The Road Warrior too, so to each his own twice.

Charlie Callahan said...

A "good few" you could argue with? Uh, that sounds like more than a couple. I'm curious what those "good few" are.

I also noticed that DVDs play much better in a DVD player.

Charlie Callahan said...

Thanks, UM. It's really nice to read you say that.

Charlie Callahan said...

Thanks, Robert, I appreciate it more than you know.

Charlie Callahan said...

No worries. Snoop all you want. You might be interested in my future catalog because I'm curious myself.

Charlie Callahan said...

I'm taking care, Stinky, but Martha's doing a better job of it.

Charlie Callahan said...

Thanks, Diane.

Charlie Callahan said...

I hate to think of you being frustrated and discouraged. For the time being, this ain't the place for fun—it'll pass—so I suggest Coney Island or Disneyland.

Charlie Callahan said...

If you and Hubby have seen most of these then you've seen a buncha flicks!

And it's really nice to know that you think of me; you're a very special person.

Charlie Callahan said...

"... I'm enjoying life."

Once we come to accept life on life's terms it is possible to enjoy it

Wandering Coyote said...

Muppets rule!

M Witzl said...

What Pat said, Charlie. Just keep the words coming. Later, you can go back and fiddle with them or the ideas, but in the meantime, just keep 'em rolling.

I have seriously got to watch more movies. Somebody please give me some more time so I can do that!

stacybuckeye said...

I love lists, making my own and reading yours. I've only seen 15 from this list, but several of those are on my favorite list too. My list is a work in progress so I'll have to keep checking yours for new additions. I need to see some of the old Rat Pack films.

TechnoBabe said...

Yeah, Charlie, hubby and I watch movies, lots of movies. We don't drink, or
socialize or even go out much. We live a quiet little happy life at home. We
both read lots and we both like movies. We watch some movies on our
computers and some DVDs. All kinds of movies except porn.

We honestly do think of you. You reached out and touched us in our souls
when we first found your blog. I cried and cried for some things in your
childhood and it was because I could relate. I was even jealous of your
writing ability. You are a great writer.