Film 50: I Wouldn't Have Put That In

A life in film? A Movie Chart of my favourite films

"The difference between life and the movies is that a script has to make sense, and life doesn't" - Joseph L. Mankiewicz

The journalist Mary Schmich said, "You can map your life through your favourite movies, and no two people's maps will be the same". Having thought about this statement over a large mug of tea and an even larger stack of Jaffa Cakes, I find myself in agreement with Mary's assertion. I interpret the 'map' not as a chronological timeline of each year of your life, with a film from the same year, but more of a type of mind-map that reflects not just your film likes, but also what's important to you and even who you are as a person...or perhaps who/what you'd like to be.

I'm sure there are movies that you love just because they are great stories (e,g. Roman Holiday, 1953), films that move you to tears and make you question humanity (e.g. Schindler's List, 1993), epics that are a feast for your eyes and ears (e.g. Ben-Hur, 1959), films that provide a couple of hours of truly exceptional acting (e.g. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 1975), or a romantic comedy to make you smile and restore your faith in humanity (e.g. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 2003). I think most maps would contain a large number of films for those reasons.

That said, most of the time, I don't think it matters how technically brilliant a film is, or how well directed, written, edited, scored, acted or rated by the Movie Critics..., if it doesn't connect with you on an emotional, personal or interest level, its probably not going to be on your map.

Simpler Times...Better Films?: Apocalypse Now (1979); The Godfather (1972); Rocky (1976)

For a film to become a favourite, there tends to be some kind of X-factor that resonates with you. It could be that you admire an actor because you identify with them and see yourself in a character they play; a film may reflect your aspirations, how you would like to look, speak or act; it may remind you of a key event, someone you love or even a lost love; it could mirror the values and principles that are important to you; or it may just transport you back to a happy time, when things seemed simpler, and it gives you a way to keep that chapter of your life alive.

I think that when you first watch a film, as a child or an adult, and it strikes a chord, more often than not you will watch it again and again, with repetition creating affection. The psychologist Ishina Choudhary say's that “the calming feeling of re-watching movies is experiential control, which provides 'emotional regulation'. To put it simply, because you know the ending already, you also know how it will make you feel".

With your favourite movies in mind, and thinking about why they might be on your map, in addition to the possible X-factors or the emotional regulation described, watching films can also become a coping mechanism, a security blanket and a place to de-stress. Moreover, research has shown that "rewatching your favourite childhood films helps you feel calmer, relaxed, and more grounded during times of heightened anxiety or sadness. Sentimental feelings blended with bouts of laughter and a positive autobiographical nostalgia make for an utterly irresistible cocktail" - Ishina Choudhary.

Goldfinger (1964): For me, this film provides the X-factor, emotional regulation and a space to de-stress

So when it comes to reading or watching a 'Best Films' rundown or a 'Top 100 Movies to see before you croak it' list, I think the map theory helps to explain why you will often hear a snort of derision, a loud belly laugh or even an expletive laden rant when people disagree with them. People seem to take it as a personal insult to their movie knowledge or taste if their favourite films are not given the due deference and/or chart position they think is merited.

However, as these official sounding, but ultimately subjective lists, are compiled by someone with their own criteria (which may also include a promotional payment), I always find it funny to read the comments on these charts, as they all follow the same pattern, you just change the name of the film...

• "Ridiculous! How on Middle-Earth can you not have the amazing Lord Of The Rings at No.1?"

• "That snooze-fest Lord Of The Rings should not be within a Shire of this chart, my precious"

• "A seminal work of art. The lighting in scene 8 of LOTR created a gothic Kafkaesque bleakness"

• "Whoever wrote LOTR must have been on acid. Top 10? You're having a laugh. Narnia Forever"

• "J. R. R. Tolkien wrote LOTR. Is he the guy in the TV ad looking for his book on Fly Fishing?"

• "Way, way too many 'Dark Lord's' on this chart, all with the same story:

  • LOTR has the good guys battling Lord Sauron and his forces, with swords, magic & creatures

  • Star Wars has the good guys battling Lord Vader and his forces, with light-sabres, magic & creatures

  • Harry Potter has the good guys battling Lord Voldemort and his forces, with wands, magic & creatures"

• "I love the smell of a Hobbit in the morning, but this chart stinks"

As there are already too many charts proclaiming to tell you what the best movies are, rather than just create another subjective list, I tested my editing skills to create a rundown of my favourite 50 films that reflects my 'life map'. I Wouldn't Have Put That In is a 32-minute video containing a clip of each film along with a brief synopsis or reflection on each movie. You can find the Chart in the Sound & Vision section of this blog, and/or via this link: https://www.vitabaccano.blog/videos?wix-vod-video-id=fb4b13a7573a409c89365b9f067f4752&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jcuhobq1

Enjoy the show.

"The sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a movie"

George Lucas