I was probably reading too much into things. I mean, I can understand getting possessive about the X-peeps and what they mean to people personally. They can have that effect.

Just got back from Ratatouille at the El Cap, which was a blast. The movie was very sweet and funny. Brad Bird hit another home run with this one. The man can do no wrong, it seems.

I just watched Seven Samurai. And, er, I think this is another case of loving what a classic movie influenced more than the original influence. I couldn't tell half the characters apart or remember their names, and I was never really emotionally involved. It was if Kurosawa didn't do any extra work to engage the viewer. I expected a lot more from the fight scenes; I could barely tell what was happening or who was dying. And they weren't even that cool. It looked like they were just banging on each other with sticks.

I didn't hate it or anything, but it didn't leave me with an overwhelming impression to recommend other people watch it.

I think we start with Vertigo.

If you were paying attention, you'll have noted that this was absent from my Top 10 Hitchcock list. However, it has so many SF scenes, I'm willing to rewatch just for those.

Play It Again, Sam. One of the few Woody Allen films of the period shot outside of the NYC area, because the NY film crew was on strike.

So that explains it! I was so surprised when a Woody Allen film came up in my initial Google search. In fact, this movie is next up in my queue. After that are:

The Lady from Shanghai
After the Thin Man
D.O.A.
Vertigo
High Anxiety
Sudden Fear
Days of Wine and Roses
The Birds
Copycat
San Francisco
Point Blank
The Conversation
Dirty Harry
Dark Passage
Bullitt

I've seen a number of them, but that was ages ago in most cases. And then, of course, there's Sneakers, which I own.

I watched a lot of Kurosawa last year. The only one that didn't feel like homework was Rashomon.

The only one that didn't feel like homework was Rashomon.

That's not how *I* remember it....

So many films are set in New York, as opposed to other cities, but I bet there's a definitive (well, an entirely subjective definitive, anyway) list of "New York" movies. Anyone care to nominate some?

I'll start with Manhattan and The Out of Towners.

I'll start with Manhattan and The Out of Towners.

Excellent start.

Mean Streets
Metropolitan
She's Gotta Have It
Dog Day Afternoon

I can imagine that there is -- because there are probably movies where NY is a character, more or less, rather than just standing in for "any city."

Dog Day Afternoon, really? I love that movie, but I don't know if I agree, since the setting is so limited. I know the actual event took place in Brooklyn, but it could have been any big city, don't you think?

I'll say King Kong, too, because of the iconic Empire State building stuff.

I think I want to say Moonstruck, too.