July Challenge Update

 I haven't made a lot more progress on the Bucket List Challenge, however, I did scratch another five titles off of the poster in July. I'll review them below, and as always beware of potential spoilers.

Jaws: For as long as I can remember I've also been under the impression that Jaws is an exceptionally graphic and somewhat frightening film. For that reason I was expecting it to be somewhat scarier than it was. As with a lot of horror-type movies I found it to be rather predictable in the sense that I could generally anticipate when the bad stuff was going to happen. I expected far more blood and gore given the hype. I won't say that I didn't like the movie, but I can safely say it is unlikely to be one I would watch again (unless it just so happens to be on TV and nothing better is on).

This Is Spinal Tap: I'll put this movie into the category of "what the heck did I just watch and why." I get that it was supposed to be something of a "mockumentary." With that said I just could not get into it and couldn't really focus on it. Perhaps I need to watch it again to fully "get it." There are plenty of other movies that fall into that category, and many of them I ended up liking the second (or sometimes third) time around. Specific examples would be "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Moulin Rouge." So I won't rule out another attempt at watching it, but not before I finish off other movies I have not watched yet.

Fight Club: Yes, I'm sure many of you will be surprised that I had not seen this film prior to embarking upon the Bucket List Challenge. Like others, there was no particular reason I hadn't seen it. As for the film itself...it was certainly interesting. This one did keep my attention and admittedly I did not expect the plot twist at the end. So kudos for catching me off guard with the ending (and no, I won't spoil it for those who haven't watched it as no one spoiled it for me). Although I didn't dislike the movie, I'm not so sure it is worth all of the hype either. I can understand at least why it is on a movie bucket list.

The Godfather: Another classic movie. I happened to catch this one on TV and decided to watch it that way. Of course with commercials added, I expect it is possible that I missed bits and pieces of the movie that I would have seen had I watched it on a DVD. I don't think I missed anything significant. As far as mafia movies go, it was probably a little less violent than others I have seen (think "Casino" as an example). As a side note (unrelated to the plot of the film), I was surprised at how handsome Al Pacino was when he was younger. Can't say he aged all that well. Probably not a movie I would really ever watch again, but as with "Jaws" I wouldn't necessarily change the channel if I happened across it on TV again.

Lawrence of Arabia: Epic movie! But, you really have to be committed to the cause to embark on a film such as this. It's very long! I got to see this one in a unique setting as it was played on a huge outdoor screen at the National World War I Museum. I've studied some of the actual history surrounding T.E. Lawrence (played by Peter O'Toole in the movie)...and I know that the movie is somewhat loosely based on his life. But as most of my history classes don't generally talk much about Lawrence it was difficult to separate the fact from the fiction. I didn't pick up on a lot of huge historical errors (that wouldn't be obvious to most people). I've studied WWI (and to some degree the Arab portions of the conflict) in pretty great detail and I was able to enjoy the story without being too nit-picky on historical accuracy. I'd probably watch it again. Like Pacino, Peter O'Toole was quite handsome as a young man.

There you have...the five most recent additions to the completed list. I'll probably watch a few more titles over the Labor Day weekend, when I have an extra day off. Feel free to add any comments if you think I missed something or disagree with any of my opinions. I love a good discussion!