DONE!
Ready for April! Focus this month is Oscar death race
with a lot of other stuff mixed in.
Original is here: letterboxd.com/kev_yu/list/scavenger_hunt-73-april_2021/
So here are my PROMPTS:
(A Proper Introduction)
1. It is the start of the month and it is April Fools. Let's go for something hysterical. Watch a Satire film. (You can check out this list by calathea_os for inspiration, My personal favourite is Dr. Strangelove.)
2. Now let's talk about ME! I was born in Canada but my family moved to Shanghai when I was 5. I've seen a lot of Chinese films and despite all those blockbuster propaganda films, there are some excellent filmmaking from China that is overlooked. Watch a film made by a Chinese director. (I personally recommend films by Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yimou, or Feng Xiaogang)
3. After living in China for 7 years, my family moved back to Canada and the biggest difference is probably the snow. I love the cold weather better and my family would travel to blue mountain to ski every winter. Watch a film with a fair amount of snow in it. (You might want to reference this list by Dan)
4. Since I'm living in Canada now, I also have to learn French up until high school. I am pretty bad at French and tried to slack off with every chance I can. Watch a film from any country besides France that speaks French.
5. I am attending a Catholic High School and I get to learn about all the different religions in the world. It kind of changes my perspective of the world and I gain some incites on different human behaviours. Watch a film that has a religious theme. (Any religion is good, I personally really enjoyed the Seventh Seal and First Reformed. You may want to reference this list by Dolev Amitai)
6. I learn my English by watching Youtube and one of my favourite film youtuber is YMS. He gave some harsh ratings to some of my favourite films but he still has a great taste in film. Watch a film that YMS has rated 10/10. (You may reference his IMDB Page)
7. Another of my favourite film youtuber is Karsten Runquist and he is also very famous on letterboxd. I like how he vlogs what he watches every months and the intimate way he shares his favourite film Watch a film that is mentioned on Karsten's What I watched in April" video.
8. One of my earlier movie going experience was watching Life of Pi in theater with my mom. I was 8 years old and the whole theater just screamed when the giant whale came out. Watch a film released when you were 8. (Your birth year plus 8)
9. In high school, I participated in many extra-curricular. The best experience is probably qualifying for the provincial cross country Championships with my team. Sports has always been exhilarating and exciting to me. Watch a film about running or high school sports. (You may reference to this list )by David Gulick
10. For future career, I am trying pursue fields related to math or computer engineering. The Social Network is one of my favourite film and it is intriguing how much a tech genius can pivot the world. I am frightened about how our future holds with so many technological advancement and A.I. taking over everything. Watch a film about technological development and how it affects us. (You may reference to this list by lelle70)
(My Film Adventure)
11. Now I want to introduce you with what I look forward to in film. I started to get more serious in watching films during the quarantine. COVID SUCKS and I often feel that I am trapped in a never ending loop. I am grateful for where I am though... Watch a film about someone trapped somewhere. (It can be prison, time loop, forest, etc..)
12. Maybe all we want from film is just a form of comfort where the characters are just chilling and living their lives. I love films that are less plot central but focus more about the characters. Watch a film where nothing happens. (The Florida Project is a great example.)
13. I dig films that have colorful cinematography and creative production design. These films can be described as "eyes candy". When speaking of a strong visual style, Wes Anderson, Wong Kar-wai, and Tim Burton are some of the filmmakers that comes to mind for me. Watch a film with a strong visual style. (If you can't think of any, just watch a film from Wes Anderson, Wong Kar-wai, Tim Burton, or check out Here )
14. Obviously, cinematography is not all about the colors. Earlier black and white cinematography can also deliver fantastic looking films with its lighting and framing. Nowadays, plenty directors still choose to shoot their film with black and white for creative reasons Watch a black and white film released after 2000.
15. After watching The Passion of Joan of Arc, I gained more appreciation for silent film and love how message can be sent without any words. For this prompt, Watch a silent film.
16. One of my guilty pleasure is Daddy's Home 2. It's stupid and pammed by critcs but I always have big smile on my face while watching it. That can be said for a lot of Will Ferrell's filmography. Watch a Will Ferrell film that's rated under 60% on metacritic. You can find the ratings Here
17. It is Rooney Mara's birthday! She is my favourite actress. Watch a film starring Rooney Mara. Bonus if she costars Joaquin Phoenix or she's eating a pie. ;)
18. My favourite actor is Willem Dafoe. I love diverse his filmography is and the unique feeling he brings to each of his work. Watch a film starring Willem Dafoe. (Bonus if his performance got nominated for an Oscar.)
19. One of best thing that I explored last year was the Criterion collection. The Criterion closet of different filmmakers are so interesting to see. Watch a film mentioned in Barry Jenkins, Sean Baker, or Mike Leigh's criterion closet video.
20. New films are always exciting, Watch a film that's going to release in April. (Release schedule varies between countries, just go with the release date in your own place.)
21. My favourite film is Yi Yi by Edward Yang. It is about 3 hours long but it really sticks with you when you finish. I always find myself being impatient and get scared away by movies with a long runtime. Watch a film that's over 3 hours long.
(All About that Gold)
I been keeping my eyes on the award season, so for this section I'm setting up prompts that's award related.
22. Films mostly premiere in prestigious film festival, win awards, gain buzz from critics, and then goes a long way into the Oscars. For this prompt, Watch a Palm d'or winner.
23. Watch a Golden Lion winner.
24. It's the day before the Oscars, my favourite film last year First Cow did not get a single nomination. No cinematography, No screenplay, NOTHING! Watch a film that you feel is snubbed at this year's Oscars.
25. It it OSCAR NIGHT and it is considered to be the most important night of Hollywood. However, some people disagrees. Watch a film made by anyone that refuses to attend or accept the Oscar. Here is an article that might be helpful.
26. You know the Best Picture winner by now, are you happy with it? A film does not win just because it is the best, it also wins because it runs the best campaign (usually). Speaking of Heavy Campaigning, Watch an Oscar nominee that received support from Harvey Weinstein.
27. Filmmakers often breakout with one good film and get nominated. Only a few can stand the tests of time and become legends. Watch a film by a director that have won 2 or more directing Oscars (or/and) have 5 or more directing nominations.
You can use this list for information. (He must be nominated for best director for that film.)
28. It is tough to start a career in Hollywood. Directors faces countless obstacles trying to put out their first feature. So it is extremely rewarding and respectable when it's good. From the Independent Spirit Award, Watch a winner of the Best First Feature category.
29. There are so many different awards given out each year and the one I find the most interesting is the MTV Best Kiss Award . Watch a film featuring an award winning kiss.
(Farewell)
30. Finally, this scavenger hunt is coming to an end. However, our love for movies are not going to end. One of most fascinating thing about cinema is how it contains so many different voice and how different filmmakers can insert different points of view into their films. Watch a film from a director that you have never explored before.
Thank you so much for taking the time and doing this Scavenger Hunt, Good Luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participants:
Neeka B | draco | Fred 🇵🇷 | José Torrecilha | Blurrysleeps | HOBOMAN | cadburyhedges |