I'm still pinching myself because this really, really, really does not feel real.
I'm so beyond excited to be hosting this month's Scavenger Hunt. As far as I'm concerned, this is a Letterboxd institution, the kind of fixture that has endeared me to this site and its community for years, helped keep me sane during this ongoing pandemic, and a key way that I have discovered treasured favorites. To be picked after applying since 2019 is incredible to me. Suffice it to say, I'm so thankful to have been chosen and I hope this hunt will reflect that and take you on a cinematic journey to cherish.
Thank you to Wood for masterminding this tradition and thank you to Maciej Hutt for doing a terrific job hosting July's hunt.
Quick links:
Master List | Discord (click here if you're new to this and interested in hosting!)
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Participants:
Mandel 🎥👻 · manboobs · Maciej Hutt · sky 🦇 · meyi☆ · Danny 🧙♂️ · thora molly · Hannah · sofiaph · Niranjan Kirla · Chloe Jewell · mytze · Kelli Madden · Charlotte 🧸 · Jess Pinkman · Aimy · Alex A. · Colin Fitzgerald · Carolina · spookiboi · Nick Atkins · FilmExpert77 · Myranda · redshreds · Fritz Jangalang · Lauren Stoolfire · Jess · profondo robbo · Jessi · Nina · RK9 · trevvvvv · Nicolas Lau · JokerDArkham · Arthur Ochi · ☆ eddie ☆ · Andrew · robyn · emma · Nick · Han · PunchieLaRue · Cecily 🍊 · doris_doomsday · margo · PauloGrance · Max · CamHamlin · kyle · molly · Stin 👒 · cowboy creek · lonestarr357 · Michelle (Guyver Spawn) · Haylee · Travis Tindell · Kamidox · Tory · Turd Crapley · Odilio · Rob · morgan 🌃 · Brian Mac · KC · Atticus · Xellence · Sabrina · JustElizabeth · x · Una_Nancy_Owen · TéléDex-BaBrBo · Ross · Odie Dish-Dash · holo · Chris · Bread Harrity · Cody Lawrence · hak21 · Esther · samuel_shovel · Tom Saunders · 𝔰𝔦𝔡 · CDodsley99 · 🪐 michelle · x · Mastersof3 · Andy · okcordero · iwishdeath · georgialucy · delaney · Taylor Walker · AngelMonkey · bailey · Ross · jaegerbaumz · georgie · Neil · olia · ez · evemm · RuSyxx
👑 This month's champions 👑
𝔰𝔦𝔡 · Mandel🎥👻 · Niranjan 🎥 · Andrew · Xecellence · bailey · Tom Saunders · Brian Mac · lonestarr357 · Kelli Madden · Travis Tindell · Nick Atkins · Nick · Mastersof3 · Alex A. · profondo robbo · Angel Monkey ·
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I'm a big fan of doing things my way so in that same vein, I encourage you to get creative with this hunt and expand your horizons while not denying yourself the films you really want to get to.
Fun fact: Some of the following prompts have been in my drafts since 2019(!).
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Without further ado...here we go:
1.) Did the flag next to my username give this first one away? From the stuff of Ethan Hunt’s nightmares to the first Latin American woman to win an Oscar, we Boricuas are proud to count among our ranks some truly iconic artists. Watch a movie starring a Puerto Rican actor or an actor of Puerto Rican descent. Here are some helpful lists.
2.) I love a good wolf in sheep's clothing. Watch a movie that at a glance might seem wholesome or fluffy but has an edge or flirts with heavy material (think: Addams Family, Pleasantville, Small Soldiers, Ted, Willy Wonka).
3.) Let’s face our fears together! Watch a movie about one of your fears.
4.) I love K-Pop and you can too! ATEEZ is one of my very favorite groups (and one I still can't believe I experienced a top five all-timer concert from). Watch a film that either inspired or is reminiscent of ATEEZ's inter-dimensional rebel pirate concept or watch a film mentioned by one of its insanely talented members.
5.) It often surprises me that US adaptations can be mind-blowingly good but the same is often true of their source material. Did you know The Departed is adapted from Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs? Watch an original film from another country that's been adapted into an American one. This list of adapted films is a good reference to find source films.
6.) I’m always hoping I’ll find a film that will endear to me actors I usually can’t stand. Maybe all they need is the right opportunity, right? Give it a shot and watch a film starring an actor you usually can't stand.
007.) My Dad raised me on the James Bond films and 007 has been my absolute favorite since. Brosnan is the double-O standard for me. Watch a film starring any of the actors who have taken up the mantle for her majesty's secret service.
8.) One of the key ingredients of every great Bond movie are the tricked-out beautiful cars he drives (and often destroys). Watch a movie that features a vehicle on the poster or features a vehicle in a pivotal way (e.g. Millennium Falcon is another choice choice).
9.) Bond is also great at revenge. Just deserts are so delicious, amirite? Watch a film centering on revenge.
10.) But enough about good guys. Are you in your villain era? Watch a movie starring an actor known for being reliably good at playing bad.
11.) If there’s something I really appreciate, it’s a movie that can really keep my attention when I want to escape. Watch something from my list (and see if we agree or differ on what we find entertaining!) or watch something that you think will captivate you from start to finish.
12.) Who needs a flawless A-list face beckoning you to watch their latest release? Give me a teasing image any day. Watch a movie with a poster that doesn't have someone's discernible face on it.
13.) Did you know Jessica Lange is of Finnish descent? Learn about you favorite actors and watch a movie from a country that their ancestors hail from.
14.) Who's the craziest person you share a birthday with? Watch a movie starring a person born on your day of birth.
15.) Let’s celebrate the often unsung performers who make movies truly memorable. Watch a movie starring one of your favorite character actors. This and this list have some good suggestions.
16.) I love when an established director puts their weight behind a project they believe in, come what may. Watch a movie produced but not directed by a well known director.
17.) As far as I'm concerned, 1999 was an epic year for cinema. With this year marking the 25th anniversary of many incredible movies, what better time to watch a film released in 1999?
18.) Japan is the most wondrous place to me. I love the culture, the people, the food (great ramen is manna from heaven to me)…suffice it to say, I love everything about Japan. Watch a film made in Japan (dubbed anime films count!).
19.) Something else I love is theme parks and speaking of Japan, I’m so happy that my beloved Jaws ride lives on at Universal Japan (may it last forever!). Watch a movie about or based on a theme park / theme park ride or a film that has/had its own theme park ride.
20.) I know they say you should never meet your heroes but it's really something special when you meet someone you're a fan of and they turn out to be lovely. Watch a film starring someone you have met (if you haven’t met any actors or musicians, you can go with an actor you’ve seen in a play or IRL at a distance).
21.) Few comedians are a sharply funny to me as Kathy Griffin (who also happens to be a really sweet person). Watch a film or comedy special starring Kathy Griffin.
22.) Now for someone I wish I could meet someday. Watch a film referenced in or starring someone mentioned in a Lady Gaga song. Or watch a film starring the reigning queen of pop herself.
23.) Pokémon rules for this next one! - Watch a film with a Pokémon type reflected in the title (i.e. Firebird or Water for Elephants).
24.) Now watch a film with an element reflected in the title that, according to Pokémon rules, would be super effective against the one reflected in the previous film's title (i.e. Ocean's Eleven would work for Firebird here).
25.) I am a firm believer that you should never stop being a kid so for this prompt, watch one of the films in my Films of My Childhood list or revisit something you haven’t watched since your own childhood.
26.) One more nostalgia choice: Let's hear it for the voice actors who made our childhoods! I'm partial to Mark Hamill's Joker and a slew of beloved anime dub actors. Watch a film starring an actor who voiced one of your favorite childhood shows.
27.) Does it drive anyone else crazy when a challenge in a film could be simply overcome if it took place today? Watch a film with a central issue that could be solved by modern technology (no cell phones, no vaccines, etc).
28.) There are two instantly recognizable tunes that come to mind when I think about seemingly ubiquitous soundtrack staples growing up. These songs were/continue to be so popular that some films even feature both of them! Watch a movie with either of these classic songs in its soundtrack: Tone Loc's "Wild Thing" or EMF's "Unbelievable"
29.) One is one of the best TV shows of all time. The other is arguably the best spin-off of all time. Watch a film that has been referenced in either Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul.
30.) Speaking of the best shows of all time, watch a film starring one of the main cast members of the masterpiece that is Six Feet Under.
31.) Last but certainly not least, I adore the world that Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi built. One of the most amusing things about the latest chapter is how often it references awesome movies. Watch a film referenced in Cobra Kai.
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Here's the abridged list for those (like me) who use them:
1.) Watch a movie starring a Puerto Rican actor or an actor of Puerto Rican descent.
2.) Watch a movie that at a glance might seem wholesome or fluffy but has an edge or flirts with heavy material.
3.) Watch a movie about one of your fears.
4.) Watch a film that either inspired or is reminiscent of ATEEZ's inter-dimensional rebel pirate concept or watch a film mentioned by one of its insanely talented members.
5.) Watch an original film from another country that's been adapted into an American one.
6.) Watch a film starring an actor you usually can't stand.
007.) Watch a film starring any of the gentlemen who have played the role of James Bond.
8.) Watch a movie that features a vehicle on the poster or features a vehicle in a pivotal way.
9.) Watch a film centering on revenge.
10.) Watch a movie starring an actor known for being reliably good at playing bad.
11.) Watch something from my "never boring" list or watch something that you think will captivate you from start to finish.
12.) Watch a movie with a poster that doesn't have someone's discernible face on it.
13.) Watch a movie from a country that one of your favorite actors's ancestors hail from.
14.) Watch a movie starring a person born on your day of birth.
15.) Watch a movie starring one of your favorite character actors.
16.) Watch a movie produced but not directed by a well known director.
17.) Watch a film released in 1999.
18.) Watch a film made in Japan.
19.) Watch a movie about or based on a theme park / theme park ride or a film that has/had its own theme park ride.
20.) Watch a film starring someone you have met.
21.) Watch a film or comedy special starring Kathy Griffin.
22.) Watch a film referenced in or starring someone mentioned in a Lady Gaga song. Or watch a film starring the reigning queen of pop herself.
23.) Watch a film with a Pokémon type reflected in the title.
24.) Watch a film with an element reflected in the title that, according to Pokémon rules, would be super effective against that of the previous film's title.
25.) Watch one of the films in my Films of My Childhood list or revisit something you haven’t watched since your own childhood.
26.) Watch a film starring an actor who voiced one of your favorite childhood shows.
27.) Watch a film with a central issue that could be solved by modern technology.
28.) Watch a movie with either of these classic songs in its soundtrack: Tone Loc's "Wild Thing" or EMF's "Unbelievable"
29.) Watch a film that has been referenced in either Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul.
30.) Watch a film starring one of the main cast members of Six Feet Under.
31.) Watch a film referenced in Cobra Kai.
If you, for whatever reason, are unable to find something to watch for any of these prompts, feel free to sub in a film that you consider to be a big blindspot in your watched films, another film starring a Puerto Rican actor, or an animated film that deserves more love.
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*********Lastly, if you live in the US, I am BEGGING you to vote this November. Your vote against a maniac that will make the entire world worse truly does matter and WILL make a difference!**********
