5. 8 1/2

Directed by Federico Fellini, 1963, Italy, 135 minutes

Netflix description: Dog-tired director Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) retreats to thoughts of yesteryear when his producers, his wife (Anouk Aimee) and his mistress (Sandra Milo) all pressure him to start making another movie. Director Federico Fellini's semiautobiographical rumination on the joys and rigors of film-making - as well as lovers past and present - won two Oscars: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.

This film was somewhat hard to get through, but the pay off was big! In the end, I really loved it. Its not that its too long, but its a little slow in some parts. Other scenes though, were completely wonderful and I watched some of them over and over again. Some of the best dialogue exchanges I've seen come near the end when Fellini and a prospective actress Claudia talk about the film he is making and the characters in it, when clearly he is talking about himself and she tells it like it is. The dream/imagination sequences of Guido's are also definitely highlights.

I think anyone can relate to the themes of this movie - and not just those with creative-block. Anyone struggling to maintain their own identity and happiness amid the expectations of others can relate. At the end Guido finds himself again, even though he lets some folks down along the way. A great quote from Guido: "Happiness consists of being able to tell the truth without hurting anyone."

All in all, definitely an amazing film to see. Worth watching for the soundtrack by Nino Rota alone!

P.S. While I'm sort of on the subject, I really want to say that my favorite Fellini film is by far Nights of Cabiria - its #184 on the list so I won't get to write about it any time soon, but it was so great and is probably one of my favorite movies ever. Cabiria is played by Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina and is so perfect, I actually find myself thinking about Cabiria as a real person and I wonder sometimes how she's doing! She's like a cross between Charlie Chaplin and Lucille Ball and will melt your heart! Just sayin'.

4. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, 1968, US, 148 minutes

Netflix Description: Stanley Kubrick's quiet masterpiece probes the mysteries of space and human destiny. While investigating the appearance of mysterious monoliths throughout the universe, astronauts David (Keir Dullea) and Frank (Gary Lockwood) battle their ship's intelligent computer, HAL-9000. This epic sci-fi drama based on Arthur C. Clarke's story "The Sentinel" was nominated for four Academy Awards and won for its stunning special effects.

Wow! This is one of those movies I can't believe I waited so long to see. I'm sure most people have already seen it but I had never gotten around to it. I was missing out!

If you haven't seen it, expect more of a visual experience rather than a typical movie. There's no dialogue for the first twenty-five minutes and a plot doesn't really appear until at least halfway through. But the plot is a great one and the last part of the movie was thrilling. HAL-9000 is one of the most effective villains I've seen, and delivers one of the most iconic lines in film: "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." It makes me giddy just thinking about it!

I love that it was mostly visual. You just don't see that in movies anymore. It really allows you to think and feel as you watch. If you are like me and have never gotten around to seeing this one, do yourself a favor and rent it. Even if you don't like it, you won't regret seeing it. Sit back with an open mind and enjoy!