BY MIKE REYES
Every year, the National Film Registry chooses a selection of 25 films to preserve in their archives for all time. With this year's crop bringing their total library up to 700 films, the latest batch of films deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically" worthy of preservation are quite a selection. Some are well known gems, others are obscure classics, but all will be kept safe for posterity. For your reading pleasure, please enjoy the National Film Registry's Class of 2016!
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916)
The Atomic Cafe (1982)
Ball of Fire (1941)
The Beau Brummels (1928)
The Birds (1963)
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
East of Eden (1955)
Funny Girl (1968)
Life of an American Fireman (1903)
The Lion King (1994)
Lost Horizon (1937)
Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912)
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Point Blank (1967)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Putney Swope (1969)
Rushmore (1998)
Solomon Sir Jones films (1924-28)
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Suzanne, Suzanne (1982)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
A Walk in the Sun (1945)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
The Hollywood Reporter ran the full list, with the official blurbs that the National Film Registry included with their picks explaining their reasoning. With their criteria being the artistic merits mentioned previously, as well as each title being at least 10 years old, every year's choices are interesting to sift through, as the justifications are as interesting as the films themselves. In the case of The Lion King, for example, the entertainment value for children and adults saw that film worthy of inclusion, as well as its top notch voice cast and good old fashioned Disney magic. Meanwhile, Thelma and Louise was included because of two important factors: Ridley Scott's polished storytelling, and the film's landmark themes of friendship and feminism. Special kudos are be in order for Scott, as this film joins Blade Runner and Alien as further entries of his filmography being preserved.
Other highlights from this year's National Film Registry list picks include the oldest and youngest entries into their library (1903's Life of an American Fireman, and 1998's Rushmore), as well as notables like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Funny Girl, and The Birds. As usual, the diverse selection of films not only ensures that no certain genres or eras are being favored, but also that the collection continues to be a proper representation of cinema history. Though in the case of a movie like The Princess Bride, the encapsulation of old school humor and 80's sensibilities makes for one of those features in the collection that is a timeless gem. It is its broad appeal, rather then genre focus, that makes it as popular as it is today, and it is one of the best examples of what the National Film Registry tries to preserve, all in the name of cinema.
not mine.credit and source: CINEMABLEND
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