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Question of the Week: March 23, 2024

The sun is out, birds are chirping, and blossoms hang in the trees. This past Tuesday, March 19, 2024, marked the First Day of Spring. While hopping around the yard, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best movies featuring rabbits?

Whether you’re following a bunny down a hole (Alice in Wonderland), sleepwalking around town (Donnie Darko), or hanging out with a very emotional 18th-century queen (The Favourite), we want to hear about it in our next Community Curated list!

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Community Curated

We ask, you answer! The BMFI community builds movie lists based on topics crafted by the expert BMFI staff. See all of the Community Curated lists voted on by BMFI fans. Help curate our next list by answering the Question of the Week, updated every Saturday.

Community Curated: '40s Films

Community Curated List

It was the decade the US went to war, devised beloved movie musicals, and ushered in a new genre – film noir.

You guessed it, we want to know . . .

What are the best films of the 1940s?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: '50s Movies

Community Curated List

As we’ll be exploring in our series Hollywood Grows Up, the 1950s was a period of transition for the film industry, one that saw major changes in acting, content, and style. That got us thinking . . .

What are the best American movies of the 1950s?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: '60s Movies

Community Curated List

It was the decade of Camelot (and Camelot), free love, and a seismic shift in Hollywood. We're feeling a bit nostalgic, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best movies of the 1960s?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: '70s Movies

Community Curated List

We’ve lost a number of luminaries from 1970s cinema recently, including Peter Bogdanovich, Yvette Mimieux, and Meat Loaf. This got us thinking . . .

What are the best movies of the 1970s?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: ’80’s movies

Community Curated List

We are traveling back in time for our next Community Curated list. We asked you, "What are the best ’80’s movies?" From Arnold and Sly to the Brat Pack and Cusack, BMFI patrons cast their net wide with this week's compilation.

Still not convinced that the '80s birthed great movies? Filmmaker Richard Linklater aims to prove all doubters wrong with Jewels in the Wasteland, a yearly program he curates for the Austin Film Society, celebrating great films of the decade still underrepresented in the film canon. Further enhance your '80s viewing with Linklater's Jewels in the Wasteland intro and discussion videos. 

Community Curated: ’90’s Movies

Community Curated List

We asked you, "What are the most iconic movies from the 1990s?" The movies of the 1990s ran the gamut. From massive blockbusters (Jurassic Park), to legendary indie films (Reservoir Dogs), to teen-dream comedies (Clueless, duh!), to big-budget thrillers (Mission: Impossible), the '90s had it all. See the list of favorites, chosen by you.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated selections, keep partying like it's 1999 with IndieWire's compilation of the decade's best movie posters, a video essay from No Film School on the cubicle movie, and a list of favorites from The Guardian's film critics.

Community Curated: Asteroid Flicks

Community Curated List

What's that in the sky?

This past Friday, June 30, 2023, was International Asteroid Day. In excitement for Wes Anderson's new flick Asteroid City, we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring an asteroid coming towards Earth?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Autumn Movies

Community Curated List

Saturday, September 23, 2023, marks the autumnal equinox and officially kicks off the fall season. While waiting on a pumpkin spice latte, we started to wonder . . .

What are the best movies set during autumn?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: B Movies

Community Curated List

From debuting Jack Nicholson to distributing Ingmar Bergman films and mentoring Martin Scorsese, we have a lot to thank filmmaker Roger Corman for. His long career spawned many low-budget cult classics (aka “B movies”), and influenced iconic artists in their early days.

In honor of Corman's 97th birthday this week, we want to know . . .

What are your favorite B movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Bartenders in Movies

Community Curated List

December 4 is Bartender Appreciation Day. To mark the occasion, we pondered movies that feature barkeeps in their natural environments and wondered . . .

What movies have memorable scenes set in bars?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Alien or UFO Films

Community Curated List

I want to believe! Saturday, July 2, is World UFO Day, which remembers the famed incident at Roswell, NM. In anticipation for our August screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, we started wondering . . .

What are the best films about aliens or UFOs?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Anime Films

Community Curated List

In honor of National Anime Day on Friday, April 15th, we got to thinking . . .

What are the best anime feature films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Bathroom Scenes

Community Curated List

The weather may be fluctuating, but when it gets cold, there’s nothing better than a warm shower to get the blood pumping.

While shampooing, we began to ponder . . .

What are the best films to feature an iconic bathroom scene?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Biopics

Community Curated List

We’re loving all of the blockbuster biopics lighting up our screens right now. From the underdog tennis team in King Richard, to the semi-autobiographical Belfast, to the highly anticipated House of Gucci coming soon, we always enjoy a true story retold for the screen—with some artistic license for entertainment’s sake, of course. Which got us wondering . . .

What are the best biopics?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Cinematic Horses

Community Curated List

According to Dr. Temple Grandin, "People are always going to like horses." Yay or neigh?

This past Tuesday, December 13, 2022, was National Horse Day. Whether you know them as mustangs, mares, or stallions, horses have left an indelible hoof mark on film history, which is why we want to know . . .

What are the best films about horses?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Dinosaur Movies

Community Curated List

Rawr! We're feeling a bit nostalgic for the pre-historic. Wednesday, June 1, is Dinosaur Day, which got us thinking . . .

What are your favorite films featuring dinosaurs?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Disaster Flicks

Community Curated List

Friday, April 15, 2022 commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, which got us thinking . . .

What are the best disaster flicks?

You're gonna need a bigger boat with all these titles!

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Disney Movies

Community Curated List

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! This past Monday, December 5, 2022, was Walt Disney Day. With Mickey and Minnie on our mind, we want to know . . .

What are the best Disney movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Experimental or Avant-Garde Films

Community Curated List

Andy Warhol once said, "Art is anything you can get away with." This Saturday, August 6, 2022 would have been Andy's 94th birthday, which got us thinking . . .

What are the best experimental or avant-garde films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Fantasy Films

Community Curated List

A talking skeleton, a bio-exorcist, and a sharp barber walk into a bar. . . Tim Burton must be in town. This past Thursday, August 25, was the fantasy filmmaker's birthday, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best fantasy films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films about Air Travel

Community Curated List

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself." This past Sunday, July 24, 2022 would have been aviator Amelia Earhart's 125th birthday. Amelia’s legacy inspired us to ponder . . .

What are the best films about air travel?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films about Friendship

Community Curated List

Philadelphia native Ethel Barrymore once said, "The best time to make friends is before you need them." Saturday, July 30, is International Day of Friendship, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best films about friendship?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films about Royalty

Community Curated List

On Monday, September 19, 2022, the United Kingdom bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II after an unprecedented reign of more than 70 years. Pondering her enduring legacy, we started to wonder . . .

What are the best films about royalty?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films about Witches

Community Curated List

"I put a spell on you, and now you're mine!" Friday, September 30, 2022, Disney released Hocus Pocus 2, nearly 30 years after the original film premiered. In anticipation for the Sanderson sisters’ return to the screen, we started wondering . . .

What are the best movies about witches?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films Featuring Grandparents

Community Curated List

Grammy, grandma, gramps, pop, or nonna . . . whatever they go by, grandparents can play a big role in the most heartwarming onscreen stories. This week we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring grandparents?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films to Feature an Art Museum

Community Curated List

This past Thursday, November 9, 2023, was Go To An Art Museum Day.

While doing some art appreciation, we got to wondering . . .

What are the best films to feature an art museum?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Films to Feature Letter Writing

Community Curated List

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? With February 26th being Letter to an Elder Day, we started thinking . . .

What are the best films that feature letter writing?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Irish Films

Community Curated List

Sláinte! In honor of St. Patrick's Day weekend, we started wondering . . .

What are the best films to feature Ireland or the Irish?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Italian-Language Films

Community Curated List

Mangia! Monday, October 17, 2022, was National Pasta Day, which celebrates, you guessed it, pasta. With the good stuff on our mind, we’re thinking of Italy and Italian culture, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best Italian-language films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Jeff Bridges Films

Community Curated List

Dude, it's The Dude's birthday! This past Sunday, December 4, 2022, marked Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges's birthday. With dreams of a white Russian on our mind, we want to know . . .

What are the best Jeff Bridges films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best LGBTQIA+ Films

Community Curated List

May 22 is Harvey Milk Day, which celebrates the legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to California public office. We started wondering . . .

What are the best LGBTQIA+ films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Medical Cinema

Community Curated List

Get me some popcorn, STAT! In honor of Certified Nurses Day this past March 19th, we started wondering . . .

What are the best films to feature the medical field?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Meryl Streep Movies

Community Curated List

Read it and Streep! Next month marks the 45th anniversary of Meryl Streep's first onscreen performance in Fred Zinnemann's Julia (1977). With Meryl on our mind, we have one question to ask . . .

What are the best Meryl Streep movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Mob or Gangster Films

Community Curated List

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." With the death of actors Ray Liotta, James Caan, and Tony Sirico over the past weeks, we've had our minds on films depicting organized crime. With that being said . . .

What are the best films to feature the mob or gangsters?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movie Explosions

Community Curated List

The Fourth of July is known for many things—independence, cook outs, appliance sales—but the most visually stunning part of the day is definitely the fireworks. In honor of the special day, we asked you for movies with the best explosions. From historical (The Bridge on the River Kwai) to quotable (Apocalypse Now) to Force-guided (Star Wars), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movie Musicals

Community Curated List

It's Liza with a Z! In honor of legendary musical film actress Liza Minnelli's birthday on March 12th, we started wondering . . .

What are the best movie musicals?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movie Wallpaper

Community Curated List

While Jennifer Hudson is the clear star of the 2021 Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, we noticed some background sparkle that came close to stealing the scenes. The BMFI community responded with the best background wallflowers (and paisleys and damasks) for a list of the best movie wallpaper.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movies About Television

Community Curated List

"See, it's okay. He saw it on the television."

-  Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) in The Shining (1980)

Early experiments in television began in the late 1920s, but the small screen didn't reach popularity until after World War II. With this past Monday, November 21, 2022, being World Television Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies about television?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movies Featuring Puppets

Community Curated List

"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending."—Jim Henson

Not all stage acts translate well to the big screen, but puppetry has carved out a magical space in cinema history. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, was World Puppetry Day and we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring puppets?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Movies to Feature Baking or Desserts

Community Curated List

Bon Appétit! Saturday, January 22 is National Blondie Brownie Day, which is so specific a dessert that we started wondering . . .

What are the best movies to feature baking or desserts?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Mystery Films

Community Curated List

Was it Professor Plum in the library with a candlestick?

Jinkies! We’ve got a mystery to solve. October 14-16, 2022, was "Sherlock Holmes Weekend" to those who celebrate. With that being said . . .

What are your favorite mystery movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Rain Scenes

Community Curated List

"Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade!"

Actually, we wouldn't mind a rainy day—they're perfect for visiting your favorite cinema. With July 29 being Rain Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best rain scenes on film?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Road Trip Movies

Community Curated List

With summer rapidly approaching, we’re looking forward to hitting the open road. Friday, May 27, is National Road Trip Day, which got us thinking . . .

What are the best road trip movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best School Films

Community Curated List

We’ve all heard it before, “When I was your age, I walked five miles to school in a snowstorm, barefoot!”

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 was National Walk and Bike to School Day. Now that class is back in session, we started wondering . . .

What are the best school flicks?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Scientific Films

Community Curated List

It's all about adaptation, and we're not talking Charlie Kaufman. With February 12th being Charles Darwin's birthday, we started thinking . . .

What are the best films about a scientific discovery or scientific figure?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Spanish-Language Films

Community Curated List

Friday, September 2, 2022 was Mexican-American actress and producer Salma Hayek's birthday. Hayek’s career has made her a global star, but some of her most celebrated films are en español. We started wondering . . .

What are the best Spanish language films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Spy Movies

Community Curated List

No Time to Die opened at BMFI on Thursday, October 7, making it the 25th official Bond movie, and the final chapter in Daniel Craig's tenure as the iconic agent. This got us thinking . . .

What are the best spy movies?

BMFI patrons shared their favorites for this Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Steven Spielberg Films

Community Curated List

An extraterrestrial, a poltergeist, and a genetically modified dinosaur walk onto a dock . . . looks like we’re gonna need a bigger boat.

Get to know the man behind the movies by checking out Steven Spielberg’s new, semi-autobiographical film, The Fabelmans, but in the meantime . . .

What are the best Steven Spielberg films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Superhero Films

Community Curated List

Thursday, April 28th, 2022 is National Superhero Day, which got us thinking . . .

What are the best superhero films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Tearjerker Films

Community Curated List

Does anyone have a tissue? In honor of the beautifully heartfelt Best Picture winner CODA, we started wondering . . .

What are the best tearjerker films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Thrillers

Community Curated List

Watch out for that cliff! Who knew taking a shower could be this stressful? This week, we started wondering . . .

What are the best thrillers?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Best Waitstaff Scenes

Community Curated List

Oh garçon! There's a fly in my pea soup!

January is "Be Kind to Food Servers Month," which got us thinking . . .

What are the best scenes on film featuring waitstaff?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Biggest Oscar Snubs

Community Curated List

Many people—especially the broadcast's producers—were shocked on April 25 when Chadwick Boseman didn't win a posthumous Academy Award for his performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, but it wasn't the first Oscar snub (and it won't be the last). From overlooked directors (Spike Lee for Do the Right Thing) to actors (Glenn Close for ANYTHING EVER) to pictures (Saving Private Ryan), BMFI patrons weigh in on the movies in which some member(s) of the cast or crew didn't get their due (award or nomination) from the Academy.

You can still catch some of this year's Oscar-winning films—Minari, Nomadland, and The Father—on the big screen at BMFI. See all of the films currently available at BrynMawrFilm.org.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Black and White Movies

Community Curated List

What’s black, white, and seen all over? In celebration of new films like The Tragedy of Macbeth, C'mon C'mon, and Belfast, we began wondering . . .

What are the best black and white movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Bruce Dern Films

Community Curated List

"I'm curious about what makes people do the things that they do . . ."

Feel the Dern! Sunday, June 4, 2023, was Oscar-nominated actor Bruce Dern's 87th birthday. In honor of Bruce's ongoing legacy, we want to know . . .

What are the best Bruce Dern films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Buddy Movies

Community Curated List

We called on all buddies near and far! We asked, "What’s your favorite buddy movie?" Grab your quarantine buddy and watch your way through the full list curated by you. Below are a few selections from your buddies at BMFI.

Silver Streak, Sam Scott, Executive Director
The Other Guys, Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., Senior Director, Education and Administration
Shaun of the Dead, Charlie Grafman, Director of Development
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gina Izzo, Director of Marketing
The Killer, Jacob Mazer, Special Programming Manager
The Blues Brothers, Michael McCracken, Director of Theater Operations
Midnight Run, Jan Prendergast, Director of Finance
E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, Heather Rosenfeldt, Art Director
Tin Men, Patricia Russo, Membership Manager
The Nice Guys, Zane Stalberg, Membership and Rentals Coordinator
The Trip, Jill Malcolm, Education Coordinator

See all of the Community Curated lists voted by BMFI fans. Help curate our next list by answering the Question of the Week, updated every Tuesday.

Community Curated: Casts of Thousands

Community Curated List

With a blatant nod to our year-end giving campaign, we have movies with casts of thousands on our minds. There’s nothing like seeing thousands of players weave an epic story on the big screen, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best movies with casts of thousands?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Celebrating Black History Month

Community Curated List

In honor of Black History Month, which historian Carter G. Woodson founded 95 years ago as a week-long focus on African Americans' contributions to the advancement of civilization, we asked you for movies that further its mission.

From historical (Glory) to biographical (Straight Outta Compton) to documentary (Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child), BMFI patrons share their favorite films celebrating African American achievements.

If you're looking for a film to engage with this weekend, we recommend Garrett Bradley's Time, playing as part of the 2021 Strange Truth series. The online screening includes a conversation with the filmmaker on Saturday, February 20th at 7:00 PM. For further viewing, we compiled a list of anti-racism film resources, which includes an additional collection of critical Black stories told on screen.

Community Curated: Charlotte Rampling Films

Community Curated List

"I did that film just so I could kiss Robert Redford."—Charlotte Rampling

And who could blame her? Monday, February 5, 2024, was Academy Award-nominated actress Charlotte Rampling's 78th birthday. From arthouse to courthouse (and everything in between), Rampling's bold career has left us wondering . . .

What are the best Charlotte Rampling films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Cinematic Glasses

Community Curated List

Check the specs on those specs!

March is Save Your Vision Month, which brings awareness to eye health. Should we go tortoise shell or just get some contacts? Either way, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies to feature iconic glasses?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Cinematic Sweaters

Community Curated List

After this winter's snow, we're still trying to warm up! With February 4th being National Sweater Day, we started wondering . . .

What are the best movies to feature iconic sweaters?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Civil Rights Films

Community Curated List

"We are all one—and if we don't know it, we will learn it the hard way.”—Bayard Rustin

Nominated for Best Actor at the 96th Academy Awards, Colman Domingo portrays civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. While examining Rustin's legacy, we want to know . . .

What are the best films about civil rights?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Colorful Films

Community Curated List

Inspired by our Film Studies Online discussion of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg on February 8, we asked you for films that have brilliantly vibrant palettes. From quirky (The Grand Budapest Hotel) to international (Dreams) to comics-inspired (Dick Tracy), BMFI patrons share their favorite colorful movies.

If you missed Monday's discussion of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, you can catch the recording (and the video introduction) in our growing Film Studies Online library.

Community Curated: Coming-of-Age Films

Community Curated List

Guillermo del Toro’s three-time Oscar-winning Pan’s Labyrinth returned to at BMFI's screens in October in anticipation of the director’s newest film, Nightmare Alley, hitting theaters later in 2021. This spooky, genre-blending fantasy follows an eleven-year-old protagonist through a multitude of journeys. This got us thinking . . .

What are the best coming-of-age films?

BMFI patrons shared their favorites for this Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Computer Films

Community Curated List

What's in your pocket, on your desk, in your car, and on your tv stand?

Computers! They connect us all and play a big part in our day-to-day activities. With January being National Clean Up Your Computer Month, we want to know . . .

What are your favorite films about computers?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Courtroom Films

Community Curated List

"I fought the law and the law won."

We all love a courtroom scandal. Whether it's a case of divorce, civil rights, or losing half-a-day of skiing, the courtroom is a prime stage for drama to unfold. This week we want to know . . .

What are the best courtroom films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Directorial Debuts

Community Curated List

It has been a year since the start of Theater 5, which got us thinking about other auspicious beginnings—like those of our favorite filmmakers. In other words . . . Which directors had the best feature debut?

From classic (Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men) to international (Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali), to current (Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman) BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated list, catch up on the following directorial debuts we've discussed together in our Film Studies Online library : Night of the Hunter, 12 Angry Men, and Eve's Bayou. If you're looking for a new release, we are currently screening Jessie Barr's critically-acclaimed directorial debut Sophie Jones over in Theater 5.

Community Curated: Documentaries

Community Curated List

Inspired by our Wednesdays with Wiseman series, which features the groundbreaking work of one of the preeminent chroniclers of American institutions, we asked you for the best non-fiction films. From cinéma vérité (Grey Gardens), to concert (Stop Making Sense) to political (Fahrenheit 9/11) docs, BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

If this week's Community Curated list has inspired you to dive deeper into documentary film, DOC NYC, the country's largest documentary festival, returns November 11—19 in a virtual format. Looking for a local story? We recommend Philadelphia native Tommy Oliver's new MOVE documentary, 40 Years a Prisoner.

 

Community Curated: Dream Sequences

Community Curated List

After the year that was 2020, we could all use some rest. So, we asked you for films that make the most of their characters' time asleep. From Hitchcockian (Spellbound) to action-packed (Inception) to "abiding" (The Big Lebowski), BMFI patrons share their favorite dream sequences. See the full list of movie recommendations, chosen by you.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated list, take a look at this selection of dreamy films from Criterion.

Community Curated: Elvis Films

Community Curated List

It’s time to shake, rattle, and roll! In anticipation for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, playing at BMFI starting Thursday, June 23, we started wondering . . .

What are the best Elvis films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Fairy Tale Movies

Community Curated List

In honor of Tell a Fairy Tale Day on February 26, we asked you for some of cinema's most fanciful stories about imaginary creatures and places. From romantic (The Princess Bride) to eerie (Pan's Labyrinth) to animated (Spirited Away), BMFI patrons share their favorite fairy tale movies.

Topping this week's list is Guillermo del Toro's horror fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth. Del Toro sat down with Fresh Air's Terry Gross to discuss his interest in fairytales following the film's release in 2007. Catch the interview here.

If this week's list has inspired you to revisit past literary versions, Main Point Books offers BMFI members a 10% discount off your entire purchase. Make sure you bring your membership card – and your mask!

Community Curated: Favorite Best Picture Winners

Community Curated List

Everything Everywhere All at Once took home the top prize at the 95th Academy Awards. 95 films have garnered the coveted Best Picture title, which got us thinking . . .

What are your favorite Best Picture winners?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Films by Foreign-Born Directors

Community Curated List

In honor of beloved filmmaker Ivan Reitman, we want to know . . .

What are your favorite Hollywood movies made by foreign-born directors?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Administrators

Community Curated List

They schedule, they organize, and they keep businesses running smoothly. This past Wednesday, April 26, 2023, was Administrative Professionals Day. In honor of all the administrators in our lives, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies to feature administrators?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Cats

Community Curated List

International Cat Day is August 8! To celebrate, BMFI patrons curated a list of films featuring the most fabulous felines. All genres are represented – dramas, comedies, animated films, documentaries – because cats have graced the big screen since the earliest days of cinema!

Discover even more film felines on the websites CatsonFilm.net and CinemaCats.com. If you missed this year's Quarantine Cat Film Festival, which features several cats from BMFI patrons, you can still cat-ch it with our friends at Row House Cinema, who produced the fest. Still not enough? Join the BMFI Cats Facebook group and share pics of your Theater 5 mew-vie buddies.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Clowns

Community Curated List

Inspired by April Fools' Day, we asked you for films that feature fools, jesters, or jokers. From classic (Calvero in Limelight) to horror (Pennywise in It) to international (Gelsomina in La Strada), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie clowns.

Two of this week's recommendations—The Court Jester and The King of Comedy—have been the subject of past Film Studies Online Discussions. Catch up on the video introductions and discussion recordings in our FSO Library.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Dads

Community Curated List

To celebrate Father's Day, we asked you for movies that have truly memorable paternal figures. From intense (Vito Corleone in The Godfather) to farcical (H.I. McDunnough in Raising Arizona) to animated (Marlin in Finding Nemo), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie dads.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Doctors

Community Curated List

Inspired by Call Your Doctor Day on June 8, we asked you for films that have truly memorable physicians. From romantic (Doctor Zhivago) to horrific (the Mantle brothers in Dead Ringers) to schmaltzy (Patch Adams), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie doctors.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Dogs

Community Curated List

In honor of Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 25, we asked you for some of the cinema's classic canines. From screwball (Mr. Smith in The Awful Truth) to horror (Cujo) to animated (Lady and the Tramp), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie dogs.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Families

Community Curated List

In honor of International Day of Families on March 15, we asked you for films that have truly memorable kinship groups. From quirky (The Royal Tenenbaums) to crime (the Corleones in The Godfather) to heroic (the Wakandan royal family in Black Panther), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie families.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Pets

Community Curated List

In honor of National Love Your Pet Day on February 20, we asked you for cinema's most memorable animal friends. From favorite dog (Mr. Smith in The Awful Truth) to snake (Reggie in Raiders of the Lost Ark) to pig (the eponymous Babe), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated list, continue the animal appreciation with our The Birds-inspired crossword puzzle. For those who are partial to cats, re-visit our film felines list here. If you have furry friends of your own, join us in the BMFI Cats Facebook group and share pics of your Theater 5 mew-vie buddies.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Siblings

Community Curated List

Inspired by National Siblings Day, we asked you for films that feature memorable sisters, brothers, and twins. From literary (Celie & Nettie in The Color Purple) to horror (the Grady twins in The Shining) to effects-created (the "Winklevi" in The Social Network), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie siblings.

One of your recommendations—The Darjeeling Limited—was this week's FSO discussion film. You can find BMFI instructor Lisa DeNight's video introduction, and a recording of Monday night's discussion, here.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movie Villains

Community Curated List

Academy Award-nominated actress Piper Laurie died on October 14, 2023, at age 91.

Her role as Carrie's mom in Carrie cemented her spot as a movie villain. While feeling shivers down our spines, we got to wondering . . .

What are your favorite movie villains?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Movies Featuring Rodents

Community Curated List

They scurry, they screech, and unfortunately, they scat . . . we're talking rodents on the big screen this week to recognize Fancy Rat & Mouse Day on Saturday, November 12, 2022. We want to know . . .

What are your favorite movies to feature rodents?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Favorite Music Documentaries

Community Curated List

We asked you for your favorite music documentaries, and you answered! As you assemble your playlist, consult this community-curated greatest hits list, along with a few house recommendations below:

BMFI recommends:

Stop Making Sense
1984 · d. Jonathan Demme
Last time we played Jonathan Demme's 1984 Talking Heads concert movie, it packed the theater. At the top of the film, David Byrne strolls on stage with an acoustic guitar and a boom box. Song by song, the ensemble and set expands, swelling into a blissful, unifying celebration. It's no wonder Stop Making Sense comes up in any discussion of the great concert films. This is rock and roll as a utopian act.

See where Stop Making Sense is streaming.

Sign ‘o’ the Times
1987 · d. Prince, Albert Magnoli

Prince's screen legacy will always rest on 1984's Purple Rain, but this little-seen 1987 concert film should give it a run for its money. The setlist, drawn mostly from the stupendous Sign ‘O' the Times album, is broken up with short narrative interludes, but Prince knows we're here for the music, and boy, does he deliver, cranking out one fiery number after the next. The Purple One was known to be at his best in a live setting, and once you see this film, you'll understand why.

See where Sign ‘o’ the Times is streaming.

Monterey Pop
1968 · d. D.A. Pennebaker

The 1967 Monterey Pop Festival brought together an extraordinary group of artists, including The Who, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Otis Redding, and many more. The magic is preserved thanks to D.A. Pennebaker's cinema verité documentary, which captured some of the era's most iconic musical moments, from a little-known Janis Joplin blowing the house down to Hendrix's sacrificial immolation of his instrument. After you've watch Monterey Pop, be sure to check out Pennebaker's short films Jimi Plays Monterey and Shake! Otis at Monterey, which capture Hendrix and Redding's sets in their entirety.

See where Monterey Pop is streaming.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
1965 · d. Donald Brittain, Don Owen

Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has been the subject of several documentaries, but this 1965 television special is a special treat. The 44-minute film follows 30-year-old Cohen around his native Montreal as he writes, performs, pontificates, and revels. At the time of filming, Cohen had not yet launched his musical career and was known chiefly as a poet and novelist. Does that mean this isn't a music documentary? Maybe, but then again, maybe not. Cohen's music was distinguished by its literary quality, and observing his writing practice gives one all the more insight and appreciation for the work that would follow.

See where Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen is streaming.

Community Curated: Faye Dunaway Flicks

Community Curated List

"Fear is a pair of handcuffs on your soul."—Faye Dunaway

This past Sunday, January 14, 2024, was Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway's 83rd birthday. Call her diva, divine, or overly dramatic, Dunaway has made an enduring impact on cinema. This week, we want to know . . .

What are the best Faye Dunaway flicks?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Female-Directed Films

Community Curated List

Inspired by our seminar on pioneering filmmaker Dorothy Arzner, we asked you for your favorite movies directed by women. From films noir to comedies to war pictures, BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

Looking to sink your teeth into more female-directed work? Filmmaker and critic Mark Cousins's Women Make Film, a 14-hour epic divided into 40 chapters and featuring the works of 183 directors, is currently being broadcast on TCM as an episodic series through December. You can listen to Cousins discuss his new road movie through cinema with Sight & Sound. Cousins also released a 200-minute visual talk in March, 40 Days to Learn Film, that showcases some of the work he highlights in Women Make Film.

If you're looking for more hidden histories of women in film, learn about the role women played in the editing room with Edited By, survey of 139 female film editors who invented, developed, fine-tuned and revolutionized the art of film editing.

 

Community Curated: Film Fashion

Community Curated List

The last few weeks have seen some seriously enviable outfits dress up the big screen. Marion's white dress in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ilsa's iconic traveling suit in Casablanca, and literally anything Aretha dons in Respect, have us rethinking our wardrobes. The BMFI community responded with their favorite fashionable films for this week's Community Curated list.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Film Romances

Community Curated List

Not to get too mushy, but we all like a good movie romance from time to time. Whether it’s Bogart and Bacall or Kermit and Miss Piggy, we love to see love on the big screen. With romance on the brain, we want to know . . .

What are the best film romances?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films About Authors

Community Curated List

"I write to discover what I know."—Flannery O'Connor

While putting pen to paper, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best films about authors?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films About Live Theater

Community Curated List

5, 6, 7, 8!

Prepare your monologues, curtain calls, and jazz hands! This week, we're hitting the stage to better understand . . .

What are the best films about live theater?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films about Painters

Community Curated List

"My painting does not come from the easel."—Jackson Pollock

Be it acrylic, oil, or watercolor, paint has allowed us to depict our world and beyond for millennia. While cleaning our brushes, we started wondering . . .

What are the best films about painters?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films About Teachers

Community Curated List

“Those schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails are gone . . .”

As summer comes to a close, kids are heading back to school. While sharpening our pencils and packing our lunch, we got to wondering . . .

What are the best films about teachers?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films Based on True Stories

Community Curated List

First attributed to 19th-century poet Lord Byron, the aphorism, "truth is stranger than fiction," still applies today, perhaps more than ever. Many of the most beloved films began with real people and actual events. We're wondering . . .

What are the best films based on true stories?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films Featuring a Singer-Turned-Actor

Community Curated List

"Strike a pose. Vogue!" This past Tuesday, August 16, was pop icon Madonna's birthday, which got us thinking . . .

What are your favorite films to feature a singer-turned-actor?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Films Noir

Community Curated List

We were in need of noir, and you delivered! Film noir has cast a long shadow (see what we did there?) across eras and genres. Seedy underbellies, darkened streets, femme fatales, and other genre tropes can be found in films from Body Heat to Who Framed Roger Rabbit to The Big Lebowski to Inherent Vice and beyond. Here are your favorite films noir. They’re the stuff that (Community Curated) lists are made of.

Take a deeper dive into your second most popular noir, Out of the Past, in the BMFI Film Studies Online Library, available now for free!

Community Curated: Films of Impact

Community Curated List

We asked you: what is a movie that has made a lasting impact on you? It may have opened your eyes to a new perspective, shown you a part of the world you’d never seen before, shed light on an historical moment unknown to you, or was just so unique that you never forgot your first time watching it.

See the list of films that moved you, changed the conversation, or transformed your way of thinking, all chosen by you.

We've been thinking about the impact of film a lot here at BMFI. Here are two lists we've compiled of anti-racism film resources and films confronting injustice, to help us all continue learning in this time of change.

Community Curated: Food Movies

Community Curated List

We ordered the best food movies, and you delivered! Check out the full list of food-centric films, voted by you. Some films might not be to your taste, but this eclectic buffet has something for everyone to enjoy.

Make one of these delicious films the side dish at your barbecue! BMFI's Director of Marketing, Gina Izzo, gives some tips for setting up your backyard movie experience in a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Community Curated: French-Language Movies

Community Curated List

Inspired by United Nations French Language Day on March 20, we asked you for films in which le français is spoken. From Canadian (The Barbarian Invasions) to Ivorian (Night of the Kings) to French (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), BMFI patrons share their favorite French-language movies.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated list, make sure to catch Theater 5's current French-language offerings: Night of the King, Mafia Inc, Keep an Eye Out, and Perfumes. If you missed our recent discussion on this week's number two pick The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, you can find the recording in our Film Studies Online library.

For fans of Godard, BMFI's Senior Director of Education Andrew Douglas discussed the influence of Breathless in his weekly video series Ask Andrew. If you have any film-related questions, you can drop Andrew a line through the Ask Andrew form.

Community Curated: German-Language Films

Community Curated List

Willkommen! Besides bratwurst and beer, film is one of Germany's most celebrated exports. While putting on our lederhosen, we started to wonder . . .

What are the best German-language films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Graduation Films

Community Curated List

Time to zip up that gown and don that tasseled cap. It's graduation season and in celebration of the class of 2023, we want to know . . .

What are the best films centered around graduation?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Guilty Pleasure Movies

Community Curated List

We asked you, "What movie is your guilty pleasure? You might be embarrassed to admit how much you love it, but tell us anyway."

At BMFI, we don't exactly feel "guilty" about our "guilty pleasure" movies. "Guilty pleasures" don't have to be "bad". They can be comforting. They can be restorative. They can be a familiar friend or a reset button at the end of a stressful day. We've been there, watched that, and keep coming back. They may or may not have racked up awards, but that doesn't mean they bring any less joy to our lives.

Here are a couple of picks from some members of the BMFI Board of Directors. See the full list on Letterboxd. We're not embarrassed by our guilty pleasures. Sorry, not sorry.

Lady Jane, Anmiryam Budner
Dodgeball and Legally Blonde, Jane Corrigan
The Man with Two Brains, Francie Ingersoll
Out of Sight and Something's Gotta Give, Marsha Perelman
Carnal Knowledge and Easy Rider, David Pudlin

Community Curated: Halloween Costume Inspiration

Community Curated List

Finding the perfect costume can be tricky, but some of the best themes come from the world of cinema. Maybe it’s because of the fantastical characters created in the imaginations of artists. Maybe it’s because productions employ entire costume departments. Either way, movie-themed Halloween costumes are always winners. In honor of Halloween 2021, we asked you . . .

What movies inspire the best Halloween costumes?

You gave us your best source material in this week's Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Holiday Movies

Community Curated List

Since it's "the most wonderful time of the year," we asked you for movies that have depicted it memorably. From definitive (It's a Wonderful Life) to animated (The Polar Express) to cynical (The Ref), BMFI patrons share their favorite holiday movies. See the full list of recommendations, chosen by you.

Although the annual debate over its holiday ranking rages on, Die Hard took the top slot in this week's Community Curated list. If you're still doubtful, director John McTiernan may have settled the dispute once and for all.

Once you've re-watched Die Hard for the umpteenth time, Andrew has shared some more Christmas-themed thrillers in this week's episode of Ask Andrew. If you have any film-related questions you'd like ask, Andrew may have the answer! Let us know in the Ask Andrew Form.

Community Curated: Horror Films Made After 1970

Community Curated List

See more than 100 modern horror films selected by BMFI patrons! From groundbreaking (The Exorcist) to tongue-in-cheek (Scream) to allegorical (Get Out), BMFI patrons built this list of top horror films made since 1970. After viewing these contemporary horrors, throw it back to the Community Curated list of pre-1970s films.

By a landslide, The Shining took home the top spot of this week’s Community Curated list. Once you’ve exhausted your scary movie kick, revisit Kubrick’s body of work with a video essay from Kogonada and a documentary about Leon Vitali, Kubrick’s devoted right-hand man of more than two decades.

Back in April, Andrew answered your question about the legitimacy of horror film. Chime in if you have a new question for Andrew!

 

Community Curated: Iconic Vehicles On-Screen

Community Curated List

Toot toot. Hey. Beep beep!

This past Monday, October 2, 2023, was National Name Your Car Day. While in traffic, we began to ponder . . .

What are the most iconic vehicles on-screen?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Jack Nicholson Movies

Community Curated List

Jack Nicholson—actor, New Jersey native, and the man who launched a thousand bad impressions—turned 84 on April 22, so we asked you for the films in which Jack gave his strongest performances, chewed the most scenery, or scolded others for their aversion to veracity. From noir (Chinatown) to Oscar-winning (Terms of Endearment), to counterculture (Easy Rider), BMFI patrons share their favorite Jack Nicholson movies.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Jane Fonda Films

Community Curated List

She's an activist, a fitness icon, Hollywood royalty and a two-time Academy Award-winning actress. There's only one. We're talking Fonda - Jane Fonda.

Wednesday, December 21, 2022, marked Jane Fonda's 85th birthday. With her enduring legacy on our mind, we're wondering . . .

What are your favorite Jane Fonda films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Jean-Luc Godard Films

Community Curated List

"It's not where you take things from—it's where you take them to." French-Swiss auteur and critic Jean-Luc Godard has died at age 91. His influence as an innovator of style and craft continues to reverberate in filmmakers far past the French New Wave. We're wondering . . .

What are your favorite Godard films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Joanne Woodward Films

Community Curated List

"I'm a risk taker. I like to test myself."

She's acted multiple personalities, played an actress-turned-striptease artist, and set the pace for Paul Newman on many occasions. This week, we're talking Joanne Woodward.

February 27, 2023, was Joanne Woodward's 93rd birthday. With her film legacy on our mind, we're wondering . . .

What are the best Joanne Woodward films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Jodie Foster Films

Community Curated List

"Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from."

Sunday, November 19, 2023, marked actress and filmmaker Jodie Foster's 60th birthday. Starting out as a child actor, Foster has been witness to the last 50 years of Hollywood filmmaking.

While pondering her enduring legacy, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best Jodie Foster films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Judy Garland Films

Community Curated List

Forget your troubles, c’mon get happy! On Friday, June 10, 2022, we celebrated Judy Garland’s 100th birthday. Somewhere over the rainbow, we started wondering . . .

What are your favorite Judy Garland films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Katharine Hepburn Films

Community Curated List

"The calla lilies are in bloom again." May 12, 2022, marks Katharine Hepburn’s 115th birthday, which got us thinking . . .

What are your favorite Katharine Hepburn films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Kids Movies

Community Curated List

Here's a list for the kiddos, decided by you! Find something new that the whole family can watch. We know there's at least one movie on constant repeat in your house. Spice it up with selects from your neighbors.

Looking for more? Our friend Chris Collier, Executive Director of Renew Theaters, which includes The Ambler Theater, The County Theater, The Hiway Theater, and Princeton Garden Theater, recommends some family-friendly films with his son Zachary.

Not sure if a movie is right for your child? Common Sense Media provides age-based reviews for movies, books, and games, so you can decide what content is right for your family.

See all of the lists curated by you on Letterboxd.

Community Curated: Kindness on Film

Community Curated List

World Kindness Week started on November 7, 2021, culminating in World Kindness Day on Saturday, November 13. To source inspiration for friendship and compassion, we asked BMFI patrons . . .

What movies portray acts of kindness?

See the films that capture kindness on screen in this Community Curated list.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Laugh-Out-Loud Movies

Community Curated List

In honor of Global Belly Laugh Day on January 24th, we asked you for the best (belly) laugh-out-loud movies. From old-school (Duck Soup) to British (A Fish Called Wanda) to unintentional (The Room), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

One of this week's recommendations, Some Like It Hot, was our Film Studies Online discussion pick back in June. If you missed the conversation, you can watch the recording (and introduction) here.

Community Curated: Laurence Fishburne Movies

Community Curated List

Oscar-nominee Laurence Fishburne—who's had the coolest character names (Mr. Clean, Furious Styles, and Morpheus, to name a few)—turned 60 on July 30. To mark the birthday of a truly exceptional actor, we asked you for the best Laurence Fishburne movies.

From coming-of-age (Cornbread, Earl and Me) to crime (King of New York) to family (Searching for Bobby Fischer), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Literary Adaptations

Community Curated List

We asked you for the best literary adaptations you've seen on screen. Now we have a lot of reading (and watching) to catch up on! See the full Community Curated list on Letterboxd.

If our adaptations roundup is making your to-read list longer, shop locally with Main Point Books. Cathy Fiebach and Anmiryam Budner of Main Point Books have shared their favorite big-screen adaptations with us:

Cathy: The Harry Potter series, The Princess Bride, Call Me By Your Name, Little Women, Julie and Julia, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Anmiryam: Rebecca, Jane Eyre, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and The Prestige

Main Point Books offers BMFI members a 10% discount off your entire purchase. Make sure you bring your membership card - and your mask!

Community Curated: Maggie Smith Films

Community Curated List

“Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.”—Maggie Smith

Thursday, December 28, 2023, marked Academy Award-winning acting legend Maggie Smith’s 88th birthday. To celebrate, we asked . . .

What are the best Maggie Smith flicks?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Malcolm McDowell Films

Community Curated List

"Once you commit to something, you've got to commit the whole way. Try and make the best of it."

Tuesday, June 13, 2023, was actor Malcolm McDowell's 80th birthday. Remembering his iconic and intense roles, we want to know . . .

What are the best Malcolm McDowell films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Martial Arts Movies

Community Curated List

"Martial arts is just practice."—Michelle Yeoh

That's easy for her to say. Since the 1920s, martial arts films have brought dynamic, thrilling action to the big screen. While practicing our karate, we started wondering . . .

What are the best martial arts films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Maternal Movies

Community Curated List

Mamma Mia! Sunday, May 8th, 2022 is Mother's Day, which got us thinking . . .

What films remind us most of mom or a maternal figure?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Memorable Dance Scenes

Community Curated List

We asked you, "What are some movies with memorable dance scenes?" Movie musicals may own the lion’s share of high-profile choreography, and definitely deserve to make the cut, but noteworthy dance sequences are found in all genres of films. See the list of favorites, chosen by you.

Once you've made you way through the Community Curated selections, keep the dance floor warm with video essays on the history of dance in film, the evolution of the movie musical, and the emotive powers of dance (published by MUBI, who is offering BMFI patrons three months of free access to their streaming service.)

Community Curated: Michael Keaton Movies

Community Curated List

Actor Michael Keaton, who turned 70 on September 5, is best known for his early comedies and collaborations with Tim Burton in the 1980s, but has had a bit of a renaissance in recent years, both at the multiplex and on BMFI's screens, as well. This made us wonder . . .

What are the best Michael Keaton Movies?

From parodic (Johnny Dangerously) to dramatic (Spotlight) to animated (Toy Story 3), BMFI patrons share their movie recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Moon Movies

Community Curated List

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore!

With this past Tuesday, August 15, 2023, being Chant at the Moon Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies featuring the moon?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Most Memorable Costumes

Community Curated List

“A designer is only as good as the star who wears her clothes.”

October 2023 will mark legendary costume designer Edith Head’s 126th birthday. As we break out our fall clothes, we want to know . . .

What are the films with the most memorable costumes?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Most Memorable Onscreen Kisses

Community Curated List

Pucker up, buttercup. This past Wednesday, June 22, was National Kissing Day. While applying our Chapstick, we started wondering . . .

What are the films with the most memorable onscreen kisses?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Most Quotable Movies

Community Curated List

Our fall 2021 special programming slate touts some classics we know by heart, and we never get tired of experiencing our favorites. To create the definitive list, we asked BMFI patrons . . .

What are the most quotable movies?

See the best supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Mary Poppins), inconceivable (The Princess Bride), or fetch (Mean Girls) quotable films in this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Cowboys

Community Curated List

July 24th is National Day of the Cowboy, and there's no better place to find a rebellious ranch hand, a colorful cowpoke, or a wandering westerner than the big screen. So, we asked you for the best movie cowboys and cowgirls.

From classic (Ringo Kid in Stagecoach) to contemporary (Ennis in Brokeback Mountain) to urban (Harp in Concrete Cowboy), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Millionaires

Community Curated List

English tycoon Richard Branson went into space (technically) on July 11. This got us thinking about the bevy of wealthy eccentrics found in films.

For this week's Community Curated list, we asked you for the most memorable movie millionaires. From literary (The Great Gatsby) to historical (Marie Antoinette) to comedy (Coming to America), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Moms

Community Curated List

In honor of Mother's Day, we asked you for movies that have truly memorable maternal figures. From melodramatic (Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest) to yuppie (J. C. Wiatt in Baby Boom) to heroic (Elastigirl in The Incredibles), BMFI patrons share their favorite movie mothers.

Continue celebrating moms with a BMFI crossword puzzle full of actresses who took home Oscars for playing good, bad, and sometimes downright nasty, mothers. Solve each clue for the actress who played the "mom" and took home the gold. Solve online or print the PDF.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Pirates

Community Curated List

Ahoy, mateys! September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and there's no better place to see colorful characters exclaiming "Cleave him to the brisket!", "Shiver me timbers!", and, of course, "Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!" than the big screen. So, we'd like to know . . .

Who are the best movie pirates?

BMFI patrons shared their favorite classic (Peter Blood in Captain Blood), real (Abduwali Muse in Captain Phillips), animated (Captain Hook in Peter Pan), or delusional (Steve Cowan in Dodgeball) selections for this Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Quests

Community Curated List

August 15 is a surprisingly auspicious date for the launch of all-time great movies. On that date in 1939, The Wizard of Oz had its Hollywood premiere, and Apocalypse Now was released exactly 40 years later. The two movies have a fair amount in common: both were inspired by novels, both were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and both are about dangerous journeys in pursuit of an all-powerful being.

To mark this milestone in movie history, BMFI patrons shared their favorite movie quests.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movie Soundtracks

Community Curated List

We asked you for the movies with the best soundtracks. We're making new playlists with the more than 100 films you suggested! See the full Community Curated soundtrack list on Letterboxd.

Looking for even more movie music? Check out the American Film Institute's 100 Years . . . 100 Songs official list.

Community Curated: Movie Title Songs

Community Curated List

"I’m singin’ in the rain, just singin’ in the rain . . ."

Title tracks—they're the earworms that stick with us days after the credits roll. This week, we want to know . . .

What are the movies with the most memorable title songs?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies About "Family" Gatherings

Community Curated List

Though it was a bit different this year, Thanksgiving is typically a time for friends and relatives to get together. That's why we asked you for the best movies about "family" gatherings. From quirky (The Royal Tenenbaums) to suspenseful (Knives Out) to "boomer" (The Big Chill) selections, BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

While we wish we could ring in the holiday weekend together on Lancaster Ave., we're grateful for our gatherings in Theater 5 and Film Studies Online. Catch up on old FSO discussions, new releases, and movie-themed puzzles.

Community Curated: Movies About Activism

Community Curated List

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, we asked you for the best films about fighting for a cause. From documentaries (She's Beautiful When She's Angry) to films based on a true story (Selma), or not so much (Sorry to Bother You), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

One of this week's recommendations, Do the Right Thing, was our Film Studies Online discussion pick this Monday. If you missed the conversation, you can watch the recording (and introduction) here. If you're looking for a new release documenting an urgent fight for justice, head over to Theater 5 and check out Belly of the Beast. 

Community Curated: Movies About American Service Members

Community Curated List

Many of us look forward to Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer (especially this year), but we sometimes forget it is a somber holiday intended to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military. To mark it, we asked you for films that focus on people in the armed forces of the United States. From classic (The Best Years of Our Lives) to comedic (Private Benjamin) to satirical (M*A*S*H), BMFI patrons share their favorite movies about American service members.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies about Geniuses

Community Curated List

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious."

This past Tuesday, April 18, 2023, marked the 68th anniversary of Albert Einstein's death. Einstein's groundbreaking contributions to physics forever made "Einstein" synonymous with "genius." Instead of doing our physics homework, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies about geniuses?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies About Immigrants to the U.S.

Community Curated List

April 17 is National Ellis Island Family History Day because that date in 1907 was the single busiest day in the facility’s history, with 11,747 individuals entering the U.S. So, we asked you for films that feature individuals or families that are new to America. From literary (The Pawnbroker) to animated (An American Tail), to comedy (Moscow on the Hudson), BMFI patrons share their favorite movies about immigrants to the U.S.

One of your recommendations—Minari—is playing on the big screen at BMFI just in time for the Oscars. See all of the films currently available at BrynMawrFilm.org.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies about Journalists

Community Curated List

60 Minutes, the granddaddy of American television news magazines, premiered on September 24, 1968. This mainstay of broadcast journalism brought Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney, and an enormous stopwatch into our homes week after week, and was at the center of an Oscar-nominated film. This got us thinking . . .

What are the best movies about journalists?

BMFI patrons shared their favorite comedic (His Girl Friday), conspiratorial (The Parallax View), coming-of-age (Almost Famous), or cult-classic (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) selections for our next Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies About Musicians

Community Curated List

Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan turned 80 on May 24, so we asked you for films that focus on, yes, singers and songwriters, but also pianists, guitarists, and drummers, as well. From classical (Amadeus) to rap (Straight Outta Compton), to barroom (The Fabulous Baker Boys), BMFI patrons share their favorite movies about musicians.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies About Politics

Community Curated List

In case you haven't heard, there is an election coming up, so we've asked you for the best movies about politics. From idealistic (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) to cynical (Wag the Dog) to bonkers (The Death of Stalin), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Have questions about where and how to cast your vote? Visit VotesPA.com for comprehensive details about voting in Pennsylvania. If you'd like to get involved with the election, CASA is still looking for voter guardians to volunteer at key polling locations throughout the state on November 3rd.

After you mail in your ballot (or before you head to the polls), reflect on elections past with these political campaign documentaries.

 

Community Curated: Movies About Small Businesses

Community Curated List

In support of Small Business Saturday and the local stores we all love, we asked you for the best movies about small shops and businesses. From romantic (The Shop Around the Corner) to indie (Clerks) to comedic (Ghostbusters), or, um, illicit (Pineapple Express), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Shop and support local this holiday season with your BMFI membership. See which businesses and attractions offer benefits to members through our retail discount program. 

Community Curated: Movies About Space

Community Curated List

Inspired by our discussion of The Right Stuff, we asked you for movies set among—or about the quest to reach—the stars. From metaphysical (Solaris) to action-packed (Armageddon) to documentary (For All Mankind), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Continue exploring space in film with our recorded FSO discussions of Forbidden Planet and The Right Stuff.

Community Curated: Movies About the Movies

Community Curated List

We asked you for the best movies about the movies. From silent (Sherlock Jr.) to farcical (Bowfinger) or, ahem, adult (Boogie Nights), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Once you've made your way through this week's Community Curated selections, deepen your silver-screen knowledge with You Must Remember This, a podcast exploring the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood's first century. Previous seasons of the series include Charles Manson's Hollywood, Polly Platt: The Invisible Woman, Fake News: Fact Checking Hollywood Babylon, Jean and Jane, Six Degrees of Joan Crawford, The Blacklist, and MGM Stories.

Community Curated: Movies About the Suburbs

Community Curated List

From satirical (American Beauty), to dramatic (Revolutionary Road), or even ridiculous (um, The 'Burbs), here are your favorite movies about the 'burbs.

Landing in the second-place slot this week is David Lynch's 1985 neo-noir Blue Velvet. Lynch discussed his body of work and Philadelphia roots when he paid a visit to BMFI in 2014.  Dive deeper into the realm of dark suburbia with Wired's Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast episode on the role suburbs often play in horror film.

If you missed the FSO discussion about our 'burbs movie selection, The Swimmer, you can catch up in the BMFI Film Studies Online Library, available now for free!

Community Curated: Movies Directed by Actors

Community Curated List

Kasi Lemmons, the writer/director of our Film Studies Online discussion film, Eve's Bayou, began her career in front of the camera in such movies as School Daze and The Silence of the Lambs. This got us thinking . . . What are the best movies directed by actors?

From Peele (Get Out) to Lupino (The Hitch-Hiker) to Redford (Quiz Show), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated, dive deeper with these Film at Lincoln Center talks featuring actors/directors Elaine May, Greta Gerwig, Julie Delpy, and Jodie Foster.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring a Doomsday Bunker

Community Curated List

Wait? You don't have a bunker that will survive an apocalyptic event? At the risk of sounding a bit bonkers, we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring a doomsday bunker?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Board Games

Community Curated List

Holiday season is officially here. After you store the leftovers and brew the coffee, it’s time to break out a game. This week, we want to know . . .

What are your favorite movies inspired by or featuring a board game?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Circuses or Carnivals

Community Curated List

Trapeze, tightropes, and clowns, oh my! In celebration of Guillermo del Toro’s new neo-noir masterpiece Nightmare Alley, we started wondering . . .

What are the best movies to feature circuses or carnivals?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Drag

Community Curated List

Don't be a drag, just be a queen! From Shakespeare to Rocky Horror, drag has been a celebrated form of expression for centuries. With its enduring impact on our minds, we want to know . . .

What are the best movies to feature drag?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Farmers

Community Curated List

Farmers are essential to our way of life. They keep us fed and inspire us to learn more about our Earth. With Saturday, June 24, 2023, being Farmer Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring farmers or farming?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Flight

Community Curated List

Friday, December 17, 2021, marked the 118th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. To commemorate, we thoughts of films that depict air travel, which got us wondering . . .

What are the best films to feature flight?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Iconic Hats

Community Curated List

Saturday, January 15 is National Hat Day! It made us realize how many iconic hats steal the show in films. We began wondering . . .

What are the best movies to feature iconic hats?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Insects

Community Curated List

Sorry to bug you! Tuesday, June 6, 2023, was World Pest Day. The pesky insects that infiltrate our lives have landed in quite a few of our favorite films. So, we’re wondering  . . .

What are your favorite movies featuring insects?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Psychics, Mediums, or Fortunetellers

Community Curated List

I predict you'll meet a tall, dark stranger.

Sunday, August 6, 2023, was Psychic Day. While double checking our tarot, we got to wondering . . .

What are the best films featuring psychics, mediums, or fortunetellers?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Featuring Toys

Community Curated List

We’ve made our list and checked it twice. While anxiously waiting to see what Santa will bring, we started wondering . . .

What are the best movies that feature toys?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Made More Than Once

Community Curated List

Last week, we asked you for the best movies made more than once. From “the third time’s the charm” (John Huston's The Maltese Falcon) to unnecessary (Gus Van Sant's Psycho) to genre-changing (Throw Momma from the Train), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. Explore the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

See what Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., BMFI’s Senior Director of Education and Administration, has to say about remakes in last week's episode of Ask Andrew. If you have any film-related questions you'd like ask, Andrew may have the answer! Let us know in the Ask Andrew Form.

Community Curated: Movies Starring Musicians

Community Curated List

Oscar-nominee Sting—born Gordon Sumner—turned 70 on Saturday, October 2, 2021. While rightly acknowledged by the Academy, the Kennedy Center, and countless other institutions for his skills as a singer/songwriter, the former Police front man has also ventured into acting (Dune, The Bride). This got us wondering . . .

What are the best movies starring musicians?

BMFI patrons shared their favorite movies starring musicians for this Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies Starring Real-Life Couples

Community Curated List

Cleopatra was released on June 12, 1963, and while it's best known for its enormous budget, the movie also began the romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, which would span 15 years, 10 films, and two marriages. This got us thinking about movies starring real-life couples. From noir (Bogie and Bacall in The Big Sleep) to comedy (Goldie and Kurt in Overboard) to bizarre (Cruise and Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies that Traumatized You as a Child

Community Curated List

With Edgar Wright's throwback thriller, Last Night in Soho, and classic monster movie, Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D on 35mm, coming to BMFI in time for Halloween 2021, we're feeling nostalgic for terrifying cinema experiences. We wanted to know . . .

What are the movies that traumatized you as a child?

BMFI patrons delivered with a lengthy list of traumatizing cinema!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies with Non-Linear Narratives

Community Curated List

Inspired by Groundhog Day—or rather, Groundhog Day — we asked you for movies that tell a story in a roundabout way (or a round-and-round-and-roundabout way). From international (Rashomon) to film noir (Sunset Boulevard) to sci-fi (Edge of Tomorrow), BMFI patrons shared their favorite films with non-linear narratives.

Filmmaker David Lynch has spoken about two of this week's recommendations - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and Mulholland Drive - while in conversation with critic Carrie Rickey at BMFI. Revisit the recorded discussion here.

Community Curated: Movies with Small-But-Memorable Performances

Community Curated List

Academy Award-nominated character actor Burt Young died in October 2023 at age 83.

He had notable supporting turns in a number of movies, including Chinatown, Once Upon a Time in America, The Pope of Greenwich Village, and Rocky. This got us thinking . . .

What movies have the best small-but-memorable performances?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Movies with the Best Song-Centered Scenes

Community Curated List

“Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember.” –Burt Bacharach

Oscar-winning composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach passed away on February 8, 2023, and his greatest film legacy will be the many memorable scenes—in movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance KidMy Best Friend’s Wedding, and the Austin Powers series—that featured his songs. With scene-specific songs on the mind, we’re wondering . . .

What movies (that aren’t musicals) have the best song-centered scenes?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Musical Scores

Community Curated List

Warner Bros. released Don Juan, the first feature film to have a synchronized musical score, on August 6, 1926, forever changing the sound of cinema. In honor of this milestone, we asked you for the best musical scores. From zither (The Third Man) to electronic (Forbidden Planet) to classical (2001: A Space Odyssey), BMFI patrons share their movie recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: New Jersey Movies

Community Curated List

C'mon. It is the Garden State after all!

This past week was "Be Nice to New Jersey Week," which is a holiday we didn't know existed. But still, it got us thinking . . .

What are the best films set in New Jersey?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: New Year's Movies

Community Curated List

Since we all agreed that 2020 couldn't be over quickly enough, we asked you for the best movies that mark the end of the year. From disaster (The Poseidon Adventure) to rom-com (When Harry Met Sally...) to sci-fi (Strange Days), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

In a year with many challenges, these Community Curated lists have given us reason to smile. Thank you for your wonderful recommendations these last eight months. Catch up on any lists you missed here.

Community Curated: Nicolas Cage Films

Community Curated List

He’s played an ex-convict, an incensed baker, and a historian out to steal the Declaration of Independence. There’s only one Nicolas Cage. 

In excitement for his newest film, Dream Scenario, we want to know . . .

What are the best Nicolas Cage films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Nurses On Screen

Community Curated List

"Never give nor take an excuse." —Florence Nightingale

Flo meant business! Nurses aid, comfort, and give care through some of the best and worst experiences in our lives. We owe them a great deal. With this past Friday, May 12, 2023, being International Nurses Day, we want to know . . .

What are the most memorable nurse performances on screen?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Opening Title Sequences

Community Curated List

We asked you, "What movies have the best opening-credits sequences?" Sometimes the titles are just as creative and engaging as the movie itself, if not more so! See the list of favorites, chosen by you.

Hooked on title sequences after sifting through this week's Community Curated selections? Art of the Title is the definitive industry publication for title-sequence design, covering the film, television, conference, and video game industries.

Community Curated: Paranormal Films

Community Curated List

Boo! Did we scare you?

Whether you have a Ouija board or steer clear of spirits, we've all seen some memorable paranormal films. In honor of spooky season, we're wondering . . .

What are the best paranormal films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Paul Newman Films

Community Curated List

"The embarrassing thing is that the salad dressing is out-grossing my films."

This week we're talking Newman — Paul Newman. Thursday, January 26, 2023, would have been Paul's 98th birthday. With those cool blue eyes on our mind, we want to know . . .

What are your favorite Paul Newman films?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Philadelphia Movies

Community Curated List

We asked you: What is the best movie set in Philadelphia? The Main Line and Philly burbs count!

See the ranked list, decided by you, on Letterboxd.

We're so lucky to be a part of a rich film scene in the Greater Philadelphia area. Check out some of our film friends for even more ways to engage with area movie-lovers.

Connect with local media makers in our Open Screen Monday Facebook group. We have a feeling the Philadelphia movie list will grow to include works from our amazing Open Screen Monday filmmakers.

Community Curated: Pre-1970s Horror Films

Community Curated List

We asked for your top horror films made before 1970. From groundbreaking (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) to timeless (The Mummy) to literary (The Haunting), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Now that spooky season's upon us, catch up on BMFI's favorite horror classics with recorded Film Studies Online discussions about Cat People (1942) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956). Gear up for Halloween with Kanopy's slate of essential horror (you can access up to four films/month for free with your library card).

P.S. It wouldn't be a pre-1970s horror list without a Karloff-Lugosi face off. Dracula edged out Frankenstein by a hair's breadth in this week's Community Curated list.

 

Community Curated: Presidential Performances on Screen

Community Curated List

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States . . ."

In honor of Presidents' Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best presidential performances on screen?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Psychotherapy Films

Community Curated List

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." - Carl Jung

Monday, September 25, 2023, was National Psychotherapy Day. While scheduling our next appointment, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best films featuring psychotherapy?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Quarantine Movie

Community Curated List

We asked you: You’re in quarantine for a month. You can watch one movie. One movie. All month. No cheating. What would your quarantine movie be?

Our staff answers here, and see the full community-curated list on Letterboxd!

The Princess Bride, Hannah Cluver, Theater Staff
The Social Network, Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., Senior Director, Education and Administration
Kill Bill, Julia Holeman, Theater Staff
Grey Gardens, Gina Izzo, Director of Marketing
The Royal Tenenbaums, Abby Lenhard, Theater Staff
A Brighter Summer Day, Jacob Mazer, Special Programming Manager
Lady Bird, Jess McGinty, Theater Staff
The Shawshank Redemption, Jan Prendergast, Director of Finance
The Big Lebowski, Heather Rosenfeldt, Art Director
Hannah and Her Sisters, Patricia Russo, Membership Manager
Goodfellas, Jon Seidman, Theater Manager
Before Sunset, Victoria Stern, Sales and Marketing Associate
There Will Be Blood, Zane Stalberg, Membership and Rentals Coordinator

Community Curated: Reel Film Day

Community Curated List

Many of us still enjoy the whir of the projector and the flicker of the light as it shines through the celluloid and projects onto the screen. In recognition of Reel Film Day on March 5 (3/5, get it?), we’d like to know . . .

What movie made your favorite 35mm memory?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Revolution Films

Community Curated List

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! 

Friday, July 14, 2023, was Bastille Day, France’s national holiday. While practicing our Français, we started wondering . . .

What are the best films featuring a revolution?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Robin Williams Movies

Community Curated List

Last week, we asked you for movie recommendations starring Robin Williams. From funny (Mrs. Doubtfire), to dramatic (Dead Poets Society), or even schmaltzy (Patch Adams, anyone?), here are your favorite Robin Williams movies.

Continue to celebrate the life and legacy of the beloved, one-of-a-kind artist with BMFI's Theater 5 new release Robin's Wish. Anchored by his widow, Susan Schneider Williams, this intimate documentary pays tribute to the actor and recounts his struggles with a then-undiagnosed degenerative disease, Lewy body dementia. For further reading: Robin Williams biographer and veteran culture reporter Dave Itskoff reflects on writing about the actor in death and life.

Community Curated: Rock-and-Roll Movies

Community Curated List

Inspired by what would've been Elvis Presley's 86th birthday on January 8, we asked you for the best films about rock music and the people who make it. From fictional (Almost Famous) to documentary (20 Feet from Stardom) to biographical (La Bamba), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

In honor of this week's top movie recommendation, here's a video of director and rock journalist Cameron Crowe re-visiting the old materials and memories that inspired Almost Famous.

Community Curated: Romantic Comedies

Community Curated List

We asked you, "What are the best romantic comedies?" From big-budget classics to under-the-radar indies, BMFI patrons share their top moments of love and laughter on screen.  See the list of favorites, chosen by you.

Once you've made your way through the Community Curated selections, sink your teeth (and heart) into last week's Ask Andrew video on the genre's current popularity and ability to adapt. Relive the charm of When Harry Met Sally with Lesson's From the Screenplay's video essayFor further viewing, check out Elizabeth Sankey's 2019 essay film Romantic Comedy.

Community Curated: Sean Connery’s Best Non-Bond Movies

Community Curated List

In memory of Sir Sean Connery, who passed away on October 31 at the age of 90, we asked you for Sean Connery's best non-Bond movies. From historical (The Man Who Would Be King) to action-packed (The Rock) to quirky (Time Bandits), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

Celebrate the life and work of Connery with TCM's tribute program next Wednesday, November 25, featuring Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Marnie, The Hill and The Man Who Would Be King. 

Community Curated: Set in New Orleans

Community Curated List

This past Tuesday, February 21, 2023, was Mardi Gras. Turn up the jazz, grab a beignet, and catch some beads! This week, we want to know . . .

What are the best films set in New Orleans?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Shocking Oscar Wins

Community Curated List

They're polishing the golden men, vacuuming the red carpet, and double-checking the envelopes. The 96th Academy Awards were Sunday, March 10, 2024.

While printing out our ballots, we began to wonder . . .

What are the most shocking Oscar wins?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Snowsports Films

Community Curated List

Whether natural or artificial, a little snow means one thing—time to hit the slopes, man!

While waiting for the lift, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best films to feature snowsports?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Stage-to-Screen Adaptations

Community Curated List

Last week, we asked for your top stage-to-screen adaptations. From singable (The Sound of Music) to quotable (A Few Good Men) or even campy (Cats), BMFI patrons share their recommendations. See the full list of favorites, chosen by you.

If this week's Community Curated selections has you longing for a return to the stage, head over to our ever-growing Stage on (Your) Screen resources page, a curated list of live-arts recordings we've been updating regularly since March.

 

Community Curated: Summer Blockbusters

Community Curated List

Summer is the time for blockbusters! We asked you, "what are some big, loud, action-packed movies that are perfect for summertime watching?" See what your neighbors are streaming this summer in the Community Curated list.

Need a bigger list? Check out this article from USA Today that names the highest-grossing blockbuster each summer since 1975.

Community Curated: Surf-Stopping Movies

Community Curated List

You're plopped in front of the TV, flipping channels. Then you land on THAT movie, the one that causes you to toss the remote aside, because you ALWAYS watch it until the end. We started wondering . . .
What movie stops your channel surfing every time?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Telephone Scenes

Community Curated List

"Don't leave me hanging on the telephone . . ."

Telephone scenes possess a unique power to reveal or hide a character's motives. With this past Tuesday, September 5, 2023, being Telephone Tuesday, we want to know . . .

What are the best telephone scenes on film?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Time Travel Movies

Community Curated List

Inspired by the start of daylight saving time on March 14, we asked you for films that manipulate the space-time continuum. From romantic (Somewhere in Time) to sci-fi (12 Monkeys) to comedy (Groundhog Day), BMFI patrons share their favorite time travel movies.

This list marks our 50th Community Curated compilation! As we reflect on our first year of Theater 5, revisit past Community Curated lists, Film Studies Online discussions, Ask Andrew videos, and crossword puzzles.

Community Curated: Tom Hanks Movies

Community Curated List

Beloved actor Tom Hanks—widely thought to be the nicest guy in Hollywood—turned 65 on July 9. To mark this milestone, we asked you for the best Tom Hanks movies.

From rom-com (You've Got Mail) to historical (The Post) to dark (The 'Burbs), BMFI patrons share their recommendations.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Top Sports Movies

Community Curated List

We asked you: What are the top sports movies of all time?

Check out the BMFI selects below, and view the full list voted by you on Letterboxd.

A League of Their Own
1992 · d. Penny Marshall

In 1943, a pair of baseball-loving sisters (Geena Davis and Lori Petty) join the newly formed All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Managed by a has-been former pro (Tom Hanks), the sisters and their teammates (including Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell) share laughs and dramas—on and off the field—en route to their league’s World Series. Remember, there's no crying in baseball!

Remember the Titans
2000 · d. Boaz Yakin

Denzel Washington stars as Coach Herman Boone, who must unite his high school's newly integrated football team and guide them to victory. This inspiring true story will sack you right in the heartstrings!

The Set-Up
1949 · d. Robert Wise

Before he made The Sound of Music, Robert Wise directed this underrated sports noir. Unfolding in real time, the film follows a washed-up club boxer (Robert Ryan) who believes his next match will end his long losing streak—not knowing that his crooked manager has arranged for him to take a dive.

Pumping Iron II: The Women
1985 · d. George Butler

The original Pumping Iron documentary, featuring Mr. Universe-era Arnold Schwarzenegger at his most buff (and most arrogant), is a camp classic. Who'd have expected that its sequel would be quite thoughtful? The documentary tracks a group of female bodybuilders during the run-up to the 1983 Caesars World Cup. Australian powerlifter Bev Francis is by far the most muscular of the bunch, yet she’s met with bafflement and hostility by the (mostly male) judges, who deem her physique not sufficiently “feminine.” It is a look into a unique subculture that offers a broader commentary on body image and gender stereotypes.

Community Curated: Twin Films

Community Curated List

Think you're seeing double? No need to put down the eggnog. December 18 was National Twin Day, and to celebrate, we want to know . . .

What are the best films to feature twins?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Unlikely Romances on Film

Community Curated List

They're two cowboys in 1960s Wyoming. He's a lonely writer and she's an A.I. assistant. She's a popular girl and he has scissors for hands. In honor of Valentine's Day, we want to know . . .

What are the best films featuring unlikely romances?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Vacation Location

Community Curated List

We asked you, if you could take a real-life vacation in any movie locale, what movie would that be? Some settings you picked are beautiful and ripe for relaxing. Some scenarios are not for the faint of heart! See the list of dream destinations, chosen by you.

Looking for more escape-worthy locales? The Smithsonian Channel's Aerial America series, which features high-flying looks at the American landscape, is streaming for free.

Community Curated: Wedding Movies

Community Curated List

“I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed, too–for being married so many times.” –Elizabeth Taylor

The flowers, the flamboyancy, the family–weddings can be tricky events to pull off, which means they’re the perfect setting for a great film. With nuptials on the mind, we’re wondering . . .

What are the best wedding movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Werewolf Flicks

Community Curated List

Ah-hoo, werewolves of London! Ah-hoo . . .

Whether you're across the pond, or in your own backyard, a full moon + Halloween = werewolves. With the next full moon arriving on Saturday, October 28, 2023, we got to wondering . . .

What are the best werewolf flicks?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Westerns from Outside the US

Community Curated List

Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars, which popularized the Spaghetti Western and launched Clint Eastwood to nearly sixty years of big-screen stardom, premiered in Italy on September 12, 1964.

This western shot in Spain with an Italian crew revitalized the most American of genres, which got us thinking . . .

What are the best westerns from outside the U.S.?

BMFI patrons shared their favorite foreign westerns for this Community Curated List.

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Will Ferrell Flicks

Community Curated List

"I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite."—Buddy the Elf

Sunday, July 16, 2023, was actor Will Ferrell's birthday. Whether he's trying to go Semi-Pro or win Eurovision, Mr. Ferrell always finds a way to leave us laughing. This week, we want to know . . .

What are the best Will Ferrell flicks?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Workplace Movies

Community Curated List

"We're gonna need you to go ahead and fill out this Question of the Week."

From comedic (Office Space) to dramatic (Norma Rae), or even musical (How to Succeed in Business...), BMFI patrons share their favorite workplace movies for our next community curated list.

In a landslide vote, 9 to 5 claimed this week's first place slot. We last screened the film in 2018 as part of the series, A Girl’s Best Friend: Female Friendship on Film.  We miss gathering for movies and drinks on Lancaster Avenue, but at least we have Theater 5 and our 9 to 5 mugs  to hold us over.

Community Curated: World Ballet Day

Community Curated List

Get en pointe! Wednesday, November 2, 2022, was World Ballet Day. While working on the perfect plié, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best films to feature ballet?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: World Ballet Day

Community Curated List

Get en pointe! Wednesday, November 2, 2022, was World Ballet Day. While working on the perfect plié, we began to wonder . . .

What are the best films to feature ballet?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Community Curated: Zombie Flicks

Community Curated List

I heard people are dying to get in there.

Sunday, October 30, 2022 was Visit a Cemetery Day. Whether we’re remembering loved ones or watching a zombie flick, cemeteries play an important role in the human experience. And during Halloween season, cemeteries can sure give us a fright! We started wondering . . .

What are your favorite zombie movies?

BMFI patrons chimed in with their picks for this Community Curated List!

See all of the lists curated by you in the Community Curated archive.

Tell us your picks.


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