Have You Considered What to Read Before you Die?

Cover of Splendor in the Grass

According to my earliest memory when considering my own death, albeit far in the future, I was still a child at the time. I had no fear of the possibility of dying and assumed I’d go in a most natural way at a ripe old age. I decided at the time, that once gone, I’d rewind my life like a movie and watch it all again day by day. It would take another full lifetime but I wanted the pleasure of revisiting my life through the lens of all I had learned and experienced in my life.

Ok I know it’s a rather crazy idea but children can imagine all sorts of things without constraints yet established in their mind. As the saying goes “art imitates life” and in the case of films, a lifetime qualifies as art. Today as the Boomers grapple with their mortality and contemplate what they want to do with their remaining time, all sorts of options exist including an abundance of books of what to do before you die. Since I’m a film fan one of my personal favorites is the book “1001 movies you must see before you die.”

This book catalogs an excellent selection of the must see movies through a chronological time line that starts with the silent films in the early 1900’s and quickly jumps into the 50’s when the film industry burst open. It’s a real kick to flip through this hefty book and view one’s life through the films that the Boomer lifestyle inspired. Or was it film that created the lifestyle? Often it’s hard to be sure which inspired which. If you’re a film buff like me, woven between the greatest hits are many unknown gems you’ll lust to rent.

Still from I Am Cuba

Although 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die is well researched with an impressive survey, it failed to have what I consider the best film ever – I am Cuba (Soy Cuba). A black and white soviet-Cuban propaganda film with many extremely wide angle high-contrast shots of Cuba, its the most amazing and luscious film ever. It’s one of a kind and turns your expectation of film on its head. Truly unforgettable!

Upon leafing through the book it inspired me to list some of my film favorites below that I grew up along with. I chronicled them in a timeline with their personal impact on me and the Boomer generation. These films shaped (or reflected) my life and the Boomer culture. Tell me what you think?

Here’s my must see list of movies to see before you die:

Psycho 1960 – No American Boomer girl would ever be able to take a shower alone at home again without having to lock the bathroom door.

Splendor in the Grass 1961 – Having sex is bad and will make one go crazy. This film was so ridiculous it helped spur a sexual revolution.

To Kill a Mocking Bird 1962 – Confronting the beauty of our childhood fears. Scout would become a treasured name for many of the Boomer’s children.

The Haunting 1963 – Long before Nightmare on Elm Street & Night of the Living Dead there was Hill house, a living-breathing house that scarred the pants off everyone.

Valleys of the Dolls 1967 – The beginning of pill awareness and today we have a pill for everything.

2001's Discovery miniature (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 – A good look at how we will live in the very distant future of the solar system. Hal’s voice and the possibility of technology gone array will always be with us.

Deliverance 1972 – Created a national ethos of fear of those who are uneducated and ignorant in the most scary way.

The Rock Horror Picture Show 1975 – An outrageously creative film that warmed us up to alternative types of sexuality.

Blade Runner 1982 – Our first depiction of what our real gritty future looks like for mankind, introducing artificial intelligence perfected.

The Big Chill 1983 – The Boomers are hit for the first time with the possibility of dying and our journey to change how we observe death begins.

Rain Man 1988 – A touching moment to witness savantism and learn our ability for love and acceptance.

When Harry Met Sally 1989 – The American male learns that many women fake their orgasms. Will we ever forget the infamous line “I’ll have what she’s having.”

There is no lack of films to consider but I will stop here.