52 Films By Women: The Halfway Mark

I started this project in January because I was aware of how few films by women I actually saw on a regular basis. I wanted to discover more female directors and writers and I wanted to see what treats had completely passed me by because they hadn’t had the same coverage as others.

In the six months I’ve been doing the challenge, I’ve paid far more attention to the work of female filmmakers and found some quality cinema I would probably have missed.

So, as I look forward to what July to December has in store for me, here are the films I’ve seen so far this year (RW signifies a rewatch):

1. In a World 4*
2. Point Break 5* RW
3. Juno 5* RW
4. The Reluctant Fundamentalist 3*
5. Clueless 5* RW
6. Punisher War Zone 4*
7. The Intervention 3*
8. The Prince and Me 3* RW
9. Bewitched 3*
10. Tank Girl 3*
11. Sense and Sensibility 5* RW
12. 13th 5*
13. Hidden Figures 4*
14. Viceroy’s House 4*
15. Annie 4* RW
16. American Splendor 2*
17. 9 to 5 4*
18. Love & Basketball 3*
19. Beyond the Lights 4*
20. Nanny McPhee 4* RW
21. Certain Women 4*
22. Desperately Seeking Susan 3*
23. The Virgin Suicides 5* RW
24. Dirty Dancing 5* RW
25. Look Who’s Talking 3* RW
26. Look Who’s Talking Too 4* RW
27. Sleepless in Seattle 5* RW
28. Miss You Already 4*
29. Catch and Release 3*
30. The Zookeeper’s Wife 4*
31. Destination Unknown 4*
32. Chappie 4*
33. 28 Days 4* RW
34. Deep Impact 3* RW
35. Say When (Laggies) 3*
36. The Intern 3*
37. Churchill 3*
38. Prevenge 4*
39. Wonder Woman 4*
40. What Happened, Miss Simone? 5*
41. Room 5* RW

The 5* ratings

While many of the films on the above list have been impressive and enjoyable, utter perfection came through less frequently. In film, it can manifest itself in many ways, be it charm, vision or boldness. The 5* films on the list so far have that flawlessness in spades.

Here are your 5* films:

• Point Break
• Juno
• Clueless
• Sense and Sensibility
• 13^th
• The Virgin Suicides
• Dirty Dancing
• Sleepless in Seattle
• What Happened, Miss Simone?
• Room

The discoveries

A random tweet of mine to the Prince Charles Cinema, London about Wayne’s World (directed by Penelope Spheeris) led to a response telling me about an evening they had planned celebrating director Gina Prince-Bythewood. I had never heard of her so immediately looked up the films, watched the trailers and bought tickets.

By the end of that night at the cinema, I was a huge fan. Beyond the Lights, in particular, is a phenomenal film well worth a watch.

It was exciting then to see that Prince-Bythewood is getting ready to direct new Marvel outing, Silver & Black, and – thanks to that night at the cinema – I’m not asking myself ‘Who?’.

The documentaries

I’m a recent convert to documentaries, having only really started to watch them over recent years. After being completely blown away by the likes of The Imposter and Blackfish, it was great to uncover some female-made documentaries this year, both in the cinema and on Netflix.

Here are your documentaries:

• 13^th
• What Happened, Miss Simone?
• Destination Unknown

The never-gets-old

From Point Break to Sense and Sensibility via Clueless, there are some films that just never stop being brilliant and any excuse to rewatch them is OK by me.

Go and rummage through your DVD collection and see what treats you’d forgotten you had!

The cinema newbies

Though I managed to squeeze in a few cinema outings for films that were no longer new releases, there were also a few 2017 releases that were great to see on the big screen.

From wartime drama to superhero(ine) adventure, here are your cinema releases from this year:

• Hidden Figures
• Viceroy’s House
• Certain Women
• The Zookeeper’s Wife
• Destination Unknown
• Churchill
• Wonder Woman

Which films by women have you been watching in 2017 – either for the first time or for a rewatch? Which ones can you watch over and over and never get bored? What new talent have you discovered this year?

Be sure to check out the previous posts.

Share your suggestions using #52FilmsByWomen and let me know at @filmvsbook