FlickMinute.com has a lot to recommend it, from interviews with young modern filmmakers to reviews of the latest releases. However, as a film history enthusiast I’m particularly interested in the page that Executive Director of flickminute.com, Sean Chavel calls Masterpiece Obscure. A few modern films are mixed into the bunch, but what you’ll mostly find are reviews on grand old films that not only deserve the moniker of “masterpiece”, but have also earned it.
Many of the films found within this page are ones you might expect, such as Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. But you’ll also find the less heralded films of master crafts men (and women), like Martin Scorsese and his film The Last Temptation of Christ, Leo McCarey and his moving drama Make Room For Tomorrow, Bob Fosse and his esoteric (as well as erotic) All that Jazz, and Sally Potters’ thoroughly original Orlando. The collection is an eclectic mix apparently based on the favorites of the site’s creator, who has a very broad range of appreciation. And I like that!
Additionally, there’s unique attribute that comes at the end of each listing where the author provides suggested “Film Cousins” for the reviewed film, or films of a similar nature that may also appeal to the reader. For instance, John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence and Faces, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Blue Jasmine as cousins. I call that a particularly useful guide indeed, especially if you’re looking for that next film to add to your NetFlix queue that will appeal to both you and your less adventuresome friends who don’t understand anything older than twenty years, let alone in black and white.