I'm going to try and not double up categories (i.e. one film that qualifies for multiple items on the list), but we will see what the year holds.
This movie qualifies for category #23: A favorite of a filmmaker you like. Apparently the critics at the Toronto International Film Festival saw La La Land for the first time (one of my favorite films of the year) remarked that the film is remarkably similar to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Before they could ask director Damian Chuzelle any questions about it, he said that Cherbourg is his favorite film of all time. As a result of his admission, I have had a burning desire to see it. So I logged onto the public library and reserved it.
I'm really glad I watched it, especially before a second viewing of La La Land. Cherbourg is a musical with no dancing. And when I say musical, I mean there's absolutely no non-sung dialogue in the whole movie. This doesn't detract, however it was surprising; I didn't expect it to be that kind of musical. Also there's no dancing.
The film is so beautifully shot. My wife and I were taken aback at how amazing some of the cinematography was. Here is a showcase of the shots that impressed me the most:
Probably the most striking thing about it (and the most insightful when watching La La Land a second time) was its use of color. All the primary colors represented different people and different situations. You will have to watch it to get what I mean, but if you do I really recommend paying close attention to the colors that the characters are wearing and what colors are in the background. The choices are very deliberate.
