The NFR Class of 2019: My Ballot

As 2019 (and the decade!) winds down, the National Film Preservation Board meets to discuss which 25 American films are worthy of NFR recognition. Now that the submission deadline has passed, it’s time for me to divulge the 50 movies I chose for consideration this year. Eight films from my previous selections have made the cut, so the odds are good you’re looking at a few soon-to-be-minted classics here.

My 50, Plus My Reason Why

I’m still surprised they haven’t made the cut yet: Carrie (1976), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Grease (1978), The Great Escape (1963), Harvey (1950), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

They are Minor Classics, but classics nonetheless: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Key Largo (1948), Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), The Odd Couple (1968), White Christmas (1954), The Wild One (1954)

They have at least one Iconic Moment: Big (1988), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Lady and the Tramp (1955), Return of the Jedi (1983), Royal Wedding (1951), The Seven Year Itch (1955)

I dunno, I just like them: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Clue (1985), Home Alone (1990), It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Rope (1948), A Thousand Clowns (1965), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

They’re newly eligible: Avatar (2009), The Dark Knight (2008), There Will Be Blood (2007), Up (2009)

Bad Movies are people too: The Bad Seed (1956), Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

This one’s for Mom: The Miracle Worker (1962)

The Library of Congress just restored it, so…: Frankenstein (1910)

Its sequel inexplicably made the list, but the original hasn’t: The Sheik (1921) [“Son of the Sheik” was added in 2003.]

“The Other Side of the Wind” isn’t eligible for a while: F for Fake (1973)

“Green Book” won Best Picture: Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

“Documentary Now!” can do no wrong: Original Cast Album: Company (1970)

“He hates these cans! Stay away from the cans!”: The Jerk (1979)

These talented artists STILL aren’t on the list:

Jane Fonda: 9 to 5 (1980)

Eddie Murphy: Eddie Murphy Raw (1987)

Robin Williams: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Glenn Close (and hasn’t she been through enough already?): Fatal Attraction (1987)

Tim Burton: Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Mr. Magoo: When Magoo Flew (1955)

The Amazing RANDO!: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

And finally: Because I dare you, National Film Registry. I fucking dare you: Song of the South (1946)