258 of 1001 Movies: Harold and Maude (1971)

After looking up the summary to Harold and Maude I thought to myself that it looks like a movie I could get into. It's indie, it's got weird characters, a cool soundtrack, and the theme of the movie tackles subjects that make people uneasy. For more it might be the relationship age difference that makes you uneasy, but the movie deals with the unpopular topic of death as well. I don't even know why more people aren't watching this movie. It's a classic from the 70's that deserves attention.

Summary: Harold is young and rich, but he is also obsessed with death. He constantly is staging suicides in front of his mother, but even she has grown use to his fascination. His mother now is thinking that maybe Harold should just grow up, so while she arranges for him to see a psychologist she also sets up dates for him, and time with his uncle who is in the army. The person who will change Harold though is one he meets at a funeral. Maude has the same funeral attending hobby that Harold does, and this draws them closer, but Maude also believes in living life at it's fullest something Harold hasn't acquired.

212 of 1001 Movies: A Clockwork Orange (1971)

If A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's work that isn't horror and it's as chilling as this then I fear seeing The Shining. Of the three I've seen though from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon, and now A Clockwork Orange it definitely is one of his stronger ones. The colors are popping in the movie and stand in stark contrast to the dark nature of Alex. The movie follows the book quite well, and still sticks with exploring the interesting topic of whether it's a good idea to try to force a person into being good rather than letting them make that choice.

Summary: Alex exists in future Britain using his charismatic charm to lure in unsuspecting victims to his violent crimes he commits with his friends at night. After a violent act goes wrong though, and his friends turn on him, he is left to the police and arrested. While in jail, Alex becomes desperate to get out, and he uses anyone that can make that happen. He volunteers for an aversion therapy conducted by the government in order to lower crime. Alex's confidence is shattered when the therapy goes as unplanned.