502 Films

By Alexander Wiley

In 2016, I viewed 501 feature length films (at least 70 minutes) and documentary feature films (at least 40 minutes); all these films were new to me. I did not think this personal record possible to be broken. Who sees 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 films in one year? This film buff! When I talked with my wife, Amy, I’m sure I said this personal record would not be broken. I also told her, I think I’m a little obsessed with enjoying film.

Four years later, and a pandemic caused by a virus encouraging us to socially distance, I found myself enjoying film to pass the time, de-stress, and continue towards my goal of seeing 10,000 feature-length films. What is crazy is since March 10th, and the pandemic became widely known, I enjoyed at least one film a day; I want to see how long I can sustain this mini personal record. This means, so far, I enjoyed a film a day for the last 140 days!

Now, to keep the record straight, I’m not just watching film the entire summer; I enjoy tennis, continue with writing, illustrate/draw, hang out with family & friends, teach, work on house projects, help others, and cherish my life with Amy.

On July 27th, 2020, I passed my personal record of viewing 501 new feature length films by seeing the masterpiece, “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” (1978), directed by Chia-Liang Liu and starring the martial arts film star, Gordon Liu. Gordon Liu later starred in Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2, as Johnny Mo and Pai Mei. “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin,” and many other 1970s kung fu films, heavily influenced the Kill Bill films and stood as an inspiration for Quentin Tarantino.

I look forward to continuing to make a personal record for films seen in a year. I am also a little over 200 films from seeing 5,000 feature-length films! I’m quite excited! In my quest to pursue these personal goals, I make sure to enjoy as many different and unique films as possible. I appreciate and love all the recommendations sent by family and friends via social media, in-person, letter, message, email, and more. Keep them flowing!

Sit back and enjoy film!