A slew of new films were added to the National Film Registry today, and --
What's that? You're not familiar with the National Film Registry or what it does? Here's a handy primer from the Library of Congress' website:
"The National Film Registry is a list of movies deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" that are earmarked for preservation by the Library of Congress. They are not selected as the "best" American films of all time, but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture. They reflect who we are as a people and as a nation. The Librarian of Congress makes the annual selections to the Registry after reviewing hundreds of titles nominated by the public and conferring with Library film curators and the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board."
OK, now that we're all on the same page: today, the National Film Registry added a slew of new titles to its lineup, including John McTiernan's Die Hard, Richard Donner's The Goonies (that oughtta provoke some spirited debate in the comments below!), James Cameron's Titanic, Christopher Nolan's Memento and Phil Alden Robinson's Field Of Dreams. It's a prestigious list, and learning which movies make the cut each year is always interesting.
Here's a full list of this year's additions, via Deadline:
Ace in the Hole (aka Big Carnival) (1951)
Boulevard Nights (1979)
Die Hard (1988)
Dumbo (1941)
Field of Dreams (1989)
4 Little Girls (1997)
Fuentes Family Home Movies Collection (1920s and 1930s)
Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)
The Goonies (1985)
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
Interior New York Subway, 14th Street to 42nd Street (1905)
La Bamba (1987)
Lives of Performers (1972)
Memento (2000)
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
The Sinking of the Lusitania (1918)
Spartacus (1960)
Superman (1978)
Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)
Time and Dreams (1976)
Titanic (1997)
To Sleep with Anger (1990)
Wanda (1971)
With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain (1937-1938)
Well, what do you think? Seeing La Bamba on there's interesting, as is the inclusion of 1978's Superman (if only because we're shocked to learn that one wasn't already on there). Which of the above can you not live without? Sound off in the comments below or else.