We're in the midst of year-end list making season, when we load up the old Netflix clue (FYI: 500 saved movies is where they cut you off, damn them) with recommendations to work our way through during the post-holiday stretch before the weather gets nice again, in late July. If you're into lists but don't want to be limited to 2010 releases (not the best year for film, but you will nonetheless find our own 2010 picks in the next issue), consider the list of the 25 films admitted to the National Film Registry this year, announced yesterday. The requirements include the films having been made at least 10 years ago, and the time span they cover is wide. These are the films selected by the nerdiest of film nerd tribunals as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant," and are a perfect excuse to revisit gems like Airplane!, The Empire Strikes Back, The Exorcist, Grey Gardens, and Saturday Night Fever, as well as reminders to peep George Lucas' student film (Electronic Labyrinth: THX 113B 4EB) and a WWII doc that was banned by the War Department for 35 years (Let There Be Light), if you haven't already. You may now re-assume your position on the couch. Please remember to occasionally exercise and eat some vegetables in between viewings. The full list, with statements from the Library of Congress justifying each selection, is here.

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