Houston, we have a problem: Where's Kevin?
Perhaps the ultimate coming-home , 鈥淎pollo 13,鈥� and the ultimate staying-home one, 鈥淗ome Alone,鈥� are both being honored this year, selected for preservation in the They're part of an annual group of 25 that this year spans more than 90 years of filmmaking.
The 2023 collection includes the sci-fi sequel 鈥淭erminator 2: Judgment Day,鈥� the Disney animated classic 鈥淟ady and the Tramp,鈥� and the searing, Oscar-winning drama 鈥�12 Years a Slave.鈥� Just in time for the holidays, 鈥淭he Nightmare Before Christmas鈥� is included.
The oldest film is from 1921: 鈥淎 Movie Trip Through Filmland,鈥� a very early look at the impact of movies. The newest are both from 2013: 鈥�12 Years a Slave鈥� and the Oscar-winning documentary 鈥�20 Feet From Stardom,鈥� about backup singers.
The registry is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance. The current picks bring the registry to 875 films 鈥� some, but not all, among the 2 million items in the library鈥檚 collection. Turner Classic Movies will host a TV special on Thursday, screening a selection of this year鈥檚 movies.
A look at some of the films entering the registry
鈥漈he Wedding Banquet鈥� (1993): Ang Lee鈥檚 romantic comedy about a gay man from Taiwan trying to hide his orientation from his family, featuring an over-the-top wedding banquet.
鈥滲amboozled鈥� (2000): Spike Lee鈥檚 stinging satire about race in entertainment, with Damon Wayans as a program executive at a cable network.
鈥滿aya Lin: A Strong, Clear Vision鈥� (1994): Freida Lee Mock鈥檚 Oscar-winning documentary about the artist who created two famous memorials.
鈥淎pollo 13鈥� (1995): Ron Howard鈥檚 impeccably told chronicle of the near-tragedy involving U.S astronauts trying to get back to Earth, featuring Tom Hanks and the famous (and slightly altered) quote: 鈥淗ouston, we have a problem.鈥�
鈥淒esperately Seeking Susan鈥� (1985): Susan Seidelman鈥檚 uniquely New York saga featuring Rosanna Arquette and none other than Madonna as the elusive Susan.
鈥淢atewan鈥� (1987): John Sayles鈥� tale of efforts in 1920 to unionize a company town in West Virginia.
鈥淗ome Alone鈥� (1990): Chris Columbus鈥� holiday classic about, let's face it, deeply questionable parenting that made wide-eyed Macaulay Culkin 鈥� aka Kevin 鈥� a star.
鈥淎lambrista鈥� (1977): Robert M. Young鈥檚 story of a Mexican migrant laborer in the United States.
鈥淔ame鈥� (1980): A story of students seeking fame at the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, and known for Irene Cara鈥檚 version of the title song.
鈥淟ady and the Tramp鈥� (1955): The classic Disney canine love story, featuring surely the most famous spaghetti kiss in animated film.
The Full List
鈥淎 Movie Trip Through Filmland鈥� (1921); 鈥淒inner at Eight鈥� (1933); 鈥淏ohulano Family Film Collection鈥� (1950s-1970s); 鈥淗elen Keller: In Her Story鈥� (1954); 鈥淟ady and the Tramp鈥� (1955); 鈥淓dge of the City: (1957); 鈥淲e鈥檙e Alive鈥� (1974); 鈥淐ruisin鈥� J-Town鈥� (1975); 鈥淎lambrista鈥� (1977); 鈥淧assing Through鈥� (1977); 鈥淔ame鈥� (1980); 鈥淒esperately Seeking Susan鈥� (1985); 鈥淭he Lighted Field鈥� (1987); 鈥淢atewan鈥� (1987); 鈥淗ome Alone鈥� (1990); 鈥淨ueen of Diamonds鈥� (1991); 鈥淭erminator 2: Judgment Day鈥� (1991); 鈥淭he Nightmare Before Christmas鈥� (1993); 鈥淭he Wedding Banquet鈥� (1993); 鈥淢aya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision鈥� (1994); 鈥淎pollo 13鈥� (1995); 鈥淏amboozled鈥� (2000); 鈥淟ove & Basketball鈥� (2000); 鈥�12 Years a Slave鈥� (2013); 鈥�20 Feet From Stardom鈥� (2013).
Jocelyn Noveck, The Associated Press
