Lists make everything easier in life, don’t they? So please enjoy a quickfire A-Z of some of my favourite films. A collection that you simply MUST see!
A – American Beauty (1999) Dir. Sam Mendes
The introduction of Sam Mendes as one of the UK’s greatest ever
directors. Arguably one of Kevin Spacey’s finest performances, American
Beauty is one of Hollywood’s most unique treasures. A story about the
challenges of middle-class suburbia and the people who live amongst it. A film
that takes a look at the ‘beauty’ of everyday life, accompanied by one of the
most iconic scores ever created by the legendary Thomas Newman.
B – Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
(2014) Dir. Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Revolutionary director Iñárritu takes you on a ‘one shot’
journey through the journey of a washed-up actor who decides to write, direct
and star in his own theatre production in an attempt to resurrect his faltering
career. Dominated by raw and organic performances by Edward Norton, Michael
Keaton and Emma Stone to name a few, Birdman is very simply a thrill ride from
start to finish. A real embodiment of the technical potential of cinema in the
modern age.
C – City of God (2003) Dir. Fernando Meirelles, Katia
Lund
City of God or Cidade de Deus is the epic tale
of two kids growing up in the slums of Rio de Janerio who take on drastically
different paths into adulthood. One pursuing his dream to become a
photographer, the other rising up the ranks as the city’s most feared drug
linchpin. Quite possibly the most decorated piece of Brazilian cinema ever
made. City of God displays the simplicity and beauty of film language,
the perfect excuse to open your eyes to a world of brilliant international
cinema.
A gifted Hollywood stunt driver who works part time as a
mechanic and getaway driver falls in love with a woman married to a criminal.
In a bid to protect the woman and her child he blurs the lines of the law. Both
Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaacs are outstanding in the minimalist
setup that Drive does so well. An unforgettable electronic soundtrack
and another distinctively unique film by the effervescent Nicholas Winding
Refn.
E – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Dir.
Michel Gondry
As a relationship between two likeable characters goes sour,
they both undergo a medical procedure that erases the memories of their
relationship in their brain. Written by the always fascinating Charlie Kaufmann
and anchored by Jim Carrey’s most layered role ever. Eternal Sunshine of the
Spotless Mind is an important story about relationships, as much as we may
want to forget the past, it is the only way we can learn to improve in the
future.
F - Foxcatcher (2014) Dir. Bennett Miller
Mark Schultz is an Olympic wrestling champion, but he will
always live in the shadow of his Olympic champion brother Dave. Their lives
change when wealthy investor John Du Pont puts his faith in the brothers to win
gold at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Standout performances from Channing Tatum,
Steve Carell and the consistently magnificent Mark Ruffalo help you to understand
the pressure placed on high performance athletes by the people who ‘back’ them.
One of cinema’s most incredible stories of betrayal and
vengeance as Russell Crowe plays the former Roman general Maximus on a retribution
mission against Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus – the man who murdered his family
and sent him into slavery. By the legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator
is a blockbuster film in every sense of the word.
H – Hot Fuzz (2007) Dir. Edgar Wright
Sergeant Angel is the perfect British copper. Brave, intelligent,
and quick on his feet, he is transferred from the high-octane London lifestyle
to a small unassuming village with a mysterious secret. Arguably the greatest film
of Edgar Wright’s cornetto trilogy with it’s efficient Edgar wright editing
style and punchy comedic tones, and of course Simon Pegg and Nick Frost showing
their fantastic on-screen chemistry once again.
I – Into the Wild (2007) Dir. Sean Penn
Into the Wild displays the remarkable life of
Christopher McCandless in all of its scars. A man who came from a wealthy background,
in his early 20’s left his old life behind to go and live in the wild, away
from the distractions of family, money and a career. Emile Hirsch is incredible
as the unforgettable McCandless, a performance of true grit and authenticity that
is filled with emotion. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not be
gripped by Chris’ story.
J – Jaws (1975) Dir. Steven Spielberg
Surely everyone has seen Jaws. Well, you’d be
surprised, as more people than you would think have not seen the Spielberg classic.
Plus, even if you have seen Jaws before, why not immerse yourself in a piece of
cinema history once again. Arguably the birth of the Hollywood Blockbuster film
as we know it today, with one of the best and most iconic musical scores ever
seen at the movies.
K – The King of Comedy (1982) Dir. Martin Scorsese
What more can be said about Martin Scorsese? Nothing more,
he is very simply a legend. And although he has made countless masterpieces including:
Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and Taxi Driver (1976)
just to name a few, it is The King of Comedy that always stands out as
my personal favourite Scorsese movie. A director who’s work transcends his own praise;
it permeates out into the wider film community for many years to come. Without The
King of Comedy, there is no Joker (2019), watch it and you will understand
why.
L – La La Land (2016)
Dir. Damian Chazelle
Heres to the ones who dream… From the masterpiece that was
Whiplash (2014) Damian Chazelle replied with (in my opinion) an even better
film. Genuinely, a musical that anyone could enjoy. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
are the perfect double act for a love story that doesn’t have your stereotypical
Hollywood happy ending. A film that tells you that love is all about sacrifices.
A charming tale of music, colour, and the beauty of LA.
M – Moonlight (2016) Dir. Barry Jenkins
When the Oscars finally got it right! (Well kind of). Barry
Jenkins’ unforgettable story about a young, gay, African American boy growing
up within a culture of toxic masculinity. Scored by the widely acclaimed Nicholas
Brittel and shot by James Laxton, potentially the best-looking film made since Blade runner (1982). Jenkins has always had an ability to take a simple concept and make it
mean so much more, this is the true beauty of cinema. No flashy CGI or
Hedonistic actors, just a perfect story told by a director who cares for his
craft.
N - Nightcrawler
(2014) Dir. Dan Gilroy
Louis Bloom is a mysterious outsider looking for a new
career. After accidentally falling into the LA crime journalism scene, everything
begins to fall in place for him as he blurs the lines between what is legal and
what is not. Jake Gyllenhaal puts on a breath-taking performance accompanied by
the unique Riz Ahmed. Nightcrawler is a complete hidden gem, it’s time to
give it some much deserved attention.
O – One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1975) Dir. Milos
Forman
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest is a film I have
watched twice and for me that is enough. A powerful, distressing film that is
filled with injustice. It is undoubtedly incredibly sad, but an important film thematically
and as relevant as it was back in 1975 as it is today. Probably Jack Nicholson’s
most significant serious performance, a story that thrives on the strength of its
characters. A must watch.
P – The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) Dir. Derek
Cianfrance
A stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way of providing
for his young son. This new career change sends him on a collision course with
a promising cop who is beginning to understand the levels of corruption within
the police force. Boosted by an amazing cast with Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper,
Eva Mendes and Mahershala Ali to name a few, the Place Beyond the Pines may
be another film that has been forgotten in the last decade, I am sure that on
reflection, it could be considered one of the greatest films of the 21st
century.
Q – Quadrophenia (1979) Dir. Franc Roddam
Jimmy, played by veteran actor Phil Daniels is a slacker who
is constantly at war with his parents. He finds solace in the British mod
culture and his scooter. The highs, the lows, and the events of a time in
Britain of great change. Men were changing, women were changing, work was
changing, British life was changing. Quadrophenia is one of the quintessential
British films of the 1970’s, one that can’t be overlooked whether you are British
or not.
R – Reservoir Dogs (1992) Dir. Quentin Tarantino
It would be impossible for me to make a list in this style without
mentioning a Quentin Tarantino film. Whether you love him or loathe him, the
man lives and breathes cinema. Reservoir Dogs was his first film, and it
is considered by many to be his best. A thumping soundtrack, filled with some
great needle drop moments, and a cast that is even more dazzling now than it
was back in 1992. Miramax is the house that Quentin built.
S – Superbad (2007) Dir. Greg Mottola
For my generation, this film is genuinely a masterpiece. It
placed itself next to every American high school story before and stood out
head and shoulders above them. Written by the comedy dream team of Evan
Goldberg and Seth Rogen, Superbad takes all of our high school insecurities and
turns them into comedy in the most unique and unforgettable way possible. It
launched the careers of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera on the Hollywood scene, and
will always be in my film collection.
T – Tyrannosaur (2011) Dir. Paddy Considine
Written and Directed by Paddy Considine, inspired by the personality and instability of his father growing up. Peter Mullan is Joseph, a man tormented by anger and violence who is given a chance of redemption through a charity worker he befriends. With an early powerful performance from the treasured Olivia Coleman, Tyrannosaur is a deeply personal film that is simply quite brilliant.
U – Up (2009) Dir. Pete Doctor, Bob Peterson
One of the most iconic opening sequences in Animation, but
in all honesty the rest of the film is rather good too! Pensioner Carl Fredricksen
goes on a wild journey to paradise falls after losing his beloved wife of many
years. Up is very simply one of those films that is just ‘nice’, It doesn’t
have a bad bone in its body and if you need a film to lift your mood, this is
exactly what you are searching for! Enjoy.
V – Vice (2018) Dir. Adam McKay
The life and controversy of Dick Cheney. How an unassuming
Washington Bureaucrat rose to prominence as one of the USA’s most powerful figures,
all of this work being done behind the scenes. Played by the unrecognisable
Christian Bale, Dick Cheney is the kind of guy who may not have much to say,
but he is a seriously attentive listener, never to be underestimated.
This film with leave you questioning the morals and integrity of the people who
are supposed to be keeping us safe.
W – The Warriors (1979) Dir. Walter Hill
In a somewhat dystopian world, an enigmatic leader gathers
the street gangs of New York City together in an attempt to unite the forces against
the police force. When the Leader is killed, The Warriors are blamed and must
fight their way back to the safety of Coney Island. Dated yes, but The Warriors
has a great soundtrack, a dedicated cast, and it is fused together by an effective
story. It is a film that is undeniably a fun, rollercoaster of a ride no matter
what your background.
X – X-Men (2000) Dir. Bryan Singer
The X-Men franchise is a deeply appreciated and acclaimed collection
of films that revolutionised the superhero genre. The first X-Men film
will always be my favourite, the film that introduces us to our favourite mutant
beings. The X-Men are a group of gifted pacifists, who have to stand up and
fight as they clash with the confrontational Brotherhood. A film with a huge
amount of cultural impact, and a number of brilliant origin stories that
followed, if you haven’t got round to it, you must give it a go.
Y – You’ve Got Mail (1998) Dir. Nora Ephron
Joe Fox is the book superstore tycoon who falls in love through anonymous
chat rooms with Kathleen Kelly, an independent bookstore owner, who he is unsuspectingly
putting out of business with the arrival of his new superstore. Tom Hanks and
Meg Ryan are the perfect rom-com duo for this movie, the perfect film for a
rainy day when you need a nice and easy watch. A film with a fun principle and
a great soundtrack to get you up and moving.
Z – Zombieland (2009) Dir. Ruben Fleischer
Jesse Eisenberg is the cautious student trying to navigate his way
through a zombie apocalypse, Woody Harrelson is the gun-slinging bruiser who
aims on wreaking havoc, they are supported by the charm of Emma Stone and Abigail
Breslin, in what is a Zombie movie like no other. Written and performed with
great comedic timing and wit, Zombieland is the perfect accompaniment
for a Friday night in, pizza, beers, and a load of flesh-eating maniacs.
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