Monday, 15 October 2012
Monday, 3 September 2012
Top 5 films from my Childhood.
1.) Hocus Pocus (1993)
The amount of times I've seen this film is bordering on ridiculous. It's a lesser-known Disney film directed by Kenny "High School Musical" Ortega, and has now achieved cult status despite its bad reviews upon first release. I even watched this as prep work for studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible and the Salem witch trials at uni, basically any excuse to watch it. Staple Halloween viewing. Revisiting the film years later and discovering SJP was in it was just mindblowing, I kid you not. Just want to add: DiCaprio almost got the role of Max!
2.) Calamity Jane (1953)
Arguably my favourite musical of all time, it bridges the gap between the western, comedy and musical. Basically Warner Bros.' response to the hugely successful Annie Get Your Gun from MGM (don't listen to the critics, this is way better). The songs are amazingly (or annoyingly) catchy and in my opinion, this is Doris Day's best role.
3.) Ghostbusters (1984)
- That's the bedroom, but nothing ever happened in there.
- What a crime.
There's so much dirty stuff in this film that totally passed me by when I was 6 years old! Never gets old, this was a firm favourite when I was growing up.
4.) the original Star Wars trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983)
Don't make me choose which one! Ok, I'd obviously have to go with Empire but they all deserve a place on the list as I couldn't watch one without watching the others too. Got to say I was a little in love with Han Solo when I was little, but who wasn't?
5.) the original Indiana Jones trilogy (1981, 1984, 1989)
There's just something about 80s action/adventure movies that you don't get today. A certain nostalgia for pure unadulterated fun filmmaking that is sorely lacking from the majority of today's equivalents.
The amount of times I've seen this film is bordering on ridiculous. It's a lesser-known Disney film directed by Kenny "High School Musical" Ortega, and has now achieved cult status despite its bad reviews upon first release. I even watched this as prep work for studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible and the Salem witch trials at uni, basically any excuse to watch it. Staple Halloween viewing. Revisiting the film years later and discovering SJP was in it was just mindblowing, I kid you not. Just want to add: DiCaprio almost got the role of Max!
2.) Calamity Jane (1953)
Arguably my favourite musical of all time, it bridges the gap between the western, comedy and musical. Basically Warner Bros.' response to the hugely successful Annie Get Your Gun from MGM (don't listen to the critics, this is way better). The songs are amazingly (or annoyingly) catchy and in my opinion, this is Doris Day's best role.
3.) Ghostbusters (1984)
- That's the bedroom, but nothing ever happened in there.
- What a crime.
There's so much dirty stuff in this film that totally passed me by when I was 6 years old! Never gets old, this was a firm favourite when I was growing up.
4.) the original Star Wars trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983)
Don't make me choose which one! Ok, I'd obviously have to go with Empire but they all deserve a place on the list as I couldn't watch one without watching the others too. Got to say I was a little in love with Han Solo when I was little, but who wasn't?
5.) the original Indiana Jones trilogy (1981, 1984, 1989)
There's just something about 80s action/adventure movies that you don't get today. A certain nostalgia for pure unadulterated fun filmmaking that is sorely lacking from the majority of today's equivalents.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
My Top 10 Scorsese Films
1.) Goodfellas (1990)
Oh man, this film. This is #2 on my all-time favourite list. Everything about it is just perfection. That opening with the above quote and Tony Bennett's "Rags to Riches", the Copacobana tracking shot, Pesci's "You think I'm funny?", I just love it all. The humuor is brilliant. I watched The Sopranos for the first time last year and the amount of Goodfellas actors who are in the series is something ridiculous (at least 30-odd I read somewhere). I judge anyone who doesn't like this film...
2.) Taxi Driver (1976)
A hard-hitting masterpiece. Set on the decaying neon-lit streets of 70s NYC this is arguably De Niro's best ever performance. He plays the intriguing and complex Bickle with such a haunting intensity that you are almost swept up in his ideology (I said, "almost"!). The Schrader script is one of my favourites. I feel this is one of those absolute foundation films for students of cinema, a must-see.
3.) Gangs of New York (2002)
Why so high up you ask? Why above Raging Bull you ask? Well this is more a personal choice rather than a critical choice I guess. Some say it's messy and flawed and over-long. For the last 2 years I've actually ended up watching this at about 2am on New Year's Eve and I feel it will be a continuing tradition. I love the meticulously recreated setting of the Five Points of New York, Day-Lewis' portrayal of one of my favourite characters in Bill the Butcher and the massive scale of it all. I won't even try and defend it from the purists, it just rules, ok?
4.) Raging Bull (1980)
The ultimate unsympathetic character? Possibly. It's also the most authentic, savage and downright insane physical transformation from any method actor out there (Christian Bale obviously picked up some tips). The crisp black and white cinematography made Scorsese claim that he would only ever make films in b&w from then on. Woody Allen also said the same after Manhattan. Ahem, well...
5.) Shutter Island (2010)
For me this conjures one of the most bleak and disturbing atmospheres of any film. Truly haunting. Nicely structured mystery detective thriller, perfect use of location, a neat little homage to The Red Shoes and solidly acted from DiCaprio and Ruffalo.
6.) The Departed (2006)
Unbelievable that it took this long for Scorsese to bag himself a Best Director Oscar (shame on you, Academy). This is probably one of the best ensemble casts in any film. If you haven't already, check out the Hong Kong film this is based on, Infernal Affairs. Rapid-fire editing and shaky camera infuse the intricate plot (a rat is placed within in the mob whilst a mole is placed within in the police) with high-octane energy.
7.) The Aviator (2004)
Love the era, the cast (especially Blanchett as Hepburn) and the subject of Hughes and his crazy foray into the world of film and aviation.
8.) Casino 1995)
Did De Niro just get acted off the screen by Sharon Stone?! Well, perhaps not quite off the screen but still, she definitely gave him a run for his money... It really feels like this is rated unfairly low, but Scorsese has made so many great films it was hard to move it higher.
9.) Mean Streets (1973)
Electric arrival of a hot new directing talent, this film really announced Scorsese as a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. And also De Niro and Keitel deserve special mention for powerhouse performances. This is the gritty reality version of The Godfather.
10.) New York, New York (1977)
I love Liza. Just sayin'.
Oh man, this film. This is #2 on my all-time favourite list. Everything about it is just perfection. That opening with the above quote and Tony Bennett's "Rags to Riches", the Copacobana tracking shot, Pesci's "You think I'm funny?", I just love it all. The humuor is brilliant. I watched The Sopranos for the first time last year and the amount of Goodfellas actors who are in the series is something ridiculous (at least 30-odd I read somewhere). I judge anyone who doesn't like this film...
2.) Taxi Driver (1976)
A hard-hitting masterpiece. Set on the decaying neon-lit streets of 70s NYC this is arguably De Niro's best ever performance. He plays the intriguing and complex Bickle with such a haunting intensity that you are almost swept up in his ideology (I said, "almost"!). The Schrader script is one of my favourites. I feel this is one of those absolute foundation films for students of cinema, a must-see.
3.) Gangs of New York (2002)
Why so high up you ask? Why above Raging Bull you ask? Well this is more a personal choice rather than a critical choice I guess. Some say it's messy and flawed and over-long. For the last 2 years I've actually ended up watching this at about 2am on New Year's Eve and I feel it will be a continuing tradition. I love the meticulously recreated setting of the Five Points of New York, Day-Lewis' portrayal of one of my favourite characters in Bill the Butcher and the massive scale of it all. I won't even try and defend it from the purists, it just rules, ok?
4.) Raging Bull (1980)
The ultimate unsympathetic character? Possibly. It's also the most authentic, savage and downright insane physical transformation from any method actor out there (Christian Bale obviously picked up some tips). The crisp black and white cinematography made Scorsese claim that he would only ever make films in b&w from then on. Woody Allen also said the same after Manhattan. Ahem, well...
5.) Shutter Island (2010)
For me this conjures one of the most bleak and disturbing atmospheres of any film. Truly haunting. Nicely structured mystery detective thriller, perfect use of location, a neat little homage to The Red Shoes and solidly acted from DiCaprio and Ruffalo.
6.) The Departed (2006)
Unbelievable that it took this long for Scorsese to bag himself a Best Director Oscar (shame on you, Academy). This is probably one of the best ensemble casts in any film. If you haven't already, check out the Hong Kong film this is based on, Infernal Affairs. Rapid-fire editing and shaky camera infuse the intricate plot (a rat is placed within in the mob whilst a mole is placed within in the police) with high-octane energy.
7.) The Aviator (2004)
Love the era, the cast (especially Blanchett as Hepburn) and the subject of Hughes and his crazy foray into the world of film and aviation.
8.) Casino 1995)
Did De Niro just get acted off the screen by Sharon Stone?! Well, perhaps not quite off the screen but still, she definitely gave him a run for his money... It really feels like this is rated unfairly low, but Scorsese has made so many great films it was hard to move it higher.
9.) Mean Streets (1973)
Electric arrival of a hot new directing talent, this film really announced Scorsese as a filmmaking force to be reckoned with. And also De Niro and Keitel deserve special mention for powerhouse performances. This is the gritty reality version of The Godfather.
10.) New York, New York (1977)
I love Liza. Just sayin'.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
My Top 5 Tarantino Films
1.) Pulp Fiction (1994)
Well this is where it all started for me, this is the film that got me into films. Proper films, y'know? Everything about it is just so damn cool; the cast, the characters, the soundtrack and the non-linear narrative. Postmodern, neo-noir, pop culture references in a mash up of what can now only be called Tarantino-esque filmmaking. My favourite scene, although difficult to call, has to be the Jack Rabbit Slim's tracking shot followed by the iconic dance scene. Love the adrenaline shot sequence too, cracks me up every time. Royal wit' cheese, anyone?
2.) Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)
This is QT's highly stylised homage to the kung-fu movies he grew up watching mixed in with some very obvious western genre conventions such as the protagonist with no name and that epic Ennio Morricone score. A daring experiment with its ultra violoence, knowingly fake dubbing and an anime section thrown in for good measure, this is hypnotically entertaining.
3.) Inglourious Basterds (2009)
It might throw the history book out of the window (a David Bowie song used in WW2?! Awesome) but this is guilty pleasure fun at its best. And when it offers the premise of cinema saving the world and killing off Hitler, what more could you want? Typically Tarantino in its talky script and b-movie-style direction, it's packed with cinephile jokes and violence. And Christoph Waltz is just so charmingly evil it bagged him a well-earned Academy Award.
4.) Reservoir Dogs (1992)
"Robbery, blood, violence, torture all in the comfort of your own home". Arguably the most influential of the 90s released films, this low-budget film was such a runaway success that even QT who was hoping for a cult hit at best, was shocked. This was the film that would go on to inspire a legion of wannabes.
5.) Jackie Brown (1997)
I still maintain this is one of the most underrated films out there. I love Pam Grier, blaxploitation queen from such 70s hits as Foxy Brown and Coffy and making a comeback in Tarantino's third feature film. This is QT's knowing homage to those pulp blaxplotation films with a postmodern twist, based on Elmore Leonard's "Rum Punch". Brilliantly inventive visual techniques including staging a key scene from three different points of view. Favourite scene? Has to be the Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Tucker long take in which Tucker ends up in the boot of Jackson's car only to be driven round the block to be shot. Amazing motown/soul-tinged soundtrack.
Well this is where it all started for me, this is the film that got me into films. Proper films, y'know? Everything about it is just so damn cool; the cast, the characters, the soundtrack and the non-linear narrative. Postmodern, neo-noir, pop culture references in a mash up of what can now only be called Tarantino-esque filmmaking. My favourite scene, although difficult to call, has to be the Jack Rabbit Slim's tracking shot followed by the iconic dance scene. Love the adrenaline shot sequence too, cracks me up every time. Royal wit' cheese, anyone?
2.) Kill Bill Vol.1 (2003)
This is QT's highly stylised homage to the kung-fu movies he grew up watching mixed in with some very obvious western genre conventions such as the protagonist with no name and that epic Ennio Morricone score. A daring experiment with its ultra violoence, knowingly fake dubbing and an anime section thrown in for good measure, this is hypnotically entertaining.
3.) Inglourious Basterds (2009)
It might throw the history book out of the window (a David Bowie song used in WW2?! Awesome) but this is guilty pleasure fun at its best. And when it offers the premise of cinema saving the world and killing off Hitler, what more could you want? Typically Tarantino in its talky script and b-movie-style direction, it's packed with cinephile jokes and violence. And Christoph Waltz is just so charmingly evil it bagged him a well-earned Academy Award.
4.) Reservoir Dogs (1992)
"Robbery, blood, violence, torture all in the comfort of your own home". Arguably the most influential of the 90s released films, this low-budget film was such a runaway success that even QT who was hoping for a cult hit at best, was shocked. This was the film that would go on to inspire a legion of wannabes.
5.) Jackie Brown (1997)
I still maintain this is one of the most underrated films out there. I love Pam Grier, blaxploitation queen from such 70s hits as Foxy Brown and Coffy and making a comeback in Tarantino's third feature film. This is QT's knowing homage to those pulp blaxplotation films with a postmodern twist, based on Elmore Leonard's "Rum Punch". Brilliantly inventive visual techniques including staging a key scene from three different points of view. Favourite scene? Has to be the Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Tucker long take in which Tucker ends up in the boot of Jackson's car only to be driven round the block to be shot. Amazing motown/soul-tinged soundtrack.
Monday, 20 August 2012
My Top 5 David Fincher Films
1.) Zodiac (2007)
Probably considered an unsual choice for #1 but this film really got me. Based on a true story and with an open-ended finale with no closure, it is more a character study than a narrative driven structure. A sense of anxiety and pervading gloom is intensified by the unsolved leads the detectives are up against from a murderer who terrorised and taunted 1960/70s San Francisco.
2.) Se7en (1995)
A great post-modern film noir about a murderer (the awesomely psychotic Spacey) who is inspired by The Seven Deadly Sins. A nightmare atmosphere conjured by Bladerunner-style rain and grim colour-drained cityscapes, it also boasts arguably the most downbeat ending of any film.
3.) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Brutal, stylish, gripping. I'm so glad I read the book beforehand as this is still deceivingly complex in film format. There's no doubt this is Rooney Mara's film, she fully commits to the portrayal of Lisbeth Salander; a damaged, angsty, complex anti-heroine. A satisfyingly solid remake.
4.) Fight Club (1999)
This is one of those films for the MTV generation; a bold, shocking, provocative satire that playfully subverts cinematic conventions. Unconventional editing and cutting coupled with intense performances from its leads, it packs one hell of a punch as it takes a look at corporate America in the 90s. It's Fincher's Taxi Driver brought right up to date with added humour and bucketloads of irony.
5.) The Social Network (2010)
Who would have thought a film about the conception of Facebook could be so compelling? Filmed in the style of a fast-paced thriller rather than a straight up biography of Zuckerberg, the film is benefitted by an impeccable Sorkin script and a brilliant performance from Eisenberg.
Probably considered an unsual choice for #1 but this film really got me. Based on a true story and with an open-ended finale with no closure, it is more a character study than a narrative driven structure. A sense of anxiety and pervading gloom is intensified by the unsolved leads the detectives are up against from a murderer who terrorised and taunted 1960/70s San Francisco.
2.) Se7en (1995)
A great post-modern film noir about a murderer (the awesomely psychotic Spacey) who is inspired by The Seven Deadly Sins. A nightmare atmosphere conjured by Bladerunner-style rain and grim colour-drained cityscapes, it also boasts arguably the most downbeat ending of any film.
3.) The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Brutal, stylish, gripping. I'm so glad I read the book beforehand as this is still deceivingly complex in film format. There's no doubt this is Rooney Mara's film, she fully commits to the portrayal of Lisbeth Salander; a damaged, angsty, complex anti-heroine. A satisfyingly solid remake.
4.) Fight Club (1999)
This is one of those films for the MTV generation; a bold, shocking, provocative satire that playfully subverts cinematic conventions. Unconventional editing and cutting coupled with intense performances from its leads, it packs one hell of a punch as it takes a look at corporate America in the 90s. It's Fincher's Taxi Driver brought right up to date with added humour and bucketloads of irony.
5.) The Social Network (2010)
Who would have thought a film about the conception of Facebook could be so compelling? Filmed in the style of a fast-paced thriller rather than a straight up biography of Zuckerberg, the film is benefitted by an impeccable Sorkin script and a brilliant performance from Eisenberg.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
My Top 5 Howard Hawks Films
1.) Bringing Up Baby (1938)
One of my all-time feel-good films. Said to be the benchmark that all screwball comedies look to emulate, this is an unrivalled Hawks masterpiece. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are the perfect movie couple on an adventure involving a leopard named Baby, a dinosaur bone, a stint in jail and a wedding. Said to be terrified of the leopard on-set, Grant's scenes were filmed split-screen whilst the ever eccentric Hepburn could be seen stroking it between scenes.
2.) The Big Sleep (1946)
Film noir based on the 1939 Raymond Chandler novel of the same name and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, this is the film that notoriously confuses everyone with its purposely complex plot but does so with atmospheric cool and brings attention to the chemistry between its leads. The direction, screenplay and score are faultless.
3.) His Girl Friday ( 1940)
Another screwball comedy with Cary Grant,this time opposite Rosalind Russell, this is the film that influenced Quentin Tarantino's famous dialogue style (he claims it is one of his favourite films). Fast, furious and smart, the script is so fresh and witty it is timeless.
4.) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
A musical featuring two stars at the top of their game, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, the duo try their luck at finding themselves wealthy husbands onboard a luxary cruise. Monroe's famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence has been copied by everyone from Madonna to Nicole Kidman.
5.) Rio Bravo (1959)
Described as "the greatest hang-out movie of all time" by Tarantino, this is a huge, sprawling western starring John Wayne (who else?!), Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson. A classic of the genre.
Others that didn't make the cut:
The Outlaw (1943), this is more a source of interest rather than a brilliant film what with its notorious production story with Jane Russell's specially enhanced bra made by Hawks' partner-in-crime Howard Hughes (yes, really) and its subsequent banning by the censors.
Monkey Business (1952), starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and small but memorable role from Marilyn Monroe this is another entertaining screwball comedy.
I Was a Male War Bride (1949), Cary Grant in drag - what more could you want?!
I haven't seen Scarface or The Thing From Another World and various others, so that's why they aren't on the list! Will eventually get around to seeing these...
One of my all-time feel-good films. Said to be the benchmark that all screwball comedies look to emulate, this is an unrivalled Hawks masterpiece. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are the perfect movie couple on an adventure involving a leopard named Baby, a dinosaur bone, a stint in jail and a wedding. Said to be terrified of the leopard on-set, Grant's scenes were filmed split-screen whilst the ever eccentric Hepburn could be seen stroking it between scenes.
2.) The Big Sleep (1946)
Film noir based on the 1939 Raymond Chandler novel of the same name and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, this is the film that notoriously confuses everyone with its purposely complex plot but does so with atmospheric cool and brings attention to the chemistry between its leads. The direction, screenplay and score are faultless.
3.) His Girl Friday ( 1940)
Another screwball comedy with Cary Grant,this time opposite Rosalind Russell, this is the film that influenced Quentin Tarantino's famous dialogue style (he claims it is one of his favourite films). Fast, furious and smart, the script is so fresh and witty it is timeless.
4.) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
A musical featuring two stars at the top of their game, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, the duo try their luck at finding themselves wealthy husbands onboard a luxary cruise. Monroe's famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence has been copied by everyone from Madonna to Nicole Kidman.
5.) Rio Bravo (1959)
Described as "the greatest hang-out movie of all time" by Tarantino, this is a huge, sprawling western starring John Wayne (who else?!), Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson. A classic of the genre.
Others that didn't make the cut:
The Outlaw (1943), this is more a source of interest rather than a brilliant film what with its notorious production story with Jane Russell's specially enhanced bra made by Hawks' partner-in-crime Howard Hughes (yes, really) and its subsequent banning by the censors.
Monkey Business (1952), starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and small but memorable role from Marilyn Monroe this is another entertaining screwball comedy.
I Was a Male War Bride (1949), Cary Grant in drag - what more could you want?!
I haven't seen Scarface or The Thing From Another World and various others, so that's why they aren't on the list! Will eventually get around to seeing these...
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