I like all different sorts of films, and my favourite ones span quite a wide range, so I'm sure there will be something that you like amongst the following! If not, then E-Mail with your favourite film and the reasons you love it, and then if I agree I'll include it in my list! Also, at the end of each summary I have included the BBFC classification to give an idea of the suitable audience. If you are unfamiliar with these ratings, then click here! Anyway, on with my choices....
First, why not have a look at some pictures from my favourite films! Just click on any one to get a larger (although in some cases, not much larger) version!
Well, as you can see from the above pictures, one of my favourite films is "The Usual Suspects"! If you haven't seen it yet, the film is directed by Bryan Singer, and stars Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Spacey and many more. The plot revolves around five criminals who are brought together in a police line-up, suspected of robbing a truck full of stolen weapons in New York. While being kept detained a police cell, one of the supsects, MacManus (played by Stephen Baldwin) tells the others of a robbery he is planning, for which he needs another four men. Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne) is reluctant at first, as he is desperately trying to become a successful business man, but finally cracks under pressure from the other four. The plot then follows their lives as they become involved with a very curious character called Keyser Soze, who many believe is not a real person at all, but simply a myth. The plot twists and turns so many times that, if you do not pay attention, you can quite easily get
confused. However, this was not a problem for me or most of the people I know who have seen it, as it is one of the best screenplays ever written (as shown by the Oscar it won), and I was thoroughly immersed in the film the whole time. It also has my favourite ending of any film , and the acting is of a very high standard (Kevin Spacey won an oscar for his role!). The film does lose some of it's impact when transferred to the small screen, but it is still brilliant anyway, and leaves many who see it speachless.
For those of you who have seen it, there are many pages dedicated to the theme of "Who is Keyser Soze", and this is just one of them! But Reading this before you have seen the film will completely ruin it for you, and I would strongly advise that you don't! (18)
"Pulp Fiction" is one of the most original and entertaining films of the decade. I'm sure you all know everything there is to know about it, but if not, here are a few details. It is written and directed by Quentin Tarantino (who also has a small part as Jimmy), and stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis amongst others! It is based around the connection between the big boss man Marcellus Wallace, his wife(Thurman), his hit-men Vincent(Travolta) and Jules(Jackson), and a boxer(Willis), and is written as a series of smaller sub-stories which are put together brilliantly! Tarantino is a master story teller, and is not afraid to make a few risks, so the film does have a lot of swearing and some rather nasty scenes. This just adds to the whole atmosphere that he creates, and didn't spoil the film for me at all, although some people seem to dislike it! If you haven't seen it already, make sure you do in the near future!(18)
"Star Wars" I have already talked about this film in my top ten films for next year section above, and there isn't a lot more to say. It (and it's sequels) are still enjoyed by audiences of all ages 20 years after it was released, and myself and many others eagerly await the new prequels that are due to arrive at some point in the not-so-distant future. (U)
"Clerks" is a hilariously funny American independant film, written and directed by Kevin Smith. It tells the story of a day in the life of a convenience store worker Dante and his best friend Randall, who works in the near-by video shop. Dante is persuaded to go into work on his day off, for which he is very resentful, especially after all the things that happen during the course of the day. These include finding dead bodies, going to funerals and constant girl-friend problems. It is very well written, and very funny, especially the scenes involving Jay and Silent Bob (who is played by Kevin Smith himself). If you do see it, there is also a follow-up called "Mall Rats" which I haven't seen yet, but I'm reliably informed is also very good! (18)
"Life of Brian" is a hilarious film based around the idea that during the time of Jesus, another man by the name of...wait for it...Brian, was mistaken for the Messiah. The Monty Python team pokes fun at a lot of the bible stories, and for this reason it was originally banned from being shown on terrestrial T.V. , a ban which has now been lifted. However, if you are very religous you may still find certain scenes offensive. Some of the most memorable and now infamous scenes include the stoning, where John Cleese is repeatedly pelted, and the final scene which contains the song "Always look on the bright side of life". This film is hilarious from beginning to end, and is regarded by many as the finest piece of work ever produced by the Python team. You don't neeed to be a fan of the series to enjoy this film, and if you are already a fan, the chances are you will have seen it many times already. (15)
Monty Python's "The Holy Grail" is a much sillier film than "Life of Brian". It isn't as clever and doesn't contain the biting satire, but relies much more on their usual brand of wacky humour. But most importantly, it is very, very funny! Characters like Tim the Sorcerer, The Black Knight and the French guard are excellent creations, and most people watching the film end up in tears of laughter. Also, the ending provides a good subject for debate. Some people regard it as a bit of a let down, while others think it is brilliant, so why not watch it and judge for yourself! (15)
"The Terminator/Terminator 2". When the original film came out it was an instant classic. The special effects were incredible for the time, and Arnold Schwarzenegger's cyborg has become one of the most famous and most imitated film characters ever. The plot of the film is that in the future there is a nuclear war, after which machines take over the world. The few remaining human survivors are led by a man named John Connor, and the robots decide to send a machine back in time to kill him before he was born, by murdering his mother. This machine is called the Terminator (I'm starting to sound like the trailer now!) When the humans find out about this, they send back a human to try and protect John's mother, Sarah Connor. What follows is a an intense battle of wits and fire power, resulting in a thrilling and exciting film. The sequel (T2) came out 10 years later, and in this one John is now a young boy. The plot is fairly similar, but this time both the protector and the villain are cyborgs, thud giving the director (James Cameron) even more scope to have huge gunfights. The special effects surpassed everything that had come before, and even now, with films such as "Independance Day" (which, incidentally, is highly over-rated in my opinion) and Twister, they are still spectacular. I suggest seeing them in order, as the T2 follows on very closely from the end of the first, and it will make a lot more sense. ("The Terminator": 18, "Terminator 2": 15)
"From Dusk Till Dawn". This is the most recent film involving Quentin Tarantino, although this time he doesn't direct. This is an old script of his that was dug-up after he became the flavour of the moment, and rather than direct he plays one of the two main characters, Richie Gecko, along-side George Clooney as his brother Seth. Tarantino's good friend Robert Rodriguez directs, and once again Harvey Kietel stars, this time as a preacher who has lost his faith and is travelling the country with his son and daughter (played by Juliette Lewis). The film starts as a gangster chase movie, with the two brothers on the run after a bank robbery which left some civilians and police dead. Half way through the film takes a rather un-expected turn which I will not divulge as it will spoil the surprise. I will say, though, that it is very funny and very entertaining, but not for the faint-hearted. Also, if you are of the male, hetro-sexual persuasion, watch out for the lovely Salma Hayek! (18)
(This list is still in construction! Please check back tomorrow, although i'm not promising anything!"
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