Having recently reached the milestone that is 21, I thought I would commemorate the occasion by picking out 21 key films that have charted my development from childhood into manhood. The films that have helped shape me as a person:1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
As the first ever full length animated feature this is not only a landmark film in terms of cinema, but it is particularly special to me as it was the first film I ever saw at the cinema. Roughly 4 years old, I cannot remember the experience personally, this is the initial film which may have subconsciously kick started my love for cinema.
As the first ever full length animated feature this is not only a landmark film in terms of cinema, but it is particularly special to me as it was the first film I ever saw at the cinema. Roughly 4 years old, I cannot remember the experience personally, this is the initial film which may have subconsciously kick started my love for cinema.
2. Aladdin
Released back in the mid-nineties Disney era this still remains my favourite cartoon feature. After receiving it for my birthday on VHS, it would keep me motivated throughout school. Often bored as the teacher droned on, the thought of being able to watch Robin Williams’s genie as soon as I got in would help get me through the day. Childhood escapism at it’s finest.
Released back in the mid-nineties Disney era this still remains my favourite cartoon feature. After receiving it for my birthday on VHS, it would keep me motivated throughout school. Often bored as the teacher droned on, the thought of being able to watch Robin Williams’s genie as soon as I got in would help get me through the day. Childhood escapism at it’s finest.
3. A Muppet Christmas Carol
One of my first and fondest memories is going to the cinema to watch this with my dad. Whenever I read A Christmas Carol or watch one of the many other adaptations I am overcome with feelings of nostalgia.
One of my first and fondest memories is going to the cinema to watch this with my dad. Whenever I read A Christmas Carol or watch one of the many other adaptations I am overcome with feelings of nostalgia.
4. Toy Story
Another milestone in the history of cinema, this was the first full length CGI feature which turned Pixar into an overnight success. As well as being a technological achievement, it was the characters and the story which captured my imagination more than anything else. Even Before I had seen the film I was gripped by the characterisation having read the junior novelisation prior to my cinema trip.
Another milestone in the history of cinema, this was the first full length CGI feature which turned Pixar into an overnight success. As well as being a technological achievement, it was the characters and the story which captured my imagination more than anything else. Even Before I had seen the film I was gripped by the characterisation having read the junior novelisation prior to my cinema trip.
5. Star Wars IV: A New Hope
Back in 1996 the original trilogy was re released on the big screen and I became an instant fan. No blockbuster will ever as be as good given the nature of todays profit hungry Hollywood.
6. Terminator 2
No film have I seen more times than this one. Back when I had it recorded on video I watched it often enough for the tape inside the cassette to disintegrate. After complaining to my father he was kind enough to sellotape it back together so I could watch it some more!
No film have I seen more times than this one. Back when I had it recorded on video I watched it often enough for the tape inside the cassette to disintegrate. After complaining to my father he was kind enough to sellotape it back together so I could watch it some more!
7. Die Hard
The first 18 I ever watched which paved the way for my love of action movies before I got into dramas and art house material.
8. American Pie
Every generation has their Breakfast club, a film which perfectly captures and understands what it's like to grow up in the culture of the time. It was not just the vulgar humour which made this popular but it was the sense of camaraderie between the male leads and the adult issues it dealt with.
9. Jackass the Movie
As I was in my last year of school I had an unhealthy obsession with the MTV amateur stunt show. Not being 18 at the time of its release I downloaded it from Kazaa and brought all my friends round to watch it. Then when I got it on DVD I watched it endlessly with and without the commentaries. I just couldn’t get enough of it, I wanted to be a member of their gang.
10. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Simply another film I have watched a countless amount of times. When it was finally released on TV I was swept up by the hype, the coolness it oozed and the witty dialogue.
11. Pulp Fiction
This is probably the first film that marked my transition from action films to more complex, adult material. Initially just a fan of Bruce Willis’s plot strand I soon started to understand the more adult humour.
12. Fight Club
Probably the most important film on the list. When I first saw this masterpiece I couldn't stand it. Thoroughly bored for over two hours I never planned on seeing it again. However somewhere in my mind it's intrigue and it's mystique stuck in my mind. A year later when it was aired on TV again I chose to watch it and I couldn’t believe the sheer intelligence of the material I had missed out on. This film again marks the transition in my life from enjoying brainless action films to more philosophical and existential dramas.
Probably the most important film on the list. When I first saw this masterpiece I couldn't stand it. Thoroughly bored for over two hours I never planned on seeing it again. However somewhere in my mind it's intrigue and it's mystique stuck in my mind. A year later when it was aired on TV again I chose to watch it and I couldn’t believe the sheer intelligence of the material I had missed out on. This film again marks the transition in my life from enjoying brainless action films to more philosophical and existential dramas.
13. Goodfellas
Such a kinetic, violent yet mesmerising film, I was transfixed throughout. This is what instantly made me a fan of De Niro and Scorsese who still remain to be my favourite actor and director. This is also probably where my love for gangster films began.
14. The Godfather Trilogy
With my growing fascination of gangster films I purposefully sought out the trilogy which has heavily been regarded as the best and I was not let down. The Godfather Part II still remains my favourite film of all time to date.
With my growing fascination of gangster films I purposefully sought out the trilogy which has heavily been regarded as the best and I was not let down. The Godfather Part II still remains my favourite film of all time to date.
15. This is Spinal Tap
The greatest comedy ever made really confused me when I first watched it. I must have watched this mockumentary three times to get my head around the concept and it’s original style of humour. Even now as my favourite comedy film, every time I watch it I still pick up something different. Easily The most rewarding watch on the list.
16. Sin City
This is the first 18 I saw on the big screen. I was only 17 at the time and I was taken aback by the stark visual style. My dad however felt a tad queasy with all the vivid violence.
This is the first 18 I saw on the big screen. I was only 17 at the time and I was taken aback by the stark visual style. My dad however felt a tad queasy with all the vivid violence.
17. Requiem for a Dream
When I finally decided to study film academically my teacher recommended this film to me and I have never looked back since. Never has a film been so moving, depressing and touching as a director reaches the peak of his artistic craft.
When I finally decided to study film academically my teacher recommended this film to me and I have never looked back since. Never has a film been so moving, depressing and touching as a director reaches the peak of his artistic craft.
18. Anchorman
Overshadowed by the theatrical release of inferior Dodgeball this cult DVD hit was one of those films I watched repeatedly at University as it also helped me bond with others. Will Ferrel has not yet been able to surpass his performance as Ron Burgundy.
Overshadowed by the theatrical release of inferior Dodgeball this cult DVD hit was one of those films I watched repeatedly at University as it also helped me bond with others. Will Ferrel has not yet been able to surpass his performance as Ron Burgundy.
19. The Big Lebowski
Already fairly familiar with some of the Coen’s stuff, nothing could prepare me for the brilliance of Jeff Bridge’s ‘The Dude’ and his nihilistic attitude towards life. I must have rented it several times from the library before I finally bought it.
20. The Departed
With Scorsese being my favourite filmmaker this was the first of his films that I was able to see on the big screen. Coincidentally it was his first Oscar winner. It may not be his best by a long shot but I still love it.
With Scorsese being my favourite filmmaker this was the first of his films that I was able to see on the big screen. Coincidentally it was his first Oscar winner. It may not be his best by a long shot but I still love it.
21. There Will Be Blood
One of my favourite films to be released in the last few years. Luckily enough I managed catch it at my local art house cinema and it was the last film I saw that truly captured, confused and bewildered me. Daniel Day-Lewis's Daniel Plainview remains the greatest performance ever seen on film.
One of my favourite films to be released in the last few years. Luckily enough I managed catch it at my local art house cinema and it was the last film I saw that truly captured, confused and bewildered me. Daniel Day-Lewis's Daniel Plainview remains the greatest performance ever seen on film.
9 comments:
Anchorman? I think it's quite funny, but not that great, i don't get why people go crazy over it. Never really liked American Pie either, and as for sin city!!! well. lol the rest are pretty good though.
It's not like I'm writing down the best films of all time or anything, just films that I have been obsessed with at one point or another.
Some of them are clearly crap and it was just my childhood naivety. I mean, Jackass the movie???
However I do think Anchorman is genius, as was American Pie (I may change my mind if I saw it now) but yeah Sin City is a bit average, still it was the first 18 I saw at the cinema!
Thank god I didn't put Beverley Hills Cop III down :S
Seen as we were 21 on the same day (virtually) are there any films you grew up watching in particular?
As if it was a month ago since we turned 21, I feel so old now!
In no particular order here are my 21.
1. Jurrasic Park - first film i remember watching at the cinema and made me fall in love with films.
2. Gremlins - Favourite film as a kid, taped it off the tele and watched it over and over, probably the reason for my love of dark humour.
3. Lion King - Just remember everyone loving this when i was young, had the tape with all the songs on it too.
4. Toy Story 1/2 - up until i saw there will be blood, these were easily the best films i had seen in the cinema.
5. Die Hard - i can remember when i was about 10/11 and this was on ITV like every month on a friday night, awesome film.
6. Alien - I would argue that this is the most important here. Saw it when i was 12 on a day off ill from school, this started my love for horror movies.
7. Gladiator - First movie i owned on DVD, remember not being old enough to see it at the cinema, was gutted.
8. Reservoir Dogs - Saw this before i saw Pulp Fiction, blew me away, just the coolest thing ever.
9. Kill Bill - was never as excited about a film as i was for this. Ok it was a bit of a disappointment.
10. Battle Royale - probabaly the first foreign movie i saw, and spawned a short lived love affair with asian cinema.
11. Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Just too fucked up and crazy, will never forget the first time i saw this.
12. True Romance - Simply the ultimate date movie.
13. Donnie Darko - got me into films that were a bit 'out there.'
14. Dr No - really really loved bond when i was younger, this one because it was at the start of an itv season where they showed them all in order every friday night or something.
15. Dawn of the Dead - I'll never forget watching this late at night on TV. Started watching it thinking it would be some cheesey crap, ended up being my favourite movie of all time and started my obsession with zombies.
16. Lord of the rings - Baisically our generations star wars. Not a big fan but i can rememebr everyone just going mental over them and going to see two towers on the first night with people dressed in full battle gear.
17. United 93 - everyone knew what was comming but the feeling when the film faded to black was still horrible.
18. Baseketball - not great but mainly cos i rememeber watching this quite a bit in the first year at uni.
19. Irreversible - still haven't watched this a second time
20. There Will Be Blood - best film i have eer seen in a cinema, absolutely awesome.
21. The Dark Knight - I don't think it's as great as everone says but i just remember how excited i got after the first trailer came out.
Ahh very interesting,
That's the same reason I got into Die Hard. The only decent thing ITV have ever done; broadcast every month. But they would always cut the bit where Mr. Takagi's head splattered against the glass doors which pissed me off.
I know exactly what you mean about Kill Bill, never looked forward to a film as much as that, gutted I had to wait until the DVD release.
So glad you picked Toy Story, I've been so shocked since I moved to uni that a lot of people were never that keen on it. (does this mean you partially like Tom Hanks?)
I certainly think the Dark Knight and Lord of the Rings hype defined our generation and is important
but as for Dr. No, you can never force me to sit through that tripe again!
Anyone else have any thoughts?
I agree with the fact u say There will be Blood is confusing, and my favourites are
1. Toy Story - my favourite animated film of all time that I couldn't stop talking about when I was litte and made my primary school teacher think that I thought Woody was real!
2. Toy Story II
- the only secnod pixar or disney film that will ever match or maybe even beat the first film
3. The Lion King - the first film I saw at the cinema and the first that I saw twice as well. I believe it is the film that started my love for scores and consquently music as a hobby.
4. Donnie Darko - one of the few few films that I myself looked out for to watch and was left confused and in awe by the end
5. The Dark Knight - the best film of the 21st Century yet that had me glued to the screen and in bewilderment at some of the best acting I have ever seen. Heath's Joker is the scariest villain you will ever meet in film.
6. Castle in the Sky - one of the first Studio Ghibli films I saw that opened me to a world of cinema that I never knew existed
7. Memento - the first film that kept me up all night in bewilderment
8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - the funniest film ever
9. Spider Man 2 - the best film that will be made of my favourite comic book herp
10. Terminator 2 - the first film I saw with violence, swearing and blood shed that showed me a differnet kind of cinema
11. The Matrix - the action film that left everyone in shock
12. Kill Bill Vol. 1 - the first 18 i saw that I loved
13. Saving Private Ryan - the best war film I have seen so far
14. Run Lola Run - the first German film I saw that blew me away, introduced me to the world of foreign/German films, and is one of my favourites of all time
15. The Departed - the first film that I believed derserved the best film and director Oscar
16. The Broune Ultimatum - the first film at the cinema that I saw with my brother had constantly made watch it from end to finish in amazement
17. Downfall - a brillant film that reveals a dark part of our history and gives an excellent portray of evil, human conscience and reflection of how people can't see themsevles in the past. The story of Hitler's Last Secretary is the most overlooked part of history ever.
18. The Boy in the Striped PJ's - the first film that made me proper break down and left me begging in my head for the film to end during the last scene. No film will probs make me ever feel that way again
19. The Counterfeiters - an amzing film that questions you at every turn and leaves you thinking about evil in humanity and makes u question your own conscience
20. Star Wars V - the best satr wars film and the first film that imtroduced me to the world of Sci-Fi and Adventure films
21. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - the best Indiana Jones film in my opinion, and the first film that made me fall in love with the film's main hero / character. Indiana Jones is still one of my favourite film Characters to date.
Oh my word, very interesting and detailed Katie, now there are two film critics in the family!
Most people consider the Temple of Doom to be the worst in the trilogy (obviously not including the abysmal 4th instalment). Although it is still really good and was the first one I saw which got me into the series.
I think the best superhero film is X-2, but I'm glad Spiderman 3 was NOT included in your list, I seem to remember you saying it was your favourite in the series once we'd left the cinema :P
It'd be interesting to see how much your list changes by the time you're 21 as well!
Also good to see so many intelligent foreign films on your list. Me and Jammy were certainly not that intellectual when we were the same age!
I'm really interested in seeing Counterfeiters
I still think number three was a good spider man film, but when I recently watched all three I realised that the 2nd film was my favourite. If only Tobie didn't look like a pratt when he "tried" to look sexy and cool. OO the humiliation :(
I think I like the Temple of Doom most just because it was also the first Indiana Jones film I saw and even though I didn't really understand the storyline at a young age, I just found it funny and exciting, e.g. the scene in the chinese place at the beginning and the monkey brains meal etc. :D.
I also agree Sin City being average, as after reading nearly all the books before seeing the film, I think the film doesn't quite catch the essence of the books and is not as gripping, and that it is better to just read the books.
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