The Right Stuff: Amazing recounting of the space race from before Chuck Jaeger broke the sound barrier, up to the Apollo missions. A stellar cast of 'major stars in the making' and amazing cinematography. See this on the big screen in its full uncut glory to be drawn into a world of exploration, daring, and down-right bloody-minded determination. Inspirational.
The shape of thing to come: Simply mind-boggling. This film version of the H G Wells classic, filled with British acting royalty, puts contemporary films in their place in terms of visual gusto and ambitious elan. What is portrayed here is not simply Wells's own views but the visual foresight of a world that barely seems capable of taking the steps this film does. Jaw dropping. I kid you not.
The Sure Thing: Several films of this era summon up an innocence and joy that is very much of the time. This Rob Reiner gem features the amicable John Cusack at his best, along with several other staples of this time. Always knowing and never insulting, I think this is more of a 'Ferris Bueller' than that. Less obvious, but just as compelling; fun, funny, silly, and a great distraction.
The world According to Garp: Forget the maudlin, over-sentimental Robin Williams too often encountered today. Meet the newcomer just out of 'Mork and Mindy' perfectly cast in the tricky opus from John Irving. Combined with a typically solid performance from John Lithgow, and an amazingly composed one from Glenn Close (wasn't she nominated for Oscars in each of her first three roles?) this film has it all. Great quotes; wonderful characters; a central theme about life, hope, and dreams. Movie-making at its best. A film for everyone to watch
Truman Show: As above, when tied down and controlled, Jim Carrey has more than a little acting talent. Here he only occasionally threatens to ape in front of the camera. Peter Weir in fine form, and a lovely, small, restrained piece about whether we are actors on the stage, and even if we are, should we be content with that role? Sometimes a little loose, but never unenjoyable. I wonder what more Carrey could bring if he were stretched. Another film about hope and daring to dream.
Truth about Cats and Dogs: At the risk of being maligned, but I love love love this film for several reasons. Uma Thurman looking more gorgeous than is possible; Janeane Garofalo likewise, more quotable lines than you can shake a fist at, and a central theme about people not being easy to pigeon-hole. What's not to like? All this and a soundtrack featuring Al Green and Squeeze. Sit down and hug your knees. The only thing off colour is Ben Chaplin doing an impression of Dick Van Dyke, rather than using his own voice ("Ben, you just don't sound English enough. More dyke please. Not you, Garofalo ...")
Unforgiven: Eastwood is one of the best directors of our time. Fact. Sometimes he's too acclaimed, but films like Unforgiven make you realise just how good he is at his craft. This is a film the surpasses its genre. Don't treat this as a simple 'western' this is much more. Eastwood, Hackman, and Freeman form the heart of the movie, Freeman typically as the observer (c.f. Shawshank Redemption / Million Dollar Baby) with Hackman and Eastwood as two sides of the same coin. Hackman has rarely been better, which is some accolade, and Eastwood the actor gives his normal restrained performance. A story about right, wrong, and that huge area of grey between the two. No easy answers, and rightly so. Superb.
V For Vendetta: I love this film. Not simply for Hugo Weaving (are we sure it's him?) doing a lovely Blackadder impression, or Natalie Portman in frilly knickers (I barely looked), but for something very important that wasn't lost from Moore's dystopian future - something about the view of man as defining his own nature and not merely ceding all morality to the state. Visually accomplished, and with a thunderous score, it's never dull and draws the viewer into V's uncompromising purpose. A film about 'stuff', so no bad thing.
White Christmas: Yes, done to death and seen many times, but lovely and warm and friendly and nice. Featuring two of my favourite stars of that era ... neither Crosby nor Clooney, but the bright and shining 'co-stars' of Kaye and Ellen who simply click together in a heart-warming manner. The story is painfully slight and simple, the songs not unforgettable, yet it conjures such a happy and positive image it's hard to argue against. Without the depth of a Capra masterpiece, but sometimes you don't want to be bludgeoned, just warmed through by something wholesome.
Yankee Doodle Dandy: You'll have to blame my mother partly for this, as it was essential viewing whenever it was on. You can level accusations of jingoism against it, but at its heart we have the performance of Cagney. The knowing, post-gangster, post-hoofer Cagney; although there's more than enough of the hoofer to keep us going here. He radiates throughout the film, lighting up ever scene with a boyish energy and innocence. Something for the times, but also something for all times. And that dance down the stairs at the end is a moment of film history, making your stomach do silly things.
(apologies if my prose is too film-critic-y ... blame it on the Baz)
Phew ... 10 down. Maybe one or two would make the Top 10 even. Hope you enjoy. And if you disagree ... well, it is MY list after all :-p
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