Oo-err - film - one of my 'hobbies' I am an avid film watcher (nay critic)
My faves
All Time Faves
Lawrence of Arabia - David Lean at his very best as Director, stellar cast of characters and a big budget, all star cast that doesnt get out of control. The editing is superb and the focus pulls and camera work is astounding but its done with such ease you barely notice - some of the cuts are so fast and furious even when your watching you lose count as they draw you in so well and the casual observer probably doesnt even notice. Whenever I grow weary and start to think that film is a lost art I watch this and find something in it to make me think different.
The Godfather - Kubrick called it the most perfect film ever made and I would be hard put to disagree (though I think LoA is the better film for its better editing and greater balance). I must have watched this film about 40 times on release and at least as many since and still find it compelling. In many ways I prefer Godfather II as a watch but the sequel lacks the same punch of storytelling and seems to get confused at times.
2001 - Still a masterpeice of movie making. People love it or hate it and many still argue over it (both as a technical film and what it all means) 40 years since it was made. Anyone who can make such a contentious film thats contentious 40 years later is doing something right.
Dr Strangelove - Another Kubrick film - It still makes me laugh no matter how much I see it Peter Sellers at the top of his game as the clueless US President 'Gentlemen, you cant fight in the War Room' as the ineffectual RAF Group Captain 'Do I take it you are threatning a brother officer with a gun' and as the pastiche of RAND Corp scientists Dr Strangelove with his arm always wanting to throw a Nazi salute and called the President 'Mein Fuhrer' in a moment of forgetfulness.
The Third Man - I have to put a Birtish Film in here - I am a Brit
- Orson Welles is great and I love the dark and moody atmosphere and the stunning black and white photography. Welles as the totally amoral Harry Lime reminds me of someone who was once close.
In and Outs - films I like but dont rate as great.....
The Usual Suspects - love the plotting, love the film but it has plenty of flaws - none the less worth anyones time to see and you can argue about it over dinner after the movie.
Cabaret - Might be a truly great, I cant tell, the only film where I think Michael York acts his socks off and Liza M is amazing.
Schindlers List - Makes me cry so much I have never been able to form an opinion on whether its scmaltz or something much finer. Its certainbly tragic and Liam Neeson is great in it and suitably enigmatic. Fiennes is brilliant in it as well. I always wonder if I would have the courage to do like Schindler - I suspect I would be weak and fall in line.
Perennials films I like a lot just to watch again and enjoy the spectacle......
The English Patient - Beautifully filmed but I find it a bit over arty in places.
A Very Long Engagement - Jeunot pulls out all the stops in this - each frame looks like an art masterpiece and its quirky.
Pulp Fiction - many of the characters are like the scary folk I used to hang with in my 20s and it makes me laugh (I would be the character played by Tarantino or possibly the unseen Bonny)
Snatch - ALL of the scary characters from my twenties appear to be in this - Bricktop is like a friend of my Dads.
American Beauty -
The Shawshank Redemption - The language of the voice overs by MF is so beautiful
Sunset Boulevard - Love the deep cynicism of the characters and its biting, no holds barred, commentary on Hollywood and the media.
Layer Cake - Stylish and clever (some characters from my 20s make another appearance as well).
The Man who Wasnt There - maybe too clever for its own good but great film none the less.
Burn After Reading - First time I saw it I hated it - have warmed to it ever since for its smart comedy.
Wow I have too much time on my hands today (thats cos a rocket never got here for me to start building on my day off) so apologies for long post there
I have about 1,000 films in my collection and watch films a lot - other than reading and writing its my big interest.
