I love films. Always have done. Memories of rainy Sunday afternoons watching black and white classics on our old wood-effect Bush television have pervaded my memory while contemplating this topic. You know the ones, they star a dashing gentleman in a dapper suit, possibly with a very neat moustache, probably clean-shaven with perfect bryl-creemed hair. Think David Niven, Clark Gable or Dirk Bogarde (yes him, not Humphrey Bogart, I know who I mean). Their leading ladies wearing simple silk gowns, possibly a wrap-around design with shoulder-pads to die for, or maybe a flared waistline and a sweetheart neckline, with luxuriously wavy Rita Hayworth hair. Or of course, my favourite leading lady of all time: Miss. Hepburn, Audrey not Katharine please.
As you can see, my taste in films is diverse. I debated doing a post with two Top Five's; one classic and one modern. However, I decided that might be pushing the boundaries a little so I have gone with modern favourites. Although interestingly, none of my chosen films are from the noughties. There are plenty that I like, but maybe they haven't been repeated enough on BBC and ITV for me to recognise them as favourites yet.
So here we go:
1) Footloose
It's classic and I love it. I can picture every single second of the film in glorious '80s technicolour. From the amazing dance/acrobatic routine in the warehouse, full of teenage angst, to the thought-provoking debate in the council meeting where Ren dares to challenge the town to change its no-music rule ably assisted by a fabulous and under-stated Dianne Wiest. I chuckle every time I see him try and teach Willard how to dance, and at the finale, my feet and hear cannot keep still. Love it!
2) Grosse Point Blank
The vast majority of John Cusack films are brilliant. I won't mention that daft 'Being John Malkovich' one. Some he's kinda sold-out on, everyone has to pay the mortgage, but GPB is classic Mr. Cusack. I debated High Fidelity, but prefer this one. It's funny, romantic, clever, stupid and, quite frankly, kick-arse. I can even tolerate the Driver woman in it.
3) Demolition Man
I do love a good Sandra Bullock film, but this is not what I like this one. Sylvester Stallone is actually really good in it, not at all wooden. It's my type of action film: funny baddies who aren't too gruesome with a strong-willed heroine. The writing is hilarious, and I think the bit I like the best is the references to the future. Taco-bell, toilet paper (!) and Arnie's political career. I bet they didn't predict that one coming true!
4) The Fifth Element
Bruce Willis' best film in my opinion. Milla Jovovich is brilliant in it; her portrayal of Lee-Loo's innocence and discovery of human-life is so endearing. The scene where she wipes the floor clean with those aliens, intermingled with aria is fantastic cinematography. Gary Oldman is just the right type of evil. "Moolti-pass"!
5) The Breakfast Club
As far as I am concerned this is my favourite Brat-pack film because it doesn't have the predictable members in it. The story of five teenagers in detention on a Saturday morning is so relatable (not that I ever had a detention, I was a good girl). All different, yet all the same underneath; the cool guy (phwoargh by the way), the geek, the jock, the pretty girl and the emo. A voyage of discovery and clubbing together to overcome the evil teacher who enjoys ridiculing them each in turn. Ally Sheedy is genius in this film.
(Hubby is going to kick himself because he's only been able to predict two of these five!)
However, because it's my blog and I can do this, I would also like to add the following film as a favourite, thereby making this my Top Six:
6) My Fair Lady
"I could have danced all night, I could have danced all night, and still come back for more!" "Move, your blooming arse!" "Without you twirling it the Earth can spin…" I love the bickering, the retorts, Eliza's development and the way she brings the Professor down to reality with a bump. Cecil Beaton's costumes are amazing, the original black and white ball. Right, where's my DVD of it?
