It is that time of the year when the so called brightest and best of Hollywood gather to congratulate themselves on being… themselves. That’s a cynical way of looking at it of course but in my defense the academy has come under some heavy criticism of late. However, I’m not here to go into all of that, as one of the irrefutable things it does is reward films that are worthy of reward. Whether it’s multiple award winners or films that were spectacularly shunned let’s award ourselves this month with some of the greatest films ever made.
Firstly, though a confession, I have described myself as a bit of a cinephile in the past but I’m probably not. I like movies but there are quite a fair few I have not seen, even films that every self-respecting film fan must see. That does mean there is likely going to be some glaring omissions to this list. With that in mind I’ll tell you now I have never seen Gone with the Wind or Casablanca, so I might give them a shot this month simply because we should, right? You have to go to 1959 for the first academy award for best film winner I have seen and that was Ben Hur.
My Dad would often fall asleep in front of the telly, often with the risk of burning us alive as he would always have a fag in his hand. We would often joke that every time he woke up he would always ask my mum “What’s this then? Ben Hur?” Despite whatever may be on, my Dad would defer to one of his favourite films of all time and why not. It’s a prime example of the power and majesty of Hollywood in the 50’s, if you only watch it for one reason, watch it for the chariot race and please don’t watch the remake. Speaking of which if you haven’t, watch Lawrence of Arabia too, it’s another grand sweeping epic with an incredible central performance and stunning cinematography.
My wife would be upset if I didn’t mention The Sound of Music, which I only watched last year for the first time the whole way through! I thought it felt a bit long but there is no denying Julie Andrews charm and the catchiness of these songs. We will jump a bit as I am trying to limit these lists, onto the 70’s and The Godfather parts 1 and 2, apart from being the only ones worth watching they are seminal. They would go on to define the Gangster genre and career high points for Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro and of course Marlon Brando.
Jump again to the 80’s with Amadeus, the one and only time I watched this film was with a friend of mine who had temporarily moved in with me at my mum and dads. It was his father who had recommended this movie and for good reason, we were both hooked the entire time. It’s Rain Man next and yet another it took me years to see, last year in fact. I can see why it’s so loved; genuinely lovely story with a strong central pairing.
Into the 90’s and one of my favourite decades for films, Silence of the Lambs starts us off. This film is not broadly speaking a horror movie but it is deeply upsetting at its best moments. Anthony Hopkins may not have been the first on screen Lector but he is the most iconic. Not only as that character but on screen serial killers, it’s a terrifying performance even though the glass that’s made all the better by Jodie Foster’s committed but vulnerable turn as Clarice.
Into the noughties we go, with one of my favourite films. Gladiator is the film that brought the swords and sandals epic into the modern era. Ridley Scotts masterpiece is a blue print for how it’s done, truly cinematic in its approach and genuinely moving in its leading role and stunning soundtrack. If that doesn’t take your fancy the try the Coen brothers at the peak of their powers, No Country for old men is a taut thriller with one of the scariest bad guys in movie history!
I’ll think we’ll stop there, that’s definitely enough to be getting on with; next month is St George’s day so we going to be looking at films set in England. Till then have fun awarding yourself… not like that you filthy bunch
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