My Favourite Films — arid-charm

Over on Instagram i’ve been taking part in a 30 Day Film “Challenge”, posting film posters and art to specific prompts, and then invariably giving a few comments about why I picked them. Some of the daily prompts are quite vapid, and some a lot more meaningful than others, but It’s something i’ve enjoyed doing daily. Recommending films is something i’m always eager to do, but this gave me reason to actually stop and think what my favourites were. A recurring issue ive had with the challenge is finding myself wanting to write even more about why these films are so good, why they’re special or clever or why I’ve enjoyed them so much, hence this post here.

All-time favourites and top lists are always subject to change, of course, and there’s always going to be discourse and debate about any list. It’s not ordered at all, it’s quite loose, it’s just films that I really like for one reason or another. I’m not even sure if these are my definitive favourite films so i’ve included other possible candidates/runners up at the bottom. I might redo in a year’s time just to see.

The Prestige, (2006) Christopher Nolan

Meticulously crafted with a high attention to detail, the way this unfolds with a moral quandary at its very core is superb. The Prestige is a puzzle, a game, an obsession, and the narrative plays out like that teasing in the viewer with it’s mystery. It is the very thing it’s about: magic. I really can’t and don’t want to say any more than that. Beautiful imagery throughout and thematically perfect, while the rest of this list is unordered, *this one* is my absolute favourite, and the best film Christopher Nolan has ever made. Sorry Batman.

Jurassic Park, (1993) Steven Spielberg

Up until Jurassic Park in 1993 everything for me as a kid was animated or obvious kid films. This was one of the first “grown up” live-action films I remember watching and really enjoying. All the marketing, cool toys, and dinosaurs obviously swayed me quite a bit. But it’s legitimately good, and the best of all the subsequent disaster-shit-is-fucked genre imitations (and even franchise sequels) that followed in that decade and next. It’s still tense, it’s still fantastic, it’s still a wonder. I think for being 27 years old (!) the film has aged brilliantly, definitely in part because of the dinosaurs mostly as practical effects, but also, because scientifically it perhaps seems all a lot more plausible.

Requiem for a Dream, (2000) Darren Aronofsky

This was the first film I watched by Darren Aronofsky, and to date, I still think it’s his best. It’s a film about urges, addiction, falling, and all based off the Hubert Selby Jr novel of the same name (which I really should read). It’s initially quite low-key, but soon becomes an absolute sensory rush as the narrative all comes to a close. To talk too much of the the plot robs it of it’s best attacks, but after watching it the first time I remember being completely stunned for the rest of the night- it’s really intense stuff.

Lost in Translation, (2003) Sofia Coppola

Confession time: I find Bill Murray overrated. I maybe haven’t seen him at his best or missed a defining film, but I just dont get the love. I really like him in this however, and it’s one of (if not) the best Scarlett Johansson performances. This isn’t a romantic comedy or really a film about love at all in a conventional media sense, but the characters are lost and disillusioned by themselves and then happier when together, and the film reflects this with sudden activity, volume, an energy. I guess that’s kind of the point. It’s cliché to say it, but Tokyo itself is very much a character in it’s own right, and the postcard location shoots are really something else. I haven’t watched this for a few years now so i’m not entirely sure how well it’s aged; I suspect there’s a mega white-perspective on the country through the characters and film, but the film still feels unique and individual in it’s production and setting. That’s just recurring Hollywood problems.

The Shining, (1980) Stanley Kubrick

I’m a big fan of the book, but with this one it’s important to recognise that they’re quite different things. For the film I really like the sets, pacing, and the fact that for the most part ultimately it’s a really quiet, still film. The big empty hotel is sometimes just as scary the horrors behind the room doors and that lie within, and that’s something that this does excellently, the visually striking set design really is something. I read the book when I was (too) younger and remember being really terrified at the suspense and build-up; lots of dread. I think the film loses a bit of that build (different media obv) but they’re both their own thing and I recommend both. Stephen King famously hates the film because of Jack’s character arc (or lack thereof) and i’d agree with him there, though the film is still just as claustorphobic to watch. As well as the differences between the properties/auteurs, there’s also a lot of complicated history about the production of this too and it was reportedly an absolute nightmare for the cast. There’s lots to unpack- the creation of both book and film were interesting and sometimes just as scary.

American Beauty, (1999) Sam Mendes

This one’s a bit problematic to be honest because of Kevin Spacey’s recent sexual misconducts where, absolutely, it feels it echoes some of the content of the film; some of that feels incredibly difficult to separate. Thematically the film is a salad of ideas and interpretations, but for the most part it’s is an up-close examination of happiness (or lack of) behind closed doors, of supressing identity, and the meaning of life, or a satire of all that at least. I really like the cast in this and I feel the characters are really well written, despite all of them being very unhappy in their lives, miserable in their suburban American hell. I like that it’s all quite connected narratively too, it’s really well plotted around those big themes. I’ve only seen this once fully, a rewatch might remove it from this list, i’m not sure.

Evil Dead II, (1987) Sam Raimi

Yeah this one is wild. The first time I watched this I went in expecting horror. It is scary, it’s dark, it’s hella (yes hella) gorey, and on paper the plot reads grim. Bruce Campbell is an absolute star in this, doing lots of stunts and falling over in obvious ode to comedy slapstick masters like Chaplin and Keaton, so much so he feels so damn integral to the whole damn thing. Sam Raimi famously didn’t get quite the budget he was looking for to produce the film, and it shows with the home craft practical effects, camera work, and gore. This should absolutely date it , but I feel it does completely the opposite- the film stands out because of the absurdist humour and violence, and is still just as weird and fun today. A lot bolder than entire decades of film.

Inside Out, (2015) Pete Docter

I’ve only watched this twice now, and both times I’ve been overcome with the poignancy of it all. Inside Out is such a brilliantly explored concept wonderfully done, an absolute sight to behold, and just a really pure film throughout. There are LOTS of films about growing up, but I’m not sure any really capture that feeling of being lost quite like this one. All the production comes together so well, but the writing, art direction, and especially Giacchino’s soundtrack absolutely nail it right in the emotions. Wonderful.

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, (2010) Edgar Wright

Bit of an odd one. The comic/manga/graphic novel series(pick your poison) is one of my favourite properties of all time, and the film is a solid adaptation of it. Comic panels and sound effects are recreated perfectly on screen, and Edgar Wright does fantastic transitions and onomatopoeic whooshes as the story progresses. There’s an abundance of visual candy and easter eggs throughout it and even with my initial reservations of Cera as the titular character, the casting is solid. Captain America Chris Evans could just play dbags forever tbh. Hot Fuzz -NOT Shaun of the Dead- might technically be the better of Wright’s films, but I just fanboy so hard at this as soon as the titles open. I will never tire of this one.

The Lord of The Rings, (2001-2003) Peter Jackson

So, this is officially cheating at this point, but it feels incredibly wrong isolating the series into individual thirds when it is clearly one big narrative. And sure, the argument would be “well what about Star Wars or the Marvel films” etc, but tonally and in both film and feeling, Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth series is best served as one whole, and not diluted. The theatrical cuts are mighty efforts themselves with huge set piece battles, practical effects, and plenty of ensemble cast juggling, but it’s the extended editions that really cement these films for me. They offer a lot more supplemental narrative, scene breathing, and just extra polish to be honest, so much so that Boromir just feels like an angry extra in the theatrical but a much more stronger, nuanced character in the extended editions. What a hero. I love this trilogy more and more with each watch- 20 years on they’re still just as engrossing, and honestly, unbeaten as far as epic fantasy action goes.

Honourable Mentions (that any other day would also be the faves)