A Filmmaker's Birthday: My Top Ten Favourite Films of All Time

Please join me, all of you, in celebrating my birthday. It's normally a day in the calendar that I absolutely loathe but I have found one good thing to come out of it. It is this: now that I have a platform on which to write many articles about the very thing I earned my MA degree in (Film), I get to share many things with many people who may be looking to go into film and yet, do not know the stupid technical language that comes along with it. I think it should be a subject for everyone, the more people making different films then the better. The thing I found good about my birthday is that I can share with you my favourite films and include you in the celebrations.

Here's a little biography about myself, if you're wondering...

Biography

I was born on the 25th of January in 1996 and I'm most obviously from England. Born into an Indian family, I was raised a Hindu but also believe in Jesus and read the Bible since I spent a grand amount of time at a Catholic School - I do consider myself fairly religious but mostly keep it to myself unless asked.

When at school, I was the person who always got into fights and channelled a lot of my anger into writing. I wrote poetry and I wrote a lot of short stories (some of which you can read on this site - check them out, I'll leave the links after the biography). This was an attempt to give my angers and anxieties a space to expand instead of taking it out on someone else.

My interest in film began in my early teens. I began getting interested in film because I did quite a bit of theatre, in and out of school. I did my certificates in Speech and Drama, I did plays and practiced putting myself out there. Nobody could've guessed because in real life, I'm cripplingly shy. My interest in film bloomed from the fact that I enjoyed studying why things happened the way they did behind the camera. As in my favourite subject (literature), I loved knowing why things were used, why words were used over others and what made those particular words perfect over other words for that situation. With film I wanted to know what made that character/theme/angle/music/line perfect for that particular moment and not another.

When I went to university, I tried to expand my grasp realising I'd only done a lot of dramatic texts and not much else as I did Drama and Film at A-Level (including English Literature, English Language and, for the first year - Mathematics). I expanded my gaze by studying writing and honing my craft by using the writing classes to my advantage to practice writing and choosing particular words. I wanted to know what it felt like to chose those words over other words, putting myself into the shoes of the writer. It was difficult but I got there in the end.

When it came to my MA, I studied things like directorship, adaptation scripts (one of the modules I majored in), horror filmmaking (another I majored in), experimental poetry (yes, you read that correctly), the professional editing process of literature and film and finally, narrative poetry (in order for my attempt to adapt a poem into a play to work properly).

My MA was far more intense and interesting, the people in my class however were not. They were the typical middle class millennials who sat there attempting to justify themselves over and over again by virtue signalling and the only question they knew how to ask me was: what are you? I'm a human being. Why, aren't you? Be that as it may, I got on with my work with the two friends I had. Unfortunately, halfway through the year I was working on a project with one of my said friends and about a month into the project he hanged himself and committed suicide. I think about it a lot. It upset me and I finished the project as an act of having whatever he started before he died to be completed. He was a great human being and if you would like to know more about him then please read ETA Hoffmann's Sandman, because it was one of his favourite things in the world.

Now, I grew up in a performer's shoes. I was always in drama, plays, speeches, I played the piano to a classical level (at the time I was known as the best player in my school), as I did the flute and the drums. I sang, I could tap and jazz dance - I did it all and yet, I have absolutely no intention of doing it again. I want to leave it behind and let someone else do it whilst I work behind the camera, singing the words to the tune I wrote for once. It's so much more fun that way.

The Article

It's 2020 and so, today I turn 24 years' old. If you're new here then please proceed to check out some of my reviews, guides etc. by checking out some of my other articles or, if you would like to learn about me - then continue on with this article as we share my top ten favourite films of all time.

Within this article, I'll be answering the following questions for each film on the list:

1. What is my history with this film?

2. What makes this film stand-out from others for me?

3. Why do I think others should watch this film and what should they look out for?

A Filmmaker's Birthday: My Top Ten Favourite Films of All Time

10. The Third Man (1949)

My history with this film is pretty long so I won't go through all of it here. But I have watched this film many times over the years and have really enjoyed studying the vast amount of noir concepts that place themselves in the film. There's a harsh reality about the film that makes you return to it. If you'd like to know more about that returning then please proceed to read my review of it here: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-review-the-third-man-1949

The way this film stands out is by its use of completely different cinematography to other crime films. In this film, we have those hard angles, the sharpness of the cinematography adds to the intensity of the atmosphere. It is highly effective and when you notice it, you're constantly looking out for it.

I think you should watch this film because not only is it technically brilliant but it is so very interesting as well that even if you do learn the storyline it'll still give you a shock and some tension. You should definitely look out for motifs on character.

9. Batman (1989)

I had watched Batman 89 when I was a young girl and so, I kind of grew up loving the film as I also grew up in the era that Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy was beginning. If you would like to see just how much I love this film then check out the article I wrote on its comic-book atmosphere here: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-guide-tim-burton-s-batman-1989%3C/p%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="14azzlx-P">.css-14azzlx-P{font-family:Droid Serif,Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:1.1875rem;-webkit-letter-spacing:0.01em;-moz-letter-spacing:0.01em;-ms-letter-spacing:0.01em;letter-spacing:0.01em;line-height:1.6;color:#1A1A1A;margin-top:32px;}

This films stands out as being one of the greatest attempts at telling the story of one of the world's most well-known superheroes: Batman. It also stands out as being a grand performance by Jack Nicholson that kick-started the psychodrama of Heath Ledger and eventually, the theatrical insanity of Joaquin Phoenix. It was an incredible effort and stands the test of time - I believe it will continue to do so.

I think you should watch this film because if you haven't, seriously what have you been doing?

8. Synecdoche, New York (2008)

One of my all-time favourite movies, Synecdoche, New York (2008) is one of those films you have to watch more than once or twice to really get it. It's one of those films I avoid watching at night because it f***s with my head and then I can't get to sleep - I just stay up all night thinking about it. Most recently, I did make the mistake of re-watching it at night and so, here's the result of that chapter: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-review-synecdoche-new-york-2008%3C/p%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="14azzlx-P">.css-14azzlx-P{font-family:Droid Serif,Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:1.1875rem;-webkit-letter-spacing:0.01em;-moz-letter-spacing:0.01em;-ms-letter-spacing:0.01em;letter-spacing:0.01em;line-height:1.6;color:#1A1A1A;margin-top:32px;}

The way in which this film stands out is because it really does make you existential. It makes you think about the possibilities of life and how your life is really just one long performance of various different characters. You think about when you are and aren't yourself and when you are really who you are and why. It's one of those films that I beg you to watch when you're relaxing but never at night - you won't sleep. It is such a thought-provoking film it will keep you up.

I think you should watch this film for its incredible storytelling ability. There are so many layers to the story and when you watch it for the first time I guarantee you will sit there realising things throughout the film and you'll start saying to yourself "Oh god no..." every time a new epiphany pops up.

7. Gaslight (1944)

One of my favourite crime dramas ever, this is such an incredible and psychological film that you cannot resist but watch it over and over again. Ingrid Bergman's acting is absolutely phenomenal and it is one of the best films I have ever seen. I made so many efforts to watch this film at the dead of night because it is only then you get the real experience in the dark, when the lamps go down.

The way in which this film stands out is mostly through Ingrid Bergman's performance and that final speech she gives to her husband near the end of the movie. The movie is a big, brash drama of crime and deception - all of it leading to one place and so, Ingrid Bergman makes it very clear of her motives at the end of the film. It's such an incredible vision that you just have to see it.

The reason I think you should see it is because if you like old movies then this is for you and if you don't like them then this will definitely change your mind. It is a timeless classic. I mean just check out my review of it here: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-review-gaslight-1944%3C/p%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="14azzlx-P">.css-14azzlx-P{font-family:Droid Serif,Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:1.1875rem;-webkit-letter-spacing:0.01em;-moz-letter-spacing:0.01em;-ms-letter-spacing:0.01em;letter-spacing:0.01em;line-height:1.6;color:#1A1A1A;margin-top:32px;}

6. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Known as the greatest film of the 21st Century, this film is possibly one of the greatest movies to ever grace the screen. My history with this film is long-winded because I still remember when it came out and when Daniel Day-Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor - making that 2 Best Actor Oscars.

The thing that stands out about this movie is that PTA could've made it today and it would've still been relevant. The timelessness of this movie comes from PTA's vision and from Day-Lewis's incredible and immersive portrayal of the terrifying main character, Daniel Plainview. Just check out my review here: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/a-filmmaker-s-review-there-will-be-blood-2007%3C/p%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="14azzlx-P">.css-14azzlx-P{font-family:Droid Serif,Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:1.1875rem;-webkit-letter-spacing:0.01em;-moz-letter-spacing:0.01em;-ms-letter-spacing:0.01em;letter-spacing:0.01em;line-height:1.6;color:#1A1A1A;margin-top:32px;}

The reason why you should watch this movie is because in 21st century filmmaking and, perhaps, in all of film history - it stands to be one of the most important movies ever made and I can state that it will definitely stand the test of time for another hundred or so years. People will still be watching it like we still watch "Citizen Kane" (1941).

5. Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

Breakfast on Pluto (2005) is a film that is very, very close to my heart. I remember reading the book and I also remember watching the film for the first time and, for a long time, it was my favourite film of all time. My history with this film is quite expansive because it spent a while at either number 2 or number 1, constantly changing places with the current number one and number 2 was previously at number 3.

The one thing that stands out about this film is the performance of Cillian Murphy, my childhood hero. He was my hero whilst I was growing up and he's been my hero ever since. The way in which he plays the role in this film is absolutely incredible. I think that the film itself is also highly underrated which is one of the reasons you should watch it.

Another reason you should watch it is because it's one of those real feel-good films. When I was sick (and I used to get sick very often - I still do), I would watch this film because it really took the blues away. It's funny with dark undertones and it has an incredible way of storytelling by starting at the end and going right back to the start. It is an awesome film and you have to see it to believe it. My favourite scene is the one where they dress up as Wombles.

4. The Danish Girl (2015)

This is one of my favourite movies ever since it first came out, I have absolutely adored this film. I love the story that is told and the beauty in which it is told. The style and the scheme of the film makes it look so incredible and beautiful that you have to delve pretty deep to see the story is actually about someone who is extremely tormented. Based on the true story of the modernist artist Lili Elbe, it tells the narrative of her struggles to find out who she really is and what she is really meant to be. My history with this film pretty much stretches back to its release. I have watched it multiple times and every time I am wowed by it.

The one thing to look out for in this film is the way in which Lili Elbe is played. She is played beautifully by the English Actor, Eddie Redmayne and her style, features, flawlessness and capability are all captured perfectly in the film. Directed by Tom Hooper of Les Miserables (2012), it really is yet another epic narrative in which Lili Elbe takes centre stage and her story is told in its full form.

The reason why you should watch this film is to really understand the identity struggle Lili Elbe faced in her transition and her intense bravery and courage in becoming who she really is. It's a beautiful account of one woman's courageous battle and the way in which she strived to become herself.

3. Cloud Atlas (2012)

Cloud Atlas (2012) is one of my favourite films for obvious reasons, because it is an absolutely awesome film based on the concept of time and fate. The way in which the story is told is forwards to a certain point in the future and back again in order to change a certain moment. This creates a sort of pendulum effect out of time instead of time being just linear. With white people playing Chinese people, black people playing white people, men playing women and so forth, it is often difficult to decipher the film until you realise that every single character played by one actor is actually the same character/related character in different lives, places, times etc. I love the film and I love the book as I have done since the film came out. I was dying to see it and when I did, I was absolutely awestruck. It was one of the greatest films I had ever seen and I watched it an absolute multitude of times afterwards.

The thing that stands out about this film is the performances of key roles. You'll notice that Luisa Rey is a half-life version of Robert Frobisher in which the half-life means that something has been left incomplete and that's why Luisa Rey is Robert Frobisher in the first place. Robert Frobisher, in love with Sixsmith - kills himself because if he didn't, Rey wouldn't exist. The thing you want to look out for is the similarities between Frobisher (ben Whishaw) and Luisa Rey (Halle Berry).

You should watch this film simply because it will take your breath away. The Wachowski Sisters did an amazing job here. Before the film came out, I had already read the book and I didn't think these women were going to do one of my favourite books justice - but when I watched the film they had created, I was really just shocked. They had done so much more than expected. It is a stunning film.

2. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Interview with the Vampire (1994) is quite possibly one of the greatest films I have ever seen. It is visually stunning, it has amazing characters and a great story that differs from your regular vampire-flick. My history with this film is simply this, I was obsessed with the book series whilst in school and so, when I got sick one day - I gave the film a go. I was about 13 or 14 years' old and so, this film quickly became one of my favourite films of all time. It was a wonderful experience of a film to watch.

The one thing that stands out about this film is the aesthetics. The colour schemes, the close attention paid to detail and the way in which the changing historical atmosphere is presented to us. It is done with incredible precision and I don't think I could say enough about it if I tried. Tom Cruise was the perfect vision of what Lestat was supposed to be and Brad Pitt was perfect as Louis. The whole thing just came together very nicely.

You should watch this film if you're looking for a different take on the vampire myth. There's something incredibly dark about this series and I know, that darkness can only really be felt by reading the books but the film "Interview with the Vampire' (1994) also does it justice.

1. I'm Not There (2007)

I'm Not There (2007) is my favourite film of all time. I watched it shortly after it came out and then, I continuously watched it some twenty something times after that. It is an incredible tale about the various lives and personalities of my favourite musician: Bob Dylan. The great culture surrounding Dylan is strange and that strangeness is covered in the film. At different points, Dylan (as Jude) interacts with different people including the likes of Allen Ginsberg and Edie Sedgwick. It is starring Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Ben Whishaw, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere and a few other people and most of them (including the ones listed) portray different aspects of Bob Dylan. Cate Blanchett though, did an amazing job.

The one thing you should be looking out for in the movie isn't only that terrifying opening scene but is also the way in which different characters embody different aspects of Dylan and his musical persona. The way in which he changes and morphs into different people and the way in which he grows as a musician and singer to become who he is now - something of legend.

The reason you should watch this movie is simply because you like Bob Dylan. If you're a Dylan fan you'll get it, unfortunately if you're not a Dylan fan and are not familiar with these personas then this may be a tad confusing for you. I mean Bob Dylan had lots of personas and the best ones are covered in this film because remember that the ghost too, was more than one person.