My Ten Favourite Movies of All Time

Link to the inspiration post:

I've done this list before but I think it's best for me to give an updated version, possibly one that is more definitive and less about how I feel on the day. I read the post above and I thought to myself: hey, I've got to update mine as well. I think it's safe to say that everyone's favourite movies are shifting here and there - it's never really just set in stone. If you've been here for over a year, you've probably seen me run my mouth about this before but I urge you to definitely check out other people's favourite movies (for example: the inspiration post above) and you could find some movies you either haven't seen before or some that resonate with you. There are few better ways to connect with others than over books, films and music.

My Ten Favourite Movies of All Time

10. Cloud Atlas (2012)

I've gone on about the book for long enough but I also thought the film was just fantastic. It may not be anywhere near as good as the book (it very rarely ever is), but on its own as a movie, I really enjoyed it. I've seen it several times since I was in my late teens and honestly, it might be a long and often confusing watch - but it really draws you in. There's so much that has been thought about. So, if you can watch a film about a book that is out-of-this-world levels of brilliant and not try to compare the two too much, you could definitely enjoy the movie adaptation of Cloud Atlas. It would be a difficult book to adapt and I appreciate the Wachowskis' efforts to do it.

9. Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

This one is close to my heart. When I was a teenager, whenever I got sick or felt upset I would probably turn on this movie out of a choice of three. Breakfast on Pluto might be a bit different to the book, but the film is hilarious, adventurous and brilliantly made. It unfortunately needs to be watched by more people and so, if you need a calling to watch a movie you haven't seen before then this is it. I wouldn't say it is completely unknown because I've managed to find people who have seen it on the internet. But, there is something about this movie that stays with you and if you don't cry of laughter, you'll probably cry when you come to the end of the film. On top of that, this film stars my favourite actor in the world. I have seen probably every single thing he has been in.

8. Gaslight (1944)

Famed for coining a phrase which has become so overused it makes my eyes roll, the film itself is an absolute classic. I remember the first time I saw it, I was probably about fifteen and for some reason, I was completly hooked on to that monologue Ingrid Bergman does about being mad in the final act of the movie. I've seen it many times and I even own a version of the DVD where Isabella Rossellini gives a bit of a behind-the-scenes talk about her mother and the movie. If you need any more proof (but why would you?) that Ingrid Bergman was and is probably in the top three greatest actresses in the history of cinema then you need to watch this movie. The performance up until the very end is absolutely mind-blowing. And of course, don't miss out on that monologue.

7. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920)

Another film that I watched in my teens which is probably one of the reasons I fell in love with Weimar Cinema. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is probably one of the most conceptually terrifying things you will ever watch. Creeping with darkness, geometrically startling and packed full of social commentary, the legendary Conrad Veidt plays a somnambulist. Needless to say, I've seen several of Conrad Veidt's films and in each one, he is exceptional, yet he also scares the daylights out of me. I have no doubt in my mind that you, reader, have seen this movie. But hear me out. There is a version of this film I believe, on Amazon. It has been redone with sound by a bunch of film students (I think they are film students) and though I am not a fan of putting sound on silent movies - they did a pretty good job with little resources. If you've got some time then definitely check it out. Though the 1920 original has never failed to haunt me.

6. The Third Man (1949)

If it's not the soundtrack that gets you then it's that performance by Orson Welles as Harry Lime. This film is definitely a product of its time but also remains a timeless reminder that back in the days following the war, cinema was still alive and kicking. Carol Reed was an excellent director and I cannot imagine anyone apart from him making this. (That was a head's up to anyone who wants to remake this...don't. I won't allow it). The story is completely twisted, the characters are so universal and yet, they are set apart from the normal person - and of course, Joseph Cotton is brilliant as always. Everyone has seen this movie, so why is it not on your list of the greatest films ever made? I genuinely want to rewatch this film as I write this. I saw it in my teens and remember the feeling exactly - it was simply awe. Everything fit together perfectly.

5. Chaplin (1992)

Possibly one of the greatest biopics ever made about one of my favourite people ever, portrayed by one of the greatest actors in cinematic history. Where could you possibly go from there? Oh, how about throwing in a historic director? Chaplin is a movie I have seen countless times over the course of about 15 years. It is a cinematic masterpiece. It has drama, romance, comedy (of course) and it is so emotional. The script is brilliant and the acting is even better. If I had all the words in the dictionary, I couldn't tell you how many emotions I go through watching this film. But there is one thing I have to say - as I see it, there's only really one American actor who can pull of a British accent accurately. Just one. That Oscar was robbed from him.

4. Amadeus (1980)

Tom Hulce is one of the most underrated actors I can name. I don't know a person who hasn't seen Amadeus and I don't think I'd like to. Every performance in this film was incredible. I again, saw this film for the first time in my teens and I remember people older than me talking about the film as if it were a moment in history (back then, they would have remembered when it came out). When I saw it for the first time... well that's the thing, I can't describe the feeling. The settings were beautiful, the script was just incredible. I quickly sought out the written version of the play by Peter Shaffer and just my luck, discovering this was the same guy who wrote Equus (probably better you don't read that one, it's kind of disturbing). But this film is fantastic and is probably forerunning for one of the greatest movies ever made. It must be in the top ten, it has to be.

3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I believe that I can count the people who haven't seen this movie on one hand and then proceed to tell you that I don't find them all that interesting. Every interesting person I know has this film as a personality trait and that definitely includes myself (even though I am probably and ironically, not that interesting). When we talk about moments in cinematic history, we cannot talk about them without mentioning the weird impact of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The culture it created was wild. But when I first saw this film, I have to admit I was way too young to be watching it. But there is something about the low budget nature of the movie which makes it feel raw. It definitely solidified the legacy of another legendary actor: Tim Curry. It also had some great music. There was a point where I watched this film every weekend. That lasted for about six months.

2. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

This is another one of those films that I watch when I'm feeling a bit down. In my opinion, this has got to be the greatest Vampire movie ever made. The atmosphere is incredible, the script is brilliant and it stays somewhere near the book as well. The aesthetic appeal of Interview with the Vampire goes far beyond Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, but comes into the set design, the costumes, the eerieness and even the music. Again, there are very few people I know in my life that haven't seen this film. It is a great addition to any gothic-lover's collection and makes for great repeat viewing. The book is also my second favourite book of all time and there was a time, when I was a teenager, where I drew a comic book in the back of my exercise book at school to accompany the book and film. It wasn't very good but yeah, this film has a special place in my heart.

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Honourable Mentions:

They didn't make the list, but perhaps if the list was longer...

• Les Enfants Terrible (1950)
• Nosferatu (1922)
• Vampyr (1932)
• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
• There Will be Blood (2007)

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1. I'm Not There (2007)

Yes, it's still my favourite movie of all time. The greatest movie about Bob Dylan ever. It has a great cast, a great soundtrack and a great episodic story. The start of the movie still scares the crap out of me, but I don't think that is ever going to change. I wouldn't be able to count how many times I've seen this film but here's the thing: if you're thinking about watching a film about Bob Dylan how about skipping Chalamet's and getting on to this one. It's a classic. It has such incredible storytelling and it's directed by Todd Haynes as well. Yes, the same guy who made Velvet Goldmine. I could rewatch this movie over and over and never get bored. I probably saw it sometime somewhere near when The Dark Knight came out and to this day, it fascinates me.

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Thanks for reading.

Let me know your favourite films too... x