Raging Bull

Watched: 17th January 2016

Top 250 Position: 117
Rating: 8.3 out of 10 (from 239,022 user ratings)
Correct at 28th October 2016

Who's in it:
Robert De Niro
Cathy Moriarty
Joe Pesci
Frank Vincent
Nicholas Colasanto
Theresa Saldana
et.al.

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Year: 1980

Duration: 2 hours 9 minutes

Accolades: Won 2 Oscars; Best Actor in a Leading Role (Robert De Niro) and Best Film Editing (Thelma Schoonmaker).
Nominated for a further 6 Oscars; Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Joe Pesci), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Cathy Moriarty), Best Director (Martin Scorsese), Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

Plot:

Set in 1941this movie follows a self-destructive boxer's journey through life. As he reaches the heights of his career the same drive and violence attempt to destroy his life outside of the ring. How many people will he hurt along the way?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• In preparation for his role, Robert De Niro went through extensive physical training, then entered in three genuine Brooklyn boxing matches and won two of them.
• To achieve the feeling of brotherhood between the two lead actors, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci actually lived and trained with each other for some time before filming began. Ever since then, the two have been very close friends.
• The reasons why the film was made in black and white were mainly to differentiate it from Rocky (1976) as well as for period authenticity. Another reason was that Martin Scorsese didn't want to depict all that blood in a color picture. Also in the book Jake LaMotta says "Now, sometimes, at night, when I think back, I feel like I'm looking at an old black and white movie of myself. Why it should be black and white I don't know, but it is."
• Martin Scorsese shunned the idea of filming the boxing scenes with multiple cameras. Instead, he planned months of carefully choreographed movements with one camera. He wanted the single camera to be like "a third fighter".
• The real Jake LaMotta has been deaf for most of his life, so most of his anger came out of not understanding what people were saying. He has a 30% use in his right ear, and 70% in the left.
• To show up better on black-and-white film, Hershey's chocolate was used for blood.
• The f word is used 114 times in this film.
• In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #4 Greatest Movie of All Time.

Source IMDb.com

Review

I've seen a lot of Scorsese films now and been genuinely impressed. I'm not sure this is one of my own personal favourites though. But let me explain what makes this movie before any die hard fans out there judge me.

For those of you that don't know and wish to watch this movie it is in black and white, I personally don't have an issue with that but I know that some do. The use of black and white really does emphasis the film and put some more context to it, and shows that it isn't just about 'modern' life. It also helps in the fight scenes not seeing bright red blood everywhere, so I can see where Scorsese was coming from when he made this decision.

In all I personally felt that the movie was a little bit slow, but then I am used to fast paced films. 20 minutes in and I felt it had been much longer, an hour in and I have to admit I was a little bit bored. Don't get me wrong the acting is good and all round this is a very good movie, just not my sort of movie I think.

For anyone thinking that this is a feel good movie you would be wrong, also be warned of violence, though it's a movie about boxing so if you think there won't be violence I don't know what you were thinking.

Maybe to the modern eye this is not a top movie. I like boxing movies, for instance I just watched Creed and really enjoyed it, but Raging Bull is just not for me.

Don't expect a happy ending, this is definitely a deep and dark movie that leaves you without a joyous feeling at the end.

I have to say though I struggled to get into it, but when you do it leaves you wanting more.

I think I might have enjoyed the movie more from the beginning if I had known the plot outline before watching, as I had no idea what the story was before.

This is basically a movie about a man so consumed by jealousy, anger and hate that he can't see reality from what he imagines to be the truth. This is portrayed in such an amazing way by De Niro you can see why he won an Oscar. Just genuinely outstanding how he portrays a man spiralling out of control. This is story asking the question if you can pick yourself up or are you out for the count?

I was amazed to discover that De Niro added approximately 60kg to portray the character shown in the start of the movie, weight loss/gain for movies always seemed to me to be a new thing for actors to show their commitment to their role. It just emphasises what a true bred and pioneering actor De Niro is.

Overall deserving, I think, of a place in the top 250. But if I was asked to rank the movies in the top 250 myself I'm not sure I would put it in the top 150.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/

Mad Max: Fury Road

Watched: 16th January 2016

Top 250 Position: 185 (161 when watched)
Rating: 8.1/10 (from 574,231 users)
Correct at 23rd October 2016

Who's in it:
Tom Hardy
Charlize Theron
Hugh Keays-Byren
Josh Helman
Nathan Jones
Zoe Kravitz
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Riley Keough
Abbey Lee
Courtney Eaton
Nicholas Hoult


Directed By: George Miller

Year: 2015

Duration: 2 Hours

Accolades: Won 6 Oscars and nominated for a further 4.
Won-

• Best Achievement in Film Editing
• Best Achievement in Costume Design
• Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
• Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
• Best Achievement in Sound Editing
• Best Achievement in Production Design

Nominated also for Best motion picture of the year, Best achievement in directing, Best achievement in cinematography and Best achievement in visual effects.

Plot:
The forth installment in the Mad Max franchise. Set in a future where gasoline and water are scarce commodities. Can anyone stand up to the tyrannical (and sex mad) self proclaimed leader?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• There were roughly 470 hours of footage to edit; editor Margaret Sixel took three months to watch it all.
• Shot in sequence.
• This is the second Mad Max featuring Hugh Keays-Byrne He played the villain Toecutter in Mad Max (1979)
• As in the previous movies in this series, many characters' names are never said in full or at all onscreen and are only provided in the credits.
• The first Mad Max film where Max is credited by his full name Max Rockatansky.
• Counting the opening voiceovers and discounting any grunts, Max Rockatansky has exactly 52 lines.

Source IMDb.com

Review

Well.....
When I first watched this movie it had just been nominated for 10 Oscars, so I obviously had to see what all the hype was about.

I'll be honest I think the categories where it won were well deserved, it is a visually spectacular movie.

I got very lost in the plot which did affect my enjoyment of the movie and Wikipedia had to come to the rescue on more than one occasion. Having never watched any of the other Mad Max movies it would be hard to say to others interested in watching this movie if watching it's predecessors would help.
But for me I basically had very little clue of what was going on most of the time.

When watching movies I always keep a notebook to hand to help recall the movie when writing this blog. In my own words 'bit of a freaky looking bad guy'. Anyone having looked at the images of this movie would probably agree, and again backs up the fact that this movie won for best make up and hair styling and costume design.

The action scenes are packed to the rafters and visually everything is superb.

I'm not sure I would watch this again in a hurry (though I'm sure on a second viewing it would make more sense) as it isn't my usual cup of tea.

On a positive I don't feel like I've lost two hours of my life as you do with some other movies. 
I did watch this without realising how long it was, but the time skipped along and before you know it you've watched a 2 hour movie.

So all in all, a good all-rounder, just maybe needs a bit more plot explanation for us folks who aren't ofay with the world of Mad Max, either that or expect to have Wikipedia open on your phone while watching.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: www.imdb.com/title/tt1392190/

Whiplash

Watched: 21st October 2016

Top 250 Position: 45
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 (by 417,238 users)
Correct at 22nd October 2016

Who's in it:
Miles Teller
J.K. Simmons
Paul Reiser
Melissa Benoist
et al.

Directed and Written By: Damien Chazelle

Year: 2014

Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes

Accolades:
Won 3 Oscars-  Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (J.K Simmons), Best Achievement in Film Editing (Tom Cross) and Best Achievement in Sound Mixing (Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley).

Nominated for a further 2 Oscars, Best Motion Picture iof the Year anf Best Writing , Adapted Screenplay.

Plot:

Andrew (Teller) is a young drummer enrolled at prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York. One day while practising he is noticed by Fletcher (Simmons), a well know and demanding professor. Soon Andrew is invited to join Fletcher's Studio Band, even if it is as an alternate Andrew wants to make the most of this opportunity.
But how far is Andrew willing to push himself, and be pushed?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Part of the film is based on director/writer Damien Chazelle's experience as a band student in high school. In a Q&A after a screening, Chazelle stated he was intimidated by his band instructor's presence.
• J.K. Simmons has won 47 awards for his role as Fletcher.
• The film is one of the lowest grossing movies ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• The film was shot in 19 days.
• Miles Teller During the more intense practice scenes, the director wouldn't yell, "cut!" so that would keep drumming until he exhausted himself.

Source IMDb.com

Review:

So this movie has been a long time waiting to be watched in the mountain of DVDs that I need to see. But instead of the dubiousness I have approached some of the movies I've watched with I was looking forward to this one.
I remember a lot of the hype around it when it was released and then won three awards at the Oscars.

It is rather intense in spots, but it has to be to show the demanding nature of Simmons' character. Without this you might just as well have a film about a lad who is good at drumming, and never has any challenges on this. That would be a pretty boring movie.

The movie shows the abusive nature of Simmons' character very well and he performs his part with expert ease. No wonder he won an Oscar. But then it begs the question as to why Miles Teller was never recognised in the same manner, his performance (including musical performances) as very well rounded, believable and performed well. His character sums up well what so many young people in music groups think, is he really good enough? What more does he need to do to be selected?
Trust me, as a person who spent a large majority of their teenage years in Orchestras I saw this in so many young people. I have to say I thought there were more important things in life, but this isn't the case for everyone. Andrew's character brings these thoughts and apprehensions to life.

The two main characters are polar opposites. Andrew is soft spoken yet talented at his chosen craft. Fletcher wanting to get the best out of his performers, with maybe not the most liked methods, but is he really deploying them for the wrong reasons? In his own words, 'there are no two words in the English language more harmful than "good job"'.

The final scene/performance is long, which I see a lot of people in reviews think is too long, but I think it needs it. It's a climax of the movie, like an overture building to something that will keep people on the edge of their seats wanting more of, or being unable to restrain themselves from a standing ovation when it finishes. It is the perfect way of showing where Andrew has come from and what he is and could be.

This movie isn't all doom and gloom and slapping and shouting. There are moments of subtle humour from all of then characters which helps to lighten this movie.

Overall I liked this movie. It begs the question; should you settle for not quite your best?

As for the position in the top 250? This is the only thing I might have some issues with. Yes it is a very good movie, but I'm not sure if I would include this in the top 50 of the 250. But then we all have our opinions.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/

Life of Brian

Watched: 11th January 2016

Top 250 Position: 172
Rating 8.1/10 from 263,508  IMDb users
Correct at 28th March 2016

Who's in it:
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Terry Gilliam
Eric Idle
Terry Jones
Michael Palin

Directed By: Terry Jones

Year: 1979

Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes

Accolades: No awards

Plot:

Brian is born on the original Christmas day. In a stable close by Jesus' own birth place. Throughout his life he is mistaken for the messiah and although they take different paths in their lives, through comedic twists and turns, they end up with the same fate.

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Six cast members played 40 characters.
• One original concept for the film was having Brian be the 13th Apostle, and miss all the critical moments of Jesus' life, like the Last Supper.
• Norway banned the film for one year for blasphemy, then gave it an '18' rating and included a warning from the censors at the beginning. It has been marketed in Sweden as "The film that is so funny that it was banned in Norway!" Ireland banned the film for blasphemy until 1987. Torbay Council, Devon, refused to show the film until September 2008. Aberystwyth, Wales, lifted its local ban in 2009 after cast member Sue Jones-Davies was elected Mayor.

Source IMDb.com

Review

So again here we have an entry from the Monty Python team. I personally wouldn't say it is better than The Holy Grail but it is damned good. I think in comparison to the top 250 position of the Holy Grail, Life of Brian's position of 172 is fair.

Unlike many British comedy movies (I'm thinking of Carry On's etc.) this was filmed in Tunisia which with a budget of $4,000,000 was probably quite an achievement even in the 1970s.

Again we have the team playing multiple roles which adds to the general chaos of the whole thing and adds an element of humour you wouldn't get if each character was played by a different actor. It is as I've said before like a school production. It looks like a lot of fun though.

There are moments of surreal-ness which we have come to know from the Monty Python team, they might not necessarily add to the plot but they are there.

This might not be everyone's cup of tea but, always look on the bright side of life.

In the words of Brian's mum, 'He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy.'

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470

Léon: The Professional

Watched: 8th January 2016

Top 250 Position: 27
Rating 8.6/10 from 699,044 IMDb users.
Correct at 28th March 2016

Who's in it:
Jean  Reno
Gary Oldman
Natalie Portman
Danny Aiello
Peter Appel et.al.

Directed and written by: Luc Beeson

Year: 1994

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

Accolades: No major film award nominations, but nominated for 7 César Awards (French awards).

Plot:
12 Year Old Mathilda (Portman) witnesses the aftermath of her family being murdered in their apartment. To avoid a similar fate she knocks on the door of her neighbour, Léon (Reno)as shown her mild compassion in the past. Reluctantly Léon takes her in, where she discovers that he is professional assassin and asks him to show her how to be the same. An unlikely friendship emerges as a result.

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• During the filming involving all of the police cars on the street, a man ran from a store he had just robbed. When he encountered the movie set by accident, he saw all of the "police" and gave himself up to a bunch of uniformed extras.
• This is Natalie Portman's motion picture debut. She was 11 when she was cast. She beat out 2,000 other actresses for the role.
• According to Jean Reno, he decided to play Léon as if he were a little mentally slow and emotionally repressed. He felt that this would make audiences relax and realize that he wasn't someone who would take advantage of a vulnerable young girl. Reno claims that for Léon, the possibility of a physical relationship with Mathilda is not even conceivable, and as such, during the scenes when such a relationship is discussed, Reno very much allowed Mathilda to be emotionally in control of the scenes.
• The scene in which Stansfield (Oldman) talks about his appreciation of Ludwig van Beethoven to Mathilda's father was completely improvised. The scene was filmed several times with Gary Oldman giving a different improvised story on each take.
• In a 2014 Playboy interview Gary Oldman said his screaming of the now iconic line 'Bring me everyone!' was improvised to make director  Luc Besson laugh. "In previous takes, I'd just gone, "Bring me everyone," in a regular voice. But then I cued the sound guy to slip off his headphones and I shouted as loud as I could." The yelled take is the one used in the film.
• Both Mathilda and Danny refer to Léon as a "cleaner". The front window of the bodega in Léon's apartment building prominently displays various cleaning products such as Brillo pads, bleach, Ajax, and soap.
• The code that Léon gives Matilda to knock on the door when she returns from getting more milk is two knocks, then one, then two knocks again. 212 is the telephone area code for Manhattan, which is where the story takes place.
• The potted plant Léon nurtures is an Aglaonema, or Chinese evergreen.

Source IMDb.com

Review

I don't know why, but I always thought this movie was French, which had put me off slightly in the past from watching it. How wrong I was. Even if it had been in French it  still would have been a corker of a movie.

The movie is melancholy and not just about ruthless killing. The addition of Mathilda to Léon's life shows his softer side and paternal instincts for the girl who entered his life almost by accident. Even the care he gives to the plant that moves with them wherever they go.

Gary Oldman shines through for his portrayal of a corrupt officer, he plays a very good nutter. (I also found him quite attractive which was slightly scary!)
Don't get me wrong everyone in this plays their parts believably and well. It's hard to believe that Natalie Portman was so young when she played this part, and you can see from this role that she showed great promise as an adult actor.

There are moments when the typical early 90s panpipes are heard, but do you know what, the music is not what this movie is about. You could have had any sort of music and it not matter one jot. The film is brilliant.

Love comes in many different forms which this movie shows and this is just at the right level of appropriateness.

The ending is not what you quite imagine and is a bit of a twist, but when you think about it afterwards you realise how perfect it was. It couldn't really have ended any other way.


For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: www.imdb.com/title/tt0110413

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Watched: 7th January 2016

Top 250 Position: 95 (94 when watched)
Rating 8.3/10 from 369,660 users
Correct at 19th March 2016

Who's in it:
Graham Chapman
John Cleese
Eric Idle
Terry Gilliam
Terry Jones
Michael Palin
Connie Booth
Carol Cleveland

Directed By: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

Year: 1975

Duration: 1hour 31 minutes

Accolades: No Oscar, Bafta or Golden Globe wins.

Plot: Loosely based around the legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and their quest to find the Holy Grail.


Interesting Facts About the Film:

• The famous depiction of galloping horses by using coconut shells (a traditional radio-show sound effect) came about from the purely practical reason that the production simply couldn't afford real horses.
• Michael Palin plays the most characters (12).
• Graham Chapman (as King Arthur) was the only member of the cast to wear real chain mail armor. It weighed about 25 pounds. The rest of the cast wore knitted wool, painted to look like metal.
• The Enchanter's name is Tim because John Cleese forgot the character's original name. He ad-libbed the line, "There are some who call me...Tim".
• Sir-Not-Appearing-In-This-Film is Michael Palin's infant son William.
• Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 50 Greatest Comedies Of All Time" in 2006.
• Patsy only has one line in the movie: "It's only a model."
• Movie was adapted as a Broadway musical in 2006 called "Spamalot".
• Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Genesis all contributed to the film's budget.

Source IMDb.com

Review

Love them or hate them Monty Python have stood the test of time and here is a fine example of why. So it didn't win any awards, but it is within the top 100 movies, why?
We might not need to know how a sparrow can carry a coconut but I wonder how many people would be able to tell you, if you've never seen the movie you will have no idea what I'm on about.

So you might not understand all of the jokes, but does that matter?

How Monty Python was introduced to me originally was on my 21st Birthday. My dad said that Spamalot (the stage musical based on this movie) was like pantomime for adults and we should go to see it for my birthday. So we did. And I loved it. A perfect portion of silliness, and that's what the movie is too (which I had to watch soon after seeing Spamalot).

You can take many things from Monty Python and apply them to your everyday life, 'tis but a scratch', 'just a flesh wound' and 'I fart in your general direction',  being only a few of many memorable lines.

You see the same actors in multiple roles, which is slightly reminiscent of school plays. It is overacted perfectly and is definitely a spot of light relief in an otherwise drama heavy top 100. If you are expecting a serious film might I suggest you check the synopsis prior to viewing.

So admitedly it isn't heavy on special effects or other things that we expect of our 'modern' blockbusters but that isn't what is required to make this good. It is just a perfect piece of silliness. (obviouxly I'm a little but biased).

Could we possibly say that Monty Python as comic geniuses? You can make your mind up for yourself.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071853/

Interstellar

Watched: 1st January 2016

Top 250 Position: 31 (29 when watched)
Rating 8.6/10 from 834,843 IMDb users
Correct at 7th February 2016 (source IMDb.com)

Who's in it:
Matthew McConaughey
Anne Hathaway
Michael Cain
Jessica Chastain
Matt Damon
Topher Grace


Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Year: 2014

Duration: 2 Hours 49 Minutes

Accolades: Won one Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. Nominated for a further 4 Oscars; Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures- Original Score, Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, Best Achievement in Sound Editing and Best Achievement in Production Design.

Plot: Set in the near future, due to drought, famine and crop disease the future of humanity looks bleak.  A rip in the space-time continuum is discovered and a  group of explorers embark on a mission is find a planet able to sustain human life, but it isn't quite as simple as that. Coop (McConaughey) must make a choice of whether to stay on earth with his family or pilot the mission, save mankind and risk never seeing his children again.

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Cost an estimated $165,000,000 to make.
• The wormhole explanation using paper and pen is exactly the same as it appears in Event Horizon (1997).
• Features the most footage ever shot using 15/70mm IMAX cameras for a feature film, and, due to the film industry's rapid conversion to digital projection formats, will potentially be the last feature film ever to be projected on 15/70mm IMAX film.
• Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, whose works inspired this film, was approached to play himself in a cameo role.
• This is the sixth collaboration between Michael Caine and Christopher Nolan. The other five titles are Batman Begins (2005), The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008),Inception (2010) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). (All of which are also in the Top 250!)
• A copy of Stephen King's novel "The Stand" is visible among Murph's books. King's book is about the near extinction of humanity and the survivors' struggle to relocate and settle down.
• This is Christopher Nolan's seventh film to be included in the IMDb Top 250.

Source IMDb.com

Review

As a fan of Matthew McConaughey's for many years, though I have to say I had mainly only seen him in Rom-coms and the Dalls Buyers Club, this movie shows just what a 'corker' of a career he has had. Not long after winning his Best Actor Oscar moving on to such a big budget and significant movie. For anyone who hasn't seen the Dallas Buyers Club (which I am slightly surprised does not feature in the top 250) I would recommend it, but be warned to look at the synopsis before watching it.

But on to this movie, it is described on the DVD case a s 'land mark film', I have to say that as a statement that is probably true. Reading into how it was filmed for IMAX and how much per minute it cost to make (it is believed about $976,000 per minute) then it pretty much fits in that category of land mark films.

It does aid to highlight how wasteful mankind is and how we do not use our resources in moderation. As with all the Christopher Nolan films I have seen, it makes you think. It is no surprise really that so many of his movies are in the Top 250. Could we possibly say that he is a movie genius?

This movie is however very long, and unlike the Batman films that seemed to skip along more, I felt that it really was long. There was also an element of getting lost in the plot with a seemingly irrelevant ghost/dust cloud in Murph's room, but believe me all will become clear at the end! So bear with it.
Be warned though that you might need to have Wikipedia open afterwards to make full sense of the movie on a first watching.

The special features are super impressive, it's no surprise that it won an Oscar for them.
There is also a very effective use of silences in the movie, which build up the tension and give you more time, I suppose, to digest the special effects, if anything it makes them more impressive than boggling your mind with music during these moments.

As a science fiction nerd this film appealed to me, and trust me it is worth watching, but be prepared to pay full attention for nearly 3 hours.

Overall very good, very impressive special effects, moving acting and good script (if a bit confusing in parts) just a little long.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/

The King's Speech

Watched: 7th December 2015

Top 250 Position: 231 (was 228 when watched)
Rating: 8.0/10 from 471,198 users
Source IMDb.com. Correct at 24th January 2016

Who's in it:
Colin Firth
Helena Bonham Carter
Geoffrey Rush
Derek Jacobi
Adrian Scarborough
Jennifer Ehle
Michael Gambon
Guy Pearce
Timothy Spall
Eve Best et al.

Directed By: Tom Hooper

Year: 2010

Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes

Accolades: Won four Oscars; Best Motion Picture of the Year (Iain Canning, Emile Sherman & Gareth Unwin), Best Actor (Colin Firth), Best Director (Tom Hooper) and Best Writing, Original Screenplay (David Seidler).
Nominated for a further eight Oscars; Best Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Music (Original Score), Best Sound Mixing and Best Art Direction.

Plot:
When King Edward the VIII (Pearce) advocates the throne to marry the woman he loves his younger brother Albert (also know as Bertie- played by Firther) must step up to succeed him and become George VI. The only thing is Bertie has been a life long sufferer of a stammer. Will he be able to overcome this to lead his nation and will the unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue (Rush) be able to help like he says he can?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Lionel refuses to let Bertie smoke during their speech sessions, saying "sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you." King George VI, who often smoked 20-25 cigarettes a day, died from complications of lung cancer surgery on February 6, 1952, at age 56.
• The role of King George VI was written with Paul Bettany in mind. Bettany declined in order to spend more time with his family, and later admitted that he regretted his decision. Colin Firth was cast instead and received an Oscar for his performance.
• At age 73, David Seidler became the oldest person to ever win the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award (Oscar) for this film.
• Helena Bonham Carter, as Duchess of York and Queen, is seen talking to Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall). Her grandmother, Violet Bonham Carter, was a good friend of Winston Churchill's, and her great-grandfather was Prime Minister H.H. Asquith.
• Guy Pearce plays the older brother of Colin Firth's character. Pearce is 7 years younger than Firth.
• The film is an Australian co-production, and the first ever Australian film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
• Jennifer Ehle played Elizabeth Bennet to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1995). At the time, the two were briefly in a relationship. David Bamber, who played Collins in Pride and Prejudice (1995), also appears here in a very small role, sharing no scenes with either Firth or Ehle.
• Geoffrey Rush's and Colin Firth's characters discuss William Shakespeare. Rush and Firth played some of Shakespeare's acquaintances in Shakespeare in Love (1998), with Rush playing a friend and benefactor, and Firth playing their antagonist.

Source IMDb.com

Review:

No offence, because this is a brilliant movie, but you can tell the difference between the movies at the top of the 250 and those at the bottom. This isn't flashy and showy like many of the top movies. It's simple and elegant.

I think it was a real shame that it didn't win more awards (though 4 Oscars is not to be sniffed at) as each actor plays their part in a understated but excellent way, the visuals of a 1940s England really sums up the time. The costumes again just perfection in a now showy way,
Instead of being a movie that dazzles with special effects and bells and whistles you can just sit there and enjoy, let you eyes wander around the sets and take it all in. The plot and script are simple and easy to follow.
The awards won were certainly well deserved and those who lost out did not do so by much.

As a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice I also sat there going, 'oow look it's Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy and Mr Collins- those of you who know what I'm talking about will understand.

Overall the film is brilliant and so well done.

Love this movie, a definite 5 stars. It just makes me wonder why it is not higher up the 250, but when you see what it is up against it becomes more apparent.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1504320

The Usual Suspects

Watched: 5th December 2015

Top 250 Position: 24
Rating; 8.6/10 from 698,926 users
Correct at 19th January 2016, source IMDb.com

Who's in it:
Gabriel Byrne
Stephen Baldwin
Benicio Del Toto
Kevin Pollak
Kevin Spacey
Chazz Palminteri
Pete Postlethwaite

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Year: 1995

Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes

Accolades: Won two Oscars. Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Kevin Spacey) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for Screen (Christopher McQuarrie).

Plot:

Five seemingly unconnected people are brought together in a police line, the crime they are accused of they are innocent of. But now they are together they plot an even bigger operation. One which helps to pay back the illusive Keyser Söze who each has wronged in some way in the past. But who is Keyser Söze and what is he really after?

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Kevin Spacey had the fingers on his left hand glued together to make his character's disability more realistic, and filed down his shoes to make them look worn by his character's limp.
• In a poll on IMDb, the movie was voted as having the best plot twist, beating out The Sixth Sense (1999), The Crying Game (1992), and Witness for the Prosecution (1957).
• Shot on a budget of $6 million over a period of 35 days.
• Kevin Spacey had to read the script twice when he first received it, to make sure he fully understood it.
• The 'f' word is used 98 times during the movie.

Source IMDb.com

Review

I had never seen this movie before, but knew the identity of Mr White so was anticipating the plot twist at the end.

I kept loosing track through the movie, there seemed to be a bit too much going on and too many people to remember. I'm sure though if I watched it again I would be able to keep up much better. As it is also quite a short film (in comparison to some others in the top 250) at just over an hour and 40 minutes it wouldn't take too much time up doing so.

The film  was not what I expected at all, but in a good way. There is enough to keep your attention and a bit of humour, action and intrigue to cover most people's taste.

So, don't get me wrong I'm sure there are real lovers of this movie out there (well there have to be for it to be number 24), I'm just not sure it is the movie for me. I think half the problem is that going in to it I knew the twist at the end because it's been given away on so many 'Top movie' and similar programmes that have been shown since this movie was released. I think maybe I need to watch it again some day with a bit of a fresh perspective knowing more about the plot and trying to keep up with it a bit more.

But like I say you are welcome to disagree, it's just not my own personal cup of tea.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Matrix

Watched: 5th December 2015

Top 250 Position: 18 (17 when watched in December)
Rating: 8.7/10 from 1,146,646 users
Source imdb.com, correct at 19/01/2016

Who's in it:

Keanu Reeves

Laurence Fishburne

Carrie-Anne Moss

Hugo Weaving

Gloria Foster

Joe Pantoliano

Marcus Chong

Julian Arahanga

Matt Doran

Belinda McClory

Paul Goddard et.al.

Directed By: Andy Wachowski & Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers)

Year: 1999

Duration: 2 Hours 16 minutes

Accolades: Won 4 Oscars, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Effects (Sound Effects Editing) and Best Effects (Visual Effects).
 

Plot:

A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

Interesting fact about the film:

• budget they had submitted, which was over $80 million. Warner instead agreed to give them $10 million. The Wachowskis took the money and filmed the first ten minutes of the movie (the opening scene with Carrie-Anne Moss) using the entire $10 million. They then showed the executives at Warner the opening scene. They were impressed, and green-lit the original asking budget.
• In the combat training program before Keanu Reeves starts his furious attacks on Morpheus, he rubs his nose with his thumb and finger, a similar mannerism of Bruce Lee before he attacks on his opponents. The move was improvised by Reeves.
• All scenes that take place within the Matrix have a green tint, as if watching them through a computer monitor, while scenes in the real world have a blue tint, blue was also used at a minimum in the matrix scenes since the directors thought blue was more of a real world color. The fight scene between Morpheus and Neo, which is neither in the real world nor in the Matrix, is tinted yellow.
• In the first 45 minutes of the film, Neo (Keanu Reeves) has 80 lines. 44 of these lines are questions, just over half of his total dialogue, averaging at roughly one question per minute.
• In Greek Mythology Morpheus is the god of dreams. Somewhat ironic considering Morpheus' role here is to awaken people from their dream states to reality.
• By the middle of 2002, the famous "Bullet Time" sequence had been spoofed in over 20 different movies.
• Before his character's final speech at the end, Keanu Reeves never has more than five sentences in a row to speak.

Source imdb.com

Review:

As soon as I watch this movie I'm transported back to the early 2000s. At school we watched this film, I think in Religious Education, and I couldn't get enough of it. So I went out and bought it on VHS (remember those?) as soon as I could. Watching the whole movie back then did not disappoint me, and it still doesn't now (even though I have upgraded my copy to Blu-Ray!).  

The now famous special effects (slow mo bullet shots etc.) still look awesome today, 16 years after the movie was released.

The slight tints on the different worlds also helps to show the difference between the Matrix and non Matrix and help you keep a better track on what's going on. Well I think so anyway.

I've seen this movie so many times, I know it almost word for word, that I don't even need to pay 100% attention to it when it's on to know what's happening in it. But trust me if you do pay full attention it is worth it.

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea but for me this is a brilliant movie and worthy of it's high position in the top 250.

There are bits in the middle of the movie that you could cut out and make it a bit shorter but apart from that it is pretty awesome. But then again I am a girl who likes her Sci-fi.

There are now three completed movies in this franchise, I'll be honest the other two aren't a patch on the first but if you want to get the 'full story' on the Matrix and it's characters you might want to book yourself a day off work, shut the curtains and curl up on the sofa to see them all. A bit like the Lord of the Rings movies they should be seen closer together to fully appreciate them.

Don't take my word for it on the original Matrix though, if you haven't seen it before give it a shot. (But I am very biased with this movie).

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/

12 Angry Men

Watched: 21st November 2015

Top 250 Position: 7 (5 when watched)
Rating: 8.9/10 from 414,235 users              
Correct at 10th January 2016

Who's in it:
Marin Balsam
John Fiedler
Lee J. Cobb
E.G. Marsha;;
Jack Klugman
Edward Binns
Jack Warden
Henry Fonda
Joseph Sweeney
Ed Begley
George Voskovec
Robert Webber

Directed By: Sidney Lumet

Year: 1957

Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes

Accolades: Nominated fro 3 Oscars, Best Picture (Henry Fonda & Reginald Rose), Best Director (Sidney Lumet) and Best Writing, Screenplay based on material from another medium (Reginald Rose).

Plot:

It's the hottest day of the year and a murder trial is underway. The jury of 12 men break to make their decision, but is the case as clear as they thought to begin with? One member of the jury stands against the group to make them think again about the whether the evidence given in court is really enough to convict the defendant of murder.

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• At the beginning of the film, the cameras are all positioned above eye level and mounted with wide-angle lenses to give the appearance of greater distance between the subjects. As the film progresses the cameras slip down to eye level. By the end of the film, nearly all of it is shot below eye level, in close-up and with telephoto lenses to increase the encroaching sense of claustrophobia.
• Sidney Lumet had the actors all stay in the same room for hours on end and do their lines over and over without taping them. This was to give them a real taste of what it would be like to be cooped up in a room with the same people.
• Shot in a total of 365 separate takes.
• Nominated for 3 Oscars, the film lost out in all its categories to The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).
• All but three minutes of the film was shot inside the bare and confining, sixteen by twenty-four foot "jury room".
• Because the painstaking rehearsals for the film lasted an exhausting two weeks, filming had to be completed in an unprecedented 21 days.

Source IMDb.com

Review

The oldest film in the top 10, and the second oldest in top 20. Just this in itself must tell you that this is something special, and it is.  It is black and white, which I know some people might find off putting. I've always been a big fan of black and white movies so I was actually looking forward to seeing this movie.
I did see snippets of this movie in school, where it was used to emphasise persuasive arguments so I've never seen this all the way through and have to say I was glued throughout.
As it is a murder charge a guilty vote will result in the death penalty, so it has to be a unanimous decision. The way in which this is reached is superb.

Of the actors in the movie I had only ever heard of Henry Fonda, which I think is a shame as all of the actors were great.

None of the jurors are known by their names just juror numbers. You have the people who are impatient and want a quick decision and those that will just go along with a group decision. But is Juror 8 (Fonda) about to make them take longer to decide.

As the movie appears to be in almost real time this adds to the overall appeal of the movie.

Hopefully all of the actors and crew got to know how well their movie was received, though I'm sorry to see it has slipped two places since I saw it in November.

This is what a movie should be about, good story line and good acting. It doesn't need special effects and all of that.

Whether this movie would translate into a modernised version would be debateable, and seeing as the original is so good what would be the point?

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050083/

Pulp Fiction

Watched: 29th October 2015

Top 250 Position: 5
IMDb Rating 8.9/10 from 1,239,441 users
Correct at 10th January 2016

Who's in it:
Tim Roth
John Travolta
Samuel L. Jackson
Uma Thurman
Amanda Plummer
Bruce Willis
Ving Rhames
Rosanna Arquette
Burr Steers
Phil LaMarr
Paul Calderon
Bronagh Gallagher
Frank Whaley
Harvey Keitel
Christopher Walken
et al.

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Year: 1994

Duration: 2 Hours 34 minutes

Accolades: Won one Oscar for Best Writing (Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avery). Nominated for a further six Oscars, Best Picture (Lawrence Bender), Best Actor in a Leading Role (John Travolta), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Samuel L. Jackson), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Uma Thurman), Best Director (Quentin Tarantino) and Best Film Editing (Sally Menke).

Plot:

The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.

Interesting Facts About the Film:

• Uma Thurman originally turned down the role of Mia Wallace. Quentin Tarantino was so desperate to have her as Mia, he ended up reading her the script over the phone, finally convincing her to take on the role.
• The movie cost $8 million to make, $5 million of which went to pay the actors' salaries.
• The 'f' word is used 265 times.
• Towards the end of the film Jules says he wants to retire and become a drifter. In Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), Samuel L. Jackson turns up as Rufus, a piano playing drifter.
• Quentin Tarantino wrote "The Wolf" character specifically for Harvey Keitel
• The parts of "Honey Bunny" and "Pumpkin" were written specifically for Amanda Plummer and Tim Roth.
• Mia Wallace mentions a pilot she did called"Fox Force Five", where she described the characters of the show. The descriptions fit the characters of the movie Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003).
• Marsellus and Mia never actually speak to one another on-screen, even though they are seen together poolside and are husband and wife.  

Source IMDb.com

Review:

So I've seen other Quentin Tarantino movies over the years, beyond them being rather violent (in some cases that is a bit of an understatement) they are very good movies. This isn't quite as bloody as some of the over Quentin Tarantino films I've watched which in my eyes makes it easier to concentrate on the plot. The first movie I ever saw of Mr Tarantino's was Kill Bill part I which might have given me an overly violent impression of his movies. But this movie makes you think again.

This is not the sort of movie you would watch with someone who was squeamish, or even your parents but the 'violence' doesn't detract too much from everything else that's going on.
The movie has an undertone of drug taking and violence, but this isn't what the movie is entirely about.

The music is very nice, and fits in with the characters and stories.

Throughout the movie there are different stories and characters, I have to say I did get a bit lost in parts through the film, as the stories don't flow chronologically. But when you sit down after you can easily work out where the different stories fitted in.

This movie is VERY good. Everyone in it, and trust me there are a lot of people starring in this movie, plays their parts well and to just the right level, the direction and details are also superb. It's a bit of a shame to know that it didn't win more awards when it came out. But to be currently the number 5 movie in the top 250 shows how good it is and how underappreciated it probably was when it was released. This isn't the sort of movie that is good because of visual affects it is just a good movie in it's own right.

Like everyone else I want to know what's in the case though. Having read a bit more into the movie some speculation on the contents seems to be a bit far fetched for my liking, and if anything knowing would ruin the plot.

On another note, I want to go to the themed restaurant in the movie!

Definitely a 5* movie.
Be warned though that there are some shocks and twists in the plot which some viewers might find disturbing.

For more information about the film visit the imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/

Vertigo

Watched: 26th November 2015

Top 250 Position : 70
Rating: 8.4/10 from 231,533 users              
Source IMDb.com, correct at 5th Janaury 2016

Who's in it:
James Stewart
Kim Novak
Barbara Bel Geddes
Tom Helmore
Henry Jones

Directed By: Alfred Hitchcock

Year: 1958

Duration: 2 Hours 8 Minutes

Accolades: Nominated for two Oscars (Best Art Direction- Set decoration and Best Sound)

Plot: After watching a fellow police officer fall to his death, John 'Scottie' Ferguson (Stewart) is suffering from acrophobia (a fear of heights). An old friend (Helmore) asks him to watch his wife (Novak) who he believes has been acting suspiciously. As Ferguson undertakes his task he becomes obsessional about her, is this obsession healthy, and is everything as it seems? 

Interesting facts about the movie:
- There is a 25 year age difference between James Stewart and Kim Novak, who were 49 and 24 respectively when the film was shot in 1957.
- Alfred Hitchcock was embittered at the critical and commercial failure of the film in 1958. He blamed this on James Stewart for "looking too old" to attract audiences any more. Hitchcock never worked with Stewart, previously one of his favorite collaborators, again.
- Uncredited second-unit cameraman Irmin Roberts invented the famous "zoom out and track in" shot (now sometimes called "contra-zoom" or "trombone shot") to convey the sense of vertigo to the audience. The view down the mission stairwell cost $19,000 for just a couple of seconds of screen time.
- Poorly received by U.S. critics on its release, this film is now hailed as Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece.
- On-location filming lasted 16 days.
(Source IMDb.com)

Review:
Well I have never seen a Hitchcock film before and I have to admit when the sinister title sequence kicked in I was a little bit apprehensive.
But my goodness this movie is very good.

It is full of intrigue, suspense and drama with lots of unexpected twists and turns.

After watching this I would feel happy to watch another Hitchcock movie. So I best start working my way through the top 250 a bit quicker because I know there are a few in there.

So on to the acting, both Novak and Stewart are very well used in this movie, I don't quite see what some do that Stewart was too old for this romantic part. If anything I think it adds to the obsessional side of his character's personality.
I only really know James Stewart from a handful of movies unfortunately but I think again I'm going to actively try to watch more of his movies.

The sound track is very haunting which adds to the suspense and drama of the whole movie.

You might even say that this uses a modern way of filming i.e the panning shots, circling around the characters; which from reading more into this movie seems to be the brain child of a member of the crew who went uncredited, Irmin Roberts. Well done Mr Roberts.

Added to this it really didn't seem like it was just over 2 hours. The time flew by.

This truly is a haunting and romantic thriller which I would recommend to anyone who has not yet seen it. Worthy of its place in the top 250 and I'm glad to see it has only moved one place since I watched it in November (when it was ranked #69).

For more infoamtion about the film have a look at the IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052357/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

American History X

Watched: 22nd November 2015

Top 250 position: 32

Rating (IMDb): 8.6/10 from 733,575 users
Correct at 2nd January 2015

Who's in it;
Edward Norton
Avery Brooks
Edward Furlong
Beverly D'Angelo
Jennifer Lien
Ethan Suplee
Fairuza Balk
Elliot Gould et.al.

Directed By: Tony Kaye

Year: 1998

Duration: 1 Hour 59 Minutes

Accolades: Nominated for one Oscar (Best Actor- Edward Norton)

Plot:

The story of a former Neo-Nazi (Norton), looking at his life before incarceration, the attempts of his school mentor (Brooks) to help him see the error of his ways and his own struggle to stop his younger brother from making the same mistakes upon his release from prison.

Interesting Facts About the Film:
- Budget of $7,500,000.
- Before filming began, Edward Norton and Edward Furlong shaved their heads for their roles. Norton also gained 30 pounds of muscle.
- The f word is used 214 times in the movie.


Review:

So as part of the 250 atoz project it is my mission to watch all of the top IMDb 250 movies. As a result instead of knowing exactly what I'm watching prior to watching it I'm having a few surprises. This movie was one of those surprises. I had no idea that this movie was about Neo-Nazis until I read the back of the DVD box just as I put the DVD in the player with my finger over the play button. Having dealt with a Neo-Nazi in my professional life I know the sort of reputation they have. As such I then approached the movie with some trepidation.

This movie however was, I don't want to say enjoyable, but intriguing and thought provoking.

There is a good use of black and white sections which show the cut backs to Derek Vinyard's (Norton's) life prior to imprisonment. Which as the movie starts like this was a little confusing to begin with but really helped to show the characterisations and story to full effect as the movie went on. It really helps to show the man that Derek was compared to the now.

There are scenes of violence and of a sexual nature from the outset of this movie so this is not something that you would want to watch with your parents or other sensitive relation or friend.  I'm just warning you. In particular there is a rather violent and physical assault scene which makes for rather uncomfortable viewing.

American History X derives it's name from the special extra curricular class that Dr Bob Sweeney (Brooks) plans for Derek's brother to help move him away from following in Derek's footsteps and keep him on the straight and narrow. Though is it all too little too late?

When Derek is released from prison his outlook on his world has changed but the world he left hasn't changed much at all since he left it.

The movie really helps to highlight how much hate and prejudice there is in the world; no matter what opinion you have of the world this emphasises that point and that you should never judge a book by it cover, because you never know what might happen next.

It is no wonder that Edward Norton was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar as he acts the extremes of his character so well, which definitely adds to the appeal of the movie. In fact everyone in this movie plays theirs part so well. I am surprised that it didn't do better during the awards season, but as this was a movie about such a difficult subject matter it might have made some difference to it's commercial and awards success.

The movie moves through the lives of the main characters and you are able to see what the route cause of Derek's move to Neo-Nazism might be.

The ending of the film really stays with you, as a shocking twist that you don't really see coming. It really stays with you. Even two months after watching this movie I can still visualise it perfectly.

This movie is so many things and I think worthy of it's place in the top 250, however I can tell you it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Watch it if you like, but I am not going to guarantee that it willbecome your favourite film of all time (trust me it is not a movie that leaves you with a happy feeling afterwards).

Back To The Future

Watched: 21st October 2015

Top 250 position: 45

Rating: (IMDB): 8.5/10 (from 674,709 users)
Correct at 2nd January 2016.

Who's In It:
Michael J. Fox
Christopher Lloyd
Lea Thompson
Crispin Glover
Thomas F. Wilson
Claudia Wells

Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

Year: 1985

Duration: 1 Hour 56 Minutes

Accolades: Won an Oscar for Best Effects. Nominated for a further 3 Oscars (Best Writing, Best Sound and Best Music (Original Song).

Plot:

Teenager Marty McFly (Fox) is sent back in time 30 years by a time travelling car invented by his friend  Dr Brown (Lloyd). In 1955 things are very different to howMarty knows his home town, including his high school aged parents. But is Marty going to be able to make it back to the future?

Interesting Facts About the Film:
- Writers Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis actually received a fan letter from John DeLorean after the film's release, thanking them for immortalizing his car.
- The script was rejected 40 times before it was finally green-lit.
- When Marty is being judged at the band auditions at the beginning, the judge who stands up to say he is "just too darn loud" is Huey Lewis, whose songs, "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" are featured on the movie's soundtrack, and also wrote Marty's audition song (which is a re-orchestrated version of "The Power of Love.")
- The parts of the script with references to President Ronald Reagan needed to be reviewed by the White House for approval so as not to offend the President. Producers had some concerns over Reagan's reaction to Doc Brown's famous line mocking the improbability of his being President in 1985, but Reagan was said to get a real kick out of it.
- Was the top grossing release of 1985.
- Budget of $19,000,000
(Source IMDB.com) 

Review:

So here we are 30 years on. I couldn't help myself but watch this movie on the date that Marty McFly goes to in Back to the Future Part II, I'm a bit of a geek like that.

Looking back at this film nowadays it does don't get me wrong look a little dated (you might say of it's time), however it is still stunning and I have to say a film that I very much enjoy. I was introduced to this movie by a friend many years ago and it has been a firm favourite since then.

When I say stunning, as I know some of you might not agree. I don't mean stunning effects etc. like you might have in a blockbuster now. It's more the way it is constructed and flows. The story is easy to follow even if you are a sci-fi geek, and there is a light and humorous side this this capper; for instance Marty's teenage mother in 1955 believing his name is Calvin Klein as his name was written in his underwear.

If like me you are a fan of this movie (and the other 2 in the series) then I would highly recommend, if you don't have it already, getting this movie on Blu Ray. It adds to the experience some what making the picture quality sharper and visually very good watching.

If you have never seen this movie before I would recommend watching it, though unlike some other movies in the top 250 I can't put my finger exactly on what it is that makes it so good. Is it the quirks, the sci-fi ness, the easy to follow plot, visual aspects or the fact that we now have so many quotable references from this movie, 88 miles and hour, 1.21 gigawatts or that we know what a flux capacitor is? I don't' quite know, all I know is it's blooming good and in my opinion should remain for some time to come in the top 250.

I'm just off to jump in my DeLorean , see you all soon.

For more information about the movie visit the IMDb webpage, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/