As an avid film lover the question I get asked most often is what is my favourite movie? Anyone who has asked me this question is always met with the same response: “I can’t have a favourite movie, it goes against what I believe” I believe every movie is different and exclusive to the director, actors, screenwriters and composers, meaning I can never fully decide on a film that I believe is better than all others. I do however have a list of films that hold a special place in my heart! I’m only including one film per director or else this list would be purely Wes Anderson’s films due to my undying love and devotion to them (insert laughing face emoji).This is a quick list so enjoy! (in no particular order)
1) Rushmore
If you need evidence of Wes Anderson’s early skill as a director Rushmore has to be one of the top picks. A high school movie starring Wes Anderson regulars Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray the film itself is one giant character arc. It follows the life of Rushmore student Max Fischer as he coasts his way through high school, failing almost every class as he goes. While he may fail in the academic prospects of life he is an excellent playwright and writes many performances for his school. Half way through his year he meets and falls in love with a first grade teacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Coleman) which leads to chaos as his industrial business friend Herman Blume (Bill Murray) has the same feelings for her. The film is gorgeously shot with many wide shots with the usual incredible Wes Anderson colour Pallet. The score and soundtrack (Yes they’re two different things!) are both equally perfect, the score being composed by Wes Anderson regular Mark Mothersbaugh and soundtrack handpicked by Anderson himself. It’s an easy watch film with a great story and acting so i’d highly recommend taking the time to watch it!
2) The Breakfast Club
The coming of age story of all coming of age stories. The breakfast Club was directed by John Hughes, the writer and director of no less than five of the best 80’s teen movies The Breakfast club, Ferris Buller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Weird Science and Pretty In Pink. Like Anderson, Hughes enjoys using the same actors and actresses in all of his films and this film is no exception. Emilio Estevez, Andrew Clark, Ally Sheed, Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald (the stars of this film) all appear in more than one of Hughes films, giving them a friendly and familiar feel throughout the movie. Using the tag line “The athlete, the brain, the criminal, the princess and the basket case” it covers almost every area of personality in an 80’s high school. The struggle of breaking down social barriers in schools is the biggest theme of the movie, showing it is indeed possible to be friends with or even date someone outside of your own social class. The film explores many teenage troubles: Suicide, anxiety, self abuse and bullying just to name a few. The themes of the movie are still just as relevant today as they where 40 years ago so I highly advise digging out this old classic and giving it a watch.
3)Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
Edgar Wright sure does know how to direct a film as i’m sure most people know from his incredibly popular Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End) and this film is no exception. Ever wondered what a video game would look like if it was a movie and didn’t suck (*cough* Super Bros, Resident Evil, Doom, Angry Birds and Assassin’s Creed *cough*) then this is the movie for you! Based on the hugely popular comic series by Bryan lee o’malley, it follows the story of bass player Scott Pilgrim (played by the adorable and innocent Michael Cera) and his crazy colourful haired girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as he battles his way through all seven of Ramona’s Evil Ex’s. The premise of the movie and books is absolutely ridiculous but the result is the most fun I’ve ever had watching a comic book movie! The performances are great with quick appearances by everyone’s favourite Avenger Chris Evans and a young Pitch Perfectless Anna Kendrick! The film itself has two different endings so be sure to watch both after you’ve finished as they set the film’s ending on two completely different tones.
Of course there’s going to be a superhero movie on this list but it has to be the best of the best and that’s exactly what the Dark Knight is! Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece that is not only rated the best superhero movie of all time but one of the best movies of all time (don’t believe me? Check the IMDb top of all time list, it’s right behind the Godfather: Part II). Nolan has consistently written excellent films with the likes of Inception, Interstellar, The Prestige, Insomnia and Dunkirk. The Dark knight stands out among Nolan’s work not only for it’s excellent screenplay and action scenes but for the incredible acting. Many grieved after the film’s release due to the tragic death of Heath Ledger who gave his final performance in this movie. Ledger’s Joker won the first Oscar for a superhero movie as his performance was phenomenal not only by the standard of a superhero movie but of acting in general. This is film is incredible with amazing set pieces, special effects and costumes.
5) 12 Angry Men
Many people my age are automatically switched off by the idea of a black and white film, especially if said black and white film has zero action and is composed solely of 12 guys talking in a room for an hour and a half. However this film is far from boring. A boy is being tried for the murder of his father and the evidence is against him holding him 100% accountable. The film follows the decision process of the 12 jury members, Guilty or not guilty? Eleven members of the jury are set on trying the boy as guilty and sending him to his grave while one member holds onto the slither of hope that the boy is in fact innocent. The screenplay for the film is absolutely incredible and has been labelled by many as one of the most emotive scripts of all time. The film never hits a boring point as the story continually builds after every piece of evidence leading to an incredible finale. It’s one film I recommend you watch when you have the time for many many reasons especially the incredible performances and a suitably dramatic score. 
That was the first 5 of many more movies to come on my favourite movies list! I hope you consider watching a few of these movies because as I said they’re all incredible in their own way! Send me an email with any movie questions you have or movies you want analysed! Thanks for reading!
Ben.
Movie Paradoxical 