My Top Five: Films

I do love a good movie – curling up on the sofa with a friend and a big bowl of popcorn, or lying in bed at the end of a long day – perfect!

I love hearing what people’s favourites are, and discovering new films that I never thought I’d love – so here are a few of my favourites – in no particular order (I tried numbering 1-5 but just couldn’t do it – its just TOO DAMN HARD!!)

Obviously, I had to do my research for this post so I’m currently writing this whilst screening each of these on my second screen – well, it just had to be done – it’s a tough life, eh?!

Now…all I need is a curly wurly or a tub of Ben & Jerry’s….

Back To The Future
I first got introduced to the Back To The Future Trilogy by, well, I guess you could call him an ex. So my first viewing of these films was majority distracted by the standard nervous girl thoughts “Oh my god he’s touching my hand”, “He’s put his arm around me”, “is he going to kiss me?”, “if he doesn’t kiss me, why not?!”, “if he does kiss me, what do I want to happen?” and other girly over-thinking things and analysing rather than actually watching properly – not ideal for watching and properly understanding Marty McFly travelling through time!

Having watched the trilogy since, particularly the first one, which is the one we were watching that night, I can understand why it was one of his favourite movies (and why he didn’t kiss me until after the movie had finished!) – the trilogy really is great! I love the little details that get carried on from one movie to the next! I went to the Back To The Future Secret Cinema last year and walking around Hill Valley Town Square and seeing Marty McFly on his skateboard grabbing onto the back of the truck in the opening sequence live was INCREDIBLE!
So, though we are no longer together, that boy did introduce me to this fantastic series – so thanks, if you read this!

When Harry Met Sally
I think I could quote most of this film to you. It is one of those films I can watch for 20 minutes at the end of a long day, or curl up and watch the whole thing on a chilly sunday afternoon. I’ve watched it more times than I could count – It’s just one of those films. I realise it is a “chick flick” but what I like about it actually, isn’t the ending (no spoilers!) it is the fact that they are real friends. Friends who look after each other, but also friends who disagree about things, friends who have a totally shit day and are complexly irrational with one another and forgive 45 seconds later, friends who fall out, and friends who realise that despite being a bit of an arse, they are still best friends. Real Friends. That’s what the film is about really – true friendship. The “chick flick” part just comes as an add-on.

When I did a touring panto a couple of years ago, this was the film that myself and Josh, one of the others in the cast, quoted throughout the long drives from city to city “…partake in some pecan pieeeee!” – constantly giggling at how brilliant every bit of the script is. If you haven’t seen it, watch it – it’s a complete must.

The Harry Potter Series
Again, this is a series that I could watch 20 minutes of or 3 films of in one sitting and it wouldn’t make a difference. I grew up with the films. The first film came out when I was 11 (just like harry is supposed to be), so they were a huge part of my growing up and my teenage years. I remember watching the last film when I was in Second Year at Drama School and feeling like it was the end of an era.

I was a bit obsessive about the books too – when a new one came out, I was one of the kids who had it pre-ordered and would stay in her bedroom until she had read the while book, avoiding anyone else who might know what happens, and that one friend who would flick through to find spoilers and threaten to ruin it for everyone else – we all knew one person who was going to do that, right?!
I think I could genuinely win competitions on my potter knowledge – books or films – I have read and watched the books and films so much!

I remember the stories making magic seem so real when I was growing up. I really hope that someone creates something for my children’s generation that inspires them to read and makes their dreams seem a litre closer like the Potter stories did for us – I think we’ve been very lucky to have these stories to get us reading and believing in the seemingly impossible. It’s so important that the next generation get that too.

Saving Mr Banks
The first time I watched this film, I cried like a baby. David, my housemate at the time knew I would love it and we put it on, curled up with a bowl of ice cream each and I sobbed.
I absolutely loved the film Mary Poppins growing up. I used to watch it and sing along.
I had no idea of the story behind it until watching this film – not even that Walt Disney waited so long and persisted so hard to get the rights – Imagine if he hadn’t! We would never have got to know this incredible magical nanny!

The story is beautiful and I love that the film really tells you two stories; the story of Walt Disney’s struggle to get the rights and turn Mary Poppins into a film, and the story of P.L.Travers’ life before she moved to London and wrote the story behind the film we know and love, and you don’t know entirely until the end how the two stories weave together.

I still can’t watch this film without crying. In my opinion, this is one of the best things Emma Thompson has ever done. Her performance in this film is INCREDIBLE, and, when you hear the real recordings at the end of the film of the real P.L.Travers, you just know that Emma Thompson has done the most incredible job and has portrayed her fantastically.
Just watch it. It’s completely beautiful.

(also, look at their shadows in the artwork above! Is that not the most adorable thing you’ve seen in your life ever?!?!)

Julie and Julia
It was David, again, who introduced me to this film, in Germany at New Year 2014/15. It was a couple of days before New Year, and we decided to have a nice night in and watch a movie. He was horrified that I hadn’t watched it before, so we put it on.

As a Blogger, I find this film fascinating.
As a keen cook, I love the story.
As an actress, I cannot help but admire both Meryl Streep and Amy Adams performances – and having seen clips of Julia Childs on youtube, Meryl Streep’s interpretation is so close – it’s amazing!
It’s one of those stories where you can’t quite believe it is based entirely on a true story, but it is.
I’d love to find Julie Powell’s original blog, just to read it!
In fact, I’m gonna see if I can find it now…Got it! Well, that’s my productivity for the next few days down the drain!
Anyway, if you are interested in food, blogging, or in fact just seeing a lovely story about two very different women with a mutual love of food and cooking, watch it!

Do you have any others you think I should add to my list? What are on your top 5 list?
R xx