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Director: Blake Edwards

Cast: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Mickey Rooney

So, this is it.  After weeks of reviews, the 1961 Audrey Hepburn classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s tops my list of films to see before you die.  Adapted from the Truman Capote novel, the film follows Holly Golightly (Hepburn) as the New York socialite from her friendship with new neighbour Paul Varjack (Peppard) to her weather reports for Sally Tomato at Sing Sing prison.

Holly dreams of marrying a millionaire, her dreams are those of any girls.  I remember the first time I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s and I was mesmerised by Audrey Hepburn, her style and charisma, is like no other.  The final scene in rain soaked New York when Holly kicks Cat, her cat out of the cab and then falls into the arms of Paul, is one of the most romantic scenes I have ever seen.

With Moonriver echoing in the background, Breakfast at Tiffany’s enchants and moves people.  It may not go down well with the boys, but girls, you need to see this!

Have you seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Do you think it is worthy of top spot? Leave your comments below.

Director: Frank Darabont

Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman

Number two on my list is The Shawshank Redemption, adapted from the Stephen King novel, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.  It follows the life of Andy Dufresne (Robbins), a young banker who is imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover and sent to the Shawshank prison.  Here he befriends Ellis ‘Red’ Redding (Freeman) who runs a contraband shop inside the prison, granting Andy all the items he requires including a rock hammer, seemingly for making chess pieces and a poster of Rita Hayworth.

We see the hard life Andy has to put up with in Shawshank, from brutal attacks to rape, but all the time he declares his innocence.  He soon sets up his own business in prison, helping wardens and guards with financial advice and tax returns.  His work also gained new library sources for the prison and he helped prisoners to gain diplomas.  Andy however, was not doing these jobs for the rewards in prison, he was plotting for something much bigger.

I am not going to go any further with the synopsis of The Shawshank Redemption, because I remember the first time I watched the film and I was shocked at how it ended, after all it is a Stephen King.  In my opinion, The Shawshank Redemption is the best prison film of all time, surpassing the Green Mile, Escape From Alcatraz and even the Great Escape.

The Shawshank Redemption is such a heartwarming film.  You instantly feel for Andy and you know he is innocent from the beginning, even if all of the world seems to be against him.  The story is highly misleading, which adds the excitement you get at the end of the film, you can never believe you know what is going to happen.

The film is moving and the friendship forged are genuine, you could be forgiven for thinking this was a documentary rather than a film the acting is so genuine.  There is no action or special effects, The Shawshank Redemption is just a film of hope, friendship and redemption.  If you have never seen it, watch it and I can guarantee you will want to watch it again and again.

Have you seen The Shawshank Redemption? What did you think? Please feel free to comment below.

Director: John Hughes

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara

My countdown is entering the final stages, with John Hughes’ teenage comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in third place.  The film is all about Ferris (Broderick), a senior who decides he wants one final day off school with best friend Cameron (Ruck) and girlfriend Sloane (Sara).  However sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) and headmaster Ed Rooney (Jeffery Jones) know Ferris is lying and set about framing him as a fraud. 

The film follows the trio’s trip to Chigaco in Camerons fathers never driven Ferrai whilst Ferris’ school appeal to ‘Save Ferris’ from his exxagerated liver illness.  From baseball games, five star restaurants and a cameo in a float, Buellers day off is one to make any student jealous. 

For me one of the most memorable scenes is Ferris lip syncing to the Beatles classic ‘Twist and Shout’  on a parade float.  It puts and instant smile on your face and Brodericks charm and personality makes you fall for the cool and collect Ferris.  His to screen monologue, and in fact all the dialogue makes the film a success with the witty remarks and comic timing. 

Ferris Buellers Day Off is a film I will never get tired of watching.  For any teenager who wants a day off school, you get some great tips from the master himself and it makes you laugh out loud.  Although it was made in 1986, it still feels modern and will be a film which is remembered for many years to come. 

If you are unfamilar with John Hughes and his work, he was also director of Home Alone 1 and 2, Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles to name just a few of the classics he worked on.  Ferris Buellers Day Off is no exception and the on screen antics and comedy capers the group are involved in makes this film a worthy occupant of third place. 

Have you seen Ferris Buellers  Day Off? Tried any of his tips?  Let me know.

A countdown of my favourite film would not be complete without an appearance from at least one Disney film.   From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, I have grown up loving the fairytale films.  But my ultimate Disney film is 1994 hit, The Lion King.

Following the life of Simba, a young lion cub born to be king, we see him flee from his African kingdom after evil Uncle Scar kills his father.  His friendship with the loveable Timon and Pumba who take him in and learn Simba how to live without the luxury of his pride and then his return to Pride Rock, now overrun by hyenas and under the rule of Scar.

The Lion King has some of the most loveable characters ever seen in films, with Simba and Nala, Zazu, Rafiki and of course Timon and Pumba.  An all star cast lend their voices to the project including Matthew Broderick (Simba), Rowan Atkinson (Zazu), Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi) and Jeremy Irons (Scar).  Elton John and Tim Rice teamed up to create the Oscar winning soundtrack, which include the songs Can you feel the love tonight?

Overall, The Lion King is a film, whether young or old, it will appeal to anyone.  If anyone is able to watch Mustafa dying and not shed a tear, has no heart! The Lion King has happiness, sadness, birth, death, good, evil, laughter, tears, there is something for everyone.

Is The Lion King your favourite Disney film or do you have another one? Feel free to leave your comments below.

Director: Richard Kelly

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore

Okay, indie flick Donnie Darko is my next film to see but unlike other posts, my review is going to be fairly short.  The reason is, I haven’t a clue what Donnie Darko is about.  There is a man dressed in a rabbit suit, time traveling and Patrick Swayze.  All in all, it is not the typical film.

Despite this something keeps you hooked to Donnie, and in my case makes you want to watch it over and over again.  It may possibly be the fact that you watch the 113 minutes of the film and at the end you think what the hell was that about and you have to watch it again to fathom out what happens.

In a nutshell Donnie Darko (Gyllenhaal) is a trouble teen whose best friend is Frank, a man in a rabbit suit.  Frank says the end of the world is going to happen in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds.  In the meantime Donnie escapes death, floods his high school (because Frank told him to do it) and chops the head off the schools solid bronze statue. After this I am lost but something Frank kills Gretchen, Donnies real friend and Donnie ends up being killed by the plane which nearly killed him at the beginning of the film.

That’s all I am going to say about Donnie Darko.  The soundtrack is amazing featuring the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen and just the fact that it leaves you so confused you need to watch it.  A word of recommendation though- steer clear of S. Darko the follow up to Donnie Darko.

Have you seen Donnie Darko? Do you have a clue what is happening?  Please enlighten me!

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman

Before people say anything, I am not a comic book geek, but I love all of the Batman film.  Christopher Nolan final two attempts with the Caped Crusader pull out all the stops.  The Dark Knight is an exciting, action packed film with fantastic acting and even better directing.

The Joker (Ledger) returns as Batmans (Bale) nemesis who is busy trying to protect all the fake “Batmen” who want to help save Gotham City.  Attorney Harvey Dent (Eckhart) also plays the hero, trying to round up a criminal circut know as the Falcone Gang, however Batmans alter ego, Bruce Wayne doubts if Dent can be trusted, not least because of his relationship with old flame Rachel Dawes (Gyllenhaal).

After illegal dealings and the arrest of Gothams crime lords, The Joker starts to taunt Batman, killing his wannabes and other senior members of Gotham police.  The Joker warns that for everyday that Batman goes unmasked, people will die starting with Commissioner Loeb, Harvey Dent, and Judge Surrillo.  Harvey Dent however, is at a fundraising party at Wayne’s penthouse and is saved by Batman when the Joker turns up.

Dent’s life is still on the line, with The Joker killing two men, one called Harvey, the other Dent.  At the scene, Lt Gordon (Oldman) finds an advance copy of tomorrows newspaper with the lead story saying Gothams Major will be murdered.   At the funeral for Loeb, The Joker and his men disguise themselves as police in the guard of honor, and after a trap is set off, aim at the Mayor, but Gordon is shot instead.  Dent, tracks down one of the Jokers henchmen and finds out Rachel is the next target.

The next day, Wayne is ready to give himself in as Batman to save Rachel, however Dent takes the stage and declares he is in fact Batman.  He is arrested and while being transported to County Prison, the convoy is attacked by the Joker, which leads to one of the best car chase scene ever.  The Batman turns up and with the help of Lt Gordon, captures the Joker.

During interrogation, the Joker tells Batman that Dawes and Dent are tied up at two different locations and that only one can be saved.  Batman races to rescue Rachel but on arrival finds Harvey lying on the floor in gasoline.  The location where Rachel was explodes and a fire at Dent’s location burns half of his face leading to him being called Harvey Two-face.

The Joker then plays a game of cat and mouse with the police and Batman, and threatens to blow up a hospital if an employee who knows who Batman is, is not dead within an hour.  The time passes and The Joker, disguised as a nurse blows up Gotham General, where Dent is.  He then tells Gotham that those who want to leave should do so by tonight.

In the rush to leave, the Joker has hijacks two ferries, one with civillians and one with prisoners.  He tells them that they must chose to blow up one ferry by midnight.  During this however, Batman finds the location of The Joker and a battle ensues.  The Joker goes on to tell Batman that the fight was never about killing him, but bringing down Dent, who is now just like him.

At the end the Joker is arrested and Batman leaves with Gordon calling him ‘The Dark Knight.’

The Dark Knight, is no family film like others have been.  Nolan adds his own dark twist and turns to the story and creates a highly exciting and visually impressive film.  Bale gives a good performance in the role of the brooding Batman, and Eckhart is just as impressive as Harvey Dent, but the real star of the film is the late Heath Ledger, who tragdically died before the release.  Even without the untimely loss Ledgers performance would still have been worthy of the Oscar he won for his portrayal of The Joker.

Although at times the storyline does get rather lost along the way, the final hour is none stop action as the plot comes to a head.  Unlike other Batman films, you are able to connect emotionally with the cast, getting to know the motives of their actions, as well as being engrossed in some fantastic cinematography and special effects.  If you have never seen a Batman film, this is the one to see.

Have you seen The Dark Knight? What are your opinions? What do you think of Heath’s performance? Leave your comments below.

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey

Before people start questioning this, I did not deliberately put Se7en as my seventh favourite film… honest!

Anyway, Se7en is a cleverly thought of film, in which a series of graphic murders mimicking the seven deadly sins occur.  It is up to Lt William Somerset (Freeman), who is set to retire after 34 years in the job and new boy Dt David Mills (Pitt) who has just arrived in the area with wife Tracey (Paltrow). 

The first death is based on gluttony, a man who has been force fed to bursting point closely followed by a lawyer being murdered because of their greed.  The sin is sloth, a man being confined to his bed for exactly a year.  His hand has been chopped off and is in a serious state of deterioation. 

After a search through library records, the Mills and Somerset are led to John Doe (Spacey) who flees the scene.  After a six minute chase over the rooftops and through the streets, Doe escapes leaving the two cops searching his home.  They find a picture of a young prostitute who they believe is his next victim.  They are led to an S & M shop where they find the girl dead in a room with lust written on the wall. 

The fifth murder is of a model, who was killed by having her nose cut off (to spite her face).  In a twist, Doe gave her the choice of suicide by sleeping pills, or living with the facial disfigurment.  She chose death.  After Mills and Somerset return to the police station, John Doe hands himself in, on the condition he can take the two cops to two more bodies and he will confess to the murders. 

Doe takes the pair into the desert, amd tells them that he wanted to punish the wicked.  On the arrival, a delivery driver arrives and hands Somerset a box.  Inside is the head of Mills’ wife Tracey with Doe wanting to be killed on the grounds of envy.  To distraught, Mills kills Doe and in turn become the bearer of wrath. 

Se7en is not a film for the squeamish, with many of the deaths being very graphic.  From the opening scenes of John Doe slicing his own finger tips off, veiwers know they are not in for an easy ride.  In theory, Se7en should have been a flop.  The killer and deaths are known from an early stage in the film, but something keeps you hooked to the film.  The twists and turns in the film are cleverly thought of and the dark and rainy mise-en-scene adds to the nerves and excitement you get when you watch Se7en. 

Have you seen Se7en? If so what do you think? Leave your comments below.

If you have any other film locations I have missed off, please comment and I will get them added.