Pulp Fiction (1994)My favourite movie. People complain that it’s too violent – it is a bit, but nothing graphic. Mostly, it’s funny, insightful and what’s more: moral. There are three interconnecting stories which centre around two mob hit men (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson couldn’t be any better) as they go about their underworld activities. The situations they (and others) encounter necessitate making choices, ethical or otherwise, which ultimately determine each of their destinies.
This intricate web of a plot, which has no chronological order, is very intriguing and allows the viewer a repeat viewing - but the real magic of Pulp Fiction is the dialogue - the ‘cheese burger’ and ‘foot massage’ exchanges are brilliant.
This cinematic masterpiece made it virtually impossible for writer and director, Quentin Tarantino, to go further.
Shadowlands (1994)Haven’t seen this for awhile, but remains very much in my mind for its many qualities, namely the intelligent and humorous script which is acted out brilliantly by Anthony Hopkins (his best role) and Debra Winger. It’s a love story (not Mills & Boon) between the solitary middle-aged Oxford academic and writer (Chronicles of Narnia), C.S. Lewis, and outspoken divorced American poet, Joy Gresham.
Their initial attraction is intellectual and marry out of convenience (Gresham wants UK residency). It’s not until Gresham is diagnosed with cancer that their bond becomes so much greater, ultimately leaving Lewis a devastated and broken man. A tear-jerker to end all others.
Great quote from Gresham to a stuck-up Oxford professor: “Are you trying to be offensive, or merely stupid.”
Cloverfield (2008)Hesitant about including a recent movie as I intended only to list movies that have stood the test of time, but this one really rocked me (and 9 year old son) for its sheer white-knuckle excitement. Being filmed through a handheld video camera by one of the characters, gives this monster flick much more credibility and casting unknowns adds to this non-formulaic approach.
A lot of people didn’t get it and got queasy watching it – a pity as it gave new life to this rather old subject matter. Best scene: monster rears its ugly head while the surviving characters attempt to escape Manhattan in a helicopter.
Shawshank Redemption (1994)Have watched this (long) movie many times and still not sick of it – it’s more popular now with home audiences than it was when first released. Superbly directed and acted and with a great story by Stephen King - it’s a prison movie not about doing time, but about hope and dealing with a very bad situation. "The funny thing is, on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook."
Jaws (1975)Made cinematic history as the first of the ‘summer blockbuster movies’. Directed by 28 year old Steven Spielberg, this film scared the living daylights out of a lot people, so much so that one guy died of a heart attack in an Auckland cinema during a screening.
OK, so the shark ('Bruce') isn’t real but the actors are - great performances from a young Richard Dreyfuss and veteran Robert Shaw – neither were first choices. Shaw’s USS Indianapolis monologue is particularly chilling and haunting.
Composer John Williams got an Oscar for the music – he had an easy job.
