August 28th 1987.
It's a date that in some ways changed my life, as it was the day Lethal Weapon was released in the UK. As I've said before, Lethal Weapon was the film that kicked off my film going. Up till then, I have to sy I didn't go much before that. After? Well, that's a different story.
Now, nearly 30 years later, and for the 500th Blog piece, I would come up with a Top Ten list of the greatest films I've seen, but with a twist.
But first, a question. Consider the 10 films you consider the greatest you have ever seen. Got them? Now remove from that list, any film first scene at home, on TV, DVD/Blu-Ray, streaming, etc. Now, how many films are left?
Everyone has their favourites, no two lists are the same. But by taking out those you saw at home first, only counting those seen at the cinema on release, how does that affect your list? In my case, it obviously excludes films like Zulu, Singin' In The Rain, Seven Samurai, The Godfather, The Searchers, Dirty Harry to name a few of the greats I couldn't put on this list.
So you might think, well of course, you are only choosing from the last 30 years. But, you would be wrong, as of course there are some films that get re-releases, which may be ones that for whatever reason you may not have caught up with.
But before getting to the 10 in question, a few highlights.
The Exorcist III (1990)
I'm a huge horror fan. but in all the time I've been going to the cinema The Exorcist III did something no other film in all the time did, it caused genuine, terrified screaming. If you've seen the film then you know which scene caused it. If you haven't, well let's just say it's one of the best scare scenes in horror history. Many films have had audiences jumping and shrieking. But terrified screaming? Only this one.
The Exorcist III is, for me anyway, a scarier film than The Exorcist, although I would concede overall, The Exorcist is probably the better film.
Braveheart (1995)
Yes, I know the film is riddled with historical inaccuracies (the lack of a bridge at the battle of Stirling being an obvious one!), but I love this film for one reason above all, a standing ovation.
I went to a preview screening of the film. Something that was unusual at the time was the although the film ran 178 minutes, they had an intermission just after the battle of Stirling. Now, as the curtain closed, a screening full, presumably of Scots, erupted with a standing ovation! At the end, it got a second one.
It's not a surprise really, it was always going to play well in Scotland. At the time, I loved it, the epic battles, a historical film about people in Scotland kicking the English asses. What was not to love. Looked at now, if I'm honest, I don't think it deserved the Oscars it received bu I still love Mel Gibson's film. For all his personal issues, one can't help admit he is a hell of a director.
Fried Green Tomatoes At The Whistle Stop Cafe (1991)
As a film it is a good one, but for me, this film along with another, which I'll come to, are among the films that changed my cinema going. For the most part, when going I tended to stick to the big action/horror films that were released each week. The smaller, independent films I tended to ignore. But gradually, thanks to tender films like this, with four excellent female performances at its heart. Over the years, my film going has become unpredictable, from weeke to week, in part due to films like this.
Hawks (1988)
Hawks it would seem is a forgotten film these days. A film about cancer patients escaping their hospital for one final trip is touching and powerful. It stars Timothy Dalton and Anthony Edwards.
It's wonderful.
But this is a film that is memorable for another reason. This was the first film I saw, where I had the screen to myself, in what I now call private screenings. It's happened many times over the years, but this one was the first.
It was also the film that, along with others like Fried Green Tomatoes, pushed me to move from my film comfort zone and look out smaller, potentially more interesting films.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
I suppose like many, I wondered if they would ever make The Lord Of The Rings into a film. When it was announced that Peter Jackson was going to make a trilogy of films, I will admit I had doubts. While a fan of his work up till then, in truth I didn't see anything there that would make Jackson a good choice for the project.
Then I went to a screening of a horror film called Lost Souls. The film itself was unmemorable, but before it began, there was an early teaser for The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. It was truly impressive and any doubts I had disappeared that day.
Seeing the films on screen was truly stunning indeed and the pay-off in The Return Of The King was emotional to say the least.
There have been other films over that time that stand out, but I want to relate a little story first, before I get to the list.
The Mysterious Case Of The Cappuccino
Because I go often to the cinema, usually a couple of times each week, I have gotten to know some of the staff at the various cinemas I've visited over the years, from Perth Playhouse, to the Odeon the Virgin and UGC now the Cineworld I frequent most and Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA).
Over the years, I've spend hours talking (annoying them!) with film related discussions.
However, one thing that hasn't really changed over the years is my love of coffee. At one point due to a phase I was going through, I tended to have a cappuccino, getting dubbed, obviously, 'cappuccino man.' However this reached a point in 2007 at a screening of Fracture.
As I said, I tend to go to the late screenings, which are obviously quieter and the cinema is less busy.
However with Fracture, I had to go to the earlier screening, due to having something on the next day. So, I arrive at a busy time, getting my ticket and seeing I still had a bit of time before the screening headed to the bar for a coffee.
And here is where it gets strange as despite being busy and despite no-one knowing I was coming to that screening, sitting at the bar waiting for me was a made cappuccino.
How did they know?? To this day they've never giving me an answer to this. My thoughts? Magic!
Anyway, to the list.
Ten Best Films First Seen At The Cinema
There was one simple rule as mentioned when compiling this list. Every film on it had to have been first seen at the cinema. Anything seen in a re-release of a film would not count, if already seen on TV or any other format.
It's not been an easy list to compile, when you consider the number of films that have been released in this period. When you consider the list has no Scorsese, Spielberg, Nolan, Coen Brothers to name several important directors.
So, who made the grade? Well, here we go, in no particular order
Let The Right One In (2009)
I adore this film. It's a stunning film, part horror, part fairytale. With two excellent performances at its heart and with tender direction from Tomas Alfredson, this is one of the best films of the century so far.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
I'm not an Oscars fan, or awards shows in general. When asked why, L.A. Confidential is one of the reasons why. It was a film that was up against Titanic at the awards and lost out to it. It was clear at the time and still is now, that this is the better film. With great performances from its cast, the complex story plays out well right up to the tense hotel showdown. It's a wonderful film.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
There have been many, many film adaptations of the work of Stephen King. Probably the best at it is Frank Darabont. He made The Mist, a stunning horror film, the powerful The Green Mile and best of all, The Shawshank Redemption. A story of hope set in a prison, it was a film that hooks you from the beginning and builds to an emotional ending that softens the heart of even the hardest of men.
It's a film that never made its mark at the box office, but over the years, like another film on this list has become on of the great films. Personally, I think it is a classic.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
You might think it's cheating including films already regarded as a classic made before 1987 on this list. But remember, these are films I first saw in the cinema and to my shame and/or embarrassment I never actually saw this film until a few years ago at a screening at the DCA.
Regarded as a bit of a flop at the time of its release, It's reputation over the years has grown into a beloved Christmas classic. Probably the greatest film fairytale ever made.
The Night Of The Hunter (1955)
Actually, this could be the greatest fairytale film ever made. A tale of good and evil it was the only film ever directed by Charles Laughton, Unfairly derided upon its release, it's poor reception put off Laughton from ever directing again. Featuring probably Robert Mitchum's best performance, I first saw it a couple of years back and fell in love with it. Seeing it again recently, only reinforced that.
Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)
Peter Weir is one of the best and in some ways underrated directors working today. I think the underrated aspect is because he chooses his projects carefully, taking his time between each film. He's made some great films over the years, Gallipoli, Picnic At Hanging Rock, Witness, The Truman Show and the almost forgotten Fearless to name a few. But Master And Commander is probably his masterpiece. Featuring Russell Crowe's finest performance, better than his Oscar winning turn in Gladiator, Master And Commander was the best film released in that year. Had it come out any other year, it would have swept the Oscars board.
Unfortunately, that was the year the Oscars all went to The Return Of The King. Jackson's film was being rewarded for the trilogy I feel, not the film, which while great, is not as good as Master And Commander.
Another reason why I'm not an Oscars fan.
Almost Famous (2000)
This film might be a more nostalgic, innocent look at the rock music scene of the 70's, but I love this film. It's funny, charming, brilliantly acted and directed. Cameron Crowe may not have made anything as good as this since, but it's the sort of film that maybe a few years before I might have avoided, but thanks to my own attitude to film changing, one I did not.
I love it.
Battle Royale (2000)
I saw Battle Royale at a midweek screening at the DCA. It was the first film I saw there. Boy, was it a bolt from the blue. I hadn't looked at the trailer so went in knowing it was controversial but knew little else. Blimey did I come out of there stunned and reeling. The violence was brutal, the idea certainly controversial, but above all was the the surprising heart at the centre of the film. The tagline, 'Could You Kill Your Best Friend?' really hits you was you watch these teens trying to decide what to do when they have such limited time, do they kill or not?
Very well directed and acted, it's a powerful film indeed. It's certainly been influential, The Hunger Games certainly owes it a debt as does the recent film, The Belko Experiment.
Unforgiven (1992)
Clint Eastwood may have made his name as an actor, but it's his reputation as a damn good director that has overtaken that. He's directed some great films, from The Outlaw Josey Wales, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Mystic River to name a few. But in the genre where he made his name, the western, he made his masterpiece. Unforgiven is almost a deconstruction of Eastwood's own legend. He's not some noble character here, he's an ageing man, his eyesight not as good as it was, never shot a gun in anger in years, who goes back to his old ways for the money. With some brutal violence, deaths that are not stylised or over the top, it reigns in some excesses some films have. Even the one big set-piece shootout, isn't as straight up as you would expect. With a fine supporting cast, including an Oscar winning turn from Gene Hackman, Unforgiven won Eastwood his first directing Oscar and also best film.
His performance was so good, it should have won best actor too.
Ran (1985)
Dundead 2016.
I'd booked my tickets, had everything organised...then discovered there was a screening of Ran taking place on the final day of the festival. Finding out I would be able to squeeze it in before the Dundead films began, I got my ticket to what would be a sell out screening.
The 10 films list here are in no particular order. However, if they had been, Ran would have been number 1. Again, this is seeing these films for the first time on the big screen.
Akira Kurosawa is rightly regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers ever and his film Seven Samurai is regarded as one of the greatest ever made. I've only ever seen it on DVD, so of course it can't make this list. But, having seen Ran this way and I admit it might be skewering my thinking, but I think Ran might be even better.
Based in part on Shakespeare's King Lear, Kurosawa's film is staggering one. the stunning score and sound, the use of locations and colour and the performances make it a feast for the eyes and ears and the story tears up your heart at times.
Kurosawa was 75 when the film was released. Yet Ran has the feel of a film made by a much younger director. I had the same feeling with George Miller and Mad Max Fury Road incidentally.
It's an astonishing film, certainly one of the best films ever made, possibly in my opinion the greatest film I've seen.
After the screening, the Dundead films began with a screening of fantasy film, Krull. It wasn't quite as good.
And so, there you are, from all the films I have seen at the cinema since that fateful day in August in 1987, the ten films that I think are the best. You might think it's a cheat including re-releases, but they were first watches so do fit the criteria.
I love going to the cinema. I love Dundead which I've been going to the past few years. I loved FrightFest in Glasgow. I love travelling to other cities, to other cinemas to see films not showing locally.
But mostly I just love the magic of film.
Here's to the next 30 years!
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