9 Jan 2011

Hiding the crazy - my top 10 favourite cult movies

So cult movies - to be more specific - my top 10 cult movies. In case you've forgotten - and for newbies to the blog - every weekend I try to do a top 10 of something, anything really. I love top 10 lists, if you're interested, here is my original blog post about them  Sunday-List Day


Before we start, I just want to point out that the movies on this list are in no way intended to be a) an exhaustive list b)actual cult films (eg Pulp Fiction). The films on this list are a little funny or quirky or scary or inspiring or just plain different and original. You may have seen most of them, or some, or none even, but I hope you spot one that appeals, and if not let me know what you think of my list!


1) Juno - okay so not a hugely original choice *but* this film is just so endearing and funny. Ellen Paige + Michael Cera make a great teenage couple surprised by pregnancy with some star turns from Jennifer Garner + Jason Bateman. For me, the best thing about the movie - aside from the fabulous acting + witty, wry script is the fucking awesome soundtrack. A real rom-com with a difference, this is one for a chilled out evening on the sofa.


2) Sunshine - an awesome and beautiful short sci-fi film from Danny Boyle + Alex Garland. Starring the hottie that is Cillian Murphy, this film, with its beautiful cinematography and pared down script completely won me over. Set on aspacecraft with a lethal mission to save the earth from the sun, this plot of this film unfolds with grace and elegance. Even if you don't like sci-fi the simple beauty of this film should appeal. PS great soundtrack too, trying to get hold of it for my ipod.


3) Heathers - to be honest, I expect most readers of this blog to have seen this film. A late 80's classic starring a very young Winona Ryder + Christian Slater at his black + sarcastic finest, this tale of a girl's revenge on the popular girls at school takes the Carrie treatment to a whole other level. Worth watching on those days when the whole world has pissed you off and you want to do more than just flip'em the birdie. Also love the fabulously bad 80's outfits and decor. 

4) Picnic At Hanging Rock now, I don't often meet someone who's seen this film. Made by Peter Weir in in 1975, plot is set at the turn of the century + revolves around a group of schoolgirls on a trip to a mysterious rock formation in the Australian outback. What really gives this film an edge is its eerie setting + soundtrack as well as the spookily unresolved ending. Definitely one that'll give you goose bumps.


5) The Descent - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh is all I can say about this one. If you don't like caving, claustrophobia, the dark or creepy underground scary things that want to kill you, then you probably won't like this film. If you want a great, non-cheesy horror film with a difference (all female cast) and without horribly overdone special FX this film is for you. Prepare for the terror to be ramped up very slowly to give you some serious jumps!


6) Ghost World a special little quirky one, based on the graphic novel of the same name, this oddball movie stars social outcasts Thora Birch+a very young Scarlett Johansson over one summer after they graduate from high school.  Getting up to various schemes + adventures (involving the ever fabulous Steve Buscemi) this low-fi film is perfect for a chilled out sunday or saturday or anytime really viewing. Prepare to relax+be amused.


7) The Watchmen A complete classic and also one I suspect most of you have seen. I guess in layman's terms this is X-Men with intellect, The Watchmen is adapted from the comic book of the same name. Set in an alternative 1985 with the cold war alive + well, a bunch of retired vigilantes begin to wonder why someone seems to have a rather nasty vendetta against them. Just amazing - script, cinematography, acting + soundtrack. If you like graphic novel adaptations (cf Sin City, V for Vendetta) you'll love the style on this one! Be warned, you need to stay awake + alert to follow the plot + slick lines.


8) 500 Days of Summer Aside from the fact that Zooey Deschanel is just so divine (also looks like my best bud!) this movie is a rom-com (yes that word again) that guys will like too. In fact this is one of the best first date movies ever, no sick bags required. Again with the low-fi this funny stylish little film gets right to heart of the eternal boymeetsgirlwhataboutthehappyeveryafter dilemma. Also worth seeing for Ms Deschanel's fabulous karaoke turn "sugar town...."


9) Eastern Promises A slick stylish gangster movie with a twist, this David Cronenberg thriller stars Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel + Naomi Watts. Not for the faint hearted this film takes the viewer on an unflinching ride through the Russian mafia underworld, sex trafficking + the life of a Russian career criminal. With very strong scenes of (sexual) violence and excellent 'method' acting, this film is eye-opening and thought-provoking. Definitely worth watching if you also liked A History of Violence.


10) The Waitress and to finish, a little oddball comedy about a waitress in a small town trapped in a loveless marriage who begins a rather unlikely affair with her GP (played by Nathan Fillion cf Serenity). After falling pregnant to her abusive husband, she begins a diary documenting her life and her feelings about her baby. Constantly saving to escape, she enters a local pie-making competition and....well you'll have to watch the film for that. A lovely film without a cliched ending, this one will make you smile ruefully.


So that's it, that's my list. A little comedy, a little horror, a little art and a classic. There were so many other films I wanted to put on here - Eden Lake, Ma Vie En Rose, The Heartbreaker, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Strictly Ballroom, The Good Girl, American Psycho, Nick+Nora's Infinite Playlist..... All fabulous films and also worth seeing.


Love to know your thoughts on the list - please argue with me - and if I've inspired you to watch any of these! 


Thank you + good night


Stupidgirl has left the building


PS Thanks for all your amazing comments on my last post, I was so overwhelmed by these, really. I may post a little snippet or some more plot clues next month so do stay tuned!

8 comments:

  1. Am ashamed to admit that I haven't seen most of these. I so will now! Thanks for your eloquent suggestions.

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  2. I've only seen two of these, I think. But I loved them, so I'm definitely going to check out the rest. Except the horror. I don't do horror!

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  3. Now I have a good list to work from....thanks for the recommendations (finally joined netflix and need to start requesting movies).

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  4. Glad you liked the list and thanks for taking the time comment! Please come back and let me know which ones you watched and if you loved/hated/were ambivalent about them.

    Also recommend me some movies

    SG45 x

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  5. Great list! I haven't seen Watchmen or Ghost world, will have to check them out. Heartily endorse Waitress - did you know the woman who mad it was murdered (unrelated) soon after it was finished? Big shame, it was such a sweet film. A fave I'd add is Little Miss Sunshine: I plan to be like Grandad when I get old. Also most Coen bros films

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  6. I really need to see Little Miss Sunshine, I know I'd love it. I heard about the woman who made Waitress dying, very tragic - she even has a cameo in the movie and the little girl who plays the daughter is actually her daughter. Glad you liked the list + let me know what you think of Ghost World/The Watchmen if you see them!

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  7. I loved 500 Days of Summer. Also like Juno and Heathers, haven't seen the rest on your list. I'm surprised to find someone else has seen Ma Vie En Rose (the one about the boy who wants to be a girl, right, not the Edith Piaf one?), but I'm a big fan of that too.

    Caroline

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  8. Yup that's the one caroline, I loved it - so touching and made me cry, definitely worth watching. xx

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