Influential films

Over on the dear old social place called Facebook I was challenged to post 10 films that influenced me. There was the proviso that they are films that are “still in rotation”, which I took to mean that I still watch them (or have watched them multiple times. This was the bit that made it a challenge, but also does push some other out of the way.

The Fifth Element (1997)

This was one of the first films where I saw, and really appreciated, the art of editing: Sentences started by one character seemingly finished by another in a different location (and also avoiding swearing).

Also the costume design by Jean-Paul Gaultier are amazing, and the soundtrack is awesome (and I still regularly listen to it.

Tron (1982).

This was one of the earliest films I really remember, and I was taken to see it by my Uncle in Aylesbury. It was one of the earliest CGI films and was just completely wonderful. I also love the more recent Tron: Legacy

The Matrix (1999)

The special effects of Bullet Time were really quite amazing and I remember walking out of the cinema in Walthamstow and really not knowing what my mind actually knew.

This, along with the Fifth Element, became an almost weekly watch for quite some time. The follow up films are fun, but not quite as influential as this one.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and Return of the King (2003),

The books by Tolkien are some of these most beloved books I have and have been read soooo many times. I have also been a real fan of the artwork of John Howe and Alan Lee and to see this all being brought to the screen in such vivid and wonderful detail frequently brought tears to my eyes (and still does). The soundtrack is also one of my all time favourites.

My only issue: THERE WAS ONLY ONE ELF AT HELMSDEEP (Legolas) and that shield/surfboard thing.

Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983),

These films really set me up as a Science Fiction fan, and they were something that I completely obsessed over. I was too young to see the first one at the cinema first time around, but I have a distinct memory of seeing it back to back with Empire Strikes Back when that came out.

I am enjoying the follow up films, although I think Episodes 1-3 were a little dark for children’s films, whereas the newer ones are fun.  I am not an obsessive fan and so I just enjoy each one (and the stand alone films too)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Not a well known film, but a wonderful musical tale of a Trans woman from Berlin with a botched op (hence the title) and her band’s tour around America.

Another killer soundtrack that gets played a lot at home (so no one can hear me sing along)

Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992).

These films introduced me Tim Burton and his idiosyncratic film style.  I totally loved the art of these films, and the set design.  Michelle Pfeiffer was perfect as Catwoman and she rules any scene she’s in.

I do also adore the recent Christopher Nolan/Christian Bale Batman Begins/Dark Knight/Dark Knight Rises trilogy, but these two (not the follow ups) made me love Comic book films.

Aladdin (1992)

A Disney film that made such an impact on me. I have to include a Disney film, as they are soooooo influential on everything.  I love the Jungle Book, but Aladdin was just one I fell for.

Robin Williams as the Genie was genius, and the songs are just fantastic.  I’m not sure about having this remade as a live-action version.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

When I went to the cinema I had no idea what I was going to see, but I was completely blown away by it and became slightly obsessed with it.

The soundtrack is one I will only use at home as I do break out singing (not well) and it’s a great one for painting the walls to.  I still get a complete thrill when Roxanne starts…

Inception (2010)

So I have to include at least one film by Christopher Nolan (and I’d completely forgotten about Memento) and the Batman trilogy were more influenced by Batman/Batman Returns… So Inception was one of the first that I could use, or it could have been Interstellar.

I also love to have my mind turned and twisted so it keeps it going.

Films that weren’t included

Films I could have included if it was 20 influential films:

1. Aliens – I do like the original, but this was the first I saw of this series, and Sigourney Weaver is amazing.  I also love Aliens 3 (controversial)
2. Wall-E – Just amazing, and recognising Pixar. It could have been the Incredibles too…
3. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. – Just wonderful, made me love Hugo Weaving and want to wear fabulous frocks.
4. Spirited Away – The animations of Studio Ghibli are amaxing, and this was my introduction to them.
5. Cabaret – the songs really are amazing and the choreography is wonderful.
6. Hero/House of Flying Daggers – the beauty of Wu-Shu films, particularly Hero as it uses the colour palettes to show we’re seeing different stories of the same thing.
7. Bent – A disturbing,  but small film looking at the horrors of the concentration camps.
8. Dune – Another influential Sci-Fi film, not the greatest, but influential.

Films that didn’t quite make the grade (because I only want to see them once):

1. Schindler’s List
2. Silence of the Lambs
3. The Godfather (parts 1-3)
4. Se7en
5. Bowling for Columbine