Starring: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan Director: Michael Curtiz Rocky (Cagney) and Jerry (O'Brien) grow up in the same neighborhood, but as adults they are very different men. Rocky takes to a life of crime, and is the local idol of the boys in the 'hood. But Jerry has become a preacher,… Continue reading 105 Must Watch Films: Angels With Dirty Faces (1938)
Starring: Peter Weller, Judy Davis Director: David Cronenberg So, this is a film by the body horror king, David Cronenberg, starring the guy who played Robocop, and based on the writing of a book by a beat poet. It's an odd one. William S Burroughs wrote a book called Naked Lunch, and this film is… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Naked Lunch (1991)
Starring: Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire Director: Buster Keaton No Must See list would be complete without a little Buster Keaton. A master pf physical comedy, along with the much maligned Fatty Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin, he was a prolific film maker and performer in the days of silent film, and he did all his own… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Sherlock Jr (1924)
Starring: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry Director: Billy Wilder Four days in the city, in the life of an alcoholic as he tries to quit, and then tries anything to get his hands on a drink. A strong indictment of alcoholism and addiction at it's worst. Ray Birnum (Milland) is a writer living in… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: The Lost Weekend (1945)
Starring: Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden Director: Elia Kazan "I could have been a contender..." Yes, this is that movie. Brando plays Terry Molloy, a ex-prizefighter who never really made it, and who has ended up as a dock worker. But there is corruption on the docks, with the unions being run by… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: On The Waterfront (1954)
Starring: Franka Potente, Moritz Beleibtreu Director: Tom Tykwer From the opening scenes of this film, the images burst off the screen, using stylised images, mixed formats and split screens to tell the story. All eyes are on Franka Potente in this film, with her bright hair and her strong features, that make her seem both… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Run, Lola, Run (1998)
Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw Director: George Roy Hill In 1930's Chicago, a young grifter teams up with another con man to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling of the biggest confidence trick of all time against a big time gangster. The film has a playful, stylised feel, with amusing… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: The Sting (1973)
Starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia De Havilland Director: Michael Curtiz A swashbuckling romance in which a good English doctor (Flynn) is mistaken for a traitor and sold into white slavery in Jamaica. When he is bought by the beautiful daughter of a local colonel (De Havilland), his skills as a physician come to light, but as soon… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Captain Blood (1935)
Starring: Ron O'Neal, Carl Lee, Sheila Frazier Director: Gordon Parks Jr Blaxploitation films were big in the 70's, and none more so than this classic example. Priest is a smooth, well dressed cocaine dealer who realises that there's no future for him in his current life and plans one last score to end them all, so… Continue reading 105 Must Watch Films: Superfly (1972)
Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring Director: David Lynch Following a car wreck, a woman wanders lost and amnesiac until she is taken in by a friendly, aspiring actress, and they try to piece together what happened. At least, I think that's what this film is about... It's strange, dreamlike and surreal, and the ending has… Continue reading 105 Must See Films: Mulholland Drive (2001)
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