CAST
MATHIEU AMALRIC, NEILS ARESTRUP, ANNE COSIGNY, MARIE-JOSEE CROZE, EMMANUELLE SEIGNER, MAX VON SYDOW

DIRECTED BY
JULIAN SCHNABEL

Based on the world famous memoir of the same name written by journalist Jean Dominique-Bauby (portrayed by Mathieu Amalric), The Diving Bell and the Butterfly chronicles Bauby’s physical, mental and spiritual struggles after a massive stroke left him in “Locked-In Syndrome”, a rare condition in which his body is completely paralysed save for his left eye, with which he learns to communicate with.

Under the innovative direction of artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, this incredible true story is shown through Bauby’s point of view as we the viewer intimately witness the frustrations and struggles of a man trapped in his own body.

Many emotionally packed questions and observations in regards to what constitutes life is asked throughout this incredible movie, in which the spirit and imagination of a man who defied the greatest of odds is displayed to soul stirring and thought provoking results.

CAST
BILLY BOB THORNTON, LUCAS BLACK, NATALIE CANERDAY, ROBERT DUVALL, JOHN RITTER, J.T. WALSH, DWIGHT YOAKAM

DIRECTED BY
BILLY BOB THORNTON

The film that introduced the world to the talent and legend which is Billy Bob Thornton, Sling Blade is a brilliant piece of Southern storytelling that is as captivating as it is memorable, Thornton delivering an impressive trifecta as writer, director & actor.

Indeed, Thornton’s performance as the gravelly voiced, hunched, shuffling, intellectually disabled Karl Childers (released from psychiatric care after killing his mother & her lover) is as impressive in its many subtle layers as it is in its physical mechanics. Just as impressive though is the touching albeit dark story of Karl befriending a young boy (Lucas Black) under siege by his mother’s abusive boyfriend (an excellent Dwight Yoakam).

A haunting piece of independent filmmaking centered around an extraordinary lead performance, Sling Blade still stands as Thornton’s best work some 20 years after its release.

CAST
JIM CAVIEZEL, ADRIEN BRODY, BEN CHAPLIN, ELIAS KOTEAS, NICK NOLTE, SEAN PENN

DIRECTED BY
TERRENCE MALICK

Twenty years had passed since director Terrence Malick last feature film Days of Heaven was released to now legendary status, so it was no surprise that nearly half of Hollywood -from A-list Oscar winners, to grizzled character actors, to up and coming stars in the making - clamoured to star in in the elusive filmmakers adaptation of the James Jones novel of the same name.

The end result is a beautifully shot and philosophically driven war movie that can only be described as “Malickesque”, the sensitive lyrical counter to Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan (released the same year) where the whisper of dialogue holds as much impact as a bomb shattering Earth and flesh, Malick expertly balancing the grizzly violence of war and its destructive impact on the human spirit.

CAST
RALPH FIENNES, F. MURRAY ABRAHAM, ADRIEN BRODY, WILLEM DAFOE, JEFF GOLDBLUM, JUDE LAW, EDWARD NORTON, SAOIRSE RONAN

DIRECTED BY
WES ANDERSON

With The Grand Budapest Hotel, filmmaker Wes Anderson delivered another zany, vibrant, entertaining & incredibly heartfelt slice of wonder from his off the charts imagination, meeting the challenge of following his career best work in Moonrise Kingdom.

Outside of the incredible design work & zip-zang brilliant screenplay, The Grand Budapest Hotel is that much more grand thanks to the excellent performances of its star studded cast, especially Ralph Fiennes whose turn as devoted concierge Gustave H. not only stands as one of the best turns in the esteemed thespians career, but one of the best results of a dramatic actor taking on a comedic role. 

Visually dazzling and emotionally profound, The Grand Budapest Hotel proved to be deserving of its four Oscar wins. If only the Academy could have nominated Fiennes as well.

CAST
EDWARD WOODWARD, CHRISTOPHER LEE, DIANE CILENTO, BRITT EKLAND, INGRID PITT

DIRECTED BY
ROBIN HARDY

Paganism, folk music and a gripping mystery combine in The Wicker Man, an unsettling horror musical set on an island village where straight laced police detective and Christian (Edward Woodward) investigates the disappearance of a missing girl. Instead he unravels a conspiracy and…well, you’ll have to watch to know the rest.

Directed by Robin Hardy and featuring British horror legends Christopher Lee and Ingrid Pitt in villainous roles, The Wicker Man still stands as a frightening and weird horror movie, with its image of a giant wicker man statue in flames a highlight in horror iconography.

A remake starring Nicolas Cage was released in 2006. Unless unintentional comedies is your thing, best stick to this daring, creepy and original classic.

CAST
EWAN McGREGOR, EWEN BREMMER, ROBERT CARLYLE, KELLY MACDONALD, KEVIN McKIDD, JONNY LEE MILLER

DIRECTED BY
DANNY BOYLE

On top of introducing the world to Ewan McGregor and helping form that 90s mega movement which was “Cool Britannia”, Trainspotting is a visually striking and emotionally potent portrayal about the horrors of drug abuse without coming off as preachy.

Under the direction of Danny Boyle, this adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s cult novel balances the dark with the darkly funny in its story of Renton (McGregor at his best) whose attempt to leave the Edinburgh drug scene is constantly thwarted by his drug addicted friends.

Filled with unforgettable imagery, brilliant performances and an excellent soundtrack to boot, Trainspotting deserves its reputation as being one of the great British films.  

CAST
WILLIAM H. MACY, FRANCES McDORMAND, STEVE BUSCEMI, HARVE PRESNELL, PETER STORMARE

DIRECTED BY
ETHAN COEN, JOEL COEN

The Coen brothers already had five great features to their name, yet it was Fargo that truly marked their arrivals as a powerhouse duo of quirky, brilliant storytelling.

Set in wintry Minneapolis, Fargo centres on a down on his luck car salesman (William H. Macy) whose decision to hire two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife leads to unintended violent consequences. It is up to heavily pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson to solve the case, and in that role Frances McDormand delivers a pitch perfect performance worthy of the many accolades bestowed upon her.        

In Fargo, Coen brothers Joel and Ethan delivered a film of unique tone and highest quality, blending comedy, violence and eccentric (yet never annoyingly so) characters to make for a truly memorable cinema experience.

CAST
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, MARLON BRANDO, ELEANOR COPPOLA, DENNIS HOPPER, GEORGE LUCAS, MARTIN SHEEN

DIRECTED BY
FAX BAHR, ELEANOR COPPOLA, GEORGE HICKENLOOPER

An absorbing and unflinching look into the making of Apocalypse Now, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse also chronicles the descent into madness undertook by one of cinemas great directors in Francis Ford Coppola. 

Made up of behind the scenes footage (shot by Coppola’s wife Eleanor), secretly recorded conversations, and interviews with the likes of industry legends such as George Lucas, John Milius, and Martin Sheen (among many others), the film recounts the various attempts to adapt the novel on to the silver screen and Coppola’s own maddening success in doing so.

A 238 day production shoot, erratic actors, a Philippines government at war (the film was shot in the southeast Asian country) and natural disasters all befall this legendary production which in many ways affected Coppola both as a filmmaker and as a man, with his shockingly cold reaction to a drunk and bloodied Sheen exorcising demons in front of a rolling camera, an example of a man driven to completing his magnum opus no matter the cost.

CAST
GRAHAM CHAPMAN, JOHN CLEESE, TERRY GILLIAM, ERIC IDLE, TERRY JONES, MICHAEL PALIN

DIRECTED BY
TERRY JONES

“He’s not the messiah. He’s a very naughty boy!” So is the crux of Monty Python’s controversial and hilariously funny Life of Brian, in which an average young Jewish man (Graham Chapman) is mistaken for Jesus Christ to brilliantly uproarious results.

Biting in its religious satire and on point in its political observations, Life of Brian is chock-a-block with one side splitting comedic scenario after another cementing the legendary status of the Monty Python comedy troupe, taking their sketch comedy style framework to bigger and more dangerous heights without losing any of their inherent silliness.

While the popular saying is to never talk religion or politics, Monty Python successfully took on both with Life of Brian, resulting in a film that is as piercing in its observations as it is brilliant in its execution. 

CAST
ROBERT REDFORD, EILEEN BRENNAN, CHARLES DURNING, PAUL NEWMAN, ROBERT SHAW, RAY WALSTON

DIRECTED BY
GEORGE ROY HILL

The second (and unfortunately last) on screen collaboration between dynamic duo Robert Redford and Paul Newman, The Sting is a heist film that broke and then remade the mould on how such a film should be made.

With its charming performances (Redford securing his lone acting Oscar nomination) and excellently written, twist filled script, The Sting contains the highest of stakes and an undeniable charisma resulting in as engrossing a watch as you will ever find.

Funny, thrilling, and without a boring moment throughout, this George Roy Hill directed caper tale still remains the best of its kind some 40 years after its release. Many have tried to duplicate, but none have matched the wit and entertainment which The Sting possesses.