Friday 31 August 2012

Kyle's List...

And now to finish off we have K Bargie's Top 10 Films list.  You can follow him direct on Twitter (@k_bargie).  He's regularly getting reviews publish thanks to www.whitecoffeemagazine.com and has articles published on www.staticmass.net.  Enjoy the list!

10. Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935)
I was introduced to the classic horror films of the '30s by my grandparents and they've stuck with me ever since I was little.  I loved Frankenstein (James Whale, 1931) but every time I watch this superior sequel I get more from it.  Expertly directed, acted and the score is one of the best ever recorded.  A true gem and prime example of the genius of cinema.

9. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)
This terrified me when I first saw.  The special effects were so gruesome that I just couldn't shake the visceral impact it had on me.  The more I watched it the more I got from the fantastic performances, the solid script and the flawless direction.  I think I embraced this more because it was reviled at the time of its release.  Carpenter considers this as his greatest filmmaking effort.  He's not wrong.  It is one of the greatest films ever made.

8. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (David Lynch, 1992)
Huge fan of the show and when I got round to watching the film I was stumped.  It is an enigmatic work, almost as mysterious as Eraserhead (David Lynch, 1977) which I will admit to being a better film.  However, every time I watch this I'm fascinated by it.  I'm repulsed, humoured and most of all mystified.  It is Lynch's most imaginative work.  He blends different worlds, planes of existence to show the dark, troubling tale of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) as she battles her demons, both internal and literal in the form of BOB (Frank Silva), one of cinema's truly underrated villains.  A flawed but deeply interesting film.

7. Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)
A beautiful, gothic masterpiece.  Toro hit all the right notes that he's been exploring over his career and developed them into his greatest work.  A devastating portrait of a troubled girl's imagination.  Set during the Spanish Civil War, Toro weaves grim reality with gorgeous, imaginative sequences that are truly suspenseful to watch.

6. Goodfellas (Martin Scorsese, 1990)
Scorsese, at his peak, transformed cinema and became an influence on filmmakers for decades.  This work stands out as he began to change his style.  He's always been a referential filmmaker, particularly taking shots and techniques from European directors.  Here he blends it all, manages to break all the rules and gives us a true cinematic masterpiece.

5. Crimes and Misdemeanors (Woody Allen, 1989)
Woody Allen is one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time.  With a career spanning over 40 years, he's had his hits and misses.  I could've picked the truly hilarious and brilliant Annie Hall or the bitter-sweet Manhattan but this blends the best of his drama with his best comedy.  Martin Landau as the guilt-ridden lead is one of the greatest performances ever committed to the screen.

4. Dawn of the Dead (George A. Romero, 1978)
Night of the Living Dead is one of the greatest films ever made.  It transformed the horror genre and gave inspiration for aspiring filmmakers that they could make their own, well-made films.  How did he top it?  He made this.  A gore layered feast with social commentary that, at times is hilarious, harrowing, gruesome and playful.  It is an epic and still the greatest Zombie film ever made.

3. Magnolia (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999)
Pretentious, epic, fascinating and brilliant.  Magnolia is what Anderson considers to be his true masterpiece.  He wasn't far-off.  He managed to get everyone involved to give their absolute best.  The performances are flawless, particularly Tom Cruise.  The direction is superb, echoing Scorsese and Robert Altman.  The soundtrack is brilliant and it's one of the best scripts ever written.

2. Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch, 2001)
I'm aware I've got two Lynch films in this list but he really is one of the best directors ever.  He breaks the rules, reinvents narrative and completely reverses any expectations you have about the characters of  this film.  A deeply mysterious film where as soon as you think you've got it figured out, the rug is pulled from beneath you.  It might take me the rest of my life to figure it all out but I'm going to keep watching it.

1. There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007)
I haven't stopped thinking about this film since I first saw.  It is an incredible piece of work.  Anderson moved away from his multi-character narratives for something much more grander in a classical sense.  Daniel Day-Lewis playing the deeply disturbed Daniel Plainview is one of the greatest performances I have ever seen.  He's intimidating, at times over-the-top and, most of all, terrifying.  He has a true heart of darkness.  This broke all the rules.  We're given a protagonist who is more like a villain.  We've barely got anyone to root for.  Paul Dano as the greedy, demented preacher Eli Sunday holds his own.  He's just as deranged as Plainview and watching them develop a rivalry is simply superb.  The script challenges any notions of a conventional narrative and Anderson was able to create sequences, such as the now infamous 'Milkshake' scene, that is now part of popular culture.  The ending was even parodied in South Park!  A true masterpiece and my personal favourite of all-time.


Fionn Reilly's List...

For the last day of our Top 10 Films project we have (@FDReilly) Fionn Reilly's list and a short bio!  Enjoy!

Fionn Reilly is writer, musician and actor.  Keep an eye out for You, Me and the Devil Makes Three (with Declan McKay) - Coming Soon to a stage near you.  He will be on stages not-so-near you (unless you're in Continental Europe) at the end of the year with Texas Pete.  Keep an ear cocked for his in-progress radio project - more to come.  He's performing later today, so he better get some rest.  Hopefully he'll stop referring to himself in the third person.

The Aviator (Martin Scorsese, 2004) - Scorsese's biopic of Howard Hughes, his incredible successes and struggles, both public and private.

Das Boot (Wolfgang Petersen, 1981) - JΓΌrgen Prochnow gives a career defining performance as the captain.  A must-see, even if war movies don't usually interest you.

Delicatessen (Marc Caro,& Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 1991) - A delightfully dark and post-apocalyptic setting for this madcap, surreal tale.  Jeunet and Caro have created some other strange and beautiful films but I really love this one.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Joel & Ethan Coen, 2000) - The Coen brother's retelling of Homer's Odyssey, set in the Deep South, in a glorious sepia tone with an unmissable soundtrack.  Beautiful.

In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) - Far more than just a black comedy.  Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes are fantastic as always.  And so is Colin Farrell!

The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius, 2011) - A love letter to Hollywood's Golden Age.  I adore it more and more every time I watch it.

The Fall (Tarsem Singh, 2006) - One of the most visually stunning films ever made.  If you only see one film this month, see this.  The plot is quite fantastic too.

Harvey (Henry Koster, 1950) - Just watch it.  James Stewart at his finest, with a giant invisible rabbit as a co-star.

There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007) - A dark tale of greed, religion and lust for power.  Great performances from Paul Dano and Daniel Day-Lewis.  A masterpiece.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - My childhood favourite and still the benchmark for any adventure film.  Harrison Ford's finest hour.

Honourable mentions: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom & Inidana Jones and the Last Crusade (Steven Spielberg, 1984 & 1989), Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942), The Usual Suspects (Bryan Singer, 1995)


Monday 27 August 2012

Bon Voyeur's List...

Next we have @LaBonVoyuer's list, a photographer and artist, and a brief write up on her choices.  Enjoy!

I could have written about 20 lists of exceptional films based on cinematography, humour, acting skill, artistic merit, and ability to transport the viewer.  Instead I opted for films that are personal favourites.  Every film here is a masterpiece of their creators, transport the mind, and are consummate performances from the actors:

10. Hallam Foe (David Mackenzie, 2007)
9. Valmont (Milos Forman, 1989)
8. Stealing Beauty (Bernado Bertolucci, 1996)
7. Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock, 1954)
6. A Single Man (Tom Ford, 2009)
5. Kill Bill vol. 2 (Quentin Tarantino, 2004)
4. Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)
3. True Romance (Tony Scott, 1993)
2. Cat People (Jacques Tourneur, 1942)
1. The Pillow Book (Peter Greenaway, 1996)


Mark's List...

Today we have Mark Cousins, film critic and filmmaker, who has graciously donated his list.  You can follow Mark on Twitter (@markcousinsfilm) and be sure to check out his columns in Sight & Sound!  You can also catch the list as well as Mark's comments by clicking here.  Enjoy!

NOTE: The list was created alphabetically which may or may not reflect the intended chronological order.

1. The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)
2. Come and See (Elem Kilmov, 1985)
3. Distant Voices, Still Lives (Terence Davies, 1988)
4. Eureka (Nicolas Roeg, 1974)
5. The House is Black (Forough Farrokhzad, 1962)
6. The Insect Woman (Imamura Shohei, 1963)
7. Kaagaz Ke Phool (Guru Dutt, 1959)
8. La Maman et la Putain (Jean Eustache, 1973)
9. Minamata: The Victims and their World (Tsuchimoto Noriaki, 1972)
10. A Moment of Innocence (Mohsen Makhmalbaf, 1995)


Saturday 25 August 2012

Grant's List...

Today we have Grant (@grantmcdonald92), an actor and Bloodaxe supporter.  Enjoy!

10. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
9. Wayne's World (Penelope Spheeris, 1992)
8. Napoleon Dynamite (Jared Hess, 2004)
7. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004)
6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Edgar Wright, 2010)
5. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)
4. (500) Days of Summer (Marc Webb, 2009)
3. Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994)
2. Kick-Ass (Matthew Vaughn, 2010)
1. The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan, 2012)


Thursday 23 August 2012

L Bargie's List...

We have Lee (aka L Bargie) and his eclectic list.  Remember and please comment!

10. Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954)
9. Castle in the Sky (Hayao Miyazaki, 1986)
8. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)
7. The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, 1994)
6. Blazing Saddles (Mel Brooks, 1974)
5. Die hard (John McTiernan, 1988)
4. Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982)
3. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
2. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Peter Jackson, 2001)
1. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, 1980)


Tuesday 21 August 2012

Susan's List...

Today we have Susan's list, a Bloodaxe supporter.  Remember and comment on the lists as they come in.  We will be doing an overall Top 10 starting in September and we'd appreciate everyone's thoughts on the different lists.  Enjoy!

10. East is East (Damien O'Donnell, 1999)
9. Meet Me in St. Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944)
8. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, 1975)
7. National Lampoon's Animal House (John Landis, 1978)
6. Sideways (ALexander Payne, 2004)
5. Muriel's Wedding (P.J. Hogan, 1994)
4. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stephen Elliott, 1994)
3. The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972)
2. The Godfather: Part II (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974)
1. JFK (Oliver Stone, 1991)


Sunday 19 August 2012

Anne's List...

Today we have Anne, a Bloodaxe follower, and her list.  You can add her on Twitter (@momsfilms).  Enjoy!

1. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949) - This is my favourite film due to the acting of Dennis Price, Alex Guiness and Joan Greenwood.

2. The Enforcer (James Fargo, 1976) - I like any film with Clint Eastwood, but this is my favourite of him as Dirty Harry.

3. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981) - Go, Indy, Go!

4. I Know Where I'm Going! (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1945) - Poweel and Pressburger, do I need to say more?

5. All About Eve (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950) - Love the acting of Bette Davis and Anne Baxter.

6. Some Like It Hot (Bill Wilder, 1959) - For Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn.

7. Dan in Real Life (Peter Hedges, 2007) - Just love Steve Carell in this film, and it always lifts my spirits.

8. Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock, 1958) - Love any film of Hitchcock!

9. Ocean's Eleven (Steven Soderbergh, 2001) - I like most of Soderbergh's films, but I like this one due to the cracking soundtrack by David Holmes.

10. House on Haunted Hill (William Castle, 1959) - Can't beat Vincent Price in this creepy film.


Saturday 18 August 2012

Emma's List...

We now have author Emma Kathryn's video of her Top 10 Films.  Inspired by Amanda Palmer's Kick-Starter video, she takes us through her choices.  You can see Emma's blog here: Beware and follow her on Twitter (@girlofgotham).  Enjoy!


Peter's List...

Film critic Peter Bradshaw has graciously donated his Top 10 Films list to be included in this project.  You can find his reviews here and follow him on Twitter (@PeterBradshaw1).  Enjoy!

1. The Addiction (Abel Ferrara, 1994)
2. Andrei Rublev (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1966)
3. Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)
4. Black Narcissus (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, 1947)
5. Hidden (Michael Haneke, 2004)
6. I am Cuba (Mikhail Kalatozov, 1964)
7. In The Mood For Love (Wong Kar Wai, 2000)
8. Kind Hearts and Coronets (Robert Hamer, 1949)
9. Raging Bull (Martin Scorsese, 1980)
10. Singin' in the Rain (Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1951)


Thursday 16 August 2012

Steve's List...

Next up is Steve Mooring's (@SteveMooring) list.  Add comments if you agree with the list!  Enjoy!

1. Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975)
2. Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004)
3. Dawn of the Dead (George A. Romero, 1978)
4. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)
5. An American Werewolf in London (John Landis, 1981)
6. The Fifth Element (Luc Besson, 1997)
7. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Tomas Alfredson, 2011)
8. Avengers Assemble (Joss Whedon, 2012)
9. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Adam McKay, 2004)
10. 28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002)


Beardy Git's List...

Today we have @Beardy_Git's list and he'll send us hiw reasons why he chose these films shortly.  Remember and please comment on the lists you like!  Enjoy!

1. I Heart Huckabees (David O. Russell, 2004)
2. Lost in Translation (Soffia Coppola, 2003)
3. Labyrinth (Jim Henson, 1986)
4. Kill Bill (Quentin Tarantino, 2003)
5. La Vie en Rose (Olivier Dahan, 2007)
6. Wit (Mike Nichols, 2001)
7. Down by Law (Jim Jarmusch, 1986)
8. Tanguy (Etienne Chatiliez, 2001)
9. Incident at Loch Ness (Zak Penn, 2004)
10. Fearless (Ronny Yu, 2006)


Tuesday 14 August 2012

Dan's List...

We have @dankebab's list, a Bloodaxe follower, so enjoy!

10. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Michael Bay, 2011)
9. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Sergio Leone, 1966)]
8. Dunston Checks In (Ken Kwapis, 1996)
7. Highlander (Russell Mulcahy, 1986)
6. All Quiet on the Western Front (Lewis Milestone, 1930)
5. Schindler's List (Steven Spielberg, 1993)
4. Dead Snow (Tommy Wirkola, 2009)
3. The Kingdom (Peter Berg, 2007)
2. The Book of Eli (The Hughes Brothers, 2010)
1. Super Troopers (Jay Chandrasekhar, 2001)


Monday 13 August 2012

Brainehownd Films List...

We start today's list off with production company @Brainehowndfilm's list.  Enjoy!

1. The Crow (Alex Proyas, 1994)
2. Highlander (Russell Mulcahy, 1986)
3. An American Werewolf in London (John Landis, 1981)
4. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987)
5. Henry Fool (Hal Hartley, 1997)
6. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
7. Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999)
8. Chasing Amy (Kevin Smith, 1997)
9. Barton Fink (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, 1991)
10. Beetlejuice (Tim Burton, 1988)


Saturday 11 August 2012

Chris' List...

Next up is Chris (@fondawatch) and his eclectic list.  Enjoy!

1. Barbarella (1968, Roger Vadim)
2. Wall-E (2008, Andrew Stanton)
3. Girl on the Bridge (1999, Patrice Leconte)
4. Before Sunrise (1995, Richard Linklater)
5. Gattaca (1997, Andrew Niccol)
6. Magnolia (1999, P.T. Anderson)
7. The Princess and the Warrior (2000, Tom Tykwer)
8. Mulholland Dr. (2001, David Lynch)
9. Up (2009, Pete Docter & Bob Peterson)
10. Grease 2 (1982, Patricia Birch)


Nolan Zebra 3's List...

We now have the great film critic Nolan Zebra 3 (@nolanzebra3) - we're sure that's not his real name - and his great list.  Be sure to check out his blog too!  Apologies about the way these appear on screen.  We're trying to fix it.  If you can't read it, let us know and we'll send you the lists.


Right everyone is moaning aboot the #Sightsoundpoll top ten movies. It’s so subjective, are my favourite films in my top “greatest” movie list? Couple are but despite my love fir The Evil Dead, Fletch, 1969, Dirty Harry and Batman Returns  I’d struggle tae argue the case for them in a greatest film of all time list.
So at the moment here is my top ten….(liable tae change in a day or two)
THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939, Victor Fleming):
Simply a masterpiece. I could say its wonderful, but I won’t (but it is)
CASABLANCA (1942, Michael Curtiz):
Almost the perfect movie. A brilliant script, direction and great performances.
THE ODD COUPLE (1968, Gene Saks):
A work of genius. The best comedy ever! Perfect.
PANS LABYRINTH (2006, Guillermo Del Toro):
Stunning fantasy from Guillermo Del Toro. Beautiful, horrific, frightening.
THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967, Robert Aldrich):
The best “boys own” style world war two movie. Great cast, action packed. Magic.
JAWS (1975, Steven Spielberg):
The original summer blockbuster. Saw it in the cinema couple months back fir the first time. Still brilliant.
THE LADYKILLERS (1955, Alexander Mackendrick):
Ealings finest. A master class in comedy acting.
ZODIAC (2007, David Fincher):
My favourite Fincher movie. Perfectly paced, shot, acted.
GOODFELLAS (1990, Martin Scorsese):
Never mind The Godfather, this is the greatest mob movie.
STAND BY ME (1985, Rob Reiner):
Classic coming of age drama. Wonderful.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: DEAD MAN’S SHOES (2004, Shane Meadows) & THE MALTESE FALCON (1941, John Huston).
As I said its a subjective thing so I don’t expect anyone tae agree but that is part of living in a democratic society. And I’m right and you’re wrong. Cheers for reading.

Alison's List...

We start today of with Alison's list (@PhantomRogue) a filmmaker, writer, performer.  Enjoy!

1. The Others (2001, Alejandro Amenabar)
2. The Innocents (1961, Jack Clayton)
3. Summer Magic (1963, James Neilson)
4. Beauty and the Beast (1991, Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise)
5. Let the Right One In (2008, Tomas Alfredson)
6. The Lion King (1994, Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff)
7. On Moonlight Bay (1951, Roy Del Ruth)
8. The Preacher's Wife (1996, Penny Marshall)
9. The Maltese Falcon (1941, Johhn Huston)
10. Escape from Witch Mountain (1975, John Hough)

Friday 10 August 2012

Tragedienne's List...

We now have Tragedienne's (@HarleyGrimSpook) list, a writer, so enjoy!

1. SLC Punk (1998, James Merendino)
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, Henry Selick)
3. The Boondock Saints (1999, Troy Duffy)
4. The Doom Generation (1995, Greg Araki)
5. Batman Returns (1992, Tim Burton)
6. A Bug's Life (1998, John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton)
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003, Gore Verbinski)
8. Gladiator (2000, Ridley Scott)
9. Quo Vadis (1951, Mervyn LeRoy & Anthony Mann)
10. The Addams Family (1991, Barry Sonnenfeld)

Side Note: Couldn't get the Official Trailer for SLC Punk so will put up No. 2's trailer.


Alan's List...

Continuing with the lists, we have Alan's!  Enjoy and remember to comment!

1. Papillon (1973, Franklin J. Schaffner)
2. The Great Escape (1963, John Sturges)
3. As Good as it Gets (1997, James L. Brooks)
4. The Color Purple (1985, Steven Spielberg)
5. Bird on a Wire (1990, John Badham)
6. Sleepless in Seattle (1993, Nora Ephron)
7. The Man with One Red Shoe (1985, Stan Dragoti)
8. The Bucket List (2007, Rob Reiner)
9. Uncle Buck (1989, John Hughes)
10. Road House (1989, Rowdy Herrington)

Scuba's List...

We start today off with Stephen (AKA Scuba of Ferocious Bloodaxe).  Enjoy!

1. Eyes Wide Shut (1999, Stanley Kubrick)
2. Jackie Brown (1997, Quentin Tarantino)
3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998, Terry Gilliam)
4. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992, David Lynch)
5. Vanilla Sky (2001, Cameron Crowe)
6. Superman 3 (Richard Lester)
7. Sinbad (1947, Richard Wallace)
8. Strange Days (1995, Kathryn Bigelow)
9. 1941 (1979, Steven Spielberg)
10. The Mist (2007, Frank Darabont)


Thursday 9 August 2012

Joel's List...

We now have Joel Betancourt (@JoelBetancourt7), author, with his list.  Enjoy!

This is my list but they’re not in any order. I think I like them equally.

Collateral (2005, Michael Mann), for the Jungian Archetypical character exchange and the action.

Heat (1995, Michael Mann) with Pacino, De Niro, Kilmer, Portman. The cast alone rocks. Not to mention the great way they mixed action and drama together.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. (2005, Shane Black) .This is probably one of the best written movies I’ve ever seen. It always makes me laugh.

The Ring (1998, Hideo Nakata). I think this redefined what a horror film is for me.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991, Jonathan Demme). “It puts the lotion on its skin…” Enough said on that one.

Carlito’s Way (1993, Brian De Palma). Al Pacino rocks in this movie. I’d also say this is probably Brain De Palma’s best work.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994, Frank Darabont). I’ve never felt as motivated and uplifted by a film before.

El Mariachi (1992, Robert Rodriguez). Robert Rodriguez is an inspiration to any broke, struggling, minority filmmaker because of this movie.  He’s the original DIY director.

Gladiator (2000, Ridley Scott). If you have testosterone in your body, you have to love this film.

Tigerland (2000, Joel Schumacher). This is probably one of the lesser know war movies about Vietnam but I really like the Christ figure element found in this movie.


Paul's List...

Next we have Paul's list, AKA Capote from Ferocious Bloodaxe.  You can also check out his blog here.  Enjoy the list:


10)  The Monster Squad (1987, dir. Fred Dekker)
Probably more than even The Goonies, this is the film about a group of kids getting into crazy shenanigans that I love most, and is one of the longest holdovers from my childhood viewings. Kids vs. Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Creature From the Black Lagoon and Frankenstein's Monster... how can you not instantly want to see that? You add in the fact that it was written by Shane Black and has an awesomely 80s song... well, that that right there is just greatness.

9) The Flight of Dragons (1982, dir. Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., Fumihiko Takayama and Katsuhisa Yamada)
It features the voices of John Ritter, James Earl Jones and Harry Morgan; has a gorgeous theme song by Don McLean; is about dragons and knights, science and magic; is one of Hayao Miyazaki's favourite films... and I have only ever met one person who has even heard of it, let alone seen it. Another holdover from childhood, this is a gorgeous animated film that borders on the ethereal. It's also, for a kid's film, very mature, looking at things like death with a concise and steady hand. It's got it's flaws, I know, but I just wish more people saw this, and I wish it would get a goddamn DVD release. Ah well.

8) Blazing Saddles (1974, dir. Mel Brooks)
This may have been the first western I ever saw... it was either this or How the West Was Won. Regardless, this is hilarious on so many levels. It's absurd, satirical, clever, juvenile, and is just downright anarchic. And when I saw it all those years ago, I was a little young to get all the jokes that are in there, so as I got older I found more things to laugh at, and it is so endlessly quotable ("Mongo only pawn... in game of life."). Early Brooks stuff is great (like The Producers and Young Frankenstein), but this goes beyond them just for sheer scope and material. Quality.

7) The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007, dir. Andrew Dominik)
Another western, but a completely different breed. For every 30 westerns that were straight action B-movie oaters, there was probably 1 that offered something of a slower, more elegiac and wistful pace. Things like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. However, my favourite is the most recent foray, partly because I didn't think they even made them like this anymore. However, the main part is that, when I first saw this film, I wasn't sure I even liked it. I came out of the cinema still quietly mulling it all over. Three days later, I noticed I was still thinking about it. After giving it another watch, I completely fell for the film. The performances, the writing, the direction, the superb music, everything. Sure, it's a long film, but I wouldn't change a second of it.

6) Harvey (1950, dir. Henry Foster)
I first saw this film for one reason: it's my dad's favourite film. He doesn't really have particularly strong feelings one way or another about most movies. He likes some things; doesn't like others. But this, he is very clear on. I'm not even sure I know why it's his favourite film, but that's how I first saw it... and now it's one of mine. Aside from being associated with my dad in my mind, it's such a warm and sweet film and has Jimmy Stewart at his most likeable (more so than in It's A Wonderful Life, as far as I'm concerned). Sentimental reasons, I know, but that doesn't really change my feelings for it. 

5) Rope (1948, dir. Alfred Hitchcock)
Don't get me wrong, I love Vertigo and Psycho and North by Northwest and Rear Window, but Rope just beats them all, and for a few reasons. First is the film's roots as a true crime story, which I quite enjoy (for, I assure you, totally not morbid reasons). I think it's also got something to do my penchant for movies that are mostly just people talking, particularly if they're discussing the murky areas of applied morality and what it means to kill. Adding to that is Hitchcock challenging himself in his usual, more formalist approach by doing the whole film in a series of individual takes. It occasionally feels a bit stagey, but I still enjoy the hell out of it.

4) Brick (2005, dir. Rian Johnson)
I'm not really sure just how big a splash Brick really made when it landed, but I for one was very excited about it before its release. I loved the idea that someone would set a hard boiled detective noir story within a high school, because where better to explore themes of despair, isolation and shady characters than the place where almost everyone first experienced these things. It's a cracking story, handled really well and Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues to not let me down.

3) Die Hard (1988, John McTiernan)
... what do you mean "why?" It's freakin' Die Hard. It's an awesome movie. Bruce Willis at his wise-cracking best, Alan Rickman chewing scenery like a damn champion, great supporting characters, superb action and the catchphrase that beats everything Schwarzenegger has ever done. On top of that, it's a superbly tight flick, so you can learn some of the most rudimentary, but important lessons from watching it, like editing, structure and composition. However, it doesn't change the fact that it's awesome as all hell. "Yippe Ki-yay..."
*points to you to finish the line*

2) Apocalypse Now (1979, dir. Francis Ford Coppola)
Apocalypse Now is legendary in almost every respect. It's ambitious, pretentious, surreal, visceral, technically incredible, unnerving, hysterical, flawed, and batshit insane. Even the story of how it was made is a manic tale of lunacy and genius. For its time, this was filmmaking being pushed to the ragged edge, and it damn near killed several people. For that, I am utterly absorbed every time I watch it.

1) Cinema Paradiso (1988, dir. Guiseppe Tornatore)
This was the first movie that I thought of and is the one that survived every attempt to make a Top Ten. I don't think it's possible to undersell just how much I love it. It's about life, death, love regret, hopes, dreams and, of course, film. Cinema Paradiso makes film as important to its characters as it is to me and there's nothing about it I don't absolutely adore. I recently had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen and actually found it a rather painful experience, because I spent pretty much the whole film with a lump in my throat. Like I said, I love this film.



John's List...

We start today's list with John and his video.  Remember and comment if you like the list!  Enjoy:




Wednesday 8 August 2012

Fiona's List...

We now have Fiona, a Bloodaxe supporter, and her list.  Enjoy:

1. Chocolat (2000, Lasse Hallstrom)
2. Temple Grandin (2010, Mick Jackson)
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1975, Milos Forman)
4. Notting Hill (1999, Roger Michell)
5. The Help (2011, Tate Taylor)
6. Avengers Assemble (2012, Joss Whedon)
7.Stardust (2007. Matthew Vaughn)
8. Girl with the Pearl Earring (2003, Peter Webber)
9. The Commitments (1991, Alan Parker)
10. Scent of a Woman (1992, Martin Brest)


Kayleigh's List...

We now have Kayleigh's (@Miss_Kay_1987) list.  Enjoy:

1 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michel Gondry):
This film will always have a soft place in my heart. I saw this in the cinema when it just came out and I loved it beyond words. Everything about it was charming and tragic, and the concept of being trapped in your own mind chasing memories was so touching. It was also this film that made me realise that I fancy the pants off of Jim Carrey!

2 - Dancer in the Dark (2000, Lars von Trier):
When I was told Bjork was in a musical that Lars Von Trier made, I thought that it wouldn't work.
This film DESTROYED me. Never has a film reduced me to such a snivveling, crying state 'til now. It's bloody brilliant! Bjork was fantastic in it, it was beautiful and the music was suberb!

3 - The Skin I Live In (2011, Pedro Almodovar):
Although this is quite a new film, it is one of my favourites for several reasons. I've never seen a movie with such a unique plot twist, the acting is amazing and it's a visual delight! :)

4 - The Exorcist (1973, William Friedkin):
I first watched this film properly back when Channel 4 aired it to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and I was hooked on it! Guarenteed that this film will always be entertaining to watch and also give the creeps! (That face in the dream sequence still makes my blood run cold! D:)

5 - 28 Days Later (2002, Danny Boyle):
Only a few things truley terrify me. Spiders, boa consctrictors, bigger spiders and zombies.
Although there are MANY zombie films to choose from these days, 28 Days Later always makes me sit on the edge of my seat more than most. Why you ask?
It seems more realistic! Instead of having your slow moving zombies grunting and moaning for brains, these guys are infected with a virus and just have pure animalistic rage and they intend on fucking you up. Yup. That gaes me the fear. And I love it! :D

6 - William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996, Baz Lurhman):
This film amazed me when I first seen it - I was hypnotised by it! The acting, the dialogue, the music... everything about it just made me smile! (apart from the end though, it was a bit sad, y'know?) This film used to make me want to act in the theatre and it also made me go out and read Shakesphere. That and DiCaprio was a babe ;)

7 - The Land Before Time (1988, Don Bluth):
Dinosaurs. Need I say more?! This film was Bluth at his best! 
(This film still makes me all watery eyed to this date... Stupid homewrecking T-Rex...)

8 - Alien (1979, Ridley Scott):
This still terrifies me. It's a masterpiece.... A big scary masterpiece! 

9 - Meloncholia (2011, Lars von Trier):
Although this is another recent film, I can't help but give it a place in my top ten. It's absolutely beautiful!  Kirsten Dunst's acting totally blew me away as well. While visually stunning, it is also incredibly bleak, but the characters and their relationships are so interesting so you will always be mesmorised by it all. 

10 - The King & I (1956, Walter Lang):
This is purely for the nostalgia. As a child, my gran would record cartoons and films for us off the telly, so when we came to visit there would always be something to entertain us. This is one of those films that I watched over and over again whilst singing along to it (badly). I recently bought it on DVD, and when I re-watched it, I remembered the times I would watch it with my gran and I used to pretend to be Anna :) So this will be in my top ten purely for the happy memories it will always give me.


Dom's List...

Continuing with our Top Ten Films list season, we have Dom, actor from Ferocious Bloodaxe!  Here's his favourites:

1. Jaws (1975, Steven Spielberg)
2. Flash Gordon (1980, Mike Hodges)
3. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980, Irvin Kershner)
4. Pan's Labyrinth (2006, Guillermo del Toro)
5. Superman II (1980, Richard Lester)
6. Aliens (1986, James Cameron)
7. Toy Story 3 (2010, Lee Unkrich)
8. Nausica and the Valley of the Wind (1984, Hayao Miyazaki)
9. Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001, Christophe Gans)
10. The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)


Tuesday 7 August 2012

Andy's List...

And the next list Andrew Campbell (@cleansed2009) playwright, actor, director!  He's also graciously told us why, in his own words, what these films mean to him.


Alice in Wonderland (Disney, 1951, Clyde Geronimi/Wilfred Jackson/Hamilton Luske):
This was a film I remember watching and loving when I was kid.  It's anarchy amused and inspired me.  This along with Yellow Submarine hugely influenced my later love of subversion, mind altering drugs and colourful camp.

Batman: Mask of The Phantasm (1993, Eric Radomski & Bruce W. Timm):
Was bought this on VHS when I was about eight/nine for my birthday.  Watched it on a loop.  One of my friends came into the room while I was watching it and I just ignored them.  It's the first time I remember being utterly engrossed by a film.  Deeply flawed but I still love its atmosphere and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Night of The Living Dead (1968, George A. Romero):
First time I remember having my stomach-turned by a film.  I was young and channel four where having a 'controversial season'.  I stayed up late to watch this one expecting a dated old horror movie.  What I got terrified me and the ending is still totally harrowing.

Natural Born Killers (1994, Oliver Stone):
Simply put I didn't know cinema could look like this.  After seeing it I was kept up all night trying to decipher it's morality, trying to work out why and how someone could make a film like that.  Seems naive now but my head was literally buzzing, like a MDMA rush.   

Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors (1987, Chuck Russell)
One of the funniest horror movies ever! Is it cinematically important.  NO!  But it's the closest to an EC comic book come to life.  It's camp horror at its finest.  Killer televisions, giant serpents, walking skeletons, portals to hell unleashed by a topless-tounge-flicking nurse.  A thousand times yes.

Tokyo Story (1953, Yasujiro Ozu):
On the opposite end of the scale I am ashamed to say I only saw this very recently.  I don't give a rat's ass about how  'important' this film is, it is one of the most moving films ever made.  All the better for it's lack of sentimentality and slow pace. Its a movie that forces to ponder on death, and not Hollywood death, but cold, lonely and unforgiving death.  Wonderful.  

The Devils (1971, Ken Russell):
A colourful bombast. An angry and gloriously disrespectful look on religion.  It gives the Catholic church all the respect it deserves.  None.  Jesus has his wounds licked out, nuns wank off candles and the system conspires to kill an innocent man midst an outrageous camp and idiotic system ruled by idiots and psychopaths.  Organised religion has never been so honestly portrayed. 

Some Like it Hot (1959, Billy Wilder):
Nuff said.  Wonderful, funny, hilarious and best of all warm and human.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001, John Cameron Mitchell):
See above. A sympathetic look at trans people, a funny mocking of the 'rock opera' and a tragic look at the impossibility of completeness through love. 

Irreversible (2002, Gaspar Noe) :
Nihilism comes to the screen.  Unflinching in it's approach, utterly unforgettable and unapologetic.  There is no God, the universe does not care about you, and the laws of the jungle rule.  Sums it up really.  A true cinematic 'experience'.


Lynne's Top Ten...

And we continue with the list from screenwriter and film-maker Lynne Brookmire!  Thanks for submitting, Lynne!

LYNNE
1. The Breakfast Club (1985, John Hughes)
2. Kontroll (2003, Nimrod Antal)
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, Peter Jackson)
4. Red Road (2006, Andrea Arnold)
5. Rosemary's Baby (1968, Roman Polanski)
6. Willow (1988, Ron Howard)
7. Brief Encounter (1945, David Lean)
8. Tickets (2005, Abbas Kiarostami/Ken Loach/Ermanno Olmi)
9. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982, Nicholas Meyer)
10. Festival (2005, Annie Griffin)



And the Countdown Begins...

Greetings everyone!  Tonight we'll start the Greatest Films lists (according to you).  We will be putting up about 2-3 lists/videos a night, so keep them coming in.  So, to begin we have Adam of Ferocious Bloodaxe giving us his list!

ADAM
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986, John Hughes)
2. The Godfather (1972, Francis Ford Coppola)
3. Up (2009, Pete Docter, Bob Peterson)
4. There Will Be Blood (2007, P.T. Anderson)
5. No Country For Old Men (2007. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen)
6. The Godfather Part II (1974, Francis Ford Coppola)
7. Rushmore (1998, Wes Anderson)
8. Avengers Assemble (2012, Joss Whedon)
9. Mulholland Dr. (2001, David Lynch)
10. The Dark Knight (2008, Christopher Nolan)

And for Adam's number one choice, we've included the trailer:

Monday 6 August 2012

The Top Ten...


Greetings, friends.  As Sight & Sound has just recently launched their Top Ten Greatest Films list we thought we'd give it a try ourselves, asking you guys what your favourite/greatest films are.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a brilliantly made film, it's what matters to you.  Critics that contributed to the list either hated doing it and mostly kept to the generic, typical choices. Others griped about having their guilty pleasures excluded in favour of a significant contribution to cinema.  You can be as pretentious or as childish as you want as long as you can back your list up to why you've chosen these films.

To submit, you can leave your list in the comments section or send us a Direct Message (DM) on Twitter (@thebloodaxe) if you're interested and we'll send you an e-mail in which you can give us your list.  If you tweet us, make sure you include in your tweet #BloodaxeTop10.

You can either just type it up and we'll publish it here or you could do a video where you tell us why you've chosen these films and you can add clips etc.

Now, it's up to you guys.  So start watching films and send us your lists/videos!

Peace

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