I finished my fixed-term contract for my first job back in January. Being unemployed — apart from going to the gym and the daily boring-ass quest for another job, I had to do something worthwhile with all this free time.
And there was a lot of free time.
Having had enough of reading and quitting Tiktok ages ago — I had to choose something that I could use as a downtime — instead of the usual videogames.
What about movies?
I have always been a fan of a good movie — from Forrest Gump to North by Northwest — I had watched a few of those ‘classics’ in my past. But I knew there were many more I had yet to discover.
I have never been a Marvel fan, or any superhero type of movie.
I am a Bond fan instead. I have watched all the 25 official Bond movies recently. So yeah, not much of an improvement on Marvel films, but then at least 007 is actually believable. Somewhat.
Having enjoyed going to the cinema and watching movies in general (who doesn’t), I thought it was time to expand my collection — and actually, watch something apart from James Bond and The Inbetweeners Movie for once.
So I decided to watch some of the greatest films ever made.
Well, a selection from IMDBs top 250 movies.
Buying around 20 to 30 DVDs, and watching a few on Netflix (there is actually a good selection on there) I watched a range of these supposedly good movies.
From The Godfather (1972) to 12 Angry Men (1957) to Taxi Driver (1976) to The Dark Knight (2008), and various other movies, I got through a movie every day.
The main thing I learnt was that a movie can be good, but not a movie you would want to see again. I would say this in regard to The Godfather — the length of this movie is almost a whole day worth.
And, Taxi Driver, although a great movie in every aspect (personally I would have it higher up the list on IMDB) it is a pretty messed up movie at the end of the day.
And don’t get me started on why Batman is in 3rd place on that leaderboard.
Anyways, here is the top 5 movies I have ever watched. These include some of those IMDB movies I watched over this period, but also some that I have loved since I was younger.
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
This was that first movie which I got hooked on. I think I was 16, just finished GCSEs and had the whole 2 month summer to enjoy. Times were good back then.
Ferris Bueller is just an awesome movie. Anyone I know who has watched it says the same.
The synopsis is basically this: Ferris, a High School Senior, has a day off school. He bunks it.
He brings his girlfriend along, and his friend Cameron. He drives a Ferrari and chills in Chicago for the day.
Ferris is the type of person everyone should be, but everyone else is like Cameron. Cameron thinks he is a loser, so he is one. Ferris thinks he is the boss, so he is one. Everyone loves Ferris… apart from the dean of students at the school he goes to.
This movie told me how arrogance isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, a bit of self-respect and arrogance is what most people need. It is just that these days there are people with far too much of it, and people with far too little. And I don’t know which is worse.
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Age rating: 15
Quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Times watched: 10+
2. Rear Window (1954)
A man peeps out of his apartment window overlooking some other flats. He sees some pretty suspicious behaviour.
A Hitchcock film, and one of my favourites, probably the film with the most suspense I have ever watched. Definitely recommend.
IMDB rating: 8.5/10 (#49 out of 250)
Age rating: PG
Quote: Can’t remember one.
Times watched: Once, when it was shown on TV.
3. Scarface (1982)
After watching The Godfather, I was impressed by Al Pacino in his role of Michael Corleone that I thought I would follow him in his role of Tony Montana in the gangster film Scarface.
I just prefer this movie to The Godfather. I find it more entertaining and just generally better. I know this might get some backlash.
Set in Miami, shows the story of just an innocent Cuban migrant who wants the American Dream and the problems he faces in the process.
With some gory and pretty messed up scenes, the last hour of it is very intense.
3 hours long, although same length as the Godfather, I would happily watch again and it certainly didn't feel like an eternity to watch.
IMDB rating: 8.2/10 (#106 out of 250)
Age rating: 18
Quote: “Every dog has its day”
Times watched: Seen it once fully on Netflix, seen various clips of it on Youtube.
4. Dr No (1962)
The first James Bond film and the best, in my opinion.
No weird gadgets, an awesome plot and the best looking Bond woman — I feel like this is the most accurate interpretation of the Bond books by Ian Fleming. This was back when he was a secret agent, not a superhero.
IMDB rating: 7.2/10
Age rating: PG
Quote: “ That’s a Smith & Wesson and you’ve had your six”
Times watched: At least three times.
5. Whiplash (2014)
I saw this movie because it was recommended on my Netflix. Miles Teller (actor) was in that War Dogs (2016) film which I enjoyed so I thought I would give this one a try.
At first I thought it wasn't my cup of tea to be honest. I’ve never been a musical orchestra kind of guy. I played trumpet as a kid but I didn't even make it to Grade 1 stage.
Oh how I was wrong.
This movie is awesome. I don’t know how to describe it. Nothing I have ever seen before.
Never before have I ever been so captivated by someone playing drums. Seriously.
Had to watch it twice in a row. Excellent movie.
IMDB rating: 8.5/10 (#43 out of 250)
Age rating: 15
Quote: “Nieman, you earned the part. Alternates, will you clean the blood off my drum set?”
Times watched: Twice.
