5 Classic Movies
It seems unnecessary to point out but most people have a lot of time on their hands currently, even if mostly involuntarily. It leaves many to wade through the depths of Netflix, Amazon Prime and various other streaming services that are cropping up left and right. So I have taken it upon myself, a self-certified movie-expert™(read second-year film student) to make some suggestions if you don't want to spend hours on *ahem* less-qualitative content. Although of course, there's nothing wrong with enjoying ""trashy"" or guilty pleasure Film and TV and I certainly wouldn't want to put anyone down for their choices since I enjoy them too. But if you're looking for an alternative, here they are:
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Action Adventure Movie
It was also one of the first buddy movies so if you've been watching Men in Black, Shaun of the Dead or Superbad on repeat, how about the one that started it all with the iconic duo that was Robert Redford and Paul Newman? Fun fact, the screenplay was written by William Golden who also wrote The Princess Bride. While both are quite different films, there are parallels in terms of genre and since The Princess Bride is a more recent classic, chances are you've seen it, so let that be an argument for Butch and the Sundance Kid. (Also, if you don't want to know the end don't look it up the history beforehand.)
Alfie
film noir psychological thriller
Yes, we all know the iconic Psycho scene but Hitchcock has so many masterpieces under his belt that I would like to turn your attention to a different one. Doesn't hurt that I wrote a whole essay on the film music (which is absolutely beautiful by the way), comparing it with the score of Inception. While I usually associate at least more recent thrillers with being grim, dark and intense, Vertigo isn't necessarily that. It has a beautiful warm colour palette most of the time (my professor literally had a screenshot of one of the scenes as his desktop background), whenever Madeleine appears one can hear Bernard Hermann's theme in, partly at least a major key (considered to be 'warmer' than minor keys) and in general there are many light moments as well. It's a profound story of love and obsession but still not hard work to watch. Also, it's got James Stewart. I mean.
Singin' in the Rain
form of escapism but also pose questions and criticisms, "interweaving familiar themes regarding the difference between appearance and reality, and implicitly noting the important roles that fantasy, celebrity, and generalized glitter— the mythology of Hollywood— played in America’s response to the Great Depression."(Raymond, 2009). It's a bit of history and although through the Hollywood lense, it's just such a joy.
I wouldn't be a basic white girl™ if I didn't mention at least one film with Audrey Hepburn. Also, since travelling to different countries seems like of a different time right now, maybe living vicariously through her and Gregory Peck exploring Rome could be at least a little comfort. Audrey Hepburn's most iconic film might be Breakfast at Tiffany's but this was her first major role and she won an Oscar for this one (and I know, I know the Oscars shouldn't be the standard for what is considered 'good' but sometimes they're still justified.) And it's just such a good film. It's funny and romantic and beautiful, Rome becoming, as they say, its own character. We get some coming of age vibes, "a heroine attempting to free herself from external oppression in order to find her own voice" (Sinyard, 2013) which has proven to be a timeless classic.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Action Adventure Movie
Inspired by the real Butch Cassidy and Harry Longabaugh and adding the usual cinematic flourishes, this film is an action-adventure film that treads the line between playful humour with occasional serious undertones. It's difficult to pin down on a specific genre, as Alfonso and Frago put it
"Despite being set in the Wild West, it was not a classic western. It combined action with comedy, featured a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and its characters behaved like urban youngsters of the time" (2014).
Alfie
romantic Comedy-Drama
aka the original cockney playa. Michael Caine, being arguably one of the greatest English actors, seemed to have a bit of phase playing "antisocial males" in the late sixties. I love the fourth wall breaking, almost creating a dialogue between Alfie and the viewer who is perhaps not asked to condone his actions but understand and perhaps ironically even empathise. In these dialogues, he is also seen to question his own behaviour which, ya know, we appreciate.
aka the original cockney playa. Michael Caine, being arguably one of the greatest English actors, seemed to have a bit of phase playing "antisocial males" in the late sixties. I love the fourth wall breaking, almost creating a dialogue between Alfie and the viewer who is perhaps not asked to condone his actions but understand and perhaps ironically even empathise. In these dialogues, he is also seen to question his own behaviour which, ya know, we appreciate.
Vertigo
film noir psychological thrillerYes, we all know the iconic Psycho scene but Hitchcock has so many masterpieces under his belt that I would like to turn your attention to a different one. Doesn't hurt that I wrote a whole essay on the film music (which is absolutely beautiful by the way), comparing it with the score of Inception. While I usually associate at least more recent thrillers with being grim, dark and intense, Vertigo isn't necessarily that. It has a beautiful warm colour palette most of the time (my professor literally had a screenshot of one of the scenes as his desktop background), whenever Madeleine appears one can hear Bernard Hermann's theme in, partly at least a major key (considered to be 'warmer' than minor keys) and in general there are many light moments as well. It's a profound story of love and obsession but still not hard work to watch. Also, it's got James Stewart. I mean.
Singin' in the Rain
musical romantic comedy
Now for something lighter. I do love a good musical and a bit of meta film about the film [industry], specifically the first 'talkies'. It's an absolute pleasure to watch. Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly are sublime. Most people will perhaps have heard about the namesake song but Moses supposes, All I Do Is Dream of You and Good Morning among many more are feel-good singalong tunes. Musicals are perhaps the greatest
Now for something lighter. I do love a good musical and a bit of meta film about the film [industry], specifically the first 'talkies'. It's an absolute pleasure to watch. Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly are sublime. Most people will perhaps have heard about the namesake song but Moses supposes, All I Do Is Dream of You and Good Morning among many more are feel-good singalong tunes. Musicals are perhaps the greatest
form of escapism but also pose questions and criticisms, "interweaving familiar themes regarding the difference between appearance and reality, and implicitly noting the important roles that fantasy, celebrity, and generalized glitter— the mythology of Hollywood— played in America’s response to the Great Depression."(Raymond, 2009). It's a bit of history and although through the Hollywood lense, it's just such a joy.Roman Holiday
romantic comedy
I wouldn't be a basic white girl™ if I didn't mention at least one film with Audrey Hepburn. Also, since travelling to different countries seems like of a different time right now, maybe living vicariously through her and Gregory Peck exploring Rome could be at least a little comfort. Audrey Hepburn's most iconic film might be Breakfast at Tiffany's but this was her first major role and she won an Oscar for this one (and I know, I know the Oscars shouldn't be the standard for what is considered 'good' but sometimes they're still justified.) And it's just such a good film. It's funny and romantic and beautiful, Rome becoming, as they say, its own character. We get some coming of age vibes, "a heroine attempting to free herself from external oppression in order to find her own voice" (Sinyard, 2013) which has proven to be a timeless classic.I hope you could find perhaps another film to add to your evergrowing watch list and might even get round to actually watching.
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