There’s an article on the BBC site at the moment where Leonardo DiCaprio talks about films he’s watched “countless times”.
I wondered if anyone here does that? I’ve headed this “several times” because I’m not talking about the scenario where you find yourself watching a film and realise you’ve seen it before. I mean the ones where you choose to see it again, and again.
I don’t have many, but I have watched Shakespeare In Love several times because I just adore the dialogue and the way his lines are scattered among other characters, for him to incorporate in his plays later. The sophistication of the story telling relating the challenges for troops of actors at the time; the weaving of Christopher Malowe and John Webster into the story; the acting and the atmosphere; the joy of the quality of supporting ensemble and the depth of talent: Geoffrey Rush, Ben Affleck, Tom Wilkinson, Martin Clunes, Simon Callow, Colin Firth, Rupert Everett (uncredited) the list goes on and on. And of course, the best of Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow and (for brief moments) Judi Dench.
My other one, is a “guilty secret” because I know it’s a film many hate, because it doesn’t bear rational analysis: The Lake House. It’s a film I turn to for comfort, when I’m feeling down and just want to escape. Science fiction of the non-technological type has always been a favourite of mine and I have no issue at all with time slips and impossible coincidences (maybe because they’ve happened to me). I have always loved Sandra Bullock, both as a person and as an actor and it’s a film that so suits Keanu Reeves - his gentle anguish when he’s with her in the garden at the party dancing to Paul McCartney’s This Never Happened Before - just glorious (whoever chose that piece was a genius). And I am still grateful for the ending, when I need something like that in my life.
My multiple watches are All the President’s Men because I’m fascinated by the way Woodstein managed to dig out all the details even when they were being obstructed by the Nixon administration.
The Sapphires for a mostly happy film, even though a lot of it happens during the war in Vietnam. It has some great soul music and superb singing by the actresses. Chris O’Dowd is in it.
And my other feelgood film is The Holiday, Kate Winslet and Jude Law as the Brit side of it and Cameron Diaz and Jack Black as the Americans. It’s nice to think about California and sunshine, even though it’s set at Christmas.
James Cameron’s took Ridley Scott’s retro-futuristic Alien universe and turned the action up to 11. The actors portraying the USCM grunts did an excellent job of showing what the interstellar version of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children would be like. “Crayon Eaters In Space” could have been a byline for this movie.
Back at secondary school we had a film club, they would order in a film, yep real film back then. If it didn’t turn up in time we would watch the only two films the school owned, The Italian Job or on Ryan’s Express.
Our favourite film to watch over and over again is Moulin Rouge. Lost count of the times we’ve seen it.
And I know it’s not a film (although it was made into one) is Les Misérables. Every year we used to get the train to London (from Grimsby) in time for the matinee. When that had finished, we would walk to China Town, have a Chinese meal then get back to Kings Cross to catch the return train to Grimsby. All in all, a wonderful day.
Star Wars (original trilogy), Lord of the Rings, The Fifth Element and Casablanca would be in my top ten to rewatch.
Also Singing in the Rain, 2001 A Space Odyssey, Galaxy Quest, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (Mel Brooks).
Further down the list Dr. Strangelove, some of the Bond movies (with Connery), Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and once in a while classic war movies such as The Dambusters and A Bridge Too Far.
Performance - Nick Roeg/Donald Cammell [dir] Mick Jagger/Anita Pallenberg/James Fox.
I first saw it at the cimema at Catterick Camp. Lord knows why they put it on. There was a couple in the back row doing what couples in the back row do - and me, half way back, in the centre. Nobody else.
I’ve seen it in the cinema and DVD +/- 6/7 times. While waiting to go into a cinema for a late night show, one of my pals reckoned that this was his 19th time. He could recite the script. That was back in early 80’s.
It has a great sound track, including one of Ry Cooder’s best slide guitar numbers.
We have a couple of Christmas films which we watch most years - It’s A Wonderful Life and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
There are so many films that I’ll happily watch again and again, a few of my favourites - Dances With Wolves, The Fugitive, Goodfellas, The Godfather, Marvellous, When Harry Met Sally, Some Like It Hot, As Good As It’s Gets and The Family Man.
I also have my favourite actors so will watch pretty much anything they’re in, not a complete list - Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Maggie Smith, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins, Lesley Manville and Eddie Marsan.
I’ve only ever watched 3 films more than once, Godfather 1 & 2, and Life of Brian. Each time I watch them I see new angles (eg directing, acting, editing, photography) to admire in the Godfather duo, and new things to laugh at in LoB.
I have a few that I’ll happily rewatch - in no particular order:
2001
This is Spinal Tap
Most of the Python films except The Meaning Of Life and Life of Brian.
First 3 star wars.
Sky captain and the world of tomorrow
Mars attacks
Robots (the childrens film)
The Incredibles.
Blazing Saddles
Total Recall
The hitch hikers guide to the galaxy
Zardoz (a great antidote to Sean Connery’s pretentious attitude).
