These films are great, there's no denying that, but I am kind of shallow and I tend to be more drawn to those works at the slightly less 'epic' end of the movie spectrum. Therefore, the list that I've compiled below, are your more 'Sunday-afternoon-Netflix-and Chill (minus the inevitable sexy time)' type productions.
So here goes, in no particular order:
1. The Breakfast Club
I absolutely adore the Brat Pack films of the 80s (St Elmos Fire, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink etc), so much angst, so many killer power ballads, such big hair! These movies seem kind of cheesy in 2015, like a slightly more grown up Saved by the Bell when they call each other 'losers' and it's like dayum shits about to go down, but if you can get through The Breakfast Club without feeling even slightly emosh then just leave now PLZ.K.THNX.
Plus Molly Ringwald is such a babe!
Favourite Scene: Lunch time in detention
Toni Collette- nuff said really.
I love the drug- taking Grandpa and the mute older brother, I love that Steve Carell plays a suicidal, gay, scholar and somehow manages to make it funny. I love that they hide the *spoiler alert* dead Grandpa in the boot of the car and I love how they all love each other at the end in the most un-cheesy way possible.
Favourite Scene: Abigail Breslin's dance at the Pageant to Super Freak obvs
Written by Richard Curtis, the brains behind Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Four Weddings & a Funeral and Love Actually, it was inevitable that this was going to be a really decent flick but I have chosen About Time over all those other classics because it is an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. Yes we all got sad when Julia was 'just a girl, standing in front of a boy' in that crappy travel book shop or when Laura Linney couldn't continue having sexy time with that hunky, slightly foreign looking guy, from her office but nothing made me sob as much as About Time did. So cute, so funny, so sad- and the uncle is just an absolute treasure.
Favourite Scene: The Wedding
Another British film here that I don't think even made it to the cinema but it is an absolute corker in my opinion. There's Julie Walters' character who is a retired, slightly alcoholic, actress who curses lots and then there's Rupert Grint's character who is awkward, and shy but with a heart of gold. He takes a weekend job as her assistant where she helps him overcome his shyness and stand up to his bloody horrible mother, they become each others best (and only) friends and it's just all the feels.
Favourite Scene: The Camping Trip
Of course there had to be some Meryl in this list, and although many may see The Devil Wears Prada as one of her slightly more 'low brow' films, I see it as one of her best. I hate that all 'Rom- Coms' are tarnished with the stigma of being one-dimensional and without substance because Meryl's acting as Miranda Priestly is stunning and Emily Blunt is just comedy genius. I also like the pretty clothes and the New York/ Parisian backdrops because sometimes I AM one- dimensional and without substance and I'm totally cool with that.
Favourite Scene: When Miranda goes on her rant about 'stuff' to Andy
Wes Anderson fans will most likely scold me for not choosing The Royal Tenenbaums as my favourite in this list but I thought that The Grand Budapest Hotel was an absolute feast for the eyes. Very funny and slightly odd, it details the goings on at a famous hotel in the fictional town of Zubrowka in between WW1 and WW2. It has everything; thefts, chases, romance, skiing, a secret society, art, cakes, amazing facial hair and Bill Murray!
Favourite Scene: The ski chase
7. Annie Hall
I wrote a blog post earlier in the year about my love for Diane Keaton's style in Annie Hall and thankfully I am also a massive fan of the film itself too. Neurotic little Jewish man meets free- spirited, lanky female and they fall in love and they live in New York in the 1970s and play tennis and drink red wine and it's just a treat.
Favourite Scene: The Lobster scene
A great story about following your dreams and living life to your own rules, set to a stunning back drop of the Alaskan wilderness and there's some great acting by Emile Hirsch, this film will make you want to go and explore the world. Although there are some heartbreaking moments throughout (the scene where his dad sits on the floor and is crying in the street makes me weep), its definitely an inspiring film, great to watch when you need some motivation to get shit done.
Favourite Scene: Salvation Mountain
Similar to when Rom-Coms get a bad rep, I get a little bit pissy when comedies are never held in as high esteem as the more big budget productions. I can't comprehend why making an audience laugh is any less of a feat as making them cry and I have literally never left the cinema with pains in my stomach from laughing so much as I did when I watched Bridesmaids for the first time. I loved Kristen Wiig anyway from Adventureland and Whip It but she is just on another level in this film.
Favourite Scene: The aeroplane scene (it has to be really)- Auf Wiedersehen asshole!
Where do I start on this stunning film!?! The music, the dancing, the costumes, the acting, the singing- I'm getting all squiffy just thinking about it. What's not to love about the penniless poet falling for the beautiful, head courtesan in a classic story of love conquering all boundaries...oh and there's also a narcoleptic Argentinian, a midget called Toulouse, Kylie Minogue as the green fairy, Paris in 1899 (the eve of the bohemian revolution), Jim Broadbent with a ginger jew-fro and hipster moustache, debauchery, decadence, classic scenes of mistaken identity and confusion and a re-hash of modern songs made all theatrical and stuff.
Favourite Scene: The Can-can
Hello and welcome to This Ruth Is On Fire, a UK blog which is a haven for random thoughts and sarcastic observations.
I'm also into books, clothes and visiting places too.
