There are so many great films out there to be watched. There really is. My children are completely ignorant when it comes to classic cinema, as much as I really try to ignite some enthusiasm, alas, no. They tend to watch films from this century, and get really surprised when they actually do see a film pre 2000 and enjoy it.
I have always loved films, from all eras and genres. So let me share with you 10 films that I consider as classics and recommend that you should watch at least once.
Seven Samurai 1954
A poor village under attack by bandits, recruit seven unemployed samurai to help them defend themselves. This is a simple tale, but it is the execution of telling it that makes this film formidable. This is Akira Kurosawa’s greatest film, he even said so himself!
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest 1975
A criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rebels against the oppressive nurse and rallies up the scared patients. Jack Nicholson is dynamite in this film where he goes head to head with Louise Fletcher’s Nurse Ratchet.
Psycho 1960
Psycho is now considered to be one Alfred Hitchcock’s best film of all time. It follows a Phoenix secretary who has stolen a lot of money from her employer’s client and goes on the run, finally checking into a motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.
2001: A Space Odyssey 1968
A Stanley Kubrick classic. With writer Arthur C. Clarke, this magnificent film was made. After discovering a mysterious artefact buried beneath the lunar surface, two astronauts set off on a quest to find its origins with the assistance of H.A.L. 9000. Do not expect any answers from the conclusion of this film, you have to figure it out for yourself.
The Shawshank Redemption 1994
Adapted from a Stephen King short story named Rita Hayworth and Shashank Redemption featured in the compilation book called Different seasons. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film is about two men that are imprisoned, and form a bond over a number of years. They find solace, and eventually redemption, through acts of common decency. As far as I am aware, this is the only film adaption that Stephen King approves of, to date.
Goodfellas 1990
Martin Scorsese directs. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta star. This is the story of Henry Hill and his life within the mob, while covering the relationship with his wife Karen, as well as his relationship with his mob partners in the Italian-American crime syndicate.
The Godfather 1972
Francis Ford Coppola directs this film and co-writes with the author of the novel, Mario Puzi. The aging patriarch of an organised crime dynasty passes down is control to his reluctant, youngest son. Marlon Brando plays the titular Godfather and Al Pacino, his son.
The Wizard of Oz 1939
Adapted from Frank L. Baum’s novel, this film is one of the best fantasy film out there. A young girl is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado. She then makes new friends and goes on a quest to find the wizard that supposedly help her return to Kansas, as well as help her new friends.
Citizen Kane 1941
WOW! Orson Welles directorial debut. Great scriptwriting, great camerawork. I’m gushing now. Not everyone fancies a black and white film these days, but this is definitely worth one watch. After the death of publishing giant Charles Foster Kane, reporters try to reveal the meaning behind his last word ‘Rosebud’.
The Matrix 1999
The Wachowskis’ direct this film that changed the course of the film industry and storytelling visually. A computer hacker is led to an underworld by a mysterious stranger, only to discover that the life he knows is an elaborate deception of evolved artificial intelligence.
A lot of these films are classics because of their innovation in my opinion. Have you seen any of these films? If so, share with me which ones are your favourites.
Ronin Cinema 