I'm not a massive buff but there are a few films I have seen recently that I think are pretty special. I'm purposefully choosing non-blockbusters since there is less chance I'm telling you something you already know. I'll say 5 and see how we go......
1. 12 Angry Men
Film about 12 jurors discussing the verdict of a murder trial. The film is shot almost entirely in 1 room and focuses completely on the interaction between the jurors and the fact surrounding the trial. The acting is first class, so much so that the fact it takes place in 1 room doesn't really enter your mind. I won't spoil the plot but you should give it a watch. Oh and yes, that is a young Quincy M.E. at the front.
2. Hotel Rwanda
Based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who gave shelter to around 1000 Tutsi during the atrocities in Rwanda. While Hollywood tends to distort facts in films that are "based on a true story" theres no denying this is an amazing story that should be seen.
3. The Usual Suspects
5 career criminals are brought in on suspicion of a crime they didn't commit, and are convinced to plot a revenge job by the boogey man of the criminal underworld, Keyser Söze. Needless to say it all goes pear shaped with loads of people getting killed. Won't say any more but the first time I realised the twist in this film it blew my mind, I have loved it ever since. The accent on Benicio Del Toro (that's Benedict the Bull to you) still cracks me up and of course Postlethwaite is his amazing self as Kobayashi. Not an original pick but definitely one of the best.
4. Leon
Leon (Jean Reno) is a hit man who has worked alone all his life, Mathilda (young Natalie Portman) is a girl who's family is murdered by a crooked detective who is involved in some highly suspicious Canderel transportation (or so my innocent eyes lead me to believe). Leon takes in the young girl and they get an exchange thing going, he teaches her how to "clean" re: kill for money and she teaches him that life is worth living. Fair deal.
It really is the relationship between the 2 that makes this film work, it's kind of an odd couple buddy story thing. I'm not normally a fan of Portman, pretty much unimpressed by everything I have seen her in except this (I haven't seen Black Swan yet and I hear it's her best role so I may be being premature).
Actually this is getting tough, trying to pick a good film that everyone hasn't seen, how about......
5. The Insider
The story of a tobacco company executive who, despite extreme pressure from his former employers, reveals to the world that not only did the company know that cigarettes were harmful and addictive but that they had active research in place to increase the addictive nature of cigarettes. Now I can't get on my high horse about this one (I'm a social smoker myself) but you can't argue that the acting here is pretty spot on. Crowe's reserved and socially awkward Wigand plays brilliantly alongside Pacino's outspoken and silver tongued 60 minutes reporter Lowell Bergman. Pacino definitely gets the better lines but there's some great support throughout, this one sucks you right in.
Up next will be my "list of films I can't believe I haven't seen yet"
