Keep coming back each month to be introduced to some of the best movies in the world...or at least the ones that make you seem cool in college.
For the 2023-24 School year, the monthly recommendations will focus on my interests and likes. Why? Because I keep getting asked what I like. So, come back each month to see what things Graham likes. Who knows, you might find something new to add to your list of things you like.
For the 2023-24 School year, the monthly recommendations will focus on my interests and likes. Why? Because I keep getting asked what I like. So, come back each month to see what things Graham likes. Who knows, you might find something new to add to your list of things you like.
May: Kelly's Heroes
For May, let’s give you a war movie. But not an ordinary war movie. No, this is a World War II heist war movie. Kelly’s Heroes is a film with a stacked cast. You may not know the names, but when the film came out, you couldn’t get much bigger than Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O’Connor, and Donald Sutherland. The premise of the film is easy. Eastwood’s Kelly learns about a Nazi stash of gold. Well, what better way to stick it to the Nazi’s than to steal their gold and keep it for themselves? So that is what this band of soldiers sets out to do. With a solid mix of drama and some comedy added to the mix, Kelly’s Heroes was a huge hit in the early 1970s, and is still worth watching today. |
|
|
April: Sneakers
Back in 1992, a little film called Sneakers was released. The premise of the film, what would happen if someone had created a program that could crack any code in the world? This was in 1992. In 2024, that seems like an even bigger deal now that the world is online and hackers and various government agencies spend their lives trying to do just this. This film is full of action sequences, drama, and humour (life isn’t life without a bit of humour). Meanwhile, the cast is built from an elite list of actors. These include Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd. If you don’t know those names, you should. Combined, they have given us some of the best films of the last fifty years. So, find Sneakers and enjoy a spy film that isn’t. But, as you are watching, and taking an occasional glimpse at your phone, remember, there just may be “too many secrets.” |
March: Midsomer Murders
Like a bit of murder? Like your murder in a quaint English village? In that case, Midsomer Murders is for you. This British series has been on the air for twenty-five years. Each movie-length episode will take you through a grisly murder or two…or three (there have been more than 1,000 murders to date). If you start at the beginning and start watching the shows, and paying attention, you might find some early appearances from actors you know (including a future Superman and an elf from Middle Earth). Each season contains 4-8 episodes, but remember they are movie-length (about 1 hour 40 minutes). Make sure to set aside enough time, because you don’t want to stop in the middle and be wondering who did it. |
|
|
February: Spaceballs
Now, for something totally weird and wonderful; Spaceballs. If you are not familiar with this movie, or the works of Mel Brooks as a whole, then your education is lacking. Brooks is the mastermind behind such classics as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Though he really outdid himself with Spaceballs. This film parodies, spoofs, and pays homage to all those science fiction films you (should) have seen. Star Wars references galore with nods to Star Trek, Aliens, and more. If you are looking for a laugh, look no further! The story follows Lonestar and his co-pilot Barf as they rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Spaceballs (most notoriously Dark Helmet). Along the way we’ll meet Yogurt, Pizza the Hut, and a prince that can’t stay awake. I highly recommend you pull up a chair, and prepare to hit ludicrous speed (it will make sense). Let the fun commence. |
January: Red Dwarf (entire series)
Realise that Red Dwarf is a science fiction television comedy. When it first aired in 1988, it was not something that had every really been done successfully. But obviously, something worked, because the cast still come back to reprise their characters every few years. Heck, the fanbase is huge (including scientist Stephen Hawking and actor Patrick Stewart). The premise, due to a radiation leak on a mining ship in space, our human (Lister) has been in stasis for three million years. Brought out of stasis, the remainder of the crew are a hologram of his dead bunkmate, the last creature that evolved from Lister’s pet cat, and a mechanoid (robot). It is up to these inept space bums to survive and make it back to Earth (if nothing else, so Lister can finally get a good curry). This is a great binge show, as the seasons range from about 6-8 episodes and a couple of the seasons are just a short mini-series or a made for TV movie. |
|
|
December: A Christmas Carol
‘Tis the season, so why not throw in my favourite version of the Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. There have been so many version of this story put on film (I personally own about eighteen different versions). It’s a story you probably know well, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by a total of four spirits in order to turn his heart from being a cold-hearted miser to one who cares about his fellow man. For me, the best version came out in 1984. This version of the story was a made for TV movie. One reason I really enjoy this version is because they remember that the story was originally a ghost story (it does begin, “Marely was dead to begin with.”). In saying that, some of the scenes are a bit spooky whereas many other versions play up the humour. Whether you want to try my favourite or another version, take a bit of time this holiday season to get a reminder on why we need to think of others and help how/when we can. After all, that is the message of the story. |
November: Pump Up the Volume
As a former radio DJ, I can say that Pump Up the Volume was a favourite of mine when it first came out. The premise: a teen who is uprooted from the city to a small town finds an outlet by hitting the airwaves on a made-at-home illegal radio station. As our story progresses, our teen hero begins to tackle important situations in town in order to make a change. A great film needs a great soundtrack and you won’t fail with the music used throughout the film. With music by bands such as Beastie Boys, Soundgarden, Pixies, and Sonic Youth you will be able to rock out while watching. |
|
|
October: Casablanca
We’re going hardcore classic with this month’s recommendation. Casablanca is set during World War II and if full of interesting characters. Some you will cheer for; some you hope will die. The film constantly shows up in the American Film Institute’s top ten American movies of all time. The film is filled with great performance and timeless characters. In fact, the film gets alluded to in modern movies and television shows on a frequent basis. So, take time to see if our “hero” Rick will do the right thing or if he maintains the status quo to keep himself safe. |
September: Highlander
So, we will start things off with one of favourite movies (which also connects to one of my favourite songs—see something to listen to). Highlander has a straight-forward premise. A race of immortals lives among us. The only way to kill them is to lob off their heads. Simple. Oh, wait. The Gathering is coming, and that means in the end, there can be only one. One will surivive and only one. Who will it be? Take time to watch this 80s classic, which is currently trending on Amazon, to find out. The film is full of great sword fights, music by Queen, and some of the best one liners ever. A true cult classic that is worth your time. |
|