Pan’s Labyrinth

I watch the following movies at least once a year. Unlike other movies I can watch these over and over again without growing tired of them. We all have these movies and these are the ones I consider to be my favourite movies.

Sing Street

Sing Street is a coming of age story set in 80s Dublin. I watched this one at least five times last year. Also, the ending to this movie is perfect.

La La Land

La La Land is all about chasing your dreams. Not only is it my favourite musical, but it’s also a throwback musical that reinvents the modern musical.

Risky Business

Risky Business is an 80’s teen film about capitalism and taking chances. Tangerine Dream gives us one the best movie soundtracks to boot.

Say Anything

Lloyd Dobler explaining what he wants to do with his life is probably all I need to cement this film is one I watch yearly. His optimism is infectious and his absolute love for Diane is why we all remember him standing outside her window with the boombox held high above his head.

The Graduate

Benjamin Braddock is the image of a man out of college with anything he wants ahead of him, yet he suffers from existential angst. This angst leads him to his affair with Mrs. Robinson with another exceptional soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.

The Boat that Rocked

This film is incredibly fun with a 60’s soundtrack to boot. The casting is perfect, and you will find yourself enjoying every character. By Richard Curtis, who directed Love Actually, and more recently About Time, so you are in good hands here.

Shaun of the Dead

Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost… you can’t go wrong! This is hands down the best zombie movie you will ever see.. it is a comedy, but so what? It’s brilliant!

Pan’s Labyrinth

In my opinion it is the best fairy tale ever made for the screen. Yes, it is in Spanish, but you won’t notice when you are all caught up in all the magic that Guillermo del Toro brings to the screen.

Rent

Rent is a celebration of life, of hope, and death. Easily one of my favourite musicals. While it can be happy and upbeat, it also becomes very depressing.

Lost in Translation

People either love this film or hate it. It is one of the best films I’ve ever seen and my favourite relationship between two characters that I’ve seen on film by Bill Murray, and Scarlett Johansson. This is not your typical Hollywood flare, but a slow paced journey of two souls.

Let me know what movies you watch over and over for whatever reason.

Robert Ring

This is not only the finest fairy tale ever made but one of the greatest films of all time.

Firstly this is a Spanish film and luckily for English speaking viewers the director took it upon himself to translate the film, with english subtitles, thus keeping the dialogue to his vision. The result reads like a dream. It quickly immerses you and no longer do you realize you are watching a foreign film. This film has two worlds. There is the harsh overtone of Spain’s civil war during 1944, melded with the fantasy world seen only through the eyes of the young, eleven year old, protagonist Ofelia. Ofelia arrives at a newly commanded base of operations, in a mill. The leader of the operation is her newly acquainted stepfather, Captain Vidal. A man that is easily among the greatest of film villains. Ofelia never recognizes him as her father, as much as her pregnant mother tries. On the first night a fairy leads Ofelia from her bedroom and to a labyrinth. Here she meets the Faun. His name is said to be so old that only the wind and the trees can pronounce it. He tells her that she is Princess Moanna, daughter of the king of the Underworld. The labyrinth is the last portal that can send Ofelia to the Underworld. But first the Faun must test that her essence is intact. So Ofelia must complete three tasks before the moon is full. The tasks involve choices and the penalties for disobeying the Faun’s instructions. Captain Vidal is always there to compromise Ofelia’s progress, while continuing to battle against a rebel alliance of Spaniards. This fairy tale is far from a children’s story. It goes to dark places, brutal and horrific. It reminds us as adults that once upon a time we too still believed in a world of magic.

I have seen this film countless times now and I still learn new things with each viewing. There are only a few movies I get really excited about, when I find out people haven’t seen them and this is probably at the top of that list. I love being able to share it with people. It’s a special feeling to watch others discover how amazing this film is, usually from my persistence. I love it. I can not recommend it enough. It has a place in my top ten favourite films and if you are ever given the chance, you should check it out too.

4.5/5 – Stars

Robert Ring

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