20 Films That Have Influenced Me

Pulp Fiction - Quentin Tarrintino -1994

Drugs, Dancing, and Samuel L. Jackson 

Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind - 2004

Jim Carrey plays a more serious role with Kate Winslet, beautifully crafted and forever quotable.

Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson - 2012

Two young teenagers run away and survive on scout knowledge and young romance... for about 24 hours.

The Darjeeleeling Limited - Wes Aderson - 2007

Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman are back, and quirky and confusing as ever.

The Truman Show - 1998

Again, Jim Carey in a much more serious role but still with elements of humour. One of those films that will completely change your perspective on things. With an incredible crescendo of an ending.

Youth in Revolt - 2009

Had to include a Michael Cera classic! Cera at his possibly most awkward, but still handsomely awkward.

500 Days Of Summer - 2009

Before everybody fell in love with Zooey Deschannel, we watched some poor soul go through the motions, and that poor soul was Joseph Gorden-Levitt. Every 15-19 year old girl's dream.

Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki - 2001

Studio Ghibli do it again, an absolute gem, anime at it's best. Heart-warming and beautifully made.

Fight Club - 1999

Cult classic and definitely lives up the hoo-har, Brad Pitt is amazing, Helena Bonham Carter is amazing, the script is amazing and everyone on Earth needs to see this film. Plus Pixies TUNE at the end.

Catfish - 2010

Before the spin-off show! Regardless of your opinion of the MTV show, this film is so so so much better, the original, the real deal that is so niche and different. Stop watching MTV, also.

Django Unchained - 2012

Quentin Tarrintino bangs out another masterpiece, following suit to all his other creations; guns, blood and a lot of N-word use.

Her - 2013

I love Joaquin Phoenix I love Joaquin Phoenix I love Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson's voice is to die for!

Rushmore - Wes Anderson - 1998

"I saved Latin, what did you ever do?" Jason Schwartzman still has braces and Bill Murray is starting to look old.

Juno - 2007

Ellen Page and Michael Cera and Kimya Dawson's lovely soundtrack

The Wolf of Wall Street - 2013

HOW DOES LEONARDO DICAPRIO NOT HAVE AN OSCAR???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, Jonah Hill looked FAB.

Black Swan - 2010

In my opinion should be rated much high in IMDB's top 250, as well as higher in many peoples opinions because this film is so captivating and unfortunately too many people only remember it for the Mila Kunis/Natalie Portman sex scene. Which is very unfair.

Donnie Darko - 2001

Another cult clasic, it's so difficult to distance yourself from the events and thesis' in the film from reality. Well worth watching, definitely not when high.

Howl's Moving Castle - Hayao Miyazaki - 2004

Another Studio Ghibli masterpiece, not enough people appreciate these kind of anime films.

American History X - 1998

So many people highly prized this film and I never understood how or why, until I properly sat down and watched it. Ed Norton does a brilliant job and my full respect and appreciation goes out to everything this film stands for and represents.

The Departed - 2006

Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg AND Maaaaatttt Daaaamooooon! I think I need to see this again because there's still a few things that didn't make sense to me but despite that, it still stood out as an extremely cleverly crafted film.

Her - Best Film Quotes

Both Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson's husky voice have got me obsessed.

These are some of the best quotes from the film

"Sometimes I think I have felt everything I'm ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I'm not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I've already felt."

"It's like I'm reading a book... and it's a book I deeply love. But I'm reading it slowly now. So the words are really far apart and the spaces between the words are almost infinite. I can still feel you... and the words of our story... but it's in this endless space between the words that I'm finding myself now. It's a place that's not of the physical world. It's where everything else is that I didn't even know existed. I love you so much. But this is where I am now. And this who I am now. And I need you to let me go. As much as I want to, I can't live your book any more."

"I can feel the fear that you carry around and I wish there was... something I could do to help you let go of it because if you could, I don't think you'd feel so alone anymore."

Her - A Film Review (sort of)

Being a complete film fanatic/anti social hermit has it's pros; there are so many films that people say (cliché-esc-ly) have changed their lives and who they are. To some extent I agree with this, but not so melodramatically.  

The most recent film that has overwhelmed me (and my cat)-

Her - with Joaquin Phoenix 2013

Theodore falls in love with his intelligent operating system -  on-line dating with the voice of Scarlett Johansson, you'd be mad to say no, surely? 

Joaquin Phoenix has a strange creepy loveable charisma to him, the moustache, the clothes, the voice, the glasses, everything about him screams "seemingly weird but possibly the sweetest man alive". He admittedly reminds me of Kip, the nerdy brother from Napoleon Dynamite, but less weedy and more naively romantic, complete with ukulele playing and lullaby-like singing.

The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, if you're suffering from a music block, like me, I advice you listen to "Off You" by The Breeders, along with the rest of the film's memorising soundtrack which also features a few tracks from the new Arcade Fire album.

I wish I could personally thank the writer and director of this film, Spike Jonze -  because every single script is quotable, each character's lines is so gorgeously emotive it makes you feel so utterly involved in this raw and real relationship. I can't wait to type out those epiphany evoking words for a separate post, prepare yourself.

I can fully understand why this isn't everybody's cup of tea and I am so glad I watched this on some ambiguous, unsafe streaming website at home as opposed to in a cinema with other people - unless you really enjoy listening to Scarlett Johansson climaxing in the presence of 50 strangers (perhaps you do, each to their own), you might find a few scenes slightly uncomfortable and unconventional, but this part of what made the film so touching. For me, this seemed more of a 'watch-on-your-laptop-with-your-cat-and-maybe-snack-on-some-Ben-and-Jerry's-or-a-banana-if-you're-trying-to-be-healthy' type of film, not really the best thing to watch and attempt understand with you family on the sofa.

This is a very cleverly put together piece of media, perfect if you're into indie (really indie) films that are a bit confusing with no real beginning or defined conclusion. It's face value and aim is not to entertain, it is to provoke and make the audience feel and think and spiral out from their monogamous everyday patterns, with the luxury of an incredible soundtrack. 

The concept is one I am going to be fascinated with for at least the next fortnight, expect many more posts regarding Theodore's 'Letters from your life'.

"Whatever someone you become, wherever you are in the world: I'm sending you love"