5. 'Pan's Labyrinth' (2006)
Here's another film mixing together fantasy and harsh drama - both genres complement and parallel each other beautifully in 'Pan's Labyrinth'. It is one of the darkest films I've ever seen - and it's dark in the best way possible. There is meaning and symbolism behind everything; it isn't grim and gritty for the sake of it, or to prove a point about it being an adult film. It is what I think of as THE adult fairy tale, done right. There's also a strange, mystical and melancholic charm to the whole spectacle. Myth and fairies grow in the mind of a young girl surviving the Spanish Civil War near the end of WWII - surviving her tyrannical stepfather, a Falange Officer. Captain Vidal is one of the most frightening villains I've seen in celluloid, and he isn't a fantasy creature of any kind - he is very real in his evil actions, and that is what makes him terrifying. The more dangerous the grounded reality becomes, the more increasingly dangerous the girl's fantasy world is, as she clings to her stories desperately whilst still scared for her life and her family. Every character is memorable and proactive, with the girl being the only one who directly interacts with the fantasy world. 'Pan's Labyrinth' is a tragedy of a tale - not a spoiler, we are shown what will eventually happen in the first shot of the film - but it breathes glimpses of hope throughout. I recommend listening to Guillermo del Toro's director's commentary as well, as he offers a lot of insight into the film, and supports the idea that maybe the fairy tale elements are not in the protagonist's imagination after all. But we are left guessing throughout. 'Pan's Labyrinth' - one of the best at cinematography, special effects, setting an atmosphere, layering the horror and fantasy elements, psychoanalyzing childhood, and showing the best and worst of humanity. The music is also perfect. This is what film making is about - 'Pan's Labyrinth' shines in its own darkness - a beautiful, ethereal flower on a powerful, magnificent tree.
4. 'Evita' (1996)
One of the more divisive films on this list. But I love 'Evita' from the bottom of my heart and soul. Based on my favourite musical, I get chills listening to the music every time - and the film is almost nothing but music. The whole motion picture is an opera - a grand historical experience, set to music. I am aware that is not to everyone's tastes, but it fits mine. It feels nostalgic to me, despite having first viewed it several years ago, because it reminds me of when I was very young and was exposed to the art of film for the first time - everything is new and exciting back then. 'Evita' is another of my mother's favourites we watched together at my grandparents' house, which further connects it to my nostalgia vibe. I am not a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber or Alan Parker, but 'Evita' is one of those films I feel really speaks to me, that it was made specially for me. I love Madonna as the singing and dancing controversial Argentinian political leader Eva Perón. I love Antonio Banderas as the narrator. Nothing else to add, really. 'Evita' is a simple thing to follow and discuss storywise (despite it being an autobiographical picture), but it is big, riveting, and emotional. Love it or hate it, it leaves an impression to be sure. What comes to mind when I think of the ultimate cinematic experience? 'Evita'!
3. 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)
Sit back and relax, put up a care, as I come to talk about my favourite Disney movie. Which will be difficult because I'll have to keep avoiding just calling everything perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect! All the songs are magnificent, the characters are the best from Disney, the romance is the best from Disney - surprisingly - and the animation is darling, saving the CG for the best scene for it: The ballroom dance sequence. 'Beauty and the Beast' is also a childhood favourite, one which scared the crap out of me, too, and I loved it! Another fave from the year of my birth, 1991. Belle is my favourite character from the Walt Disney company, no contest. Smart, loving, independent, modest, well-mannered but not a pushover, unflinching in her limits, beautiful on the inside as well as out, regal without being rich, and she doesn't care what people think of her. She is happy to go about living her life as she wants to, living out her own schedule, completely unapologetic in her personal preferences. And Belle has brown hair and loves reading, like me! She also doesn't need to be a "warrior" to be a strong character - she is an ordinary woman: Brave, curious and self-sacrificing are the many more ways to describe her layers of personality. The romance, which given the source material leans perilously close to being an abusive relationship via Stockholm Syndrome, somehow works in Disney's version. The Beast is an angry, dangerous monster at the beginning who treats Belle appallingly, like a prisoner, but he reveals a tragic side to his character throughout the first act. Given his backstory and cursed plight his behaviour is understandable, at least. Later he realises he needs to change his ways, and listens to Belle (the showing of the library is one of my favourite scenes among many), thus treating her better. She doesn't take his outbursts lying down, either. She is smart enough to know what is good and bad in a person, based on how they treat others. Yet she isn't consciously aware that she is fully responsible for the Beast's character development, despite all the time they end up spending together. Belle takes no credit, and does what she does because it's the right thing to do, and expects no reward. Another reason to love her. The "princely" Gaston, in reality a villain, represents toxic masculinity and male-entitlement in a time when those terms didn't hold as much relevance as they do now. Unlike the Beast, Gaston doesn't change his ways. He is the villain because he remains a sexist, chauvinistic manchild, and when he doesn't get what he wants - Belle, who he views as an object and boost to his fragile ego - he reveals his true, dangerous colours. And the village loves him for it. What male privilege! I think I've said enough. It's 'Beauty and the Beast' - Happy, sad, sunny, Gothic, touching, and on the whole a heartwarming animated fairy tale. There is a reason why so many animation studios have tried to replicate it since. But this cannot be replicated. A tale as old as time, Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' remains its own beautiful rose. A classic.
2. 'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)
Another classic; another feat in risky and emotionally-invested film making. The first of nearly everything when it comes to making films: Technicolor, special effects fantasy, parallel storytelling, and incorporating so many gorgeous, adorable sets. 'The Wizard of Oz' - nearly eighty years old, and it still holds up. That should tell you how masterful it is. A revolution. What can I add which several decades of discussions and analyses by other critics haven't? It's sweet, it's wholesome without lacking intelligent substance, it's a musical that remains story-focused and never strays, it's a coming-of-age story of a growing girl (done to death nowadays, but as 'Pan's Labyrinth' proved, the concept can be done well depending on what angle and execution is taken). And 'The Wizard o Oz', perhaps more significantly, is a political satire disguised as a family film - similar to how the Wizard of Oz himself works; what goes on behind the curtain is as important as what the colourful surface masquerades as. Judy Garland is instrumental to the film's classic status - endearing from beginning to end, and with a one-of-a-kind singing voice. This magical movie is bound to comfort the hearts and minds of every generation - something it has succeeded in so far. It gives you a heart, a brain, courage, and a home. Free cheers, tears and bottles of hope; getting audiences in touch with their inner child like no other moving picture has. 'The Wizard of Oz' has earned its place in popular culture, in being called a magical journey, and in our very selves. By all the red glittery shoes in the world, it's flipping unforgettable.
And to conclude, my number 1 favourite film of all time is:
1. 'Inside Out' (2015)
A recent addition, and my new treasure - the precious pearl among the diamonds. For a long time 'Finding Nemo' was my favourite Pixar movie. Then came 'Inside Out', which I held no expectations over. But it is one of Pixar's best in years. Everything I love about film, about animation, about storytelling, about characters, about psychology, childhood, symbolism, subtle parallels, and going in a new direction and being as risky as you can be - it's all here in 'Inside Out'. Yeah, my Top 5 films all feature female protagonists. Pixar's newest masterpiece is colourful, brimming with charm, has a story that is pretty simple, but it goes all out in exploring what would go on in the mind of a young girl, and how she would feel when undergoing such a big change in her life, like moving house, or puberty. The film is heavy and deep in its analysis without being obvious in what it's really doing. It makes me remember what being a kid is like - both the good and the bad. The depressing things of childhood are the most poignant, the worst memories the most effective in the long run into adulthood, but 'Inside Out' makes me realise how you cannot take anything for granted. Memories, those of family and friends and individual skills, help shape us into who we are. 'Inside Out' delivers, also quite subtly, a message no other family movie - no other movie, full stop - has ever done: It's okay to be sad. It's okay to express emotions. It's okay to tell people how you're really feeling, because to keep your emotions bottled up for so long, to repress them, to worry constantly about what people might think of you if you reveal you're not perfect, is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. People may listen and understand if you tell them how you feel and what you're going through. 'Inside Out' is the film equivalent of a therapist and a child psychologist, ones who care about the well-being of girls' development, making it an important film as well as an outstanding one. Groundbreaking in so many ways, 'Inside Out' is the number one film for me.
And that ends my Top 20 Favourite Films list! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did in writing it, revealing things about myself even I didn't know before.
Now onto my next surprise list. Stay tuned.
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