Best films of all time

TwentyFourSeven (Dir: Shane Meadows, 1998 UK) Drama
For my money this is one of the best films of 1998 and of all time.
Best in that it didn't cost a fortune but packs as much of an emotional wallop as James Cameron's absurdly expensive Titanic.
Bob Hoskins plays Darcy, the burnt out soccer coach whose past history is told in flashback through his diary.
It tells of how he trained up a team of no-hopers into becoming boxers with something to live for.
Shot in luminous black and white, the feature debut of Shane Meadows is a remarkably sensitive, blisteringly funny portrait of hopelessness in Nottingham.
The city has always had its problems but is also one of the most vibrant places on earth and Meadows captures the balance perfectly.
The sulphurous black and white photography adds much class to the production and the team of largely unknown actors handle things admirably.
The movie also features one of the most realistic fight scenes ever committed to celluloid when Hoskins and Coronation Street's Bruce Jones (Les Battersby) lay into one another.
Both actors walked away with broken bones and this is jut one element of why 24/7 is a cut above the average movie.
It's life captured on film with few romantic films. But the message is as powerful as one of Hoskins' punches in the ribs.
Meadows will inevitably get more money for his next picture and will no doubt be sucked into the Hollywood mainstream which will probably be the death of him.
If that happens, let's hope he doesn't lose sight of the genius which he embedded into every frame of 24/7.
If you liked this try these: Raging Bull; Rocky; Saturday Night Sunday Morning; Naked.
s *****

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It's a Wonderful Life (Dir: Frank Capra, 1946) Seasonal drama
Everyman James Stewart contemplates what life would be like without him in this evergreen Xmas classic. *****


Blade Runner (Dir: Ridley Scott, 1982) Sci-fi thriller
Detective Harrison Ford attempts to track down a band of renegade replicants in this landmark sci fi thriller which contains the best performances ever from the likes of Rutger Hauer, Darryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy and Sean Young. *****


Groundhog Day (Dir: Harold Ramis, 1993) Time loop comedy
Bill Murray is superb as an egotistical weatherman stuck in a time loop during the eponymous festivities. One of the best feelgood winter movies since It's A Wonderful Life.*****


The Empire Strikes Back (Dir: Irvin Kershner, 1980) Sci fi
Aspiring Jedi knight Luke Skywalker contemplates patricide in the best (so far) of the Star Wars trilogy. The acting isn't brilliant but this remains one of the best all round sci-fi flicks ever.*****


Naked (Dir: Mike Leigh, 1993) Drama
David Thewlis gives the performance of his life as an intelligent Mancunian drifter contemplating the end of the world in London. Bleak, funny and unmissable.*****


Aliens (Dir: James Cameron, 1986, US) Sci-fi thriller
Thrilling rollercoaster ride with long-suffering Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) tackling a host of steel-toothed xenomorphs in Cameron's superb sequel to the Ridley Scott original.*****


Die Hard (Dir: John McTiernan, 1988, US) Drama
NYPD cop Bruce Willis tackles euroterrorist Alan Rickman in this thrilling LA adventure. The best of the series, although part three isn't too bad.*****


Pulp Fiction (Dir: Quentin Tarantino, 1994) Drama
John Travolta gives the performance of his life as a drugged-up gangster in a self contained trilogy of hard boiled tales. Great script and performances from all, especially Samuel L Jackson.*****

Good Will Hunting (Dir: Gus Van Sant, 1998 US) Drama
It had to happen.
After making a string of dreadful movies such as Jack and Flubber, Robin Williams finally makes a film well worth a look.
The movie concerns a gifted, troubled young man (Matt Damon) who has a photographic memory and the ability to solve absurdly difficult maths problems.
A bit handy with his fists is our brilliant lad and so ends up at the offices of psychiatrist Sean Maguire (Williams).
Luckily, like his namesake, Sean doesn't start singing but does manage to befriend the genius and attempts to get to the bottom of his social problems.
Witty, touching and blisteringly clever, this movie (written by its stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for a cool million dollars), it never travels down the road marked Cliche.
Although there's many a golden-hued moment reminiscent of Dead Poet's Society, it scarcely matters. As with all good movies, its message is simple.
Seize the day, make the most of yourself and your life etc. But it never rams the fact down your throat.
Good support comes from Stellan Skarsgard, top-drawer direction by Gus Van Sant and Danny Elfman's score is suitably unobtrusive.
On the strength of this it looks like Matt Damon could be the hottest new star of the Nineties while co-star Minnie Driver proves that she is still one of the most fascinating actresses working in the movies today.
Don't miss it.
If you liked this try these: Little Man Tate; Rain Man. 126 mins *****


Nil By Mouth (Dir: Gary Oldman, 1997, UK) Gritty drama
Gary Oldman proves there's a lot more to him that playing villains with goatee beards in movies such as Air Force One and Lost in Space. Okay, the movie may have com e out last year but being stuck in the wild wastes of East Yorkshire means getting to the nearest cinema is a trek Michael Palin would be more used to so Nil By Mouth eventually made it to the Hull Arts circuit and turned out to be a corker. Semi-autobiographical, the drama centres on an alcoholic wife-beater (Ray Winstone) and his 29-year-old punchbag wife (Kathy Burke). It's slice-of-life stuff, a little like Mike Leigh is famous for. If you liked this try these: Naked; Leaving Las Vegas.****

  • The Big Lebowski (Dir: Joel Coen, 1998, US) Offbeat comedy drama
    Jeff Bridges and John Goodman have always been a cut above the average thesp but in this hilarious movie from Joel and Ethan Coen, they really get the chance to shine. Bridges is the Dude, about as laid back a character as any filmgoer could witness. A fan of white Russians, bowling and general lounging around, the Dude gets mistaken for squillionaire The Big Lebowski and is soon up to his neck in a kidnap case. The Coen brothers have always proved that they can make some of the most professional and eccentric movies of recent years and this is no exception. Less mumsy than Fargo, this is far more of a lads' film and destined for instant cult stardom. Great photography too and a fine turn from the always watchable Julianne Moore as a British artist. The sort of film where you can't wait for it to fini sh so you can enjoy it all over again. If you liked this try these: Blood Simple; Fargo; Raising Arizona; The Fisher King. *****

  • Grosse Pointe Blank (more info) (Dir: George Armitage, 1997, US)
    In a nutshell: High school reunion. Fine if you're a businessman. Tricky if you're an assassin. John Cusack's best role to date; sister Joan is superb and Minnie Driver almost steals the film as a sexy DJ. Featuring the now immortal line: "Yah caahnt come in". Great soundtrack too and proof that Dan Aykroyd can make a decent movie if he wants too.*****

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    roger crow 1998

    Disclaimer: All of the above is just my opinion. This does not reflect that of my employer or anyone else. So don't sue me. Cheers.