Recently I noticed a lot of fellow bloggers were publishing posts on what 8 Dvds they would take on a deserted island that happens to be setup with an entertainment center. Finally I discovered the originator of this over at Fandango Groovers and have decided to add my 2 cents. Now I thought a little while about this, and decided variety is the key. If I simply took 8 of my all-time Top 10 films I'd be overwhelmed with one particular genre, so variety was my goal. The order of this list is simply alphabetical, I'm not ranking them.
Back to the Future (1985)
There's not a film I've watched more often than Back to the Future, and it never gets old. It's the quintessential time travel film that will always hold up to consistent viewings. Check out my review of Back to the Future
Chuck - Season 2 (2008)
This selection is not technically a single Dvd, but personally I considered a set or a season equal to a single film, it's simply an extended film. Chuck is by far my favorite current running television show and it's flawless combination of comedy, action, romance, 80's homage and the lovely Yvonne Strahovski makes taking Chuck a no-brainer. I chose Season 2 simply because it has more episodes and the characters are a little bit more flushed out. Check out my review of Chuck - Season 1
Cinderella Man (2005)
My current all-time favorite film. Cinderella Man is a gripping, influential and a moving story about a down on his luck boxer in the midst of the Great Depression who rises from the dust of despair and becomes a national icon. Great acting by Russell Crowe, and another great overlooked film by Ron Howard. Cinderella Man is sad and emotional at times but ends on a high and inspirational note. Check out my review of Cinderella Man
A Good Year (2006)
Another sorely overlooked Russell Crowe film. A Good Year is a unquie well made romantic comedy that manages to bring something fresh to the genre. With great acting, music, story and scenery, it ranks as one of my top favorite romantic comedies. Check out my review of A Good Year
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
While the Last Crusade is my favorite Indiana Jones film, Temple of Doom is the most unique out of the original trilogy, plus it's the only one in the series I never seem to get tired watching. It features the best soundtrack of the series, a wide variety of unique action and fight scenes and some very comical characters.
The Kingdom of Heaven - Directors Cut (2005)
It was a toss up between this and Gladiator, but in terms of an overall epic story Kingdom of Heaven wins. Again another overlooked film that was highly criticized during it's theatrical release. I'm one of the few who probably loved the theatrical cut, but chose to take the Director's Cut because the few additional scenes do add to the story and flush out the characters a little more. I thought Orlando Bloom did a great job, as did my favorite actress, the lovely Eva Green.
Thunderball (1965)
What's a deserted island without a little James Bond? Boring that's what it is. Instead of going with the more popular choice of Casino Royale, I'm going with my personal favorite, Thunderball. Simply a great film with a near perfect cast of Bond girls and villains. Check out my review of Thunderball
I have to throw one rather low budget gem into the mix to help appreciate that good, entertaining films can come in small low budget packages, and it doesn't hurt that it's a Hammer horror. Currently my favorite Hammer horror, The Vampire Lovers is wonderfully set and a very realistic Victorian setting, great story, good acting and never dull. It's the only Hammer horror I've seen thus far that is consistent in terms of it's entertainment, and it doesn't hurt that it's full of beautiful ladies such a Ingrid Pitt, Kate O'Mara and the ever popular Madeline Smith. Check out my review of The Vampire Lovers
I loved Kingdom of Heaven the first time I saw it, but I was lacking lots of the historical context. The director's cut really made that less of an issue. Solid selection there. Interesting last choice with vampire Lovers. Maybe I'll check that out?
ReplyDeleteoverall though, nice list! :)
@Univarn - the difference between the theatrical and DC isn't that great, I think critics overreacted claiming it to be night a day. I'll try to get my reviews up of both the theatrical cut and the DC this month and it should explain more of what I mean. I'm going to have to completely re-write my theatrical cut review though because it was one of my first reviews and is a little more of a rant against the critics than a review.
ReplyDeleteYou might have trouble finding a hard copy of The Vampire Lovers to rent, I know Netflix doesn't have it, and I doubt store rentals would have it either.
Interesting picks! Props for picking Cinderella Man, a badly underrated film. I went with Raiders of the Lost Ark but Temple Doom is not a bad choice either ;)
ReplyDelete@Castor - I love all the Indy films, but strangely Temple of Doom always seems to be a little more fun.
ReplyDeletePart of the problem is that I'm not that big a Crowe fan (I wouldn't say I dislike him, I'm just not enamored with him), but I've only seen 2 of these 8, and they're the two most obvious ones (BTTF and Temple).
ReplyDeleteOf those unseen, I'd most like to check out Cinderella Man.
@Fletch - you ought to, it's a really good film, best boxing movie out there in my opinon, and really I wouldn't even categorize it as a sports film, there's so much more to it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you've never seen Thunderball? For shame!
Sorry I missed you of the blog, I found your link in the comments section and have added it to the main blog. I will get your movies on the “rental” list today.
ReplyDeleteWhist I have no desire to see Cinderella Man or A Good Year again Back to the Future and The Vampire Lovers never get tired. Not my choice of Bond or Indiana Jones but great films non the less!
Thanks for taking part and sorry I missed you out before.
No problem.
ReplyDelete