The Classics

These films may have been released twenty or more years before I was born, but are still favourites. 

1. All About Eve; Joseph L. Mankiewicz Click here to see trailer

When young and upcoming actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) meets her idol and mega-star Margo Channing (Bette Davis), her infatuation begins to take a creepy twist. With 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a guest starring from legendary Marilyn Monroe this film is a must see! It is hilarious, curious, and perhaps a tell-tale of how older women are treated in the film industry. 

2. Singing in the Rain; Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen Click here to see trailer

From the music to the humour this film is toe-tapping perfection. Two silent movie stars, Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) have to navigate their way through the changing Hollywood world with the introduction of sound in film. Upon discovering Lina's insufferable voice, Don hires Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) to dub her singing and dialogue - but Don and Kathy's friendship blossoms as she is sweet, beautiful and charming, and Lina becomes very jealous. 

3. Nanook of the North; Robert J. Flaherty Click here to see snippet

This film is literally the first of it's kind, the first feature length documentary ever made. We follow the Inuit people of the Quebec region in Canada, and see their family, hunting, etiquette and the beautiful yet harsh frozen landscape they call home. Although some scenes were staged and some controversy surrounding the safety of the characters arose, it is no wonder why this pioneering film gained critical acclaim. 

4. Rope; Alfred Hitchcock Click here to see trailer

Two young men are inspired to kill their mutual friend using a piece of rope, and hide the body right under the noses of their guests at a dinner party. This movie is not only thrilling, but a feat of filming style as it is done in seemingly one cut. 

5. Lolita; Stanley Kubrick Click here to see trailer

Lolita is the stunning and flirty young daughter of Humbert Humbert's (James Mason) new wife, and the more time he spends with the girl the more dangerously infatuated he becomes with her. This movie sparked much controversy especially as the young actress Sue Lyon was only 14 at the time, and shown in a very (yet still toned down compared to the book) sexual manner. This film is a must-see for any Kubrick fans. 

6. Bonnie and Clyde; Arthur Penn Click here to see trailer

They're young. They're in love. They kill people. Based on the true story of the infamous Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway) and Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty) and their lives as notorious bank robbers.

7. Citizen Kane; Orson Welles Click here to see trailer

This movie can certainly be described as a creation well before it's time. Welles has directed and starred in this visually stunning, attention holding, and heart breaking film about Charles Foster Kane. After the famous politician, collector and philanthropist makes his millions and dies, we follow a news crew searching for the meaning behind his last word "rosebud", and discover the tragic and strange life Kane has lived. 

8. The Incredible Shrinking Man; Jack Arnold Click here to see trailer

While on a boating trip, a radioactive cloud passes over Scott Carey (Grant Williams) and he hence begins to shrink, and shrink, and shrink until he is the size of a mouse. The trick photography is pretty good for a movie this age, and the connotations of men in society shrinking in the light of women becoming independent make this a great history reference too.