
Favourite Films
I can't imagine being able to pick out one favourite film. Here are some of the ones I love; there are almost certainly more:
The Fisher King (1991)
This is the movie I will always wish I had written. Damn you Richard LaGravenese! (Who also wrote "The Ref") Legend and myth and fantasy and reality blend together so seamlessly and shamelessly. A monstrous red knight and an awkward attempt at eating chicken balls, together at last.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This and "Run Lola Run" are the only two movies I have ever finished watching, rewound and immediately watched again (back when rewinding was a thing). Powerful story, exceptional characters, masterfully told. Those screenwriting books and teachers that claim narration is lazy and best avoided obviously haven't been listening to Red.
The Rewatchables
Beyond the movies I would bring up in a conversation about favourites, there are the other ones - the comedies that might not make the official list, but if they happen to show up on the TV schedule on a Sunday afternoon, you'd better believe I'm watching them, yet again:
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21 Jump Street
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22 Jump Street
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Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
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Elf
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Hancock
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Horrible Bosses
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Men in Black
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Men in Black 3
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The Nice Guys
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Spy
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Zoolander
The Fox and the Hound (1981)
Yes, I'm a sucker for cute talking animals. Beyond that however, this Disney film is a wonderful example of the simple kind of stories that are getting told less and less often, even for kids. This film didn't have razzle-dazzle, sight gags or sarcasm for the grown-ups because it didn't need it. The story about two friends the world wouldn't let stay together is good enough for all ages as is.
More Favourite Films
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Big Fish (2003)
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The Blues Brothers (1980)
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Children of Men (2006)
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Dean Spanley (2008)
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Edward Scissorhands (1990)
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The Evil Dead series ('81,'87,'93)
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Festen (1998)
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Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
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Galaxy Quest (1999)
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Ghost Busters (1984)
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Groundhog Day (1993)
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Hairspray (2007)
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Happy Feet (2006)
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Harvey (1950)
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Heart and Souls (1993)
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His Girl Friday (1940)
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Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
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Inside Out (2015)
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Jojo Rabbit (2019)
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Last Feast of the Crocodiles (1995 doc.)
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London Road (2015)
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Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
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Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
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Paper Planes (2014)
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ParaNorman (2012)
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The Princess Bride (1987)
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The Ref (1994)
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Robin Hood (1973 animated)
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Run Lola Run (1998)
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Scrooged (1988)
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To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)