How do you like your films?

Lists abound – whether they be your favourites, top 10, most memorable, best ever, or simply enjoyable and watchable. But when you put together a list, does it explain why those films made the cut – for you?

I thought I’d talk about some films and share what I found notable about them.

Empire of the Wolves
A Jean Reno film – very much not my kind of film, being full of casual violence, much of it directed at women, but… what was notable is the filmmakers got the show don’t tell memo. There was no helpful voiceover or one character explaining to others what was happening – we just got to see it. And if you missed it, or didn’t catch on, the outcome may have made not much sense (insert Gallic shrug). This latter aspect is one I absolutely love about French films in general – while not loving this French film (if you see what I mean), and cite the film only as the most recent example I’ve seen of how well the French do the show don’t tell aspect.

The Death of Stalin
Again, not a typical film for me. Written and directed by Armando Iannucci, I knew it was intended to be funny, but my funny bone isn’t always pinged by things that are meant to be funny. By playing it as a farce, the (entirely understandable) fear of Stalin felt by even his inner circle, made for a joyously outrageous and over-the-top comedy for the portion depicting the run up to discovering his death, with the subsequent madcap jockeying for position that followed continuing in a similar vein. If you know your Russian (or to be accurate, Soviet) politics, it helps, but you don’t need to (I can say this with certainty as I didn’t). It was hilarious – mocking, yet prescient – all of which made it a great watch.

Spirited Away
I’d never heard of anime before this, but started watching it on a screen in a café while waiting for a friend who was running extremely late. The sound was muted, but despite not being a fan of fantasy, I found myself pulled in. I found it visually beautiful, and absolutely loved the originality of the drawings. I was so drawn into it I was genuinely annoyed to be interrupted when my friend finally arrived, so went out of my way to track it down later, and sat engrossed throughout the nearly 3 hour running time – this time getting to enjoy the soundtrack, including the gorgeous music. I believe it was the newness of the concept (to me), as anime hasn’t had the same impact since.

Zone of Interest
A newer film this one (from 2023) and, for a change, very much typically my kind of thing being challenging, intelligent and thought-provoking. In recent year I’ve read a number of books (both fiction and not) examining the how and the why of the behaviour of the German population during WWII’s Holocaust, both by subsequent generations of Germans, and as well as outsiders. For those who’ve not seen it, this film depicts the everyday life of the commandant of Auschwitz, his wife and family, as it took place right next door to the camp. Loosely based on the novel by Martin Amis, which was itself based partially upon real events – the truth is we still don’t have an answer to those questions, and hopefully, it’s not just the academics who are still looking.

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And then there’s films I believe I’ll not tire of watching… which I’d probably categorise as joyful, funny and/or downright silly.

O Brother where are thou?
Why do I love this film? Well, quite simply, it’s witty and great fun. George Clooney sends himself up as the hero, while the Coen Brothers do what only they can do by writing an absolute madcap caper of a film where, while we have to suspend disbelief in places, we’re probably too busy laughing to care. Oh and there’s a great song – Man of Constant Sorrow – absolutely classic bluegrass. I don’t always want to be made to think or challenged, and this is an example of what I watch in those times.

Some Like it Hot
The comedic timing of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon can’t be beat, and while she must’ve driven them all crazy during filming, Marilyn Monroe is simply fabulous as Sugar. I don’t know how the film sits with audiences now due to Curtis and Lemmon masquerading as women, but it’s quite obvious silliness appeals to me.

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines
One of my favourite films from childhood from the opening cartoon sequence and title song, this is filled with good-natured silliness – with stereotypical goodies and baddies, making fun of the Germans in their pickle helmets (Pickelhaubes) and the Frenchman with his many love conquests – I hope it would still be considered good natured fun today.

Bugsy Malone
Hardly the most grown-up of films (is there a theme emerging, I wonder), here’s another one I’ve watched more than once (not something I often do). With it’s lovely soundtrack of songs from the pen (and sometimes the voice too) of Paul Williams, it’s just such good, clean fun. Real feel good viewing.

What makes a film your kind of film? Do you have any old film loves? Have they given you pause to wonder how they would fare in modern times?

© Debs Carey, 2025