By Jodi Matterson
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952) “This movie forms one of my earliest memories. I became obsessed with it when I was six-years-old, and to this day, it still remains my all-time favourite film. I revisit it at least once a year. I watched it over and over again for years (my parents would basically use it as free babysitting!), and I knew every line of dialogue and every song off by heart. Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly created an absolute masterpiece – it is definitely the greatest movie musical ever made. Gene Kelly was at the height of his powers, Donald O’Connor was jaw-droppingly talented, and Debbie Reynolds was the original triple threat. Pure joy.”
THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) “This was one of my favourite movies growing up. It totally transported me into another world and was utterly magical and also terrifying (I recall having many a nightmare about the Wicked Witch Of The West and those menacing monkeys). I have now had the pleasure of introducing it to my daughter, Matilda (who has renamed it ‘Dorothy’s Shoes’) and watching it over and over again with her. She is already obsessive about movies at the tender age of four, and much braver than her mother! It is astonishing how a movie made 77 years ago has held up so beautifully.”
THE BREAKFAST CLUB (1985) “John Hughes is one of my all-time heroes. I was a fan of so many of his films, but this particular movie was everything to me when I was a teenager. I happened to catch it on late night television recently, and was very pleased that I could still recite every single line of dialogue…much to the annoyance of the person that I was watching it with! The simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions – John Hughes captured and defined a generation like no one had done before or has since.”
SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) “Billy Wilder remains one of my all-time favourite directors, and this film for me is like watching a master class in screwball comedy. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are absolutely genius in this movie – their on-screen chemistry is so great, and they’re one of the truly great comedy duos. Marilyn Monroe is so mesmerising – you literally cannot take your eyes off her. She is drop dead gorgeous, vulnerable, and funny. She really was a once in a lifetime talent.”
WITHNAIL & I (1987) “Another long running obsession of mine. The script of this film is pure genius. Richard E Grant, Paul McGann, and Richard Griffiths are insanely wonderful. One of my favourite things is introducing this movie to people who have never seen it before. It well and truly deserves its cult classic status, and is one of the most quotable movies ever. ‘I loathe those Russian plays. Always full of women staring out of windows, whining about ducks going to Moscow.’”
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
GYPSY (1962) “Another childhood musical obsession.”
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962) “Tour de force performances by two of the greatest actresses of all time. Truly frightening.”
MOMMIE DEAREST (1981) “Best kitsch movie ever – such fun.”
TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (1983) “My sister and I still watch this once a year and cry our eyes out every time.”
TOY STORY 3 (2010) “I can’t get through explaining the plot of this movie without bursting into tears – one of the most beautiful movies ever made.”
GRAVITY (2013) “An extraordinary, game changing film. Loved every minute of it.”
Down Under is released in cinemas on August 11. Click for our review, our interviews with the film’s stars, Lincoln Younes and Justin Rosniak, and director, Abe Forsythe, and to see the first four minutes of the film.
