20 MOVIES TO WATCH

TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE GREAT NIGHT IN MOVIE COLLECTION, FILM REVIEWER

NOMINATES HIS TOP 20 MOVIES TO SEE BEFORE YOU “GET OLD”.

PAATSCH LEIGH

1. THE HARRY POTTER SERIES ( 2001- 2011) “It’s true then, what they’re saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts!” Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint Were a family to be stranded on a desert island and could only take one box- set to watch together for the rest of their lives, this would be the choice of almost all. A world of magic cast a complete spell upon viewers, due in no small part to wonderful acting, spectacular production design and an enduring respect and fascination for the amazing tales that were told. 2. THE WIZARD OF OZ ( 1939) “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.” Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton. MGM planned its adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved book with military precision, and everything went off without a single hitch. The musical interludes are all killer, no filler. Each and every scene just demands to be smiled at. Proof positive that while you cannot improve upon perfection, you can keep revisiting it over and over again. 3. TOY STORY TRILOGY ( 19952010) “Mr. Lightyear, now I’m curious ... what does a space ranger actually do?” Starring: the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger All that is great and good about modern animation can be found right here at the pinnacle of Pixar Studios’ high- achieving quest for creative cartooning. The look, feel and storytelling are all hardwired to connect with everyone’s inner child. Over the space of the three films, characters such as Woody and Buzz become the best of old friends with the viewer. 4. STAR WARS EPS IV- VI ( 19771983) “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher The first three Star Wars adventures amount to so much more than just a stellar sequence of motion pictures. For hundreds of millions of intensely devoted fans, these films have formed a way of life. At the heart of the phenomenon is an ingenious mythology schemed up by George Lucas that transcends mere science fiction. The DNA of all great movies pit good against evil in a way to which we all can relate. 5. UP ( 2009) “Whether you assist me or not, I am going to Paradise Falls, even if it kills me.” Starring: the voices of Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer. The late- in- life story of a very elderly man who embarks on his dream trip around the world ... by attaching helium balloons to his house. Poignant, uplifting and startlingly original when least expected, this film is jam- packed with the perfection Pixar became famous for. 6. E. T. THE EXTRA- TERRESTRIAL ( 1982) “His being here is a miracle, Elliot ... I’m glad he met you first.” Starring: Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Drew Barrymore. A funny little being not from ‘ round these parts expresses the desire to make a cross- galaxy phone call. While a jittery US government doesn’t like the sound of that, a child rescues the visitor in the basket of his bike and goes for a pedal across the night sky. Steven Spielberg knew we would all fall in love with E. T. for one very good reason: he embodies what we hope all aliens will be like when they finally visit our planet. 7. THE SOUND OF MUSIC ( 1965) “You are the 12th in a long line of governesses who have come here to look after my children since their mother died. I trust you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.” Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker. Hum a few bars of the title song and try not to picture Julie Andrews spinning with joy on top of a hill. In fact, hum a few bars from any song in this delightful biopic of the Von Trapp family singers and the scene will immediately come to mind with crystal clarity. A family picture of the old school that will continue to stand the test of time. 8. BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY ( 1985- 1990) “The way I see it, if you’re gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?” Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson An all- American teenager, a mad professor and a DeLorean car that can travel through time. These three straightforward elements were fused together by filmmaker Robert Zemeckis into a rip- roaring race against both history and fate. Fox was the perfect choice to play hero Marty McFly, anchoring the mind- bending comedy, drama and action components of this busy trilogy with aplomb. 9. THE PRINCESS BRIDE ( 1987) “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Starring: Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin The movie that tore up the textbook on having fun with fairytales. A cracking storyline rife with heroes, villains and standout supporting characters that all contribute to the adventure at hand, but don’t forget to bring the funny as well. 10. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ( 1962) “You never really understand a person until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford Can a movie be a role model for how to live an honourable life? Perhaps not. But this perfect adaptation of the beloved book by Harper Lee goes