My Top 5 Films

Being a media student means not only creating media, but also consuming it. TV, radio and film are three of my favourite things and any spare time I get I'll spend watching/listening to any of these. The routine of TV means that I constantly look forward to Fridays for new episodes of The Graham Norton Show and Gogglebox. Even if I don't get to catch the Friday night broadcast of these shows, I'll always watch them on catchup as soon as I have a spare hour. Not only this, but I also spend plenty of time listening to Radio 1, especially in a morning for Greg James' breakfast show. With TV and radio, because they're broadcast daily, they can be incorporated into your weekly schedule.

With film, however, they tend to be watched a little more sporadically: if you've got a free evening; as a social event with a friend; or to get in the festive spirit. Going to the cinema to watch a film can feel like more like an event and can often take up half the day (particularly if you're fancying going for a meal before/after). So it's no surprise that most people won't watch a film as often as they watch the tele. Of course, with SVODs such as Netflix and Amazon Prime becoming commonplace inside households, watching a film is easier than ever before. It also means that, often, people will put films on but not be entirely paying attention. Distractions such as phones and work (particularly with an increase in people working from home) ensure that it's near impossible to give full attention to one outlet for two hours.

Having said that, I still try my best to get myself to the cinema when I can to try and get the full experience of watching a film - and the full experience of the snacks. Being such a lover of film, I thought this would be the perfect place to give my views on a few of my favourites: my top five to be specific.

5. A Star Is Born (2018)

A Star Is Born stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga as the two main characters. Cooper plays a rockstar at the height of his career, who stumbles into Ally (Lady Gaga) at a drag performance. Of course, the two end up in love and Ally ultimately makes her musical break and becomes a famous popstar. The story is a little Romeo-and-Juliet-esque, in particular with its ending - it turns out Ally and Jackson are star crossed lovers.

I loved this film for the incredible acting and the outstanding soundtrack. It was great to see Gaga doing something completely different to how we normally see her. Bradley Cooper also shows versatility through his role compared to his previous comedy roles in films.

4. Arthur Christmas (2011)

One of the best Christmas films, in my opinion, has to be Arthur Christmas. Having this film in my top 5 might be slightly influenced by the fact that I'm writing this list in December, but it's still a film that I revisit every year. Even though it's an animated film, it still has a stellar cast: James McAvoy, Bill Nighy, Ashley Jensen, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Laurie, and Imelda Staunton.

The film is different to other classical Christmas films in that it openly states that Santa uses technology to deliver his gifts, rather than alluding to the usual story of magical means (which this film came under fire for). However, I still believe that it's just as entertaining as all Christmas films, and deserves to be in my top 5 (even if I wrote this in July)!

3. The Gentlemen (2020)

The most recent film on this list, The Gentlemen features yet another stunning cast: Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. This action comedy documents the life of McConaughey's character entering retirement from drugs and criminal activities - or, attempt to retire.

The story is told through Grant's character (a slimy journalist) bribing Hunnam for financial gain. I really enjoyed this way of telling the story: most of it was recalling events until we caught up towards the end of the film, bringing us to present day with a dilemma to solve with, seemingly, not enough time left.

2. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Another action comedy, again with a stellar cast, Kingsman: The Secret Service features Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson, Sofia Boutella, Michael Caine, and Mark Strong. This action comedy stands out to me from others in the genre for its fight scenes. The director, Matthew Vaughn, shoots them in a particular way that is unlike any other films I've seen. This, and the rags-to-riches storyline of the protagonist Eggsy create a really entertaining and hilarious film.

It also features my favourite ever scene in a film - the fight scene set in the church is truly jaw-dropping, as well as the additional plot-twist in the story that I at first couldn't believe.

1. Interstellar (2014)

Matthew McConaughey features once again in my top five film list, but this time at number one. Interstellar has to be my favourite film of all time - its Hans Zimmer produced soundtrack, mixed with an eclectic cast (Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Timothee Chalamet, Matt Damon) create an incredibly emotional and mind-bending film. Christopher Nolan directs, as Joseph Cooper (played by McConaughey) travels across the galaxy in an attempt to save the human race.

This film has remained at number on my personal list since it came out, and I've been a big fan of Nolan's other productions such as Dunkirk and Tenet.

For me, what catches my eye with any upcoming films is always first and foremost the cast - often I'm not bothered about the genre and/or content, but instead I'm captivated by actor's performances and will often be attracted to particular films based on who is starring in it, rather than what it's specifically about.