My life in film...

I recently had an email from the Universal Pictures press office encouraging the nation to create their own movie timeline based on memorable or life changing film moments.  As you might know from previous posts, I don't need any incentives to witter on about films, I'm a big film-lover so I thought I'd share some films that provoke memories and emotions, have enhanced my life or brought me new interests.

Evil Under The Sun released in 1982 when I was just a nipper introduced me to the wonderful Agatha Christie. I must have watched this film dozens of times and to this day, it still remains my favourite Agatha Christie film.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial also came out in 1982 and as I was only two years old at the time I was obviously too young to go the cinema with my sister to see it (she is 6 years old than me). Still, as a child of the 80's E.T. was a big part of my childhood and probably the first film I ever really showed emotion at. My children love it now and I even send them text messages when I am away from them saying" beeeeeee gooooooooood" which always makes them giggle!

As The Breakfast Club was released when I was a mere 5 years old, I didn't watch it until the nineties, when I was a sulky teenager myself, but I immediately loved it.  I'm still a big fan of high school movies even at my maturing age however I think The Breakfast Club must be THE best.

I'm proud to say that I own Uncle Buck and still quote regularly from it (quoting from movies - it's a talent). My personal favourite which I can't wait to use at my own children's school..."I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously. I don't have a college degree. I don't even have a job. But I know a good kid when I see one. Because they're ALL good kids, until dried-out, brain-dead skags like you drag them down and convince them they're no good. You so much as scowl at my niece, or any other kid in this school, and I hear about it, and I'm coming looking for you!". Class! In fact I think I have the urge to go watch this now!

Cape Fear started what I feel will be a lifelong phobia of Robert De Niro. Seriously. I one hundred percent blame that film for the nightmares that followed. I was clearly too young when I first saw it but it scared the bejesus out of me and for many years I refused to watch it. A couple of years ago I watched it again as an adult and it still completely creeped me out which proves it's a very good example of the psychological thriller genre it sits in!  If you click on that link and have nightmares forever, well I can't be held responsible.

By the time Babe came out I was almost 16 and should have been too old for films like this but how can this story of a cute little pig not warm your heart? I bought this on DVD a few years back and my children love it, especially my animal-loving son. None of us can help joining in with the baa-ram-ewe part.  Films like this never really date and it's nice to have films that the whole family can share.

In my late teens/early twenties it was the time of films like American Pie and oh how I laughed. I developed quite a crush on Stifler (yup) and remember going to see each of the films at the cinema. I also adored the soundtrack to each film and bought them all on CD. There was just so many bits in the film that had you cringing but I think the dance-off in American Pie 3 is my favourite dance scene in a movie EVER.

I don't know how many times Mamma Mia has been played in our house but I'm certain it must be nearing one hundred by now! It's a firm family favourite - well okay, I love it and so do the children but I can't really speak for Mr M, possibly it's a bit girly for him but I just love the music and the scenery - which has made me determined to finally get to the Greek islands some time soon! The sparkling, glistening waters, the white washed buildings...it looks so dreamy. Plus how gorgeous is Meryl Streep? What a legend!

Now I am in my 30's and my children have started to become less dependant on me, I am finding I get more time to go and do things I enjoy - every couple of weeks I have "Date Night". I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong! Date night is a night out with one of my best friends and we go to the cinema to see a new film. We have exactly the same taste in films. We laugh our way through them, go home and post clips and quotes to each other on Facebook and will undoubtedly make reference to these films forever   Our song is "Hold On" from Bridesmaids. We do the little mime Emily Blunt does in The Five Year Engagement, and we're constantly singing "The Sign" from Pitch Perfect. I love how these films bring us closer together, although we're probably very annoying around other people! 

Are any of these films your favourites? Why not create your own movie timeline to highlight how films have touched your life over the years? I'd love to hear about it so if you do write a blog post then let me know, I'll definitely come check it out!