5.1.14

10 BIG Films Bee Needs To See in 2014 | Films

Film. The great escape, and the ultimate slayer of rainy day boredom. I love watching films, sometimes even the bad ones, and I am certain that I have taken in more knowledge from my time sat in front of a telly, big or small, than I have pen in hand in classrooms and lecture halls. So being such a film fanatic, I really cannot believe the following list of films that Bee is yet to have seen, especially when some of them are such highly acclaimed creations. There are also those that I assumed were so well known that they must have been viewed at some point by everyone! Alas, not everyone has their head screwed on the same way as me, which can only be for the good of humanity. Without further ado, I present to you ten films, some big and some small, that along with Bee you simply must see this year, if you have yet to already. Feel free to leave your very own 'to watch' list in the comments section below!

1 pulp fiction uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

1. pulp fiction

dir: Quentin Tarantino
released:1994
genre:Crime, DrAma, thriller
LENGTH: 154 min


"The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption"

B: Before I started going out with Luke, I hadn't actually seen any of Quentin Tarantino's work. I know, I lived a very sheltered existence! Four years down the line and I have only got round to watching the Kill Bill films, which were okay. I'm quite looking forward to watching Pulp Fiction because it's one of those films that has a massive amount of hype around it, and I'd quite like to see whether it meets my expectations. Despite Pulp Fiction being a hugely iconic movie, I have absolutely no clue what it is about but I'm going to go out on a limb and predict blood...lots of blood. 

L: Pulp Fiction is arguably Tarantino's finest film, and if you still have not got round to watching it yet, you should. Why, you ask? Well I'm sure if you scour the internet you will be welcomed with gleaming review upon gleaming review, but for me it comes down to one simple reason: the characters. You'll be hard pressed to find another film out there with so many characters that are so well portrayed, and it might even leave you wondering whether you'd make a good diner bandit or gangster's wife. Me? I just like Bruce Willis...

2 raiders of the lost ark uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography


2. raiders of the lost ark

DIR: steven spielberg
RELEASED:1981
GENRE:Action Adventure
LENGTH:115 min

"Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis"

B: This is one of those movies that I've probably seen a few minutes of on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when Dad was given fleeting control of the television remote. This movie seems to be on every 'must see' list, so I'm expecting great things. However, I'm also very aware that some films can suffer due to their popularity. Either way, I'm expecting a good ol' adventure movie. 

L: Now, I'm not going to lie to you, I was more than a little surprised to learn that a certain someone has never properly seen this film. Then I started to tense up and became very unsettled when I realised that there may be more people who have not seen this film, or even worse, have only seen the latest one...the one of which I must not speak of. But to quickly meander back to the film at hand, yes, you really should watch this film, as in my honest opinion no other adventure film to this day has managed to offer more wonder or intrigue. I also like to think it's based on a true story and Indie is still around to this day, if somewhat elderly, sat with his hat and his maps from past adventures. 

3 the matrix uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

3. the matrix

DIR: andy & lana wachowski

RELEASED:1999
GENRE:action adventure, sci-fi
LENGTH:136 min

"
A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers"

B: 
I haven't watched The Matrix before simply because it's not really my sort of thing. Although, I think I may have seen parts of it years ago, when all my school friends were into it. Now that I'm older, I do like to venture out of my comfort zone more often and try new things so I'm willing to give it a watch. I'm also looking forward to finally understanding what Luke is harping on about when he references the 'red pill' and the 'blue pill'. 

L: If I were to sum up this film in one word I think I would say 'crazy', but it's a very good kind of crazy, a kind of crazy everyone should have in their lives. Now, if you are yet to watch this film I suggest you set aside a good two hours and a bit to really take in the fictional (or is it?!) sci-fi masterpiece that is The Matrix. Once you've watched it, watch it again, and then you can truly determine whether or not you'd like to follow Laurence Fishburne further down the rabbit hole, and, like me, begin to humorously question everything and anyone in the current reality that we live in.


4 back to the future uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

4. back to the future

DIR: robert zemeckis
RELEASED:1985
GENRE:Adventure, Comedy, sci-fi
LENGTH:116 min

'A teenager is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence'

B: I have seen Back To The Future, but I don't remember which one and I don't remember any of the plot...I think I watched one of them on one of those aforementioned lazy Sunday afternoons, which are typically spent watching the television in a half-arsed manner whilst attempting to rouse myself out of a roast dinner induced coma. I'm really looking forward to this one, actually! I'm expecting just under two hours worth of laugh out loud adventure. I hope I get it!

L: Yet another film I'm sure many of you reading this have seen or at least heard of, but if like Bee you have not actually sat down to watch it properly then take yourself back to the future (see what i did there...?! NO?!) and enjoy! If you take away its sequels, though that's not to say that they are not good as well, Back to the Future still remains as unique a film in 2014 as it did in 1985. Yeah sure, the whole time travel thing has been done so many times before but the humour, classic 80's style and Doc Brown make this film inescapably likeable, even for the most die-hard sci-fi fans out there.  

5 fight club uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

5. fight club

DIR: david fincher
RELEASED:1999
GENRE: drama
LENGTH:139 min

'An insomniac office worker looking for a way to change his life crosses paths with a devil-may-care soap maker and they form an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more...'


B: I know three things about this movie: 
1) It was based on a book by Chuck Palahniuk
2) The first rule of Fight Club is to not discuss Fight Club, or something or other.
3) There is a pink bar of soap in it...

So yeah, I have a terribly limited knowledge. It'll be nice to watch another Brad Pitt movie, as I haven't seen many. However, I'm hoping there will be more to this movie than fight scenes...

L: Now to firstly address the film's title: yes, there is fighting, but that is only a small part of what it provides in terms of entertainment and afterthought. This film has a lot to offer, and it shares one of the most bizarre and hilarious ways to deal with a boss you really hate. It takes aspects of life and illustrates their extremities in a particular manner that works brilliantly. Alas, I have said too much already. Goggle to your hearts content and marvel in the wonder of soap making.


6 aliens uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

6. aliens

DIR: james cameron
RELEASED:1986
GENRE:action adventure, sci-fi
LENGTH:137 min

'The planet from Alien (1979) has been colonised, but contact is lost. This time the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough?'


B: The only thing I know about this movie is the title that I have in front of me. I'm going to hazard a guess and say it's about aliens?! Perceptive, me! I'm not one for movies about UFO's so I'm not sure whether I'll like this at all. This is probably the film that I'm most dubious about. However, I do trust Luke's judgement, so we shall have to wait and see!

L: Now I'm not going to try to sell this film to you as an all round masterpiece that you will immediately love, many do, including me, but it might not be for you. That being said, there is so much here to be loved if you give it enough attention. This film, in my opinion, is the 'poster movie' for classic science fiction movie clichés. It has got it all, from the ill-informed decisions that land one in heavily soiled situations, to the characters who practically have 'scrumptious meal' written across their foreheads for all the aliens to see...(although I don't think they have eyes, unless they're really beady...like moles). Oh, and there's also an angry lady with a flamethrower. What more could you want?!


7 the devil's advocate uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography


7. The devils advocate

DIR: Taylor Hackford
RELEASED:1997
GENRE:drama, mystery, thriller 
LENGTH:144 min

'A hotshot lawyer gets more than he bargained for when he learns his new boss is Lucifer himself'


B: I don't really know what this film is about, nor have I heard much about it prior to the creation of this article. I'm guessing that it has something to do with the devil, and someone becoming his advocate? Once again, I'm super perceptive! At this stage, it's difficult to gauge expectation because I have so little to go on but I'm guessing it must be a good'un as Luke put it in this list. If not, Luke you're a mug!

L: This film is probably the least well known of those in my list, but hey, who am I to assume such things? Don't let Keanu and Al unsettle you as they rudely stare at you, whilst demonstrating their complete lack of respect for personal space. They are simply doing what I am, sitting waiting for you to watch this film. So we find ourselves yet again at that one worded sign post: Why? I think Bee will be surprised by this film, it's a good thriller and it  sheds an unusual light on the world of law and blends it well with morals, mysteries and superstitions. 


8 interview with a vampire uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see

8. interview with The vampire

DIR: neil jordan

RELEASED:1994
GENRE:horror, romance
LENGTH:123 min

'A vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger'

B: Believe it or not, I have only seen half of a Tom Cruise movie (Minority Report) so I don't know whether I like his acting style or not. For some reason, he comes across as a bit of a knob...but I've never really paid much attention to him, so maybe I should give him another chance. The movie poster for Interview With A Vampire makes it look like a terrible b-movie but it seems to be a cult movie that lots of people enjoy so I'll reserve proper judgement until I've seen it. Another bit of Brad Pitt too! 

L:Now it has been a while since I last watched this film so it will be good to sit down with Bee and see it again. Now unless my memory deceives me, Brad and Tom don't set out to scare you much in this film with their pointy teeth and very specific dietary requirements, it's more about the life story of a vampire. It is a really interesting tale which I think is told, and paced, so well you will be amazed how much you get to see within the two hour period. I'm also hoping this film will change Bee's opinion of Tom Cruise, at least as a vampire, for the better, as I think he's quite a good actor, really.


9 the princess bride uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

9. the princess bride

DIR: Rob reiner
RELEASED:1987
GENRE:adventure, comedy, family
LENGTH:98 min

'A classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing (as read by a kindly grandfather)'

B: I'm aware that this film was based on a novel by William Goldman, but my knowledge doesn't extend far beyond that. I'm surprised that I never watched this as a child, actually, but then again I devoted most of my time to watching The Aristocats and Aunty Mabel from Come Outside. I'm hoping that it will be a big adventure movie, akin to The Goonies.  

L:
 Charming, cheesy, charismatic and crude: the four main ingredients that spring to mind when I think of this classic. What more can I say? Well a lot more actually, but I promise I'll keep this as short as I can. This film doesn't take itself too seriously and it is rather refreshing when stacked against many of those more serious adventure films. It's even more unique now its props and special effects have been worn down by time, and that only adds to the hilarity of certain scenes even more. Don't go into this film with a stern face, just sit back and relax.  


10 the silence of the lambs uk lifestyle blog the finer things club movies to see listography

10. THE silence of the lambs

DIR: Jonathan demme
RELEASED:1991
GENRE:crime, drama, thriller
LENGTH:118 min

'A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims' 


B: All I know is that Anthony Hopkins is a killer who wears a mask, and there's a young woman who has to interview him. So, not much! I love crime dramas and thrillers though, so this should be right up my street. This film is hugely iconic so I'll be glad to have ticked it off my non-existent 'classic movie' list. 

L: Well I can't think of a nicer way to finish off this list than with the psychotic Dr Hannibal Lecter. I know what you're thinking: Where are the lambs and what is with the moths?! You'll just have to watch to find out! I'm not sure I can think of a film that contains a more fascinating character than Dr Hannibal Lecter, who is brilliantly cast may I add.  Again this is a classic Bee just needs to see, and if you have not watched it then you should too! I will warn you though, vegetarian or not, this film isn't for the faint hearted, but the suspense throughout is what makes this movie a must watch.


tell us...
 What BIG films have you yet to watch? 
 What films do you want to see in 2014? 

LEAVE US YOUR ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW or tweet us using @tftcblog. We just want to say a huge thank you for all of your support, tweets and comments so far! We hope you'll continue to enjoy being part of The Finer Things Club. If you want to be notified of our future posts, feel free to subscribe through Bloglovin and check us out on Twitter. We'll see you on Wednesday for our first challenge! 


with regards, THE FINER THINGS CLUB.



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32 comments:

  1. Some awesome choices here! I have to admit I haven't seen a few of them (most notably Raiders of the Lost Ark, or any other Indiana Jones films!) but I do love Pulp Fiction, Back To The Future and The Princess Bride in particular :)

    I would add: the original Psycho (as its an iconic horror film), as well as Perks of Being A Wallflower (it's not as iconic but it really had an impact on me when I watched it last year!)

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    1. Thanks!

      Luke's shocked that you haven't watched the Indiana Jones movies! Ooh, we shall add those to our list. I've read Perks and liked it!

      - Bee, tftc.

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    2. Sorry Luke! I will sort it out eventually...I've also never seen a whole Star Wars movie!

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  2. Oh wow Bee, Fight Club, Pulp Fiction, The Princess Bride? You have such movie gold coming to you this year! I'm almost jealous that you get to see them and experience them for the first time!
    I've never seen Schindler's List or Inception so I'm determined to get them watched this year!

    Bella . BELLAETC

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    1. I know! I need to watch more! I'm looking forward to it though!

      Ooh, you should watch them both. We like them - Bee, tftc.

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  3. Bee! I'm equally as bad at watching 'classic' films. It generally takes me longer to decide which film to watch than it does to actually watch the bloody thing! (And then I end up putting on A Cinderella Story, again. It's a great film.) I've only seen three of these 10 - Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club & The Matrix. They're all awesome, so you've got those to look forward to! I might even follow your lead and watch the rest of the list too, even if only so I can actually join in those film conversations everyone seems to have ;) xx

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one! Ah, I do love wacking on a guilty pleasure movie. Mine is Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging ;)

      Ooh, yes. Do join in! I'm looking forward to watching them all, if a little apprehensive!

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  4. I have to admit that I've only seen Raiders of the Lost Ark from your list, so I'll definitely make sure to check out the others :)

    Gemma

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    1. Ooh, you definitely should! Let us know what you think of the movies once you've watched them! - Bee, tftc.

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  5. Fight Club and The Princess Bride are really tempting. A lot of people are talking positively about these movies and I'm really eager to watch them. The Matrix is a pretty good film and, just the other day, we were talking about the possibility of us being in an alternative reality. It is such a shame that the second and the third films are so bad (in my opinion). The Devil's Advocate seems to be an interesting and gloomy film... I'd probably love it :).
    I have a lot of classic movies to watch such as Casablanca or North by Northwest but I'm working on it. In 2014, I would love to watch Stanley Kubrick's films (Eyes Wide Shut, Barry Lyndon, Killer's Kiss, etc), Gone with the Wind and Lost in Translation.
    Thank you for this great post :).

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    1. They are aren't they?! Ooh, I've never seen any of the films you just mentioned - maybe I should add those to my 'to watch' list too! - Bee, tftc.

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  6. That's a great list! I haven't seen three of them, not bad eh. I'm a fan of The Matrix series, it's so good. I found myself not liking The Princess Bride because I didn't warm up to it. I've got the DVD though, so I might give it another watch. Like B said, I vaguely remember watching snippets of the raiders lost ark on tv when my Dad had the control of the remote. He's a fan of old movies. I didn't watch many movies I would've liked last year because I was busy, so I had to play the catching up game from September onwards. Richard Linklater's series of Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight must be watched this year because I heard positive feedback from others, and Julie Delpy is a pretty good actress.

    -Gabbie

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    1. Thanks! Ooh, you've seen rather a lot of them. Luke's impressed!

      Ooh, I've heard a lot about those films. May have to look into them! - Bee, tftc.

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  7. Bee, excellent list (which, in all possibility, may have prompted me to start thinking up my own!). Pulp Fiction is awesome (I am, however, a massive Tarentino fan so that may have been in my favour when watching it). I don't do Indiana (much like your thinking of Tom Cruise, I believe Harrison Ford to be a giant knob of a man and have never warmed to him in anything ever - although I did actually like What Lies Beneath so it seems I'm very inconsistent in my opinions) and I've never got around to watching Back To The Future (but I've been on the ride and that was awesome so I'm going to pretend that counts). I knew the ending of Fight Club before I started watching it so didn't make it through (it is terrible when that happens - The Sixth Sense, I'm looking at you!) and I'm much the same regarding knowledge of The Devil's Advocate. The only one I think I wouldn't ever watch is Silence of the Lambs *full body shudder* but hey, if Bee comes back with a blazing review I may just think twice about it!

    Tori
    xx

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    1. Thank you, Tori!

      Hahaha, love your inconsistent opinions - keep them coming!! I'll let you know what I thought of Silence of the Lambs, don't you worry ;) - Bee, tftc.

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  8. BEE! GET FIGHT CLUB ON RIGHT THIS SECOND! NO IFS OR BUTS... GO!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Hahahaa! I'll watch it sooner rather than later then ;) - Bee, tftc.

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  9. I'm ashamed to admit that I've only actually seen 4 of these all the way through...oops. But I think along with planning to read more classics this year I'll have to watch more classics too! :-)

    Victoria

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    1. Tut tut!

      I think that sounds like a pretty good goal to me ;) I'm sure Luke will be impressed when I tell him - Bee, tftc.

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  10. I've really only seen a few of these movies, to be honest: Pulp Fiction, the Matrix, Fight Club and Princess Bride. And - not going to lie - wasn't the hugest fan of Pulp Fiction (I'm sorry!) haha.
    However, Fight Club might be one of my favorite movies, does that make up for it?
    Might have to make it a point to watch a couple of these this year, Interview With the Vampire has always interested me, I'm just not sure why I haven't seen it yet!

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    1. Hahaha. Oh, I hope I like Pulp Fiction. I'll let you know!

      You should totally get round to watching Interview With A Vampire - let us know what you thought of it! - Bee, tftc.

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  11. Hahaha this reminds me of me so much! My boyfriend is always shocked at how many films I haven't seen... Needless to say we've watched hundreds in the last year. Loved your idea oh having a list of everything you watch this year so i started my own: http://www.dulciedulcie.com/p/2014.html will be a great thing to look back on at the end of the year!

    La Dulcie Vita
    or follow via bloglovin'

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    1. Hahaa! I'm glad it's not just me. I've watched tons but not many BIG blockbusters!

      Ooh, will be nice to keep an eye on your list too - Bee, tftc.

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  12. Some great films in there! I saw The Princess Bride for the first time the other week and LOVED it! Perfect feel-good 80s film. Hope you enjoy the other films, Bee. Also, shame on you for never watching Back To The Future properly!! x

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    1. Why, thank you!

      Ooh, I'm looking forward to it now! HAI, I watched the other day and enjoyed it! I lived a very sheltered childhood. Bee - tftc.

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  13. Good list! There are a few in there I reckon harry and I should put on our 'to watch' list- he'll be so glad it isn't a romcom I suggest for once!. Alien I cannot cope with though. Major panicky heebiejeebies and nightmares from it. Yup, I am a five year old...
    xxx

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    1. Thanks!

      Hahaha, Oh Laura! Poor Harry ;)

      Yeah, I don't think I'm going to like Aliens but hey ho! - Bee, tftc.

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  14. I'm embarrassed to admit that I am also guilty of not having seen many films that I know are absolutely iconic and often make people wonder just what I have been doing with my existence, so I know how you feel Bee! Looks like a great list of films though, and I have actually seen a couple of them so I'll be sure to try and cross some others off of my 'to watch' list this year too - happy film-watching! Xx

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    1. Thanks, Anna! Glad to know I'm not alone!

      Ooh, you'll have to let us know how your film watching goes! - Bee, tftc.

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  15. Well, Bee I am on the same boat as you and have never viewed any of these films. I am often left in the dark when my classmates reference them, so maybe I will have to join you on your journey of watching the classics. Hope you like them and let us know what you think of them. And Luke, I am sorry that you live in a world with such uncultured human beings, myself included.

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    1. You should totally watch a few BIG movies! I'll be sure to let you all know what I thought of them all - I'm hoping I'll like them!

      Hahaha - Luke laughed at your comment. I think he forgives us all ;) - Bee, tftc.

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  16. I wrote my dissertation on Fight Club, please watch and then please read! :)

    I really want to see 'Her' this year, I believe it's out on valentines day!

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