Rae of Light

Take 5: Feisty Females Who can resist a feisty female? Not me. Amongst my acquaintance it’s rumoured I may well be one. I don’t have the killer skills of the women in these fine films so have no idea why this rumour surfaced. But I can promise that you’ll find your very own favourite in this little lot. Kill Bill 1 – A classic come back film featuring a bucket load of grit, fortitude & great martial arts action scenes. Kill Bill 2 – you just know you’re onto a good thing when there’s a tribute to Bruce Lee in the action sequence Working Girl – Melanie Griffiths vacuuming in her underwear. Do I really need to say much more than that? Million Dollar Baby – Heart-breaking & fabulous Thelma and Louise – The film that defines the letters BFF The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – a pint sized heroine, brilliant investigative journalism & beautiful Swedish scenery. Please take my advice and watch the original Swedish version.  The Girl who Played with Fire -...

Take 4: The Foreign Collection I’ve never been averse to a bit of subtitle. For those of you who shy away from it, you’re missing out on some seriously top drawer films. So to ease you into what can sometimes be a difficult adjustment, here are my top 10 foreign favourites. Amelie – quirky, romantic & humourous Romauld et Juliette – You’ll never think of yogurt & caramel in the same way again Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdow n – Gazpacho can be deadly Volver – a truly brilliant performance by Penelope Cruz The Lives of Others – cemented my belief that European cinema totally rocks Jean de Florette – Gerard Depardieu is brilliant Manon des Sources – the sequel to the above and equally mesmerising Delicatessen – fabulously funny Cinema Paradiso – just beautiful Whale Rider – made me want to visit New Zealand way before Peter Jackson did the LOR trilogy Vive la Cinema

Take 3: The Birthday Collection It’s February, my birthday month. As such, my selection of films consists of the ones I consider to be all time favourites I’m happy to rewatch over and over again; even when it’s not my birthday. It’s an eclectic list so keep equal amounts of tissues, thirst quenching drinks and suitable snacks close at hand. Once Upon a Time in the West - it's a western. No, don't tut or raise your eyes to heaven. Just trust me. Dune - the original 1984 film starring the likes of Kyle Maclachlan, Sean Young & Sting. Yes, you read that right. Chalet Girl - because I can't resist a bit of snow, romance & a comeback The Bourne Identity - it features an anti-hero so there's no more to be said Eastern Promises - Set in London & starring Viggo Mortensen - serious story with the bonus of eye candy for the ladies or anyone else in need of a bit of something to look at. Baby Driver - a very stylish film about car chases with a kill...

Take 2: The Besson Collection I’ve found in recent times that I’m drawn to films without necessarily knowing who they’re directed by. Interestingly, I’ve discovered after the fact that I appear to have a penchant for Luc Besson films. The following list attests to this and 5 of these titles are currently snuggled together on my DVD shelf. Here are your 8 films to start the new year off with a bit of a bang, crash, splat and kaboom. Who says fireworks have to come from China. La femme Nikitta - if you're a fan of the TV series then this is a must watch because it's where it all began. Unleashed - martial arts, a piano & braces - just watch it! The Transporter - martial arts, car chases, kidnap & people trafficking Transporter 2 - martial arts, car chases & kidnap Transporter 3 - martial arts, kaboom, car chases & eye candy for the ladies The 5th element - Scifi Action in spades Leon - my all time favourite assassin  movie, ever! Lockout - Scifi action with...

Take One I was recently considering the fact that I like watching a good film almost as much as I love reading. In the midst of perusing an action film I was reminded that someone compiled a list of 100 books they advised everyone to read before one shuffles off this mortal coil. So I decided to compile a list of films I believe everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. A good film, much like a good book, should generate debate. There is of course the fact that many a good film was inspired by a truly excellent book but we will not be going into that here. Some of these films have made it onto my DVD shelf. I’m old school and haven’t bought into digital ownership as yet. There is however still time. I will be posting 8 film titles each month. Your job is to watch them then feel free to weigh in and comment. Some may be fairly harrowing and I will warn you in advance, others a tad violent and others provide giggles galore. Others are purely on this list for their nostalgic va...