This week – the continuation of my favourite films from the UK. As with previous posts, I urge you to add some of your favourites in Comments, if for no other reason than to give me something to seek out if I haven’t already seen it and forgotten to include it.
Gangster No. 1 (2000) – I watched the trailer for this movie about 100 times in the year I waited to finally get my hands on a copy. It was worth every second. If ‘A Clockwork Orange‘ was an introduction to twisted, graphically violent, disturbed protagonists, then Gangster No.1 is an updated version with more gore, a bit of polish, and an injection of adrenaline. The deliberate fashion in which Paul Bettany removes his clothes, to prevent them from getting bloodstained, is only the beginning of a scene that you will never forget.
Gosford Park (2001) – Whodunit’s have always been one of my favourites. Throw in a huge ensemble cast (including Clive Owen!), a director who consistently proved his brilliance at handling so many characters and a rich story, and the end result is the essence of a classic murder mystery. The tagline itself is worthy of Agatha Christie: ‘Tea at four. Dinner at eight. Murder at midnight.’
28 Days Later (2002) – This movie jump-started the zombie genre with one simple question. “What if zombies could run?” The answer redeemed Danny Boyle for ‘The Beach‘, and gave us Cillian Murphy, who would later reinvent Batman villains. Oh yeah, and it was one of the creepiest things I’d ever seen: zombies on PCP. Name something more terrifying than that.
About A Boy (2002) – I never ever ever ever ever ever ever thought that I’d actually recommend a Hugh Grant movie. It’s not that I hate him, but his romantic comedy formula is one of the most boringly repetitive things I’ve ever seen. I don’t find him charming, or funny AT ALL. Maybe it’s Nick Hornby’s skill at the written word, maybe it was Badly Drawn Boy’s great soundtrack, but this movie was more than watchable. For a couple of hours, I actually forgot that I really can’t stand Hugh Grant. And on top of that, I laughed out loud a few times. The awkward performance at the end is almost ‘Napoleon Dynamite‘-worthy.
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2004) – Starring Clive Owen and directed by Mike Hodges (this is his third time on this list), this is essentially a remake of Hodges’s own ‘Get Carter.’ While it’s not as revolutionary as Carter, somehow he manages to twist the story enough so that it becomes the more psychological ‘tails’ to Carter’s ‘heads.’ As a result, it’s noticeably slower, slightly more vague, but miraculously entertaining none the less. It serves as a reminder that a good story is timeless, and if a director is in tune with it, he can approach it from totally different angles and still deliver a remake that feels entirely original.
It’s All Gone Pete Tong (2004) – While directed by the Canadian Michael Dowse (his follow up to Fubar), it was UK-produced and has to be one of my favorite films to re-watch. The “Coke Badger” is one of the most tragically hilarious things I have ever seen. I think it’s extremely rare for a movie as bizarre and funny as this, to also be comfortable and endearing as it holds your hand through all of the madness of an alcoholic drug addicted deaf DJ.
Layer Cake (2004) – By the time ‘Layer Cake’ was released, I was sure that the British had run out of ways to make “gangster” movies entertaining. I couldn’t have been more wrong. On paper, it sounds like another Guy Ritchie movie, but every little thing from the dialogue to the cinematography is remarkably original. This movie got me hooked on Daniel Craig, and also lessened the blow when he was cast over Clive Owen as James Bond. From the opening narration to the closing narration, I did not want this movie to end. Extra credit to a movie that actually got me to like a Duran Duran song.
Green Street Hooligans (2005) – Other than ‘The Ice Storm,’ I pretty much can’t stand Elijah Wood. This hatred led me to walk into Hooligans with my guard up pretty high. At best, I was looking forward to watching him get his ass kicked (the same sort of pleasure I derived from watching Jared Leto in ‘Fight Club’). Shockingly, this tale of an expelled journalism student’s journey into soccer hooliganism was exceptionally entertaining. There are no twists, Elijah doesn’t excel (but he doesn’t ruin the movie either), and the dialogue isn’t particularly clever. It’s just plain fun to watch. (While I don’t particularly hate her, I always wonder how Claire Forlani keeps getting work. She has always struck me as awkward and she’s no different in this.) It’s really the actors that we haven’t been exposed to on this side of the pond that make the movie. That anonymity adds a sense of realism to everything.
The Descent (2005) – This is quite simply one of my favourite horror/thrillers of the last 15 years. Again, anonymity goes a long way. You can’t predict who’s going to die first based on who’s the least famous. The lighting and camera work successfully add claustrophobia to the list of fears that you experience while watching it, and the premise is such that you’re not sitting there frustrated with the decisions the characters are making. You’re just glad that you’re not in their shoes. That being said, I’m extremely skeptical about the sequel. Some things are better left as they are.
This Is England (2006) – This felt like ‘American History X‘ crossed with ‘A Clockwork Orange.’ At times it’s really tough to watch, but again, the commitment to the setting sells the story. It was set in the 80s and at times I felt like I was watching a documentary from that era.
Rise Of The Footsoldier (2007) – If it wasn’t for the title, I would have seen this far sooner. I honestly thought it was another Ninja Turtles movie. It is not. Best watched after ‘Hooligans,’ it feels like the true-life sequel. Based on a true story, it follows a football hooligan, through three decades in his career as a bouncer and criminal. Yet again, the British are able to film violence on a low budget that feels more gritty and real than any Hollywood affair. Watch it and be glad that you never ran into any of these guys.
Death At A Funeral (2007) – I wasn’t going to touch on comedies because the British have been at the top of that heap for decades. I chose this one because I don’t know anyone that didn’t laugh out loud while watching it. I also don’t know anyone that wants to see the American remake. I don’t want to know anyone that does, for that matter.
The Bank Job (2008) – Don’t get me wrong. I find Jason Statham entertaining. I’m just not looking forward to ‘Transporter 14.’ I’m glad that we found this generation’s Chuck Norris, but I feel like we’re getting a bit over-saturated with him. When he does take a rest from driving, taking his shirt off, and kicking ass, he makes gems like this. From start to finish, this felt like one of the British films that got me started here. Deliberate pacing, detailed and intriguing storytelling, combined with pitch-perfect character acting. This movie is gold. If it looks like standard Statham fare to you (whether that’s good or bad depends on what you like, I guess), IT IS NOT. I urge you to put away your preconceived notions, and watch what a caper film should be.
In Bruges (2008) – I love Ralph Fiennes no matter what role he plays. This is one of my all-time favourites, though (think: younger brother to Kingsley’s role in ‘Sexy Beast’). Sadly his character isn’t in it enough, but thankfully Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell make up one of the most entertaining duos in recent history. The dialogue in this couldn’t be written better, and Colin Farrell was born for this role. I have yet to meet someone that has seen this movie once, and is content to never see it again. It is a definite re-watcher. Gleeson has always been one that I get excited about when I see his name in the cast list as a dramatic actor, and while the comedy in this couldn’t be any blacker, he plays the straight man perfectly.
For 2009, I’ve already spoken my part about ‘Moon’ and ‘Bronson,’ both of which are high on my list for last year. This upcoming year, the aforementioned ‘44 Inch Chest‘ is one that I simply can’t wait for.
*A special note: Shaun Of The Dead (2004) – This movie was omitted on purpose, so don’t add it. I hated it. Maybe it was because I was told that it was a cross between ‘The Office‘ and ‘Dawn of the Dead‘ (the remake). Both the British and American versions of ‘The Office’ are a million times funnier, and it’s almost criminal to even talk about ‘Shaun’ and ‘Dawn’ in the same sentence. I have never been more bored by a movie in my life. You can call me any names you want, but I’m not going to have this discussion any more than the thousand times I’ve had it already. Yes, I like spoofs. Yes, I liked ‘Hot Fuzz.’ Yes, I like Simon Pegg. That doesn’t change the fact that I hate ‘Shaun Of The Dead.’ I also hate chocolate, ‘The Boondock Saints,’ and ‘The Saint‘ (how could Phillip Noyce, Val Kilmer, and Elisabeth Shue combine to make such trash?!). Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Deal with it.
– Pig
