12 brilliant, classic films to take your mind off the pandemic

In case, you’re in need of a break from the world, here is a list that has nothing to do with the current news cycle but instead, is just comprised of wonderful films. Enjoy

It’s a testament to the quality of so many of the films below that they have managed to endure, as fresh as the day we first watched them. They genuinely don’t make movies as they used to and during these strange times, they are a welcome nostalgic-tinged journey away from anything to do with the virus.

Saturday Night Fever

John Travolta’s breakout role cemented him as a bonafide Hollywood superstar when it was released over 40 years ago – and yes, you read that right. The famous disco dance sequences (to a killer soundtrack by the Bee Gees) took the actor – who remember wasn’t trained as a professional dancer – 10 months to complete and he didn’t once use a double. The story of Tony Manero who longed for something more than his job at a hardware store had to offer is as gritty and electrifying to watch as ever.

Jackie Brown

The lesser-appreciated Tarantino crime caper is over 20 years old and worth repeated watching for Samuel Jackson’s scariest performance, and the fantastic, career-reviving roles written especially for Pam Grier and Robert Forster. It’s a ‘whodunnit’ that’s Tarantino in every way, from the dialogue to the soundtrack and one that has aged very, very well.

Titanic

More than twenty years since we all debated and suspected that Jack could definitely have fit on the board with Rose and the film has lost none of its power; it’s a film that’s timeless in every sense. From the story to the haunting score by James Horner alongside the roles that launched Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio to superstar heights, it’s an epic that we don’t see the likes of today.

Beaches

The story of the friendship between Bette Midler’s C.C and Barbara Hershey’s Hillary will still make you cry more than 30 years on. One of the first films to introduce me to the complexities of female friendship on screen, it’s slightly too glossy and textbook Hollywood but both leading actresses are a joy to watch.

Dangerous Liaisons

Before Cruel Intentions, there was Dangerous Liaisons which, despite being nearly 33 years old, is still superior in every way thanks to the scheming ways of Glenn Close and John Malkovich.

Die Hard

Yippee-ki-yay! The is-it-or-isn’t-it-a-Christmas-film debate rages on, but even 30 years plus can’t take away one of Bruce Willis’ finest roles alongside a smooth-talking, brilliant – albeit menacing – villain played by the late, great Alan Rickman.

Beetlejuice

The film that has aged considerably in over 30 years (this only adds to its appeal tbh) has now reached cult status thanks to the underrated Michael Keaton and his hilarious attempts to terrorise Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Winona Ryder. Tim Burton brought his trademark kooky flair from behind the camera and the result is an absolute gem of a film.

Heathers

To those who haven’t seen the dark teen comedy starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, otherwise known in our modern times as the mum from Stranger Things and the dad from Mr Robot, what the heck is wrong with you?! Underrated and so, so good.

Rain Man

Tom Cruse’s best role to date (alongside Jerry Maguire) remains in Rain Man, as a smooth, selfish man named Charlie who learns that his father left his entire fortune to his autistic brother named Raymond. This one earned Dustin Hoffman a well-deserved Oscar.

Scrooged

Bill Murray’s (arguably) best film is over three decades old – and the funniest ever version of A Christmas Carol (and there have been many variations over the years). There’s no better time to stick this one on.

Working Girl

The fabulous all-star cast – Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford, Melanie Griffith, and Joan Cusack – make this film about professional women in New York as brilliant as it was when first released 30-something years ago. Weaver played the entitled boss from hell to perfection, and Harrison Ford is just DREAMY.