3/5/2010 10:38:00 AM Oscars: Movie special What's your favourite film of all time? To celebrate the Oscars, islanders reveal the reel gems they can watch over and over
* File photo. Who is Keyser Soze?: Kevin Pollak, Stephen Baldwin, Benicio Del Toro, Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey star in 1995’s action-packed crime thriller The Usual Suspects — Attorney General Kim Wilson’s favourite movie.
* File photo. An offer you can’t refuse: Marlon Brando won an Oscar for The Godfather.
Helen Jardine, Sirkka Huish and Don Burgess
Young, old, black, white, male, female... everyone loves the movies. To celebrate this Sunday's Oscars, the Bermuda Sun's Helen Jardine, Sirkka Huish and Don Burgess asked well-known islanders to reveal their favourite film. From The Godfather to Grease, there were very varied choices.
Senator Kim Wilson, Attorney General. The Usual Suspects (1995). "I really enjoy mysteries and suspense thrillers, so this is my favourite movie. It has a very intricate plot and is filled with unexpected twists."
Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Casablanca (1942). "I like this movie for Humphrey Bogart's sense of understatement."
Lady Gozney. On Golden Pond (1981). "I like the sympathetic portrayal of an elderly couple."
Collie Buddz, musician. Snatch (2000). "It's my type of movie - action, comedy and a great storyline. I love that English humour and it has an amazing cast of actors."
Belcario Thomas, party promoter. Grease (1978). "Cheesy, yes, but full of a magical, infectious energy that makes you yearn for a time that well, probably never happened really.
"The coolest musical ever, at least in my adolescent mind when it came out. It likely influenced my joining the musical Up With People two decades later, though I never quite got down Travolta's hip shakin', toe tappin', hand jivin' moves. Maybe there's still hope."
Wayne Caines, Digicel CEO. Coming to America (1988). "It was hilarious, it highlighted Eddie Murphy's genius.
"I was a freshman in university and could relate to Eddie's character as it was my first time living outside of Bermuda. The movie has so many memorable comedy scenes and it reminds me of the awesome times of my youth."
Craig Cannonier, BDA leader. 300 (2006). "I love action movies. This one shows what kind of obstacles a dedicated few can overcome as opposed to a populous of many when nothing gets done."
Miss Thang, Hott 107.5 DJ. Diary Of A Mad Black Woman (2005). "It speaks to the heart and soul of a woman. It showed the meaning of true love and pulls at your heartstrings.
"It also shows you what strength and courage looks like. I love this movie so much that I must revisit it at least once a week. It will make you cry, keep you laughing and show you that even though your situation may be difficult, there is always a rainbow after the rain."
Roderick Spencer, national basketball coach and co-owner of Three Graces Day Spa. The Shawshank Redemption (1994). "It tells a story of two people from different backgrounds working together for a common goal.
"It also shows how with thought and determination, you can turn even the worse situation you find yourself into a positive -all things I try to teach my teams."
Dwayne Leverock, former national team cricket player. Driven (2001). "This movie is about a young race car driver who had a lot of talent but his life and his racing started to get away from him. He had to focus and remember what made him a winner and that he forgot to love the sport.
"I say never stop respecting the sport. I try to teach younger players to never lose focus."
Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Ransom (1996). "It's non-stop suspense and justice for the bad guy."
Arnold Minors, Premier's press secretary. The Negotiator (1998). "There's an African-American (Samuel L. Jackson) in a non-traditional role (top hostage negotiator) and lots of action.
"It demonstrates what needs to be done to uncover the truth when there are powerful forces arrayed against that truth being known. And I like Regina Taylor in anything."
Alex Jones, sailor aiming for the London Olympics. The Princess Bride (1987). "It's not as manly as Terminator 2 or as charming as Pretty Woman but it's a classic tale with adventure, monsters, sword fights, good, evil and, of course, true love. What's not to love?
"To redeem my street cred, I've lost count of how many times I've seen Fight Club, which could easily have been my favourite if you had caught me on a different day."
Patrick Singleton, Olympic skeleton athlete. Nankyoku ryorinin (The Chef of South Polar) (2009). "It's about a chef forced into joining an Antarctic research expedition party. Their base is near the South Pole, has an average temperature of minus 54C and is 14,000km from his family in Japan.
"The guy does the best job he can given the harsh environment. It is about striving for excellence, perseverance, motivation and never giving up."
Kenny Bascome, Mayor of St. George's. E.T. (1982). "I really enjoyed E.T. at that stage in my life when it first came out. The animation was really something."
Larry Burchall, Bermuda Sun columnist. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930). "It captures the brutality and waste of war as well as the deep human and individual feelings evoked by and in combat."
Senator David Burch, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing. The Godfather (1972) and Sister Act 2 (1993). "Sister Act 2 told an uplifting story of the power of supporting and encouraging young people to succeed.
"In The Godfather, a characters finds a dead horse in their bed. This was a unique way of getting a message across to someone."
Mia Chambray, lead singer of Mohawk Radio. La vita é bella (Life Is Beautiful) (1997). "The juxtaposition of an incredible family love story with the atrocities of World War II truly struck a chord within my soul. The use of humour is profound in this film - it truly makes you believe in the capability of true love and faith between a couple and a family."
Bryan Darby, news reporter. Titanic (1997). "It's got everything - human drama and tragedy, all beautifully done.
"In terms of technology it was a major step forward. I could see it time and time again and I don't usually like to watch films more than once."
Rolfe Commissiong, race relations expert. There Will Be Blood (2007). "This has it all - brilliant script, brilliant cinematography and brilliant acting, especially by Daniel Day Lewis, whose performance was simply riveting."
David Ezekiel, chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies. Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Italian Job (1969). "Apocalypse Now has amazing cinematography, acting and music... and Marlon Brando. It's brilliant.
"Also, the original version of The Italian Job because it is stunningly funny. It is hilarious. I love cars and I love comedy."
LaVerne Furbert, union activist. The Secret Life of Bees (2008). "The movie is just as good as the book. I must mention my son's two films For Our Sons and Bike, which will be showing at the Bermuda International Film Festival this month. I would love to see him receive an Oscar."
Chris Gibbons, media consultant. The Godfather: Part II (1974), The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather: Part III (1990). "These films still take my breath away for their epic sweep, cinematography, score and performances.
"However, the most extraordinary film I ever saw was a rare screening, accompanied by a full orchestra, of Napoléon, a five-hour silent epic made in 1927 by French director Abel Gance. It used filming and editing techniques way ahead of its time."
Kristi Grayston, chair of the Retail Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce. Pulp Fiction (1994). "Pretty much any Quentin Tarantino film would do for me. I had to debate between Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds."
Duncan Hall, Bermuda Docs festival director. The Godfather (1972). "It won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Screenplay and eight other nominations, including an amazing three for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (for James Caan, Al Pacino and Robert Duvall). It is an incredible script, brilliant soundtrack and has some of the best actors of their, or any other, generation. My favourite piece of dialogue is, 'Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.'"
Tim Hodgson, former Mid-Ocean News editor. Lawrence of Arabia (1962). "This is the story of a scholar, a warrior, a genius, a self-promoter, a madman and an enigma.
"Robert Bolt's intelligent screenplay never attempts to reduce this most complex of men to a set of lowest-common denominator psychological clichés.
"Nor does the script simplify (or avoid) the cynical military and political chessmanship taking place in the Middle East at the time. The cinematography of the 'burning, fiery, furnace' of the desert is visually arresting.
"The performances, particularly Peter O'Toole in the title role and Omar Sharif as Ali, are lyrical. Maurice Jarre's score is deft and stirring."
Jon Legere, Volcanic Productions founder. Watership Down (1978). "This has had a lasting impact since I was a child and will always hold a special place.
"It's a beautiful mix of animation styles and a solid moral story. This still has the ability to create a lump in my throat."
Gary Moreno, news reporter. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966). "I'm a Clint Eastwood fanatic. I think I've seen them all."
Aideen Ratteray Pryse, Bermuda International Film Festival director. The American President (1995). "In the romantic comedy category, I would place The American President for the sharp and skilful writing of Aaron Sorkin.
"I am often reminded of several lines from the movie, one of which is, 'I was so busy keeping my job I forgot to do my job.'"
Lucinda Spurling, filmmaker. Harold and Maude (1971). "I showed it to my Bermuda College film class and they loved it - so much for what people say about old films.
"It is a brilliant script. Two people who are slightly on the outside of life meet each other and one discovers life and the other remembers a life well lived through an unlikely love story.
"In the Vietnam era, the film has a criticism of war in subtext yet deals humorously with topics of death and the purpose of life."
Teresa Perozzi, championship boxer. Invictus (2009). "I found this a very inspiring true story. South Africa was very racially and economically divided and I loved the way Nelson Mandela peacefully went about uniting the country through sport.
"This is a movie everyone should see, especially young people."
