How to make Custard, The Twenties

We have now reached my twenties in the weekly instalment of film moments that shaped my outlook on life.

This decade was a tough one and also a great one for me. I didn’t really blossom until I was 21 so I really got stuck in and partied hard for a good 5 years!! The draw back of this is that the big film moments from that period are few and far between. Not only that the only films that left a watermark on that time were club or party related (yes I was a naughty boy).

Human Traffic

Human Traffic

The real story of youth in the nineties is this : chemicals, clubs, bars, pubs, pushing the vinyl, blagging the guest list, mobile phones, trainers, combats, care-less, monged, mashed, sorted, safe. And here it is in all its pupil-dilated, teeth grinding, club-hopping glory. The weekend has well and truly landed…

Featuring a soundtrack including artists such as Fatboy Slim, Orbital, Carl Cox, Primal Scream and many more!

I remember clearly seeing this film and relating to it so much. I think all my peers at the time felt the same. Danny Dyer’s performance was super funny. There is a very cringe worthy scene with Mr Dyer and his Mum which I remember clearly. If you have seen it then you will know the one I mean.

Trainspotting

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family…

This is the story of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his so-called friends – a bunch of losers, liars, psychos, thieves and junkies. Hilarious but harrowing,

Trainspotting

the film charts the disintegration of their friendship as they proceed seemingly towards self-destruction. Mark alone has the insight and opportunity to escape his fate – but then again does he really want to “choose life”?

Who doesn’t love this film? It is a definitive coming of age movie for my generation. The soundtrack alone makes for great listening (I am playing it now as I type). The shocking nature of the film and amazing script has kept it fresh even to this day. Still my favourite Danny Boyle flick (I havent seen 127 hours yet). The desperation of the toilet scene, Spud (Bremner) in his speed induced job interview or the true psycho nature of Begbie – all class.

It was around this time that I discovered Quentin Tarantino. All a bit backwards, Pulp Fiction then Reservoir Dogs ending with my favourite story of his :-

True Romance

Two lovers (Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette) are thrust into a dangerous game of high-stakes negotiations and high-speed adventure. The pair come into unexpected possession of a suitcase of mob contraband. Fleeing to Los Angeles, they hope to sell the goods and begin a new life. But both sides of the law have other ideas…

True Romance

Tony Scott’s representation of the truly amazing Tarantino story still holds up very well today. The all star cast are simply amazing. Notably Brad Pitt as a brilliantly funny stoner and Christopher Walken and Dennis Hoppers scene.

One Christmas in my mid twenties I discovered a film that is now a staple of my seasonal diet. I cried my eyes out when I watched it the first time and that hasn’t changed even now on the 10^th watch

It’s a Wonderful Life

It's A Wonderful Life

Light up your Christmas this year, with this timeless classic starring the unforgettable James Stewart as George Bailey and featuring a superb ensemble cast including Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.

Regarded as a cinematic masterpiece and one of the most popular films of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life is the very definition of the Christmas feel good family film. For the first time, this acclaimed favourite has been re-mastered in glorious colour providing you with the option of enjoying the film in its original black and white form and now in full colour.

This high spirited Christmas classic directed by the legendary Frank Capra ranks among fans and film critics alike as one of the most universally loved films ever made.

I know technically its just A Christmas Carol redux but I love the Bailey character played by Stewart. Heart warming and tear jerking. Beautiful.

Right, I am now living on my own, I mean with no partner, I discover some of the films that have stayed with me in my ultimate top ten. I also had my first Dolby Prologic Surround sound set up in my flat. Very posh!!

Fight Club

Brad Pitt (Seven, Snatch) and Edward Norton (American History X, Primal Fear) deliver knock-out performances in this stunningly original, darkly comic

Fight Club

film from David Fincher, the director of Seven. Norton stars as Jack, a chronic insomniac desperate to escape his excruciatingly boring life. That’s when he meets Tyler Durden (Pitt), a charismatic soap salesman with a twisted philosophy. Tyler believes self improvement is for the weak – it’s self destruction that really makes life worth living. Before long, Jack and Tyler are beating each other to a pulp in a bar parking lot, a cathartic slugfest that delivers the ultimate high. To introduce other men to the simple joys of physical violence, Jack and Tyler form a secret Fight Club that becomes wildly successful. But there’s a shocking surprise waiting for Jack that will change everything.

Everything about this film shocked and awed me. I really didn’t expect what came from it. I thought it was going to be a bit of a buddy action movie. Boy was I wrong. A totally original story that delivers on so many levels it just keeps on giving. I think it took me about 3 watches to see all the Tyler Durden’s lurking in the background.

Apocalypse Now

Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning vision of man’s heart of darkness revealed through the madness of the Vietnam War. Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) receives orders to seek out a renegade military outpost led by the mysterious Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando). Willard’s mission: “Terminate with extreme prejudice.” One of the most powerful films of all time, Apocalypse Now was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won Two for Best Sound and Best Cinematography. Based on the novel, ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad. Includes early performances by Harrison Ford and Laurence Fishburne.

I know this film is not from this decade but it wasn’t until I was at this age that I saw it. I was totally blown away by the performance of Martin Sheen. The famous opening where he actually broke the mirror and cut himself badly is truly haunting. I bet that is like his son every weekend!!

Apocalypse Now

There are so many more films I want to list. Matrix, Bladerunner, Toy Story, Platoon etc etc. It was in my twenties that I really developed a love for film and home cinema. I lost myself in film for weekends at a time with all nighters and weekenders.

Luckily I met a lady who is very understanding of my geeky nature. You can see then why I married this one!! We are still together loving movies and AV goodness. Our girls have the bug too (not that they have a choice).

I hope you have enjoyed this little escape into my past. If you didn’t read the earlier posts on my childhood and teenage years, you better get it done. Right now!! Go on!!

Thanks for reading, comments as always welcome.