5 Films Everyone Should Watch Before They Die

Because we’re currently all being subjected to all of the exciting footage from the Cannes film festival (which may or may not be making us jealous), I thought I would compile a list of the films I’ve seen which are culturally relevant, important, or just a damn good watch. So, without further ado, here is that list:

1. The Blair Witch Project

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntgrRUML2ic&w=584&h=390]

At the time of its release, The Blair Witch Project was a very individual film. Allegedly created on a shoestring budget of around $25,000, the film then went to make a massive impact on the film industry and has since gone down in history as a very significant horror film and marks the creation of the ‘found footage’ genre, though it has never been done quite as well as this. The film is chilling from beginning to end, and boasts some of the most iconic and memorable scenes in horror history.

2. 12 Angry Men

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTDhgR3p12w&w=584&h=390]

12 Angry Men is a bit of a strange one. This is one I’d only seen recently, but is regarded by many critics and film fans as a modern classic, and for very good reason. Despite the film’s age, the story is engaging, the writing is often genius, and the themes explored through it are still incredibly relevant today. For those not familiar with it, the film is all set in one room, and shows a jury of twelve men trying to decide whether a bit on trial for murder is guilty or not.

3. When Harry Met Sally

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-bsf2x-aeE&w=584&h=390]

The Romantic Comedy genre is notoriously ‘samey’, but this film really is a work of magic. Everything works. There is an incredible amount of chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, and the writing is stellar. This film is refreshingly honest but has just the right amount of slapstick humour that is truly timeless. Arguably the best romcom ever.

4. Eraserhead

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7OqGCIcak&w=584&h=390]

The first thing to note about Eraserhead is that it is incredibly weird. Being David Lynch’s first full-length endeavour, the film is incredibly ambitious. Story isn’t the important thing. What is the important thing is the sheer nightmarish visual spectacle which Lynch is absolutely great at. This was the first Lynch film I saw and it compelled to go on to buy the full collection of his works.

5. Boyz n’ The Hood

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John Singleton’s classic debut is regarded as one of the most important American films ever made. Strongly based on the politics and dangers of being a black person living in L.A, the film is full of emotion which is brought on my extremely well written characters and great performances from Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr.