17. The Graduate

"Elaaaaiiiiine!"

What it's about
A man has an affair with an older woman, then falls in love with her daughter.

What I thought
I really liked the songs in this one. Mum sang along with a couple of them and I smiled lots. The man in it looked a bit like Dad, so I liked him.

What Mum thought
Mum's seen this before. "Another one I love. Hoffman is, as always, brilliant in his awkwardness. Great script too, with a lot of very funny lines. The film is timeless and will always be one people can identify with."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "Loved this film. Hoffman looks so young and gives a wonderful portrayal of an innocent young man corrupted by the older woman. Some of the techniques in filming are groundbreaking, it also has an awesome soundtrack.

The early scenes of Benjamin and Mrs Robinson together are excellent with some real laugh out loud moments. Some of Hoffman's attempts to flirt were very familiar to m. This film really belongs on the list and is one I shall be watching again."

16. Sunset Blvd.

What it's about
A writer meets a mad old woman who gives him lots of pressies.

What I thought
I liked the man's voice. I also liked the organ music Max played.

What Mum thought
Mum's seen this before. "I lurve this film. Swanson's character is fabulous, totally lost in her own world, she's incredible. Max, Erich von Stroheim, is a wonderful character too who is so protective of Desmond.

It had been so long since my first viewing of this that I'd forgotten how brilliant the writing was for it. So many quotable lines and Holden's narration is full of dry wit."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "I loved this film. The narration reminded me of Raymond Chandler and I've always had a soft spot for that genre. The language used is amazingly simple yet poetic. The performances were strong (some might say over-the-top but that's the point, isn't it?) and the actors had a great story to work with. Decades before American Beauty we have a fantastic twist and some of the most quotable lines in cinematic history."

15. 2001: A Space Odyssey

What it's about
There's a signal from the moon and a race to find where it is.

What I thought
I loved the music and the film was lovely to watch.

What Mum thought
Mum's seen this before. "Incredible special effects, set design, camera work. It's technically brilliant and the music complements it all wonderfully, as does the lack of dialogue throughout much of it. It is a simple yet profound story. My only nitpick is it is not a film you should force yourself to watch. It takes being in the right frame of mind to just sit back and allow yourself to enjoy this; it's a very different viewing experience to most films, which isn't really a negative against the film. It is brilliant, beautiful and awesome in the truest sense of the word."

What Dad thought
Dad had seen this one before. "There is so much to say about this film. The first 25 minutes is a stroke of genius by Kubrick, without a single word of dialogue he tells the story of evolution. Then you have astounding special effects... The film is groundbreaking. This is one that unequivocally belongs in the top 100 films. I agree with your mum though, it does take being in the right frame of mind to enjoy it fully."

14. Psycho

What it's about
A woman steals some money and finds herself at a motel she shouldn't have gone to.

What I thought
I didn't like the music, and I didn't like the screaming. But I do love my mother.

What Mum thought
 Mum's seen this a few times before. "This is one of my favourite Hitchcock films. It's easily the best thriller/horror out there. Perkins performance is brilliant, understated and adds so much to the atmosphere Hitchcock created in this film. Van Sant's attempt at a remake could never have come close to this."

What Dad thought
Dad had seen this one before. "I like Psycho. I think it was the first film I watched that demonstrated you didn't need oceans of blood to be scary and that you don't need a big build-up to each scare, sometimes you can just say 'Boo!' I love the reveal and for its time it was groundbreaking, though it is much imitated now. Hitchcock's directing is spot on and great performances from the cast."

13. Star Wars

What it's about
Do I really need to tell you? It's about a man who rescues a princess. First one on the list we've all seen.

What I thought
Second viewing for me. I loved the music, the aliens. I love R2D2. I love the space ships. It's great.

What Mum thought
 Mum's seen this a few times before. "It's Star Wars! What's not to like?"

What Dad thought
Dad's a Star Wars geek, he's seen it a few times before. "Star Wars, how I love thee, let me count the ways... Hans freakin' Solo; one of the best anti-heroes ever brought to screen, Vader; Somerset lad makes good. Tarkin and X-Wings and Jawas... What's not to love??? Well, if you are a purest like me then you DO NOT like the special editions! Why make Greddo shoot first? It was fine before. Of course Han shot first, Greddo's an idiot. Why does Luke's light sabre change colour for no reason? Blue, then briefly green, then blue again?

Star Wars how I love thee, but in your pure, unsullied form. Bring on the original. That's the one we should have watched."

12. The Searchers

What it's about
It's about a man who hates everybody and his search for his niece.

What I thought
I wasn't impressed. I cried instead. Might be because I'm teething.

What Mum thought
First time for Mum. "I do like Westerns, but there are so many others better than this. I don't get why it's so high  or even why it's on the list at all. It's certainly not John Ford's best, and  I'd rate True Grit higher as far as Wayne films go. As far as the characters and performances, I couldn't agree less with your dad."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "I liked this one. The idea of spending so long to find his niece touched a chord with me. There was some amazing cinematography. The final panning shot out as the door closes comes to mind. The scenery was beautiful and there were some strong performances. The characters were well realised and not the two dimensional stereotypes I expected. I just don't know if I would consider it the best Western of all time. I've seen better."

11. City Lights

Photo will probably be redone for this one. He was too busy trying to eat the brush for me to do the moustache properly.

What it's about
A man who dresses funny helps a lady he loves who can't see.

What I thought
I quite liked the music and the man was funny. I really liked the bit where he swallows the whistle and gets hiccups.

What Mum thought
First one on the list Mum hadn't seen. "I've never been a big Chaplin fan so I never tried to get hold of this one before. Although the classic comedy Tramp scenes didn't interest me, it was a very touching love story that brought a tear to my eye."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "It was my first Chaplin. It was okay but I fell asleep during it."

10. Wizard of Oz

What it's about
A girl finds herself in a strange place and wants to go home.

What I thought
I'm really enjoying the musicals in the list. My sisters were singing along and dancing, we loved it.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "I might not like it quite as much as I did as a girl, but it's still great."

What Dad thought
Dad had seen this one before too. "It's a classic with catchy tunes. It's a hard film to hate."

9. Vertigo

What it's about
It's about a man who becomes obsessed with a woman.

What I thought
Didn't like this one too much. The soundtrack wasn't very nice and I got bored by the film.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "I really like this film. I love Stewart, and Hitchcock. A tense, character driven story. I'm not overly keen on Novak's acting, that's my only dislike."

What Dad thought
Dad's first time. "It's a bad film. I didn't like the acting, the story or the dream sequences."

8. Schindler's List

What it's about
It's about a man who buys lots of people to work for him, who would have died if he didn't.

What I thought
I really liked the music, and the man was very nice.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "An amazing and very powerful film about an amazing man. Brilliant performances, great cinematography. Not one thing I could criticise."

What Dad thought
Dad had seen this one before too. "What can I say? A beautiful and very emotional film."

7. Lawrence of Arabia

What it's about
It's about a man called Lawrence who spends time in Arabia.

What I thought
I really liked the music, the places and all the sand.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "Peter O'Toole rocks! He's very pretty in this one. Beautiful soundtrack and the cinematography is great."

What Dad thought
Second time for Dad. "I love this film as the main characters are so vibrant. One of my favourite characters in this is the desert. David Lean portrays the desert in such a way as to make it a beautiful leading character."

6. Gone With The Wind

What it's about
She loves him, she doesn't love him, he loves her, she loves this other guy, there's a war going on...

What I thought
The colours were very pretty. It was so long I was very hungry by the time it finished.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "Clark Gable's character is brilliant, it's all very pretty. I guess it's not too bad a story, but I really don't like Scarlett O'Hara. I prefer the 30 second bunny version."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "Generally, I like this film. If you disregard the casual racism and fast forward all the scenes with Scarlett O'Hara in, then it's a watchable. Bunny version is cool."

5. Singin' in the Rain

What it's about
They're making films and the films went from no sound to having sound.

What I thought
This was my favourite so far!  I loved the songs, the dancing and all the colours. My favourite bit was when Cosmo was being silly and went through a wall. It made me laugh.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a few times before. "I love this film, my favourite so far too. Everything about it is perfect as far as I'm concerned."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. It was strong story which carried the choreography and songs rather than the other way round. Donald O'Connor gave a very energetic performance, especially with the Make 'Em Laugh routine."

4. Raging Bull

A bit of a gap between films while we waited for postman to deliver this one.

What it's about
It's about a boxer, he's quite a mean man.

What I thought
This one was a bit too much for me. Really liked the music, but that's all. Bed was nicer.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a before. "It's a great film. Brilliant performances and one of De Niro's best. You're probably not supposed to empathise with La Motta, but because of this it's too hard for me to love it. Lots of uncomfortable viewing."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. "A very dark film full of powerful performances from two of my favourite actors. An engaging story with a hateful main character, but beautifully portrayed. Brilliant direction by Scorsese."

3. Casablanca

What it's about
It's a love story. The man and woman love each other but can't be together.

What I thought
Love stories are boring and yucky. I went to bed instead.

What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one a few times before. "Beautiful cinematography, outstanding music, brilliant screenplay... It's a timeless love story. I'm sorry to say I don't like Bogart and my enjoyment of the film suffers because of that."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. He loved it! He thought everything about it was perfect.

2. The Godfather

What it's about

There's an old man, who talks funny. He gets ill and his son has to look after the family even though he doesn't really want to.

What I thought

It was okay. I liked the music... I only saw a little bit of it as I fell asleep. Maybe I'll enjoy it more when I'm older.


What Mum thought
Mum had seen this one before and likes it. "It's pretty much a perfect film with an outstanding performance by Brando. The only tiny problem with it, is I do have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it."


What Dad thought
Dad has seen this one before too and really likes it. "Now this is a masterpiece. I thought the direction, cinematography, the acting... all were great. I actually care about the characters too. My favourite film on the list so far."

1. Citizen Kane

What it's about
When Charles Foster Kane dies, he utters the word 'Rosebud'. As the reporters attempt to find the meaning behind his final words, they discover more about Kane's past. 

What I thought
I liked the singing and silly bits of music in it. I also thought the guy with the big head was awesome, it made me feel better about my own, huge baby head! I'd like to be him when I grow up.

What Mummy thought
Mum had seen this one before. She really likes this film, although it wouldn't be her number one. "I can understand why people wouldn't like it; it is held on this huge pedestal and may not live up to someones expectations. However, nigh on everything about it is spot on, the cinematography, the acting... maybe the incidental music could have been done better... but other than that, nothing that isn't implemented perfectly."

What Dad thought
First time for Dad. He seemed to like the film but his attention did wander from time to time. He said that it had some great characterisation and was obviously ground breaking at the time it was released but now it had been imitated too often for it to have an original appeal. He also really loved the pterodactyls.