Reason Number 10: The Island (2005) Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
This action adventure directed by Michael Bay features several breathtaking chase sequences in a futuristic metropolis where wealthy citizens have the option to be cloned, guaranteeing organ and blood matches in the case of ill-health or injury.
In a plot-line reminiscent of Logan's Run, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson don white jump suits and team up against the odds as two fugitive clones on the run from the organization that first created them.
The lead players are
complemented by a stellar supporting cast (including Sean Bean and Steve Buscemi), offering an entertaining mix of comedy, drama and excitement.
Reason Number 9: Jaws (1975) Adventure/Horror/Thriller
Most of us have seen Jaws one too many times thanks to frequent airings on television over the past thirty years. But few films lend themselves quite so naturally to the cinematic experience thanks to the stylistic approach from Speilberg, who carefully takes pains to re-construct the suspense of Peter Benchley's original novel. Notable sequences include the opening, where an unsuspecting young woman takes an ill-fated late night swim. We don't shark until later but it's clear as the water turns red, that there can only be trouble ahead. It's fortunate for Amity (the small island community terrorized by the giant great white shark) that Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss are ready and prepared to come to the rescue.
Reason Number 8: Amelie (2001) Comedy/Drama/Romance
This highly acclaimed Parisian love story offers an overwhelming visual experience that is guaranteed to entertain and move even the most stringent cynic. Amelie is a naïve young
girl living an isolated existence in the French capital, until she takes it upon herself to find justice for and inflict vengeance upon various members of her local community. Audrey Tautou is
irresistibly lovable as the mischievous waitress who is desperate to over-come her abashed attitude and make a connection with the world around her.
Reason Number 7: Die Hard (1988) Action/Crime/Thriller
Bruce Willis plays renegade cop when his wife is held hostage by terrorists at the annual Christmas party. It hardly sounds like the pitch of a lifetime, but this nonstop action extravaganza has remained a cult favorite since it's release in the eighties. It could be the subtle brand of dry humor, the fact that Bruce Willis jumps off a building of at least one hundred floors attached only to a fire hose, or it could be the highly watchable performance from Alan Rickman who leads the
terrorist gate-crashers who have orchestrated an elaborate and hugely lucrative robbery. Whatever the reason with all the gun-fights and explosions it is certainly worth a re-watch on the big screen!
Reason Number 6: Hero (2002) Action/Adventure/Drama
Jet-Li recounts his tale of victory in an ancient and warring China, treating the audience to an unbelievable journey of aesthetic beauty. The cinematography in this piece is particularly captivating and of the three mainstream films directed by Yimou Zhang (the others were House of Flying Daggers and the recently released Curse of the Golden Flower), this is arguably the most dazzling and engaging making it an ideal addition to your home cinema catalogue.
Reason Number 5: The Terminator (1984) Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
The fact that this particular film is very much of its time does not detract from the success of Cameron, who gradually draws us into an alternative version of our own 1980's world which will soon be doomed by it's own technological advances. Schwarzenegger is still chilling as the feeling-free cyborg determined to bring down Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), before she has the chance to spawn the only hope the human race will have of surviving a grim, war-dominated future. And the hunt is still as thrilling as Hamilton excels as the hardened damsel in her most memorable on-screen appearance.
Reason Number 4: The Matrix (1999) Action/Thriller/Sci-Fi
Few of us who saw The Matrix at the cinema on its release are going to forget the amazement of seeing actors running up walls and punching their foes faster than our eyes could move. The original Matrix film will always be a classic of its time, as Keanu Reeves is pitted against the machines who are deluding us into believing we are living our lives when we are truly being
farmed to provide energy for their survival. Perhaps one of the most striking scenes is when we see Neo (Reeves) pitted against his mentor in the training room, initially unable to defeat each other, the pair engage in some extravagant but enjoyable Kung-Fu fighting designed to charm and astound the audience.
Reason Number 3: Sin City (2005) Action/Crime/Thriler
This visual feast based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller offers everything an avid film fan could want in terms of comedy, action and horror. The five star cast includes: Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Brittany Murphy and Benicio Del Toro who dwell in a city where prostitutes and thieves make their own rules for survival. Several different stories are interweaved with every moment of shooting time arranged down to the smallest detail to impress the highest possible impact on the viewer. Not one for the faint hearted, but an excellent choice for those equipped with a dark sense of humor.
Reason Number 2: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,
(2001) Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Although this may appear like a particularly obvious choice due to its critical acclaim, few other films rival can rival the various treats offered by the Lord of the Rings. It truly is to film what Carling is to Lager, offering everything in one compact three hour package. The audience is transported into the world of Tolkien where we follow the quest of a small hobbit in overthrowing the ultimate evils as he faces battles, monsters, trolls and elves. Re-living the cinematic experience of this almost obsessively polished adventure is highly likely to be a big hit with the whole family.
Reason Number 1: Kill Bill Volume 1 (2003) Action/Drama/Thriller
Possibly Tarantino's greatest cinematic accomplishment to date, the first installment of this revenge tale tracks Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman) as she one by one kills the people responsible
for the death of her child. The most accurate way to describe this film is as an almost stream of consciousness in image form. The audience is rarely given an opportunity to recover from the never-ending bombardment of poignant images and action sequences including one truly inspired segment that is presented as a Japanese animation. If you missed Kill Bill at the cinema and
Samurai action is your cup of tea, then don't hesitate to get sat down in front of your home cinema, because for films like this only the big screen will do!
