My Advanced students' favourite films (part 5)

Lucia Losada says:

First of all, I must say I don’t have a favourite film. How could I? There are so many good movies - as many as bad ones, if you think about it - that it’s nearly impossible to choose just a handful of them. Moreover, some of my classmates have already talked about some of the films I like the most, but I’ve noticed nobody has listed an animated movie, so let me start my selection with an awesome one:

Animation films have a long history, nearly as long as cinema itself, but none has revolutionized its plots and techniques as dramatically as Pixar has done ever since they released Toy story in 1995. Wall-e is another fine example, actually so good that it has been ranked first in TIME magazine’s list of “Best movies of the decade". How did Pixar achieve this? Well, no fluffy animals were used, but instead a robot who falls in love and happens to be the cutest thing in the world! By the way, half of this film is mute. In fact, the main characters hardly ever speak. It doesn’t matter, though, because words are unnecessary to understand this beautiful story.

Next, as regards love stories and magical films, you can’t miss this one:

I’m a fan of Tim Burton - although I don’t like all his films. Big fish is, by far, my favourite. It isn’t the typical rom-com (which I’m not usually very fond of because they tend to be too simple), as it talks about love, family, forgiveness, overcoming problems but, above all, magic. When you see this film, you can both cry and laugh, but it will surely leave an impression on you. It worked for me as much as when, for example, I saw Amélie. Whenever I think about these two films, I can’t help smiling. Isn’t this a good enough compliment?
Last but not least, “Schindler's List” also had a big impact on me, although I’ve only seen it once. Not because I don’t like it, but because I can’t watch it again. It’s a tough film, but still a must-see. Filmed in black and white, only a note of colour is left: the red coat of a little Jewish girl. The whole film is impressive, so much so that there are no words to describe it. All things considered (the film’s director, cast, plot, script ...), “Schindler’s list” is just perfect.

This is an interesting interview with the famous director on BBC Wales about the film:

Puri Garcia says:


My favourite movie? Well, let me think … OK, whichever makes me feel frightened! Since I overcame my childhood nightmares I’ve loved horror movies.


Have you ever watched The Blair Witch Project? It is an American psychological horror film, written and directed in 1999 by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. It’s really horrifying, but without blood or monsters, only with the noises at night and disturbing sticky figures hanging from trees.  It is indeed a hair-raising movie!


The film tells the story of three student filmmakers who disappear after hiking in the woods of Maryland to record a documentary about the local legend known as the Blair Witch, the ghost of Elly Kedward, a woman banished from the Blair Township for witchcraft in 1785. It is said that the three students, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams, were never seen again. However, someone discovered their camera and sound equipment  a year later.


The whole movie is presented to the viewer as the recovered footage from the woodland. It is also a reminder that what really scares us is the stuff we can’t see. Any kid can tell you that!

Following the line of  my favourite film genres, I  should explain to you that my sons love scary movies too, the last one that we have seen was “30 Days of Night”, which is about a town in Alaska seized by bloodthirsty vampires. It was their choice but, from my point of view, it is pretty nasty if you don’t like gory movies. 

Anyway, if what you like is to feel panic you should watch “Paranormal Activity”. There is a special scene which could scare you to death.

“1408” is a film that could also make you absolutely petrified. John Cusack plays a writer who is specialized in debunking paranormal occurrences. He checks into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. After settling in, he confronts genuine terror.

However, my favourite one is “The Changeling”, directed by Peter Medak in 1980. Have you ever noticed the presence of a spectre?