Movies

 Okay so I have a fair few favourite movies. To start with my favourite director, Tim Burton. The vibe of his movies are dark, gothic and yet whimsical. I love the claymation throughout almost all the movies. I find a comfort in the almost uncomfortable, eerie feeling. The colouring is always captivating and the plots are so unique. I hope to one day be able to go to the world of Tim Burton exhibition and own his $300 "the art of Tim Burton". My favourite of his movies are Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

1. Labyrinth 

Although I love Tim Burton's movies with a passion, one of Jim Henson's takes the cake: the Labyrinth. It has the same claymation, dark, gothic, eerie vibe, but there's just something about it unlike anything else. To start with, David Bowie is one of my favourite musical artists. Now I don't know if it's because I remembered and recognised his voice when starting to develop my own music taste or he just happens to be the main character in my favourite movie but nevertheless, he is an important part of me. I first watched the Labyrinth at my Pops' house. I will admit, I don't actually remember that first watch but it obviously stuck - something tells me this is where my love for gothic and whimsical movies started. 

Labyrinth is about a girl who wishes her Brother, Toby, away to the Goblin King when she is left to babysit. She doesn't believe it will work, but it does. Jareth, the Goblin King (David Bowie) gives her 13 hours to solve an enormous, logic defying labyrinth and reach his castle by the end of the 13th hour, otherwise Toby will be turned into a goblin forever. There are so many obstacles along the way but she never gives up, and makes the most beautiful friends along the way. Seeing her perseverance for the ones she loves and the effort she puts in to rectify her mistake is inspiring, and seeing that when she did the right thing in not giving up straight away, it rewarded her with an unforgettable experience is awe - inspiring. 

2. Beetlejuice 

My next favourite has to be Beetlejuice. It is about a couple, the Maitlands, that move to town and pass away in a car accident and find they cannot leave their old home. the Deetz family moves in and the Maitlands try and scare them away but it doesn't work. The Maitlands decide to summon Beetlejuice who is a cheeky vulgar "bio-exorcist" to get rid of them. Again, the colouring, claymation, clothing and the concept of the whole movie is so wacky yet heartfelt and funny. I think I like the fact its not all CGI. 

The characters throughout the movie are all so different and it feels like every possible option of aesthetic and personality is covered. Beetlejuice is played by Michael Keaton and the character is quite perverted, doesn't know boundaries and is blatently gross. The commitment to the character and the acting is amazing, as is every other character. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice came out in 2024. Although I enjoyed this, it didn't beat the original. It all felt too modern and a bit busy with lots of plots but still enjoyable. Seeing Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder back in there original roles was a kick and Jenna Ortega fit in quite seamlessly. 

3. The Princess Bride

Next we have the Princess Bride. This was one of the first movies I ever watched with a love story that genuinely stuck with me. It's got love, adventure, action and of course, odd characters. It starts with a Grandfather reading the book to his grandson - that's the movie. Buttercup falls for a farmhand named Westley. He leaves the farm and word comes back that ship got attacked and he's presumed dead. Buttercup is then arranged years later to get married to Prince Humperdinck but before the wedding, she gets kidnapped. Eventually a masked pirate saves her and it is Westley. 

What I love is that it's such a familiar story: a kidnapping, quests, marriage, being saved by her love. It's comforting to watch in a way. Beautiful countryside, elegant costumes, a handsome man (my first proper crush), and endlessly interesting characters - it ticks all my boxes.

I have to include my favourite lines: "as you wish," obviously first. It's Westley's way of saying he loves her. And "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my Father. Prepare to die." He spends the whole film chasing revenge on the six-fingered man, and he finally gets it. Its such a powerful scene and you can't help but feel so happy for him. Then just "inconceivable."Such a funny word and the way he says it is addicting. Lastly, when she is due to get married, the way the man says "marriage". So amusing.

4. Alice in Wonderland 

Of course, we have to have Alice in Wonderland. That includes literally any version but with special mention of the new ones and the 1999 Alice in Wonderland. The new versions are so interesting with the characters looks - the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Caterpillar, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. The land and details to everything is amazing and there is always something new to see. The 1999 was I believe the first Alice in Wonderland I ever watched. Now I have to say, I haven't watched this version in forever. It is quite unsettling. The characters are all obviously humans which is scary within itself for them to not look fake and on top of that are scary with their looks and acting. Although it scared me it of course, also fascinated me.

I love the plot of Alice in Wonderland and how crazy it all is. So much happens in such little time and it really does feel like a fever dream. Through her ever changing journey, her being the only constant makes you feel very reliant on her and her decisions and experiences. Its a very interesting experience watching. Although the Disney one is good, the old one is a favourite as it is unsettling and the new ones are just so detailed with such amazing acting. 

5. Tinkerbell - Legend of the Neverbeast

Although I have so many favourite movies, I knew Tinkerbell needed to be included. The hard part was picking which Tinkerbell movie. I remember when I was younger loving te Secret of the Wings for the f

act she did have a sister and how different the plot line was from what I was used to but I had to pick the Legend of the Neverbeast. I remember distinctly watching it with my Dad at the movies and us bawling at the back. It is the first movie I remember feeling so sad and moved about. I remember maybe for a month straight looking out my window every night wanting to see the green comet fly through the sky. The fact that Gruff was misunderstood and was trying to save Pixie Hollow is just such a beautiful concept and seeing everyone go from being scared of him to forever grateful for saving their home and Fawn still makes me tear up.I just find them all as equally beautiful with the lands, homes and friendships. 

This has been so fun to write! I loved looking back on my experiences of watching them and figuring out my favourites - I like a lot of movies, so that was no easy tasks. I think there is an overarching theme here: I'm drawn to odd, peculiar, often childish worlds, characters and plots. These are my top 5 but there are so many more I love, so I've added a list of them below (chances are I'll write about them eventually). Hope you enjoyed xx

Divergent 

Hocus Pocus

Twilight

The grinch

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Maze Runner

10 things I hate about you

Harry potter 

Coraline

The Nightmare before Christmas

Edward Scissorhands

The Corpse Bride 

Cat in the Hat

Monsters Inc

James and the Giant Peach

Mrs Doubtfire 

Monster House

School of Rock