As exams approach most UCT students are hitting the library, revising work they should have done in the semester and watching lectures they should have attended. If you find yourself able to take a break between essay writing and test cramming or just having a lazy day in, I have put together a list of the Top Twelve Classic films you NEED to see. All placed perfectly on one page, chronologically ordered from the 1940s till early 2000s. These films are perfect for any weather on any day. Trust me, once you start watching you won’t be able to stop.
1. Casablanca (1942)
This follows a conniving troubled man Rick Blaine played by Humphrey Bogart, who owns a successful café-Rick’s Café Americain that is known to all. One-night Rick’s former lover Ilsa played by Ingrid Bergman enters his café with her husband asking Rick for help- escaping Nazi control. The film is set in 1942 and is filled with action and suspense as the audience follows Rick in his attempt to help the one that got away.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
This iconic film is set in 1961 in New York City, with a witty and pessimist lady played by Audrey Hepburn. The film focuses on a relationship between two people both seeking a better life than the ones they have. Hepburn plays an expensive escort who longs to wed a wealthy man and George Peppard plays a young man sleeping with an older woman and longing to be a writer. The two characters meet and instantly form a complex relationship, which shapes both characters throughout the film.
3. Rocky (1976)
Rocky Ballboa played by Sylvester Stallone is a middle-class small-time boxer who is chosen to take on Apollo Creed, the reigning Heavyweight champion in the world. This 1976 sports film follows Rocky through his training for the fight but also follows Rocky while he tries to start a new romantic relationship with Adrian, who is played by Talia Shire, the sister of his friend Paulie.
4. Dead Poet Society (1989)
This film stars Robin Williams who plays John Keating, a new English teacher who teaches boys at an all boy school which is stuck in tradition and academic excellence. Keating encourages the boys in his class to follow their dreams, break out of their shells and ‘seize the day’. However, these new ideas force Keating and the young boys into a position of choosing between what they know and who they long to be.
5. Goodfellas (1990)
This 1990 Martin Scorsese film brings intense drama and action when it follows an ambitious mobster, Henry Hill played by Ray Liotta, through his drug addiction. His enjoyment of luxury and money leaves destruction and pain in his wake.
6. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump focuses on a slow yet caring boy named Forrest, who is played by Tom Hanks throughout this entire film. Forrest Gump takes the audience on an adventure through historical events that have shaped America through the eyes of a man with an IQ of 75. This 1994 film follows a man on his mission to find and declare his love to the girl of his dreams Jenny, who is played by Robin Wright.
7. Good Will Hunting (1997)
This 1997 film stars a young Matt Damon (Will Hunting) who plays a genius working as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult math problem, his genius is discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau played by Stellan Skarsgard. Will’s life begins to change and Professor Gerald encourages Will to see a therapist played by Robin Williams. The screenplay was written by both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who both star in the film.
8. The Wedding Singer (1998)
The start of the famous duo of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. This 1998 romcom is about a young gentleman who makes every couple’s dream come true at their weddings by singing them lovely songs. The film takes a turn when Robbie Hart played by Sandler is left at the altar by his fiancée. Hart loses all hope when it comes to love until he befriends Drew Barrymore’s character, Julia Sullivan and helps her plan her wedding, but during this time he begins to fall in love with her.
9. Notting Hill (1999)
This 1999 romcom stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant as Anne Scott and William Tucker. Roberts’ character is a successful American actress who meets Grant’s character in his London bookshop. The two later bump into each other again, which leads to a kiss and this kiss leads to a complex love affair. As they both try to make the relationship work, they are constantly met with difficulties from her career to the radical differences in their lifestyles.
10. 10 Things I hate about you (1999)
Julia Stiles plays Kat Stratford, a beautiful and smart teenager who does not care about high school drama or high school boys. Her younger sister, however, Bianca played by Larisa Oleynik, longs to be popular, but the house rule is Bianca is only allowed to date when Kat does. Plans are put into motion and Kat finds herself spending a lot of time with bad boy Patrick Verona, played by Heath Ledger. This 1999 teen romcom does it right- from the cast right through to the dialogue.
11. Almost Famous (2000)
This coming of age film is set in 1973 and stars a 15-year-old William Miller, played by Patrick Fugit, a music fan who gets inspired to do an interview for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming band called Stillwater, fronted by lead guitarist Russell Hammond and lead singer Jeff Bebe. William leaves with the band despite the protest from his overbearing mother. William must keep his age a secret from everyone even Penny Lane, played by Kate Hudson.
12. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones played by Renée Zellweger, decides at the start of the New Year that it is finally time to take control of her life and at the age of 32 she starts keeping a diary. Bridget’s diary becomes the most fascinating book in her life filled with everything from exercise and food to men and sex. She’s starting a whole new life with possibly new love interests too.