Top 10: Films My Girlfriend Thinks I Should See

It's another Tuesday, and so I'm bringing you another "Top 10" list. This one, however, proves to be a tad bit different. In past weeks, I've offered up some of my own lists, delving into particular genres and sub-genres. But for this week's list, I thought we could go in a different direction. Now, I've mentioned here on a post here or there before, but my girlfriend Chloé wanted to help me with one of these particular posts, and I figured, "Why not?" It's a good change of pace, and it proves to be a very interesting list, I think.

What we have is a list of the ten films that Chloé thinks I need to see. Although I am quite the avid movie watcher, there are still plenty of flicks I've never had an opportunity to view. Luckily for me, Chloé is also a bit of a movie fan, and although our tastes match up quite a bit, there are plenty of flicks she's seen that I haven't. Ergo, the creation of this list. It's an eclectic selection, but I hope it can both engage you as well as give you ideas for new films you might like to see.

And so, without any further delay, here's the top ten films my girlfriend thinks I should see:


10. Velvet Goldmine (1998)

I've heard about this film from time to time, and I think I've seen it sitting on Netflix Instant Watch now and again, but I've never taken the time to sit down and watch it. With a now high-profile cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Jonathan Rhys Myers, this venture into the glam rock of the 1970s has always sparked an interest. Says Chloé:

I was initially interested in Velvet Goldmine based off its title. Being a huge fan of David Bowie, I can say that I was extremely happy with the parallels between Bowie and the Brian Slade character on-screen. This film did not disappoint.

9. Kirikou et la sorcière (1998)
(Kirikous and the Sorceress)

I can honestly say that I've never heard of this animated film until Chloé offered me her list. She said that the film follows the story of a young boy named Kirikou, who tries to bring water back to his village after the evil sorceress Karaba kills all the men in the village and dries up the spring. Says Chloé:

I have fond memories of my grandmother playing this animated movie for my sisters and I after dinner, but it wasn't until I re-watched it last year that I realized just how brilliant it actually is.

8. Howl (2010)


I do have to say that I had every intention of seeing Howl when it first hit theaters. I'm a bit of a James Franco apologist, enjoying him in nearly all of his endeavors, and it was that reason alone that I had originally wanted to see this film. I knew a little bit about Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl" on which the story is based, but I guess I didn't know enough to warrant going to see this one in the theaters. Says Chloé:

I truthfully didn't know what I was going to be getting as I sat down in the theater to watch Howl. A friend had told me about the film, but the only introduction I was offered was that the film featured Franco starring as Allen Ginsberg. What she didn't say was just how strong of a movie Howl proved to be.

7. Les demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)
(The Young Girls of Rochefort)

Another flick I don't really know anything about. I know that Chloé has mentioned this film on a few occasions in the past, but it's never been much of an in-depth conversation. The movie tells the story of two twins as they begin their adult lives and start to look for love. Says Chloé:

Les demoiselles de Rochefort is another film that links me back to my French roots. It's possibly my favorite film musical of all time. I just can't find any words that will do this movie justice, so I think you should just give it a chance. It even stars Gene Kelly, which I personally think is a huge plus.

6. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

I know what you're thinking: how haven't I seen a film as iconic as Breakfast at Tiffany's? To be fair, I'm sure Chloé has also asked that question on a number of occasions, and I don't think I've ever really had an answer for her. Says Chloé:

The fact that my boyfriend has not seen this movie is an insult to me, the resident Audrey Hepburn fanatic. I know that I want him to see all the films on this list, but the fact that he hasn't seen this one is probably the biggest tragedy.

5. Grey Gardens (1975)

In 2009, a made-for-TV movie called Grey Gardens was released and was met with critical acclaim. I knew that the film was a type of remake, but I didn't know that the original 1975 venture was actually a documentary. It took a look at the real lives of two of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's cousins. Says Chloé:

One of the weirdest documentaries I've ever seen, Grey Gardens still manages to be my favorite. Our two central women have such enormous personalities that the film becomes utterly entertaining, documentary or not.

4. Never Let Me Go (2010)

Another film I had every intention of seeing during its initial theatrical release, Never Let Me Go simply managed to slip through my fingers. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name, the film features the acting talents of Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield. The cast alone would have led me to the theater, but the overly emotional trailer also caught my eye. Says Chloé:

This movie is definitely a sad one. So sad, in fact, that when I tried with watch it with my mom, she literally refused to watch it through to the end. However, you shouldn't let that keep you from giving it a view. It's a near-perfect dystopian film with a beautiful love story. It's just a beautiful film, but be warned: it may leave you feeling sick to your stomach.

3. Withnail and I (1987)

The final film on the list of which I had never truly heard. Withnail and I is comedy that, according to Chloé, has a huge following in England. It tells the story of two struggling actors who decide to take a vacation together to get away from their mundane lives. Says Chloé:

Withnail and I is one of my favorite black comedies, and I just wish more people had heard of this brilliant film. It manages to keep you laughing all the way from start to finish.

2. Best in Show (2000)

Of all the films on this list, I think Chloé has been driving me to see this one the most in recent months. She even went as far as to buy me a copy of the film so that I could give it a view. I will eventually, I promise. Best in Show is a mockumentary that tells of five dogs and their owners as they train and prepare for the famed "Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show." Says Chloé:

Best in Show is my very favorite comedy and mockumentary. It's the cast that truly makes the film, featuring performers like Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Christopher Guest, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch and their dogs.

1. The Ice Storm (1997)

I wish I could count how many times Chloé has mentioned The Ice Storm to me, but I've simply lost count. This Ang Lee production features an ensemble cast that includes Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood and Sigourney Weaver, and it tells the story of two dysfunctional families as they deal with affairs, drugs and sex. Says Chloé:

The Ice Storm is my favorite film of all time. There are really no words for it. I just love this movie.

And so, that concludes the list of the ten films my girlfriend thinks I need to see. I hope it gave you a few ideas of films you'd like to watch as well. Tune in next week for the next top ten list!