James' Favourites
These films bring me joy, make me think, and create wonder. Maybe they'll do that for you too.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
8.5/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Karen Allen, Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, Denhol...
Aka "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark". Harrison Ford is an adventure-seeking archeologist after rare and well-guarded ancient artifacts.... Read more
Apocalypse Now (1979)
8.5/10
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Sam Bottoms, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Laurence Fishburne, Har...
A flawed masterpiece, intended as the definitive Vietnam film, based on Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'. With Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Dennis... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
8.8/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett,...
In the first installment of director Peter Jackson's ambitious and successful film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy trilogy, Elijah Wood stars a... Read more
I, Daniel Blake (2016)
7.9/10
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Briana Shann, Hayley Squires, Dave Johns, Dylan McKiernan
British cinemas social realist enters his eighties with a second Palme d'Or to his name after the Cannes Jury this year awarded his feisty new film... Read more
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
8.3/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Harrison Ford, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, Ju...
This time the man in the hat joins his father's lifelong quest for the Holy Grail, battling the Nazi's who also want the sacred relic. Harrison Ford,... Read more
Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom (1984)
7.6/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Kate Capshaw, Harrison Ford, Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth, Philip Stone, Ke Huy Quan
Sequel to 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' with its two-fisted, whip-wielding hero, Dr Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) performing feats of derring-do in Singap... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
8.7/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miran...
With the Fellowship of the Ring splintered, the war for Middle Earth continues in the second Tolkien tale from Peter Jackson. As warriors Aragorn (Vig... Read more
The Big Short (2015)
7.8/10
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell
Adam McKay co-writes and directs this financial drama starring Brad Pitt, Steve Carell, Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling. The film follows eccentric fi... Read more
The Prestige (2006)
8.5/10
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, D...
Two budding magicians start out as friendly competitors and end up deadly enemies in this hypnotic, turn of the century thriller from director Christo... Read more
The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray
Not having spoken since their father's funeral a year earlier, three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody and Jason Schwartzman) board a train travelli... Read more