This weekend why not grab a blanket, stick on your pjs, grab some popcorn (salted or sweet?) and curl up on the sofa with one of these classic movies.

Or better yet visit your local independent community cinema and see one of the latest releases. It is awards season after all and there are some fantastic films to choose from.

Donal Traynor- Group Chief Executive: Forrest Gump (1994)

What Donal had to say: “Forrest Gump is a fantastic film with Tom Hanks doing a star turn in the lead role. The message at the heart of the film really underpins the theory that ignorance is bliss, and that the main obstacle to one’s ability to achieve is the internal fear of thinking what might go wrong. Just do it!”

Lita Notte- Head of Marketing and Communications: As Good As It Gets (1997)

What Lita had to say: “As Good As It Gets is a Manhattan love story with hilarious characters and one of the most memorable scripts ever. Some of my favourite lines are when Jack Nicolson says: “You make me want to be a better man”, or when Helen Hunt’s character says, “Why can’t I just have a normal boyfriend?” or when Jack tells the cleaning lady, “Sell crazy someplace else – were all stocked up here…”. There are just so many great lines. A genius script played brilliantly by the full cast.”

Nick Heath- Front Office Administrator: High Fidelity (2000)

What Nick had to say: “My favourite film will often depend on my mood day to day, but one I love is High Fidelity. The film is very relatable and having worked in a few record shops myself, most of the scenes in Championship Vinyl I have actually experienced in real life. For me, John Cusack is a total bromance material, if given the choice I’d have him play in me in my biopic. And then there’s the soundtrack- so many great songs from The Jam, Velvet Underground, Aretha Franklin, the Kinks and Bob Dylan. Finally, Natasha Gregson Wagner is completely wonderful (and Natalie Woods daughter no less).”

Emma Thompson- Finance Executive: Jurassic Park (1993)

What Emma had to say: “That is a very tough choice to choose just one. But if pushed, I think I’d go for Jurassic Park and the sequels and new Jurassic World movies (except the most recent one, Dominion was a real stinker).  I love Jurassic Park for the nostalgia. I loved watching as a kid and love rewatching now as an adult. It always makes me wonder what would happen if they did manage to bring back dinosaurs.”

Barry Connolly- Chief Financial Officer: Star Trek II Wrath of Khan (1982)

What Barry had to say: “I am a huge Sci-Fi fan and in particular love all things Star Trek. Wrath of Khan is easily the best of the Star Trek films. A submarine thriller in space, with great script, acting and proper old school special effects before CGI made everything overblown. Influenced by Moby Dick, A Tale of Two Cities, and Milton’s Paradise Lost, and addressing themes such as aging, loss, and redemption, this is a much deeper film than your typical sci-fi flick. And of course: Khan!!!”

Mary Nohilly- Client Relationship Manager: Dirty Dancing (1987)

What Mary had to say: I’d have to go for Dirty Dancing. I loved the soundtrack when I was a teenager and watched it many times and would sing along to all the songs with a hairbrush! I loved how the story unfolded and the chemistry between Baby (played by Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (played by Patrick Swayze). Now when we go on campsite holidays I think back to this movie and wonder if the dancers and entertainment crew have these wild secret dance parties. I also hear there is talks of a sequel coming in Summer next year. I wonder if it will live up to the original?

Nicky McElhatton- Social Media and Marketing Manager: Juno (2007)

What Nicky had to say: “I first saw Juno in a cinema in Leicester Square in London. I hadn’t heard anything about the film before going to see it. While I waited in the dark movie theatre, they were playing these strange, but funky wee indie songs. Little did I realise that it was the soundtrack for the movie by Kimya Dawson. From that point I was hooked. The music forms such an integral part of the film and couple that with the fantastic screenplay from Diablo Cody, the effortless but hilarious acting from now household names like Michael Cera, Elliott Page, JK Simmons, Alison Janney and cracker one liners that I still quote to this day- “that ain’t no etch a sketch homeskillet! That’s one doodle that can’t be undid!” After my first watch I saw the film another three times in its initial cinema run and have watched it countless times since on DVD and streaming.”

Pauline Carolan- Office Administrator: Moulin Rouge (2001)

What Pauline had to say: My favourite film is Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! I absolutely love everything about it: the spectacle, the theatrics, the drama and the unique take on music! Luhrmann is fantastically visual and has a real unique directorial style which I have loved in all his other great film Elvis, Great Gatsby, Romeo & Juliet – you know immediately when you’re watching a Baz Luhrmann film and I just love it!

Phelim Sharvin- Head of Community Finance (NI): Carlito’s Way (1993)

What Phelim had to say: One of my favourite films is Carlito’s Way. A brilliant storyline, a bit of a love story set in a gritty/crime environment with a twist at the end. The acting is brilliant, particularly Al Pacino. I enjoy a wide range of genres from Crime, Drama, Action to Historical, tending to stay away from Fiction/Sci Fi.

Independent Community Cinema and the Arts is just one of the many sectors that Community Finance Ireland support through our Social Finance lending. For more information on Community Finance Ireland and how we can help your next community project, get in touch today.

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