Daveportivo's Cultural Evaluation Facility

This film was always going to be close to my heart, as a part time civil liberties activist the story of Harvey Milk is one that's constantly inspirational and to see it on the big screen was a sheer delight. Sean Penn is excellent throughout this film, he plays Harvey to a tee, and there is a real star turn by Emilio Hersch in this movie he encapsulates his character so perfectly. However the real heart of this movie is the story, a struggle for acceptance, for rights that have been denied, and ultimately a fight against the evil and folly of men. What really makes the movie great is the way it balances moods, at times the story is incredibly dark and a brutal unflinching tragedy, but through Penn's performance and some brilliant writing the film has a jubilant mood. You can't feel sad watching this film, you'll have a lump in your throat from the sheer power of the ideals and the scope of the drama but ultimately this is a film to make you smile, it feels like a triumph from the first moment to the last. My favourite scene, and without doubt the movies most powerful is the "Gay Freedom Day" speech. It's not the grandstanding speech, or the emotive power of Harvey's rhetoric that make the scene so powerful, it's on little touch before hand. Before Harvey walks on stage he's handed a note, it says the first bullet goes in his head the second he steps on that stage, Harvey pauses and reflects for just a second before taking to the stage. The way that scene is shot is just perfect and it captures the whole essence of the Man and the movement to perfection. It shows that important step that has to be taken to achieve true change, Harvey is willing to put his ideals and his message before his own life. It encapsulates the bravery needed to lead these movements so perfectly, a selfless quality that so very few of us possess. All in all Milk is a remarkably well acted, incredibly powerful motion picture and undoubtedly one of the most affecting I've ever watched.

I am going to absolutely kick myself for not putting this as my number one, I've been changing the top two slots around all day in my mind but I've decided to settle for this arrangement, and sadly Man On Wire comes second. For those of you that don't know Man On Wire is a documentary made by the BBC about Phillipe Petit a man with a simple dream, he wanted to walk across a tight rope between the two towers and do tricks. Phillipe Petit, is a truly remarkable man and his suspenseful story is truly mind blowing, but it's the way the director allows Phillipe to be himself, and convey every dimension of personality that makes this film brilliant. His enthusiasm and lust of life is insatiable and complete infectious, you totally fall in love with his character and his approach to life. What is really truly emotional affecting about this film is it's message. It takes the simply notion that if you have a dream and you whole heartedly believe in yourself it can come true, no matter how impossible, no matter how bizarre. Phillipe Petit works outside of conventional social structures, this film teaches us that we don't have to settle for the status quo, that we don't have to follow convention, that we are not defined by our role or place within society, that we can be anything, and we can do anything that our heart desires. This film is truly uplifting and the most inspirational film that I've ever seen, if you watch this film and don't feel inspired you must be dead inside. So if your sitting at home looking for a job or stuck a work being killed by the 9 to 5, this film is the ultimate ray of light, your life is defined by nothing other than you own imagination and your own internal drive.

1. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

So yes my favourite film of all time is effectively a romantic comedy, who would have figured? Well of course Vicky Cristina Barcelona is so much more than that. At it's heart is a perfect ensemble cast, everyone plays their role to perfection, and Scarlett Johanson continues to prove she's the greatest most effortless actress on the face of the earth, Penelope Cruz delivers a star turn as a demented crazy free spirited artist (she's so much better when she's not speaking English) and Javier Bardum, well as always he's too cool for school. However what struck me about this film is not the brilliant acting, gorgeous music or the incredibly beautiful cinematography it was instead the films exploration of romance and social convention. The traditional western idea of the story book marriage is torn to shreds and the deep inner cynicism of the "perfect couple" is revealed. But also we are given a glimpse into the artist world, as these three free spirits are thrown together and find themselves utterly dependent on one another. The way it test traditional moral values is perfect, the idea that some times three parts that fit together perfectly are better than two. The way the conventional mind is tested against the artistic is brilliant. The story never sits still the characters and emotions are always in flux intertwining with one another and every possible emotional and physical relationship is tested. But what makes this film truly brilliant and my all time favourite is it's conclusion, Scarlett is a free spirit she just saunters off, and Vicky doesn't turn her true love into a relationship and returns home to her "real life". The film has no overriding message, it isn't preachy, it examines, it explores, it asks the right questions, but it doesn't tell you what to think. You may sympathize with certain characters but there is no hard and fast conclusion to be drawn. And that ultimately is the best conclusion, it leaves love and life completely undefined, the way it should be. With brilliant acting performances and a sublime Woody Allen script Vicky Cristina Barcelona offers one of the greatest insights into love and life in film history, and despite drawing no conclusion, it's says absolutely everything it needs to say. This film is truly beautiful, and that's the only word that could possibly describe it.