Top Ten: Bank Holiday Movies

Here we are – the last Bank Holiday Monday until Christmas.  I’m sure there’s lots to do but I’m going to stick with the tradition of sitting watching movies and ignoring the weeding, DIY and cleaning that needs to be done.

Bank Holiday movie-watching is quite a specific art.  It can’t just be any old movies, the films have to be selected carefully.  There has to be a mix of light and shade, old and new, mindless and thoughtful.  Here are ten of my picks for an ideal Bank Holiday at home – and in the order you should watch them during the day:

1.  Toy Story

Something light and fun which appeals to the kid in us all is the perfect way to start,  although be warned – you’ll be singing ‘You’ve got a friend in me’ for the rest of the day.  Well, at least until you get the theme song of film 2 in your head!

2.  Goldfinger

To be honest any James Bond film is perfectly acceptable but I’ve gone for Goldfinger partly due to the great theme song but mostly because there’s nothing better than lying on the sofa with a big bar of chocolate cackling “No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.”

3. Mary Poppins

Julie Andrews is the Queen of Bank Holiday movies.  Either this or The Sound of Music but you can’t have too many Nazis on a day off – spoils the mood a little.  Much better to fly a kite than battle the Germans.

4.  Gone With The Wind

The afternoon of a Bank Holiday Monday calls for a film with an epic sweep, and they don’t get much more epic than this American Civil War drama starring Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable.  Tomorrow is another day (and for us it’s back to work).

5.The Great Escape

This caused a bit of controversy when I was discussing this list with Darren.  He’s pretty sure that this is a Boxing Day film but I say that any Bank Holiday is appropriate.  I love this story of Allied prisoners digging tunnels to escape from a POW camp and the motorbike chase scene is always exciting.

6.  Source Code

I haven’t seen Source Code yet, although I have heard good things about it.  It’s always fund to nip down to your local DVD shop and pick up the newest film you think looks good.  A blind purchase adds a bit of spice to the day.

7. Red Road

We all have movies on the shelf that we haven’t got round to watching and Bank Holidays are the best opportunity to rectify this situation.  This is a tough but thoughtful drama about obsession.  And it’s set in the street I grew up on.

8.  Dodgeball

A great comedy that you’ve seen a hundred times before breaks up the evening nicely.  There’s nothing funnier than watching people being hit in the head, groin and face.  If I ever stop laughing at this film you have my permission to take me off to a clinic in Switzerland, it’ll be a kindness.

9.  The Rock

A bit of mindless action is always good, particularly late in the day when you’re getting a bit tired and can’t concentrate very well.  Let’s just unwind and watch Sean Connery and Nic Cage blow things up.

10. Shaun of The Dead

Everyone knows that the last film of the day should be a horror watched in the dark.  But it’s been a very long day and you want to wind down and get a good sleep before work in the morning so something with more laughs than screams is in order.

Whatever you’re doing this Bank Holiday, I hope you enjoy it.  There’s a four month slog through to Christmas coming up, so this is your opportunity to rest.  If you’re using the time to relax with a good book or movie I’d be delighted to hear about it in the comments.