02 Aug 2021

What I should have mentioned in the title is that these #1 films are gonna be my #1 films... sorry not sorry. Love, Izzy.

No no, I will mention what the actual most popular movie was of course but I'll have you know that I am in severe HECS debt after a film degree that I hardly use... So let me have this moment to use that degree and talk about movies for a hot minute. Let's get into it, shall we?

1995: Empire Records

Most popular film: Toy Story (totally deserves it though, chef's kiss to Woody)

Empire Records is a movie you can just chill out whilst watching. It's set in one day, following a group of misfits who work at a small, independent record shop that is being threatened to be closed down by corporate giants. It's a viiiibe.

Fave quote: "This music is the glue of the world."

1996: Trainspotting

Most popular film: Independence Day (My dad and I used to watch this ALLLL the time. Absolutely banger of a film)

Trainspotting is a wild ride. It follows lil' Ewan McGregor who is trying to move on from his drug addiction and start afresh in London. Whilst that sounds like a neg (and trust me, there are some cooked parts), it can also be hilarious. Not to mention, the soundtrack is fire.

Fave quote: "One thousand years from now there'll be no guys and no girls, just wankers. Sounds great to me."

1997: The Castle

Most popular film: Titanic (I'm so sorry, I never got through it... Everyone tells me that's a sin so, sorry).

If you're Australian, watching The Castle is essential. Watching this should actually be on our citizenship test.

The flick follows a Melbourne family that loves their have to fight for their beloved home as the government and airport authorities force them to vacate the house. It is ✨hillarious✨. 

Fave quote: "How's the serenity?"

1998: The Truman Show

Most popular film: Saving Private Ryan (Still need to watch it)

I watched this at ten years old with my cousins. They all fell asleep and I was up, wide eyed and ✨FRAZZLED✨ as the credits rolled. As the film follows a Truman who is oblivious of the fact that his entire life is a TV show and his family members are actors, I started getting worried that mine was the same. To the point that I'd give the finger to every corner of every room I entered (because for some reason that's where I thought the cameras were). 

Fave quote: "We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented, it's as simple as that."

1999: 10 Things I Hate About You

Most popular film: Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (Yeah I love Star Wars, this one wasn't a fave though).

A high-school boy, Cameron, can't date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy to charm Kat... Shenanigans do ensue. I was lucky enough to have this classic shown in English back in Year 10 because it's loosely based off 'The Taming Of The Shrew'. Thank you Mrs Scobey for this experience.

Fave quote: Chastity: "I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be whelmed?"... Bianca: "I think you can in Europe."

2000: Almost Famous

Most popular film: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (A classic)

Almost Famous is my fave movie of all time. So all of you born in 2000, you are automatically ✨blessed✨.

It follows high-schooler William Miller who goes on tour with a rock band to write an article for Rolling Stone magasine. With the most red hot soundtrack in movie history (Three Led Zeppelin songs, yessir), hilarious dialogue and characters you wish you were mates with (Penny Lane), this is a banger.

Fave quote: "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we're uncool."

2001: Shrek

Most popular film: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Obsessed. Revolutionary. Big fat yes)

Do I really have to say anything? 

Fave quote: "I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder." oh... and "Ogres are like onions. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. You get it? We both have layers."

2002: Spider-Man

Most popular film: Spider-Man (Oohp!)

Yep. I'm going hand in hand with the actual most popular film. I was obsessed. OBSESSED with this movie. 

When I was younger I once had a bite on my hand. Then I placed a bowl down, it cracked and then I opened my door and the knob fell off. I genuinely, for a few seconds, thought I was the next Spider-man (and my last name is Parker too... Coincidence? Yes. It was just an ant bite.

Fave quote: "Go web! Fly! Up, up, and away web! Shazaam! Go! Go! Go web go!"

2003: The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Most popular film: Finding Nemo (I have never related more to a character than Dory)

Iconic. That's what this movie is. As soon as corona nicks off, I'm beelining straight to Rome to the Trevi Fountain just so I can make a wish right where Lizzie once did and then maybe be mistaken for a pop star.

Fave quote: "Hey now, hey now, this is what dreams are made of."

2004: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Most popular film: Shrek 2 (Are you surprised?)

I love Harry Potter. And not in a cute way like "haha I'm a Gryffindor haha rofl". In a, I didn't kiss guys or party in high school because I was too busy reading the series for the fifth time that year way. Not to mention, my friends can't watch Harry Potter with me because I can't help but word every line. 

Fave quote: “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

2005: Sky High

Most popular film: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (More Star Wars... yeah... fair)

Back in the day when DVD rental stores were a thing (those were better days), I used to rent Sky High every👏 single👏 time👏.  A school for superheroes in the sky? Whoever came up with that deserves an Oscar.

Fave quote: "I went through puberty twice - for *this*?"

2006: She's The Man

Most popular film: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (What a movie)

I've seen She's The Man so many times that sometimes I think it's my life. Am I Viola, trying to disguise myself as my twin brother and participating in the soccer match?

Fave quote: “When I close my eyes, I see you for what you truly are…which is UGLY!”

2007: Surfs Up

Most popular film: Spider-Man 3 (Ok this Spider-Man is pretty cringe...)

Surfs Up is one of the best movies of all time and don't try to fight me on it. It follows Cody Maverick, a 17-year-old penguin who travels from Antarctica to Pen Gu Island hoping to win the Big Z Memorial Surf Off. Iconic, revolutionary, spectacular, never been done before.

Fave quote: “You know, we've known each other way back since... Yesterday, I think it was.”

2008: Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging

Most popular film: The Dark Knight (My dad gave me the day off school to watch this with him at the cinemas. I was obsessed)

An eccentric but loveable teenage girl maintains a diary about the ups and downs of being a teenager and tries to overcome the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Fave quote: "I didn't know how to be a vol au vent"

Now download all those streaming services and get blessed with all of these amazing movies!