What was the first film that you fell in love with? For me, there are many. As a kid I loved The Muppet Movie and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I also grew up watching Burt Reynolds in Smokey and The Bandit and for a while wanted to be a stuntman thanks to Hooper.
But the first film that really hooked me and made me want to be a filmmaker and scriptwriter? I think it was The Blues Brothers. I saw this film when I was about 11, and it had a massive impact on me. It was one of the first films I watched all the way through, over and over, and over again.I still, to this day can quote large sections of the script word for word.
It’s kind of a cult classic, it’s a little odd, a little off kilter, and it’s crazy with stunts and great music. There’s a great cast, but of course it’s all an extended version of a Saturday Night Live skit. And I love it, but I haven’t watched it for years and years (even though I own a copy).
I heard recently that it’s getting changed into a cartoon for kids. I think that’s a great idea, it’s a cartoon like film anyway and children really react to the characters of Joliet Jake and Elwood. It’s directed by John Landis and has the Landis look, style and humour. The soundtrack must be one of the best selling ever.
Funny to think, this is the one musical in the list!
So, that completes one hundred movies you must see (and hopefully I avoided most of the obvious ones…).
I’m on holiday for the next few weeks, but keep checking back to see where the blog goes next.
Matthew Cooper has written for most of the UK soaps, including writing episodes of Emmerdale, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs. Matthew was winner of the Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge, the Oscar Moore Screenplay Prize and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal TV Society nominated. He’s been a script consultant and script writer for hire for over 20 years. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb.