Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf review

 Number 194 on the top 1000 films of all time is the drama, based on the play of the same name, 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'

George (Richard Burton) and Martha (Elizabeth Taylor) are two squabbling, middle-aged academics stuck in a loveless, hateful marriage. After returning home from a late-night soiree, they are joined by two of their juniors Nick (George Segal) and Honey (Sandy Dennis.) But as the alcohol begins to pour, lies become unravelled and secrets are revealed.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? I am, George. I am. No, I'm not just quoting the film's famous ending lines, but I'm referring to my own time spent in academia. At university, I studied both To The Lighthouse and Mrs Dalloway. And that's enough Virginia Woolf to last a lifetime. In some ways, this film is reminiscent of a Woolf book - low on spectacle and high on subtext.

As previously mentioned, this film is based on a play and it's easy to imagine it on the stage - there are two or three sets and only four principle parts. The action doesn't happen on-screen, but rather in the actor's dialogue. Rather than being a high-octane thriller, this is a toned-down character study. And with simple character studies, you need the best actors available. In this case, we have Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Can you believe that in all these years this is the first Dick and Liz film that I've seen?

But both these actors did the roles justice. They're both more than bitter, old academics. While there is a lot of yelling, they say far more in their silences. Both characters are hiding a big secret which becomes apparent in the film's final act. The tension is palpable throughout the film - with the junior academics as uncomfortable as any audience is sure to be. Burton gave a particularly captivating performance especially his monologue where he recounts a story of his childhood where a boy he knew accidentally killed his father in a car crash - heavily implied to be about George himself.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf isn't the easiest film to follow. It is deeply uncomfortable and demands all your attention, but its subtle script and lead performances truly earn it a place on this list.

A Christmas Story review

 Number 218 on the top 1000 films of all time is the Christmas comedy film 'A Christmas Story.'

Told through a series of vignettes, 'A Christmas Story' follows a day in the life of nine-year-old Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley.) It is narrated by his adult self, voiced by Jean Shepherd, looking back on his childhood. All he wants for Christmas is a special air rifle. Meanwhile, he has to fend off school bullies and his father is locked in an eternal battle with the family furnace.

As well as earning a spot on the top 1000 films of all time, 'A Christmas Story,' is also regarded as a holiday classic. I'm not sure it deserves either honour. it isn't necessarily a bad film, but I don't think it is one of the 1000 best of all time. It is entertaining enough - there are a few great gags, the department store Father Christmas is one that comes to mind - their Father Christmas evidently hates children and hates it more when they sit on his lap and asks for presents. This was hilarious, but these type of funny gags were few and far between.

A Christmas Story is also paced very slowly. It takes a long time to get going. We're immediately introduced to our MC and told about his desire for his air rifle. And I was thinking, is that it? Is this the whole film? Also a 9-year-old kid wanting a gun for Christmas is the most American thing ever. No wonder you have 6-year-olds shooting their teachers, but I digress.

Even when things did get going, the film remained slow. Rather than speeding along it hobbled from one cheesy, over-the-top joke to another. And when Ralphie was on-screen with all his nine-year-old friends, it became a hubbub of kids screaming over each other. That made things very difficult to follow.

For what it was, it was an entertaining and watchable film. But certainly not one of the best 1000 of all time.