The Lists

Top 10 Period Dramas

Written by Ally Sinyard

Occasionally, when I’m not watching my standard blokey films like Fight Club and Inglourious Basterds, I like to swoon my face off to some Jane Austen and a bit of Colin Firth in the lake. I believe it is called “equilibrium.”

When the swooning had ceased and it came to actually sitting down and writing this list, I found “period dramas” hard to define. It turns out that this genre that I knew very little of was not just limited to adaptations of feminist literature, the Yorkshire Moors, petticoats and so on. Period dramas are films that are set in a time period other than contemporary and setting and costume play a greater role than usual.

Moreover, period dramas could literally be from any period. Citizen Kane counts. I, Claudius counts.  Schindler’s List counts. You see my problem?  So, it is important for me to be clear on narrowing a focus for this list, and therefore, I have chosen to look at period dramas that are set from the 18^thcentury onwards. The reason for this is because I felt that the films set even earlier were more concerned with playing out particular events from history, hence filling the genre mold as “historical films.”

For me, period dramas set towards the end of the millennium use history as more of a backdrop, and so our characters are more-often-than-not fictional. The authors and screenwriters of the films on this list do not just present history to us; they rework them and create new worlds, new plots and new heroes and heroines. They also include themes that are important to a modern day audience. So, let us begin…

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10 Great Movie Kisses

Written by Noelle Buffam

Ingrid Bergman once said, "A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous." Though the great actress says it much more eloquently than I, the message is clear: kissing is the quintessential expression of love. It is no wonder then that as human beings we put great emphasis on "the kiss". Whether it is the "first kiss" or the "last kiss", this display of affection plays an integral part in our lives. 

Romantic, passionate, and always dramatic, kissing plays a huge role in many films. There are even entire movies based on the concept of locking lips. The year 1896 saw the release of The Kiss. It was the first silent film to ever portray a kiss. Over a century later in 1999, audiences enjoyed Never Been Kissed: a film that leads up to the moment when Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) waits in the middle of a baseball field in hopes of receiving her first kiss. 

Like many things in life, kissing is even better in the movies. Take Titanic. The famous kissing scene isn't just a simple peck. The back stories of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) increase the tension of their love. By the time they put lips to lips, the audience is practically bursting from anticipation. And not only do they kiss, but they do it just a few steps from death. Yes, it happens while the lovers are perched on the prow of the Titanic. In secret. At sunset. Try making that one happen in real life. 

Below are Ten Great Kissing Scenes.  As you will see, kissing scenes usually serve as pivotal moments in film. Whether they are out of lust, love, passion or revenge, these scenes are the pinnacle of drama. So get out your chapstick and pucker up.

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Top 10 Romance Films

Written by Noelle Buffam

Love. It's a pursuit that inspires joy and jealousy, happiness and hatred. It is perhaps the most powerful emotion in the world. And while most people spend their lives trying to sustain a loving relationship, it's no wonder that this notion of romance seeps into almost every movie. 

Whether it is a sub-plot story, a third-act-twist, or a major plot point, love is an unavoidable (and usually enriching) element in films. Romance films do more than just simply add a love anecdote. These films delve into the depths of romantic relationships. While romance movies have the reputation of being "sugar-coated" to appeal to the female persuasion, great romance films show the whole story… not only the good, but the bad, the heartache, and the complexities.

Romantic films have been alive and well for decades. With such a rich history, there is no need to write off this passionate film genre. Whether it's The Notebook, Harold and Maude, or Amelie... be sure that there are a wide variety of romantic films just waiting to find their audience soul mate (that's you).

Below are the Top 10 Romance Films. Traditionally, romance films are of a heavier tone. However, many of the best films in this genre fall into romance sub-genres (romantic comedy or musicals). Whatever the case, these are some of the most charming and treasured films to ever grace the screen. 

So, whether you are taken, single, or "it's complicated", grab some tissues. It's about to go allBridges of Madison County in here.

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Top 10 Crime Films

Written by Ally Sinyard

The crime film genre is definitely one of my favourites. Perhaps this is because there are so many different approaches to it. The lives of the criminals that we follow can either be glamorous or right down in the gutter, or bouncing in between. It can span decades of a crime family’s legacy or the single day of a bungled bank robbery. I also enjoy crime films because they are no doubt influenced by real-life happenings, and this is a world that very few get an actual glimpse into; we only hear about it on the news.

These 10 crime films that I have chosen are the 10 that I feel best represent the genre. They don’t just give you a violent and superficial look into a secret world; they absorb you into it. You learn lengthy “fictional” family histories and about how they operate. These are films that also go one step further to even question the audience’s own ideas of what is right and wrong and heavily deals with themes such as family, brotherhood and loyalty. You may notice some repeat offenders in this list, but I only speak the truth!

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Top 10 Family Films

Written by Noelle Buffam

The genre of family film is one that is completely unique and totally dynamic. While most genres have a very specific, targeted audience, family films have the tough task of appealing to a wide range of ages. From ages 2 to 92, these films aim to entertain every member of the family.

While the content is wholesome and appealing to children, family films also capture the imagination of adults. Whether it's through elaborate dance numbers, sophisticated humor, or cutting-edge special effects, family films tend to have that extra "spark" of creativity.

Below are the Top 10 Best Family Films. It is important to realize that, perhaps more than any other genre, family films tend to overlap specific genres. Often, family films are also considered  adventure, fantasy, comedy, or even drama films. Not only that, but because of their nature, family films have a heavy presence in animation and musical film. Whatever sub-genre they may fall into, family films have the important duty of entertaining and delighting audiences of all ages.

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