Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1997

No, “Titanic” won’t be on this list, because it’s an overrated film and I hate it. All these movies on the list are better! Here are my favourite movies from 1997.

5. Good Will Hunting
This film put Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on the map. Especially Damon is fantastic in this film.

4. Kiss the Girls
This movie is thrilling every time I watch it, even though I have seen it many times. It’s so creepy.

3. Donnie Darko
Not a great success when it came out, but a big cult hit now. I did like it from the beginning, it’s such a good and interesting film.

2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Off course I have to put this one on the list. The first “Jurassic Park” is obviously better, but this also entertains me every single time. Kinda missing Sam Neill, but still.

1. The Full Monty
“Magic Mike” sucks compared to this. “The Full Monty” is hilarious and endearing at the same time. All those guys win over your heart and British humour wins again!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Face/ Off, Grosse Point Blank, L.A. Confidential, Lost Highway, The Fifth Element

In the Picture: The Characters from "The Full Monty"

"The Full Monty" is such a great movie, good Brittish humor and a lot of loveable characters.

Gary “Gaz” Schofield
Played by: Robert Carlyle
Gaz has a troubled relationship with his ex-wife because he’s failing child support payments. He lost his job as a steel worker and can’t keep the promises to his son Nathan. Gaz is the one who comes up with the idea of a male stripper act, because women go mad for them and pay a lot of money to see them. But Nathan isn’t happy about it, because he just wants to do ‘normal things’ with his dad.

Dave Horsefall
Played by: Mark Addy
Dave is Gaz’ best friend and also a former steel worker. He’s married, but very insecure about his appearance. Dave gained weight and now that Gaz is thinking of starting a male stripper act, his selfesteem is no longer. Even in his marriage things aren’t going well, because his wife thinks Dave’s cheating on her.

Lomper
Played by: Steve Huison
Lomper also worked with Dave and Gaz, as a security guard. After losing his job, he doesn’t know what to do with his life so he decides to end it. Dave and Gaz stop him from committing suicide and Lomper joins them in their act. Lomper is a real quiet and shy man, who’s very attached to his sick mother.

Gerald Cooper
Played by: Tom Wilkinson
Gerald is a former manager who has been hiding from his wife the fact that he’s been laid off. He thinks his wife can’t live without the luxory and will leave him if she finds out about the job loss. Gaz and Dave always make fun of Gerald, but invite him to the group after seeing his dance moves. He could actually teach the guys some routines for their act.

Horse
Played by: Paul Barber
Horse is an older man who auditions for Dave and Gaz. He’s not a very good dancer but they let him in anyway.

Guy
Played by: Hugo Speer
Guy isn’t a very good dancer either, although he says he can walk up a wall. But it also turns out Guy is very well endowed. Later it appears he’s gay and he falls for the shy Lomper.

Favorite Character: Dave Horsefall

The Full Monty

I love the movie "The Full Monty" , about six unemployed men who decide to become strippers, because women would pay a lot to see the Chippendales. Only these men will go the full monty. Well, yesterday I saw it live! I went to see the musical version of "The Full Monty" and I have to say that it's the most hilarious musical I ever saw. The story was very similar to the movie and the songs were great. The leading actors were perfectly cast. Especially Dave and the suicidal Martin. They were also the funniest men of the group.
In the movie you don't actually see them going the full monty, because you see their behind. But in the musical we saw every bit of it! Reviews said it only took 3 seconds. Well, it was a little bit more then three seconds. I think it's very brave of those guys to do that every night in front of so many people (mostly women). They got a loud applause and they had to come back for like three or four times. It's a great musical and if it plays in your country, please go see it. It's a real treat. As you can see, I had a lot of fun:

Movie Tip #23 - The Full Monty

Director: Peter Cattaneo

Starring: Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Tom Wilkinson, Steve Huison, Paul Barber, Hugo Speer

Description: The setting is Sheffield England, once the "City of Steel", home of a massive steel industry and jobs aplenty. Today with the industry in decline and the steelworks closed down there is widespread unemployment and despair. Two unemployed friends (Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy) stumble upon a Chippendales-like show that's very popular with the local women. Eventually they decide they too would like to give it a go, but they can't dance and aren't what most would call good physical specimens. They have their doubts but are determined to give it a shot. On their way they pick up four other unlikely candidates and begin practising for the big night. To drum up interest, they boast they'll go 'the full monty' (a phrase meaning 'all the way' - nude), something they hadn't planned and aren't sure they can deliver. Will they ?, won't they ?, can they keep their antics from their families ?, can they stay out of trouble ? can they pull a crowd ?. All will be revealed, well maybe.

Review: The story itself is a reason to watch the movie. It's a wonderfull movie, made by the Brittisch, who know how to make a good comedy. My favourite scene of the movie is when the men stand in line and the song "Hot Stuff" starts playing on the radio. All of a sudden the guys start practicing their routines, in a sneaky way. It's very funny. There's also a musical version of this film and I'm planning to go see it in January. But for now, I'll watch the film and so should you!!!