Good Moments In Bad Films

It Came from Below: Deep Blue Sea

In Renny Harlin's unashamed 1999 B Movie, it contains one of Samuel L Jackson' more memorable moments. There's no better end to a monologue than having a shark coming out of nowhere! Better than the entire running time of Snakes on a Plane!

First Person Shooter: Doom

Doom was always going to be a tricky one to adapt for the big screen and to director Andrej Bartkowiak he made an honest stab at it. Having a first person shooter moment was always a must for die hard fans and for a few brief minutes it elevates things. I swear if you listen hard enough, you can hear smiles spreading for the first time in 2 hours.

Penis Song: The Sweetest Thing

These days a Cameron Diaz comedy isn't the sure fire winner that it used to be. In this 2002 effort, the laughs were pretty thin on the ground. One bizarre sequence however was a few moments of funny yet zany bliss. Never thought that anyone could make a song about someone's man-parts, here lies proof that there is an exception to the rule.

Clark Kent v Superman:| Superman III 

The final two installments of the caped crusader were tragically both misfiring efforts. In a movie that is more or less spoiled by including Richard Pryor, Superman III does possess one sequence that stands out. All through the movie, Superman has been wrestling with himself since being infected by Kryptonite. This sequences sees the ultimate battle for his soul and we pray for Clark Kent to be the victor. 

A Cold Front: Batman & Robin 

About the only redeeming feature of Joel Schumacher's campy and embarrassing second Batman outing is the one liners of Arnold Schwarzenegger. As Mr Freeze he seems to be the only one aware of just what a joke the whole thing has become. Where would the entertainment factor be without lines such as "Everybody...Chill!"

Double Edged Sword: Stars Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 

This will be the only time that I ever mention the words 'Phantom Menace' with good. Many people have rightfully trampled on George Lucas' unfortunate prequel. One quality it did possess was a decent fight sequence and the moment where Darth Maul (Ray Park) unveil his ultimate fighting weapon still sticks out.

Top 5 Cinematic Battle Scenes

Saving Private Ryan: Omagh Beach

As openings go, none have been more realistic or eye opening  in Steven Spielberg's career than this one. Seeing Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) and friends speeding away in a boat towards what will be a life changing event, we see soldiers being sick from nerves. The moment they hit the beach, there are no heroics, men drown from their heavy packs, bullets hover like fireflies and lives disappear in an instant. Spielberg succeeds in showing that in the heat battle, only brave and the fortunate prevail. Even today this stands as one of the great directors finest sequences!

Star Wars: A New Hope: Death Star Attack

Since its release in 1977, George Lucas' sci-fi masterpiece has a finale that has lost none of its potency. An air bound dog fight in its finest, the Rebels goes head to head with the Empire in what amounts to little more than a suicide run. The thrill factor is still very much alive and Lucas and his company Industrial Light and Magic have succeeded in keeping the effects looking timeless. But it is what's at stake that provide the audience its real nerves as the Death Star is on the verge of blowing them out of existence. Try fight not to stand up and cheer during the trench run sequence, I dare you!

Zulu: Rourke's Drift

The most endearing this about the Cy Enfield's, 1964 war film is the soldiers it is based on. 100 brave British Soldiers stood firm against the a never sea of over 4,000 Zulu Warriors at Rourke's Drift. Enfield in a pulse raising effort shows the grit and determination of the men involved. Led by aristocratic Bromhead (Michael Caine) and hard nosed engineer Chard (Stanley Baker) the red coats find the spirit in themselves to repel the rolling waves before them. The finale sequence is the one that still stands out as the weary warriors through sheer will win a deserved respect from the enemy. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for their courage- still a record to this day.

Apocalypse Now: Village Attack

These day's it is impossible to hear Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' and not think of the memorable village attack from Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 Vietnam War classic! Emerging from the clouds like black angels of death, they quickly rain down a fiery and bloody outcome on the villagers below. Led by thrilling seeking surfer commander, Lt Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) the image to this day still everlasting as he forces his comrades to surf will the tree line it set alight by napalm! As Duvall delivers the legendary line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning!" it leave us reeling from what we have just witness- this would prove to be one the last hurrah's of Coppola's career.

 Children of Men: Escape From Bexhill

If ever you needed proof that Alfonso Cuaron is one of the best modern day directors, you need only look here. Proving the master of the one take scenes, here Cuaron gives us a heart stopping escape attempt as Theo (Clive Owen) attempts to protect a mother and the first human born child in centuries. As the refugee uprising folds, the next six minutes has everything an exciting finale should have as bullets fly and explosions appear all around. However, even in the midst of a meltdown, there is a moment of beautiful serenity as both sides ceasefire to witness the miracle creation. Even in the midst of war, Cuaron finds space to reflect on what good can be find in the most unlikely places.