Ever since I wrote the blog about the woman with the nasty neck I have been thinking about what other films would be in my top ten. Then the Oscars came and went and now I’m off to LA so a film-themed blog seems appropriate.

One thing that strikes me is that you can tell a lot about a person through his or her favourite films. For example, someone who tells you their favourite film is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is not really going to make you feel comfortable, especially if there happens to be a chainsaw lying around.

Incidentally, why do people subject themselves to horror movies? Is it the same principle as a roller-coaster? Some kind of emotional high you are incapable of feeling for some reason through normal measures like a new pair of shoes or great sex? Recently there was a horror movie so horrible that people were throwing up in the aisles. Really impressive on a first date.

Anyway, in no particular order, here are my top ten films and also a brief analysis of what liking the film tells you about a person.

Some Like it Hot – incurable romantic with desire to change men who will never change

Sleepless in Seattle – incurable romantic with fondness for alliteration

Thelma & Louise – incurable romantic with extreme fondness for Brad Pitt

Now, Voyager – incurable romantic with penchant for makeovers

Brief Encounter – incurable romantic with a taste for the impossible

Gone with the Wind – incurable romantic with sense of history and love of dramatic dresses

The Killing Fields – incurable romantic (think of the end) with strong feelings for human rights

Dr Zhivago – incurable romantic with particular romanticism about all things Russian

Casablanca – incurable romantic with a sense of realism, however irritating it might be

Zeffirelli’s Romeo & Juliet – incurable optimist – I always hope somehow the ending will have changed

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2007