Year: 1972

Directed by: Robert Altman

Starring: Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, Robert Duvall

The cast was unbeatable, and the humor? Dry as a martini and twice as sharp. I love that quick-witted banter that feels more like improv than a script—like they were actually living it, not just acting it. Beneath the laughs, there’s this undercurrent of absurdity and humanity that still hits today. It’s comedy with a conscience, and it stuck with me.

Year: 1974

Directed by: Joseph Sargent

Starring: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw

To me, this is Walter Matthau at his absolute best. He delivers that perfect blend of dry humor and no-nonsense grit that just feels like NYC in the ‘70s. The whole film has this claustrophobic tension, but Matthau’s deadpan delivery cuts right through it. It’s smart, sharp, and doesn’t waste a second. No slick Hollywood polish—just raw, real storytelling.

Year: 1981

Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen

Starring: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch

I don’t even know where to begin with this one—it’s just brilliant. The tension is relentless, but what really gets me is how human it all feels. You’re crammed in that submarine with them, breathing recycled air, waiting for the next depth charge. It’s not a war movie with heroes and villains—it’s a story about survival, fear, and the weird camaraderie that happens when the world’s falling apart around you.

Year: 2011

Directed by: John Michael McDonagh

Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham

Brendan Gleeson is phenomenal—as always—but this one surprised me. Never thought I’d be into a buddy-cop setup with Don Cheadle, but the two of them have this oddly perfect chemistry. It’s funny, sharp, and unapologetically Irish. Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham, David Wilmot—they all bring their A-game. It was also my first intro to David Pearse and Pat Shortt, who are both hilarious, and even Mícheál Óg Lane in his first role had me cracking up. If you want to understand dry Irish humor at its finest, The Guard is your crash course.

Year: 2014

Directed by: Matthew Warchus

Starring: Bill Nighy Imelda Staunton Dominic West Paddy Considine

This one really captivated me. I remember seeing coverage of the UK miners’ strike on the news back in the day, but I had no idea this part of the story existed. Unlike something like Billy Elliot—which, while great, is fictional—Pride is based on real events, and by all accounts, it stays pretty true to the spirit of what happened. It’s fun, yeah—but it’s also tender, honest, and deeply human. It reminds you that solidarity can come from the most unexpected places—and that people are more alike than different when it comes down to it.

Year: 2013

Directed by: Lisa Barros D'Sa & Glenn Leyburn

Starring: Richard Dormer Jodie Whittaker Michael Colgan Adrian Dunbar Liam Cunningham

Belfast punk at its finest. This one’s not just about the music—it’s about why the music mattered. During one of the darkest times in Northern Ireland, punk became this wild, defiant lifeline. Terri Hooley’s story is equal parts hilarious, heartbreaking, and inspiring. The energy of the scene, the DIY spirit, the belief that music could bring people together—it all hits home. Honestly, Mark Kermode said it better than I probably could, but let’s just say this film gets it. It captures that magic of discovering music that feels like yours—even if it’s halfway across the world.