If someone put a gun to your head and demanded to know your two favourite movies, which movies would you choose? That’s pretty much what we did with the All-in Global staff for the Official Popcorn Day on January 19th, except for the gun.

19th January has been considered the National Popcorn Day in the US since 1988. It’s basically an excuse to stuff your face with this delicious snack and watch a movie marathon. What’s not to love?

From the 15 replies we received from the All-in Global staff, meaning 3o movies in total, only one movie was chosen by two people. That’s quite astonishing, no? As language professionals we are of course culture lovers, and most of us are very passionate about movies. We even have a spoof section in our video library based on masterpieces like Arrival, Lost in Translation and Snatch.

So check our list below! Perhaps you will discover a new favourite or rediscover a forgotten gem? We also want to know your two favourites movies so feel free to comment! 

Roy Pedersen – Chairman/Events

Trainspotting (1996)

Why:  Choose life, choose a job, choose a career, choose a big f****** television… That in-your-face intro from director Danny Boyle got me completely mesmerized. I must have watched this uncompromising story about a band of Edinborough drug addicts at least 15 times since the movie came out in 1996. The movie is based on a novel by Irvine Welsh and I tried reading some books from him after seeing Trainspotting, but I could not quite get a grasp of the distinguished Scottish accent in written form. In the movie however the language is one of my favorite aspects, and I spent many years trying to imitate the intro monologue with the appropriate accent. A timeless masterpiece!

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Why: As relevant today as it was when it was created. An epic science fiction film that paints a gloomy and frightening picture of mankind and the evolution of man from discovering “religion” and tools/weapons to (SPOILER ALERT) becoming extinct at the hand of robots and machines. That transition scene “from bone to satellite” gave me goosebumps and is one of the best moments in film history if you ask me.

Valentin Stanga – Content Manager

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Why: Choosing my top two favourite films from a great bulk of masterpieces is more uncomfortable than a fever or a fakir’s bed of nails…If you were to ask me at gun-point, “What is your absolute favourite movie of all time?”, I’d unhesitatingly say The Seventh Seal (1957), Bergman’s majestic allegory of the human search for meaning in a universe seemingly devoid of any spiritual rudder. It’s a piece of Scandi cinematic art of unmatchable aesthetic appeal, bearing echoes of Carl Th. Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928).

Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights (1931)

Why: My other Best Movie Ever is Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights (1931). The Tramp is the epitome of silent era movies, with their addictive slapstick, archetypal humorous situations, and schmaltzy denouements. It’s Chaplin’s flawless balance of vaudevillesque comedy and modern melancholy. Besides it boasts the greatest last shot in the history of film-making.

Eolo Barilari – HR Manager

The Help (2011)

Why: A reality not so far away both in time and space that reminds me how lucky I am to enjoy all the freedom and rights we now have but the long way we still need to go outside of the western world.
Fave scene: when Aibileen (Davis) says goodbye to Mae Mobley in the last scene :'(

Lion (2016)

Why: I have two girls and I couldn’t imagine my life without them, let alone the two of them so far apart from each other. This movie also reminds me of how lucky I am and be that for all the things I sometimes take for granted.
Fave scene: when Sue (Kidman) explains her son Saroo (Patel) that she chose to adopt him.

Vasco Albuquerque – SEO Manager

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso ( 1988)

Why: Few movies can capture the essence of cinema and the passion for filmmaking like Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, but this movie is so much more than this, it’s an ode to nostalgia, to childlike curiosity, and to innocence.

The Great Dictator (1940)

Why: I remember watching The Great Dictator in an old VHS tape, I’ve watched it so many times the tape rolling kept coming off. Only Chaplin genius to do something so simple and yet with such a strong message in a silent movie.

Tiago Aprigio – CEO

Home Alone ( 1990)

Why: I had a secret wish to be Kevin and wanted to be the creator of all those booby traps.  It’s a timeless comedy.

The Blair witch project ( 1999)

Why: I was fascinated by the realism and the immersive experience. Was it real footage? Did it really happen? Was it really found footage?
I recall discussing the movie at school (this was in 1999, where the internet was a mirage for most of us) 20 years later we still can’t stop filming ourselves in any circumstances. Did they invent the selfie “concept”?

Michele Spiteri – CCO

Pollyanna (1960)

Why: Always loved this film as a young girl. She taught me to play the ‘Glad Game’, perhaps that’s why I’ve always been a positive, happy person, for sure we all need to play the Glad Game to get through 2021!

Mad Max – Fury Road (2015)

Why: This film always transports me to the post-apocalyptic world with Tom Hardy my saviour, my knight in shining armour, my hero 🙂

Angelique Bonello – Operations Executive

American Sniper (2014)

Why: Yes, this is a surprise considering that I’m not into war movies and I usually watch them because my husband likes them and I don’t usually have any other options 😂 However, this movie is based on a true story, and it shows you the real struggle soldiers go through when they go and fight for their country. It’s not easy for them, even when they go back to their country after they served their time in the war, things never go back to how they were before for both themselves and their families. I guess I like this movie as it represents a reality that we never think about as fortunately, we don’t, and hopefully, we won’t need to experience this.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Why: It’s technically a movie so no one can argue with me!  I wasn’t really into Queen before I watched this movie, but damn, after I watched it, I even bought their biography and I listen to their music in a loop. Thanks to this movie, I am now a big fan of Queen.

Inês Gomes – Project Manager

Lost in Translation (2003)

Why: I have to say I’m a huge fan of cinema and I could never ever choose 2 movies only from my long list of favourites. My parents had a whole room dedicated to a huge amount of properly and alphabetically catalogued VHS K7s, and we could watch anything we wanted from there, with barely any restrictions, from a very young age. In fact we were encouraged to watch everything, my parents believed in culture as a form of education of course, even to learn languages as well, and they took us to the cinema every week to watch everything, really. Pulp Fiction, Godfather, The Untouchables, Rocky (I have an older brother, ofc), Before Sunrise (in fact, all the Before trilogy), Dirty Dancing, Cinema Paradiso, all of Hitchcock’s movies, you name it. These were probably the first ones to make an impression on me, also because I watched them when I was still very young. My list is endless.

Having said that, and considering the mark these movies imprinted on me, I would have to say that Lost in Translation is definitely on the top of my endless list. For the symbolism, the performances, the beautiful photography work, the amazing soundtrack (like in every movie Sofia Coppola does) and for the respectful (and not typically American), deep and very funny overview of cultural differences. I went to the cinema for it at least twice, and I’ve watched it probably a thousand times after that. I even wrote a paper on it for my masters. Can you tell I’m a big fan?

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Why: The other one, and this one was even more difficult to choose, is probably Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom or his Life Aquatic. I’ve been a fan of Wes Anderson for a long time and I’m in love with all the scenery he creates. The colours and sets, the dynamics, how everything is so meticulous and yet done with such a sense of humour. Life Aquatic, moreover, has Seu Jorge, a great brazilian musician, singing a long list of David Bowie’s songs. What’s not to like here?

Isabel Alves – QA Manager

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Why: Dirty Dancing is my all time favourite movie, I’ve watched it surely more than 30 times and it has always been my favourite since I was little. I’ve always wanted to be Baby on the movie, so that Johnny would be my dance partner. 😀

Death Proof (2007)

Why: Death Proof is one of Tarantino’s movies that I love. I love it because it has an awesome soundtrack, mind-blowing dialogues but mostly because it’s all kick-ass girl power.

Mark O’Byrne – Business Development Executive

Goodfellas (1990)

Why: Having Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in any movie generally makes for awesome entertainment. A good soundtrack always compliments a great movie and in Goodfellas it is brilliant. The comedy elements are hilarious and Goodfellas is something you could watch 100 times and never tire of.

Braveheart (1995)

Why: I’m always happy to get lost for 3 hours in this movie. I love the Irish character ‘Stephen’, his wit always makes for funny moments even in serious situations.

Marina Ribeiro – Marketing Executive

WALL-E ( 2008)

Why: There are a lot of reasons to explain I love this movie but I will sum up in 3: First, I don’t think there’s another movie that captures so well humankind’s laziness towards environmental protection and its consequences. This topic is close to my heart and Pixar approached it in a beautiful way, suited for all ages. Second: There’s a love story between robots expressed by beeps and boops that melts anyone’s heart. Third: Even 13 years after its release it still is very accurate in portraying the future that we’re headed.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ( 2016)

Why: Well, I’m a fan of the Star Wars universe and that movie offers excellent battle moments for the fans. I love how the story was built to an unexpected and emotionally crashing not happy ending.

Maciej Kwiatek – Sales Executive

Inception (2010)

Why: It is one of the best produced pictures I have seen. It’s a spectacular, mind-blowing fantasy thriller. From the beginning till the end, it’s intriguing, sometimes frustrating, and very much satisfying. It keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end. Editing (including audio), photos, effects, and music, all turn out to be brilliant. Each element fits perfectly with the rest of the movie. Also, a great “time”, which is a kind of essence of the film.

Braveheart (1995)

Why: It is an extraordinary production, made with panache and great class in my opinion. Although it is not a short movie, it does not let you get bored even for a moment.
James Hornera’s music here is just amazing. The sublime sounds of bagpipes blend in perfectly with the action and the wonderful views of the Scottish landscape, and the action scenes within this scenery are legendary. Even though it is not a happy ending movie, we can still enjoy many well-played comic scenes. I can’t find anything that I wouldn’t enjoy about it.

Ângela Salvado – Project Manager

Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001)

Why: These choices are very sentimental ones. I choose these not because they are masterpieces but because these movies really mean something special to me. The first one has to be Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain. This is probably the easiest one to choose from, I just need to take a look around my home office to spot posters, postcards, books, music boxes, paintings, etc from this movie! I love it for the main character, and all the small, delicious details. It reminds you that happiness can be found on the smallest things and the simplest gestures, those things that we always take for granted and tend to overlook. Plus, it takes place in Paris! 🙂

Across the Universe (2007)

Why: The second one can be Across a Universe because we all need a good musical. This one is very dear to me, probably because I watched it when I was an Erasmus student, with all my Erasmus friends and during a Film Festival where I volunteered. Apart from that, I like it because it is all Beatles’ songs chosen very wisely to perfectly serve the narrative, the actors actually know how to sing (not like shameful Mamma Mia!), and the story is beautifully written. Also, I love the 60s and its revolutions!

Rui Guimarães – Project Manager

Heat (1995 film)

Why: The reason why this is one of my favourite movies might be obvious. Pacino and De Niro acting together, or even the scene where they present us with one of most cool dialogues of all time. But no. The reason is far simpler than that. There are a lot of movies about bank robbers. However, this is clearly one of the best, if not the best. There’s never a dull moment over almost 3 hours, and it’s packed with great scenes, great dialogue, great acting.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Why: Pretty straightforward choice. As a Tarantino fan, I could name almost any of his movies. I chose this one for a simple reason. Most people say Pulp Fiction is his best movie. Well, I think Reservoir Dogs is pretty much as good as it gets.

Tea Fijala – Project Manager

Green Mile (1999)

Why: this is the movie I watched 100 times and I cried 100 times. Great story…I just have to believe that miracles are possible. That even there are some bad people, there are always people who are truly good.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Why:  whatever our disadvantages are, we can succeed in life with little luck.