The word “legend” gets thrown about a lot.

But if you’ve ever met Nolan Hall, you’ll have no qualms with bestowing that status on him right away.

Very few humans are able to delegate an openness and communication so effortlessly the way Nolan can.

Just imagine being a Vans TM, dealing with a million requests from multiple riders at all times of the day and still being able to be an artist in your own right.

Nolan has that gift of giving you his undivided attention, despite the fact he’s probably got 1472 things going on in the background, an inbox of anarchy to respond to, whilst somehow being able to produce zines, exhibitions and short films of his own accord.

Naturally we knew Nolan would have exquisite film taste and these 5 films are a welcome reminder that the nineties was an incredible time for cinema. Marvel franchises and remakes/reboots weren’t the order of the day yet. Notice how his choices are comprised of the earliest work from some of today’s finest directors. Mann, Anderson, Thomas Anderson, Schnabel……ok Malick’s the exception but you get our point.

Without further ado, Nolan Hall’s Film Club.

1) Heat, Michael Mann, 1995

Michael Mann knows what he’s doing when it comes to action films. Heat has everything you want in a crime/drama film, great character development & dialogue, exciting scenes and massive shootouts (so epic that it’s rumored the bank robbery scene inspired the famous North Hollywood shootout in 1997). This film just has such an awesome vibe, the smallest quotes from it find their way into my conversations with friends all the time.

2) The Thin Red Line, Terrence Malick, 1998

Every single shot in this film is a thing of beauty. The cinematic moments Terrence Malick is known for and created in this film are on another level. I would classify myself as a visual person, and I think that’s why this film really struck a chord with me. It’s gorgeous from start to finish. The pale color tone treatment paired with this WW2 period piece is perfect. The film is long, coming in ten minutes shy of 3 hours, but worth your time (especially during quarantine).

3) Magnolia, Paul Thomas Anderson 1999

Paul Thomas Anderson has a perfect record of creating films that sit in your top five, which is why Magnolia is on this list. The plot is far too complex for me to break down for you here, but it’s a parallel tale of nine very different lives taking place in Los Angeles, all in one day. The characters of the film are bold, and each of them has problems, just like real life.

4) Rushmore, Wes Anderson, 1998

The story of a precocious private school teen in love with a teacher, but more in love with the school itself. Wes Anderson’s second film has all the dry quirky dialogue you expect it to. Cool set design, great music & Bill Murray, everyone loves Bill.

5) Basquiat, Julian Schnabel 1996

The life of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a struggling artist living on the streets of New York climbing the ranks in the art world. The cast is insane; Jeffrey Wright, Dennis Hopper, David Bowie, Gary Oldman, Benicio Del Toro, Courtney Love. This is truly Julian Schnabel’s masterpiece film (also adding an honorable mention: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, that film is amazing too). This is another visually pleasing film that will inspire you.