Favorite Movies

Posted On May 29, 2011

In honor of the weekend which starts the release of summer movies, I thought I’d list some of my very favorite movies. In no particular order, and impossible to condense all of my favorites, as there are surely many more that could have made the cut.

1. Star Wars–Intriguing as the very first time I saw it, I went because my best friend told me how awesome it was.  I thought it was okay, but I think I actually fell asleep during part of it–although my husband won’t find that very unusual as that is one of my MO’s, as I have even fallen asleep after the opening credits of a James Bond movie in the theater! It wasn’t until a couple of years later, that I rewatched it in anticipation of the Empire Strikes Back that I could really appreciate what an awesome movie it was…I think the original three are the best, and couldn’t bring myself to watch completely 5 & 6 (or 2 & 3 depending on you look at it). They just had some amazing characters and action scenes that had you rooting for them all along.
2. Cool Runnings– Tom always makes fun of me because I cried during this movie.  Something about the underdogs nearly making it victory and then collapsing to fail in the end just turned on the waterworks.  Great movie.
3. The Titanic-What is there not to like about this movie.  Such an epic story highlighting such a horrible tragedy.  I can remember being so engrossed in the movie, it barely seemed as though three hours had gone by.  How sad to see in such living color how wretchedly the lower class travelers were treated and were left to die in their watery grave just because they were poor.  So many poignant moments in this story. Yeah, I know the whole Jack and Rose love story may be a bit improbable, but isn’t that one of the best parts about watching movies, suspending your belief for a while?
4. Superman-I loved these movies, even as they blurred into the sequels.  Something about that larger than life hero thing.  It was hard not to like watching Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder banter on screen.  Of course, very unbelievable that she can’t figure out that Kent is Superman without glasses, but hey, it’s still a very fun movie.  And of course, I bawled my eyes out when Lois dies and he flies backwards in time to save her life.
5. Forest Gump-Just a great, fun movie.  Tom Hanks is such an amazing actor.  I loved how he transformed himself into Forest so fully. Watching a character with such a simple mind have such a tragic, yet full life. It was hard not to be rooting for him from beginning to end.
6. Pulp Fiction-I don’t think I’d ever admit that I could be laughing so hard at someone’s brains being splattered in the back of a car before this movie.  The dialogue on this movie was awesome. Watching John Travolta and Samuel Jackson bickering onscreen was such fun. Still not sure how such a dark movie could make me laugh so hard, but it sure did.
7. It’s A Wonderful Life-This movie still makes me cry.  I am right there beside Jimmy Stewart when people start throwing cash at him because he was such a nice guy, bawling my eyes out every time.  You just have to love the premise that everyone makes a difference on their journey here on earth.
8. The Sixth Sense–  I see dead people.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who was blown away by that revelation.  What a great movie.  Bruce Willis is not one of my favorite actors, as I think he was best suited for his Moonlighting role, and that eyebrow macho look thing he has going on can only carry you through so many movies.  But, in this movie, I thought he did a great job and I was sucked in from the very beginning.
9. Jaws-I know it was a very campy movie, but it sure scared the crap out of me. I remember that we watched it at the movies when we were on vacation at the beach, and my sister scared the living daylights out of me when she started humming that den den den den dennnaaa music and grabbed me from behind on the boardwalk.  I think it took me three or four times before I could actually peek through my fingers to watch that leg sinking to the bottom of the ocean.  Classic flick.
10. Saving Private Ryan-I’m generally not a war movie kind of person, but really enjoyed this movie that so thoroughly explores how hellish war can be.  The scene on the beach on D-Day puts into your mind that it is fight or die, and sometimes nothing but your human instinct to keep on living and sheer dumb luck are what keeps you from going to your grave.
11. Harry Potter-I was trying to keep my list to ten, but how could I possibly not include the Harry Potter Series in this list?  These stories have such imagination and fun and are just plain eye candy with the special effects and wizardry brought to life on screen.  Makes you wish you could pick up a wand and cast a spell on someone, and zoom away on your broom to play a fantastical game of Quiddich.  Loved them all, can’t wait to see the last one.

I know that there are countless other movies that I could list, but these were some of my favorites.  They cross the genres from comedy to action adventure.  There are lots of movies that will always be near and dear to my heart, like the James Bond movies, and newer films like Salt, that are so action packed that it’s just plain old fun to be along for the ride.  Who could not love the Toy Story franchise? I’m so thankful that Pixar was kind enough to make movies that adults can enjoy together with their kids. The list could go on forever, and as much as I cringe when I roll up to the box office and gulp at every increase in price, I still appreciate all of the fun and adventure that Hollywood provides for us and am thankful to have seen so many terrific movies in my time. I love watching movies and can always appreciate a good trip to the cinema to suspend my belief and be transported to another place and time.  What are some of your favorite movies?