Wednesday, November 3, 2010

"Can't Stop Watching" Movies

My husband and I enjoy watching movies; we don't get to very often, but we do enjoy it! When time allows we order up a movie from our Netflix account (either on an actual DVD or from our Wii console) and sit down to watch. Sometimes we pick aces, but other times the movie doesn't deliver a strong punch. Our tastes run the gamut and we enjoy many different genres. On the other hand, sometimes we sit down for a few minutes at the end of a long day and just "flip" or "surf" with the remote. We have nothing in particular we are looking for, but when we see a certain movie we both (or individually) adore, we are compelled to stop, no matter what part of the movie it is! There are many that we cannot stop watching.
One of the movies we must stop and watch is any of the Star Wars trilogies. We adore all six movies and, even though we own them all, we stop to watch and recite the lines! There are purists who feel the older movies are the only good ones and others, younger generations usually, who only regard the later trilogy as worthwhile, but in our family any of the six movies is lauded and watched with pleasure!
Another movie I cannot flip away from is Star Trek 2:  The Wrath of Khan. I saw this in the theater with my oldest brother and, although he was already a long time Star Trek fan and I was not, became one myself during that viewing. The story line is compelling, the acting, though over-the-top from Shatner and some of the others, still leaves me breathless and teary at the end. This is a highly quotable movie and lines get used in my life all of the time.
Tombstone is a favorite of my husband and mine. This movie starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer is a gem that is timeless and classic in its telling of the shootout that ultimately occurs at the OK Corral as well as events leading up to and following. Superb casting, acting, and direction tie this movie into a "not to be missed" category.
I delight in finding A Few Good Men on television. I find this to be one of the few (only?) movies I can watch Tom Cruise in and actually feel he is acting...well. The supporting cast is terrific, the story line is intense and interesting, and Jack Nicholson's role is over the top in the best of ways. The final courtroom scenes are famous and riveting, but the whole movie is gripping.
Another fantastic Jack Nicholson movie is As Good As It Gets. Nicholson is superb and brilliant in his role as a man suffering from OCD. He interacts with the waitress who serves him daily, his agent,  and his gay neighbor who has recently experienced major trauma. The story that weaves their lives together is fascinating, emotional, and a thrill to watch. This was Nicholson's tour de force!
An all-time favorite is definitely When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan hit career highs as the title characters who met several times throughout their twenties and detested one another, remet in their thirties, became best friends, and discovered new layers in one another. The writing is flawless and hilarious, the supporting cast adds richness, comedy, and dimension, and the love story is optimistic and delightful. The scene that occurs near the end on New Year's Eve has people falling in love continuously! And, yes, Mallowmars are "quite possibly the best cookie..."!
Grease is a movie musical I've written about before; since I was a child I have loved this movie and although I rarely have time to sit and watch the entire show, I cannot pass it by. John Travolta was smoking (hot) in this movie and Olivia Newton John was gorgeous as Sandy. The music is catchy, eye-raising, and fun. The images are burned into my memory and are a part of my soul. Grease IS the word!
I know there are more, but now I am interested in reading what movies make you stop flipping/surfing and stay put to watch? I'm always looking for new movies to add to our viewing list. I await your responses with high anticipation!

9 comments:

  1. If you ever get the chance to see a film called Gregory's Girl I am sure you'll love it :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXRSlJbPNp0

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  2. 2001: A Space Oddessy. It's so *not* the standard Hollywood fare.

    Momento also is one. One that weirds some people out, but I like it a lot.

    Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Michael Caine and Ste Martin. What more do you need?

    And I think the movie adaptation of Farenheight 451 is pretty good but still missing some elements. Nonetheless its a great movie.

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  3. Even though I am not "younger generation," I am an adherent to the original Star Wars trilogy. I lost some interest in Star Wars movies about the time that Jar Jar Binks came on the scene. Like Digger, Jar Jar is incurably annoying.

    A few of my fav flicks include:
    Dr. Strangelove
    Young Einstein
    Raizing Arizona
    The Inlaws (original version)
    the 3 Bourne movies
    Lord of the Rings trilogy
    Hoosiers
    North by Northwest
    Gandhi
    The Day of the Jackal
    Three Days of the Condor
    The Sting

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  4. Oh boy! Get comfortable! This is right up my ally. I worked (continuously) at several video stores between 1991 and 1997.

    Forrest Gump- When this movie is on, I put down the remote and grab the tissues.

    Mr. Holland's Opus- Richard Dryfess as a composer teaching high school music to support his family. I bawl like a baby at the end of this movie... starting 5 minutes before the climatic scene just because I know what is coming.

    An Affair To Remember- The late greats Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Enough said.
    Its "sister" movie":
    Sleepless In Seattle- Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks (can't go wrong with those two) gets me to put the remote down too.

    Another "sister" set of movies are:
    Lean on Me- Morgan Freeman as Principal Joe Clark trying to turn his school around in unconventional ways.
    &
    Stand & Deliver- Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips. EJO plays real life teacher Jaime Escalante (who recently passed away) in inner city L.A. teaching math and calculus to the kids. Great, great movie!

    Most people I talk to have never heard of these movies (I also consider these "sisters"):
    Benny & Joon- Aiden Quinn, Mary Stuart Masterson and Johnny Depp. A sweet movie. Aiden Quinn plays the older brother to a mentally unstable MSM. Johnny Depp is fantastic (as usual) in this movie.
    &
    Untamed Heart- Christian Slater & Marissa Tomei. They meet while working at diner, and end up together. Another good, little, sleeper movie. Not Oscar worthy performances from either of these movies, but definitely for the heart strings. If you are a self-proclaimed "Sappy McSappy Pants" as I am... tissues required for Untamed Heart.

    I will also stop at a movie called "Bed of Roses". Starring Christian Slater & Mary Stuart Masterson. Another lovely, quiet, romantic movie. Christian Slater plays a heartbroken flower shop owner/deliverer. MSM, serious intimacy & trust issues.

    French Kiss- I quote the heck out of this movie (own on both VHS & DVD). If best friends can have "their movie", my best friend and I have this one. The one quote that Kim says describes me to a "T" is, "Happy, smile, sad, frown, the corresponding face goes with the corresponding emotion." This movie stars Meg Ryan (she is so great) and Kevin Kline who is, in a strange, sleazy way extremely sexy in this movie.

    Better Off Dead & Say Anything-John Cusack. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

    Boomerang- Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, Halle Barry, David Allen Grier and Martin Lawrence. The tables are turned on this "playa". Not to watch with the kids around! Love the Soundtrack.

    Sister Act 2- Whoopi Goldberg reprises her roll as Delores/Sister Mary Clarence. This is the rare occasion where I prefer the sequel to the original. The storyline is better and the soundtrack is fantastic!

    Back to the Future- Michael J. Fox, Crispin Glover, Christopher Lloyd. Well, come on. How can you not stop and watch?!

    The Cutting Edge- D.B. Sweeney & Mioria Kelly. Hockey Star and "Princess" Ice Pairs skater become an unlikely pair. I annoy everyone and anyone around me quoting this movie. TOE PICK!

    Ok, I think that is enough for now. Can I reserve the right to add more later? LOL!

    OH! I almost forgot! Two of my favorite sports movies EVER!
    Field of Dreams and Bull Durham! Love me some Kevin Costner playing baseball. ;)

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  5. Julie & Julia.
    Chocolat
    No Reservations.
    Under the Tuscan Sun.
    Ratatouille.

    Hmmmm... all contain good food. Says something, I guess!

    There are others, such as
    Star Trek
    Batman (the beginning)
    Sahara
    Bourne
    Field of Dreams
    Mr. Holland's Opus
    Narnia
    LOTR
    Harry (of course)
    and yes,
    High School Musical 1 and 3. Gulp.

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  6. I need to add:
    The Princess Bride- Our whole family stops what they are doing to watch this movie. We quote along, and this started my love affair with Carey Elwes.

    Swing Kids- Christian Bale, Robert Sean Leonard. LOVE the clothes, the music, the dancing and story.

    Dead Poet's Society- Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke. THIS movie started my love affair with Robert Sean Leonard and still to this day when he first shows up on screen as Dr. James Wilson on House, "He's so cute" comes out of my mouth. O Captain, My Captain!

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  7. Sorry...
    have to add:
    Mary Poppins and Finding Nemo

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  8. city of god - i know its never on tv but thats cause its in portuguese but its an awesome movie about drugs and gangs in brazil.

    yes man - i know jim carrey has had some flops recently but this turned out to be really good.

    remember the titans- classic

    (500) days of summer and stop loss - both are up here because of one reason: joseph gordon levitt. awesome actor and they both were really better than expected.

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  9. Bravo and thank you to all of you for your contributions!
    I must say Jules, you and I have such similar taste, although I have not seen everything on your list.
    I must add Forrest Gump, Mr. Holland's Opus, Field of Dreams, and Julie and Julia to my list. The latter is part of the long list of reasons I started my own blog!
    Being a teacher I also enjoy the feel good yet challenging education movies like Stand and Deliver, Dangerous Minds, and Freedom Writers.
    Little known fact about me is I adore sports movies! Remember the Titans, Rudy, The Blind Side, We Are Marshall, 61, Dale, 3, and many others are hugely popular with me.
    As you think of more and want to expand your list, please do so! Winter is a long season and I hope to see all of the suggestions here!

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