If you have been keeping up with the blog from the beginning you may have picked up on the fact that I enjoy a good Natalie Portman movie, and Leon The Professional in particular. It may shock you to know that this movie won’t make my list today. Does that mean I couldn’t watch it every week? Hardly. I just want to expose you to some of my other cinematic tastes in case you take my advice and watch one of these movies. Some are very popular but still favorites where I could watch them every week:
- Let’s do it Again – It was made in 1975 before I was born, but has got to be one of the best buddy comedies of all time. Sidney Poitier directs and stars in a story about two friend’s attempt to raise money by traveling to New Orleans and fixing a boxing match. Bill Cosby is his cohort and delivers a performance that is nothing like the Heathcliff Huxtable character he made famous on his sitcom. Some other familiar names that appear are Ossie Davis, John Amos and Jimmy “J.J.” Walker with the last two being main characters from the tv series Good Times. Trailer
- Wedding Crashers – I have seen this movie at least 40 times and still watch it anytime I see it on. Chad and I regularly trade quotes from it in appropriate situations. Those of you who haven’t seen it should go out and rent it today. It’s quite possibly the funniest movie I have seen in my life and I highly recommend it. Trailer
- Dancer in the Dark – When I want a date to cry this is the movie I put in. Why would I want a date to cry? That is a good question and I really have no answer other than the fact that I’m an ass. This is a harrowing story that get progressively worse the longer you watch it. It’s not for everyone, but Bjork won the best actress at the prestigious Cannes film festival for her role. One of the manliest men I know was so moved he had to immediately call his mother when the movie finished. Trailer
- Little Miss Sunshine – Dysfunctional family movies usually tend to make me laugh, if for no other reason other than they often parallel situations we have gone through in our own personal lives. Sometimes the situations are so extreme you think “Well at least we aren’t this bad” and this is one of those movies. Some people don’t like it because they see too many similarities between this and National Lampoon’s Family Vacation which I understand, but totally disagree with that assessment. To me it’s all about this family trying to hold it together just long enough to get through one thing after the next. Trailer
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Robert Downey Jr. is great as Tony Stark in Iron Man but this role was the one that made me realize what good comedic timing he possessed. I remember seeing him in other films, but none had the lasting impression this one did. Watching this movie makes me laugh heartily and want to down a couple of shots (if not snort a couple of lines) with Downey. Trailer
Looking back at the films I have chosen reinforces my affinity for comedies. They tend to be my favorite genre because I can watch them and forget about everything going on around me for a few hours while being entertained all at the same time. Are you similar in that way? List 5 movies you could watch every week.
Tags: Bill Cosby, Bjork, Dancer In The Dark, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Let's Do It Again, Little Miss Sunshine, Robert Downey Jr., Sidney Poitier, Wedding Crashers
July 22, 2008 at 12:16 pm
You know this is right up my alley Roach… LOL
1.) Pulp Fiction — This is my favorite movie of all time. I love the characters, the dialogue, the messed up situations, it’s all great. It’s movies like this that make me want to write. I want to have dialogue like this in my stories… And while it’s not a comedy, there are several laugh out loud moments. My favorite scene is when Jules and Vincent are cleaning the car…
2.) Shaun of the Dead — Growing up, I began watching horror movies as a little kid. But my favorite genre was the zombie flick. There was just something creepy about people waking up from the dead. My favorite was Return of the Living Dead, which was a comedic zombie movie. Then in 2004 (I think), Shaun of the Dead came out. When I first watched it, I thought it was going to be dumb, but it quickly became one of my favorite movies. The dialogue and the back and forth between the characters makes this movie. The zombies aren’t really all that important other than the fact they are picking off characters left and right.
3.) Aliens — This is a kick-ass, sci-fi, action flick. The aliens still look awesome 22 years after they were put on screen. Sigourney Weaver and Michael Beihn were both great in this movie as the lead characters. The weapons in the movie and their technology made me very excited even as a kid. To this day, this is my number one sci-fi movie.
4.) City of God (Cidade de Deus) — This movie is about Rio de Janero and the kids that grow up there. It’s scary to see what kids are capable of and knowing this movie is as realistic as they come. It’s in Portuguese, but there are subtitles. It makes me thankful that I’m in the United States and not in Rio.
5.) Goodfellas — Martin Scorsese is a badass. This is my favorite movie of his. Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta were great as a lovable gang of dangerous mobsters. It sounds stupid, but you have to see it to understand. It is violent and foul-mouthed, but what movie on this list isn’t?
July 22, 2008 at 4:53 pm
1. Love Actually – One of the funniest, sweetest, best songs in movies ever. This one caught me by surprise and I watched it with a friend without knowing anything about it and that tends to be when I find great movies. The characters are great and the situations are all different but come together nicely in a not too far fetched way. And, who doesn’t love a British accent!!
2. Steel Magnolias – Yes I am a girl and yes I am a girl from the South. And I love it! What’s really great about this movie is that it seems to come on TBS every other weekend. I can come in on the funeral scene and start bawling like it’s my daughter on cue. There are so many great female actors in this it’s insane and the amount of memorable scenes is too many to even begin to list.
3. Waitress – Another movie that caught me by surprise because I didn’t know a lot about it. Extremely dry humor that I love and some of the most romanticly quirky lines ever. For example: “I could find the whole meaning of life in those sad eyes”. So if you are a girl or like girly movies, watch this when you are feeling down in the dumps and need to laugh and cry. It’s Adrienne Shelly’s last movie and she also wrote and directed it which makes it that much more special. I love it, love it, love it.
4. Superbad – Crude, crass, disgusting, and utterly hilarious! Not everyone will find this as funny as I did. You definitely have to be in the right mood for it but if you are and if the company you are with is also in that type of mood it will make you laugh until you cry.
5. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – What can I say, it’s a classic and someday I am going to make that black dress although I am going to cut a higher slit in it so that I can walk in it more easily.
July 22, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Fun with Dick & Jane- superfunny
Grandma Boys- crazy funny
Purple Rain- Love Prince
Hair- Love musicals
Beowolf- “I am Beowolf!”
The list could go on and on for me, I am a movie junkie! :-}
July 22, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Mine are definitely comedies. I love all kinds of films and will watch almost anything once but to be something I could watch every week it pretty much has to be silly but at the same time have something to say. (and as I noticed after making this list, have great music!)
1. The Royal Tenenbaums — Everything about this movie is great. The acting, the story, the music. I love it. I can pop it in anytime because I know that it will pass the time very pleasantly. What a good movie!
2. The Wedding Singer — It’s freaking hilarious. Has great music. It always makes me laugh. I could watch it every week for sure!
3. Empire Records — I’m not sure what it is about this movie but since the first time I saw it I had to have it and then watch it frequently! I vaguely remember watching it for the first time in middle school with my best friend at the time who was somehow staying at this amazing house. I don’t remember the story about why I was at this place but i remember them having a disc changer that held 100 DVDs or maybe it was CDs then but I remember watching this movie on their huge tv. Whatever, it’s so good! Has good music. Ends all nicely. It’s so great! I frequently come up with situations where I want to quote this movie but most people don’t get it because they haven’t seen it. oh well.
4. High Fidelity — I love John Cusack. I own most of his movies but this is the one that I can watch anytime, ever. It never gets old to me. I’m noticing a trend with my favorite movies; they all have great music! This one is no exception. It’s all about music afterall. I kind of want to watch it right now.
5. Clueless — I have no expalnation for this movie except that I love it and have seen it more times that i am willing to admit to. It’s hilarious, stupid, sweet, has good music. It’s so awesome!!
There are several other movies that should be in this list but I can’t not put this one even though I can’t watch it every week because it has subtitiles — Amelie. it’s so beautiful. It reminds me of everything which is good in the world! But I can’t always watch movies with subtitles so until I learn French it’s not in the official list.
July 23, 2008 at 4:35 pm
1. Star Wars (the entire original trilogy) – If time allowed, I could sit and watch this entire trilogy daily. I don’t know what that says about me, but there it is.
2. Iron Man – I know it’s not even out on DVD yet, but its combination of action and comedy is as good as it gets. Its loyalty to its comic roots and Robert Downey, Jr.’s, portrayal of Tony Stark are impeccable.
3. The Usual Suspects – Kevin Spacey. It’s a suspense movie that should lose all of its suspense when you see it more than once, but even knowing whats coming, Spacey’s performance makes this movie worth watching again and again.
4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – The best Star Trek movie. I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and I’ll probably always think of that generation when I think of Star Trek, but when I think of the movies, The Wrath of Khan is the one that comes to mind.
5. Top Gun – Spoiler Alert–Goose dies. As crazy as Tom Cruise is, this movie will always live as one of my favorite all time movies.
July 23, 2008 at 6:16 pm
1. Robin Hood: Men In Tights – it just doesn’t get old for me.
2. Minority Report – okay, I’m definitely not Tom Cruise’s biggest fan, but this is probably my favorite action movie, or at least in the top 5. It’s so intense!
3. Moulin Rouge – I’m a sucker for a romantic musical, and this movie takes the cake. I’m pretty sure I actually *have* watched this movie every week for the past few months.
4. The Emporer’s New Groove – Disney movies are the best, I don’t care what anyone else says! David Spade + llama = hilarity. =P
5. I’ve had trouble coming up with a 5th one… I’m going to say it depends on my mood, it could be The Sound of Music, Aeon Flux, Pirates of the Caribbean, Sweeney Todd, or The Nightmare Before Christmas. =P ((I like musicals..))
July 23, 2008 at 6:21 pm
1) Pulp Fiction – This movie is always with me. Every day I say things and realize they come from this movie.
2 – Gladiator – If I stepped back I could say how this movie is designed to appeal to me exactly as it does and may have flaws, but I don’t care.
“If you find yourself alone, riding through green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled, for you are in Elysium, and are already dead.” I mean… come on.
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” Makes me tear up.
3) Last of the Mohicans – I show this to my students every year & I have watched it at least 40 times. I have a long set of questions they answer about it. It doesn’t matter. When Duncan says, “I said, ‘Take me.’ My compliments to you, sir! Now take her and get out of here!” and the music starts (and doesn’t stop until it’s over). I get chill bumps every time. Hell, I got them just now. There may be nothing more manly on film.
4) Star Wars – in 1977 I was in the 7th grade. It’s difficult to relate how different this was and how it changed everything. I will stop and watch this anytime, anywhere. “Nice shooting kid, don’t get cocky.” When I was young I wanted to be Luke, and when I got older, I wanted to be Han.
5) Groundhog Day – I love this movie. I was a Bill Murray guy when he was a goof on SNL. I get caught with this thing on all the time. CRL just shakes her head and let’s me go.
July 23, 2008 at 7:33 pm
1. Braveheart – I know it’s a long one but I watch it everytime it comes on. And I know it’s Mel Gibson but it was Mel before we officially knew he was crazy.
2. Tombstone – None of the Kevin Costner Wyatt Earp epic crap. Just a good 2 hours of Val Kilmer’s best work (because he truly looked dead througout the entire movie) with the exception of Real Genius, quotable lines, fat Billy Bob Thornton, Moses, and a gay Jason Priestly. Thanks to this movie “I’m your huckleberry” and “A daisey if you do” will forever be engrained into my vocabulary.
3. Christmas Vacation – I think it is the funniest movie I have ever seen and I think if I watched it every day I would be in a much better mood. Again wonderful quotes and Cousin Eddie. “Shitter’s full”, “Shittin bricks”, “Hap, Hap, Happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny f#*#^% Cane”, and “Serious Clark”.
4. Mean Girls – Just give it a shot. I promise it’s funny.
5. Zoolander – I think it is Ben Stiller’s best.
July 23, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Why is it no surprise, billy, that Tombstone, Braveheart, and Christmas vacation were the three I had to cut to get to five?
July 24, 2008 at 12:04 pm
1. The Hours: It’s an incredibly beautiful movie. Yes, a touch depressing. But I never get tired of the way Meryl Streep has that flash of realization and kisses her partner or the way I ache when Nicole Kidman is reading aloud her final letter to her husband. I feel like there’s an illusive quality to the movie that I get a little closer to every time I see it.
2. Cold Mountain: We can endure, survive, and tramp over hell’s half-acre when sufficiently motivated. It’s filled with such a blend of sadness, hope, and humor. I always tear up when Nicole Kidman says “come back to me, come back to me…”
3. Jaws: It’s the first time I felt really afraid of something that was real. I grew up on the coast and we went to the beach every summer. After seeing this film, I felt a real visceral fear of the water and it was a challenge to overcome it. I could seriously just put this movie on and do work to just listen to the dialog ’cause it’s so great. Of course the John Williams score is a huge plus.
4. The Fog: It’s my all-time favorite horror movie, and no I’m not talking about that awful remake. The special effects aren’t all that great, but it still pulls you in no matter how it gets out-classed with today’s effects. Growing up on the coast, we had fog come in a lot, so again it really played on the fear factor a little.
5. V for Vendetta: This movie never fails to piss me off. It’s my war-cry, the fire I need to stand strong against the bigots of this world.
July 24, 2008 at 1:04 pm
1. Vanilla Sky – I hated this movie when I saw it in theater for the first time. It grabbed me then left me used and abandoned at the ending. Strangely, I couldn’t get out of my head, however, and I ended up buying it and watching it everyday for about a month or so. Then it was at least once a month for a while. It’s truly a movie of many layers. I would find something new every time that I watched it. I now love the ending and the many levels of meaning it carries. Along with this comes a great soundtrack and wonderfully acted roles.
2. Garden State – Natalie Portman. Also, Zach Braff’s directing has always impressed me. His soundtrack production skills are brilliantly demonstrated in this one as well. A good amount of comedy…but not that comedy that’s trying really hard to be funny, more natural. In fact, the whole movie has a natural feel to it, despite the extraordinary situations that the characters lead us through.
3. Star Wars – never will get over the fascination that captured me in my infanthood.
4. Gladiator – reasons already mentioned
5. Mighty Ducks – this one wouldn’t be an intentional choice, but every time it’s on, I can’t help watching. It’s like a terrible accident – no matter how much you try, you can’t take your eyes off of it.
July 25, 2008 at 4:28 am
1. Total Recall
GOD! I love this movie. I really like Arnold flicks and I think they have a high watchability factor, this one really is my favorite. It has so many quotable Arnold one-liners and the guy kicks a ton of ass. Also on kicking ass, Paul Verhoeven has got under control, most of his movies have got some pretty good ultra-violence. GET YOUR ASS TO MARS.
2. Cabin Fever
This movie gets a lot of shit for being pretty shittty. It is. But it has Rider Strong (of ‘Boy Meets World’ fame) and Giuseppe Andrews (good character actor). All the protagonists are despicable so its a pleasure to see them get killed off by flesh eating virus and rednecks or whatever. Also PANCAKES!
3. House of 1000 Corpses
I like Rob Zombie’s style. It is really cheesy but damn the man knows how to use music to good effect in a movie. The same applies to the Devil’s Rejects.
4. Return of the Living Dead
Best non-serious zombie movie. Period. All of the character are really over the top and the lines are really good too. Also, frontal nudity. The ending is pretty good as well, nuke the damn place.
BRAINS
SEND MORE COPS
5.Star Wars- Been covered in previous posts. It’s just that good.
July 26, 2008 at 1:29 am
1. Jaws – Quite possibly my favorite movie of all time. Definitely one of the best opening sequences of all time. I used to think Chrissie Watkins was calling for her mother, but when I realized it was “God, please!” I found the latter much more disturbing.
2. Walking and Talking – The first movie written by Nicole Holofcener. The second movie she director. The only movie in which Anne Heche acted and I didn’t hate her for it.
3. You Can Count On Me – Mark Ruffalo is fantastic. The script is witty and charming and it produced one of those movies that upsets me when it’s over because I don’t get to “hang out” with the characters anymore.
4. Mulholland Drive – My first David Lynch movie. The Cafe Silencio scene is heartbreakingly beautiful. Also, I love to be scared, and when that hobo pops out of nowhere it is shit-your-pants good.
5. Mr. and Mrs. Smith – At one point, the Smiths are trying to shoot people from a speeding mini van while listening to Air Supply. Then there’s Vince Vaughn: “Mom! I almost killed you right now! You do not even realize!” It falls somewhere between “Vice Film” and “Film That’s Fun To Have Sex To.”
July 26, 2008 at 12:51 pm
1. Harold and Kumar go to White Castle: awesomely funny. NPH rocks!
2. Garden State: I love this movie. When the movie came out, the characters were the same age as I was. Good for people who are drifting in life.
3. Gidget: Oh Moondoggie! I first watched this in college because my roommate loved it and I kept making fun of her for it. How wrong was I! It’s just a fun movie.
4. Under the Tuscan Sun: funny, heartfelt, great story
5. Love Actually: I have to admit that this is the one movie I can watch over and over as long as it’s either November or December. It’s too Christmas-y for any other time.
July 27, 2008 at 7:24 pm
1. Love Actually – what’s not to love about two of my favorite men in the same movie
2. 13th Warrior
3. Pride and Prejudice (both BBC and 2005 versions)
4. Paint Your Wagon
5. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
August 1, 2008 at 10:37 am
1. Philadelphia Story (Katherine Hepburn is my hero!)
2. A Fish Called Wanda (K-K-K-Ken is c-c-c-coming to K-K-Kill me!)
3. Miller’s Crossing or Blood Simple or No Country for Old Men (something by the Cohen Brothers)
4. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (love girl kicking ass movies)
5. The Princess Bride (I’m not a witch, I’m your wife!)