So, no picture today, but movies instead! I was thinking today about all the movies that I watch over and over again. There’s about a million of them, as is evidenced by my rather extensive dvd collection. But I do have a few that I just keep watching. I was going to put them in an order of favorites, but really it’s just whatever I thought of first.
1. The Lakehouse
I love everything about this movie. The plot, the music, the architecture, the cinematography. I love them “fighting” in the park, and them trying to understand what is happening. When he goes to her apartment, which isn’t built yet and his brother pushes the “buzzer” bzzt, bzzt. I love it every time. “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”
2. Practical Magic
All too often I watch The Lakehouse, and then the next day I end up watching Practical Magic. I love the crazy aunts, the girls doing magic when they’re little, when Sally ends up yelling at Angelove in the car, the fact that Sally “doesn’t do magic” but she still stirs her coffee magically, that Hallet is so drawn to Sally and doesn’t know why. It’s tragic, heart-wrenching, hilarious, and adorable.
3. You’ve Got Mail
I think this might have been the first movie I ever REALLY fell in love with. It’s so funny when they’re “at war” and heart-breakingly adorable when he goes to try and “be her friend.” I could go through every line that I love in that movie but that would take a few days, so I won’t.
4. Desk Set
This was the first Tracy-Hepburn I ever watched. Watching it you can tell just how much they love each other from the first moment they see each other. I love that her name is Bunny, I love the classic rom-com misunderstanding that fuels the plot, and I LOVE the entire scene in the apartment. And the drunk Christmas party. And the giant plant. I could keep going.
5. Elizabethtown
Many people hate this movie, I on the other hand…I don’t know, I suppose I relate to it well. Drew is charming and sweet and a touch awkward. One of my dreams is to take a road trip across the US and this movie added a few more stops.
6. French Kiss
Meg Ryan’s character is her usual quirky self, but Kevin Kline is phenomenal! I love that scene on the train car when she kisses him in her sleep, and he realizes he has feelings for her. Once again, I could go through all the scenes I love but this thing would be ten times longer than it already is.
7. Pride and Prejudice
I am not a big fan of Keira Knightley. But I think she played Elizabeth well. I love the music, the cinematography, the acting, the part when Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth meet in the pavilion…sigh. Or when he helps her into the carriage and then they focus on his hand flexing. I have a major crush on Matthew Macfadyen. I actually ended up watching the British show “MI-5” just to get to see more of him.
8. While You Were Sleeping
I just realized this is the third Sandra Bullock film in my list. I think Lucy and Jack are one of my favorite couples. Ever. If anything you have to watch the dinner scene, with the two simultaneous conversations “These mashed potatoes are so creamy.” “Ricky Ricardo was Cuban.” The rom-com misunderstandings, the horrible 90’s clothes…Bill Pullman, it’s all wonderful.
9. Stardust
Tristan and Yvaine. I love watching their relationship go from enemies, to allies, to friends, to lovers. Her speech about love and life is so insightful, and him growing up and becoming a man is fantastic. “But you wanted cheese!” hehe
10. Tangled
I watched this movie and went home quoting it. It’s cute, it’s funny, it’s beautifully animated (drawn?), and it will make you want to light floating lanterns (which I’ve now done). The songs remind me of the classic Disney movies. And the lantern scene makes my heart race every time.
Honorable Mentions:
Pat & Mike- I love how much fun Hepburn seems to have playing all the sports in this movie and how Tracy seems to enjoy watching her have fun.
Without Love- I would own this movie except it’s nearly impossible to find. I need to watch it a few more times before I declare it one of my all-time favorites but it’s close. If you watch it, watch for Lucille Ball’s role as the friend. It’s amazingly subdued.
Little Women- I used to camp out in my sister’s room with her tv and watch her copy of this movie over and over. It’s one of my favorite books and I always feel this movie is one of the best adaptations ever. It’s funny and sweet, and everybody plays their roll so well. And Christian Bale as Laurie? Love it!
Sabrina- Two words: Harrison Ford. I love him playing Linus, and his assistant? Hilarious. And his mother. And Greg Kinnear. I love everything about this movie. “It was like touching the Shroud of Tourin.” (Did I spell that right?)
Beauty and the Beast- This was my favorite movie as a kid. I watched it as often as I could. I love the music and I love watching that growing relationship. I could watch “Something There” again and again.
That Thing You Do- Did you know this movie was written and directed by Tom Hanks? That makes me love it more. I love that the bass player doesn’t have a name, and I love Guy. Oh do I love Guy. “I…am…Spartacus.”
Someone Like You- I can’t decide if I like the book (Animal Husbandry) or the movie more. They’re both funny, sweet, and relatable. You completely understand her obsession. And I love Hugh Jackman. The midnight-snack in their underwear scene is pretty hilarious.
Tin Man- This was the movie when I fell in love with Zooey Deschanel. Technically it’s a mini-series, but all in all it’s only a few hours. I can’t even explain why I like it, just watch it.
Smokey and the Bandit- A young Burt Reynolds and Sally Fields. Car chases, ridiculousness, a fat dog, a stupid sheriff, and some great one-liners.
Okay, I’ll stop now. Someday soon I’ll do an entire post about tv shows. There are a lot of them. That one’s going to be long too.
