Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Five Overlooked Films

by Cassondra Murray

I am a troublesome female.

When it comes to entertainment, I am terminally demanding.

If I spend money on it, the expectation is that it should entertain. Beyond that, it must make me feel better. If I cry during the piece, I damn well better be laughing or smiling at the end.

The guys in the white hats had darn well better win.


Cuz I paid for it, dangit, and as the song says, she works hard for her money."

And I did not pay to be depressed.

I know, I KNOW....LOTS of people pay for entertainment which leaves them melancholy or contemplative. Some of you may be okay with those kinds of stories.

But I have life for that, thank you. If I'm paying to escape, I want to smile. This is not a surprise. Y'all know this about me already.

A number of films are guaranteed to evoke that smile for me. I come back to them time after time. I own them because I watch them over and over. Today I will share them with you.


This is the top five for today. Tomorrow it will change because I can't pick just five.

1. Practical Magic

This is an underrated film. I know people who didn't get it. They didn't understand the plot. They were lost the whole time.

When I press them for why, I find out that they got to the theater 15 minutes late.

Well, DUH.

If you miss the first five minutes of this film, you're screwed. The whole plot rests on the opening. Rent it. Make the popcorn before you turn the lights out. And don't be adjusting your pillows during the first five minutes.

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman do a great job as sisters-at-odds in this flick. I am a Bullock fan, but not necessarily a Kidman fan. Still, they have a cool on-screen dynamic. I can quote this film almost word for word, and I can sing the soundtrack, and yet I lose myself in it every time. It has a yummy hero, too.

Maybe it works for me because it has a bit of everything. An unexpected plot. Well-developed characters with deep and believeable inner and outer conflicts. A super love story, a gorgeous heroine and a hot hero. Oh, and a hot but nasty villain too. One most of us would like to have a fantasy about BEFORE the undead experience. I will say no more until you've seen it.


Oh and the setting! Check OUT out the house!

If you're looking for an awesome Halloween flick, this is the one.

2. The Abyss
I was in college when this came out. Yes, it's old. Ancient. Like me. But it's still good.


I remember my roommate, Debbie, walking into our dorm room and saying in an awestruck voice, "I just saw the BEST movie. I heard about it, and I thought, 'Oh, a creep show underwater', but it was SO much more."


She was astonished.

When I saw it a few months later, so was I.

It's a James Cameron film, which explains a lot of its awesomeness. It's still awesome even though it's 20 years old.

But Ed Harris (slurp) and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio have such angst and chemistry on screen for me. I ache for them through this film. You can almost hear the echo from the depths of the hollows in their lonely souls. Okay that's a bit melodramatic.

They do a good job. And hey, it's a Cameron film. You will not be disappointed. The director's cut is kind of lame and a bit preachy. Avoid that one. The regular film is the one to see.



3. While You Were Sleeping

This is another Bullock film. An old one.


No question about why I love this film. The Abyss has action and lots of it. Here, it is absolutely the chemistry between the two main characters which makes this movie sparkle. Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock make magic on the screen.


Add to that the fact that Bullock does such a convincing job of playing an ordinary girl. The girl most of us ARE, but one who actually finds the hero we all dream of. Look at her in this picture. She looks ordinary, doesn't she?


Ordinary people in an ordinary life who find something extraordinary when a weird thing happens.


Dang. Wish I had thought of that.




4. Bottle Shock

Most of y'all probably have not seen this movie. It's the underdog of the bunch, for certain.

I love wine. Many of you know that already, but I would like this film even if I didn't. This is a story centered around wine. But not really. It's actually centered around conflict, as is any other good story. But in this one, wine makes a fantastic setting. The wine in this film becomes a character, very nearly.


It's Bill Pullman again (are you beginning to see a pattern here?) But even better, it's Alan Rickman. Rickman is fast becoming one of my most admired actors just for the sheer breadth of the roles he's played, and for the mastery he has of his craft. From the villain in Die Hard to the British wine snob in Bottleshock, Rickman is impossible to ignore. And he is the hinge on which this film opens and closes with surprising grace.

Chris Pine does a great job too. And he's nice to look at.



The most amazing thing about his film is the secondary characters. So critical and so well drawn that they almost don't seem secondary.

Y'all should really find this film and watch it. If they have one at your local movie store, they will have ONLY one. But it's worth the effort to get it.



5. The Muppet Christmas Carol



That's right. I said MUPPETS. Do NOT laugh.


Okay, laugh a little. But then go get this and watch it.

I would lay down money that it is NOT what you expect.

I have observed something rather consistent over the years. No big star that I know of has ever refused to guest with the Muppets. I'm thinkin' there's a reason for that. They're so cool that Alice Cooper was a guest on their show. And that's pretty dang cool.

Yes, we all know how this story goes. A rich miser, a poor guy with a sick Tiny Tim. Three ghosts with attitude. A MAJOR character arc and a changed life.

Well...Jim Henson's crew can twist anything.

The venerable Michael Cain stars in this film as Scrooge. Kermit the Frog is Bob Cratchit. It's narrated by none other than Gonzo the Great, with Rizzo the Rat as his sidekick.

Yes, you will laugh. You will also cry. I bawl my eyes out every time I see this film, and I KNOW how it ends. That's the Marley brothers over there on the right. You know...my favorite first line of all time...Marley was dead, to begin with. That's them.

The legendary Paul Williams wrote the music for this flick, and even he says it's some of his best work ever. I don't have the soundtrack, but I want it.

The days are getting shorter. The Holidays will soon be upon us. Get in the spirit. Go get this film.
6. Lord of the Rings trilogy.


Ah, shoot. I said I'd stop at five. Dangit.

Okay, I'll stop.

So tell me Banditas and friends...HAVE YOU SEEN THESE FILMS?

Did you like them? Hate them? What?


What are your top five?


Can you pick just five?


Or are you like me and it fluctuates?

What do you look for in a movie that you actually BUY to keep at home?


Do the movies you like shift throughout the year, with the seasons? The weather? What?


As we move into fall, are you thinking about a particular film you want to see?

Any film traditions out there? What do you watch for the Holidays?


131 comments:

Jane said...

I saw "The Abyss" and "While You Were Sleeping." They were good movies. The scene I remember most from "The Abyss" is when they're trying to revive Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. The LOTR trilogy is definitely on my list, too. Also on the list are "The Last of the Mohicans," "Gladiator," "The Princess Bride" and "A Few Good Men." Since Halloween is coming up I'll probably watch some horror movies.

Cassondra said...

Hey Jane!

Congrats on the rooster!

I LOVE The Last of the Mohicans and I had to forcibly restrain myself from including it. It's such a good movie. I'm not crazy for The Princess Bride but everyone else is, so don't listen to me.

Definitely see LOTR. It's just something that everybody should see. Epic.

And yes. When she drowns in that sub and the following scene where they revive her, I stopped breathing too...I swear.

Good picks for your "to be watched" list!

Cassondra said...

It is almost 4 here, and I am going to get some sleep. I'll see y'all in the daylight as soon as I crawl out of the coffin.

Alaine said...

Practical Magic is one of my favourite movies!

Helen said...

Congrats Jane enjoy your day with him

Cassondra

I don't watch movies a lot and yes I am one of the ones who loves the tear jerkers but I really love a movie that makes me laugh as well.

Ok I have seen While You Were Sleeping and I love that movie I do have it on DVD I love the Muppetts and have seen most of their movies and really do enjoy them, I am not into scary movies but I have heard a lot about Practical Magic and I am sure one of my daughters has that on DVD so I must watch it.

My favourite movies are

Little Women
Braveheart
Paleface
The Long Long Trailer
Gone With The Wind
Yes I really enjoy older movies there are heaps more that I love and I have a lot of DVDs as do my daughters so there is always a lot to choose from when I feel like watching one but I tend to read a lot more these days.

Have Fun
Helen

Tiffany Clare said...

I have seen all but the Alan Rickman movie. I should look for it, but I never rent movies.. like never. If it doesn't come on my movie channel, I'm not going to search it out... hmmmm... maybe I'll see if it's on youtube :) And I LOVED Practical Magic.

Movies are buy are usually very artsy, and usually romantic, period or even sad but because of lost love in nature. I also tend to watch movies that are more obscure in nature. LOL I like beautifully shot films. In the last couple years I can name the movies I've bought (I buy few):

The Fountain (with Hugh Jackman, my God see this film if you can, so amazing even though I balled my eyes out at the end).

Lady Chatterley, the French version, best version to date of Lawrence's work

La Vie en Rose (about Edith Piaf--also sad, but the music is just fabulous, the story well told).

Possession, because it's just so amazing.

Amazing Grace, Ioan is brilliant, and this movie is an important piece of history for everyone.

I bet I'm forgetting a ton, normal for me. If I remember any I'll come back.

MJFredrick said...

I bought The Muppets Christmas Carol to show my class. I LOVE that movie!!!

Blodeuedd said...

I just love While you were sleeping :)

But my fav 5 are
Grosse pointe Blank
Equilibrium
True Romance
Goodfellas
The Boondock saints

Deb Marlowe said...

Hey Cassondra!

Oh, I love the Abyss too! I was blown away the first time I saw it. Man, that was a long time ago! :-)

I adore the aunts in Practical Magic, and I thought the sisters were interesting and really brought out some of the love/hate sister thing.

Bottle Shock is in my que! I read the description and thought I *have* to see Alan Rickman in this. I'm glad to hear such a ringing endorsement!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

So tell me Banditas and friends...HAVE YOU SEEN THESE FILMS?
I have seen them all but Bottle shock and they are among my favs.

Did you like them? Hate them? What?
loved them all

What are your top five?
I Can't pick 5, my favorites change with my moods and what I need at the time.

Can you pick just five?
I can't even pick ten.

Or are you like me and it fluctuates?
Yes, changes daily actually.

What do you look for in a movie that you actually BUY to keep at home?
Mostly something that makes me laugh. Comedy, romantic comedy, the main exceptions are LOTR and Harry Potter.

Do the movies you like shift throughout the year, with the seasons? The weather? What?
not so much seasonal as moodiness.

As we move into fall, are you thinking about a particular film you want to see?
Films I like year round are the costume dramas. Some are seasonal, like Christmas movies.

Any film traditions out there? What do you watch for the Holidays?
I watch Hocus Pocos and
Casper at Halloween, Christmas is the Muppet Christmas Carol, Touched by an Angel, Santa Clause, and many others.

Anna Sugden said...

I LOVE Practical Magic! I even have the soundtrack on my iPod!

I also love The Muppets Christmas Movie.

I'm one of the few who liked While You Were Sleeping, but wasn't hugely overwhelmed. I've never seen Princess Bride and I don't like GWTW. (Ducking)

Agree on Last of the Mohicans.

Not fussed about LOTR.

Other feelgood movies:

Tombstone
Sliding Doors
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Overboard
Enchanted
Pretty Woman
Love, Actually
Four Weddings etc
Scrooged
Bull Durham
Miracle (yes - there had to be a hockey movie in there!)
You've Got Mail
Pirates of the Caribbean

And of the classic movies:

Christmas in Connecticut
White Christmas
The Philadelphia Story
Charade
Singing in the Rain
Pride & Prejudice

Oops - that's well over 5. Oh well, once a rebel ...

Anna Sugden said...

Oh, and I also dip into the old TV series when I want to feel good:

Pride & Prejudice
A Town Like Alice
Alias Smith & Jones
Upstairs Downstairs
The Duchess of Duke Street
Brides of Christ
New Tricks

I must get hold of North & South after all Fo's raving.

Joan said...

Good morning Cassondra!

Great post!

I happened on Practical Magic a couple of months ago. It was indeed an entertaining film. I too am not a big Nicole fan (she married my husband Keith Urban :-) but she did ok in it.

I LOVE the Muppets! I may have watched this particular movie in bits and pieces but weather a movie or their old 1/2 hour TV show..nobody can beat them for snark and corn. (Who wouldn't love The Swedish Chef and Beaker?)

I would add French Kiss and You've Got Mail. Love those movies.

I don't DO scary Halloween things. Period.

Really.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Cassondra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONLY FIVE!!

Hmmm....

Top 5 romance movies:
1. French Kiss
2. A&E version of Pride & Prejudice
3. While You Were Sleeping
4. Casablanca (I know Rick finds Ilsa after the war, I just KNOW it!)
5. Last of The Mohicans

Top 5 action movies:
1. Die Hard With A Vengence
2. Terminator
3. X-men
4. The Bourne Identity trilogy
5. Lord Of the Rings Trilogy (Yes, I think of them as action movies)

Top 5 other movies

1. Tombstone, (sigh dark heroes!!)
2. The Lou Gehrig Story (Cry like a crazy person!!)
3. Little Women, (with Wynona Ryder)
4. O! Brother Where Art Thou! (We thought you was a frog!)
5. Empire Records

Terri Osburn said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Practical Magic. Watch it everytime I come across. Watched it last week as a matter of fact.

But here's the odd thing about me, as much as I like to watch movies, I don't buy them. I NEVER just pull out a DVD and watch it. I do belong to Netflix and I'll watch something once then send it back. But I feel no need to keep things around all the time.

I have a friend that LIVES for movies. Will buy them and put them in and watch them repeatedly. Not me. I'll watch The Notebook and P&P everytime they are on Oxygen (with commercials, obviously) but see no point in owning them.

And I'm like you, I'm not good at making favorite lists. But I'll try.

P&P - the latest version.
LA Confidential - Work. of. art.
Princess Bride - Timeless
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Never got the attention or praise it deserves. Highly recommend.
Any of the Ocean's movies. Another addiction of mine.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Scrooge: "Really? How would the rats like to be...UNEMPLOYED?"

Rats, donning feather tribal hats: "HEATWAVE! This is our island in the sun!..."

How can you not like The Muppets Christmas Carol? It's awesome.

And I have always loved Practical Magic...I too am a huge Sandra Bullock fan (and I like Kidman more and more, esp since she's been away from Tom. *LOL*) But I think this film makes these two really shine. And I'm not usually an Adrian Quinn fan--but when he says to Sandra Bullock, "I wished for you too.", my cynical heart just cracks in half. Plus, that whole PTA meeting stuff is worth watching the movie alone! GREAT MOVIE.

GREAT BLOG! What fun!

Some of my favorites (I will do "long term" favorites rather than current favorites--because my current favorites includes Twilight of all things.)

1.) Stranger Than Fiction: Even if you're not a Will Ferrell fan, he's not his typical self...he's toned down and you empathize with his character--and the love story between him and the Baker is just too *sighs longingly*

2.) The Notebook: Let me go on record saying I hate Nicholas Sparks' writing. He's incapable of having a story where the love story has any sort of happy ending. He is therefore an ***hole. HOWEVER, I can watch this movie again and again. I love watching these two falling in love. I love when they end up together. I love that he stays with her to the very end.

3.) Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone: Technically I really liked the last movie better, I think, but watching this movie, watching Harry's face light up with wonder as he discovers magic makes me rediscover magic. And it makes me rediscover the power of friendship.

4.) Coal Miner's Daughter: I think it's because I have a little crush on Tommy Lee Jones (he's awesome in Nate & Hayes as well), but for some reason I like this movie. Almost better than Walk The Line, but it might be a toss up.

5.) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers: Not everyone likes musicals; and my friend Holly loathes this musical--but I think it's a riot. The barn dance is worth watching all by itself. It always makes me feel good.

Honorable mentions: POTC (of course), Elf, and Talladega Nights (simply because I wake up in the morning and piss excellence.)

Anna Sugden said...

That's my favourite bit too, Ms Hellion! Cracks me up every time!

And I too adore the Harry Potter movies - great fun.

Seven Brides - how could I have forgotten that one?! Or Kiss Me Kate?! Or Calamity Jane?

Oh, and while we're on Doris Day, might as well include all her movies with Rock.

Nancy said...

Jane, congrats on taking home the rooster! That's quite a movie list you have there, too.

I also like that scene from The Abyss. And LOTR and Princess Bride.

jo robertson said...

Whoooott, Cassondra! Super topic, as always.

Congratuations on getting the rooster, Jane.

I saw THE ABYSS also and what I enjoyed most was the chemistry between Mary M. and a very young and attractive Ed Harris!

I've never heard of BOTTLE SHOCK but it sounds fabulous as anything with Alan Rickman is. He's truly a talented and versatile actor.

Little known movies, huh? I love the block-busters of the summer months, but I have to say that I love when fall comes and the more thoughtful movies come out.

One of my favorites is a 1984 film with Sally Field, Danny Glover, and John Malkovich. I know, what an ensemble! It's a powerful tale of love, redemption and forgiveness coupled with sheer determination. I love it!

Nancy said...

Cassondra, I've seen most of these movies. I'll look for Bottle Shock. I share your admiration for Rickman's ability. He's like a chameleon--blends into every role he plays. And yes, Chris Pine is always worth looking at. *g*

While You Were Sleeping is not one I watch over again. Everyone's great in it, but the heroine's initial deception puts me off.

However, I watch Practical Magic whenever it's on TV and wouldn't mind owning it (criteria: did I enjoy it and would I like to be able to watch it whenever I want). I also like the sister dynamic in it.

The boy was big on the Muppets, and I enjoyed watching that with him (as opposed to Blue's Clues, which was fine on Monday but had worn a bit thin for me by Friday - for those not familiar with it, the episode was new Monday and re-ran every day for the rest of the week, all of which we watched). I'm not sure I've ever seen this movie, though. I'll have to check it out.

I left The Abyss for last. I love this movie. I, too, own it. The characters are great, the conflict keeps rolling, and it's a creative variant on the "trapped in a scary place" story, which ordinarily doesn't do much for me.

And I owe you one. Because of the info you gave me, Michael Biehn said hi to me at Dragon*Con.

Nancy said...

Sorry. I'm having trouble with my click finger; things are posting twice lately.

Nancy said...

Hi, Helen--

Is The Long, Long Trailer a Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz film? It sounds familiar.

I also love GWTW, though I have to be in the right frame of mind to watch it.

Nancy said...

Terri, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a FABULOUS movie! We rented it and enjoyed it immensely. We happened to see it right after the Disney movie Enchanted, and this is a very different role for Amy Adams. She was great in it, and so was Frances McDormand.

Donna MacMeans said...

Oh No! Blogger ate my long, long comment!

Short version - Love all the movies you mentioned except I haven't seen Bottle Shock - will check it out.

Favs change but include "Love Actually", "Stranger than Fiction" (due to writer references, not so much the story), "Serenity" (This is carryover love from Firefly)

Nancy said...

MsHellion, I think that's my favorite Potter movie, too. The last couple have been a bit dark for my taste. I understand why--they're following the tone of the books--but darkness usually isn't something I want to revisit over and over. I'm content to have seen the last film only once.

Nancy said...

Suz, Terminator is one of my all-time favorite action films! The Bourne movies are all great, if not much like the original Robert Ludlum novel, and the first X-Men film was, imho, the best of the series.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Anna: I love Kiss Me Kate too (I love Howard Keel!)--but Doris and Rock were HILARIOUS. They had wonderful chemistry together! Pillow Talk is my favorite and I can watch it quite a bit. It's my favorite of "screwball" comedy because I think it's hilarious that Rock plays an alternate version of himself, all the while belittling his alternate version to Doris--whenever he talks to her on the phone. (Okay, that sounds confusing, but if you've seen the movie, you know what I'm talking about. It's like a You Got Mail moment...)

Terri Osburn said...

How could I forget Love Actually?! I ADORE that movie. Thanks for the reminder, Donna.

And The Holiday. Another I could watch over and over again. Plus, wonderful soundtrack. Instrumental and just light and lively. Perfect for writing to (if you write contemporary, light, and lively *g*).

I didn't think of the really old ones. Anything with Fred & Ginger I'll watch. Really, anything with them on their own as well. Royal Wedding or Kitty Foyle. Then there's Kate in Philadelphia Story with Cary. And Cary with Deborah in An Affair to Remember.

I must stop.

Cassondra said...

Hi all. I'm out of the coffin, and surprisingly perky, even without coffee.

That may wear off, however. So coffee is brewing, just in case.

Alaine said:

Practical Magic is one of my favourite movies

WOOOT. *high five* Another woman with good taste in films. Have you seen any of the others?

Minna said...

Well, I have seen The Abyss, The Muppet Christmas Carol and the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Muppet Christmas Carol is OK, but I prefer Scrooged. Some of my other favorites are
X-men
Roxanne (Steve Martin)
Apollo 13
Police Academy Movies
Young Einstein (Yahoo Serious)
Hot Shots!
Maverick
Ai Rabu Yu -a japanese film
Addams Family
Beetlejuice
Death Becomes Her

Minna said...

Men in Black
Star Treck movies
Star Wreck ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wreck:_In_the_Pirkinning ,
http://www.starwreck.com/ )

Cassondra said...

Ah...coffeeee

Cassondra said...

Helen said:

My favourite movies are

Little Women
Braveheart
Paleface
The Long Long Trailer
Gone With The Wind


Oh, a good bunch, Helen. I have seen only two of those, Braveheart (sad face) and Gone With The Wind.

Yes I really enjoy older movies there are heaps more that I love and I have a lot of DVDs as do my daughters so there is always a lot to choose from when I feel like watching one but I tend to read a lot more these days.


Good on you for reading. The TBR pile must not be ignored. Especially when you hang out with a bunch of writers!

I do this too..reading far more. But every now and then I don't even want to do that much work. Sitting back and getting entertained is the way to go for me then. Plus, a movie just goes better with popcorn. (grin)

Lynz Pickles said...

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Uh... I haven't seen any of those. Guess what I'll be doing this weekend!

I don't think limit my favourite movies to five or even ten, but some of them, in no order whatsoever, would be:
Speak, based on the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Princess Bride
10 Things I Hate About You
Pride and Prejudice (duh)
Sense and Sensibility (again, duh)
Howl's Moving Castle
Mononokehime
Spirited Away - Okay, I cleraly love Studio Ghibli

Ach, no, what have I done? Now that I've started thinking of my favourites, they're all popping into my head and vying for my time and attention! Make it stop, make it stop!

Cassondra said...

Tiffany said:

Movies I buy are usually very artsy, and usually romantic, period or even sad but because of lost love in nature. I also tend to watch movies that are more obscure in nature. LOL I like beautifully shot films. In the last couple years I can name the movies I've bought (I buy few):

I don't buy many either, Tiffany.

If you like obscure, but beautifully shot films, look for Three Wishes for Cinderella

It's an older Czech film, and the cinematography is gorgeous. It's a cool take on the Cinderella story too--their old folk tale version. It's my fav Cinderella story cuz Cinderella kicks ass AND gets the prince too.

Cassondra said...

Oh, and Tiffany, Bottle Shock is worth the effort to get.

You are like me. I hate the video store and we don't have netflix. So it's a pain when we want a new movie.

Cassondra said...

MJ Fredrick said:

I bought The Muppets Christmas Carol to show my class. I LOVE that movie!!!

Isn't it AMAZING? Can you sing the songs yet? (grin)

Cassondra said...

Blodeuedd said:

I just love While you were sleeping :)

But my fav 5 are
Grosse pointe Blank
Equilibrium
True Romance
Goodfellas
The Boondock saints



You like the kind of films my husband loves. Equilibrium and The Boondock Saints.

I also liked Grosse Pointe Blank. Boondock Saints is on my list to see. I just haven't gotten to it yet. Which is a crime, according to Steve.

Cassondra said...

Deb Marlowe said:

Oh, I love the Abyss too! I was blown away the first time I saw it. Man, that was a long time ago! :-)

It WAS, wasn't it? I am olde.
Not just old. Olde.

Bottle Shock is in my que! I read the description and thought I *have* to see Alan Rickman in this. I'm glad to hear such a ringing endorsement!

YAY for getting Bottle Shock! It is SUCH a great film. I saw Sideways, which is also about wine, but I didn't enjoy it. The picture it paints of the male half of the species is just so rotten it's putrid. But THIS film...it's almost transcendent for a person who loves wine. It's a really good story. Let me know how you like it!

Cassondra said...

aka Dianna said:

What do you look for in a movie that you actually BUY to keep at home?
Mostly something that makes me laugh. Comedy, romantic comedy, the main exceptions are LOTR and Harry Potter.


OH, this is my exact reason for buying a film, and my exceptions are the same ones as yours. LOTR and Harry Potter. I'm also collecting odd Cinderella flicks like the Czech version I mentioned above. I think I have a Cinderella story brewing maybe.

Cassondra said...

Anna Sugden said:

Other feelgood movies:

Tombstone
Sliding Doors
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Overboard
Enchanted
Pretty Woman
Love, Actually
Four Weddings etc
Scrooged
Bull Durham
Miracle (yes - there had to be a hockey movie in there!)
You've Got Mail
Pirates of the Caribbean

And of the classic movies:

Christmas in Connecticut
White Christmas
The Philadelphia Story
Charade
Singing in the Rain
Pride & Prejudice

Oops - that's well over 5. Oh well, once a rebel


A rebel indeed! I am the same way. It was hard to pick just five.

I've seen a bunch from your list. Lots of happy endings in there. Smile-feel-good movies. They are my keepers, usually for that reason.

Cassondra said...

Oh, Anna, once I have NOT seen is Scrooged. I just keep missing it. When I think of it, it's always gone from the rental place because I only think of it at Christmas.

Cassondra said...

Joanie said:

don't DO scary Halloween things. Period.

Really.


I don't either Joanie T. I don't need that lurking in the back of my conscience.

You MUST get Muppet Christmas Carol and watch it all the way through. It is a cut above anything they've ever done. If Muppets can make you cry, you know it's a well-done flick. And Michael Caine is absolutely brilliant as Scrooge.

Cassondra said...

Suz, SNEAKY SNEAKY!

I love the way you've broken it down. Maybe if I could do it this way I could actually get a running list going.

And I think of "O Brother Where Art Thou" as a romance, actually. I own it, AND the sountrack. One copy for my car and another for in the house. That's how much I love that film and the music.

Cassondra said...

TerriOsburn said:

But here's the odd thing about me, as much as I like to watch movies, I don't buy them. I NEVER just pull out a DVD and watch it. I do belong to Netflix and I'll watch something once then send it back. But I feel no need to keep things around all the time.

I have a friend that LIVES for movies. Will buy them and put them in and watch them repeatedly. Not me. I'll watch The Notebook and P&P everytime they are on Oxygen (with commercials, obviously) but see no point in owning them.


See..my husband is like your friend. He LOVES film, and is always watching something. Right now he is watching the entire series of Battlestar Gallactica, which friend is loaning him one season at a time. He says I must see it because the writing is so over-the top phenomenal. But he buys movies all the time. And I will admit that yes, he watches them over and over, so I don't begrudge it too much.

But I don't. I might own ten films, and its ones I watch over and over, like the five (okay six) in the blog. Otherwise, I'd rather have the space in my house than the piles of stuff.

Netflix is such a good deal because you can get them and get them fast. Our trouble is this. I never PLAN to watch a movie. I just get in the mood once in a blue moon, and at the same time am willing to blow off whatever I need to do for an evening. That's rare though, so for me it would be a huge waste of money.

Cassondra said...

Hellion said:

Scrooge: "Really? How would the rats like to be...UNEMPLOYED?"

Rats, donning feather tribal hats: "HEATWAVE! This is our island in the sun!..."

How can you not like The Muppets Christmas Carol? It's awesome.


AHHAHAHAHAHA! YES!

My favorite part is when Scrooge is going into his house and Gonzo is narrating, as Charles Dickens, with Rizzo skeptical that Gonzo really IS Charles Dickens.

Gonzo: Scrooge searched his rooms, and because he was nervous, he lit a lamp.

Rizzo: He hasn't gone in there yet, how do YOU know he lights a lamp?

Gonzo: Because writers are omniscient. (the lamp glows in the window as he says this)

Rizzo: Well, hoity toity Mr. God-like smarty pants.

AHAHAHAHA!

Cassondra said...

Hellion I love your list and your reasons.

I will have to get SBFSB. I haven't seen that since I was a kid.

I remember the old tv series though.

Cassondra said...

Anna Sugden said:

Seven Brides - how could I have forgotten that one?! Or Kiss Me Kate?! Or Calamity Jane?



OH! I have never seen Kiss Me Kate.

This is wrong. I know this.

Terri Osburn said...

In an effort for full disclosure, the friend who watches them over and over is MsHellion. I'm surprised she didn't cop to it in her comment. LOL!

And I've been known to hold a Netflix disc for four months or more. Yes, clearly a waste of money. But I'm working on getting better about this.

Forgot Bull Durham. Another awesome one. One of the best speeches ever.

Anna Sugden said...

Kiss Me Kate is awesome, Cassondra. The music is fab - I love 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

I also like that scene from The Abyss. And LOTR and Princess Bride.

See. Everybody likes Princess Bride except me. I just really don't. (ducks flying fruit.) I DO like the "You killed my father, prepare to die" part.

I think it's because I saw this the first time when I was expecting something else I guess. I just always look kind of cross-eyed at it.

Monty Python and The Holy Grail, however...THAT is some funny stuff right there.

Nancy said...

Cassondra, I'm with Steve on BSG. You really should take a look at it. I, too, think you'd find it engrossing. It's a little dark for me, or so I claim, but once I started watching it, I was totally sucked in. Absolutely hooked. The writing is truly outstanding, and the multi-episode story arcs allow for more nuance in storytelling than the shows that wrap everything up in an hour.

Cassondra said...

JoMama said;

I saw THE ABYSS also and what I enjoyed most was the chemistry between Mary M. and a very young and attractive Ed Harris!

Yes, wasn't it amazing? I ached for both of them from the time her voice came over the radio and it was clear there was a history there.

I've never heard of BOTTLE SHOCK but it sounds fabulous as anything with Alan Rickman is. He's truly a talented and versatile actor.

I've never seen Alan Rickman be anything less than stellar. It was this film, however, which put him over the top as one of my most admired actors. You must see it. Especially since you live on the West Coast.

It centers around Napa Valley, the blossoming wine industry which was just getting going in 1976, and the contest set up in France where Napa's wines beat the French. You will remember the 70s, as do I, so you will enjoy it even more because of that I think.

The conflict between Pullman and Pine is...well...there is conflict between EVERYBODY in this film. It's very well done.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

And I owe you one. Because of the info you gave me, Michael Biehn said hi to me at Dragon*Con

Okay, who is that, and how did I help to influence him???

(interested, bumfuzzled grin)

Cassondra said...

Donna, dang it about your long post. I HATE that. Blogger has been acting up for me lately too.

Favs change but include "Love Actually", "Stranger than Fiction" (due to writer references, not so much the story), "Serenity" (This is carryover love from Firefly)


I have not seen ANY of these three. Yes, I know. I must be smitten. I will have to look for these.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

Terri, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a FABULOUS movie! We rented it and enjoyed it immensely. We happened to see it right after the Disney movie Enchanted, and this is a very different role for Amy Adams. She was great in it, and so was Frances McDormand.



Okay a second endorsement for this film... (scratches notes on a sticky) I must now get this one too. DANG. This pile is going to be as tall as my TBR pile! WAH.

Cassondra said...

Nancy and Suz both said:

Terminator

Yes, I like the terminator films as well. I like, but do not love, the Predator films.

I enjoy Ahhhhhhnold.

Cassondra said...

Hellion said:

Pillow Talk is my favorite and I can watch it quite a bit. It's my favorite of "screwball" comedy because I think it's hilarious that Rock plays an alternate version of himself, all the while belittling his alternate version to Doris--whenever he talks to her on the phone.

Okay now I must add THIS one. *sigh* Y'all are makin my list grow LONG.

Nancy said...

Cassondra wrote, of Michael Biehn:Okay, who is that, and how did I help to influence him???

Uh, I think you need more coffee. He's the crazed Navy SEAL in The Abyss. And he's the original, and still best, Kyle Reese in Terminator. And the doomed SEAL team leader in The Rock (major boom in that movie!), and Johnny Ringo in Tombstone.

And you're the one who told me he was an honorary Navy SEAL and had done voiceover for the UDT museum.

So I asked him about that, but when I stepped up to the mike (we had to hurry over from the side because questioners in the aisle blocked the view of those in back), I said, "Hi" while I caught my breath, and he looked right at me and politely said, "Hi." And if you hadn't given me that info, I wouldn't have asked the question because I wouldn't have had a question I thought might be one he didn't get at every appearance and wouldn't have gotten the "hi" in response.

So thanks, Cassondra. And for everyone's information, he noted that he'd played a SEAL a number of times, had been contacted via his agent and asked to do this voiceover work, which he did in a motel room, and a month later had gotten a letter and certificate making him an honorary SEAL. And he added his appreciation for our armed forces.

Cassondra said...

TerriOsburn said:

I didn't think of the really old ones. Anything with Fred & Ginger I'll watch. Really, anything with them on their own as well. Royal Wedding or Kitty Foyle. Then there's Kate in Philadelphia Story with Cary. And Cary with Deborah in An Affair to Remember.


Oh, me either, Terri. Gene Kelley!!!

I think it's a statement to the power of the feel-good that these old flicks still stand up, even today, against the high-tech, special effects, deep dark modern drama and angst-ridden films we are currently fed as a steady diet.

Dang it, SING AND DANCE FOR GOSH SAKES! SOME parts of life are still good. Remind me of that, will ya? Sheesh.

Thanks, y'all, for the reminder to pick up some of these old flicks at the rental place.

Nancy said...

Donna, I love Serenity, too. There's a huge Browncoat contingent at DragonCon. The show may be gone, but its fandom lives on!

Cassondra said...

Minna said:

Roxanne (Steve Martin)

Oh, this almost made my list! Any other day and it would have been there. STeve Martin is almost always a good bet, and I love Shakespeare redos anyhow.

Ten Things I Hate About You, anyone?

Cassondra said...

Lynz Pickles said:

Uh... I haven't seen any of those. Guess what I'll be doing this weekend!

GRIN


Speak, based on the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Princess Bride
10 Things I Hate About You
Pride and Prejudice (duh)
Sense and Sensibility (again, duh)
Howl's Moving Castle
Mononokehime
Spirited Away - Okay, I cleraly love Studio Ghibli


Oh, good list. With a bunch I have not seen. Good to see Monty Python on someone's list though. I LOVE that film. I don't know why, but I do.

Cassondra said...

TerriOsburn said:

And I've been known to hold a Netflix disc for four months or more. Yes, clearly a waste of money. But I'm working on getting better about this.

See...this is what I would do. They would lie around the house and the house would eat them. They would get separated from the little wrapper in which you must mail them back. It's just reality in this house. Maybe when renovations are done and we don't have to spend all our evenings working on the house, there will be more time and a place for in/out films to rest. Then Netflix might work for us. I dunno. I think the people who watch and return their movies as soon as they get them are also the people who never had late fees at the rental place. :0/

Alas, I am not that person.

Hellie Sinclair said...

In an effort for full disclosure, the friend who watches them over and over is MsHellion. I'm surprised she didn't cop to it in her comment. LOL!

Don't be a hater, Terri. *LOL* I'd rather watch movies than reality TV like some people I can name but won't *coughs*TERRI*coughs*

I need to brush off my Muppet's Christmas Carol and see the Mr. God Smarty Pants line. *LOL* Too funny!

Cassondra said...

Anna said:

Kiss Me Kate is awesome, Cassondra. The music is fab - I love 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'.



Okay I must get this immediately.

Maybe it's popular enough that they'll have it at the rental place.

I admit that one of the reasons I have considered Netflix is that the rental place never has what I want.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

Cassondra, I'm with Steve on BSG. You really should take a look at it. I, too, think you'd find it engrossing. It's a little dark for me, or so I claim, but once I started watching it, I was totally sucked in. Absolutely hooked. The writing is truly outstanding, and the multi-episode story arcs allow for more nuance in storytelling than the shows that wrap everything up in an hour.



This is what he says too. He is awestruck by the writing and the continuity. He goes on and on about how every character..EVERY character, has an arc, and how little insignificant things which happened episodes ago...suddenly there's a reason apparant in THIS episode for why it happened.

THis is astonishing for tv, and I honestly don't see how they did it. That continuity I mean...that level of foreshadowing and clue dropping...when it was not a work as a whole. IT apparantly IS a work as a whole, but it is series...which is unique in my perspective. Some day maybe I will have time to view this.

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

Uh, I think you need more coffee. He's the crazed Navy SEAL in The Abyss. And he's the original, and still best, Kyle Reese in Terminator. And the doomed SEAL team leader in The Rock (major boom in that movie!), and Johnny Ringo in Tombstone.

And you're the one who told me he was an honorary Navy SEAL and had done voiceover for the UDT museum.


Oh, yes. I did need more coffee when I asked the question. But it is his face I recognize, and I forget names...I remember them, but I don't remember a connection unless I've made a strong face to name connection, and I have not with him. STeve is very good at the name thing, and he is the one who put the name to what I knew about him.

So Steve gets part of the gratitude and you are welcome, and cool that you had a different question for him. Sounds like he was a good guest.

Cassondra said...

Hellion said:

I need to brush off my Muppet's Christmas Carol and see the Mr. God Smarty Pants line. *LOL* Too funny!


Yes, you do! (wide grin)

"I love you, Belle."

(Belle drops head) "You did...once...goodbye Ebenezer."

(Cassondra wipes eyes and blows nose)

Minna said...

I forgot Blues Brothers and Leningrad Cowboys Go America from my list.

Leningrad Cowboys & Red Army Choir - SWEET HOME ALABAMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFRLrP014

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Cassondra,
I've seen all the movies on your list, most recently Bottle Shock, which I LURVED!!! Someone else recommended it and it went to the top of my Netflix queue. You are sooo right, the wine is a whole separate character!

I too was blown away when I first saw The Abyss! But the special effects were cutting edge then and hadn't been done before. I STILL think about the scene where she drowns and Ed Harris is trying to revive her. OMG!!! WHAT A SCENE!

I don't own many movies either. But my ALL TIME FAVORITE is Ladyhawke with Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfieffer and Matthew Broderick. I am in AWE at the writing in this one and have watched my ancient VHS version so many times I don't even know if it will play any more.

I also own the LOTR trilogy (on disc!) and my all time favorite scary movie, Silence of the Lambs.

One movie I saw recently that sort of reminded me of Princess Bride and had the most ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS locales of any movie EVER was an unknown independent film called "The Fall." I URGE you to see it if you get a chance!

AC

Minna said...

Robin Hood-Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHSfNs9_0t0

Young Einstein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaOVeKvrEX4

Helen said...

Hi Nancy

Yes The Long Long Trailer is the one with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez such a funny movie.

How could I have forgotten all The Harry Potter movies and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.

Oh and what about Robin Hood with Errol Flyn you gotta love that movie.

Cassondra
I do sometimes sit down and watch movies but the TBR pile must be read LOL I have so many fantastic books that I can't wait to read must get to them LOL

Have Fun
Helen

Cassondra said...

Minna said:

I forgot Blues Brothers

Oh, Minna, GOOD ONE!

Cassondra said...

Auntie Cindy said:

One movie I saw recently that sort of reminded me of Princess Bride and had the most ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS locales of any movie EVER was an unknown independent film called "The Fall." I URGE you to see it if you get a chance!


Oh, AWESOME. I will look for it.

SO glad you loved Bottle Shock. It is well worth a look. We are looking to buy it if we can ever find it on sale.

WAY underrated film.

Cassondra said...

Helen said:

Yes The Long Long Trailer is the one with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez such a funny movie.


OH, Lucy and Desi. *sigh* I have a lot of I Love Lucy on old vhs. I worry about when my player goes down. I'm afraid I won't be able to find another. Nothing like Lucille Ball to lift your spirits.

Minna said...

The Mummy
Contact
The Truman Show -I think this is the only Jim Carrey movie I actually like
Beautiful Mind
Back to the Future


Back to the Future Tribute -- Back In Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Rngy90Q14

Becke Davis said...

I'm so swamped with garden writing right now, I keep missing posts here. Had to stop by today, though, because I've actually seen ALL OF THESE FILMS. Loved them, especially "While You Were Sleeping." Just saw "Bottle Shock" a couple weeks ago. Great post!

Cassondra said...

Becke said:

I'm so swamped with garden writing right now, I keep missing posts here. Had to stop by today, though, because I've actually seen ALL OF THESE FILMS. Loved them, especially "While You Were Sleeping." Just saw "Bottle Shock" a couple weeks ago. Great post

It's great to see you here!

And I'm so glad you got Bottle Shock. You will have to tell me what you thougt of it as a story sometime.

Nancy said...

Helen pointed out Errol Flynn's Robin Hood and AC noted Ladyhawke, both great fun movies. Ladyhawke was one of the first, I think, to put a rock soundtrack with a medieval setting--Alan Parsons Project, if memory serves.

And Cassondra, thanks to Steve as well on the Michael Biehn thing.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Wow, late to the party, I see!

Hey Jane! Great nab on the chook!

There is no way I can name top five. Top five in each genre - romance, comedy, drama, action - is even difficult for me.

Love the ones you've picked. Didn't see Practical Magic or Bottle Shock, but be sure that I will.

In pure, and usual, evil twin fashion, the Muppet Movie is one of my all time favs. Have you seen Put Down the Duckie? It follows along on the "all the cool people visit the Muppets" theme. Barbara Walters. James Taylor. Famous Concert Director (can't remember his name), Ralph Nadar, Rhea Pearlman and Danny DeVito...It's great. Old. But Great.

The Abyss. FAB-U-Lous.

LOTR - Beyond Words Fab.

Love While You Were Sleeping too. Of all the Bullock movies so far (that I've seen) this and Miss Congeniality are my favs.

Princess Bride would have to be on an All Time Fav list, for sure. Bull Durham (yes, Anna, you and me and Costner...)

Everyone listed fab movies! Wow. Oh, Alan Rickman. Be. Still. My. Heart. Yep. Love him.

Speaking of Wine Movies, have you seen Year of the Comet, Cassondra? If not, you must. Grins. Obscure. Brilliant. Delicious.

Suz, I love O Brother! Have you heard the Down from the Mountain soundtrack? :> Love that too.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ms. Hellion, I adore Seven Brides for just that barn dance scene. OMGosh, the sheer athleticism of that scene! Wowwoeezowwee!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Okay, I do have to agree: Alan Rickman is totally, totally, TOTALLY yummy. He has a voice that when I hear, I just want to jump him like a spider monkey. Hawt!

I haven't seen Bottle Rocket yet though, but I'll have to get it.

(As well as SBFSB, I also like The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Debbie Reynolds was wonderful in musicals--in a lot of stuff--but I loved this musical. It was sweet, even if it wasn't a bit true. *LOL* I love the end with the wedding ring--another swoony moment.)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Current Favs:

The Holiday - Terri listed that one too. ^5 Terri!

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - fabulous dialogue, snappy, unpredictable action, Vince Vaughn as a perfect foil...what's not to love. And you can practically SEE the sparks b/tw Pitt and Jolie in this movie.

Love, Actually. Such a brilliant, layered, fabulous movie. Sad. Funny. Amazing. Genuine. Love it. It's hard to watch this again, though as much as I love it. Same w/ Sliding Doors. There's a chord of deep sorrow in both that I have a hard time escaping after watching.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Bloduedd, I love Grosse Point Blanke too. I adore the scene where he's trying to figure out what the heck to tell people he does for a living. I alos love Joan Cusack's Jeckyll/Hyde personality as his secretary.

OH, that brings to mind School of Rock. FUNNY movie. Jack Black strikes again.

Another current fav...Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, need I say more?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Cassondra, Kiss Me Kate is one I predict you'll love. And Terri, yes, Bull Durham and the "long slow wet kisses that last three days" speech will go down in history. As will the clear-the-kitchen-table love scene. Sigh.

Of course, everytime I watch a baseball game and the infield goes to the pitcher's mound, I hear, "So, we need a chicken for the curse on the glove, Meat needs to breath through his eyelids and we need to figure out a wedding present for...candlesticks are good. Always nice for a wedding." Grins.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Ohh, yeah on the MOnty Python. "It's just a flesh wound!" is a frequently quoted line 'round here. My boys, young as they are, can quote from it. "She turned me into a newt"
"You don't look like a newt"
"Well....I got bettah!"

Christine Wells said...

Cassondra, great list! We own the entire muppet movie collection. Love the muppets!! I've watched Practical Magic a few times and enjoyed it. Not having had a sister, movies about sisters always fascinate me.

My favourite movies, or the ones I buy, at least, tend to be period dramas like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or classics, like Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's and An Affair to Remember. I don't have a very extensive collection, so it has to be a movie that I know I'll watch over and over.

Looking forward to reading everyone's recommendations!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Look at me, hoggin' the post. Grins.

Forgot:

Young Frankenstein ("What Knockers!" "Why Thank you, Doctor!)

Blazing Saddles ("Mongo LIKE Sherriff Bart!")

Sabrina - the new one, with Harrison Ford. He's much more believable as the stick-in-the-mud, cynical brother. I love when he tells the secretary to get tickets to a broadways show that's the "impossible" tickets and she looks at him like he's got horns and says, "You do realize that in these plays, people dance about and frequently break into song?"

Snork.

Cassondra said...

Hellion said:

I also like The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Debbie Reynolds was wonderful in musicals--in a lot of stuff--but I loved this musical.
Oh, yes she was and that is a GREAT film.

Who cares if it wasn't a bit true, it's entertainment! (grin)

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Love the ones you've picked. Didn't see Practical Magic or Bottle Shock, but be sure that I will.


WHAT????My evil twin has not seen Practical Magic? OMG! We must remedy this immediately! Get thee directly to a rental place and get it!

I think you will like it. ;0)

Nancy said...

Jeanne wrote: Speaking of Wine Movies, have you seen Year of the Comet, Cassondra? If not, you must. Grins. Obscure. Brilliant. Delicious.

That was a great movie! Loads of fun. And yes, obscure. Sank like a stone at the box office, and I have no idea why. Tim Daly and Penelope Ann Miller were wonderful in it.

As for holiday movies, I like It's A Wonderful Life, the Alastair Sim A Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th St. (original versions, NOT colorized, puh-leeze!). The boy likes Jingle All the Way, and we all love How The Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version).

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

*off to Blockbuster* Thy command is my directive. I go!

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Love, Actually.....There's a chord of deep sorrow that I have a hard time escaping after watching.


THIS. This is why I cannot watch certain films. I would appreciate them fully but the live with me so long that I actually get depressed from the sorrow of it. I have difficulty letting go of that.

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Another current fav...Kung Fu Panda. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, need I say more?


I have not seen Kung Fu Panda. But everyone says it's wonderful so I must remedy this.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy said: That was a great movie! Loads of fun. And yes, obscure. Sank like a stone at the box office, and I have no idea why. Tim Daly and Penelope Ann Miller were wonderful in it.

I should have known you'd know it Nancy, my other evil twin! hahaha!

And Tim Daly WITHOUT A SHIRT, people! C'mon! So awesome. And Louis Jourdan! Sigh. Gigi.

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Ohh, yeah on the MOnty Python. "It's just a flesh wound!" is a frequently quoted line 'round here. My boys, young as they are, can quote from it. "She turned me into a newt"
"You don't look like a newt"
"Well....I got bettah!"



SNORK. I can just see the little one quoting Monty Python...SNORK.

Cassondra said...

Christine said:

My favourite movies, or the ones I buy, at least, tend to be period dramas like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or classics, like Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's and An Affair to Remember. I don't have a very extensive collection, so it has to be a movie that I know I'll watch over and over.

This is it for me as well, Christine. It's not the money to buy them, so much as the committment to STORE the darn things. If I'm going to own it, I need to love it enough to watch it a lot.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Cassondra, you'll adore Kung Fu Panda. If for no other reason than the snappy dialogue and the delicious character arcs of Po the Panda and Master Shifu the Red Panda. Their repartee? Brill-I-ant!

And the animation makes them so darn REAL! It's amazing.

This one ranks another quote around our house. Grins. It's how I keep the kids from talking with thier mouths full.

"And the hero said nothing, for his mouth was full. When he swallowed, he said: Enough talking! Let's FIGHT!"

Snork

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

"You do realize that in these plays, people dance about and frequently break into song?"


SNORK! OMG! Okay I spewed water. SNORK.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy, you mentioned The Grinch. Oh, man. My kids can sing the song and 'round Christmas time, there's usually a chorus of "You're a Mean One...Mr. Grinch..." Something about his soul being full of unwashed socks amuses my boys no end.

Oh, and I just read it to Q for the last three nights running. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Jeanne said:

"You do realize that in these plays, people dance about and frequently break into song?"


Cassondra Said: SNORK! OMG! Okay I spewed water. SNORK.

Yep. There you go. THIS would be why I own it. Grins. Such a great cast too - Harrison, Julia Ormond, Greg Kinnear, Richard Crenna, Lauren Holley (whom I loved in NCIS)

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

As for holiday movies, I like It's A Wonderful Life, the Alastair Sim A Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th St. (original versions, NOT colorized, puh-leeze!). The boy likes Jingle All the Way, and we all love How The Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version).


Oooo. I like Elf. I want to get that one too, cuz every time I want it, it's gone from the rental place. I LOVE it when they sing Baby it's Cold Outside...which is my favorite Christmas-time tune.

I also like The Santa Clause. I have not seen the sequels, but I'm a little afraid they'll ruin it. They always sequal a good film to death. :0/

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

And Tim Daly WITHOUT A SHIRT, people! C'mon! So awesome. And Louis Jourdan! Sigh. Gigi.


Well then...(waggles eyebrows) let's go.

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Oh, and I just read it to Q for the last three nights running. :>


Does Q have Horton Hears a Who?

That's my favorite book ever.

Pissenlit said...

Yay! Someone else who gets it! I want my entertainment to entertain me, dangit! :D Sometimes, it bugs my friends that I only ever want to watch "happy movies"(their term) when we look for something to pass the time.

Of your 5 films, I haven't seen Bottle Shock(heard of it) and I don't like The Abyss(that water thing creeped me out). I've watched the other 3 many times though, I don't like watching the version of The Muppet Christmas Carol where they've cut out the song that Scrooge's fiancee sings when she breaks up with him...I love that part!

Nope, can't pick just 5 and it always changes depending on my mood. At this very second, my favourite "five" would be um...in no particular order...
-Blade Runner
(1 of few exceptions to the no depressing rule)
-Men With Brooms
-Oscar
-The MatchMaker
-Once Upon A Mattress(2005 ABC movie)
-The Adventures of Robin Hood
-Much Ado About Nothing
-Waking Ned Devine
-Roman Holiday
-Sense and Sensibility(1995)
-Pride and Prejudice(1995 BBC miniseries)
-Anne of Green Gables(1985 CBC miniseries)

If you ask me again, I'll probably have a different top "5" right now. I buy movies that make me feel better and that I know I'll rewatch over and over again. I can't think of any movie coming out this Fall that I want to see. Um...what was the last question?...Oh ya! Holiday movies...
-The Muppet Christmas Carol
-A Muppet Family Christmas
-A Charlie Brown Christmas
-Eloise at Christmastime
and sometimes...
-It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
...and maybe 1 or 2 others I can't think of right now...

Pissenlit said...

Wow. That was an insanely long comment. :P

catslady said...

I loved the Abyss. I have a list of about 15 that stays constant.

Legend
Lady Hawke
Forever Young
Highlander
LOTR

First Knight
Beastmaster
Mad Max & the Thunder Dome
Braveheart
Princess Bride
The Mummy

Men in Black
Independence Day
Jarassic Park
Matrix
Christmas Vacation

Although I have a few more - these are the ones I will watch over and over.

Becke Davis said...

Cassondra - About Bottle Shock (****SPOILERS*****): Well, I like romance, in books and movies, and unfortunately with this one, I would have liked the story better if she ended up with Guy #1 instead of Guy #2. I thought Guy #1 -- and his story -- were actually more interesting than the one they followed, win or no win. But I still liked the movie.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Catslady, love your list. I love the Beastmaster but the books were so much better of course. Always wished I could have met Hosteen Storm...sigh.

First Knight was great. Loved that one. And what was NOT to love about the Mummy movies. Four words: Brendan Frasier Oded Fehr

Yep. That about covers it.

Louisa Cornell said...

Good heavens lots of movie lovers here today !! Congrats on the GR, Jane. I happen to know he likes the movies Babe and Charlotte's Web and of course, March of the Penguins.

Tiffany, you are SO right about The Fountain! It is an amazing film. As is Amazing Grace, truly an important film about one of my all-time heroes!

300 is another of my favorites. Especially as my nephew introduced me to it AND it opened an ongoing history study between us of the Spartans and of Greek mythology too.

To Kill a Mockingbird (hey, I live in Alabama. It's required that I love this film and I do!)

Steel Magnolias

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Last of the Mohicans

Lord of the Rings

Practical Magic and While You Were Sleeping.

Shaun of the Dead

The Princess Bride

An Affair to Remember

My Fair Lady

Sense and Sensibility

Pride and Prejudice (the Knightley / MacFaddyen version - don't throw rocks)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

What a great list, Louisa!!

Joan said...

Oh,man....my head is spinning...

So many great movies!

I LOVE The Long, Long Trailer!!! I love the setting of it, the style. I mean going to a trailer show all dressed up with gloves and hat?

And Pillow Talk...and Pollyanna...and the original Parent Trap.

I'm contemplating upgrading my cable system to include Turner classics cause AMC STOPPED showing 40-60's movies.

And Steel Magnolias? Priceless..

Nancy said...

Ooh, Louisa--To Kill A Mockingbird, a fabulous movie and wonderful book!

Nancy said...

Jeanne, the animated Grinch is wonderful. I never noticed the unwashed socks bit, though. Of course, I was never a boy.

Darcy Burke said...

Love The Abyss. It's one of those movies that if I find it on TV, I'll get sucked in watching it, even if I just watched it yesterday. The other movie I do that with is Tombstone (so glad to see love for this underrated movie here!).

It's hard to pick five, but here goes:

1. Notting Hill
2. Tombstone
3. The Bourne Trilogy (I know it's three movies, sue me)
4. The American President
5. Dangerous Liaisons

Pat Cochran said...

I've only seen While You Were
Sleeping off your list.

I love all the Jimmy Stewart, John
Wayne, Sandra Bullock, Gene Kelly,
Cary Grant, & Rock Hudson/Doris Day
films. Can you tell about when I was growing up?

Faves list:
#1: Love With A Proper Stranger
Others in no particular order:
Gone With The Wind
Singing In The Rain
White Christmas
Steel Magnolias
Terms of Endearment
Officer And A Gentleman
Sleepless In Seattle
You've Got Mail
Princess Bride
Anything Muppet

Pat Cochran

Unknown said...

Congrats Jane! The Abyss is an awesome movie! Around the holidays I enjoy watching The Holiday is a great movie too. For my hubby its the Star Wars movies and Star Track movies. He has those. I also love Dirty Dancing. He is just not into the movies I like and I am not into what he watches.

Cassondra said...

Pissenlit said:

I don't like watching the version of The Muppet Christmas Carol where they've cut out the song that Scrooge's fiancee sings when she breaks up with him...I love that part!


You know, that's the only song in that film that I do not like.

I cry when the break happens, but I hate that song. I bet there are others who do too...though I did NOT know that they had a version without that song.

I can see how cutting the song would weird out the continuity though. It would make that scene strangely short.

I am glad you like it. That's a statement for the original cut being the best one. I can just about sing that song, but I don't. That's when I take a bathroom break and get more popcorn. (grin)

Cassondra said...

Catslady...

A bunch on your list I like as well.

The Mummy is one that stands out.

I think I saw that in a comment earlier in the day too. Dang, is Oded not HAWT!

Okay, somebody needs to fan me now....

Cassondra said...

Becke...

I thought that too at first...that I would have rather her ended up with guy number one. I REALLY like Gustavo.

But as I've watched it more times I've decided that it ended up as it should have been....and when I watched the ending ...with the notes on what happened to all the people in real life....I notice she is not mentioned...

Telling, don't you think?

It was a summer thing..maybe?

Cassondra said...

Jeanne said:

Four words: Brendan Frasier Oded Fehr

Yep. That about covers it.


Yes. Yes, it does.

Cassondra said...

LOUISA!!!!

You included Shaun of the Dead!

That is a GREAT FILM!

OMG. Clearly, you are a woman of varied and exquisite taste.

LOVE it.

Cassondra said...

Joanie said:

I'm contemplating upgrading my cable system to include Turner classics cause AMC STOPPED showing 40-60's movies.

WHAT???WHAT is WRONG with them?

That is unfathomable.

Some of the best films EVAH are from that timeframe.

I sometimes worry that some films will be totally lost because nobody ever shows them and we just forget they even exist. :0(

Cassondra said...

Nancy said:

Jeanne, the animated Grinch is wonderful. I never noticed the unwashed socks bit, though. Of course, I was never a boy.



SNORK..

And we are SO glad, Nancy. SO glad.

Cassondra said...

Darcy...


Ohhhh...The American President.

Yesssss.

Oh, yes.

I don't think I've seen that mentioned today. You have an unusual list! (taking notes)

Cassondra said...

Pat Cochran said:

Faves list:
#1: Love With A Proper Stranger
Others in no particular order:
Gone With The Wind
Singing In The Rain
White Christmas
Steel Magnolias
Terms of Endearment
Officer And A Gentleman
Sleepless In Seattle
You've Got Mail
Princess Bride
Anything Muppet



Ooooooh, that's a GREAT list.

There are several on there I have not seen. I hated Sleepless In Seattle. This is wrong of me. I know. But it was so ambiguous at the end. I hate ambiguous. I want the DEFINITE HEA ending. I know I am too narrow. I know. :0(

AS to Anything Muppet...HIGH FIVE.

You listed Sandra Bullock? You must SEE Practical Magic.

MUST.

Go forth and rent, Pat. ;0)

Cassondra said...

Virginia said:

He is just not into the movies I like and I am not into what he watches.

:0(

How do y'all stay married?

:0(

Seriously, I cannot watch a lot of what Steve watches.

But he likes most of what I like. He is easygoing in that way, and likes all decent film, so I lucked out.

Pissenlit said...

Cassondra - I cry when the break happens, but I hate that song. I bet there are others who do too...though I did NOT know that they had a version without that song.

They cut it from the DVD. According to Wikipedia, Henson thought it too melodramatic. I saw it once without the song and it made the break a lot less tragic for me. Colour me melodramatic. :D

Cassondra said...

Pissenlit said:

They cut it from the DVD. According to Wikipedia, Henson thought it too melodramatic. I saw it once without the song and it made the break a lot less tragic for me. Colour me melodramatic. :D


REALLY!?

Well, that just...darn.

I would expect to buy the dvd and get the same film I have on vhs...and I would be aggravated if I did not.

That's rotten. they should have a choice to get the original version. Even though I don'tlike the song, I want the film intact.

Dangit.

Pretty is a Dark Pleasure Author Lori Meckley said...

My top 5 (it's subject to change because there are so many movies so little time)

Blue Crush
Intersection
Undiscovered
Lie with me
Rock star


I am a huge fan of sundance/independent films, I wonder all the time am I the only one who knows about these?