/_derived_jpg_q90_600x800_m0/TheInLaws1979-Still1.jpg?partner=allmovie_soap)
I knew I was among family a week ago when I responded to a comment about how large the insects are growing this summer by saying something about tsetse flies
carrying off babies, when those around the room erupted with an extended series of one-liners from The In-Laws! They caught the reference instantly, and love that Peter Falk classic as much as I do. I felt entirely at home. Then, a couple nights ago, Candace and Susanna and I watched again, for the upteenth time, How To Steal A Million. That favorite romantic comedy again had us laughing all the way through, with repartee like “You’re the boss. Just do what I tell you.”
On Facebook and elsewhere one is sometimes asked to list one’s favorite movies. We are not movie watchers, and we’re always behind the times when it comes to talking with friends about current releases. But we enjoy some movies very much, so I thought I’d go ahead and start a list of them here, in no particular order. If you are as out-of-date and idiosyncratic as us, it might be worth reading for you, but mainly it’s for my own benefit. And it’s off-the-cuff; I’ll revise and update it from time to time. These films are not obscure, so there’s no need for me to comment or elaborate. Links are to imdb.
Do you like any of these, too? What are your favorite movies? What should someone who likes these watch next? Leave suggestions in the comments.
Drama and Action
- Chariots of Fire
- Tree of Life
- The Mission
- Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- The Name of the Rose
- Never Cry Wolf
- Fiddler on the Roof
- Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, Return of the King
- North by Northwest
- To Catch a Thief
- The Sting
- Sound of Music
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Key Largo
- The Big Fish
- Monuments Men
Comedies and Romantic
Westerns
- Support Your Local Sheriff
- The Electric Horseman
- Support Your Local Gunfighter
- Silverado
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
- The Man who shot Liberty Valence
Space and Sci-Fi
Holiday
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Muppet Christmas Carol
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Bishop’s Wife
- It Happened on Fifth Avenue
- Groundhog Day
You left out one of our family favorite screwball comedies. . . “What’s Up Doc.”
Also, “Big Fish.”
What did you think of Forrest Gump?
Daddy, this is a great list!!
Uncle Mike, I can’t speak for the rest of my family, but I love Forrest Gump! Stephen introduced me to that one and it is definitely a favorite. I’ve wanted to watch Big Fish for a long time now, I know I’ll love it. Thanks for the reminder.
Michael, we’ll add What’s Up Doc and Forrest Gump to our queue – yes, it’s true, we haven’t seen them! As I said, we are REALLY behind! 🙂
As for Big Fish, I did really enjoy it, and considered making a blog post about its provocative and memorable portrayal of life and truth as inherently story. Since I haven’t yet watched it multiple times it just didn’t quite make the cut for me here. But who knows, next time I watch it, maybe I’ll come back and add it. 🙂
Rachel, thanks! I’m sure you’ll enjoy Big Fish. My favorite scene is the very last. I am a part of that river, too… and so are you.
Peace, Kerry
Michael, we watched What’s Up Doc and loved it! And on reconsideration, Big Fish deserves to be on our list, too. Thanks, Kerry
Oh my… I LOVE movies! But I don’t know if any of mine would make your list. However, they might be good to put on the back burner for when you are out of ideas and wanting to watch something. Here are just a few off the top of my head. Trust me, if I were to put thought into this I would clog up your blog completely!!!! 🙂
Avalon – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099073/?ref_=sr_4
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421229/?ref_=sr_1
Murphy’s Romance – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089643/?ref_=sr_1
The African Queen – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043265/?ref_=sr_1
Big Miracle – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430615/?ref_=sr_1
The Long Walk Home – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100046/?ref_=sr_1
The Shop Around the Corner and In the Good Old Summertime – both are versions of the same story that You’ve Got Mail is based upon. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033045/?ref_=sr_1 and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041507/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Her Alibi – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097500/?ref_=sr_1
State Fair (the 1945 version) – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038116/?ref_=sr_1
Holiday – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030241/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
That Thing You Do – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117887/?ref_=sr_1
Kiss Me Goodbye – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084210/?ref_=sr_1
The Glass Bottom Boat – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060463/?ref_=sr_1
My Favorite Wife – (Cary Grand and Irene Dunne) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029284/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Move Over Darling – (remake of My Favorite Wife but with James Garner and Doris Day. Impossible to choose a favorite between the two!) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057329/?ref_=sr_1
The Awful Truth – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028597/?ref_=sr_1
Father Goose – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058092/?ref_=sr_1
A Family Thing – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116275/
Newsies – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104990/
The Man Who Knew Too Much – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049470/?ref_=sr_1
Top Hat – http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027125/?ref_=sr_1
And every single movie you mentioned above plus more!!!!! 🙂
I should probably mention that not every movie I listed above is good for every audience or situation… Use your judgement accordingly. 🙂 Specifically, I am probably thinking of A Family Thing, although it is an EXCELLENT movie!
Laura, this is wonderful!!! THANK YOU! You’ve given us a great list to guide our movie watching over the coming year. What a delight to hear from you about this… see if you can get Marvin’s favorite westerns, too, with a note about the horses, tack and locations of each. 🙂
Love, Kerry