My Top Movies- Favorite 15 Review

I am tempted to write about my favorite movies from each era but that could get boring. My first and most simple characteristic that a movie has to have to make my list is must grab my attention and provide an escape from the daily grind. If I am looking at my watch, or nodding off then it simply is not a good movie (in my world).

In no particular order my picks are:

Beauty and the Beast- the updated version that made it onto Broadway. I think this is a great movie with a great independent, smart, girl role model. The beast is adorable (as the beast-- not so much as the Prince) and the songs and B story round out ones viewing pleasure.

The Wiz - the Michael Jackson, Diana Ross version. The urban version of the Wizard of Oz combines a favorite story and adds fantastic songs, great dancing makes this one and a lot of fun to watch.

Grease - I wanted a hickey from Kenickie in the worst way (I was 10). John Travolta in tight black jeans, when he was young and slim... I really don't think I need to say more. But I will, I think the album with the movie cast singing was the very first album I owned. I can still sing all of the songs (poorly) and when I hear one on the radio it always brings me back to being 10 and this movie.

Gone With the Wind - The saga of it all. Southern pre civil war living, 18 inch waists, and making a gown out of curtains. I tend to watch the movie right up to the birth of Scarlet's child and then I have to turn it off because I end up getting mad at Scarlet and it ruins the whole experience.

Meet the Parents - Ben Stiller when he was still funny. I think this movie is hilarious. The first time I saw it I rewound (pre DVD) the movie and watched it again. I laughed until tears ran down my face. Very funny in a romantic comedy Ben Stiller slap stick kind of way. Needless to say Di Nero steals the move, but Ben holds his own.

Glory - a moving story about black soldiers in the Civil War, my "favorite" American war and Historical Era. It also has Denzel and in my book that is always a good thing.

The Exorcist (original version) - For some unknown reason I watched this movie as a young teen, alone on a cold winter night. I started out watching it downstairs in my parents house (think lots of glass doors and windows) by the time I was so scared if I had any good sense I would have turn it off and watched a comedy. Instead I decided that I had to see the end, so I moved upstairs in the house, to an interior room, and got my Bible out to watch the rest. Very scary.

Turning Point - sure its a movie about Ballet, love affairs, and ends with huge cat fight, but I just love it. Mikhail Baryshnikov's first movie at 29, he is sexy, sensual and gets to dance in the move (both on and off stage). I was 9 when it came out, and i had to sneak to watch it on HBO. But it was well worth it.

Saving Private Ryan - Some of the most graphic war footage in a theatrical production. It increased my respect for our current volunteer army even though the technology is better now, war is hell. I also enjoyed the story, the concept and the acting. One not to miss.

Aliens (1986) - sure the original is a classic, but this is one of the movies where the sequel far surpasses the original (Also true with Godfather II and Perhaps Star Wars Episode V). The raw power of Ms. Weaver as Ellen Ripley was one of the earlier versions of the toned, buff actresses with fierce biceps in the movies (similar to Sara Conner in Terminator, and Ms. Moore's GI Jane). There is something about a woman in a "wife beater" t-shirt toting a big gun that makes one remember the image long after the movie is over.

A Bronx Tale - I love mafia movies, I wanted to say Godfather II or even Goodfellas, but with the complexities of teen age angst, family issues and racial issues this movie stands out to me as one of my favorites in the genre. Not to say that the others are not brilliant, but when I saw this movie I made me pause and think in a way that the others did not.

Die Hard - this movie was 2 hours of pure edge of the seat thrills and chills. I gasped and screamed my way thought the movie. It was pure action movie nirvana. I am actually not a big Bruce Willis fan, but this movie was so exciting and enjoyable that I was able to overlook him.

Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl- I just love me some Johnny Depp, and his make up wearing, drinking, nearly cross dressing Jack Sparrow was one of his finest roles. Very entertaining story, and sophisticated enough with the supernatural spin that it one PG-13 movie that was a joy to watch.

Juno - I was so happy that Ellen Page got nominated for her role in this movie. It was well written, enjoyable and quirky. It was very witty, clever and endearing. The story of a teenaged mother is nothing new, but the spin brought to this version was refreshing and enjoyable to watch.

West Side Story - the songs, the dancing, the story. All classic. Romeo and Juliet for the 50 with the Sharks, the Jets and Officer Krupke. Gangs that danced while the were fighting and of course the pain of falling for the wrong person.

Looking at this list it would seem as though I am a huge musical fan. Perhaps I am, I just never considered my self to be a fan, perhaps I like them more as movies than on the stage.

Enjoy!