Fun Movies
We like to see movies, don't you? We don't get a chance very often to go to the theater to see them, but we have some movie channels on our satellite system and get to see some there. And others have just become our favorites that we don't mind seeing over and over.
Movies At a Glance
The Simpsons Movie
Gridiron Gang
Houseguest
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
Because I Said So
In Her Shoes
The Replacements
We Are Marshall
The Transporter
Waiting to Exhale
Reality Bites
Lots of Great Movies
Movies We've Seen Recently
Akeelah and the Bee
I just happened to catch this on a movie channel one night and it was a movie I had hoped to see. I was not disappointed. The theme of loyalty is important in this movie, and is presented with love, patience, work ethic and humor as it explores parent/child relationships as well as other relationships. Good movie.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/09/2009) 
The Simpsons Movie (Widescreen Edition)
D'OH! What can I say. If you're a Simpsons fan it's a must-see. A lot crazy and very funny!
Amazon Price: $14.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
Gridiron Gang (Widescreen Edition)
Now you know. I'm a Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson fan. This movie was based on a true story of Sean Porter, a former football player turned juvenile detention counselor. He works hard to turn his wards into a football team (and it's not easy) then finds them other teams to play. This movie deals with some serious issues like urban life and gang culture, but in the end it's totally uplifting. P. S. At one point I even caught my husband wiping a tear. Shhh. Don't tell.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
Houseguest
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Phil Hartman and Sinbad make the perfect couple of crazies in this case of mistaken identity. Hilarity ensues, trust me. And even though it's a Memorial Day movie, we have to watch it at Christmas (the last scene is at Christmas) to hear the way Phil and Sinbad sing the carols while grilling the food outside in the snow. Once you see it, you'll be hooked. Yes, it's silly, but it's hilarious.
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont
I got to see this at the theater with my mother-in-law and it was well worth it. Very sweet story and just looking at Rupert Friend was intoxicating. I happened also to catch it again on TV a few weeks ago and was just as enthralled with it the second time. The cast of characters at the Claremont are as interesting as the main characters and the whole thing moves along quite nicely through the British city streets. Lovely movie.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
More Great Movies
Old and New
Because I Said So (Full Screen Edition)
This movie is hilarious! Diane Keaton is priceless as the control-freak mother who surprises everyone in the end. And the last scene itself is worth the price of admission. My friend, Sarah and I saw this movie in the theater while I was visiting in Florida, then when I got home I had another friend go with me here because I KNEW she'd love it. She did.
Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
In Her Shoes
Another one I saw in the theater, this time with my Goddaughter in tow. Loads of fun. Toni Collette as the smart, frumpy sister, Cameron Diaz as the attractive, ditsy one. Shirley McClain plays the grandmother with aplumb, but all the old guys in the retirement community steal the show! It was really funny, but with a real message throughout. Definitely worth a look.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
The Replacements
LOVE this movie!! And not just for Keanu (although it's a definite plus.) Gene Hackman, Jon Favreau, Orlando Jones and many others--really, it's an all-star cast and I can't remember them all--make this, not just a great football movie, but a great movie altogether. My husband and I watch it over and over and haven't gotten tired of it yet. Rhys Ifans as the kicker ("I'm not a Mick! I'm bloody Welsh!") is a total hoot, as are the stripper--oh excuse me--"dancer" cheerleaders. A fun couple of hours.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
We Are Marshall (Full Screen Edition)
Okay, I admit it. I'm a Marshall grad, and I was there during the decade they were rebuilding the football team. I insisted my husband take me to see this the day it opened here, and only wish I could've gone to the premier at the Keith Albee in Huntington. But oh well. And where I've liked Matthew McConnaghy in some of his movies, I've never been a HUGE fan of his till this one. The way he nailed the character of Coach Lengyl was phenomenal--the way he talked, his physical mannerisms--he really won me over. Needless to say I cried from the first aerial scene (right over my old dorm) on through the end, but the scene that got to me the most took place when the two Marshall coaches were viewing film of the WVU team and two WVU players came in looking for Coach Bowden. If that scene doesn't raise the hair on your arms, you have no feelings. This is another great football movie and recently won the Tribeca Film Festival award for best sports movie.
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
The Transporter
Ah, to the action/adventure! Jason Statham does a marvelous job as the suave, 007-like hero, whom you'd never expect. He tries hard to keep separated from the cargo. He's "just a driver" but when he's pushed (which of course he is), he can kick-butt with the best of them.This is a really fun movie, as is the sequel, The Transporter 2.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 01/09/2009)
Old Movies, Recently Seen
Waiting to Exhale
I had read this book several years ago, but only caught the movie recently. It was interesting to see the universal phenomenon of how otherwise successful women can have such low self esteem. These four bright, beautiful, strong African-American women tie their self worth to men who are SO not worthy of them. Unfortunately this relates to women across all races and walks of life. That being said, I did enjoy the movie. The music was fantastic and it made me think which is never a bad thing.
Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett star in this funny and touching film about four women who find strength through their rare and special relationship. Savannah, Bernadine, Robin and Gloria are all searching for the Real Thing: true love. Bernadine thought she had it, until her husband left her for another woman. Savannah and Robin are successful in business but their love lives are bankrupt. And divorcee Gloria is getting back in the game by flirting with her new, very eligible neighbor. Based on Terry McMillan's best-selling novel, and featuring the #1 smash hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," "Waiting to Exhale" is the film you and your friends have been waiting for! Original score by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
Amazon Price: $5.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
Reality Bites (10th Anniversary Edition)
I had heard about this movie for years but I had never seen it until we were searching for something other than reruns on TV. It was funny yet poignant, returning us to the time after college in which we all try to "find ourselves."
From The New Yorker
Ben Stiller's film is a romantic comedy about what has come to be called Generation X. The characters are just out of college, and they're not thrilled about their prospects: they're overeducated and underemployed, and no one seems to know, or care, what they're going through. The script, by Helen Childress, is packed with knowing pop-culture references, and the soundtrack is filled with the music of college-radio favorites like World Party and Juliana Hatfield. The picture has its charms: Stiller's direction gives it an appropriately loose, drifting rhythm; Winona Ryder, in the central role, has a fresh, natural style that makes even the most contrived dialogue sound authentic. But the story is essentially a thin and conventional romantic triangle, straight out of thirties Hollywood; the filmmakers try to disguise the fluffiness by unleashing a torrent of trash-culture allusions and sociological truisms. When the movie is over, you don't feel as if you had shared the experience of a new generation; you feel puzzled and vaguely crummy, as if you had just read a solemn news-magazine cover story about it. Also with Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, and John Mahoney. -Terrence Rafferty
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker
Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 01/09/2009)
Anything you think I should see?
What are some of YOUR favorite movies?
poutine wrote...
Some of your favorite movies I have never heard of.
My fave of all times is Rear Window.
Poutine
Posted August 31, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Great collection of movies. I've seen some of them but not all. I'll be checking them out.
Liz
Posted May 07, 2008
