GUNLESS (2010) - FAVORITE WESTERN MOVIE

GUNLESS (2010)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 40%, Popcornmeter 65%, IMDB rating 6.4/10

Synopsis:

The Montana Kid lives his life by the gunslinger's code of the old west.  But, when he finds himself stuck in the tiny town of Barkley's Brush, in the Dominion of Canada, The Kid is completely baffled about how to gain satisfaction when he is offended by the town's gentle giant of a blacksmith. Why? When he tries to call the blacksmith out for a gunfight, he learns that no one in entire town even owns a handgun.   

Thoughts:

This is a Canadian production, and a pretty hilarious western comedy.

OK, I understand why the RT freshness score is so low - this really isn't a great movie - it's hokey, it's goofy, it's silly, but it's also a really good time!  Maybe this movie strikes me just right because I lived in western Canada for a few years, so I get Canadian culture and humor, including the tension between French and English Canadians (as in the two shop keepers), and the general Canadian personality which comes through so clearly in this movie.  

The Montana Kid's constant amazement and confusion about the people in this little town is just hilarious.

I've watched this movie several times, and it treats me right every time.  This title can sometimes be hard to find, but as of this posting, you're in luck - Gunless is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and on YouTube for free (with commercials).   

THE KING'S SPEECH (2011) - FAVORITE TRUE STORY/HISTORY MOVIE

THE KING'S SPEECH (2011)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 94%, Popcornmeter 92%, IMDB rating 8.0/10

Synopsis:

King George V's second son, Prince Albert (Bertie), stammers terribly when he is assigned to give the closing remarks at an event that is broadcast throughout the British Empire.  Bertie has tried everything to cure his stammer, but nothing works.  Then, his wife encourages him to meet with an Australian speech defects therapist named Lionel Logue.  Bertie acquiesces and meets with Logue.  When King George V dies in January 1936, Bertie's older brother ascends to the throne.  Bertie continues to meet with Logue and their association becomes vital Bertie's when older brother abdicates the throne in December 1936, and the throne is thrust upon Bertie.  

Thoughts:

I don't have many unedited R-rated movies in my collection, but this is a truly worthy exception.  The reason for it's R-rating is the use of strong language in the context of the Lionel's therapeutic methods and strategies for public speaking.  

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014) - FAVORITE SUPERHERO MOVIE

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014) 

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 91%, Popcornmeter 92%, IMDB rating 8.0/10

Synopsis:

The same night his mother died, Peter Quill was abducted by a group of aliens called Ravagers.  Years later, Quill, still one of the Ravagers, collects a strange orb from a remote planet and is immediately pursued by thieves, assassins, bounty hunters, and emissaries of a fanatical fringe group bent on genocide, and his own clan.  Quill quickly finds himself in prison with a ragtag group of beings who must work together to break out of prison, get the orb back, and, hopefully, sell it for a LOT of credits.  But, you guessed it, things don't always go according to plan.  

Thoughts:

I don't know about you, but I've suffered a massive overload of superhero movies recently.  There are, however, a few that I really enjoy - the ones, like this one, that don't take themselves too seriously.  

This was Chris Pratt's breakout role as a lead actor.  

Thank you James Gunn!  

MONEYBALL (2011) - FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE

MONEYBALL (2011)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 94%, Popcornmeter 86%, IMDB rating 7.6/10

Synopsis:

Moneyball's opening screen has a quote by Mickey Mantle that reads, "It's unbelievable how much you don't know about the game you've been playing all your life."  

Professional baseball is an unfair game.  Why?  There is no team salary cap, meaning that there are rich teams that can afford to lure the best players to their rosters, and there are poor teams that can't.  In 2001, the Oakland A's were the third poorest team in the league, and after they lost the ALDS series to the NY Yankees, the richest team in baseball at the time, the A's top players were hired away by richer teams.  That's when Billy Beane, the A's General Manager realized that he had to do something different if the A's were going to have a chance to complete the following year.  He and Peter Brand, a young Yale graduate with a degree in economics, use statistics to identify undervalued players that other teams overlook in an effort to put together a winning team with the salary available to them.  They call this approach Moneyball, and, if it works, they could change professional baseball.

 

Thoughts:

The funny thing about this being a favorite movie of mine is that I'm not even a baseball fan.  I am, however, a fan of a great story.  And Moneyball is a great true story.  

Also, you might think that this is just a Brad Pitt vehicle, but it doesn't play that way to me.  I think he does a fantastic job portraying Billy Beane, and conveying the story of the A's in the early 2000s.

JOJO RABBIT (2019) - FAVORITE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVIE

JOJO RABBIT (2019)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 81%, Popcornmeter 94%, IMDB rating 7.9/10

Synopsis:

10-year old Jojo Betzler is a fanatical, Nazi - at least he believes that he is.  He even has a bumbling Adolf Hitler as his imaginary friend.  One day while he's home alone, Jojo hears a sound upstairs.  When he investigates, he discovers a teenage Jewish girl living in a secret space behind one of the walls in their house.  This, of course, confuses and terrorizes him.  Soon afterward, he also discovers that his mother is helping the resistance, so he doesn't know what to do.  

Taika Waititi did a masterful job writing and directing this satire on the absolute absurdity of Nazi hate.

Thoughts:

I remember the first time I saw this movie. As the story rolled out, I thought to myself, "Is this supposed to be funny? Am I supposed to laugh at this? I think it's funny, but I'm not sure."  Then, when I thought about it and watched it again, I was able to buy completely into the satire.  

This is a movie that I LOVE to share with people who've never heard of it.  And its message is particularly poignant during these days of rampant nationalism that is being passed off as patriotism.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000) - FAVORITE SEASONAL MOVIE #2

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000) 

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 50%, Popcornmeter 60%, IMDB rating 6.4/10

Synopsis:

The Grinch and his dog Max live in a cave high up on Mount Crumpet where he spends his time hating the Whos, and this animosity peaks every year at Christmas time.  In the meantime, the Whos are preparing for the 500th Whobillation, a special Christmas celebration, and one of the most important parts of this celebration is to choose the annual Cheermeister.  Little Cindy Lou Who shocks everyone by nominating The Grinch, and he wins!.  Cindy Lou climbs Mt. Crumpet to find The Grinch and give him the good news!  Is there anything that can melt the Grinch's heart and help him feel the joy of Christmas?

Thoughts:

Jim Carrey worked with a specialist who trains CIA operatives to help him deal with the claustrophobic nature of the heavy make-up that he had to wear to be the Grinch.  

I can understand why the movie critics' rating is so low.  This movie is silly, sappy and often predictable. And, of course, Jim Carrey is often completely off the hook in his character.  These reasons are, however, the very reasons why my family and I love this movie!  In fact, every Christmas season for many years, we have held a Grinch Party where we wear green, eat green snacks, and we watch this movie.  

This is an absolute favorite, and extremely quotable as well.  "Hate, hate, hate...hate, hate hate...LOATHE ENTIRELY!"

GROUNDHOG DAY (1993) - FAVORITE SEASONAL MOVIE #1

GROUNDHOG DAY (1993)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 93%, Popcornmeter 88%, IMDB rating 8.0/10

Synopsis:

Phil Connors is a narcissistic weatherman who thinks it's beneath him to travel yet again to Punxsutawney, PA, to cover the emergence of Phil, the Groundhog, the world's most famous weatherman.  Yet, here he is, with his producer and a camera man.  With the job done, they head home, but they are stopped by a blizzard and have to return to Punxsutawney.  Phil simply can't believe that he has to spend one more night in that backward hick town.  The next morning, Phil wakes up to a radio show that's the exact same as the day before, and when he looks outside, there's no snow on the ground, like the blizzard never happened!  When he leaves his room he has the exact same interactions with the exact same people he did the day before.  It's Groundhog Day, AGAIN.  This happens over and over, and every day when Phil wakes up, it's Groundhog Day!  He eventually realizes that he's stuck in a time loop, and nothing he does matters, and that no matter what he does, there will be no consequences.  Is there anything that he can do to escape this time loop?

Thoughts:

How long is Phil caught in this time loop?  The filmmakers deliberately keep this a secret.  According to Wikipedia, we see Phil experience 38 days during the movie, but according to some estimates, in order to acquire the skills he eventually shows, he would need to be in the time loop for at least 30 years!!  

The character arc of Phil Connors is amazing.  The way he starts focusing outward instead of inward, and the way he's able to become a favorite of the town of Punxsutawney in just one day of their lives is so interesting.  

My family has watched Groundhog Day to commemorate Groundhog Day for many years.  We make a groundhog cake and invite friends to join in.  While Groundhog Day is certainly not a major American holiday, it's celebrated annually at our house!

We love this movie...it's extremely quotable, and we quote it all the time.  Here's a favorite quote of mine, "He might be okay.  Well, no, probably not now."

DAN IN REAL LIFE (2007) - FAVORITE ROMCOM MOVIE

DAN IN REAL LIFE (2007) 

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 65%, Popcornmeter 69%, IMDB rating 6.8/10

Synopsis:

Dan is a widower, a father of three girls and a newspaper advice columnist.  Though his family worries about him and his parents and siblings encourage him to put himself back out there, he continues to live a lonely life, grieving for his wife, and focused solely on his girls and on his work.  Then, during an annual family reunion, he is sent to town to pick up a few things.  While there, he crosses paths with a woman with whom he feels an instant connection, and she with him.  They spend the morning talking and sharing some of their innermost thoughts.  But, she gets a call has to go, and he heads back to the reunion.  When he gets back, his younger brother introduces his new girlfriend to the family.  Yes, you guessed it, it's her!  Now what do they do?

Thoughts:

I remember seeing this movie years ago with my wife, and, at the time, I kind of liked it but she thought that Dan was a cad by continuing to pursue his brother's girlfriend.  Now, however, I am a widower of over 4 years, and I'm in Dan's shoes.  I find joy and hope in this movie whenever I see it - plus I think it's hilarious!  I know life is not a movie, but the basic story tells me that if there's someone out there for Dan, there might be someone out there for me.  

Steve Carell plays his role to perfection, and all the dynamics of family...his daughters, his siblings, their spouses, his parents, are painfully accurate and wonderfully portrayed.  

My favorite quote in the movie? "YOU ARE A MURDERER OF LOVE!!"  

RETURN TO ME (2000) - FAVORITE ROMANCE MOVIE #2

RETURN TO ME (2000)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 62%, Popcornmeter 80%, IMDB rating 7.0/10

Synopsis:

Bob and Elizabeth are living the life of their dreams: he's a successful architect and she's a zoologist at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.  Sadly, one night they are an car wreck.  Bob escapes largely unhurt, but Elizabeth is killed. In the meantime, Grace, is in the hospital, hanging onto dear life as her weak heart is about to give out.  Miraculously, Elizabeth's heart is a match for Grace, and the transplant is a success.  Bob goes on living a solitary life of loss and grief, and finally, about a year later, he accepts a friend's invitation to go on a blind date.  The date is a disaster, but while he's there, Bob notices the waitress, Grace, and she notices him.  

Thoughts:

This is a wonderful movie of love and loss, of hope and redemption, of family support, and of grief, renewal and rebirth.

The gaggle of older characters who hang out at the restaurant, led by Carol O'Connor, are absolutely hilarious, and an essential part of the story.  And the fact that Bob prefers to hang out with Grace and them is equally engaging.  And, the Bonnie Hunt - Jim Belushi character relationship provides fantastic comic relief.

Some people might say that this movie is too sappy, but what's wrong with that?

ALWAYS (1989) - FAVORITE ROMANCE MOVIE #1

ALWAYS (1989)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 72%, Popcornmeter 58%, IMDB rating 6.4/10

Synopsis:

Pete and Al are hot-shot wildfire-fighting air-tanker pilots, but Pete has a tendency to push his luck, and one day he pushes it too far.  When he doesn't come back, his girlfriend Dorinda is devastated and doesn't think she'll ever love again.  When Pete wakes up on the other side, he discovers that he's dead, and then he's told that he's being sent back as a spirit to be an inspiration to another pilot.  And then he's warned that anything he does for himself is a waste of spirit.  Pete's pilot is Ted, and it tears Pete up when he sees that Dorinda and Ted are starting to develop feelings for each other.  He is devastated, and doesn't know how can he help Ted and, at the same, resolve his feelings for Dorinda?

Thoughts:

First of all, the combo of Richard Dreyfuss, John Goodman, Holly Hunter and Brad Johnson alone is worth a rating much higher than ratings RT and IMDB give this movie.  The drama, romance and comedy are all wonderful.  Al the Pal may very well be my favorite John Goodman character.  

Since I live in the mountain west, a fire-fighting movie seems particularly meaningful in these years of rampant wildfires.  

I rate this movie AT LEAST 80% fresh.

KNIVES OUT (2019) - FAVORITE MYSTERY MOVIE

KNIVES OUT (2019)

 Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 97%, Popcornmeter 92%, IMDB rating 7.9/10

Synopsis: 

Harlan Thromby is a top-selling author of mystery books.  His family gathers at his home to celebrate his birthday, but the next day, Harlan is found dead with his throat cut.  Police detectives and the famous P.I. Beniot Blanc.  It soon comes out that Harlan was planning to cut off his financial support to every member of the family, and it's up Blanc and the police to determine if Harlan's death was a suicide or if there was foul play.  And if there was foul play, then whodunit?

Thoughts:

Though mysteries don't tend to be among my favorite movie genres, this movie is an absolute hoot!  There's no way to guess what's going to happen next, or who's going to do what in this whodunit.  And, Daniel Craig's character weaves the story together magnificently.  

There are twists and turns galore, the all-star cast is completely spot-on all the way through, and the stories within stories within stories really keeps things moving.

I love it!  And, IMO, it's the best movie of the Knives Out franchise so far.

YESTERDAY (2019) - FAVORITE MUSIC/MUSICAL MOVIE

YESTERDAY (2019)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 64%, Popcornmeter 89%, IMDB rating 6.8/10

Synopsis:

Jack Malek is an aspiring but failing British singer songwriter. Then one night, everything changed.  For reasons no one can explain, the power went out for 12 seconds all around the world.  Sadly for Jack, at just that moment he was hit by a bus and woke up in hospital the next day with massive bumps and bruises and without his beard and two of his front teeth.  To welcome him back, he meets his friends and he receives a new guitar as a gift to replace the one that was crushed in the accident.  So, he says that a great guitar deserves a great song, and he plays and sings YESTERDAY, by The Beatles.  His friends are genuinely shocked at what a great song that was, and then they all claim to have never heard it before.  Jack thinks they are just playing a complicated joke on him, but when he discovers that he's the only in the world who remembers The Beatles, he wonders what he should do.  

Thoughts:

I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it.  Wow!  And I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I've seen it 17 times so far since I added this title to my movie library.  Then again, I'm not embarrassed at all!  

It's interesting to watch the character and story arcs in this movie, and the twists involving the actual Beatles were perfect!  I look forward to watching it another 20 times over the next handful of years.

ENEMY AT THE GATES (2001) - FAVORITE MILITARY/WAR MOVIE

ENEMY AT THE GATES (2001)

Rated R - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 53%, Popcornmeter 82%, IMDB rating 7.5/10

Synopsis: 

The fate of WWII in the east, perhaps in the world, hangs in the balance when the Germans attack the city of Stalingrad on the Volga River.  If the Germans win here, they will cut supply lines vital to the Soviet Union and have an open road to the oil fields of the Caucuses.  However, Stalin has ordered that on one is allowed to leave the city or to retreat, and Soviet losses are terrible.  The Soviets pour more and more and more fresh troops into the meat grinder that the city has become, and one of these is an innocent peasant boy from the Urals, Vasily Zaitzev.  After being left behind on the battlefield, Zaitzev has a chance encounter with a political officer who sees the potential for using Zaitzev as a positive propaganda tool.  Zaitzev is transferred to the sniper division where he quickly earns a reputation as being particularly skilled.  When the Germans learn who he is, they send the head of their sniper school to Stalingrad to kill Zaitzev.  Their duel goes on and on, but who will win?  

Thoughts:

Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes are well matched for their roles as Zaitzev and the political officer, and Ed Harris as the German sniper.  Though the main story line and Zaitzev's role as a sniper are historical facts, the love triangle in the movie is a fabrication.  

I was particularly impressed by the realism portrayed in the sets and actions of the actors.  

I must admit that I'm puzzled by the low Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating of over 53%.  

Maybe the critics weren't fans of the love triangle?  It's hard to say with critics - shrug!  I would give this movie a freshness rating of 80% or higher.

JAWS (1975) - FAVORITE HORROR MOVIE

JAWS (1975)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 97%, Popcornmeter 98%, IMDB rating 8.1/10

Synopsis:

The small beach town of Amity depends on summer visitors for its livelihood, but shortly before the summer season arrives, a young woman goes on a moonlight swim and doesn't come back.  The next day, the grisly remains of her body are found washed up on the beach.  The newly hired sheriff closes the beaches and this ignites a firestorm of backlash from the town council who are terrified about what this kind of publicity will do to their town.  With the beaches reopened against the sheriff's will, the summer season opens, large numbers of people come to the island, but the shark is still out there!  

Thoughts:

First of all, Steven Spielberg's JAWS was the leading edge of what would become the modern blockbuster, followed closely by other huge hits like ROCKY (1976) and STAR WARS (1977).  JAWS and these other movies changed the way people went to the movies, and it's been said that they even saved Hollywood.  I know that these movies a keen effect on me!  I enjoyed movies before, but after experiencing these, I've been a huge fan of the movies the rest of my life.

I saw JAWS in theaters in 1975 and again in theaters when it was re-released in 2025 for its 50th anniversary.  Yikes! 50 years!? Yes, I guess I AM that old (haha!).  You can tell which movies are classics by their staying power, which JAWS certainly has.

I have to say something about the movie's PG rating.  I'm baffled about how JAWS rated only a PG rating, especially 50 years ago.  It's a pretty gruesome movie. There are violent shark attacks, there's blood, there are severed body parts, etc.  I think that PG-13 is certainly more appropriate.  

I should mention that Peter Benchley, author of the book JAWS, has stated publicly that knowing what he knows now, he would never write another book that demonizes sharks like JAWS did.  (https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/06/18/2000-peter-benchley-jaws-film-movie/83927628007/)

One last thing...you should know that I am NOT a fan of the horror movie genre - it's just not my jam.  But JAWS holds a special place in movie history, as well as in my personal journey as a movie fan and budding marine biologist. So, at least for me, it wasn't hard to come up with a favorite horror movie 😀.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (EXTENDED EDITION!!!) (2001, 2002, 2003) - FAVORITE FANTASY MOVIES

THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY - EXTENDED EDITIONS!! (2001 - 2003)

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 91%, Popcornmeter 95%, IMDB rating 8.9/10

Synopsis:

Bilbo Baggins is leaving the shire and has left everything he owns, including his magical golden ring to his nephew and heir, Frodo.  When the Dark Lord learns that "Baggins" has the ring and that he can be found in "The Shire," Black Riders are dispatched to reclaim the ring. Frodo and his friends flee from danger into danger as they attempt to carry the ring to Rivendell with Black Riders in hot pursuit.  

THE TWO TOWERS (2002)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 95%, Popcornmeter 95%, IMDB rating 8.8/10

Synopsis:

The fellowship of nine that departed from Rivendell is attacked on the shores of the River Anduin.  Sam and Frodo escape across the river and set out alone toward Mordor.  Pippin and Merry are carried off by orcs bent on taking them to Isengard, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli race after them on foot in the hopeless hope that they may be able to save their friends.  

THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 94%, Popcornmeter 86%, IMDB rating 9.0/10

Synopsis: 

War is unleashed on Gondor as the armies of Minas Morgul issue forth, cross the river and besiege Minas Tirith.  Gandalf and Pippin are there, Gandalf takes charge of the city's defense, and Pippin becomes a member of the Tower Guard.  Merry is coming to Gondor in the company of Theoden King and the riders of Rohan as the king's squire.  Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli take the Paths of the Dead through the mountain in the hopes of bringing an army of the undead to help them in their hour of need.  And Sam and Frodo, led by Gollum, forsake the Black Gate and attempt to enter Mordor by going up the secret stairs in  Morgul veil and then through Shelob's lair. 

Thoughts:

The Lord of the Rings is an epic tale of good versus evil.  These books form a foundational keystone of fantasy literature, and, starting back in the late 1970s when I first read them, I wondered if anyone would ever be able produce to give them the treatment they deserved in the form of a movie(s). 

The animated version that was released in 1978 was, well, let's just say that it lacked the depth and majesty that Tolkien's story deserves.  I watched that animated version once and I never needed to see it again.  Then, Peter Jackson took on the project, basing his operations in New Zealand.  He developed a movie project that is completely amazing!  

It's rare when even die-hard fans of a book/s are satisfied with movie adaptations.  But, when it came to these, Jackson really pulled it off!  I frankly hope that no one ever attempts to redo this story again in film.  They are as close to perfect as I can imagine them being.

You'll also notice that I indicated that my favorites are the EXTENDED EDITIONS of these films.  After watching the extended editions, I don't think I'll ever watch the theatrical release versions of these movies again.  

There are two significant storylines that were not included in the movie trilogy.  These are Tom Bombadil and the Cleansing of the Shire.  I actually think that the Cleansing of the Shire could be a great stand-alone movie that's part of the larger story.  There's so much that could be done with the Cleansing story! 

I can't say enough good about these movies. Peter Jackson, THANK YOU!!

SECONDHAND LIONS (2003) - FAVORITE FAMILY/KIDS MOVIE #2

SECONDHAND LIONS (2003)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 60%, Popcornmeter 84%, IMDB rating 7.5/10

Synopsis:

As young men, Garth and Hub McCann left Texas in 1914 and went to Europe.  Forty years later they returned to Texas and were rumored to have amassed a vast amount of wealth.  This is when Walter, a troubled young teenager, is unceremoniously left with them, his great uncles, by his flighty mother.  As the summer crawls along, Walter and his uncles get to know each other, and Walter drinks in the tales that Uncle Garth is willing to tell him about their travels and the fantastical adventures they had while they were away, mostly in Africa. 

Thoughts:

This story of family, and the needs of a young boy to find something to believe in is endearing and magical.  It's clear that critics weren't very impressed by this offering, but the fan ratings are much higher!  I rate this movie around 90% fresh stars.  Michael Caine and Robert Duvall are amazing in their roles. And if I ever found myself in a bar fight, and I could choose one character from to movies to be on my side, I would definitely choose Hub McCann!

THE KID (2000) - FAVORITE FAMILY/KIDS MOVIE #1

THE KID (2000)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 49%, Popcornmeter 49%, IMDB rating 6.1/10

Synopsis:

Russ Duritz is an overbearing, self-centered, high-powered image consultant who is about to turn 40 years old.  One night, a little boy sneaks into his house, and when Russ confronts him, he discovers that the boy is his 8-year old self! Once Russ accepts the fact that his younger self is real, he stops at nothing to try to find a way to send him back to the past.  Together they have misadventures, and in the end they teach each other what they need to know in order to be happy.  In other words, how 40-yer old Russ can rediscover the kid in himself again.

Thoughts:

IMO, this movie is highly underrated.  The performance by Lilly Tomlin who plays Russ' secretary alone should bump the movie's RT score up to at least 70% fresh (her magic bra and panties line is the best!).  Bruce Willis, now known primarily as an action star, has comedic chops that he displays to great effect in this show.  Sure, the movie is pretty sappy, it's pretty unbelievable, but it's a classic and oft quoted in my family. "When are we going to stop blowing it!?" I recommend this movie to anyone of any age.   

I LOVE this show.  

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) - FAVORITE DRAMA MOVIE

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION 

Rated R - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 89%, Popcornmeter 98%, IMDB rating 9.3/10

Synopsis:

Though declaring his innocence, banker Andy Dufresne is convicted of the murder of his wife and her lover, and given two life sentences in the Shawshank State Prison, Maine.  During his 20 years there, the crooked warden forces him to use his banking savvy to carry out an extensive money laundering operation.  At the same time, Andy's constant stream of requests to the state prison board improves the lives of the men in the prison.  All the while, he dreams of a freedom that always feels just beyond his grasp.  

Thoughts:

The friendship between the characters played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman looms large throughout this movie, based on a story by Stephen King (no surprise there).  This is a wonderful story of hopelessness and righteous redemption.  The eventual fate of the warden and his goons is 100% satisfying.  

The movie is rated R, but I happen to have a content-edited copy (think edited for airplane versions of years ago).

THE INCIDENT (1990) - FAVORITE CRIME MOVIE

THE INCIDENT (1990)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score -- %, Popcornmeter 71%, IMDB rating 7.2/10

Synopsis:

Harmon Cobb is an unassuming lawyer with no ambitions who lives in a small town in Colorado during WWII.  When the beloved town doctor is found beaten to death at the nearby German POW camp, no one is sure what to do.  Then a US District Court judge sets up an office there and he pressures Cobb into defending the German prisoner who is accused of the crime.  This is particularly difficult for Cobb to do because his son in the army fighting the Germans in Europe.  At first Cobb's main goal is to avoid looking like a fool in court, and then he starts listening to his client, and things may not be as they appear out at the POW camp.  

Thoughts:

This movie has genuinely surprising twists and turns I wasn't expecting. I first saw this movie in the 1990s on broadcast TV, and I've enjoyed it every time I've seen it since, finally finding a DVD copy a few years ago. The biggest surprise for me was Walter Matthau. I've seen him in several things over the years, but I have frankly not enjoyed his roles...until now! His role as Harmon Cobb is fantastic. He comes across as humble, genuine, likable, and approachable, an every man...unlike most of his other roles. 

Though this is a low budget TV movie, it plays LARGE! The courtroom scenes are especially strong. 

The Incident was a two-time Primetime Emmy winner.

Highly recommended, though it's generally extremely difficult to find.  As of this writing, it's available with an Amazon Prime membership.  

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975) AND GALAXY QUEST (1999) - FAVORITE COMEDY MOVIES

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (1975)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 92%, Popcornmeter 95%, IMDB rating 8.1/10

Synopsis:

King Arthur sets out to find knights to join him at the round table in Camelot, but on their way there God appears to them and gives them a quest to find the Holy Grail.  Along the way to completing their quest,  this bumbling set of characters encounter memorable things like coconuts, witches, a rabbit, a three-headed knight, the Knights who say Ni!, a shrubber, The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch, the Legendary Black Beast of Aaaagh, a castle full of young women, Swamp Castle, an enchanter and the Bridge of Eternal Peril.    

Thoughts:

The Monty Python troop had a difficult time acquiring support to make their film, until Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd and an assortment of other people and record labels came to the rescue.  And it was because their budget was so small that that drove many of their funniest bits.  For example, they couldn't afford real horses, so they came up with the idea to use coconuts instead.  The chain mail that they knights wore were actually spray painted knit sweaters, etc.  

This move was so odd and so funny that it became an instant cult classic.  In fact, before the advent of VHS, DVD, etc., physical media, I saw this movie more times as a midnight movie when I was in college than any other movie of the day.  Believe it or not, my roommates and I, and many of our friends would have Grail Parties where we gathered, made our own tunics and cardboard swords, took a stuffed rabbit and a few people dressed as other characters, and with coconuts in hand, we galloped the blocks from our apartment to the theater where the movie was playing.  

The movie is absolutely hilarious and famously quotable from beginning to end!  During a road trip, a friend and I did the entire movie including sound effects from beginning to end.  

GALAXY QUEST (1999)

Rated PG - Rottentomatoes freshness score 90% (popcornmeter 79%), IMDB rating 7.4/10

Synopsis:

A group of actors who haven't had a real job since their 1970s sci-fi TV meet actual aliens who believe that the episodes of the Galaxy Quest TV show were in were historical documents.  And, they came to Earth to seek their help.  Before they know it, the actors are transported to the aliens' spaceship, which is a replica of their TV ship, but everything in it works...sort of.  Can these actors actually be the heroes the aliens hope and believe them to be?

Thoughts:

Galaxy Quest stands alone as a sci-fi movie that intersects with reality.  The characters are just regular people who are caught up in something before they realize what's going on.  The cast, including Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, et al., is absolutely amazing.  

On a personal note...the first time I saw Galaxy Quest was in the theater in 1999.  My wife and I were out celebrating our anniversary.  We had a bite to eat and we had some extra time, so we decided to go to a movie.  Galaxy Quest was the only title that was even a little appealing to me.  My wife, however, prefers only movies that can happen on this planet.  But, with the assurance that, yes, we could get popcorn, we walked into the theater.  And, believe it or not, she laughed all the way through.  

The genuineness and sweetness of the movie, together with its little absurdities is a winning combination.  

PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME (2022) - FAVORITE BIOGRAPHY

PINBALL: THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GAME (2022)

Rated TV-14 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 95%, Popcornmeter 91%, IMDB rating 7.0/10

Synopsis:

Roger Sharp loves to play pinball, but when he moves to New York City in the 1970s, he's shocked to discover that pinball is illegal there.  After he writes a piece about pinball in GQ Magazine, The Music and Amusement Association try to recruit him to help them overturn the decades-old ban, but he refuses.  Instead, he wants to focus on the book that he's writing about the history of pinball.  Eventually, he accepts the invitation from the MAA and together they take on the bureaucracy of New York City.  

Thoughts:

I stumbled across this title during an Amazon Prime Days Sale, and it is one of the very few movies I have bought sight-unseen.  I am so glad that I did.  This movie is absolutely wonderful, well, except for Roger Sharp's character's terrible mustache (haha).  The story is amazing, the people involved are endearing, and I can't say enough good things about this movie.  I have shared it with many of my friends, and they invariable love it as well.

I also enjoy the approach the film makers took in filming this quasi-documentary.  It feels like both a documentary and a dramatic movie.  It's just great!

Watch it, watch it, watch it!

THE PIRATES! A BAND OF MISFITS (2012) A.K.A. THE PIRATES! IN AN ADVENTURE WITH PIRATES! - FAVORITE ANIMATED MOVIE

THE PIRATES! A BAND OF MISFITS (2012)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 87%, Popcornmeter 60%, IMDB rating 6.7/10

Synopsis:

It's time again for the annual Pirate-of-the-Year Awards, and The Pirate Captain, though he has never gotten close before, thinks that this is his year!  The other pirates laugh him to scorn when he enters, but this just fuels the fire in him to show them who's the best, by amassing the largest pile of booty ever!  Before long, The Pirate Captain and his band if misfits find themselves facing off against naturists, a ghost ship, a school field trip, Charles Darwin, the Royal Academy of Science and Queen Victoria.  

Thoughts:

This movie is from the venerable Aardman Studios, the same people who brought us Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.  Their prowess in the world of stop-motion claymation animation is unparalleled.  

The cast is amazing!  Hugh Grant, Martin Freeman, Salma Hayek, David Tennant, Brian Blessed, Anton Yelchin and more bring this story to life.  

The story and dialog works for all ages, and it is an absolute joy to watch.  

The only reason I can think of that RT's popcornmete score is so low is that people took their pre-schoolers to see this, and it didn't hold their attention.  But, based my experience with my grandkids, once someone reaches 6-7 years old, it's a hit!

Note: Other contenders for my favorites in animation include UP and Wall-E and all Wallace and Gromit titles.

A KNIGHT'S TALE (2001) - FAVORITE ADVENTURE MOVIE #2

A KNIGHT'S TALE (2001)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 60%, Popcornmeter 79%, IMDB rating 7.0/10

Synopsis:

During medieval times, only those of noble birth were allowed to participate in the most popular sport of the day - jousting.  When an aged former champion dies in the middle of a tournament, his peasant squire William Thatcher decides to risk riding in his place in order to try to win enough to feed himself and his friends.  When he actually wins, he convinces his friends that they by him posing as a noble and competing in other tournaments, they could obtain glory and riches that they never could have imagined.  If they are caught, however, it would be the end for them.  

Thoughts:

RT...only 60% fresh!?  Seriously!!??  I would rate A Knight's Tale AT LEAST 90% fresh.  Heath Ledger, Alan Tudyk, Paul Bettany and the rest of the cast are AWESOME!  And, after trying multiple options to portray the jousting, they opted for physical effects.  That's right, the riders are actually jousting!  What more can I say? The classic rock soundtrack, the costumes, the script, the acting, are all fantastic.  

I have no idea how many times I've watched A Knight's Tale, but it's at least 10 times since 2019, and many times before that.  And every time I pull out the disc and put it in the player, I think to myself, "Could this actually be as good as I remember it?"  And, every time, it is!  

STAR WARS (2016, 1977, 1980, 1983) - FAVORITE ADVENTURE MOVIES #1

STAR WARS ROGUE ONE PLUS ORIGINAL TRILOGY (2016, 1977, 1980, 1983)

ROGUE ONE (2016)

Rated PG-13 - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 84%, Popcornmeter 87%, IMDB rating 7.8/10

STAR WARS IV - A NEW HOPE (1977)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 93%, Popcornmeter 96%, IMDB rating 8.6/10

STAR WARS V - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 93%, Popcornmeter 97%, IMDB rating 8.7/10

STAR WARS VI - THE RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)

Rated PG - Rotten Tomatoes freshness score 83%, Popcornmeter 94%, IMDB rating 8.3/10

Synopsis:

These four movies are the heart and soul of the Star Wars franchise.  In ROGUE ONE, the true prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, the rebellion has its first victory against the evil galactic empire, the plans to the Death Star are acquired and they are placed in the hands of Princess Leia. In A NEW HOPE, Darth Vader pursues Leia and the plans, but she thwarts him by hiding the stolen plans in a droid, R2D2, and sends it in search of the Jedi master Obi Wan Kenobi.  The R2 unit soon has a new owner, Luke, a farm boy, and he becomes caught up in interstellar adventures as he tries to return the droid to the Princess. In THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Darth Vader finds and attacks a band of rebels on the ice planet of Hoth. Luke escapes and is trained by Yoda and then makes a terrible discovery.  With the help of Leia, Chewbacca and Lando, Luke escapes from Vader.  In RETURN OF THE JEDI the rebellion learns that the empire is building a new death star, and that the emperor himself is overseeing its completion.  The rebellion believes this is an opportunity that they cannot pass up.  If they can eliminate the emperor, that may decapitate the empire and lead back to a time of freedom and liberty.

Thoughts:

JAWS (1975), Rocky (1976) and STAR WARS (1977) changed the way that the world went to the movies, and the modern blockbuster was born.  I saw all of these movies when I  was a teenager, but I have particular memories of my first experience watching STAR WARS.  

I was 18 and a freshman in college, and I remember sitting in the theater and hearing the FOX fanfare blare, followed by "STAR WARS" flash into the screen, followed by the now classic opening scroll.  Then, with the scroll disappearing in the distance, the camera panned down to the surface of a planet, and even before Leia's blockade runner or the Imperial Star Destroyer in pursuit came on-screen, I was hooked!  

If I could see any movie again for the first time, I would definitely choose STAR WARS!  

George Lucas' STAR WARS, especially the original trilogy, ushered in a new phase of movie making by developing and improving blue and then green screen technology.  Some people have criticized this, but in lieu of CGI, this was one of the best ways to portray many scenes back in the day.  And the names of Luke, Leia, Han, Chewi, Obi Wan, Yoda, and Lando became household names, and STAR WARS changed the world.  

There's not really anything I can add that hasn't already been said or written about these movies, other than that on a personal level, my life wouldn't be the same without STAR WARS.