There is nothing quite like watching a great movie to inspire, relax and lift your spirits. Now that the winter season is fast approaching in Montreal (as I write this it is presently -2 degrees Celsius), there is nothing I crave more every night than cuddling up in a blanket with a nice cup of herbal tea, a cool breeze from the window, the glow of a candle, and a great 90 minute film. To be honest, I am not a a fan of recent trends in entertainment where movies are now two hours or longer. Ain't nobody got time for that (I'm talking to you Benjamin Button).
I will soon be celebrating my twentieth birthday and I believe that justifies reflecting on my childhood as if it happened quite a while ago. Let's be honest, the world is a much different place than it was ten years ago. I also have significantly less time to devote to movie-watching, let alone re-watching a movie I've already seen. Therefore, I decided to pay homage to the movies I used to watch incessantly, to the point where people would get frustrated because I quoted all the dialogue while watching. Many of these movies were not extremely successful, critically acclaimed, or well-received by the general public. Regardless, watching any one of them provides me with that warm and fuzzy feeling of nostalgia and great family memories. This winter, we should all try to set aside some time, ideally 90ish minutes, to make some popcorn, escape our daily worries, and snuggle with some great company to watch a movie. Below are my top ten choices (in no particular order) that can be enjoyed by all ages/genders and appeal to your inner youthful spirit:
I will soon be celebrating my twentieth birthday and I believe that justifies reflecting on my childhood as if it happened quite a while ago. Let's be honest, the world is a much different place than it was ten years ago. I also have significantly less time to devote to movie-watching, let alone re-watching a movie I've already seen. Therefore, I decided to pay homage to the movies I used to watch incessantly, to the point where people would get frustrated because I quoted all the dialogue while watching. Many of these movies were not extremely successful, critically acclaimed, or well-received by the general public. Regardless, watching any one of them provides me with that warm and fuzzy feeling of nostalgia and great family memories. This winter, we should all try to set aside some time, ideally 90ish minutes, to make some popcorn, escape our daily worries, and snuggle with some great company to watch a movie. Below are my top ten choices (in no particular order) that can be enjoyed by all ages/genders and appeal to your inner youthful spirit:
1. Spaceballs (1987)
Ok so I'm going to be honest, I barely understood the multitude of amazingly witty and clever cultural references in this movie when I used to watch it. ("That's funny, she doesn't look Druish") All I know is that I found this hilarious and my family used to watch this all. the. time. Essentially, the storyline is that planet Spaceball is running out of air, and President Skroob decides to send Lord Dark Helmet to Planet Druidia in order to steal their air. The Princess ditches on her wedding to Prince Valium, and Lone Starr is the only once who can save the Princess and the precious air of Planet Druidia. This movie has a little something for everyone, and is my secret party weapon ice breaker, since everyone who has seen Spaceballs loves to talk about Spaceballs.
Note: superstar Mel Brooks wrote, directed, produced, and starred as President Skroob; talk about an over-achiever. Also, the late John Candy kills it as Mog, Lone Starr's half-man half-dog sidekick.
Ok so I'm going to be honest, I barely understood the multitude of amazingly witty and clever cultural references in this movie when I used to watch it. ("That's funny, she doesn't look Druish") All I know is that I found this hilarious and my family used to watch this all. the. time. Essentially, the storyline is that planet Spaceball is running out of air, and President Skroob decides to send Lord Dark Helmet to Planet Druidia in order to steal their air. The Princess ditches on her wedding to Prince Valium, and Lone Starr is the only once who can save the Princess and the precious air of Planet Druidia. This movie has a little something for everyone, and is my secret party weapon ice breaker, since everyone who has seen Spaceballs loves to talk about Spaceballs.
Note: superstar Mel Brooks wrote, directed, produced, and starred as President Skroob; talk about an over-achiever. Also, the late John Candy kills it as Mog, Lone Starr's half-man half-dog sidekick.
2. Paycheck (2003)
For years, when anyone used to ask me "What's your favourite movie?", I would say "Paycheck" without a moment's hesitation. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this was immediately followed by "What's Paycheck? Never seen it. Never heard of it." Well, shame on all of you because Paycheck is awesome. Similar to the much-more-respected Memento, Paycheck is a fragmented flashback memory-thriller starring Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman and Aaron Eckhart. Michael Jennings (Affleck) is a reverse engineer, meaning he is hired by a company to imitate/improve a competitor's technology for short-term contract durations. In order to protect their intellectual property, his clients wipe Jennings' memory once his contract is complete. One day, Jennings gets an offer he can't refuse (we're talking lots of cashmoney), but the project is a three-year job, which is significantly longer than anything he had done in the past. Jennings wakes up after the three years only to find out that people are trying to kill him, and he has no clue why. To make matters worse, he finds out that past-Michael withdrew the huge paycheck from his bank account, and only left him with twenty useless household items. I can't really explain why I love this movie so much, especially since Mr. Affleck himself has since admitted that he was not at all proud of Paycheck and that it inspired him to stop making shitty movies (ouch). Ignore him, go watch it, just don't have any high expectations. Also, Paul Giamatti has a small role as Shorty, Jennings' friend. That alone should be enough motivation to have you torrent Paycheck stat.
For years, when anyone used to ask me "What's your favourite movie?", I would say "Paycheck" without a moment's hesitation. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this was immediately followed by "What's Paycheck? Never seen it. Never heard of it." Well, shame on all of you because Paycheck is awesome. Similar to the much-more-respected Memento, Paycheck is a fragmented flashback memory-thriller starring Ben Affleck, Uma Thurman and Aaron Eckhart. Michael Jennings (Affleck) is a reverse engineer, meaning he is hired by a company to imitate/improve a competitor's technology for short-term contract durations. In order to protect their intellectual property, his clients wipe Jennings' memory once his contract is complete. One day, Jennings gets an offer he can't refuse (we're talking lots of cashmoney), but the project is a three-year job, which is significantly longer than anything he had done in the past. Jennings wakes up after the three years only to find out that people are trying to kill him, and he has no clue why. To make matters worse, he finds out that past-Michael withdrew the huge paycheck from his bank account, and only left him with twenty useless household items. I can't really explain why I love this movie so much, especially since Mr. Affleck himself has since admitted that he was not at all proud of Paycheck and that it inspired him to stop making shitty movies (ouch). Ignore him, go watch it, just don't have any high expectations. Also, Paul Giamatti has a small role as Shorty, Jennings' friend. That alone should be enough motivation to have you torrent Paycheck stat.
3. Eloise at the Plaza (2003)
honorable mention: Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
Confession: I never read the Eloise books as a kid. But who cares, because this movie series is amazing regardless. Eloise is a fun, adventure-loving, curious, friendly, spoiled, and compassionate six-year old girl who just so happens to live at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. The movie adaptations starred a young Sophia Vassilieva, undoubtedly one of the most talented actresses of my generation. The movies also feature Julie Andrews and Jeffrey Tambor, so like you really should watch them. These are the ultimate feel-good movies that I had no shame watching over and over. There's love, New York City, princes, the Plaza, fancy balls, all explored through an innocent, blunt and adventurous narration. Eloise is like To Kill a Mockingbird without the lawsuits, racism and rape. I dare anyone to watch this and not feel better after.
honorable mention: Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
Confession: I never read the Eloise books as a kid. But who cares, because this movie series is amazing regardless. Eloise is a fun, adventure-loving, curious, friendly, spoiled, and compassionate six-year old girl who just so happens to live at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. The movie adaptations starred a young Sophia Vassilieva, undoubtedly one of the most talented actresses of my generation. The movies also feature Julie Andrews and Jeffrey Tambor, so like you really should watch them. These are the ultimate feel-good movies that I had no shame watching over and over. There's love, New York City, princes, the Plaza, fancy balls, all explored through an innocent, blunt and adventurous narration. Eloise is like To Kill a Mockingbird without the lawsuits, racism and rape. I dare anyone to watch this and not feel better after.
4. The Parent Trap (1998)
Of all of these movies, The Parent Trap definitely had the biggest impact on my life. Once my mother told me that there was just one girl playing both twins Annie and Hallie, I was so amazed by production magic and Lohan's acting abilities that I was inspired to start acting myself. Lohan kills it, and Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson are rather adorable together. For anyone who has somehow not seen this (go change that now): the movie tells the story of two identical girls at Walden summer camp who were both raised by single parents. Awkwardly enough, it takes ripped up pictures of their respective missing parental unit to even realize they were twins separated at birth, as if strangers can actually look that much alike by fluke. Realism aside, this movie takes heart-warming to a new level.
Note: If nothing else this movie deserves legendary status because it made dipping your oreos in peanut butter a thing. Also, I was so obsessed with this movie that the Debs (my momma dearest) was determined to get me my own "Cuppy" bunny stuffed-animal. I never had a sentimental relationship with a blanket or toy as a child, but that bunny received more of my love than any other beanie baby/inanimate object in my collection.
Of all of these movies, The Parent Trap definitely had the biggest impact on my life. Once my mother told me that there was just one girl playing both twins Annie and Hallie, I was so amazed by production magic and Lohan's acting abilities that I was inspired to start acting myself. Lohan kills it, and Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson are rather adorable together. For anyone who has somehow not seen this (go change that now): the movie tells the story of two identical girls at Walden summer camp who were both raised by single parents. Awkwardly enough, it takes ripped up pictures of their respective missing parental unit to even realize they were twins separated at birth, as if strangers can actually look that much alike by fluke. Realism aside, this movie takes heart-warming to a new level.
Note: If nothing else this movie deserves legendary status because it made dipping your oreos in peanut butter a thing. Also, I was so obsessed with this movie that the Debs (my momma dearest) was determined to get me my own "Cuppy" bunny stuffed-animal. I never had a sentimental relationship with a blanket or toy as a child, but that bunny received more of my love than any other beanie baby/inanimate object in my collection.
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