Sunday, January 09, 2005

My Movie Recommendations

While this list might seem long, believe it or not, I'm not much of a movie watcher. Think about it though, if you thought about all the movies you love, I guarantee your list would be this long, and most likely longer. You'll see as you read through my movie critics what types of movies seem to interest me. I LOVE true story movies, which goes right along with the type of books I like to read (non-fiction) and about the only television I like to watch (reality shows and sports--true/non-fiction stuff!). You should also be aware of the fact that when I rate things, whether it is movies, or professors for teacher evaluations, I seldomly give "extreme" scores, such as "strongly agree" or "strongly disagree" or in this case a "10" for a rating. So if a movie gets a ten, you know I LOVE that movie! Even if I give one a "7" or a "6", I probably still really like that movie, because that is still above half ("5") and since I seldom give top numbers, those are good scores too.

So, on with the recommendations in alphabetical order...

A Beautiful Mind (PG-13; Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris) Based on a true story. This movie is very inspirational and a good “make you think” film. I love films that focus on intelligence and love. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 8

A Home of Our Own (PG; Kathy Bates, Edward Furlong) You most likely have never seen or heard of this movie. It is one of those movies that I THINK might have been a “made for television” type movie, but I think you can still get it at Blockbuster. If you grew up poor, you need to see this one. It will pull at your heart strings. It is about Kathy Bates and her “Lacey Tribe” (her family with six kids) and how they survive life as a single-parent family with basically NO money. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6

Backdraft (R; Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro) This has been one of my favorite movies since like high school. Definitely focuses on a sense of brotherhood and friendship. And for the “action packed” type of movie-goers, it has that rush in it too, as well as a sense of suspense in trying to figure out who is the bad guy. And it can be a tear-jerker. I normally don’t cry at it anymore since I’ve seen it SOOO many times, but sometimes it still gets me! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 8.5

Bruce Almighty (PG-13; Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman) Many people unfortunately automatically judge this movie without seeing it and think it will be sac-religious, but actually, it really makes a person think about God and his powers, especially in the end. While Jim Carrey can normally get on my nerves, I find this film a good romantic comedy at the same time as a thinker. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

Cool Runnings (PG; John Candy) Inspired by real life events. A great funny family movie. About all I can say is those bobsledders are funny fellas! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7.5

Dead Poet's Society (PG; Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke) This is one inspirational movie. Really makes you want to go out and live life to its fullest! Of course, I love Robin Williams too! And it even has the sad part as a lot of good movies have. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

Finding Forrester (PG-13; Sean Connery) Inspirational. It combines some great topics such as basketball, education, intelligence, the black community, racism, and friendship. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

Finding Nemo (G; voices—Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres) HILAROUS! Dory MAKES this movie! I laugh out loud everytime I see this movie! It has great underlying psychology related issues too! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 9

Glory (R; Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes) Inspired by real life events. The first time I watched this movie was in my 8th grade social studies class. It was obviously an edited for school use copy though. Anyways, this movie puts the issues of discrimination in your face. It focuses on friendships as well. This movie will make ya cry too. There wasn’t a dry eye in my 8th grade class. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

Good Will Hunting (R; Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams) The first time I saw this movie I did not really care for it. I TOTALLY wish it didn’t use the F-word as much as it does, because it isn’t needed. But the second time I watched it I really did realize it is a good movie. I love the psychology mix with focus on intellect. And how can you not love the friendship focus as well. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

Hook (PG; Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts) This movie has two of my most favorite actors and one of my most favorite actresses. It puts a great new twist on the Peter Pan storyline. What a great family film with humor as well! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7.5

I Am Sam (PG-13; Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning) The first time I saw this movie it made me cry. It is an inspirational movie that shows the power of love and determination. It even has some humorous parts. You can’t watch this movie and not be pulling for Sean Penn’s character. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6

John Q (PG-13; Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall) Here is a movie that is based on the power of love and determination! In this movie Denzel’s character behaves in a way that you would consider him to be a TERRIBLE person in just about any situation EXCEPT this one. In his situation in this film you can’t help put cheer him on! This movie makes me cry everytime I watch it. Talk about unconditional love. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 9

Life as a House (R; Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Hayden Christensen, Mary Steenburgen) This is one of my favorite movies ever, and I just saw it for the first time like 1.5 years ago. While this movie isn’t based on a true story, it is definitely about as close to real life as it gets. This movie makes you really fall in love with its characters, it is because of this that in the end you will find yourself crying (almost guaranteed). My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 10

Mr. Holland’s Opus (PG; Richard Dreyfuss, Glenne Headly, Olympia Dukakis) Just a fun family movie to watch. It leaves you at the end in a great mood and just happy! A great movie for music lovers! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG; Nia Vardalos, John Corbett) My 825 Alive! roommates would kill me if I didn’t include this movie. It has a love story that isn’t the best, but the main thing that makes this movie is its humor. HA! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6

Patch Adams (PG-13; Robin Williams) Based on a true story. This is one of my most favorite movies of all times! This movie inspires some of my current goals in life. A very inspirational and motivational movie. And it focuses on four of my favorite things in life, humor, love, friendship, and helping others. This movie has a sad part, but it is overshadowed by the inspirational focus of the movie. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 10

Phenomenon (PG; John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker, Robert Duvall) Such a good wholesome movie that focuses on love and intelligence! You can’t help but love Travolta, Sedgwick and Duvall’s characters in this movie. It will make ya tear up too. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7.5

Ransom (R; Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, Gary Sinise) Just a good action and suspense film. Makes you really think about what kind of bad people are out in the world. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6

Remember the Titans (PG; Denzel Washington, Will Patton) Based on a true story. This is one of those movies that when it is over you just want to go be a better person. Very inspirational. I love the determination by Denzel’s character. It is sad to think discrimination exists, but as Denzel’s character shows, we can fight it! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 9

Rudy (PG; Sean Astin) Based on a true story. A very inspirational movie! Makes you want to give your all in all you do in life. My basketball coach my senior year in high school compared me to Rudy. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7

Searching for Bobby Fischer (PG; Ben Kingsley) Inspired by real life events. A fun-loving movie that is good for any ages. I love child geniuses. A feel good type movie. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7

Shrek 2 (PG; voices—Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas) HA! I LOVE the new humor that is coming out in cartoon movies nowadays. This movie is great for ALL ages because it has the humor that appeals to the kids as well as humor that only the adults fully understand. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 9

Silence of the Lambs (R; Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn) Inspired by real life events. Definitely not a movie “for the kids,” but a good suspenseful movie for adults. It leaves you pondering how people can be so sick out there in the world. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 7

Steel Magnolias (PG; Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis) This one is pretty much a “chick flick,” but still a great movie! It’s a tear-jerker that centers around small-town friendships. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 8

Stepmom (PG-13; Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris) A movie that has my two favorite actresses as the lead roles…GREAT! This storyline is about as real-life as it gets…divorce and stepfamilies. But it will bring tears to your eyes as well! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 8

The Bone Collector (R; Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah) A good mystery and suspenseful movie. Some parts can be hard to watch if you can’t handle “gross” things, but still a good film. It reminds me a lot of the Silence of the Lambs movie series. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6.5

The Client (PG-13; Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, Mary-Louise Parker, Brad Renfro) This has been one of my favorite movies for years. I love Sarandon and Jones, so it is a great movie because of that alone. This is one of those movies that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. You’re pulling for Renfro’s character! And the end will make you tear up just because you’re so happy! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 9

The Green Mile (R; Tom Hanks, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, Gary Sinise) Definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. This movie makes you want to go out and be a peace-maker and just good person. This movie is long, but well worth every minute of it! You become part of the story, which makes it a tear-jerker as well as fills you with the joy of life and power of freedom. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 10

The Mothman Prophecies (PG-13; Richard Gere, Will Patton) (only rated PG-13, but SCARY!) Based on true events. All I can say about this film is that I don’t get scared at movies, but this one actually had me really frightened after I watched it. HA! I think it didn’t help that I watched it all alone in a dark little bedroom one night, but still, to think that it is only PG-13 and it scared me. You’re in for a good scare if you see this one. My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 6

The Shawshank Redemption (R; Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton) This movie is very inspirational and focuses on the power of friendship and believing in one another in life. It is a powerful movie that leaves you with a feeling of happiness! My rating on a scale of 10 being the best: 10


2 comments:

Holly said...

Nice post! I have yet to see "Searching for Bobby Fischer," "Mr. Holland's Opus," or "The Bone Collector" (and I am unsure about "Glory") -- but I would like to. I am one who has seen "A Home of Our Own" -- a few times -- but what can I say... I'm a Kathy Bates fan! I think I did see it, the first time, as a made-for-tv film. I think you're right. That is definately an excellent film! Glad ya mentioned it. I definately agree with your highest ratings for "Finding Nemo", "Patch Adams", "The Green Mile", "The Shawshank Redemption", and "Life as a House." I think you would really like "The Evening Star" (the sequel to "Terms of Endearment" -- but I don't think you need to see the first one to see this one) -- it's a tearjerker -- worse than Steel Magnolias! -- and "Gandhi" -- it's the very moving story about a little Indian man who singlehandedly got the 500 million people of India to non-violently disobey the quarter of a million British troops that had been controlling their country for over two centuries -- and eventually drove the British out of India and restored freedom to the people of India. The part that got me most from his story was that he never held a single public office -- yet, through his peaceful philosophy, was able to sway an entire country to non-violently revolt against an overpowering, fear-inducing force like the British. Now that's power! The movie is 5 hours long -- but it's worth it! heh. Good post!

FeedingYourMind said...

Wow...I'm surprised someone else has actually seen A Home of Our Own...but I did know you were a huge Kathy Bates fan. I'll have to check out Terms of Endearment and it's sequel now. As for Gandhi, I've seen it. We had to watch it in I think my English class my sophomore year of high school i think. Yes, I agree, it was a good movie, but REALLY long for a not-so-much movie watcher like myself. Needless to say that was the only time I ever watched it. HA!