Let’s trade favorite movies.
It’s the time of year where I sit around with my family, while someone plays movie trailer, after movie trailer, and someone else tries to get us to watch something derided by the rest, and we never actually choose anything, and then my father falls asleep on the sofa.
Maybe this is also your family… so I am hoping that from a shared list of recommendations, we can all be like– oh yes! That is exactly what we should watch!
I will go first, but please understand— I am NOT a film critic… to prove this, I begin my list with a Nicholas Cage movie… The Family Man, love! SO GOOD!
Note: I am breaking up this wall of text with past Christmas photos.
My movie-criteria was ABSOLUTE FAVORITES: movies that make me clap my hands together and say– oh! I LOVE that movie! LET’S WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!!!
In no particular order, and with plans to update the list, as you remind me what I forgot:
Goodfellas
Urban Cowboy
Amadeus
Wolf of Wall Street
Kiss Me Kate
Roadhouse
Braveheart
Good Will Hunting
Elf
White Christmas
The Family Stone
The Princess Bride
True Romance
Aristocats
Armageddon
Brokeback Mountain
Independence Day
Thelma and Louise
Ocean’s 11
It Happened One Night
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Blow
Casino
The Martian
I love a heist movie.
Bad boys, being bad.
Anything set in another period with EXCELLENT COSTUMES.
Anything with Robert DeNiro… EXCEPT THAT EXCRUCIATING NETFLIX MOVIE.
Brad Pitt, shirtless.
Literally everything about Elf.
Young Matt Damon.
Old Matt Damon.
Howard Keel.
scored these auction urns for a great price–they were exactly what I wanted for a tree base!
View this post on Instagram
Some of my movies are garbage.
Or generally problematic.
Be warned.
I rewatched Armegeddon this summer… and… Steve Buscemi’s character is… not good.
Some of these movies I love because they remind me so strongly of periods of my life— rewatching them is sort of like revisiting myself in that time period.
Sometimes I find that a movie is improved if you edit it for yourself… example: I don’t watch the end of Thelma and Louise— because it’s wrong.
Same for Roadhouse— once all the monster trucks show up, I’m done… also, even though obviously I am fine with a young Patrick Swayze, I’m actually in it for Sam Elliot.
Life Pro Tip:
If you have a choice, always choose Sam Elliot.
After he two-steps the girl around the diner, the movie is pretty much over for me.
Now.
I want to tell you how I came to watch Urban Cowboy, which I LOVE SO MUCH– it is pure kitsch, with EXCELLENT DENIM AND HATS AND CHARLIE DANIELS BAND AND A VERY BAD DUDE AND A MECHANICAL BULL AND LOTS OF FANTASTIC MUSIC AND DANCING.
Many years ago, on some list of “films every person should see“ I made a mental note of a movie titled Midnight Cowboy.
Sometime later, as I was searching through Netflix, I saw URBAN Cowboy. And my brain remembered the “cowboy” part, so I said to Paul— oh! This is a top movie everyone should see… want to watch it?
And like 10 minutes into it? I was speechless.
TRULY, I was like– HOW have I never seen this!! This IS the greatest movie ever made!
But also, HOW is this on a list of must-see cinema!?
Usually, when they say you should watch something, it’s Easy Rider. Have you tried to WATCH Easy Rider? I tried… after four minutes I was like— this is unwatchable AND WHERE IS JACK NICHOLSON?
ANYWAY.
Urban Cowboy.
I was SO confused that I googled— why is Urban Cowboy one of the greatest movies ever made?
And Google was like— do you mean MIDNIGHT cowboy?
Which we did watch later and it was depressing and cold and not in a good way.
Ok! I think that’s it! NOW IT’S YOUR TURN… what is your FAVORITE!?
Whatever you celebrate, I hope you get to spend it with the people you love!
xoxo, VEB
Kate
December 23, 2019 @ 11:47 am
An oldie called “Dear Heart” with Glenn Ford and Geraldine Page.
Lars and the Real Girl with Ryan Gosling.
Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson.
Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth.
In Harm’s Way with John Wayne and Patricia Neal.
Brandy Powell
December 23, 2019 @ 6:32 pm
I LOVE LOVE the old movie Seven Brides For Seven Brothers!! Also love the first Momma Mia movie
Penny
December 24, 2019 @ 4:06 am
Im with you on both movies – great ones‼️
Lisa
December 23, 2019 @ 6:57 pm
Love Dear Heart!
wilma brennan
December 31, 2019 @ 10:08 pm
In no order, Bette Davis in Dark Victory, Now Voyager, and Jezebel
Lisa D.
December 23, 2019 @ 11:51 am
LOVE your giant pine cones. Two of my favorites are “It’s a Wonderful Life”, (I know – it’s the one everyone thinks of, but it’s still a terrific movie), and “Little Women” – the one with Winona Ryder as Jo, and Susan Sarandon as Marmie. I’ve yet to see the new one that has just been released, with Meryl Streep as Marmie, and Soirse Ronan as Jo.
Hope you and Paul have a very merry Christmas, Victoria, and I look forward to more of your delightful posts in 2020.
P.S. My cats, William & Harry, look forward to your posts too!
Lisa A.
December 23, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
William and Harry!! OMG – how cute…..
Heather B.
December 23, 2019 @ 2:15 pm
I love both of those as well!
Bethany Otto
December 23, 2019 @ 11:52 am
Meet Joe Black with Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. Most beautiful to look at and to listen to–Oh Anthony’s voice is the sexiest thing around, even when he’s 65. And all the feels. ALL. THE. FEELS.
Suzanne
December 23, 2019 @ 2:06 pm
I love Meet Joe Black….have watched it a million times. A Will Smith movie, Seven Pounds is so good too.
Sherry Staton.
December 23, 2019 @ 10:21 pm
Moonstruck with Nicholas Cage and Cher..I LOVE this movie!! All of the actors are just spot on!! …so good!!
also anything with Will Smith, even Hancock…s
Kristin
December 25, 2019 @ 8:33 pm
I ADORE Moonstruck. To pieces. Holy moly, how did I forget that movie?!?
Speaking of Cher (and what the heck, why not Sam Elliot, bc WHY NOT), Mask. I can’t even think about it without crying tbh. I also like Erin Brockovich a lot, bc strong women.
Shelley Henley
December 30, 2019 @ 8:21 am
Moonstruck is wonderful … it is my All time favourite ‘modern‘ movie.
It happened one night
Philadelphia Story
High Society
?The movie where Cher has two kids and keeps shifting towns, And meets Bob Hoskins and her youngest daughter almost drowns and she sings the shop snoop song?
Mama Mia
The perfect specimen With Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell
To catch a Thief Cary Grant and Grace Kelly
Every single Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie esp the Gay Divorcee
Bachelor mother Ginger Rogers and David Niven
I’d rather be rich (I think it’s the title) Robert Goulet and Sandra Dee
Kid Creole
Crouching tiger Hidden Dragon
House of Flying Daggers
Etc etc etc
Share Smithwick
December 26, 2019 @ 8:17 am
Definitely a movie I just love watching over and over along side “Sabrina” with Ford and Ormond; “Practical Magic” with Bullock and Kidman, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, ….more recently “The Age of Adline” with Ford. There are so many good movies I’ve seen and one or two that I’ve intentionally stayed away from…one is “Braveheart” ….lol. Afraid I won’t be able to return to present day and time….lol!
Christine Connelly
December 23, 2019 @ 11:53 am
You are the bravest woman ever to watch Wolf of Wallstreet with family!! Watched with my 23 year old daughter. Not sure who was most embarrassed at opening scenes.
The Family Fang
Die Hard (it IS a Christmas movie)
Moonstruck
Old family movies, wedding, childbirth of twins (not graphic), family vacations…..
If we have had a few cocktails, Words with Friends never, ever fails to entertain. Merry, merry!
Ellen
December 23, 2019 @ 11:54 am
The Birdcage
Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
Meet Me in St Louis
Me Blandings Builds his Dreamhouse
Rhonda Payton
December 24, 2019 @ 12:46 am
But still, not to suggest any other color but white.😂 Love Mr. Blandings!
jsj
December 23, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
In no particular order:
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 — b/c Baby Groot dancing!
Midnight in Paris
Juno — the music, and also she’s on a hamburger phone!
Zombieland — the ultimate quest movie
Pride
Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Almost Famous
Notting Hill — Looks closely. That’s the Earl of Grantham!
My Favorite Year
Disney — nuf said!
Sherry Staton.
December 23, 2019 @ 10:22 pm
yes but Guardians of the Galaxy 1 the first one had the best ever music!!
Judy
December 23, 2019 @ 12:01 pm
Shawshank Redemption, When Harry Met Sally, Love Actually, The Holiday, the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. All are chick flicks, except Shawshank. Really amazing movie. P.s. Love love love The Family Man.
Kristen
December 23, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
About A Boy, The Holiday, You Got Mail, Crazy Stupid Love, The Usual Suspects, the Sound of Music, Joy Luck Club, The Way We Were. I also really like The Family Man.
Kymberly
December 23, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
Christmas in Connecticut – original 1940s Barbara Stanwyck version. It is perfection. I still want the house too.
Ross
December 23, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
FAV HOLIDAY MOVIE:
The Bishop’s Wife with Cary Grant.
Kristin
December 25, 2019 @ 8:34 pm
Thank you!!! Why does everyone overlook this movie?? It’s an utter joy.
melissa
December 23, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
Back to the Future (except for when Biff assaults mom) & Goonies are the only ones I can think of and I haven’t seen Ocean’s 8, but I need to because I too love a good heist and this one has a bunch of strong women in it.
Lisa A.
December 23, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
The Birdcage – you must watch if you have not…..Nathan Lane is genius….and yes, Casino with Sharon Stone’s wardrobe I could watch over and over….
Merry Christmas to you and Paul –
Katherine
December 23, 2019 @ 12:14 pm
Ok, someone said Moonstruck and I’m so on board! I need to add my new Christmas favorite, though. Daddy’s Home 2 is a Christmas movie and it’s laugh out loud funny! I’ve been telling everyone.
On the darker side I need to warn people about a Christmas cartoon short called The Small One. It’s a Disney movie produced and directed by Don Bluth (later famous for The Secret of NIHM, An American Tail and The Land Before Time.) I had a strong positive memory of this movie as a child so I bought it on Amazon. There is an absolutely antisemitic song in it! Ruins a sweet story.
Pat Coletta
December 23, 2019 @ 12:17 pm
I just watched The Two Popes on Netflix and loved it. It’s relevant to most people and I learned (or was reminded) of what happened in Argentina in the 70s.
Mary
December 23, 2019 @ 12:20 pm
Chocolat with Johnny Depp, Juliette Binoche and Judy Dench. Beautiful music and quite enchanting from beginning to end.
Patricia
December 23, 2019 @ 1:42 pm
Oh yes! A great and underrated movie! 💕
Lisa Alison
March 6, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
Thank you so much for this title! What a great movie. I’ve watched it too many times to admit since your suggestion. What a great movie!
B Statser
December 23, 2019 @ 12:20 pm
I love Charade with Audrey Hepburn & Cary Grant and music by Henri Mancini. Murder, mystery, coquetry, and set in Paris. What’s not to love? This was their only movie together, BTW.
Kathryn Peltier
December 23, 2019 @ 9:58 pm
Me, too!
Hilary
December 23, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
Many of your choices are mine too! I’ve seen Urban Cowboy at least 10 times. Travolta’s dancing 🕺 is amazing.
Here’s a few more I love: (be warned, some are chick flicks).
Pride and Prejudice-Keira Knightly version
Love is a Many Splendored Thing
The Quiet Man
Blade Runner (men love this one)
Pat and Mike
Tin Cup
Sense and Sensibility-Emma Thompson version
Sideways
Tombstone (ties with Magnificent Seven for best western of all time)
The Magnificent Seven
The Day the Earth Stood Still (from childhood to now still wish this could happen)
The Bishop’s Wife (fave Christmas movie)
Harry Potter (all of them)
Somethings Gotta Give
When Harry Met Sally
Best in Show
Casablanca
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir -Rex Garruson
Quigley Down Under
Get Shorty
Young Frankenstein
The Godfather
Amelie
Emma-Gweneth Paltrow version
This is Spinal Tap
Robin Howington
December 23, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
If Kiss Me Kate made the list then Seven Brides for Seven Brothers would be a good follow up. Lots of dancing and there’s snow -so Christmas also Howard Keel and a very young Yvonee DiCarlo. Family Stone kills me everytime. Every Time.
Kathy
December 23, 2019 @ 12:25 pm
The Long Kiss Goodnight, great Christmas movie, on Netflix, good|bad girl being bad. Prancer, Sam Elliot, nuff said, Amazon Prime.
Sheila
December 23, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
YOU MUST WATCH MOONRISE KINGDOM IMMEDIATELY You’re welcome. It’s so beautifully weird.
Sheila
December 23, 2019 @ 12:32 pm
OH! And Brother Where Art Thou, which is also deliciously awkward and great. The music alone. George Clooney. Holly Hunter (my spirit animal).
Share Smithwick
December 26, 2019 @ 8:28 am
Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel, OMG in the movie “The Piano” . Watched it with my sister and son….all of us were sitting toward the front edge of the sofa. The acting is superb. Took days for me to put it aside, a serious, intense movie.
Sandy B
December 25, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
Moonrise Kingdom – brilliant!!! Have rewatched and was compelled to screen grab scene by scene to understand the visual narrative. And I want Suzy Bishop fishing lure earrings.