Tags
42, A league of Their Own, Airplane, Bruce Almighty, Bull Durham, Michael, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Shawshank Redemption, The Blues Brothers, The Green Mile, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Young Frankenstein
Speaking of movies; A friend and I were taking about the movie “Airplane” after my last blog. I stated that “Airplane” was one of my top ten favorite movies ever. Of course, that statement got me thinking about what other movies were on my top ten list. It turns out my top ten list is twelve (give or take) movies long. I guess I am using an alternative arithmetic.
In no particular order here is my top ten list of movies and a reason why, sort of.
- Airplane: A comedy based on the 1957 movie “Zero Hour” about an airline emergency. The dialogue is taken almost directly from the drama “Zero Hour” to create the off-beat humor. Many of the actors in ‘Airplane’ were making their debut in comedy for this film. Surely, you believe I am not serious. Yes, I am serious and stop calling me Shirley.
- Young Frankenstein: In my opinion the best of Mel Brookes, although Blazing Saddles is a close second for good belly laughs. Abby Normal’s brain leads to one laugh after another.
- Monty Python And the Holy Grail: One of the ten most stupid movies ever produced. But, the day after my first viewing of the film I found myself quoting the dialogue and laughing out loud (LOL). ‘I taunt in your direction.’
- The Green Mile: JC, the convicted killer has the ability to heal other people physically and emotionally in this movie about mercy, grace and forgiveness. Yes, it is a story about JC-Jesus Christ.
- Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins bring us a story of redemption over the corrupt system and bullies in life. I can relate.
- Field of Dreams: Another story of redemption played out on a baseball diamond in the hereafter.
- 42: The story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. This is another story of redemption but this time for a whole race of people.
- Michael: An angel who smells like cookies can’t be all bad.
- Bull Durham: The movie is about baseball and stars Susan Sarandon. Do I need to say more?
- Bruce Almighty: Morgan Freeman’s God is how I imagine God living with us while not treating us like puppets.
- A League of Their Own: Gives women their due on the baseball diamond.
- The Blues Brothers: “There are 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses.” “We’re on a mission from God.” And the music is fabulous.
- Game 7 of the 1960 World Series: This isn’t technically a movie but, I watch this game once a year on or near October 13th when the over-matched Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Yankees for the world championship in 1960.
My Jane reminded me there are a bunch of Christmas movies I watch every December to get in the Christmas mood. This is an addendum to my list of ten favorite movies. Many, many, many years ago I started the tradition of watching, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, Miracle on 34th St’, ‘The Santa Claus’, ‘The Nativity Story’. ‘The Christmas Story’, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, ‘The Polar Express’ and my favorite ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (A man can change). While the world around me is all hectic and out of control in December I escape into these movies absorbing the wonder of a Christmas Miracle.
This is my list of top ten movies, sort of! I look forward to hear your list of top ten movies.
See you next time.