Open Thread: Movies!
We posted this open thread on April 5 inviting you to share your favorite movies, the ones you watch over and over again. There was lots of love for the Sound of Music, but a few surprises too! Scroll down to see all the comments from readers and add yours!
While we’re all hunkered down temporarily, we’re spending more time watching movies. If it seems that old familiar favorites appeal more than something new, you’re not alone, according to one study.
Besides the special event binge watching (I marked Toshiro Mifume’s 100th birthday with Rashomon, Seven Samurai and Sanjiro) I love comedies: Airplane! leads the way, along with Young Frankenstein (or any Mel Brooks movie)…and don’t get me started about The Big Lebowski. (I’d include a clip of dialog but it’s hard to find one without a bunch of F-bombs.)…and of course, then there’s The Princess Bride.
I will also see the Aliens franchise anytime it’s on, because it’s so well done (and yes, I know the dialogue to all of them – xoxo’s to Bill Paxton’s “But it’s a dry heat!!”). It’s oddly reassuring to see a film about a shadowy, implacable menace that comes out of nowhere and is roundly defeated, again and again. (Now why is that, do you suppose?)
But now it’s your turn. What are your top three ‘comfort’ movies – the ones you can see over and over (and over and over) again – and why. Bonus if you toss in your favorite quote! Let us know in the comments, and we’ll post an update on Friday 4/10.
Photo by Ricky Turner on Unsplash
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Comments
In no particular order:
Jaws
Sunset Boulevard
The Shining
!
Love Actually – my go-to holiday movie, always makes me shed a happy tear and Bill Nighy’s portrayal of a washed-up rock star is brilliant.
Blue Velvet — first David Lynch movie I ever saw. Deeply disturbing and highly entertaining at the same time. Yes, I am that person who saw every episode of Twin Peaks several times over.
Withnail and I — cult British movie about two unemployed, drunken actors who “accidentally” go on holiday to the countryside. There’s a good spin-off drinking game — every time they take a slug of alcohol, so do you. Don’t know anyone capable of standing by the end.
Sneakers for the chemistry between the characters:
Whistler: I want peace on earth and good will toward man.
Abbot: Oh, this is ridiculous.
Bishop: He’s serious.
Whistler: I want peace on earth and goodwill toward men.
Abbot: We are the United States Government! We don’t do that sort of thing.
Bishop: You’re just gonna have to try.
Abbot: All right, I’ll see what I can do.
Whistler: Thank you very much. That’s all I ask.
The American President for Aaron Sorkin’s writing:
“We’ve got serious problems, and we need serious people. And if you want to talk about character, Bob, you’d better come at me with more than a burning flag and a membership card. If you want to talk about character and American values, fine. Just tell me where and when, and I’ll show up. This is a time for serious people, Bob, and your fifteen minutes are up. My name is Andrew Shepherd, and I AM THE PRESIDENT!”
Dave for the humor and heart:
“If you’ve ever seen the look on somebody’s face the day they finally get a job, I’ve had some experience with this, they look like they could fly. And it’s not about the paycheck, it’s about respect, it’s about looking in the mirror and knowing that you’ve done something valuable with your day. And if one person could start to feel this way, and then another person, and then another person, soon all these other problems may not seem so impossible. You don’t really know how much you can do until you, stand up and decide to try.”
The Galapagos Affair: Satan Comes to Eden
A fascinating documentary (Netflix and libraries have) about German expats who move to an uninhabited island in Ecuador in 1930s. First, a romantic couple. Second, a family with a kid. Third, an Austrian baroness with her two lovers. Then, murder(s)! Never solved, excellent vintage film footage etc.
Recent movies (all now streaming):
Parasite–amazing social commentary, won both Best Picture and Best International Film at Oscars, subtitles
JoJo Rabbit–incredibly inventive, wacky, disturbing, touching
Marriage Story–great performances from Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a couple divorcing
Streaming series:
Unorthodox on Netflix–fascinating, disturbing glimpse into Hasidic Jewish culture in Brooklyn and woman who escapes it…is it a matriarchy or a patriarchy?
Counterpart on Prime–dystopian spy thriller