Just 5 things… Movies You Should See

I’ll admit that I usually reserve my 5 things posts for Fridays. And usually when I’m feeling a bit lazy. But who doesn’t love a quick and easy list to read? Especially when it’s about entertainment. And movies you should see.

First, I thought I’d give you my criteria. Here it is:

It’s a movie I like.

So if you don’t have my taste in movies, you probably should ignore this list. I’ll clue you in by telling you the kind of movies I can’t stand. Extremely predictable, highly unrealistic, super corny, full of machismo type movies. Like Armageddon. If you loved that movie, just move along. If you also thought that was a really stupid move, then read on. This list just might work for you.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

It’s probably #13 on my rules of etiquette that got me thinking about this movie again. I love it for lots of reasons. First of all, it’s written by Stephen King, one of my very favorite fiction writers. Secondly, it has Morgan Freeman in it. Is there ever a movie with Morgan Freeman in it that you don’t like? And lastly, everything else. The humor, the irony, the angst, the joy, the freedom. It’s about as perfect as a movie can get in my book. And someday I’d like to visit Zihuatanejo.

2. Rushmore

I like quirky comedies. I also like anything with Bill Murray in it. This one fits both bills. It’s directed by Wes Anderson who tends to be good at creating these oddball characters that somehow we get emotionally attached to. It’s the kind of story that warms my heart while making me laugh. And did you know that Max’s father’s occupation was actually an ode to Charles Schulz and his father? If you’ve seen this movie and loved it, tell me what comes after this line: “These are my OR scrubs.”

3. Sliding Doors

I’d be impressed if you saw this movie. It was Gwyneth Paltrow’s brief foray into independent artsy films. I’m not a big fan of hers and I’m not a big fan of her doing English accents. Actually, I’d rather English people stick to English accents. And for that matter, let’s leave the American accents to Americans. Anyway, the story is all about how a few fragile moments can change our lives. The difference between catching the train and missing the train changes everything in this split story with two endings that both leave you breathless and satisfied. Big thumbs up.

4. Contact

I do like sci-fi movies. I always have. Not in a nerdy-Star-Wars-obsessed kind of way. Just in a this-is-a-really-cool-storyline-that-challenges-my-brain sort of way. This movie is based on the book by Carl Sagan (good ol’ Carl) about the possibility of extraterrestrial life making contact with us. The acting is terrific and the special effects were beautiful. Could it happen? Surely it could. Could it happen in this way? I hope so.

5. Fargo

I’ve been a big fan of the Coen brothers ever since I watch Raising Arizona. I love that movie and it you want to see Holly Hunter and Nicholas Cage at the un-celebrity finest, you have to watch it. But I think Fargo is one of my favorites. It’s a dark movie overshadowed by ridiculous Minnesota-type accents (no offense, MN readers). When you have a triple homicide punctuated by lines like “Oh ya. It’s a real shame,” it leaves you wondering if you should laugh or cry. William H. Macy is amazing but my favorite part is Frances McDormand as the police chief lecturing a murderer in exactly the way a mother would talk to her child. That part spoke to me. Really terrific acting but not for the faint of heart.

Okay. That was a tough list because I started thinking of all of my other favorite movies that didn’t make the list. I’d love to come up with an honorable mention list but maybe I’ll just save them for another post. Plus I’d love to hear some of your favorites that aren’t on my list.