Amazing Grace

Many do not realize that one of the main issues that began America's separation from Great Britain was slavery. If Britain employed black slaves, then America will as well. As hard as it was for America to break from such injustice, it was doubly hard for Britain. It took men of great character and will to go against the tide of power that kept blacks in servitude. One of such men was William Wilberforce, and movies such as this should be repeatedly shown in schools throughout the country. Their reasoning not to is why homeschooling is so popular.

Sense and Sensibility

Can't say that I am much of a "chick flick" guy, nor a big connoisseur of Jane Austin fare, but Sense and Sensibility has to stand out as a favorite in the genre. The photography makes simple scenes into oil paintings, the dialog is not forced or contrived, but personal and intriguing, and all actors gave standing-o performances. Most notable in this mix is Alan Rickman as the Colonel. His subdued charm and controlled emotional response in the face of unrequited love are unmatched in many movies I have seen.

Star Wars

OK, so Star Wars may seem a bit obvious. However, let me be specific in saying that I am talking about the original Star Wars, the one that started it all. Not the redone Star Wars - A New Hope. This gem set a standard in effects and story telling. Unfortunately, George Lucas got drunk on the success and turned the series into an overdone saga and lost the ability to tell a simple story as he did with his original, and great films like American Graffiti. The original Star Wars movie inspired me (much like the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland) to get in to special effects. Though I wanted to work in the industry, I still find joy in dabbling with model making, animation, and visual prestidigitation.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Before I even knew who Monty Python was, I saw this movie and became an instant fan. From that point on, I became a sketch writer and a short film maker. To show you how much I enjoyed this movie, I have a rare script of the movie (including deleted scenes and first draft) and my wife and I first met by reciting Holy Grail lines to each other in a Halloween haunted house.

Peter Pan

Again, it is hard to choose a favorite among the "Walt" era animated movies, but Peter Pan stands out as classic among the classics. The story moves quickly with charm and humor. The fantastic voice performance by Hans Conrad is unmatched.

Laurel & Hardy and Other Classics

How can I possibly pick a favorite Laurel and Hardy movie or short? Of course, I cannot. So instead, I will just include them as a "genre" that I have enjoyed for years. In this category I will also include The Little Rascals, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and The Three Stooges.

Princess Bride

As with the movie Big, the video game, unfortunately, dates this movie. As we get into the story, however, that all changes for the better. The characters and dialog becomes unforgettable. I remember when touring Israel, I was given the tour bus microphone to imitate quotes from Princess Bride. Those who had seen the movie laughed as if watching it once again. Those who had not seen the movie determined to watch it as soon as they got home. Sometimes I gauge my love for movies based on how often I want to see it again. Princess Bride rates very high in this regard.

Return to Me

To say anything about this movie would be to give too much away. I will comment, however, on the wonderful rapport and interaction between the characters in the restaurant. It is an unusual cuisine, being a cross of Italian and Irish fare, and the dialog is just as flavorful. You will understand why their generation was considered "the greatest". This is a don't miss movie.

Ghost Town

It is very hard to find a good romantic comedy, but Ghost Town has found the wonderful blend of humor, tragedy, sorrow, romance, and redemption. The acting is top notch, especially to Greg Kinnear and Ricky Gervais. I avoided this movie due to my disgust with movies like Ghost. However, it ended up in my Netflix queue for some reason, and now it is one of my favorites. Ricky Gervais is fast becoming one of my favorite comedic actors.