In honor of Friday the 13th these movies are in no particular order because like my music, the movie I like on a particular day is determined by my mood.
- Billy Elliot: I once asked a close friend if he ever felt the need to dance how he felt about his mother’s death. Because dance was his means of artistic expression, it seemed to me that when tears and words failed, dance would offer peace. This movie perfectly expresses the burning need to create. The final scene never fails to give me chills.
- Matrix Trilogy: I discovered the first one on VHS and wondered why I hadn’t seen it in the theatres (going through the big D can do that to you). I found it though provoking in the same way as The Wall. Reloaded was eminently satisfying, Revolutions did not live up to expectations.
- Shakespeare in Love: Guilty pleasure with Ralph Fiennes’ baby brother in the lead.
- Chocolat: The beautiful Juliette Binoche is in two of my favorite movies. Her performances are haunting.
- Star Wars: “Popa! You’ve got to see this movie!” “Mom. Come on!” I was 11. ‘Nuff said.
- Man on Fire (either one): When a hero fight inner demons as well as outer bad dudes, I fall.
- Aliens: Badass heroine. Edge of the seat scary SF.
- Valley Girl: (Squeal!) Nick Cage is so totally awesome! Seriously, he was a client at a law firm I worked at in Century City in 1992 and all the secretaries said he was the soul of politeness and likability.
- The English Patient: I keep watching movies with Ralph Fiennes, hoping… He was great in Red Dragontoo, but playing tortured Hungarian royalty was his finest role. I often think that actors should just act and maintain their mystery, and I don’t really want to know their thoughts on life, because being belivable in front of the camera does not necessarily make them great interview subjects. Of course Mr. Fiennes is an exception:“Success is all about being able to extend love to people… not in a big, capital letter sense but in the everyday. Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.”
- Lord of the Rings Trilogy: I think I liked this so much because I met the actor who played Frodo when he was about 10. He was a darling, sweet kid. Shoulda aked for his autograph then!
- A Fish Called Wanda: My FAVE comedy of all time. Saw it three times in the theatre in 24 hours. Went the second time because I laughed so hard the first time I missed a lot of the jokes. Love the scene where Archie is telling Wanda how stuffy Englishmen are when it comes to love and romance and it’s “KkkkKen CCCComing to KKKill Me!”
- Silverado: “We’ll be back!” I am still waiting in vain.
- Something’s Gotta Give: I protest loudly that I am not a fan or romantic comedy, but mayhap I protest too loudly for I note that you could argue there are five such on my list. Can I make a category for dramatic comedy, please?
Runner up: L.A. Confidential