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The movies in the life of a woman in the 21st century.
Last Updated : Monday, June 18, 2001 08:47:09 PM -0500
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Romantic Comedy
The American President
starring Annette Benning, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Fox, and Martin Sheen
This movie is written by Aaron Sorkin, who also created and writes The West
Wing. Many of the characters from The West Wing can be recognized in this
movie. In fact, some of the same characters are mentioned (Senator's
names, references to Wisconsin, which was the home state of the President in
this movie). The movie has Sorkin's trademark sparkling dialogue and
liberal politics. I love it. I watch it over and over and over . .
.
Notting Hill
starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant
This movie is about the romance between an American movie star and a middle
class English bookseller. Be sure to watch the DVD version if you can for
the deleted scenes. Hugh Grant's character's roommate, Spike, steals every
scene he is in and is just one of the slightly nutty friends in this show.
Another movie I watch again and again.
Everafter
starring Drew Barrymore, Angelica Houston
A retelling of the Cinderella story. The premise is that the Brothers
Grimm are summoned for an audience by the dowager French queen after she read
their story. Seems Cinderella was her great great great great grandmother
and her story is much more empowering than the Disney version. The scene
where she rescues the prince from the gypsies is hysterical! As the Queen
says at the end, the point is not that they lived happily ever after, but that
they lived. My daughter loves this version.
Comedy
The Princess Bride
starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Peter Falk, and Fred Savage
Rob Reiner's comedic masterpiece taken from the classic book. It's
memorable.
Men In Black
starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones stand between human kind and the aliens living
among us. One of the most hysterical parts of the movie are the famous
people they identify as aliens.
A League of Their Own
starring Geena Davis, Lori Petty, and Tom Hanks
One of Rhiannon's favorite movies. The story of the All American Girls
Baseball League, formed during the 1940s while the men were at war.
Big
starring Tom Hanks
What happens when a 12 year old boy's wish to be "big" is granted.
Philadelphia Story
starring Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart
Divorced heiress is set to remarry, except her ex-husband (Cary Grant - why
would you ever divorce Cary Grant?) and a society reporter (Jimmy Stewart)
complicate matters.
Cheyenne Social Club
starring Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Shirley Jones
Cowboy drifter Jimmy Stewart inherits a brothel, the Cheyenne Social Club, run
by madam Shirley Jones, from his brother. His buddy, Henry Fonda comes
along for the ride.
Galaxy Quest
starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
Spoof of the Star Trek phenomena with Tim Allen and company as a group of
washed-up actors from a 20 year old space series who are mistaken as a real
ship's crew by aliens who seek their help in destroying their oppressors.
Good fun, suitable for older kids (my 4 and 7 year old liked it alot, especially
the 7 year old).
Charlie's Angels
starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Bill Murray
I honestly didn't go into this one with alot of expectations and I was
pleasantly surprised. I loved it. The movie takes the original
series and kicks it up several notches, while never taking itself seriously and
making absolutely no attempt to pretend it takes place in the real world.
If you enjoy martial arts film with all their wire work, you will love
this. These women kick ass and take names. One I want to own.
Drama
Apollo 13
starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinese, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris,
Kathleen Quinlan
The riveting true story of the Apollo 13 mission is retold as great drama.
The entire cast is excellent, but especially Ed Harris as Flight Director Gene
Krantz and Kathleen Quinlan as Marilyn Lovell. Even though you know how
it's going to end, you still are on the edge of your seat each time you watch
it.
Michael Collins
starring Liam Neeson, Adian Quinn, Julia Roberts
The story of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins (he was the first president of
the Irish Republic). If you have the slightest interest in history, watch
this film. Liam Neeson is always wonderful, but in this movie he becomes
Michael Collins.
Independence Day
starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Randy Quaid
The whole family loves this shoot-'em-up, good-guys-in-the-white-hats kinda
movie. Although, I find it disturbing that theatre audiences cheered when
the Capitol and White House were blown up by the aliens.
Erin Brockovich
starring Julia Roberts
An Oscar winner that really deserves the accolades it received. It is a
classic story of an underdog beating the big bad corporation. Julia
Roberts does a great job of showing both Erin's good side and her flaws.
Memorable line "What makes you think they are just going to let you waltz
in there and look at their records?" "They're called boobs,
Ed".
Remember the Titians
starring Denzel Washington
Great story about the integration of a football team and how their example and
their winning ways brought a newly integrated high school together.
The Stand
starring Gary Sinese, Molly Ringwald, Ray Walston, Jamie Sheridan
This was originally a miniseries on ABC television. Great cast, great good
vs. evil story. It's long, but worth it. After watching Jamie
Sheridan as the devil, I can understand how he gets followers.
It's A Wonderful Life
starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed
If you haven't seen Frank Capra's slice of Americana go and rent it right
now. Yeah, it's sappy, but isn't it what we all would like our life to be?
Elisabeth
starring Cate Blancett
Not really historically accurate but a great tale of the making of the Virgin
Queen.
An Ideal Husband
starring Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver, Cate Blancett
Hard to classify, this could also be called a romantic comedy. Sparkling period piece based on the work of Oscar Wilde. There is a love
story, blackmail, seduction, and redemption. What more could you
want? I highly recommend it.
Titanic
starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Kate Winslet, and Gloria Stewart
I am so glad I saw this in a theatre. John and I went just because of it's
budget, we wanted to see where the money went. It went to showing that
ship. Not only it going down, but recreating the magnificence of the
ship. Wow!!! But see it also for the story. Gloria Stewart
makes the whole story work in her portrayal of the old Rose.
The Shawshank Redemption
starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman
This drama, based on a story by Stephen King, is the study of prison life and
the toll it takes on the inmates, whether they were guilty of their crimes or
not.
Highlander
starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery
There can be only one. Don't waste time with the subsequent 2
movies. Watch only this original (the TV series was good, though).
The ultimate tale of good vs. evil.
Manhunter
starring William Petersen
If you like the CBS series, CSI, check out this movie. This movie
allows you to get into the mind of a serial killer through the eyes of the
profiler or "Manhunter". Hannibal Lector makes an appearance in
this movie, before his gorier appearance in The Silence of the Lambs.
This movie is much less gory and much more cerebral.
The Three Musketeers
starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, and Oliver Platt
Fun Disney romp taking on the Dumas classic. It may not be the definitive
version of the story, but it sure is fun. Oliver Platt steals the show.
The Man in the Iron Mask
Leonardo Di Caprio, Gabriel Byrne, John Malkovich
The Musketeers are back as older men. Again, it may not be the definitive
version of the classic tale, but I greatly enjoyed it.
LadyHawke
starring Michelle Pfieffer, Michael Broderick
Great dialogue, great story. The Alan Parson's soundtrack is a little
dated, but other than that the movie certainly stands the test of time.
The knight saves his lady from the evil Bishop of Aquila. If for no other
reason, see if for the line "Oh God, is it Lent again?!"
Giant
starring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean
Texas rancher marries Eastern society girl and moves her to Texas just before
the discovery of oil. James Dean is the bad boy turn oil millionaire who
wants Elizabeth for himself. Classic filmmaking. I get drawn into
the movie everytime.
The Lion in Winter
starring Peter O'Toole, Katherine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton
This historical drama takes place during a Christmas court during the reign of
Henry II of England and his adversarial queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. They
pit themselves against each other and their greedy and unruly band of sons
(Richard the Lionheart, Geoffrey, and John) over who will be the next King of
England. Some of the best dialogue ever in movies! An example, Henry
roars at Eleanor "When pigs fly!" She rapids retorts (in fine
Hepburn style) "There'll be pork in the treetops by morning."
The Shootist
starring John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard
John Wayne's final movie about the last days of a dying gunfighter.
28 Days
starring Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock takes a dramatic turn as an alcoholic and drug addict that is
committed to 28 days of court ordered rehab after stealing the limo from her
sister's wedding and crashing it into a house. Very good movie.
Steve Bucemi does a very good turn as a "normal" guy, as opposed
to the freaks he usually plays, especially in the Coen brothers films.
Musicals
The Sound of Music
starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer
Okay, pick on it all you want, but musicals just don't get any better than
this. Even my kids will sit still and watch this.
Purple Rain
starring Prince
The movie that made Prince and the Minneapolis sound take off in the US.
It totally changed my outlook on music when I was in high school.
Grease
starring Olivia Newton John, John Travolta, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conway
Even my kids love this one. The class of '61 at Rydell High try to find
their way through their teenage problems with song and dance. My favorite
character is Rizzo, brought to life by the wonderful Stockard Channing.
Children's
Anastasia
What do you know, an animated movie not made by Disney that is entertaining to
kids and adults alike. If you can get by the complete disregard of
history, that is.
Spy Kids
starring Antonio Bandaras (sigh)
I can't wait for this to come out on DVD. John and I loved it as much as
the kids. James Bond got married and had kids and the kids had to bail him
and the wife out. Great fun.
The Prince of Egypt
This animated tale of the Book of Exodus is targeted at older kids and
adults. Great music, well told story. You actually feel sorry for
Pharoh, he lost a brother and his son.
Mulan
This Disney film is taken from a Chinese folk tale. No parents die and the
heroine rescues the hero. Great soundtrack and fun for adults as well as
the kids.
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Copyright © 2001 Ann Dominik. All rights reserved.
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