I've sort of broken them down into "categories" but they aren't exactly perfect categories.
KIDS MOVIES:
* All Disney/Pixar/Animated films
* Coraline -- I love this movie. It reminds me of myself when I was younger and was extremely curious and adventurous. Artistically, it's a great film. I love the animation.
* Corpse Bride -- I love Tim Burton's movies. What I love about his animated films is the fact that he makes them musicals like Disney movies used to be. I really like the songs in this movie. The animation is great and I like the story as well.
* ET -- I LOVE this movie! I cry every single time I watch this movie especially at the end when ET points to Elliot's heart and says "Ouch." He's so adorable. It makes me sad that movies like these aren't made anymore.
* Heavyweights -- I used to watch this movie all the time on Disney channel when I was younger. You know, when Disney actually showed cool movies. It's hilarious. What's more fun than watching a bunch of kids at a Fat Camp run by Tony Perkis (Ben Stiller) who is an absolute terror and how the kids take back the camp?
* Muppet Treasure Island -- I love Pirates of the Caribbean, but a movie about pirates and the Muppets? Now, that's bound to be a classic right there! This movie is hilarious. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Muppet movies, but this one is definitely my favorite. Check out this clip of roll call, it makes me laugh hysterically: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOa_YMOzEGQ. I have the songs from this movie on my ipod...they are that funny.
* Neverending Story -- This was one of my favorite movies as a kid even though I cried my eyes out when Artax the horse dies. I think this movie is adorable. As I mentioned before, it makes me sad that movies like this aren't made anymore.
* Spirited Away -- Sometimes I have a hard time getting into anime, but this movie had a really good storyline. I haven't watched it in quite some time, but I recommend it if you're up for something a little different than your usual animated film.
FOREIGN FILMS:
* Amelie -- This is probably my favorite movie of all time. Amelie reminds me so much of myself - awkward, shy, and has an overactive imagination. She has a big heart and her whole life revolves around helping others, but her shyness and fear makes it difficult to fall in love and have a healthy relationship. This movie is so artistically beautiful and colorful. I LOVE this movie! The soundtrack is gorgeous as well. This movie made me want to learn French, but I haven't yet. Oh well.
* Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- This is the first Chinese film I had ever seen and it fascinated me. It was so different. I was blown away by the use of color. I had never really seen a martial arts movie either, so to see a bunch of tiny women kicking people's asses with swords, I was amazed. Zhang Yimou is a great director and I like a lot of his films.
* Life Is Beautiful -- This is another one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. It is probably one of the most beautiful movies I have seen in my entire life. I still cry at the end. This movie takes place in the 1940's and is about a very optimistic Italian Jewish man who sacrifices everything for his wife and child. When Germany invades, they are all taken to a concentration camp. Out of fear for how it would impact his little boy, he convinces his son that it's all a game and each day they are awarded points if they obey all the rules. He tells him if they earn 1000 points they win a tank. The whole movie is about this man's sacrifices to protect the sanity of his son and finds ways to let his wife know that he still loves her even though they are separated within the camp. LOVE this movie! The little boy is so adorable!
* Pan's Labyrinth -- Another WW2 movie, you ask? Yeah. This one is very different though. It takes place in Spain and the little girl's stepfather is a falange officer who kills many people. She doesn't understand what's going on, but it disturbs her so she withdraws into a fantasy world that helps her cope with it. This is a very disturbing movie and very violent. Within the first 20 minutes you see a man's head get smashed in with a bottle. It's a really good, powerful movie and it makes you think about how constant hatred and violence can impact the life of an innocent child.
INDIAN MOVIES:
* Andaz Apna Apna -- This movie kind of reminds of Dumb & Dumber...just Bollywood style. It's so random and hilarious. It's a comedy of errors and how two idiots who really believe they can con a rich girl into falling in love with them. I love this movie. I probably wouldn't recommend it if you're not familiar with Indian movies, but I still think it's the best Bollywood comedy.
* Dil Chahta Hai -- This is a more unique Indian film. Some people think it's too long and boring because it's not as dramatic as other Indian movies. I think that is a part of it's charm though. It's quite realistic compared to Bollywood's usual film standards. It's about three friends who are complete opposites of each other and how they individually struggle to find themselves and find balance in love -- one friend is the most wise and mature, one doesn't believe in commitment and relationships, and the other is in love with love and falls in love with every girl he sees. I like it a lot. I haven't watched it in awhile, but I don't really have 3 hours to watch a movie.
* 1947 Earth -- This is another fabulous movie that I absolutely love. It's about the partition of India and how a group of friends are driven apart because of their differences. It's a heartbreaking, but beautiful movie that is very rich in symbolism. Aamir Khan (my favorite indian actor) steals the show in this movie. There are several themes within the film, but one of the most prominent is that even the most decent, loving person can become full of hate.
CLASSIC/CHEESY 90'S TEEN MOVIES:
* 10 Things I Hate About You -- This is a funny modern day version of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". This is not a fabulous movie, but it still entertains me. I find myself quoting from time to time.
* Can't Hardly Wait -- I don't think a teen movie can get any funnier. I quote this movie a lot. Someone at my work knows this movie and quotes it with me. It's great that I'm not the only out there that knows this movie.
* Empire Records -- Yet another quotable movie. When I was younger, this movie made me want to work in a record store because it looked like a lot of fun. This movie is hilarious.
EVERYTHING ELSE:
* 500 Days of Summer -- I came across this movie about a year and half ago after someone recommended it to me. I totally love this movie. It's probably one of the most realistic movies on relationships. The guy is in love with a girl who doesn't believe in relationships and just wants to keep things casual, but he wants more. While its kind of a sad movie, it's quite humorous.
* Apocalypto -- I hate Mel Gibson, but I really like this movie. It is very visually stunning and the storyline is good. It's all in Maya, so you're going to have to read subtitles, but its worth it. I mean, who wouldn't love to watch a bunch of men and women running around wearing only loin cloths? ;)
* American History X -- I love Edward Norton. I like most of the movies he's in because he's an excellent actor. This film is brilliant because of his acting. There are current neo-nazis/skinheads who like to say this film supports their cause in promoting the superiority of the white race or some stupid crap like that, but the real message of the movie is how hatred/discrimination can destroy your life and the lives of everyone around you. It's a powerful movie. I have only watched it four or five times because it's very disturbing (ex: the curb stomp - if you've seen the movie, you know what I mean), but I think it's a movie everyone should see at least once in their life.
* Better Off Dead -- I've already written a blog about this movie. I don't need to say anything else. This movie is hilarious.
* Beverly Hills Cop -- If only Eddie Murphy were as funny as he used to be... This movie is so funny. I also quote this movie a lot.
* Bottle Rocket -- This movie is hilarious. First of all, Luke and Owen Wilson are hilarious on their own, but Luke and Owen Wilson playing characters who want to become criminals? Priceless. This movie is genius. The scene where they are reading through theirs plans on notebook paper, you can push pause and read what they have written. I can't remember all of the stuff on their, but it's hilarious. My favorite line is: "Wh-why is there tape on your nose?" "Exactly!" Hahaha! Ah, I love this movie.
* Dances With Wolves -- You know, I'm going to have to write a blog on my childhood obsession with Native Americans. This movie was a part of it and there are so many other funny stories to tell. I swear I was like 6 and I wanted to watch this movie every day. It's 3 hours long, but it's actually quite a good movie. I obviously had a crush on one of them and I would watch just to see him, but as I got older, I realized the power of the movie's message...regardless of language barriers and cultural differences, you can always find commonalities and develop friendships with others who come from different worlds.
* The Dark Knight -- I hate most of the superhero movies that are released. Batman is definitely my favorite. I was upset when they were making a sequel because I hate sequels with a passion because they usually don't do the original storyline justice. This one was actually very well done. The Joker couldn't have been more psychotic.
* Edward Scissorhands -- This is one of my favorite Johnny Depp films and one of my favorite Tim Burton films. It is both heartbreaking and humorous. I don't think anyone could have played this role better than Johnny Depp did, then again, he has repeatedly said that Edward Scissorhands was the character he identified with the most out of all the characters he has played.
* Garden State -- I never know how to describe this movie to people. I guess it's one of those movies that either you relate or you don't. In short, its a guy who has weaned himself off of antidepressants and he's trying to forge a better life without them. He meets a girl with issues of her own who helps him learn how to live and confront a lot of his problems. It's so much more than that though. I can only speak for myself, but I get a lot out of this movie.
* Gladiator -- Brilliant. This was my favorite movie for a long time...until I saw Amelie. This movie is quite powerful. If you haven't seen it, there is something wrong with you. ;)
* The Last Of The Mohicans -- Oh, this movie. I love it. I don't know where to begin. There are things that annoy me about it...like that Daniel Day Lewis's character is the main character and how his romance with Cora is almost a distraction. However, maybe it was supposed to be that way. I just think the other characters were just a powerful. Let's take Uncas for example. I think he has about 5 lines in the movie, but he is present in nearly every scene. Even though he doesn't really say anything, his presence is so strong. You can't not notice him. Then there's Uncas's father, Chingachgook, he says a lot more than Uncas, but he kind of hovers around in the background, but has such strong presence. I think Uncas's hinted romance with Alice is just as overpowering as Cora's romance because of it's subtlety. Uncas and Alice never exchange words, only subtle glances, one hug (which makes you realize how much Uncas cares about her), and then that movie ending... wow. You realize the intensity of their love even though you could have blinked and missed it during the rest of the film. I love that no words are spoken for about 10 minutes at the end...only actions and looks. I could say so much more about this movie, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it. I think it's a gem. It's old, but still good. It is very sad though.
* Little Miss Sunshine -- I love this movie because it reminds me so much of my family and how everyone has very diverse and conflicting personalities. It also reminds me of what would happen on a typical vacation with my family and how everything seems to go wrong. This movie kills me.
* Love, Actually -- What a beautiful movie! I like how it shows the reality of love and how many different forms it takes and how it connects us all.
* Memento -- Oh, Christopher Nolan, I love your movies. This is such a great one. Some people don't understand it, but whatever. It's brilliant.
* The Shawshank Redemption -- Morgan Freeman. Nuff said. This movie is one of my all time favorites. Beautiful movie. I love it. Watch it!
* V For Vendetta -- I really like this movie. I usually don't like comic book movies for the same reason I hate superhero movies, but this one was very well done. I like the "power of the people" message throughout the movie and how the people should be able to take back the government if it has been corrupted.
* Waiting For Guffman -- This movie goes over most people's heads because they don't understand dry humor. This is honestly one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, but I guess you have to like dry humor and understand that its not necessarily what they're saying, but how they are saying it, facial expressions, irony, etc. I love this movie. I need to watch it again.
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