Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Only four movies...

I watch a lot of Turner Classic Movies. Lately, TCM has been asking celebrities to guest host and select four movies they want to share with viewers. I can't imagine narrowing down my favorite movies to just four. How could I pick four? It depends entirely on my mood, the season, whether I'm alone or with friends, and on and on. Could you pick just four? I'm curious what folks would select for their top four films to share with an audience. And since I can't restrict myself to four (my post, my rules) here are some of my favs:

Chocolat: Ok, it isn't because of Monsieur Depp that I love this movie. But he doesn't hurt it, that's for sure. This is a gorgeous film that makes me warm up a mug of hot chocolate with chili powder every time. Love, love, love it. Same deal with Enchanted April, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. All good chicky-flicks.


His Girl Friday
: Rosalind Russell was one of the all-time great comedic actresses. This film is a great showcase for her talent and Cary Grant wasn't half bad either. Goofy plot but who cares. Ditto for Myrna Loy in the Thin Man series.


All About Eve
: Bette Davis, George Sanders, heck even Marilyn Monroe. This movie is really perfection. Great casting, and some of the best lines ever. Hang on for the bumpy ride. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is another doozy. Davis and Joan Crawford.

The Illusionist: This movie really stayed with me, mainly from the strong performances of Paul Giamatti and Edward Norton. That, and I'm a sucker for Houdini-style magic.

Family Plot: Greatest runaway car scene ever. Bruce Dern was hilarious. My favorite of Hitchcock's movies, except for Rear Window, Dial M for Murder, Notorious..Oh dear....

Films I loved but will never watch again: Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, Silence of the Lambs.

Musicals I'm not ashamed to say that I love: Singing in the Rain, Gypsy, Mame (with Rosalind Russell, not Lucille Ball), Anastasia (love the music, story is whacked).

Oh, there are just too many. Oh well. As long as TCM keeps playing 'em, my list will keep growing. Funny how my favorites never seem to be anything currently playing. Hmmmm, wonder why that is...

6 comments:

Sling said...

1)The Ten Commandments..Charlton Heston version
2)Apollo 13
3)Miracle on 34th street..Edmund Gwynn version
4)Hunt for Red October

When my youngest was but 4 years old,he knew how to push the VHS tape in,and press "Play"..He'd watch Jurassic Park from the time he woke up,till he fell asleep at night.

~~Deby said...

I have been watching the Hallmark Channel...you know those Sappy movies that you figure out the ending as soon at they get started...I love them...also JAne Austen..anyday.....
Deby
the Rainy Puget Sound....

Speck said...

Top four old black-n-whites:

1) Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte
2) Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
3) The Philadelphia Story
4) Imitation of Life

Love, love, love young Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant.

Imitation of Life is such a tear-jerker. By the end I've sobbed through a box of tissues.

Top four technicolor:

1) The Big Chill
2) Amadeus
3) Contact
4) Chicago

Chicago is the only movie I've ever seen where I wanted to leap from my seat for a standing ovation.

Greyhound Girl said...

I love your list!!!!! I think I would have The African Queen, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Gone with the Wind, Casablanca (even tho that's a cliche) and Love Actually on my lsit! (I adore old movies but I had to squeak the last one on there!)

Br. Jonathan said...

Four films I've never seen:
1. Gone With the Wind
2. Casablanca
3. Star Wars
4. It's a Wonderful Life

Favorite film of all time:
Babette's Feast
I weep in a different part of it every time.

Unknown said...

I love the list TOO... but I MUST add a couple (I came to your blog via I need MORE Cowbell...but am NOW curious about your BAKING blog! We live in Portland and also BAKE...my MOM baked whole wheat bread EVERY week from whole wheat SHE ground --I still have the grinder). ANYWAY, the movie adds?

The Grapes of Wrath,

BUT: the FAVORITE FOR ME OF ALL TIME?

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD !!! that IS ONE powerful film.

Thanks for this post, I loved it.