Looking For A Great Film To Watch? Consider One Of These

There are so many great films out there choosing the best film to see depends on the mood you are in. Here are a list of some of my favorites. Enjoy.

Everything is Illuminated

Based on a book of the same name, It stars Elijah Wood as Johnathan, an American Jew who goes to Eastern Europe to revisit old family history. One of my favorite scenes takes place in the car when they are discussing the dog-- I have never laughed so hard in my life. That being said, I'm not entirely sure it's a comedy. Its funny and tragic and poignant by turns. . . everything that a good film should be if it at all can be.

Sense and Sensibility

Staring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant not to mention a whole supporting cast of English heavy weights, this movie is also based on a book ( just in case you've been living under a rock and have never heard of Jane Austin). It tells the story of two sisters, Elenor the more reserved and dutiful, and Marianne who is lively and boisterous, as they navigate regency period courtship. It boasts a scripped lovingly penned by Emma Thompson who manages to preserve the romantic character of the story with out becoming maudlin. The film is visually breathtaking and simply a joy.

Pride and Prejudice

As long as we are on the subject of Jane Austin, this film deserves a nod. This is the A&E version, Not the Kiera Knightly version. It is five hours worth of mini series, so you have to take it in bites or just have a lazy, rainy Sunday aftenoon with nothing to do. That being said, stretching this film into a five hour miniseries allows the story to be fully developed and told properly, unlike some other versions. Also a romance, this tells the story of the proud Mr. Darcy and his attempts to woo the prejudiced Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

While You Were Sleeping

This is a romantic comedy--which are usually a dime a dozen-- but there is a certain charm about this film that makes it very endearing. It stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, who rescues a man, Peter Gallagher, from being hit by a train. While he is in a coma, his family mistakenly believes that she is engaged to him.

A Patch of Blue

This is an older film which stars Sidney Poitier as a man who meets a blind girl in the park and they strike up a friendship. Yes, she's a white girl, which may call to mind Guess Who's Coming to Dinner -- another excellent film, but there are differences. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is more of a political film-- it's about an issue, Patch of Blue is about two people-- it's a love story.

Dark Crystal

This film was made by the same people who brought you the Muppets, however, this is definitely not a Muppet movie. It is a fantasy film set in a fictional world where a mystical crystal must be healed in order to heal a dying world. I remember watching it as a child and being freightened. As an adult, I can appreciate it's message of peace and how we are interdependant on one another.

The City of Lost Children

If Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, and Lewis Caroll all got together and dropped some acid, this is the sort of vision that would result. You have Dickensian orphans living in a Jules-Vern-esque landscape, pitted against characters who are so mad they would give the hatter a run for his money. Ron Perlman-- yeah, that Ron Perlman-- stars as One, a simple minded strong man, who with the aid of a young street urchin, goes on a quest to rescue his little brother from a mad scientist. The scientist has created a device to steal children's dreams. As bizare a scenerio as it may sound, the story is actually quite sweet. One small disclaimer: This film is in French. The DVD I borrowed had the French version to which you could open English subtitles or you could watch it dubbed in English.

Name of the Rose

I guess if we are going to mention the work of Ron Perlman, then we should definitley mention this one. It is a period piece-- I love a good period piece, if you hadn't figured by now-- set in a medieval monistary and shot with an eye for detail.  This film stars Sean Connary and a very young Christian Slater as a monk and his novice, who have arrived at a monastery where monks keep dying under questionable circumstances. Perlman plays a creepy hunchback in this film. It is based on a book of the same title by Umberto Eco.

Willow

I generally find it difficult to become too invested in fantasy and sci-fi works, but this is just an all around great film.  It has comedy, action, adventure, romance and of course it is also a buddy movie.  It stars Warwick Davis as a Nelwyn (little people) farmer and wanna-be sorcerer who is charged with the task of returning a Diakini (big people) baby to her people.  On his journey he meets Mad Martigan, played by Val Kilmer, a warrior who helps him protect the baby from the evil forces of the wicked queen, Bavmorda.

The Princess Bride

Brought to you by the likes of Rob Reiner, this is a classic fractured fairytale.  It boasts greats like Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn . . . and who could forget Andre the Giant.  As the Grandfather (played by Peter Falk) tells his grandson at the beginning of the movie its got monsters, sword fighting and even true love.  It is very funny and well worth your time.

The Breakfast Club

If you are looking for a classic 80s film, you can watch anything by John Hughs, but for my money, this one is the best.  Five misfits played by Emilio Estivez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy and Molly Ringwold spend a Saturday together in detention.  Funny, thought provoking and a great soundtrack.

Honorable Mentions

Anything by Charlie Chaplin: The first Chaplin film I saw was The Kid.  I was surprised by the complexity of the storytelling for a film so old.  My favorites are The Kid and City Lights but I would recommend any of his films.

Unbreakable and The Village: The Sixth Sense was M. Night Shyamalan's big break out film and I know that there are many people who feel he began his descent after that, but Unbreakable was the film that made me a fan. There is silence to his films that I find intreguing.  The Village is another of my favorites.  I wouldn't recommend Lady in the Water or anything that came after.  I'm still hoping he will find his way back.

This is my list of recommendations.  I would love to hear your suggestions.