Dale and I attended a wonderful event last night at Symphony Hall in Boston. I'll…
Three On Thursday
Going back to the Ask Me Anything list, Vera asked me to list my 3 favorite movies. Ooof! That’s a hard question to answer because I have favorites in many different genres, ya know? But I’m going with the 3 that came to mind first, reserving the right to add more later.
- When Harry Met Sally. This is my go-to rom-com and I loved it from the first time I saw it. It’s witty and sharp, it has (mostly) stood the test of time, and the friends-to-lovers story has the most satisfying ending ever. The casting is terrific (Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher), the New York City setting is perfection (Katz’s Deli, Central Park and more), and it is completely and utterly quotable.
- Young Frankenstein. My most favorite funny movie, the one I put on when I’m down in the dumps and need a laugh. It’s silly but not stupid and the perfect parody of an early black and white horror film. Gene Wilder is iconic, Peter Boyle cracks me up with his dance, Madeline Kahn has the best fake German accent ever, and Teri Garr is adorable. And then there’s Frau Blücher and the neighing horse.
- The Godfather. This is one I can’t resist if I’m checking to see what’s on tv and it’s airing. I will literally drop everything to sit and watch it every damn time. It’s not just a gangster movie it’s a cinematic masterpiece that explores morality in a truly compelling way. The Corleone’s are terrible people and yet you are routing for them! There are so many incredible moments from the opening wedding scene to the horse head in the bed to Sonny’s brutal death at the tollbooth, the restaurant assassination (talk about building tension!) and more. The dialogue is quotable to the point that it’s part of our culture, the casting (Marlon Brando! Al Pacino! Robert Duvall! James Caan!) is amazing, and it’s utterly immersive. I want to go watch it right now!
So that’s my list. Truly way too short and completely incomplete! But I did it.
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I am with you on The Godfather! I remember the first time I watched it and it is my most watched movie ever (it is probably neck and neck with It’s A Wonderful Life!) I, like you, feel compelled to watch it whenever it is on!
Those are three great movies right there, Carole. (I don’t know if I could choose just three . . . )
I cannot disagree that all three of these are great movies, but when I want to laugh, I watch The Big Lebowski most often. I also think Love Actually is a close second to When Harry Met Sally, and that Out of Africa is right there with The Godfather. You are right! It’s so hard to choose just three!
Well, you all know that I do not watch a lot of movies (I get antsy and sometimes bored), but the 3 you’ve mentioned are great ones!! I would add some others: Out of Africa, Babette’s Feast, Cross Creek and I really love Gone With the Wind!
I’m not a big movie watcher and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen The Godfather all the way through. (The violence always gets to me before the study in morality.) I do like When Harry Met Sally and am with Becky on Love Actually. It’s a bit cheesy and sad in some parts, but it’s also hopeful and full of love.
Love The Godfather, and II is as good or even better (IMHO). The Shawshank Redemption is the one that draws me in & drop everything — every time!!
These are all great! I’m with Vicki — I often feel compelled to watch The Shawshank Redemption when it’s on. Also A League of Their Own.
For years, I had never seen Love Actually all the way through. But, this year, I seemed to luck out on the weekends and was able to see it more than once all the way through. I would say that’s a favorite along with Grease as I remember seeing that at around 16 on maybe opening night at a now non-existant mall. Probably also The Wizard of Oz as I used to watch it with my niece and as she grew up I would call her every time it was so she could watch it. Her daughter’s maybe first birthday had the Wizard of Oz on repeat during her party until we told her father we’d seen it enough times all the way through and it could get shut off.