I grew up in a large family. I have three older brothers and three younger sisters. We are all a little neurotic in our own way. But we have several threads that tie us together, within the fourteen year span of ages. One thing that we all seemed to do (and still do) is make mental lists of our favorite things. I think it comes from each of us wanting to define ourselves from the others, wanting to put our stamp on the things we like so that it was easier to represent who we were. The reason I even think to bring this up here is because I just told Jake I was going to blog. He asked about what, and I told him my top ten favorite movies. He chuckled and said, "That's such an Abbott thing to do". Yes, I know. It's weird. But when people ask me what my favorite movies are, I panic. I need to write it down. So here is my list, not in order. THAT is WAY too stressful, numbering things and such.
Frank
This is a fairly new addition to my top ten. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to watch it again and again. And so I have. I've seen it several times within the last year or two, and it becomes more charming every time. I love how hard Jon tries to piggyback on a weird band and totally ruins everything. I love Don's dedication to and jealousy of Frank. The music is like nothing else I've heard. Maggie Gyllenhaal is so fierce. I think what really makes this movie great is the ending. When the scene opens with Maggie Gyllenhaal's character singing "I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper", you know it's gold. This is one of my new go to sick day movies.
That Thing You Do!
This one is kind of a piggyback on my brother. When he was in high school there was a short period of time when he would come home from school, get a sleeve of Chips Ahoy! and watch this movie. Like, every day. I sat with him a lot of those days and watched with him. There are so many sweet moments. The music is great, of course. The dynamic love triangle between Fay and Jimmy and Guy is the best. I have always felt so empowered by Fay in the scene where she breaks up with Jimmy. I still get chills when she says "Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes closed so tight". And then at the end when Guy asks Fay the last time she was decently kissed, and she says New Years Eve several years okay, and he says "okay" and then just grabs her and kisses her? The most romantic thing ever. EVER.
Once
I guess there's a trend here. I enjoy movies with good music. This one has the best music of any of my favorites, though. In August 2006 my mom and I drove from California to Utah State University to help me get set up for my freshman year of college. We stopped midway in the middle of Nevada somewhere. In the hotel, we looked for a movie on Pay Per View and couldn't find anything that looked interesting. We came across a movie that said something about an Irish guy finding himself again through music. We decided to give it a try. It was very candid and raw and lovely in the beginning. In the scene where "guy" and "girl" sit down at the piano shop and sing "Falling Slowly", my mom and I both got chills and teared up. It was a great experience that we shared together. I love that in the end, even though they fell in love, they both decided to stay with their significant others. They helped each other rediscover themselves through music, and then moved on. Just wonderful.
Ruby Sparks
This was another movie I just sort of stumbled upon. When it came out at Redbox, Jake and I were just browsing and thought it looked interesting but hadn't heard of it. If you haven't experienced the excellence that is Zoe Kazan, you're missing out. She wrote and starred in this with real life boyfriend Paul Dano. This movie's message is that you can't change the person you love. You have to accept them for who they are. You can only truly change yourself. I have such a crush on Zoe. I think I actually just want to BE her.
Notting Hill
I have loved Julia Roberts since forever. This movie and My Best Friend's Wedding kind of go hand in hand, but this one a little more, I guess. As gross as Hugh Grant is in real life, he owned romantic comedies in the 90s. This is a totally unrealistic situation but I just buy it completely. The awkwardness of Hugh Grant's character, from recommending travel books to an uninterested movie star to accidentally saying "Whoopsie Daisies" over and over again to interviewing from Horse and Hound, it is so endearing. And the setting in a quaint little town out of London, just romantic comedy perfection.
Say Anything...
Another piggy back on my other brother. I have a vivid memory of him deciding that this would be the last movie he watched before going on an LDS mission. He was packing his bags, ironing his white shirts and quoting along with the movie late at night. I convinced my mom to let me stay up with him since he was leaving soon. I didn't understand all the intricacies of the love story, but I fell in love with Lloyd Dobbler, in all his awkward splendor. It's something my brother and I have shared over the years, even though it really is his movie and he's generous enough to let me love it, too. It came out the year after I was born but the graduating high school class was 1988 (the year I was born). It has always been fun to see how people dressed that year. I like the idea that an average guy can be with a beautiful brainiac. The nuances of his personality, the kickboxing, his nephew, his initial fear of old people... it's one of Cameron Crowe's best.
They Came Together
Jake and I are obsessed with this movie. We have seen it so many times within a short amount of time, but we always find something new in it that makes us laugh. It is completely ridiculous and probably annoying to most people. But it has saved us on many a bad day. We quote it on a daily basis. Also, I was under the illusion that Paul Rudd was an idiot before seeing this. I was SO wrong. I like him so much. And Amy Poehler, everyone loves that lady. Michael Showalter put his mark on this one, for sure. This would be my one desert island movie. As long as Jake could be there with me.
Joe Versus the Volcano
It's so sad to me that Tom Hanks is embarrassed of this movie. It is the best of the three Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks films. This was before Tom Hanks became a big deal. I watched this movie a lot growing up when I was sick or sad. It feels like a little piece of home. Also, Meg Ryan's three characters are so fun. And "I'm not arguing that with you! I know he can get the job, but can he do the job? Harry! If I said that, I would've been wrong!". The scene when Joe finds out he has a brain cloud and hugs a dog and a small child for an uncomfortably long time. When he says "I'm losin' my sole". That weird jagged symbol that keeps showing up throughout the movie. But especially the scene shown in the picture above. I miss young Tom Hanks.
As Good As it Gets
The characters are all so interesting. Greg Kinnear is fantastic, and Helen Hunt. But Jack Nicholson is the absolute best. I think there are probably some dangerous stereotypes in this (of gay and OCD people) but I love how they all come together and then things fall apart and somehow, in the end, everyone ends up pretty happy. I have a lot of neuroses, so maybe it's that Jack Nicholson's character makes me feel a little more normal and lovable.
Matilda
I think I've seen this movie more times than any other movies. My sisters and I can quote basically the whole thing. I have loved Roald Dahl since I was very young, and Matilda is my favorite of all his books. It is literally the only movie (besides To Kill a Mockingbird) that I feel is just as good as the book. There were a lot of crap family movies made in the early 90s, but this one has held up very well over the years. Also, Mara Wilson has turned out just as Matilda probably would!
Other movies I love that I love:
(still) Pretty in Pink
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
My Best Friend's Wedding
Moonrise Kingdom
Lord of the Rings (this one should probably be on the list, but it's too overwhelming to write about)
Hello, My Name is Doris (too new to add on a permanent list)
Babe
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
It's a Wonderful Life
Mary Poppins
Rear Window
Mean Girls
Pollyanna
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