WHAT MOVIES DO YOU WANT TO WATCH DURING ISOLATION?

WHAT MOVIES DO YOU WANT TO WATCH DURING ISOLATION?

As we look for ways to spend our increased leisure time indoors during self-isolation I decided to compile MY list of movies that I would love to watch again. I have always been a movie buff beginning with attending the matinee at the Napier Theatre in Drumheller every Saturday where I grew up as a child. Fifteen cents for admission and ten cents for popcorn - a quarter well spent. My love of movies has continued all of my life. Today, I will present my list of movies that I have already watched several times over or movies that had a significant impact upon me when I first watched them. Have some fun and come up with your own list. I would really be happy if you shared your list via email with me as well. So, let the games begin. 

My all-time top two favourite movies were musicals, believe it or not, West Side Story and Chicago. Although I personally can only play the kazoo and the radio, I loved the upbeat music and energy of both of these movies. West Side Story is the modern version of Romeo and Juliet and is set in the gang-dominated streets of Manhattan during the 1960s. It fascinated me as a university freshman. Chicago takes place during prohibition and was a very original musical with a gangland setting and clever lyrics and tempo. I think I would say it ranks #1 on my list.

Two baseball movies (surprise) that I will always stop and watch are Major League and The Sandlot. The first chronicles the pathetic Cleveland Indians baseball team as they surprisingly become contenders with a misfit collection of quirky players. I have always dreamed that this fantasy might actually become a reality for the real team someday, but I am still waiting. Sandlot is a nostalgic story of a group of kids from the ‘50s playing sandlot baseball and their encounter with assorted challenges. It always makes me laugh and reminds me of my childhood!

In recent years I have really enjoyed Clint Eastwood’s movie GranTorino where Eastwood portrays a crusty old senior who is cynically trying to understand the modern world, including immigrants and gangs, that now surround his family home. Perhaps because I can relate to his feelings in so many ways I liked the movie. 

Three other movies that I really enjoyed were The Shawshank Redemption with Tim Robbins, which tops many favourite movie lists with its “redemption” theme and strong performances. Adrian Brody was outstanding in the Polanski film, The Pianist (not to be confused with The Piano) set in wartime Poland and I thought Russell Crowe was superb in A Beautiful Mind.

Most of the movies I enjoyed either showcased an incredible performance by the stars or I could relate to some aspects of it in my own life. Some of my favourite Olden Goldies include:

• Midnight Cowboy - Jon Voigt and Dustin Hoffman
• The Sting - Robert Redford and Paul Newman
• Taxi Driver - Robert de Niro and a teenage Jodie Foster
• The Deer Hunter - Robert de Niro again
• Rainman - Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman again

There are a few actors whose movies I will watch at the drop of a hat. Some of them are Tom Hanks ( Apollo 13, Marooned, Forrest Gump) and Joaquin Phoenix ( Joker, Walk the Line, Gladiator), and Robert de Niro (Godfather2, Raging Bull, Awakenings) and Kevin Costner ( Bull Durham, JFK, The Untouchables). I could go on but you have probably already lost interest. That’s OK.

Take up the challenge! If you have time, and who doesn’t, send me a list or email of some of your favourite movies. It will be fun to share and compare.