Baker Movie Nights

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This time of year (and all winter long) when we're spending time hanging at home in front of the fire, there are certain movies we watch over and over. So, if you'd like some good (a relative term, I know) movie suggestions, here are some of our favorites:
  • Love, Actually - one of our relatively new Christmas traditions, a little racy in an "English" sort of way, but has so much heart and a rockin' soundtrack!
  • The Sixth Sense - I think everyone knows how spooky and clever this one is.
  • Titanic - a bit of a cliche, but still an engaging journey with a story line that draws you in.
  • Star Wars (mostly IV, A New Hope) - The movie that made a huge impact on my 13-year-old life.
  • Big Fish - a really original tale of a strained father-son relationship that is just perfect.
  • Lord of the Rings (1 and 3) - I like all the LOR movies, but mainly numbers 1 and 3 because there is less fighting and more storytelling.
  • Harry Potter (3, 4, and 5) - The characters in these movies seem like old friends now...we've all grown up with them. We'll be sad when the movie series is over, just like we were with the books.
  • Bridget Jone's Diary (1) - The first of this two-movie series is so sweet and funny. The best part: Colin Firth.
  • The Shawshank Redemption - We just re-discovered this amazing movie of hope. Violent in parts, but its inspiring message overrides all that.
  • Best in Show - I suppose I could put any movie with/by Christopher Guest on this list, but this one is really funny!
  • Field of Dreams - Another father-son movie. As Charlie used to say, you need a box of Kleenex to watch this one.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean (1) - So clever and funny! Johnny Depp is amazing and Orlando Bloom is so dreamy.
Additionally, here are some of my favorites that we don't necessarily watch as a family:
  • When Harry Met Sally - I'm pulled in every time I see this one. So many quotable lines!
  • Goodfellas - Violent but engaging, and a great song track.
  • Pride and Prejudice - the BBC version (with who else? Colin Firth!), not the crappy Keira Knightly version. Every year I have a P & P marathon screening at some point in January.
  • Same Time, Next Year - This one's been around a long time, but I still can't help watching it every time it's on. Another one with a lot of heart.
  • The Way we Were - twists your heart around then breaks it in two.
  • Garden State - A very different movie that Zack Braff says is closer to his real self than J.D. on Scrubs. Great soundtrack.
  • The Manchurian Candidate - The original movie from the 1962. So much better than the recent remake.
  • The Others - So creepy in every way with a twist ending. Very satisfying. About the only movie I can stand with Nicole Kidman in it.
  • A Beautiful Mind - Definitely a different point of view when thinking about how the human mind works. Great acting!
  • Apollo 13 - Suspenseful, sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat story. I can't believe they actually made it back to Earth.
  • This is Spinal Tap - So funny, you really have to pay attention the first time because there's so much in this one.
  • Thank You for Smoking -A clever satirical comedy...hey, everyone has a job to do; even the tobacco, gun and alcohol lobbyists.
  • Muriel's Wedding - tagged as a comedy, but this thoughtful movie is far from a comedy. Great Abba soundtrack aside, a very troubling tale.
I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that rise to the top. Can you think of any to add?! Please suggest!

Until next time, happy viewing!

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