10 Movies You Should See In Order to Function in Society

Now, I know everyone has movies that they love. And not everyone loves the classic films that are cultural icons. But in order to be at least coherent in film circles, there are some movies you simply have to see. You don't have to love them, but you should at least be able to say, "Hey, I've seen that!" when someone starts snobbily talking about the final shot of Citizen Kane. So without further ado, here is a list of movies you should probably see in order to talk to film snobs.

1) The Godfather- You can probably skip part 3 if the crime genre isn't your thing, but definitely see The Godfather and The Godfather 2. That way when anyone says "Leave the gun, take the canoli" or talks about the bloody horse head, you'll understand what they're talking about.

2) Taxi Driver-Not only is this film cinematically important, but culturally as well. Remember the whole Jodie-Foster's-fan-tried-to-kill-Reagan-to-impress-her thing? That was because of this movie.

3) Citizen Kane-Now you'll know the secret and dirty meaning behind the term "Rosebuuuuuuuud".

4) The Graduate-I actually kind of hate The Graduate. It's not that it's a bad movie or anything. As movies about sex with your girlfriend's mother go, it's fine. I just don't understand why it's a cultural phenomenon. But, the fact that my professors in film school showed it every...single...semester...that probably means something. If for nothing else, watch it for the great soundtrack. Mrs. Robinson next door will never seem the same after that.

5) Chinatown-I haven't seen this yet. I've been reprimanded many times. Don't make my mistake.

6) Planet of the Apes-Not the crappy re-make with an ape Abraham Lincoln. The original, true-blue, Charleton Heston overly-acted dramafest. Know it, love it, and try not to look at the DVD cover if you don't know the ending yet, because it gives it away. (I guess that's proof that you should see this movie-so many people have seen it that they put the big reveal right on the cover!)

7) Back the the Future-And not just the first one. Watch all three.

8) Star Wars-I hate Star Wars. I know, I'm un-American. But you should watch it anyway so you can at least recognize the cultural references to it.

9) Psycho-Again, please do yourself a favor and don't watch the remake. It's painful. But the original Janet Leigh flick? Absolutely creeptastic. It's the grandaddy of all horror films, and in my opinion Alfred Hitchcock's greatest achievement (not to belittle his other wonderful films, of course).

10) I had a lot of trouble picking a classic film. Not because there aren't enough good ones, but because there are too many. So, instead of just one, here's a bonus list:
The Jazz Singer-this is the first full-length film with sound. Therefore, definitely a must-see.
Gone With the Wind-I hate Scarlett O'Hara with every fiber of my being, but at least she gets dumped in the end, which makes it worth watching.
The Wizard of Oz-this film was one of the first to use Technicolor in such a way. It's an outstanding technological achievement.
12 Angry Men-Based on a play of the same name, this film presents some of the greatest acting performances in the history of film.
The Apartment-I haven't seen this yet, but I'm told I should.
The Ten Commandments-As Charleton Heston's most iconic film, this one is a must-see.
Lawrence of Arabia-The sweeping cinematography make this one a huge leap forward in technology.

There! Now you can go schmooze with the token annoying film snob who randomly gets invited to dinner parties. And for those of you who rose to the challenge and want to go one step further, here's a quick list of the films you should watch next:

Indiana Jones trilogy
Any James Bond film
Halloween (the original, please)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Fantasia
Toy Story
Titanic
The Sound of Music
Casablanca
Shop Around the Corner
It's a Wonderful Life

Happy watching!

-Posted by Colleen

The Dreaded Day

I don't know about all of you, but I personally hate Valentine's Day. It's not that I'm a bitter single woman who got dumped for a sheep on some Valentine's Day in the past or anything. I'm in a happy relationship with no Valentine's Day-related heartbreak to speak of. But I can't help it. I still hate it. I don't know why. Therefore, instead of the list of happy-couple-movies you were probably expecting, here's a list of good movies to watch on Valentine's Day that have nothing to do with romantic love and everything to do with the other kinds of love in your life. So whether you're bitter and single, coupled and ambivalent, or forgot about Valentine's Day entirely, here's a list of movies to watch this holiday for those of us who aren't the sappy type.

Up
OK, this one starts with a love story, but that's not really what the movie is about. It's about finding relationships beyond romantic love and learning to live with loss. This is probably one of the funniest and most beautiful movies I've ever seen, and it's a great choice to watch with the kids. (Or by yourself-there's no shame in loving kids movies!)

Under the Tuscan Sun
This movie is by far the biggest reason I have a girl-crush on Diane Lane. A recently divorced writer, Fran (Lane) decides on an impulse to move to Tuscany. At first she is miserably lonely, but as she searches for love, she slowly begins to realize all the different kinds of love she already has in her life. The movie is a bit slow, but that hasn't stopped me from watching it about 3 dozen times!

Homeward Bound
What better way to comfort yourself on Valentine's Day than to watch puppies? Two dogs and a cat accidentally get lost, and travel together across mid-America to find their way home. The three would-be rivals grow closer as they learn to help each other and find their owners. Totally cheesy, and totally awesome.

Hachi
Another dog movie for those who prefer to snuggle with an animal rather than a person. Based on a true story, Hachi is about a dog who follows his owner to the train everyday, and comes to meet him every afternoon like clockwork. Suddenly, his master (Richard Gere) dies in an accident. But Hachi won't accept his loss, and goes to the train station to wait every day until the day he dies. This movie is so incredibly sappy, but it's really sweet. Just make sure you've got the tissues handy....

Grumpy Old Men
I know, I recommend this movie all the time. Deal with it.

Hook
The classic sequel to the Peter Pan story, this film stars Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Maggie Smith, and Bob Hoskins. Peter Banning (Williams) is a corporate exec who loves his job more than he loves his family. Or so he thinks, until his kids are kidnapped mysteriously in the night by Captain Hook (Hoffman). It's then that he finds out the mystery of his past-he is Peter Pan! He goes on a quest to save his kids from Neverland, tangling with Lost Boys, Tinkerbell (Roberts) and Smee (Hoskins) along the way. And of course, he learns a tender lesson about family in the end. Blah, blah blah. Whatever. It might be the greatest movie of my childhood.

And finally, one token sappy romantic comedy for those of you out there who aren't curmudgeons:

Bridget Jones' Diary
I know everyone on planet Earth has seen this one, but I picked this one because it's so real. I mean, OK, the chances of any of us having an affair with Hugh Grant and then meeting and falling in love with Colin Firth are slim-to-none. But Bridget (played by Renee Zellwegger) is a real woman. She's got curves, attitude, and is a complete klutz, as most of us are. Great feel-good movie for the awkward woman in all of us.

-Posted by Colleen

Best Actor Alternatives

As all of us who have stepped out into the world in the last 2 weeks know, the Oscar nominees are out! (See further down the blog for a complete list, including which films we carry.) And everyone who's anyone is trying to catch up on all their Oscar films. But sometimes, there just aren't enough films to go around. (Trying to get your mitts on a copy of Winter's Bone on a Friday night? Godspeed.) But that doesn't mean you can't catch up on some of the nominees' other work. So, here's a list of other great performances by the Best Actor and Actress nominees that we think you should watch while waiting for the million people who checked out The Social Network before you did to return their copy.

All of these films are available to rent at our MacArthur store.

Best Actor
Javier Bardem (nominated for Biutiful): Try checking out No Country For Old Men or See Inside for other examples of Bardem's work
Jeff Bridges (nominated for True Grit): If you're a year behind in your movies, check out Crazy Heart, which snagged Bridges an Oscar last year. Other options: Tron (the original; the new one is still in theaters) or Starman
Jesse Eisenberg (nominated for The Social Network): Eisenberg doesn't have a whole lot of movies under his belt, but Adventureland is one of them, and a good sample of his acting chops.
Colin Firth (nominated for The King's Speech): Honestly, what HASN'T this guy been in? It was hard to narrow it down, but here's a list of good picks: to see him perform totally against type, try A Single Man, Girl With the Pearl Earring, or Dorian Gray. For some good old cheesy fall-in-love-with-him-every-time romance, try Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually, or Bridget Jones' Diary
James Franco (nominated for 127 Hours): He may be busy getting a PhD, but Franco's had the time to churn out a few classics. Try Spiderman or Pineapple Express

Best Actress
Annette Bening (nominated for The Kids Are All Right): She's got a list of great performances as long as your arm, but here's a sample: Bugsy, American Beauty, Valmont, American President, Being Julia
Nicole Kidman (nominated for Rabbit Hole): For such a wonderful actress, she certainly has some garbage on her resume. (Australia, anyone?) Fortunately, she's got some classics, too. For a good sampling of her many talents, check out Moulin Rouge, The Others, Cold Mountain, or Eyes Wide Shut.
Jennifer Lawrence (nominated for Winter's Bone): As a Hollywood newcomer, Lawrence doesn't have a whole lot of roles under her belt. But you can see her in a supporting role in The Burning Plain.
Nathalie Portman (nominated for Black Swan): Like Bening and Kidman, Portman is a bit of a living legend; her list of great films goes on for days. But we picked a few favorites: Where the Heart Is, The Professional, V For Vendetta, and Closer
Michelle Williams (nominated for Blue Valentine): Remember her way back in Dawson's Creek? Fortunately, she's blossomed since then. For a sampling of her work, take a look at Brokeback Mountain, Wendy and Lucy, or Dick.

-Posted by Colleen

Movies I'm Ashamed to Love

Everyone has them-the guilty-pleasure movies they can't stop watching. And no one likes to admit what they are. I'm no exception-if you come up to me in the store and ask what my favorite movies are, I'll inevitably give you a list that includes The Shawshank Redemption, Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, and Clerks. And these are great movies. They really, really are. I love them and will never turn down an opportunity to watch them. But let's be honest-those are only the favorites that I'm not ashamed of. The time has come to 'fess up. Here's my list of favorite movies that you won't find on AFI's Greatest Movies of All Time list.

Don't judge me.

Grumpy Old Men
Jack Lemmon and Walter Mattheau play next-door-neighbors whose life-long rivalry is only getting worse with age. Their fighting comes to a head when the new exotic neighbor Ariel (played by Ann-Margaret) moves in, and they both fall head over heels. But eventually they begin to realize that maybe they don't hate each other after all.

I love, love, LOVE this movie. I watch it in the store all the time. You've probably seen me at it-I'll quickly press "pause" or turn the volume down as soon as I see you coming so you won't be witness to my shame. But now I confess it to the world-this is my all-time, hands-down, no-holds-barred favorite movie. There. I said it. (Come on-you know you love watching Jack Lemmon and Walter Mattheau call each other names and throw dead fish in each other's cars.)

Bringing Down the House
Steve Martin plays an uppity divorced tax lawyer who is trying to find a way to bond with his kids, get his ex back, and have a successful career at the same time-and he's not doing a very good job. In walks Charlene (Queen Latifah) an ex-con who brings him both her case and her attitude, and teaches him a thing or two about life, falling in love with Steve Martin's law partner (Eugene Levy) in the meantime.

I can't decide if this film is racist or not. Furthermore, if it is, I can't tell if it's making fun of black people or white people. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Also, the script is bad. B-A-D bad. The plot is lame, the comedy is unworthy of the cast, and the soundtrack is so cliche it's laughable. But I love it anyway. So sue me.

The Mummy series
A quasi-remake of the old horror movie The Mummy, this series stars Brendan Frasier as Rick O'Connell, an American treasure-seeker who stumbles upon an ancient curse in Hamunaptra, a mythical Egyptian city. With the "help" of Yvie, a librarian and expert on ancient Egyptian lore (Rachel Weisz), he manages to free the mummy that haunts Hamunaptra, and endangers the whole world in doing so.

Everyone (Seriously. Everyone.) tells me this trilogy sucks. But I don't get it. I think it's awesome. Brendan Frasier is hot, I have a girl-crush on Rachel Weisz, and a soft spot for ancient mythology. I can't get enough of these movies. (Though you can skip the third one. Rachel Weisz dropped the franchise, so really, what's the point?)

Encino Man
Another Brendan Frasier catastrophe, this film also stars Paulie Shore and Sean Astin as two hapless teenagers who dig up a frozen caveman (Frasier) in their pool and unfreeze him with hairdryers. In their quest to be cool, they end up "dissing" their new caveman buddy and setting him adrift. But in the end, Link the Caveman teaches them things about life they were too busy to learn on their own.

Come on, it's Paulie Shore. What more is there to be said?

17 Again
Zac Efron stars in this not-at-all-original body-swap comedy. Mike (Efron/Matthew Perry) feels as if he has thrown his life away. But then, he gets a second chance when he wakes up 17 again! He befriends his high school children, and hilarity ensues.

There's nothing good about this movie. I love it anyway. I have no excuse.

Austin Powers in Goldmember
The third and inarguably worst installment in the Austin Powers trilogy, in this film Austin finds himself working alongside his estranged father (Michael Caine) to defeat the criminal mastermind Goldmember, who loves gold so much he had his genitals re-cast in gold after suffering from an "unfortunate smelting accident".

There's lots of Dr. Evil in this movie. Britney Spears' head explodes. And Mini-Me turns good. What's not to love about this terrible, horrible, no-good-very-bad film?

-Posted by Colleen

"Different" movies

So the other day I was in the store, and absent-mindedly turned on the new(ish) Bollywood film My Name Is Khan. I remember loving it when it first came out in late Summer 2010, but I forgot exactly how much until I watched it again. This got me thinking-there seems to be an entire sub-genre of drama films involving the mentally handicapped-and generally these films are thought-provoking and beautifully executed. Though it's a small sub-genre, I think it at least deserves a blog post. So, here's a list of some of my favorite movies that deal with mental handicaps. But beware-most (if not all) of these will leave you with tears in your eyes!

My Name is Khan
As this film was the inspiration for the blog post, I might as well start with it. Starring Bollywood superstars Kajol and Shahrukh Khan, this film is about Rizwan Khan, a Muslim man suffering from Asberger's Syndrome. He moves to San Francisco from India after the death of his mother, where he meets the beautiful and vivacious Mandira (Kajol). They fall in love, get married, and it seems as if they will have a happily ever after. But then 9/11 hits, and they must deal with the reality of bearing the name Khan in a post-9/11 America. Tragedy strikes their family, and Rizwan sets out on a journey to tell the President that he is, in his words, "not a terrorist". Along the way, he meets other Muslim couples struggling with their identity, as well as a small community in Georgia who are down on their luck. He gradually garners media attention, until finally the whole world is watching as he makes his way to see the President.

This film is not only entertaining, but beautifully performed and shot. It is for the most part subtitled, but you will get so caught up in the story you won't even notice. And I guarantee that by the end, you will find yourself in tears. I cannot recommend this movie enough.

Temple Grandin
I will come out and admit that I haven't seen this movie myself. Please don't think it's because I don't want to-it's actually because we only have one copy and people keep renting it. But I can tell you the basics-Claire Danes stars as Temple Grandin, a real-life hero for sufferers of Autism. An autistic herself, Grandin went on to do great things for the rights of the mentally handicapped. You may have seen her at the Emmys and Golden Globes cheering on Claire Danes. Danes won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe and received a Satellite and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for her performance. So although I admittedly haven't yet seen the film, it seems like a good bet, at the very least to witness Claire Danes' multi-award-winning performance.

Forrest Gump
Do I even need to give a summary of this one? Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump. Inspirational travels across America. Famous events in American History. It's awesome. If you haven't seen it, climb out from under your chosen boulder of residence and rent it immediately. That is all.
P.S. It also stars Sally Field, Gary Sinise, and Robin Wright. As if Tom Hanks wasn't enough.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in his breakout role as Arnie, the mentally handicapped younger brother of Gilbert Grape, played by a very young (and pretty) Johnny Depp. Gilbert is forced to take care of both Arnie and their obese mother, which gets in the way of his love life-until Becky (Juliette Lewis) steps into his life and shows him that maybe having Arnie for a brother isn't such a curse after all.

Definitely a great sappy family film-and who doesn't love watching Johnny Depp? Or Leo? (The movie also stars Mary Steenbergen and John C. Reilly, rounding out a fantastic cast of character actors.)

The Other Sister
This film is by far the sweetest on this list. Juliette Lewis stars as Carla Tate, a mentally handicapped teenager who wants to go to college, much to the chagrin and concern of her parents, played by Diane Keaton and Tom Skerritt. Carla convinces them to let her go, and she immediately falls in love and gets asked to a dance by a boy. Her parents are concerned that she is being taken advantage of, until they meet him and realize that he is mentally handicapped as well-and that together, Carla and Daniel (played by Giovanni Ribisi) prove that they can face the world better than their parents ever thought.

This is a beautiful movie, with outstanding performances. You will find yourself laughing through tears the whole way through. This is a perfect movie for a girls' night in!

-Posted by Colleen

February Movies!

That's right folks, it's February. (Well, almost.) It's cold. It's dreary. It's disgusting. There's an ice storm headed our way tonight. Basically, February sucks. So what better way to deal with the end-of-winter blues than to lock yourself inside with a movie about summer? If it can't be warm outside, at least it can be warm on your TV!

Here's a list of my 28 favorite warm-weather movies, one for each day in February, all available at our MacArthur store!

1) Journey to the Center of the Earth-Well, OK, the part in Iceland is cold, but once they get to the center of the Earth it's super hot.

2) Now and Then-Perfect for a girls' night in!

3) Field of Dreams

4) Addams Family Values

5) Stand By Me

6) American Pie 2

7) The Mummy series

8) Pirates of the Carribean series

9) Cairo Time

10) Accepted

11) The Goonies

12) 500 Days of Summer

13) Varsity Blues

14) Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series

15) What About Bob

16) A League of Their Own

17) Into the Blue

18) Top Gun

19) Footloose

20) Grease

21) Dirty Dancing

22) The Lost Boys

23) Hook

24) Blue Lagoon

25) Major League

26) The Fast and the Furious

27) Rambo

28) Predator

-Posted by Colleen

Thrillers!

Side note: I realize we haven't posted on here in forever. I have no good excuse. My bad.

Now that that's out of the way, it's time for a post about my favorite movie genre-thrillers! For those of you who are a fan of horror/mystery/thrillers, take a good look at the New Release wall-there are quite a few smaller movies up there that you might overlook that are definitely worth checking out (and some that aren't). Here's a guide to finding the perfect creepy movie for your Saturday date night!

Afterlife
Liam Neeson, Justin Long, Christina Ricci
I might as well start off with one you absolutely SHOUDLN'T watch. Christina Ricci plays a somewhat neurotic elementary school teacher who dies in a car accident after a fight with her boyfriend (Long). She wakes up in a morgue, only to find that she is dead and Liam Neeson is her mortician! He attempts to guide her "into the light", so to speak...but her boyfriend refuses to believe she's gone. Can he save her before she moves on?

Yes. It is as lame as it sounds. I have a crush on both Liam Neeson and Justin Long, and even that wasn't enough to keep me interested. Do yourself a favor and leave this one on the shelf.

Buried
Ryan Reynolds
I can't decide if I should recommend this one or not. The plot is interesting-Paul (Reynolds) wakes up in a coffin in the middle of the Iraqi desert. As his memory returns, he realizes that his whole company of truck drivers has been ambushed and killed, and he is the only one left alive-but not for long if he can't escape the coffin. He finds a bag with various light sources and a cell phone at his feet. He's got 90 minutes of oxygen and cell battery life left before he suffocates-will he find a way out in time?

This film is...stressful. It's definitely well done, and interestingly conveyed-the entire film takes place in the coffin. No flashbacks, no scenes of government agents trying to rescue him-nothing. Just a coffin. The only exposure you get to the outside world are the voices you hear him speaking to on the phone. I will say this-you won't be bored, and the films stays with you after it's over. But if you're at all claustrophobic, I'd stay away from this one. If tight spaces don't bother you, then definitely check it out-but be ready to come away from it slightly disturbed.

Case 39
Renee Zellwegger, Bradley Cooper
Renee Zellwegger plays a social worker who is given yet another case piled on top of her already-existing 38 active cases. As she investigates into the allegations of child abuse, she realizes that the case is nothing like it seems-and maybe she should have just stayed away.

This is actually a very entertaining film. The first half is full of surprises. However, the second half of the film is fairly predictable. Once the twist is revealed, the plot doesn't move forward a whole lot. But the performances are good, the deaths are gory, and the film is generally creep-tastic.

Devil
No Actors Anyone Has Ever Heard Of
The latest M. Night Shyamalan film*, Devil is about a group of strangers who get stuck in a high-rise elevator-only to discover that the devil himself is among them! One by one they start dying, and they only have until the next blackout to figure out who the culprit is.

This is a pretty good flick. It's creepy, but not too scary for those who aren't horror movie fanatics. It will keep you guessing until the end, and it's not too gory. Overall, it's a good, fun popcorn flick.

*Don't worry, he didn't actually make it-he just came up with the general idea. I promise it's better than anything he's done since Signs.

The Disappearance of Alice Creed
Also Nobody Famous
Alice Creed is the daughter of a millionaire who gets kidnapped for ransom money. Little does she know, not everything is as it seems, and her kidnappers might be out for more than just money.

This film is definitely worth watching, particularly for fans of crime drama. The beginning kidnapping scene is a little intense, but the film never crosses the line into disgusting or grotesque, at least not for my tastes. (There was a moment where I thought the movie might delve into rape or sexual abuse, but it doesn't, so don't avoid the film on that account.) The plot itself is very interesting-there is more than one "big reveal", and every plot twist is completely unexpected. Definitely worth checking out!

Exam
Once Again, No One Famous
A group of executives are put in a room and asked to take an exam as the final step in an interview process for one of the most powerful corporate jobs in the world. There is only one question they have to answer, and if they answer it wrong or break any of the rules, they are immediately disqualified and removed from the room. But there's just one problem-they don't know what the question is! Slowly the situation breaks down as it is revealed how desparate each one is to get the job.

This one is definitely a great thrill ride-it will keep you guessing, and has some great performances. The film is tense and fast-paced-with almost no violence, this is a good one for those who like mysteries, but don't like too much blood and gore.

The Last Exorcism
No One Famous, But The Lead Kinda Looks Like The Poor Man's Thomas Jane
Filmed in the documentary/mockumentary style, this film follows a hacky pastor who makes his living by cheating people out of their money. Eventually, he decides to quit swindling-after this one last exorcism. He goes through the ritual, including his hidden speakers with scary voices, buzzers hidden on the victim's bed to shock her, and sound effects-only to discover to his surprise that this exorcism might be real.

I really like this film, although I am the first to admit that I'm a bit biased-I love the exorcism genre. (The Exorcist, The Exorcism of Emily Rose-I love 'em all!) But what appealed to me most about this film is that although it is shot in documentary style, this filmmakers appear to actually understand what documentaries are supposed to look like. (In case you're wondering, Paranormal Activity isn't it.) They appreciate that documentaries aren't shaky and poorly made, and execute this film much in the same way. Also, it's kind of creepy and weird without being too intense. Overall, a good film for a night in!

-Posted by Colleen

Belated Holiday Post

With less than one week to go until Christmas, we know what's on everyone's mind-CHRISTMAS MOVIES! That's right folks, it's that time of year again...time to snuggle up with some popcorn, a cup of hot chocolate, and your favorite Christmas movies. Here's a list of some of our favorites to keep you (and more importantly, the kids!) entertained over Christmas break!

1) It's A Wonderful Life
If you don't know this movie yet, you've obviously been living under a boulder for the last 50 years. See it now.

2) The Santa Clause
Tim Allen stars in this movie about a curmudgeonly divorcee who is shocked to find Santa Clause on his roof-and even more suprised when Santa disappears, leaving his suit behind! To appease his son, he tries on the suit, only to find that he's now officially the new Santa!

3) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Though the Jim Carrey version is certainly fun, it's nothing compared to the old-school cartoon. Do yourself a favor this Christmas and go back to basics!

4) Home Alone
What kid doesn't dream of having the run of his house? In this classic Christmas film starring Macauley Caulkin, that's exactly what happens. You and your kids will laugh and cheer as Kevin (Caulkin) learns about grocery shopping, after-shave, and home security.

5) A Charlie Brown Christmas
Who doesn't love the world's biggest Negative Nancy? This story about Charlie Brown and his loser-ish Christmas tree is a classic not to be missed!

6) Elf
OK, yes, we all agree-Will Ferrell can be kind of annoying. But he puts his annoying sense of humor to good use as Buddy, a human raised by Christmas elves who travels to New York to find his father. Only problem is, his father's on the naughty list! Although this film does has it's moments of extreme cheesiness, it's still good clean fun for the whole family!

7) A Muppet Christmas Carol
Michael Caine stars along Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzywig in this musical twist on Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story. You and the kids will both love this newer rendition of an old story. (And besides, who doesn't love watching Miss Piggy every chance they get???)

All these films and more are available at our McArthur store-stop by today and pick up your favorite, and get ready to be in the Christmas spirit!

-Posted by Colleen

Toy Story

As much as we like to say that the holidays are about family, love, giving, etc., ask any child in the nation what Christmas is about, and you'll inevitably get the same answer...TOYS!

That's right, folks...Toy Story 3 is officially available for rent! This final installment in the runaway hit series brings back all your old favorites-Woody, Buzz, Slink (now voiced by Blake Clarke, who does an admirable job of filling the late Jim Varney's extremely large shoes), Barbie, Jessie, the Potato Heads, Hamm, and Rex are all back, along with some new characters, including Lotso, the creepily strawberry-scented Losto Huggin Bear, and Ken, who sweeps Barbie off her feet and into his dreamhouse.

This movie takes the franchise to a whole new level, and lives up to the first two in hilarity, and even surpasses them in emotional depth. I'll be honest-I've seen it 4 times and still get choked up every time. Including the time last week I watched it at the store and got choked up while working. Sorry about that, folks.

Moral of the story: rent it today and have a great family night in with the kids and a movie you'll actually enjoy for a change!

-Posted by Colleen

Paradise Lost

Those of you who read this blog or pick up the Village Vidiot fairly regularly will know that I have recommended this before, but I feel it bears reiterating: everyone who isn't squemish should rent the documentary Paradise Lost.

Filmed in 1993, Paradise Lost follows the famous trial that is now known as the West Memphis Three, where 3 teenagers were convicted of the murder of three 8-year-old boys. Two of them were sentenced to life in prison, and another, Damien Echols, was given the death penalty.

Yesterday, there was a major breakthrough in the case, and after hearing a presentation of new DNA evidence which may indicate the innocence of the three convicts, the Arkansas State Supreme Court ruled for a new trial. (Those interested in reading more can either check out yesterday's Washington Post or go to http://www.wm3.org/.) This case and its history is quickly becoming front-page news nationwide, so go ahead and rent Paradise Lost today and decide for yourself-are they guilty, or innocent?

-Colleen

"Friendly" Films to Keep You Warm

To many, Thanksgiving is above all a time to celebrate having food by eating as much of it as possible. Secondarily, it's also a time to gather with friends and family and just have fun. And turkey. Lots of turkey.

In honor of Thanksgiving (my personal favorite holiday), here's a list of 30 films about friendship to cozy up to with twenty of your closest buds, one for each day in November!

1) Steel Magnolias-This one is definitely a tear-jerker, only to be watched with your best girls and a box of tissues!

2) Now and Then

3) Stand By Me-The ultimate "guy friend" movie, this one is probably the only acceptable film for guys to watch together and actually show emotion.

4) The Goonies

5) Grumpy Old Men-A funny flick for the whole family!

6) Circle of Friends

7) Empire Records

8) Thelma and Louise

9) The Fox and the Hound-Kid-friendly!

10) Superbad

11) Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

12) The Lord of the Rings trilogy

13) Up-Also kid-friendly, but have the tissues handy!

14) Toy Story trilogy (FYI, Toy Story 3 is now available on the Kids New Release wall!)-Great pick for a kids' sleepover!

15) Harry Potter series

16) Madagascar-Best for young children

17) When Harry Met Sally...

18) Casablanca

19) The Breakfast Club-Wonderful film, but with quite a bit of language-might want to save this for the over-15 set.

20) Mean Girls

21) Forrest Gump

22) Monsters, Inc.-Funny for all ages!

23) The Jungle Book

24) Shrek trilogy-Great one for the kids!

25) Star Wars series

26) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas-Although there is nothing specifically inappropriate in this film, it is thematically very heavy-watch this one after the kids are in bed and only if you want to go to bed depressed. But it's worth the Kleenex you'll go through!

27) Men in Black

28) Shaun of the Dead

29) South Park TV series

30) Friends TV series

-Posted by Colleen

Horror Movie Remakes That Shouldn't Have Been

We all know that remakes can be a grave mistake. As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Hence, I think it's high time for a list of the original classics that inspired the recent slew of horror movie remakes. If you're looking for a good movie to watch in honor of Halloween, take it from me-skip over the newer versions and reach for these instead. You'll definitely be happy you did!

1) Halloween (1978)
What, I repeat, WHAT, was Rob Zombie thinking when he remade this? No one could possibly be more bad-ass against Michael Myers than Jamie Lee Curtis. (It appears that Scout Taylor-Compton, the newest Laurie Strode incarnation, didn't even try.) The new Michael isn't even scary-what's scary about an abused child who breaks out of an institution in search for love and family and only kills when he's rejected? It almost makes him sympathetic. The original Michael was pure evil, plain and simple, with no rhyme or reason, which makes for a much creepier villain.

2) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Let's face it, Freddy was creepier when he had a sense of humor. The newest incarnation, with Freddy as the angry spirit of a child molestor, is just gross. Robert Englund as the original Freddy managed to scare the pants off the audience while at the same time getting laughs, and Jackie Earl Haley as the new Freddy just doesn't pack quite the same punch. Plus, no teenage Johnny Depp in the newest version. So really, why bother?

3) Friday the 13th (1980)
The original has Kevin Bacon. Getting stabbed through the throat. Enough said.

4) The Stepford Wives (1975)
It absolutely breaks my heart that when kids today think of The Stepford Wives, they think of a bad Nicole Kidman comedy. Maybe I'm just biased as this is the first horror movie I ever saw, but this one still gives me chills. What's creepier than seeing your best friend suddenly turn into a picture-perfect housewife robot? Other than Robert Englund, pretty much nothing. Do yourself and the kids a favor, and introduce them to the original creepfest before they're tainted by the less-than-stellar remake (and that description is beyond generous).

5) The Amityville Horror (1979)
Ok, fine. The special effects in this movie are, shall we say, less than perfect. But once you get into it, you'll find yourself screaming right along with the cast when you see Jody the imaginary pig's eyes peeking in the window. I feel less strongly about this remake than the others, but given the choice, I still highly recommend the original over the newer version.

6) Psycho (1960)
Why anyone decided to remake Psycho shot-for-shot but then change the iconic shower scene is beyond me. This is the ultimate example of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Hitchcock chose to shoot in black and white for a reason. It was a good one. And Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates? Not so much.

Moral of the story? Skip the remakes. The originals are iconic for a reason.

-Posted by Colleen

October Movies!!!

Ah, October. Cool, crisp weather, fashionable sweaters, and Halloween movies!!! Here's my list of the best movies to snuggle up with, one for each night in October!

1) The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Kids)

2) Trick 'r Treat (Horror)

3) Halloween (Horror)-do yourself a favor, rent the original. Even Rob Zombie can't improve on a Jamie Lee Curtis screamfest.

4) Ghostbusters (Comedy)

5) Casper the Movie (Kids)

6) Friday the 13th (Horror)-again, when in doubt, go for the original.

7) Nightmare on Elm Street (Horror)

8) The Nightmare Before Christmas (Kids)-though this one arguably doubles as a Christmas film, it's still good fun at Halloween.

9) Dead Snow (Horror)

10) The House on Haunted Hill (Horror)-once again, original original original. Remakes are a terrible idea.

11) Psycho (Horror)-need I repeat myself again?

12) The Stepford Wives (Mystery)-this time you should see the original for an even better reason than just that it's better-the remake was turned into a comedy, whereas the original is satisfyingly bone-chilling and extra-creepy.

13) The Amityville Horror (Horror)

14) Hocus Pocus (Kids)

15) The Mist-(Horror)

16) Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers (Kids)

17) Goosebumps: Go Eat Worms (Kids)

18) The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (Classics)

19) Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit (Kids)

20) Haunted Mansion (Kids)

21) Scream (Horror)

22) Scary Movie (Comedy)

23) 1408 (Horror)

24) Rocky Horror Picture Show (Musicals)

25) The Shining (Horror)

26) Candyman (Horror)

27) Alien (Sci-Fi)

28) Beetlejuice (Comedy)

29) The Addams Family (Comedy)

30) Silence of the Lambs (Horror)

31) Carrie (Horror)

Have fun, and stay scared!!!!

-Posted by Colleen

Documentaries You Should Be Watching

I know, I know...you come to video stores to pick up your favorite action flick and zone out, not to learn. But by passing by the documentary section, you are missing out on some extremely interesting and, dare I say, awesome films. Here's a short list of my favorites that you shouldn't miss!

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
Before Joanie loved Chachi and Lucy 'splained to Ricky, there was Mrs. Goldberg, leaning out her kitchen window to gossip with the neighbors. Released this August, this documentary by local filmmaker Aviva Kemper and featuring interviews with our very own Potomac Video customer Mindy Weisel is a biography of Gertrude Berg, the first powerhouse woman in television. Berg created the radio show The Goldberg's, which was a staple in American life during and after World War II. Upon the advent of television, she produced, wrote, and starred in the sitcom version of the radio show, which became the first true family sitcom. This touching documentary follows Berg's career, family life, and eventual anonomity as Lucille Ball took over as the first lady of television. Absolutely worth a look, and easy to find-it's still on the New Release wall!

Every Little Step
Broadway has some of the best dancers in the world. And you can watch them sweat, stress, and put their best foot forward in this documentary following the auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. Following the auditions from the beginning preliminaries to final callbacks almost a year later, this film will make you laugh and touch your heart as you watch these dancers do everything they can to make the cut. Great pick for anyone who loves great dancing, real drama, and good old-fashioned reach-for-the-stars inspiration. This one is also a good one to watch with the kids!

Paradise Lost
This real-life courtroom drama follows the West Memphis Three, a trio of teenaged boys in West Memphis Arkansas convicted of the brutal murder of three children, through their trial and eventual encarceration. You will feel as if you're watching a top-rate John Grisham thriller-except this one is entirely real. And making this film even more nail-biting is the fact that Damien Echols, one of the convicts in this case, has his last appeal for a re-trial a week from today before the Arkansas Supreme Court, and will serve out his sentance on Death Row should his appeal be rejected. Are they guilty or are they not? Decide for yourself as you watch the court proceedings unfold, but watch it when the kids are in bed-crime scene photos are displayed without any editing or censorship.

Deliver Us From Evil
Another nail-biter, this documentary follows a Catholic priest convicted of sexual abuse as he attempts to reconnect with and apologize to all the children (now adults) that he hurt over his long career as a parish priest. You will find yourself crying along with the victims as they express their pain and face their demons. An absolutely incredible film, but it's not for the weak at heart-this film doesn't make any attempts to mask the victims' pain or sugar-coat the situation. Definitely one to watch after the kids are in bed.

Paperback Dreams
This documentary is about the downfall of the independent bookstore and it's effect on the literary world. Thoroughly depressing for lovers of indie bookstores, the film follows an independent chain as it is hit with the realities of the recession and bargain-book superstores. Fascinating and extremely relevant, this film will make you want to run right out to Second Story Books and buy out their stock!

-Posted by Colleen

Back to School Movies for September!

Back to school season...new pencils, new teachers, new books, tons of new clothes...September can be stressful for school-goers (and parents!) of all ages. So what better way to relax than to sit back and watch movies about other people stressing about school? Here's our list of 30 back-to-school films, one for each day in September!

1) Mean Girls- Comedy, PG-13
2) Clueless-Comedy, PG-13
3) Schoolhouse Rock: Earth-Kids, NR
4) Dead Poet's Society-Drama, PG
5) Diary of a Wimpy Kid-Kids New Release Wall, PG
6) Accepted-Comedy, PG-13
7) American Graffiti-Comedy, PG
8) Hairspray-Musical, PG
9) Grease-Musical, PG
10) Animal House-Comedy, R
11) Assassination of a High School President- Comedy, R
12) Back to School-Comedy, PG-13
13) The Breakfast Club-Drama, R
14) Bring It On-Comedy, PG-13
15) College-Comedy, R
16) Freaky Friday- Kids, G (1976 version)/PG (2003 version)
17) Princess Diaries-Kids, G
18) Legally Blonde-Comedy, PG-13
19) High School Musical-Kids, G
20) Harry Potter-Kids, PG (parts 1, 2, 3, & 6)/PG-13 (parts 4 & 5)
21) The Skulls-Mystery, PG-13
22) 17 Again-Comedy, PG-13
23) Cruel Intentions-Mystery, R
24) Buffy the Vampire Slayer-Comedy, PG (movie)/Television, NR (TV show)
25) The Faculty- Horror, R
26) 10 Things I Hate About You-Comedy, PG-13
27) Not Another Teen Movie- Comedy, R
28) Pleasantville-Comedy, PG-13
29) Good Will Hunting- Drama, R
30) Superbad-Comedy, R

Be sure to check out these titles and more, all available at our MacArthur store!

-Posted by Colleen

The Red Shoes

As you may or may not know, the all-time epitome of dance movies, The Red Shoes, has just recently been re-released, with new color enhancement. (And it's gorgeous!) In honor of this fantastic movie (located on our New Release wall), here is a list of what are (in my humble opinion) the all-time greatest dance movies, all available at our MacArthur store.

White Nights-Mikhail Barishnokov and Gregory Hines star in this political drama set in Russia in 1985. Barishnokov plays a dancer who defected from Russia and has the misfortune to be in a plane that crashes on Russian soil, leaving him trapped. He is housed in Siberia with Raymond (Hines), a Vietnam draft dodger who tap dances for his meager living. Together they manage to escape the Soviets and perform some great numbers along the way. Great pick for those who love dance movies but want something with a little more substance than say, Step Up 2 the Streets.

Dirty Dancing- Who doesn't love this classic dance flick? Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray star in this legendary film about upper-middle-class teenager Baby Houseman (Gray) who is swept off her feet (literally and figuratively) by the charming dance teacher Johnny (Swayze). You'll be singing and dancing along with them as they have the time of their life at a resort in the Catskills.

Center Stage-This film is the traditional classic dance movie personified. Jody Sawyer (Amanda Schull) is a dance hopeful who is admitted to the prestigious American Ballet Company training academy. She experiences failure, love, and heartbreak as she struggles to find her place in the dance world. With fantastic dance sequences and a strong supporting cast (including Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, and New York City Ballet star Ethan Stiefel), this is a film you should definitely check out!

Hairpsray-Not just a dance flick but a full-on musical, this re-make of the hit 80's movie is sure to warm your heart. Tracy Turnblad (played by Nikki Blonsky) has a big dream to dance on the Cornie Collins Show-a dream that's almost bigger than her. Eventually, she charms her way into the show and into the hearts of the citizens of Baltimore and becomes a local celebrity. But she's not done yet-she uses her fame to help fight for civil rights. With an all-star cast, including John Travolta (as Tracy's mother!), Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Michelle Pfieffer, Queen Latifah, and Zac Efron, this is a film you can watch over and over with the whole family.

Ziegfeld's Follies-Though not entirely a dance film, this collection of classic vignettes includes musical numbers, comedy sketches, and beautiful dance numbers. With some of early cinema's biggest stars, including Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, and Lena Horne, this film is a must-see for fans of movies musicals.

Holiday Inn-Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, this classic family film about a hotel only open on holidays is sure to make you smile. With a soundtrack filled with well-known songs, such as "Easter Parade" and "White Christmas" and dance sequences featuring Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds, this film is a great selection to watch with the family.

-Posted by Colleen

Movies For The Kids You Won't Have to Suffer Through

It's Friday night, and like so many parents of the DC metro area, you bring your child along to Potomac Video with you for a bit of digital entertainment.  Whatever keeps them quiet, right?  Much to your chagrin, your son heads right away for the Pokemon shelf, in search of the elusive volume 16B he hasn't seen yet.  While as a parent you enjoy spending time with your child no matter what, you wish somehow there was more common ground-- that you could actually enjoy watching a film with your child AND feel like he is taking away some sort of valuable lesson, no matter how trivial.  The following list, comprised solely of films rated PG and G, is here to help.

1.  The Addams Family
Why Your Kids Will Like It: It's crazy, cooky, and campy.  All the elements of "frivolous" children's fantasy are present, but, unbeknown to them, the execution is superior.
Why You'll Like It: Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, Christopher Lloyd, and Joan Cusack round out an all-star cast that enchants on-screen.  The subtlety of some humor is more adult-targeted, and, at the end of the day, the film demonstrates that even people who look and act different can be kind.

2. Casper
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Casper is cute, innocent, and gets himself into youthful trouble.  Your kids will squeal with delight as he accidentally fries himself sunny side up like an egg.  His ghostly uncles provide much of the comic relief, with Stinky have such potent breath he can induce fainting and Fatso emitting such hefty flatulence no child can help but laugh.  The scenery in the film, most of all the magic machine, is sure to impress any
Why You'll Like It: The film is parody rich, and the references to Ghostbusters, The Exorcist, and the Terminator are a silent nod to you, the adult viewer.  The film is a classic depiction of good triumphing over evil and tackles the issue of single parenthood following the death of a spouse.

3.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Based off of best-selling book series, your children are no doubt already curious about this film.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid taps into the world of children and tackles the ever-popular subject of fitting in in a way that is all at once lighthearted, meaningful, and appropriate.  Your kids will laugh as the "wimpy kids" have to challenge the "gorillas" in a game of capture the flag, and shake their heads as the main character temporarily loses his sense of self in pursuit of popularity.
Why You'll Like It: The film teaches a clear-cut lesson on what is important during the oh-so confusing time that is middle school.  You will laugh along with your child as the legend of the Cheese Touch Unfolds and as Greg accidentally pees on his older brother, the hostile singer of awful garage band, Loded Diaper.  The film is evocative of The Wonder Years, but more child-friendly, and with a bit more toilet humor.

5.  E.T.
I will admit, when my dad showed me this movie at age four, it terrified me (and my mother subsequently suffered for many, many nights), so you might want to reserve the viewing of this film for older kids, as real youngsters might find parts of the film overwhelming.  For me, it was the scene in which E.T. falls into the river and turns white with hypothermia, shortly thereafter ending up on a ventilator and in a body bag.
Why Your Kids Will Like It: E.T. is cute.  He waddles around and eats Reese's Pieces, and Elliott, with his unwavering determination to help his other-worldly friend and flying bike is a hero to all children who ever dreamed of the impossible.  Your kids will feel excitement as Elliott and his siblings try to keep their friend a secret from their seemingly clueless mother, and sit on the edge of their seats as E.T. has close encounters with death and with the authorities.
Why You'll Like It: Spielberg made it.  It's a classic film about the goodness of a child and the power of determination, and the special effects were ground-breaking for the time.
Fun Fact: When building the animatronic E.T. puppet, Spielberg looked through photographs of famous people to incorporate distinctive features into the alien.  The little guy's trademark wide, gentle eyes were inspired by Albert Einstein's.


6.  Fly Away Home
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Baby geese are really cute.  Who could not have a soft spot for baby geese?  Additionally, the heroine of the film goes on to lead a cross-country flight with her father, and children will find the visuals both enjoyable and empowering.
Why You'll Like It: This film again deals with the topic of single parenthood, in particular the theme of an under-enthused young girl being raised by the father with whom she is not very close.  By the film's end, however, the relationship foraged between them is strong and both characters have grown tremendously.  The film is also visually impressive, feeling much more like a made-for-adults drama than a children's film.  And they save the animals.  Who could not like it?  Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin Star.

7.  The Goonies
Why Your Kids Will Like It: There is not much for your kids to dislike in this classic 80's film, which, coincidentally, has risen to cult status among aficionados since its release.  The Goonies live in a quirky world where everything is an adventure, and, on the quest to save their house, encounter a bit of humor and danger.
Why You'll Like It: Written by Steven Spielberg, this film moves at an adult pace and the stark comic value of certain elements will tickle you.  Watch out for the fat Goonie, Chunk, being made to do the "Truffle Shuffle," a belly-bearing jiggle, before he is allowed entry into the homes of his fellow Goonies.  If you or your children have never seen this one, place it high on your list of future rentals, as it will not disappoint.
A Small Disclaimer: There is one scene containing a skeleton among the ruins of pirate treasure.

8.  Hachi
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Hachi is really just too cute, and his loyalty is moving, even for the youngest of viewers.  Your kids will delight in seeing Hachi meet Gere's character around town, and the lengths he goes to to be with his master.
Why You'll Like It: It's innocent, moving, and shows a new side of Richard Gere.  Truly a beautiful film about the love a man and a dog can share.
A Small Disclaimer: Have the tissues ready.

9.  Hook
Why Your Kids Will Like It: A whimsical twist on the classic Peter Pan story, the visuals in Hook will have your kids mesmerized.  Something about taking the narrative out of the context of a cartoon and into live action makes the elusive Neverland that much more enchanting.
Why You'll Like It: In addition to the same reasons as your children, you will take particular delight in seeing appearances from Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, a highly caricatured Dustin Hoffman, and even Phil Collins.

10.  Labyrinth
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Labyrinth takes Place in a magical world guaranteed to be unlike anything your kids have ever seen in film so far.  Filmed in the era before CGI was prevalent, puppeteer/director Jim Henson truly outdid himself in this one.  The visuals alone will have your kids watching this one over and over again.
Why You'll Like It: Aside from the fact that it stars Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie and features a few awesome musical numbers (and trust me, I loathe musicals... but then again I love Bowie), you will appreciate Sarah's determination to save her baby brother and the incredible amount of growing up she does under pressure.  This film is truly enjoyable for people of all ages, and is one of our shift staples here in the MacArthur store.

11.  A Little Princess

***This movie will probably be better suited for watching with young girls.

Why Your Kids Will Like It: Adapted from the novel and influenced by the 1939 version starring Shirley Temple, A Little Princess is an escape into a magical world which will have your own little princess captivated.  The daughter of a wealthy British soldier Sara Crewe has to leave her home in India for a New York boarding school when her father leaves for World War I.  When he is presumed dead and Sara presumed poor, it is through her friendship with the house servant and her vivid imagination that she is able to keep her spirit and her sense of grace intact.
Why You'll Like It: Nominated for an Academy Award for best Art Direction, the film is visually stunning and has a unique aesthetic which you will not likely forget quickly.  Additionally, it carries the important message of persevering even when life becomes incredibly difficult, and, when put in a historical context, is racially radical in Sara's befriending of Becky.

12. The Little Rascals
Why Your Kids Will Like It: This film portrays children as functioning completely independently from adults, a notion which is always intriguing to children, but which is perhaps so successful in this film because of all that the little rascals accomplish.  Your children will go green with envy when they see the clubhouse and go kart that the He-Man Woman Haters Club has managed, all being under the age of eight, to build for themselves, and will laugh as they see Alfalfa bite into a sandwich spiked with kitty litter and get chased across the lawn by a Doberman in his underpants.
Why You'll Like It: It's charming and somehow evocative of an earlier time, perhaps due to the fact that it was inspired by Our Gang and even features some of the original cast members as the new kids' parents.  Daryl Hannah, Donald Trump, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg and Reba McEntire make cameos, and you will appreciate the lessons the film teaches your children about honesty, friendship, and even kindness across the genders.

13.  Matilda
Why Your Kids Will Like It: Matilda has magical powers, but unlike Harry Potter, she is stuck in a disenchanting and nonmagical world.  Consequently, her antics are able to shine in greater boldness than in they'd be able to in the films about her magical "brethren."  Your child will love watching Matilda make pancakes and make a deck of playing cards fly around her in the room as she dances.  Even young viewers will be impressed by the proclivity of Matilda, who is not only magical, but also highly intelligent and has a great thirst for knowledge, devouring books from the time she is old enough to sign for a library card and walk herself hime.
Why You'll Like It: Emerging from the same production studio as Garden State, Pulp Fiction, and Freedom Writers, Matilda is pure gold in the form of a children's film.  Aside from the film's high valuation of education, you will enjoy watching the on-screen chemistry created by Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman in this rare shared performance in which they play a sleazy used car salesman and a bleached blonde bingo maniac, respectively.  Paul Reubens (aka Peewee Herman) makes a cameo appearance as an FBI agent as well, the irony of which is lost on few adults.

14.  The Parent Trap (1961 version!)

******This movie will probably be better suited for watching with young girls.

Why Your Kids Will Like It: It's impossibly untrue, and it involves a secret scheme, something which inherently appeals to children.  Also coming into play is the wicked stepmother to be, Vicki, a character so vile, it is easy to take delight in the twins' tricking of her.  It's interesting to watch how each of the girls live in each other's lives, and your child will be curious to see how successful the twins are in passing.
Why You'll Like It: It's all in good fun, and it hails from an era when films were wholesome and family values were upheld.  Women will enjoy looking at the early 60's fashion.  Something about the good intentions of the days of yore will strike a nostalgic chord with you that Hannah Montana, in its ever-failing attempts at wit, does not.

15.  Pirates of the Caribbean (This film is rated PG-13)
Yes, this film deviates from the "unequivocally family friendly" range of G/PG ratings, but it is such a great family film that it deserves a mention.  Also, please keep in mind that even though it has a bit of a stricter rating than the other films on this list, it is made by Disney and according to imdb, it earned its rating for "action/adventure, violence."  Having viewed this film myself several times, I can relate to you, the discerning parent, the following regarding these elements:
1. The fight scenes are epic, and they do cause quite an adrenaline rush.
2. Any violence is highly stylized/made humorous.  There is no gore of any kind in the film.
3. The greatest cause for concern as a parent is that, under the light of the moon, there are a few scenes in which captain Barbossa and his crew turn into skeletons, to which some children have a sensitivity.  However, Disney takes great care to make the crew seem humorous and simple-minded, and consequently they are not very intimidating.
Why Your Kids Will Like It: It's an utterly thrilling escape into an exotic world of swashbucklers, sea monsters, maidens, and vigilante justice.  Your children will immediately feel affection for the oft-confused but always successful Jack Sparrow, and cheer him on in his quest against captain Barbossa.  Older children will even appreciate the romantic side plot that develops between Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley.
Why You'll Like It: This film has an incredible ability to transport audiences of all ages, and you will appreciate an all-star cast that includes Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp.  At the end of the day, the good guys win.  On the way, there is a bit of romance, a lot of humor, some adventure, and an abundance of breathtaking scenery to keep you thoroughly attached to the screen.  Parents of particularly picky boys might benefit from picking up one of the Pirates films on the next movie night, though it has something for everyone.

16.  The Santa Claus
Why Your Kids Will Like It: This movie is not just for Christmas time.  At the tender age of 6, I received a VHS copy of this, which my younger brother and I wore into a skipping jumble of ironically placed "festive" music.  Your kids will adore the North Pole in the movie, abundant with toys, elves, and holiday confections.  The modern twist on santa's magic, such as a CD cookie dispenser in the sleigh, makes the movie feel current and appeals to the sensibilities of the modern kid more so than the black and white santa stories you see on TCM every year.
Why You'll Like It: Tim Allen, though thought of as accessible to children, is an adult's comic, and his bitterness and disenchantment is not that of your typical cartoon Grinch.  Jabs at going to therapy and the woes of divorce and mid-life weight gain will have adults smirking, and all of the family bonding and crackling fires will leave you feeling warm and cozy.

17.  Toy Story:
Why Your Kids Will Like It: It entertains the idea that your toys come to life when you are out of the room and has the child-friendly aesthetic for which Pixar has become famous.
Why You'll Like It: It promotes teamwork and enforces that things change in life, but that with a positive outlook everything will be okay.  Having been released in 1995, Toy Story will impress you with its animation, from the smooth movement of the characters to the level of expression on their faces.  The story of the underdog, which is Woody's story, has something to offer for audiences of all ages.

18.  Up:
Why Your Kids Will Like It: What could possibly be more whimsical than the idea of tying balloons to your house and flying off into the sky?  Kids will laugh at the grumpiness of Carl and the silliness of Russell and Dug when they see that the sky really is the limit in this instant classic.
Why You'll Like It: Much of the nuance in this film will go over your child's head, as it was not intended to be solely for children.  You will sympathize along with Carl as he loses his wife, and be glad for him as the sense of joy in his life is renewed.

-posted by Anna

Stumped on what to get for your Foreign Friday Freebie? Check out these movies from the British section!

Angela's Ashes (R): Adapted from one of the most beloved memoirs of all time, Angela's Ashes is a gripping story of Frank McCourt's coming of age in impoverished Ireland.  Following McCourt through the trials and tribulations of death, religious clashes, and finding himself through his childhood and adulthood, the film manages to retain a sense of distance, humor and grace even when dealing with dark subject matter.

Atonement (R):  Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are spellbinding in this portrayal of love and the challenges of classism at the onset of World War II.  The plot functions on the notion of how a single event shapes the course of people's lives, the future of all involved, in this case, being in the hands of a school-aged girl.  A mesmerizing story about perseverance in the face of adversity, personal growth, and the power of love.  Truly a must-see.

Billy Elliot (R):  Set in the early 1980's, Billy Elliot follows a young boy in the aftermath of his mother's death and the desires of his father and older brother for him to engage in traditionally "masculine" pursuits (mining and boxing).  In the slums of Newcastle, Billy's life has been predetermined to mimic the course of his dysfunctional family's, but Billy has little interest in going into the mines.  After boxing lessons one day, Billy walks into a ballet lesson, and feels a new source of joy in his life.  The story is both touching and frustrating as Billy goes on to pursue his love in the face of his family's disapproval, and reconcile the guilt he feels over the miner's strike and the increasing financial burdens placed on his family.  A film that all at once motivates its audience to laugh at Billy and with him, but ends on a positive note.

Elizabeth (R): Cate Blanchett's portrayal of the monarch is striking, following her personal evolution from a naive adolescent, to a young adult in love, to the hardened queen that went on to foster one of the most prosperous times in England's history.  Religious themes are present in this film, though they are not obtrusive, and Geoffrey Rush and Joseph Fiennes round out an all-star cast makes even discussions of political tactics and war enjoyable.

Hilary & Jackie (R): A portrayal of the lives of real life sisters Hilary and Jacqueline du Pre, the latter receiving great renown for her mastery of the cello.  The film depicts their growing up, particularly focusing on the air of competition that is ever-present in the lives of the sisters until Jacqueline's premature death at age 42.

Muriel's Wedding (R): One of Toni Colette's lesser known films, Muriel's Wedding is, on the whole, hilarious.  Muriel is an overly enthusiastic old maid who dreams of getting married and brims with hope for her own romance every time she witnesses the nuptials of those around her.  She is a scapegoat to everyone she knows--comically so, whether it be her immediate (dysfunctional) family or her "friends."  Suddenly, Muriel finds herself in an arranged marriage to an Olympic athlete (portrayed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and is ecstatic that finally, her own special day has come.  Little does she know that an unexpected event will soon change everything she wanted out of life, including her desire for marriage.  The film's soundtrack consists overwhelmingly of ABBA songs, and contains such comic gems as Muriel telling the staff in a bridal shop that her mother is a bed-ridden cancer patient so that they will take pictures of her in gowns to "show her," when really Muriel just brings them home to put them in a photo album.  Quirky and sweet.

Pride & Prejudice (PG): Keira Knightley in a Jane Austen adaptation.  Not much further explanation required.

The Queen (PG-13): Helen Mirren gives an apt performance of the queen in the immediate aftermath of the death of Diana, a time period during which the Windsors came under great public scrutiny for an excess of the stereotypical "British reserve."  While the queen does not undergo some great emotional transformation by the film's conclusion, Mirren portrays the subtlety of the stiff-upper-lipped public figure, mastering such small gestures as clutching her purse so that, upon watching, you find yourself saying, "Wow, the queen does do that."

Sense & Sensibility (PG): Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman round out a whimsical cast in this adaptation of the Jane Austen classic.

Shakespeare in Love (PG-13): Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes star in this romanticized account of the early life of William Shakespeare.  A dreamy story of forbidden love across the social classes and early efforts of women in the arts.

For the Kids:
Mr. Bean
Monty Python

For Teens:
Shaun of the Dead (R): An average Joe with repeated shortcomings in life decides to prove to everyone how important he is by saving select loved ones from the conveniently-ongoing zombie apocalypse.

TV:
The Tudors

-Posted by Anna

Trilogies!

Today's post will be an homage to trilogies. Now, I will be the first to admit that sequels are often a bad idea. (Can anyone say "Grease 2"?) Remakes are often even worse. (The recent Clash of the Titans debacle comes to mind.) However, trilogies are a separate entity that have shaped some of the greatest movie franchises in history. Below is my list of the top 5 all-time greatest trilogies, all available today at our MacArthur store!

1) Back to the Future - How could this one not be first? For those of you who have been living in a under a rock quarry or at the bottom of a garden pond for the past 25 years, this film is about charming high school slacker Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his quirky awkwardly-too-old-to-be-his-friend pal, inventor Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Doc invents a time machine (out of a DeLorean) and takes Marty with him into the 1950's, where he befriends his high-school parents; into the year 2015 where he sees himself as a middle-aged man, and into the Old West, where he finds that the cowboy costumes sold in your local Halloween shop aren't exactly stylish. A wild ride from start to finish, this trilogy is fun for the whole family!

2) Star Wars - I suppose now this franchise counts as 2 trilogies (or possibly a set-of-six-ogy, but I don't know the actual word for that). Regardless, the Star Wars movies have managed to transcend generations, making geeks out of baby-boomers and ten-year-olds alike. With Hans Solo for the girls and Princess Leia for the guys, these movies are great entertainment for both Grandpa and little Suzie.

3) The Mummy - Now, I know that earlier I said that remakes can sometimes be a mistake. But these movies are so darn entertaining that I just couldn't leave them off the list. Brendan Fraser stars as Rick O'Connell, a swashbuckling adventurer in the deserts of Egypt who gets saddled with uptight librarian Yvie (Rachel Weisz). They accidentally unleash an evil mummy on the world, and fall in love in the process. Witty wordplay and great chemistry make this trilogy one you won't want to miss! (Although if you're going to miss any of it, skip out on part 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emporer. The franchise just isn't the same without Rachel Weisz as Yvie.)

4) Indiana Jones - For those of you who still want to see Harrison Ford shoot people but aren't so into the Star Wars thing, this is a perfect choice. We get to ride along as Indie negotiates ancient booby traps, gets in bar fights in Marakesh, and reunites with his father (the unforgettable Shawn Connery). But let it be known that this review refers to the original trilogy-the recent Kingdom of the Crystal Skull should probably be left on the shelf.

5) Toy Story - I'm the first to admit I may be a bit biased on this one. I loved Toy Story 3 so much that I saw it 3 times in the theater. What can I say, I just can't get enough of Ken and Barbie in their dreamhouse. Biased or not, this trilogy is funny, sweet, sad, heart-wrenching, and just all-around fun. Grown-ups will love seeing some of their favorite childhood toys come to life (Barrell of Monkeys, anyone?) and kids will love the goofy characters, bright colors, and adventure as the toys get replaced, broken, and ::gasp:: donated! Toy Story 3 is not yet available on DVD, but now is a perfect time to catch up on the first two, currently re-released and on our New Kids wall!

-Posted by Colleen

Chick Flicks That Deserve Recognition

As I've stated in previous posts, I'm normally not a huge "chick flick" person. I'd much rather watch zombies eat people's brains or Samuel L. Jackson shoot people than I would watch two people who hate each other slowly fall in love and live happily ever after (or at least happily-through-the-ending-credits, anyway). But despite my anti-girly-movie status, the other day I found myself watching not one, but TWO romantic comedies in one day. Highly unusual for me. Then I realized something-maybe I've been so busy lumping rom-coms together in one lousy heap that I've forgotten to acknowledge the true genius behind some of these films. Thus, my post today is in honor of rom-com goddess Nancy Meyers.

Nancy Meyers, the writer/director/producer of many a romantic comedy, is right up there with Nora Ephron as one of the queens of romance movies. Before writing, producing, and directing It's Complicated, the latest addition to the Meryl Streep canon, she was the brain behind a host of other witty classics, such as The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give (one of my personal favorites), What Women Want, and the movie my 7-year-old self based all of my childhood wedding fantasies on, the hit remake of Father of the Bride. Not only will these films melt your heart, but Meyers has a history of using strong, intoxicating female leads (Diane Keaton and Helen Hunt spring to mind...) and smart, often swoon-worthy male love interests. Her dialogue is fast-paced and funny, and her movies are not only intellectually smart, but have that rare touch of emotional intelligence to them that is so hard to find in lighter movies. Even I, with my prejudice against sappy movies, can't help watching almost all of her movies over and over and over again. (I've even worn out my copy of Something's Gotta Give, if you can believe that!)

So, the moral of the story-check out Nancy Meyers. You may find some new favorites (and men, there might even be a movie or two in there that you'll enjoy)!

-Posted by Colleen