What will you do if I find someone else? Be jealous.
I'm going to be selfish and make this one all about me. Namely, I'll be sharing 20 movies I worship and adore. That's right. Only 20
September is my birthday month. So to celebrate, I thought I’d compile a list featuring 20 of my favorite films. This list is in no way definitive, but I tried to be as honest as possible when putting it together.
I don’t have a singular fave; I have hundreds of them. Below is a shortlist, culled from the rather plentiful longlist from which I started. You’ll also notice horror is not represented. That’s a beast that will be tamed soon enough.
For now, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about my choices. This is a pretty good way of getting to know me.
Alice in Wonderland (1951)
My favorite of Disney animation's golden age. Princesses are fine, but give me the girl who fell down the rabbit hole into a world of what Willy Wonka once called pure imagination.
Amélie (2001)
Whimsical. Romantic. Inventive. Paris has never looked better and Audrey Tautou is positively enchanting as the titular character. This film always puts a smile on my face.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Another Disney fave. Belle loves to read and falls for the Beast — who, admittedly, has been holding her prisoner — once she sees the size of his library. That's not Stockholm Syndrome. That's common sense.
The Before Trilogy (1995-2013)
These films celebrate one of the most gorgeous romances ever put on screen. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke are sublime, Richard Linklater’s direction is divine, and the trio's script is perfect.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
My favorite Spielberg. A brilliant sci-fi epic that's intimate in nature, putting humanity front and center as opposed to death and destruction. One of Richard Dreyfuss' best performances.
Closer (2004)
Patrick Marber's play is brought to the screen in a chilling, intoxicating fashion. Love's underbelly is on full display via the toxic relationships within two interlocking couples.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
I've adored this coming-of-age romance since I first saw it on the slumber party circuit. Nobody puts this flick in a corner. Plus, Kelly Bishop!
Go (1999)
Doug Liman’s best film features a great cast (Sarah Polley! Timothy Olyphant! William Fichtner! Taye Diggs!) in this darkly funny Rashomon-esque story about a drug deal on Christmas Eve.
The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Neil Simon's witty, charming screenplay features a perfectly paired Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss. The rat-a-tat dialogue and the crazy beautiful chemistry make this irresistible.
Harold and Maude (1971)
An iconic May-December romance filled with innocence, joie de vivre, a twisted sense of humor, and so much heart. And that Yusuf Islam (fka Cat Stevens) soundtrack? Chef's kiss.
The Iron Giant (1999)
One of the purest love stories ever. If you don't fall for this animated tale detailing the friendship between a boy and a giant, alien robot, we can't be friends.
Little Women (1994)
Out of the three film adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's novel that I love, this remains my favorite. Gillian Armstrong's take is akin to curling up with a blanket and a cup of cocoa.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Coppola. Murray. Johansson. Tokyo. Magic.
The Old Guard (2020)
I’ve honestly lost track of the number of times I’ve seen this enormously entertaining action flick based on the Greg Rucka comics. It’s the film that introduced me to Luca Marinelli and reintroduced me to Harry Melling. Just two reasons why I love it.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
I’m a sucker for a good period romance, so it’s no surprise that I adore this film. Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel’s slow-burn chemistry is the stuff dreams are made of.
sex, lies, and videotape (1989)
This was a game changer for me. I had no idea that movies could be so dynamic, so achingly real ... so sexy. I was 13? 14? 15? when I watched Steven Soderbergh's debut on premium cable. I never looked back.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Come for the Rodgers & Hammerstein score. Stay for the smokin' hot chemistry between Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Spirited Away (2001)
This Alice in Wonderland-esque tale was my introduction to Studio Ghibli and the legendary Hiyao Miyazaki. I couldn't have asked for a more fitting entry point.
Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (1977-1983)
Return of the Jedi was the first film I saw at the cinema. My dad took me when I was kid. These three films set in a galaxy far, far away bonded us forever and we always went back to them again and again.
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Gene Wilder will forever be the definitive Wonka as far I'm concerned. And the Leslie Bricusse score is sweeter than anything concocted by the confectioner.
What are some of your favorite movies? I’d love to hear which ones have bewitched you, body and soul.
Until we meet again.
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