These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

All of the survey silliness and random posting on sites like MySpace and Facebook gets me thinking now and then.
It's been a while since I've actually evaluated the question "What do I like?".

As we get older, some of our interests change. Things we once enjoyed fall by the wayside, long since forgotten, or are replaced by different hobbies, new likes and dislikes.

Rather than post a disorganized list of this and that, sifting and sorting by catagory makes sense to me.
In addition, because I know that it will satisfy my psyche later one (and because it's my blog, and well, I can), there will be bits of explaination interspersed as I see fit.

Movies and Television.
The moving picture is a horrid weakness of mine. I spent countless hours of my youth immersed in the soft glowing light that eminated from the picture tube. I was caught up in the wacky antics of Lucille Ball, wishing that The Addams could somehow adopt me, entranced by the swagger of The Duke or the charm of Cary Grant, and just plain glued to Mtv or whatever Nick At Nite happened to be showing when I should have been fast asleep.
That addiction never subsided. I still love much of what I enjoyed back then, and have added quite a lengthy list of cinema and sitcom to my mental collection of adoration.

Mind you there'll be no rhyme or reason to this list. Just spouted and put to keyboard as they come to me.

Breakfast At Tiffany's
Dear Lord, how Audrey Hepburn gets to me. She was, and still is, the embodiment of gentility and grace. Of poise and elegance. Classy and classic.
Which also explains why the next one is on my list...

Roman Holiday
If you haven't seen it, you should. It's wonderful.

The Breakfast Club
I was a child of the eighties. What more do you want?

Ladies, don't deny it. You know you tried the lipstick trick.

American History X
I cannot tell you how many times I have watched that film, and yet I still cover my eyes, cringe and cry. When I think of Edward Norton, I think of that film. (screw Fight Club. Totally inferior, and it had Brad Pitt, which made it that much worse in my opinion)
I really think that high school kids should have to watch that film. They'd learn an awful lot.

Dracula
I defy you to find anyone who, on the mention of that name, doesn't automatically think of Bela Lugosi. There have been many fantastic horror films made since then, including some decent interpretations of Vlad himself (Gary Oldman did a lovely job, as did Frank Langella), but this film set the bar for all vampire films to come.

Practical Magic
This is one that I watch in the company of no one. I look like a sobbing idiot. Some piece of me identifies with Sandra Bullock's character, and it just tears me up. I didn't much care for her prior to that movie, and now I think she's swell.

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Go ahead. Give me crap. If you grew up in a seriously fucked up home (I won't even censor that bit, because it would lose the necessary emphasis), you'll feel for Siddalee and know what she went through.
I read the book before I saw the movie, and it did nothing for me. When I watched the fim for the first time, I bawled. Score another point for Ms. Bullock (or should I say Mrs. James?).

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
I love this movie!!! It's campy, and the acting is subpar at best, but that's part of its charm.

Labyrinth
David Bowie's pants. Need I say more?

Swing Kids
Another tear jerker. Robert Sean Leonard is so very, very talented.

Laura

Pete's Dragon

As Good As It Gets
I adore Jack Nicholson. I enjoy many of his films, but this is by far, my favorite. Why they ever considered Dustin Hoffman for this role is beyond me (no offense to Mr. Hoffman intended).

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Tell me that Mr. Dark didn't scare the heck out of you. I'm thirty-two and I still think that he's creepy.

Rock Hudson and Doris Day
Okay, that's not a movie, but to list them all, I'd add quite a few lines of dialogue to my ramblings.

Down With Love
While I'm thinking of Rock and Doris, this one comes to mind. A lighthearted homage to the cutest couple of the 1960's, It showcases Ewan McGregor's talents and offers an adorable performance from Renee` Zellweger (whom I do not usually enjoy).

I do not think that I need to add anything about Nightmare Before Christmas. My interest in that film and its cast of characters teeters on the brink of obsession.

While we're on Tim Burton, here are a few more to add:
Big Fish
Beetlejuice
Edward Scissrohands

...leading from that, Vincent Price holds a place in my heart. I simply love his work. All of it. Every last little teensy, weensy piece.

And another man who gets multiple nods; Adam Sandler.
The Wedding Singer ( definitely one of my Top 10 All Time Favorites )
Little Nicky
50 First Dates
Anger Management ( Adam and Jack in one film is like a Reese's Peantut Butter Cup)

And while I wouldn't add every film to my favorites list, I've never seen a Cary Grant performance that didn't make me fall madly in love with him for the entire viewing.
Mr. Grant was, in my eyes, the definition of handsome male, and in many ways, still is. (and what made him ever sexier was that he was really British! The first time I heard his rough and broken English accent I nearly fainted. Seriously.)

Oh good golly, if I post a quip about every film, I'll be here for ages, and I haven't even touched a wisp of television.
A few more that should not go unmentioned

Suicide Kings ( Christopher Walken = best creepy subtle bad guy. EVER. )
Ever After ( the dress is tenfold more stunning in real life.. I wish I'd taken pictures)
Darby O'Gill and the Little People ( featuring Sean Connery when he actually had hair!)
The Usual Suspects ( Keyser Soze! Keyser Soze! Brilliant!)

And I am certain to be missing some, but this has gone on long enough. I'll save the bits on television for the next posting.

If you've taken the time to actually read this, I want to know, what are some of YOUR favorites?
Do you have films that you can watch over and over again, and never get enough of? Or movies that bring forth a wellspring of emotion, be it laughter or tears?

Share, share share!

I did. Now it's your turn.