Never Watch Star Wars, I will

*I realize that I am starting most blogs with random fact about myself.  I promise to change things up but not today.  Bear with me, please.

I have never seen Star Wars.  Practically every boy that I have dated swears that he will be the one to cure me of this.  Guess what?  I win.  Still never seen it, and I clasp my hands together and shake them in the air from side to side in victory, like it matters.   I also missed E.T., Ghostbusters, Stand by Me, and Nightmare on Elm Street.    There are movies that I didn't see back then but caught up with later in life... When Harry Met Sally, Big, Rainman, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  What was I doing in the 70's and 80's? Um, being not born, then being a baby, then not having a television, then being a missionary kid and being a dork.  (Those last two go hand in hand, I believe)  I think that sums it up.

Then came Netflix.  Actually, then came VCR's, home computers, dial up internet service, broadband, and then netflix.  But eventually, there was Netflix.  Never would I have imagined that I would be able turn on my television and choose from thousands of movie titles and tv shows for only $9 a month.  So, for an exciting change of pace, I will share with you my top five favorite movies that I can think of right now.  (I add this because I am sure that after I write this, I will hate this list and think of others that should be on it)  I know, you are so thrilled.  Go ahead, get out your pen and paper and write these down. 

1. Life is Beautiful- I want to tell you that this movie is in Italian.  Even if you hate subtitles, see the Italian version.  There is an English version which is just horrible, the English voice has a sad little Italian accent, and of course the lips and voices are doing different things.  Horrible.  Don't do it.  I will also tell you that for the first 30-45 minutes of this movie, you might hate it.  You might hate me, but stick with it.  It's a beautiful story about a Jewish father who protects his son from the truth of work camps.  I cry every time I watch it.  I promise that you will want to tell everyone you know about this movie.

2. Pride and Prejudice, the 6 hour BBC version.  I am sorry.  I am just a girl who loves Colin Firth, even though the picture of him from some awards show with a teeny little mustache was just creepy.  I watched this before I read the book.  I was not a Jane Austen fan when I started.  I am now.  And a 6 hour movie might seem insane, but it was originally a mini-series so it's broken up reasonable well.  Jennifer Ehle is a perfect Elizabeth Bennett.  She makes Keira Knightley's Pride and Prejudice performance look like amateur hour. 

3. I am Sam.  This might be one of the best sad movies I have ever seen.  And Beatles covers by Ben Folds, Sarah McLachlan, Ben Harper, and the Wallflowers.  Throw in Dakota Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer... what's not to love?

4. The Incredibles.  Yes, I said the Incredibles.  We bought this for my nephews when they were living with me, and I have seen this movie a million times.  In fact, for a 12 month period, Cameron assigned each family member an Incredibles character.  Of course, they had to double up because they all wanted to be Dash.  Baby Cody didn't care that he had to be Jack-Jack.  My step-daughter Lindi was Violet.  I, of course, was Elastigirl.  So maybe I love it because it reminds me of being a mother.  Or maybe it reminds me of my inner superhero.  Either way, it's equally entertaining for kids and adults, and it belongs on the list.

5. That Thing You Do.  Do not judge me here.  I love the Oh-nee-ders.  And the Wonders.  Matching suits, catchy music, Liv Tyler's outfits, Steve Zahn, and Tom Hanks.  I would love Tom Hanks if he filmed a movie reading cookbooks or dictionaries.  (I do hope he never stoops to doing this) So if the name Cap'n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters doesn't ring a bell for you, you should watch this movie.

I never claimed to have stellar taste in movies.  Music, I definitely claim stellar taste.  Movies, probably not so much.  I blame the fact that my formative years were virtually movie-free.  And our bonus feature is a short list of movies that I am embarrassed to love.

1. Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves
2. 13 Going on 30
3. Beaches
4. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
5. While You Were Sleeping

Thank you for reading.  Be sure to check back later for more useless information about me.