In doing this, I have been reminded that there are a lot of movies that I really, really enjoy and it was very hard to narrow it down to just 20 (thus the honorable mentions here).

There are many movies I love but they wouldn’t be on this list because, while I have seen them numerous times, they don’t necessarily spring to mind instantly the moment I decide I might want to devote a couple of hours to a movie. Some of these would be:

Springtime in the Rockies - Betty Grable
The Changeling - George C. Scott, very intense!
Spinal Tap - hilarious.
It’s A Wonderful Life - although, I watch this at least once every December.
My Fair Lady - Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison
Yankee Doodle Dandy - James Cagney playing George M. Cohan.
The Bishop’s Wife - Cary Grant.
People Will Talk - Cary Grant
Once Upon A Honeymoon - Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers

And, there is one honorable mention I forgot, Jaws, I LOVE this movie. I’ve watched it probably 100+ times and it just never really gets old.

There are many, many more as well. But now it’s time to get to the final 5 and, of course, #1

#5 - White Christmas
This movie is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve been known to watch it in July. I love everything from the dance scene with Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing” to the end scene when it begins to snow and the cast sings “White Christmas.” This was supposed to be a sort of sequel to “Holiday Inn” starring Bing and Fred Astaire. Still, Rosemary Clooney is gorgeous and her voice is amazing, Vera Ellen is cute and the chemistry with Danny Kaye is adorable. And, who could forget the song, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” There is nothing that gets me into the holiday mood more than this movie.

#4 - As Good As It Gets
Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear are just freakin’ awesome in this movie. It never fails if this one is on and I run across it, I end up watching it. There are so many funny and heartwarming moments.

#3 - The Philadelphia Story
This is the first Katherine Hepburn movie I saw. She was brilliant in this film and I always love she and Cary Grant playing off of each other (Bringing Up Baby is another favorite!). “Hello Dexter… Hello George” - one of my favorite scenes. And, I can’t forget James Stewart who was awesome! Or Virginia Weidler who played the obnoxious and very funny, younger sister to Kate Hepburn’s character, Dinah Lord. After watching this movie I decided right then and there that if I ever had a little girl I would name her Katherine.

#2 - Sleepy Hollow
I love this movie. I cannot say enough about it. Now, of course, I am starting to notice that I have a lot of the same people in the movies I’ve chosen. Johnny Depp was in Pirates, of course, but Michael Gambon who played Baltus Van Tassle was also the bad guy in Open Range. I remember catching the trailer for this movie months before it came out. I was beyond excited about it. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is probably my all-time favorite ghost story and while there have been other movie adaptations, none are as great (in my opinion) as the Disney animated version or this one by Tim Burton. In fact, just writing about it is really making me want to run in and pop it into the DVD player.

Which brings us to #1, #1 holds a very special place for me. Not only did my beloved Harry Connick Jr. do the entire soundtrack (which I wore out numerous cassettes of) but this movie got me through some really tough times. I can remember one night when I watched it over and over again end to end until the sun came up.

#1 - When Harry Met Sally This is one of the few movies that I know nearly every line of. Carrie Fisher is brilliant, “Everyone thinks they have good taste and sense of humor but we all can’t have good taste and a sense of humor.” Aside from the faking the orgasm scene, which seems to be at the forefront of most people’s memory of this film, there are so many wonderful scenes between Harry and Sally that are just great.

Harry Burns: You realize of course that we could never be friends.

Sally Albright: Why not?

Harry Burns: What I’m saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.

Sally Albright: That’s not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.

Harry Burns: No you don’t.

Sally Albright: Yes I do.

Harry Burns: No you don’t.

Sally Albright: Yes I do.

Harry Burns: You only think you do.

Sally Albright: You say I’m having sex with these men without my knowledge?

And, that’s it, my Top 20 favorite movies. Like them or not, I’m ok with either because I love them all.

This is terrible the further I get into this series the more I begin to think I should have something a bit more profound to say about each film. Unfortunately, the same can go for all of them, I like what I like because I like it, it entertains me, most make me feel good or “up” after watching them. They remind me of special times, people, and places. There are very few movies that could ever leave this list. In fact, some of them, at some point, I am sure I will get bored of and wish I hadn’t even listed them. Very few will stand the test of my time, I suppose. But at this given moment, this is the list.

#10 - Pirates of the Caribbean
I loved this movie, I loved everyone in it and of course, Johnny Depp was amazing. Although, I have to admit to not being incredibly fond of the sequels. I just didn’t like them. I was skeptical when I first heard about a movie being based on the ride but after seeing it, I can’t imagine a better way to bring the ride at Disneyland to life. And as awesome as Pirates was is how craptacular I thought Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy was. What a disappointment there!

#9 - Something To Talk About
First off, it has a nut shot and we all know how much I love a good nut shot. Kyra Sedgewick kneeing Dennis Quaid is hysterical. Gena Rowlands locking Robert Duvall out of the house is just brilliant. The women in this movie are just such great characters.

#8 - Open Range
This movie has it all, the scenes are strong and gorgeous, Michael Jeter (in one of his last films) is just great. The dog gets shot - and that really bothers me, a lot. But, beyond that, it’s strong, heartfelt, romantic, and has a wonderful ass-kicking climax and a wonderful, sweet ending. I hadn’t seen this one for a while and a few weekends ago on a Sunday morning, Mike and I were in bed and flipped to a channel that was airing it. I had forgotten how wonderful this film is. Of course, happily snuggled up while watching it definitely adds to the charm.

#7 - Signs
This is another one of those movies that no matter how many times I’ve seen it, I get sucked into it. Although, again, it really bothers me that the dog has to get it. The first time I saw it, Mike and I rented it while the kids were gone with my mom for the night. We blacked out the house and curled up in bed, I think there were moments when both of us were peeking through our fingers at the screen.

#6 - Disney’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Narrated by Bing Crosby. We watch this one every Halloween and I have to admit I’ve already watched it about 10 times this month alone. Originally released in 1949 as “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr.Toad” it was an animated film that told two different stories. The first half was the animated version of part of “The Wind in the Willows” with Basil Rathbone narrating. It’s nice, Maggie likes it, but the real treat is the second half with Bing Crosby narrating the classic Washington Irving tale. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” was released in 1959 as a stand alone feature. Disney, in all of its wisdom (insert snarky cough here) has only released the original on DVD, so now to get to Sleepy Hollow one must go through the chapter selections to Chapter 14. My real bitch with this is that Sleepy Hollow is undoubtedly a Halloween movie, and yet, The Adventures of Mr. Toad takes place at Christmas and New Year’s. Gah! No mixing of holidays!!!

Overall my top 20 list is a mixed bag. Kinda schizophrenic, I think and not entirely representative of all the movies I like or appreciate. But, ultimately, these are the movies that I would really watch over and over again or at special times of the year, things like that.

#15 - A Christmas Story
I never get tired of “and now Black Bart you get yours!” or “Fra-GEE-lee, I think that’s Italian!” it doesn’t matter if we have already watched it once in December, when TNT plays it over and over again on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day that is the only channel our television is on. Christmas Day would not be the same without waking up to A Christmas Story.

#14 - Best In Show
Oh, how I loooove Christopher Guest.

#13 - High Spirits
Peter O’Toole is stinking hilarious. Beverly D’Angelo is stingingly bitchy. Ghosts, annoying tourists, and a rundown haunted castle, it’s cheesy, silly, oh-so 80’s with an unknown and much younger Liam Neeson. I just get a kick out of this movie and it (almost) never gets old. This is really one of the movies I pull out in October it’s got that Halloween feel to it.

#12 - Christmas Vacation
It never gets old, really. The nasty inlaws, creepy cousin Eddie, overdone Christmas decorations and a major holiday melt down. This is a family favorite. Unfortunately, it also causes Mike to go around the house saying, “Shitter’s full!”

#11 - A Christmas Carol
This would be the 1999 TNT version with Patrick Stewart and Richard E. Grant. My mom loves the Albert Finney musical version. I do as well, but for a non-musical, adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, this one is wonderful and never fails to bring a tear to my eye in a good way.

Ok, so now do me a favor and head over to Avitable’s to read my guest post. Thanks!

I have some varying criteria for my top picks. For me, favorite movies have to be movies that I will watch over and over again, things that I find funny or entertaining or moving no matter how many times I have seen them and movies that hold special memories for me. I’m not saying these are the greatest movies of all time because there are arguably hundreds of movies that are better. I’m just saying that these are my top favorites.

Top 10 Honorable Mentions:

Mklintock!
Indiana Jones (yeah, all of them)
Ocean’s 11 (original and remake)
The Rock
Just Cause
What Women Want
Hudson Hawk
The Great Outdoors
Memphis Belle

#20 - The Mummy
This is one of the few movies that I own on DVD and will still watch on television almost every time it comes on. I just like the return to old school Hollywood adventure. I really sort of compare it to something like Gunga Din (1939)

#19 - 50 First Dates
I like the premise, Sean Astin is hilarious and so is Rob Schneider. I’ve never really gotten tired of this movie and it cracks me up every time.

#18 - Funny Farm
I don’t care how many times I have seen this it never loses its charm for me. The scene during the fishing tournament is probably one of my favorites. I love the Norman Rockwell references, the crazy mailman, and the entire town turning into a living version of Rockwell’s Christmas scenes.

#17 - Arsenic and Old Lace
Cary Grant was absolutely brilliant. I loved his character so much I named one of my cat’s Mortimer Brewster. And, John Alexander as Teddy “Roosevelt” Brewster, the crazy cousin who thinks he’s President Roosevelt is absolutely hysterical.

Reverend Harper: Have you ever tried to persuade him that he wasn’t Teddy Roosevelt?
Abby Brewster: Oh, no.
Martha Brewster: Oh, he’s so happy being Teddy Roosevelt.
Abby Brewster: Oh… Do you remember, Martha, once, a long time ago, we thought if he’d be George Washington, it would be a change for him, and we suggested it.
Martha Brewster: And do you know what happened? He just stayed under his bed for days and wouldn’t be anybody.

#16 - Once Around
I love Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfus in anything, I just like the way they play off of each other. Danny Aiello and Gena Rowland are awesome in this movie. It’s just funny and sweet, even if the ending is a little sad.

And, that’s it for 20 - 15, this was actually a lot harder than I thought and I can see myself rereading this months later and wanting to add, take away, or rearrange.

Our culture to a certain extent revolves around the entertainment industry. People love movies, music, celebrity, and gossip. I’m certainly no different, although, I have to admit, I’m not that big of a movie fan.

I can’t tell you why, I do watch them, I have my favorites, but it almost takes an act of God to get me to sit down and actually watch a movie. The only exception is Christmas when I definitely have a list I have to get through before Christmas. There is something about giving up 2 hours of my life to sit through something that bothers me sometimes. I suppose I’d rather waste the time doing something else.

When I do watch a movie, I want to be entertained. I’m not that big into dramas although, admittedly, there are many I like. I like action, adventure, comedy, and occasionally romantic comedy. You won’t catch me watching “Braveheart” or “300″ or God forbid, “Pulp Fiction” or something as nasty as “American Me” - which I did watch one time and I can honestly say, it scarred me for life.

I don’t do prison movies or movies with unnecessary brutality, rape scenes bother me tremendously and really sad things bother me as well. “Dragonfly” with Kevin Costner was a good movie, but it was also incredibly sad and depressing for me. I’m one of the few people who left the theater crying after “The Sixth Sense.” It killed me, it was so, so sad. Ditto with “The Others.” Traditional sad movies like “Love Story,” “Beaches,” and “Terms of Endearment” are movies I made the mistake of watching ONE time and they depressed me for DAYS… DAYS. And given that I have mentioned I have issues with depression and anxiety (on medication for both, remember) I sort of have to take that kind of thing seriously. But, that’s just me.

So, good movie or not, critically acclaimed or not, I only watch movies that entertain me in some way. I also don’t go over them critically or make fun of their ability or inability to “suspend belief” blah blah, I just watch movies I like and watch new movies that I think I’d like. Otherwise, what would be the point in wasting two whole hours?

That being said, there are obvious contradictions to my watching preferences. I like Law & Order (tv show, I know, I know) but I won’t watch SVU. There are certain episodes of CSI: Miami that I’ve enjoyed and others that I haven’t handled so well.

The really strange thing is that there are days when I decide I’m not leaving my bedroom and I flip the television on with every intention of watching a documentary, or something on HGTV or the History channel. That’s about the time that the history channel is doing “The History of Lug Nuts” and HGTV is showing “Sell This House” and I realize that I might very well be bored to suicide (that is a joke!) or at least tears. This happened a couple of weekends ago and I ended up watching “Basic” with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson (I love him, he’s great in nearly everything he does) and “Walking Tall” with The Rock and Johnny Knoxville (I love Johnny Knoxville, I just do).

Now, I happen to think The Rock is a cutie-pie. I do… can’t help it. Don’t know what it is… but I do. John Travolta, I am not a HUGE fan of and I can’t tell you why exactly. Truth is, I really liked Basic, I think I’d buy it and might even watch it a couple of times.

Which brings me to the point of this post. I happen to adore RW and his blog, Chasing Vincenzo. Recently he ran a series on his favorite 50 movies. (that links you to the beginning of the series, read it, comment, please!) I was impressed, not only with his choices but with his dedication and ability to succinctly state what it was about each movie that he loved.

Originally, I thought, well, I can maybe come up with 10 favorites and then it occurred to me that I better make it 25, but since I’m spending Monday explaining what I’m about to do that leaves 4 days left in the week, which means I’m down to 20. So, this week will be about my Top 20 favorite movies. Blatantly stealing this idea from RW, I plan to work my way down to my #1 pick.

And, just an FYI - Wednesday I’ll be guest posting over at Avitable’s because he seems to think he’s due for some sort of blogging vacation or something. What a pussy. :whistle:

Mike is 43 today. FORTY-THREE.

Yowza.

Well, it is better than the alternative, right?

I just can’t believe I’m married to a guy who is 43.

(oh shit, did I type that out loud?)

Uh…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY! I LOOOOOOOOOVE YOU!!!!

Kate took this picture on our last camping trip. Click the picture to make it bigger and read the hat. :evil: We drove up to Cambria, CA and Mike spent an hour in his favorite store that sells over 400 styles of hats. Did I mention this is his favorite store? Did I mention that he can get lost for an HOUR PLUS in this store? Did I mention that it is NOT that big of a store? Yeah, I don’t want to hear any man complain about women shopping for purses or shoes until they have shopped in that store with my husband.

In case you hadn’t noticed and might require clarification this blog is mainly about me… me me ME! However, today it is about Mike and I have decided to do without my daily dose of ego massaging thought you might like to know some things about Mike.

* He plays the guitar beautifully, he used to get Maggie to go to sleep by playing “The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin on his acoustic guitar.

* He plays the drums!

* He has phenomenal taste in jewelry. Really!

* He is named after his father aka Big Mike. Who passed away several years ago.

* He is an original 80’s Metal Head.

* In high school he spent a lot of time in the parking lot and earned the nickname, Spiccoli (Fast Times At Ridgemont High).

* He is incredibly generous and rarely passes a homeless person or someone with a “will work for food” sign without giving them money.

* He has the greenest thumb of anyone I have ever met.

* His favorite Christmas album is Elvis. I don’t remember the name of it.

* He tears up at the end of “A Christmas Story” when Ralphie gets his Red Rider BB Gun.

* It’s A Wonderful Life always puts a lump in his throat.

* He can fix anything, he’s brilliant.

* Except for computers… he’s lost there.

* He got down on one knee to propose to me.

* He is a barbecue KING. The man can cook better than most restaurants.

* Without a doubt, he is an amazing father.

* He snores like a freight train.

* He talks about work in his sleep.

* He will listen to any type of music and appreciate it.

* He has seen KISS in concert, the original line up, twice.

* He’s forgotten more concerts than I’ve ever been to.

* He doesn’t like reality television.

* He liked Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars.

* Frazier was one of his favorite TV shows.

* So was Cheers.

* He loves Winnie The Pooh.

* And, this is his MySpace feel free to wish him a Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

*
Ethan took 6th place in a Cross Country run yesterday. If it had been an invitational he would have medaled. Since it wasn’t - he was one of only 7 runners to receive a t-shirt which is basically like a trophy only… you can wash it and it probably won’t collect dust. :cheesy:

* The horse from Disney’s Mulan, is a pissy little bastard. I never realized this until I heard Maggie playing with him and a toy zebra. I distinctly heard the horse say, “I not like you, I’m going home! Goodbye!!”

* If you haven’t read this yet, it’s an interesting read.

* WTF is wrong with PE teachers? Kate’s PE teacher is a fat ass, beer bellied, blow hard who spends the entire period yelling at the kids to run faster. WHY… WHY would the school allow a PE teacher to be OVERWEIGHT? Is that setting a good example? I wonder what the PE/Fitness Freak Governor would think about this? I gave Kate permission to ask the guy to join them in the sweat-fest. The PE Teacher not the Governor.

My son.

The ass.

I took Ethan and Kate for a dental check up. They love their dentist, he’s very cool. The staff is great, but most of the assistants are older and fairly jaded. Except, they have a new hire now. A cute new hire with a cute little diamond in her right nostril. Small, petite, just a tiny sparkle. This lovely new assistant was assigned to Ethan today. It was her lucky day.

Assistant - So, Ethan, are you on any prescription medication?

Ethan - No, just marijuana.

Assistant - Oh, just every once in a while?

Ethan - Uh, no, pretty much every day.

Assistant - So, just once a day?

Ethan - Oh no… more than that, but after 5x I lose count.

Oh, yeah, AND they have ANOTHER appointment tomorrow. Maybe I can get Mike to take them instead. I wonder if he’d fall for that? :whistle:

In other news - Happy Birthday Megan!!

Angel from over at SecretsOfAnAngel.Com posted an interview and then invited people to have her interview them. I volunteered and here we are:

1. You are raising three great kids and working longer hours than any mother I know. How do you manage to balance the two, while making it look so easy?

It looks easy? Really? Wow. I guess I hide stress, panic, and fatigue really well! I haven’t figured out a way to balance it, honestly. I just sort of keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to keep my priorities straight.

2. What is the easiest part of working with your spouse? The hardest?

Easiest part - trading sexual favors for things we don’t want to do. You can’t do that at most workplaces. :evil:

Hardest part - uh… have penis will say something stupid.

3. If you and Mike were able to take time off of your business, and the kids were not in school or obligated to any extracurricular activities, where would you choose to go for vacation if money was no object?

Probably a tour of Europe. Ethan is fascinated with Italy and Kate would die to see the Eiffel Tower.

4. When and why did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 2004, Maggie was 6 or 7 months old and Mike was studying for his appraiser’s license. Originally it was an offshoot of another site, but it quickly grew into my main focus.

5. What is something that very few people know about you, but that you would like more people to know?

You mean I’ve left something out?!?!?! Hmmmm, I have no idea. Really. How about, I love roasted brussel sprouts. Like LOVE LOVE… they are soooo good and so good FOR you!

Ok, so the rule is, if you want me to interview you - then ask in the comments and I’ll send you out some questions!

Mom: geez u know how I am about animals

Mom: yesterday

Mom: I was driving home

Mom: and 3 dogs ( first clue)

Amy: Uh oh.

Mom: were walking along with collars on

Mom: so I stop

Mom: and they are 2 lab size, one molly size

Mom: look like a cross between boxer and pit bull

Mom: and I get out of the car and approach them

Mom: “you come here and let me see where u belong”

Mom: two big ones sniff my hand

Mom: alls good

Mom: then I do the unmentionable and rach for the collar

Mom: the darn dog bit me

Amy: ROTFLMAO

Amy: That’ll teach you.

Mom: I jumped back and thought quickly …shit there are 3 of them

Mom: I’m gonna get killed

Amy: LOL - so did you leave them alone?

Mom: so I put on my mean sub face

Mom: not the sandwich one

Mom: I would have been a goner for sure then

Mom: and put my finger out and said , NO!

Amy: so she bit your finger off?

Amy: And now you can point like grandpa?

Grandpa lost his index finger up to the middle knuckle in an ice cream maker when he worked for Carnation. Whenever one of his kids got in trouble he always pointed and scolded them with his “stub” :evil:

Mom: :lmfao:

Mom: no she stopped and looked at me

Mom: and pushed the other ones around

Mom: and crossed the street

Mom: and kept turning around to see what I was going to do

Mom: I quickly got in my car …wanted to run em over

Amy: Well, there ya go. They knew where they were going - you should learn to mind your own business.

Mom: the little fuckers

Amy: ROTFLMAO

Amy: OH shit… Oh shit… I’m SO posting this on my blog.

Amy: My mom typed FUCKERS.

Mom: well they frightened me…gave me a fright!

Mom: i have encountered nicer cows

Mom: all i could think of was the woman with her groceries that was mauled to death

Mom: do not let them see your fear

Mom: no wonder tat darn dog whisper…er says

Mom: DO Not Try this at Home

Mom: shit shit shit