We all remember clicking through the channels looking for something to watch with hundreds of channels on tv. We would find a movie, that every time it came on, you would watch it, no matter where it was in the movie, until the end. We all have a list of those movies. What are some of yours?
One of mine is The Karate Kid. The original one. I first saw this movie at a drive-in in Los Angels. I played around with martial arts in my younger years. I was a kid that was picked on for a number of reasons growing up. I could see myself in Daniel-san. It gave me hope. I’ve seen all the subsequent ones, but the first one was the best. In my adult life, I began to seriously train in martial arts. Now we have seen the story come full circle with Cobra Kai series on Netflix.
I had a great-uncle that served in the Battle of the Bulge. I remember getting all kinds of books from the library to study this battle. An interesting look at history. “NUTS!”
A cowboy musical comedy is an interesting category. But this movie had it all! This was my introduction to Mel Brooks.
Filmed at the old Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio. This is a great film about redemption. I wrote a paper about this film in Seminary for a course on Shame.
As an avid kilt wearer, I have to put Braveheart on this list. It is historical fiction, real characters, but the story may not be exactly like it was in the movie. I like how the Irish king plays a valuable role.
Clint Eastwood does an excellent job Gunny Highway. This military drama deals with some of the real issues surrounding military service. Some of the draw to this film is that I remember the incidents involving Grenada. You have to like a guy who always says what it is, is authentic to himself, and still has a good heart.
Hitch is an interesting look at living an authentic life. For me, the moral of the movie is to be yourself. It is always better to just be you instead of trying to be what you think someone else wants you to be.
The Breakfast Club defined a generation. This film is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary! This is a must-see classic. Everyone could find themselves in this film. I still believe it stands the test of time. It propelled several movie careers.
This is a classic. I did West Side Story my senior year in high school. Watch the original! There has been a recent re-make which isn’t bad. This still applies to our world today as much as it did when it was originally filmed!
This is a star-studded movie! I watched it again on my trip to Australia in January. In fact, I watched this, Oceans 12, Oceans 13, Oceans 8 and then the original Oceans 11! This film has it all: comedy, intrigue, awesome plot, romance, justice, and keeps you on your seat. Just give in an complete the marathon!
This was a made-for-tv movie that was filmed partly at Ohio State University while I was studied theatre there. I was actually an extra in this movie. It is the story about Jesse Owens, an Ohio native who rose above to find success in a very troubled time. I was able to meet Dorion Harewood during the filming.
This is an interesting look into the complicated life in the military. The film puts different perspectives against one another. The film applies to civilian life as well. So give it a watch “If you think you can handle the truth!”
This one always makes me cry. It is more than just a baseball film. It is a film about redemption. We all need to follow our dreams. Sometimes, it leaves us standing alone looking crazy! And the Field of Dreams field in Iowa is on my must travel to list.
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