61. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) I really liked this movie. I think I identify our big sometimes embarrassing, sometimes endearing, family with the Greek family in the movie. I would like to have a “clean films” version of the movie because, of course, the “gods of Hollywood” had to stick in the obligatory “sex before marriage” scene. Nevertheless, I really loved the fact that Ian knew that he was not just marrying a girl but also her family.
62. My Fair Lady (1964) Of course, the ending is unsatisfactory. Why does Eliza go back to that conceited Henry Higgins? And Rex Harrison can’t even sing–just speaks his lyrics. Nevertheless, the songs and the acting and the story of a flowergirl who becomes a lady are all delightful enough to make up for any flaws.
63. North by Northwest (1959) Hitchcock and Cary Grant again, a great combination. IMDB says that Jimmy Stewart wanted the role, but Hitchcock thought he was too old. See, children, Cary Grant isn’t old at all!
64. Notorious(1946) O.K., I like Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. I think Grant makes a dashing hero as he runs upstairs to rescue Bergman, the damsel in distress. I’m just a sucker for suspense and romance put together.
65. Oklahoma(1955) The first great movie musical. Yes, it’s pretty corny, but the songs are great. And I can’t resist the humor of “Poor Jud Is Dead.” “It’s summer and we’re running out of ice.
66. Oliver! (1968) Another great movie musical, and Dickens is one of my favorite authors. Jack WIld plays an engaging Artful Dodger, and Mark Lester is so cute as Oliver. I also think Oliver Reed is a great actor. (I once saw Oliver Reed in a film about Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and to this day I picture Rossetti looking a lot like OR)
67. Ordinary People (1980) This one is more serious. Pair it with Dead Poet’s Society; both of them are about boys from affluent families trying to grow up and coping with dysfunctional families. Mary Tyler Moore gives a great performance, and so does Timothy Hutton as the boy who feels responsible for his older brother’s death.
68. The Philadelphia Story (1940) Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn again. I’ve learned one thing from making this list. I had no idea I was so obsessed with Cary Grant. I must have just about every one of his movies on this list. I wonder why? I do know Philadelphia Story is funny and even poignant at times. KH plays a rich spoiled heiress who doesn’t realize that she’s still in love with her ex-husband even as she’s about to marry someone else.
69. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2002) Wow! I didn’t expect this movie to be any good when the kids told me about it, and the plot does get a little thin at times. However, Johnny Depp is one funny actor.
Jack Sparrow: “I think we’ve all arrived at a very special place. Spiritually, ecumenically, grammatically.”
OR Jack Sparrow, again:”Me? I’m dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It’s the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they’re going to do something incredibly… stupid.”
One more:
Jack Sparrow: No. Not good. Stop. Not good. What are you doing? You’ve burned all the food, the shade, the RUM.
Elizabeth: Yes, the rum is gone.
Jack Sparrow: Why is the rum gone?
Elizabeth: One, because it is a vile drink that turns even the most respectable men into complete scoundrels. Two, that signal is over a thousand feet high. The entire royal navy is out looking for me; do you really think that there is EVEN the slightest chance that they won’t see it?
Jack Sparrow: But why is the rum gone?
70. Pride and Prejudice (BBC, 1996) This isn’t really a movie, but rather a BBC mini-series, However, it’s one of our family favorites. Colin Firth makes a great Darcy. Jane Austen wrote a great book.