Part 1 of this series was about the music and the movies that went together like peanut butter and jelly or cocktails in pajamas (#IYKYK). Part 2 is a little different. This is a list of movies that I watched repeatedly and if they are on TV now, chances are I will watch them.
1. Stealing Beauty: If you know me, you know that this movie is everything to me. Once again Liv Tyler makes an appearance, and she is amazing. Everyone credits “Under the Tuscan Sun” for my love of Tuscany and my dream of retiring there with a little vineyard of my own. But no, it was this film. Something about Liv Tyler’s journey to find who was her mother’s true love is stunning. Jeremy Irons is amazing. The movie also stars a very young Rachel Weiss.
2. The Fifth Element ’97 (Luc Besson): This movie is fun. No other way to describe it. Bruce Willis, Milla Jovavich, Chris Tucker, and the amazing Gary Oldman. I mean the list of actors goes on. It’s amazing and magical. And we can talk about The Diva Dance scene, what a treat! Tell me you’ve never recreated it? Go on…I’ll wait.
3. Speed ‘94 (Jan de Bont): Keanu Reeves at his finest. He was all man in this movie. Yes, I said it M-A-N! And Sandy well, who doesn’t love Sandy. I saw this movie a few months ago and I enjoyed it as much I did back in the day. It’s just as advertised, an action flick with 2 good looking actors who hook at the end. I mean there was handcuff at the end, what’s not to love.
4. The Sandlot ‘93 (David Mickey Evans): If hashtags were a thing back then this movie would’ve blown up social media LOL! The one liners delivered are stellar, I’m smiling right now thinking of The Great Hambino’s “you’re killing Smalls!”. The cast in this movie is amazing. It’s a wholesome fun family movie that stands the test of time. Who didn’t have at least one summer where you left home at sunrise and came back at sunset? Riding your bike everywhere and enjoying being a kid, without a care in the world. That’s the age I would like to go back to, where the only thing to stress about was who was going over neighbor’s fence to get the ball. Those were the days.
5. Independence Day ’96 (Roland Emmerich): If you don’t think you’ll see a giant alien spaceship come out of an ominous looking cloud, we can’t be friends. I mean really, every time. Yes, this was a hot moment for Will Smith, but love went to Jeff Goldblum. He’s always my favorite up until Bill Pullman gives his epic speech as President Whitmore. Then will it’s “hello Bill”. This movie is amazing from start to finish and it’s a classic summer flick...Hmmm, I might watch it tonight.
6. Forrest Gump ’94 (Robert Zemeckis): This movie should have its own blog because words cannot describe how amazing this movie is. The soundtrack alone needs its own blog! I didn’t think Tom Hanks could top his character in Big, but this is a whole other level. How the film moves from one pivotal moment in history to another, with Forrest the center of it. It’s simply genius. I’m getting teary eyed thinking about Forrest and his beloved Jenny, who loved each other in the purest way and had a special bond since they were kids. This film gave you what you didn’t know you needed, a dose of kindness, humility, and generosity all through the eyes of one special human. Thank you, Forrest.
7. Scream ’96 (Wes Craven): This one had several sequels, and I loved the third one, but nothing was like the magic of the first one. It was genius how Craven threaded the cliches of old horror movies into this cult classic (well I think so anyway). I remember seeing this movie in the theater (for those in Miami, I saw it in the Mayfair theatre) and it was fantastic. Yes, it had some cheesy moments and yes Neve Campbell isn’t the best, but it worked, and it was fantastic. And let’s not forget that opening scene, WOW. It’s on my list to watch again.
8. Jurassic Park ’93 (Steven Spielberg): I still pop this movie on quite a bit and if it’s on, I’ll watch it. It’s just one of those movies. I remember when Sam Neill looked up and saw the Brachiosaurus eating from that tree and how the ground trembled when it landed, Laura Dern’s amazement at that extinct plant, and then Sir Richard Attenborough delivers the famous line “Welcome to Jurassic Park” (camera pans out to reveal the rest of the scene, cue epic score). Cinematic perfection, until Jeff Goldblum appears on camera talking about chaos theory, and well I got distracted. Another example of a movie that I watch 100 times when I was younger and now, I get to experience it with my girls.
9. A Few Good Men ’92 (Rob Reiner): What list is complete without Tom Cruise? Great cast, director, and writer. How lucky are we? This movie is the complete package and yes, I know why Lt. Kaffee can’t handle the truth. The writing in this film is incredible, it just never gets old. I’ve owned the VHS, the DVD, and now I own the digital copy. I love this movie that much. Always a good idea.
10. G.I. Jane ’97 (Ridley Scott): Demi Moore is amazing in this movie; you cannot deny it. I loved her transformation for this film and kudos to her for shaving her head and making one-armed pushups look easy. This film has everything Ridley Scott can offer and more. I mean he offers Viggo Mortensen in tiny khaki shorts, what’s not to like (#hooyah Master Chief). Moore proves that you can be a badass and hold your own amongst the toughest guys on the planet.
11. My Cousin Vinny ’92 (Jonathan Lynn): If you don’t like movie, we can’t be friends. It’s sooooo good! If you can quote this entire movie, call me. Joe Pesci is the best and only outdone when Marissa Tomei hits the screen. Do you hear that? Sounds like a biological clock ticking.
There you have it, a list that was difficult to write because I wanted to include the TV shows that aired during this time. They TV shows that I watch today and still make me laugh, cry, and scream like the first time I watched them. I think this next blog will be even more special, stay tuned.
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