33. Clue

        Recently it was announced that there will be a movie made based on the board game Battleship. My first reaction was really??? A movie based on a board game, how is that going to work? Then I went on to further wonderment when announced that Liam Neeson is starring in Battleship.  Filming now.

                But I failed to remember that in the mid 80’s there was a movie based on a board game. That movie was Clue. And that movie is pure genius.  This movie is so funny, so well written, so thought out that you actually forget that you are watching a movie based on the Parker Brothers game.   Plot twists, alternate endings and did I mention that it’s really funny.

       The movie follows the plot that of the game. Six characters that you know and love are all invited to a dinner party where slowly the other people in the house start dying off. Some die by candlesticks, some by lead pipe or a noose. Sound familiar? The casting of this movie was great. There are such good actors in this film. I think it is one of the best ensemble movies ever, right up there with Rat Race. Also on the DVD we get the joy of watching all three alternate endings where Tim Curry really gets to show off his comedic chops. Great movie, if you haven’t seen it please do so.

Final Verdict: It’s a keeper.

27. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

                Save Ferris.  Is there really anything else that I can say that hasn’t already been said about how great this movie is. This movie is a classic--a flat out piece of cinematic legend.  I can still remember in 6^th grade when I went to see this movie in the theater for the first time.  I know it probably led to many of high schoolers skipping out on school but it’s so funny.

                John Hughes is a genius we all know that. From weird science to home alone, he never disappoints.  Not to mention that Matthew Boderick became an over night phenomenon with this leading role. Little known fact that Boderick actually lost out on being Marty McFly and had to “settle” for this little known project. I think it worked out best for both him and MJF.

        Everyone knows the plot of this movie.  So I’m not going to spend much time on it and just talk about the parts I love. First off, the whole beginning scene where Ferris gives us the guide to faking out the parents and where he’s talking to camera is one of my favorite opening scenes to a movie ever.  I love the scene at Wrigley field and remember the great days of yelling “Hey Batter Hey Batter Swing Batter Swing” and finally the parade scene. Classic Ferris.   

Final Verdict: Even Ed Rooney couldn’t stop me from owning this movie.

25. Life as we Know it

              Romantic Comedies come and romantic comedies go.  There are your good ones, You’ve Got Mail comes to mind. You have your bad ones, While you were sleeping comes to mind. So where does the Life as we Know it fall? LAWKI the chick flick starring Katherine Heigel and Josh Duhamel is new to DVD and therefore new to me.

                As far as plots go this RomCom is more unique than your typical RomCom Fare. The story follows two young SINGLE people who are living their lives.   The movie starts with this odd couple, Duhamel as Messer and Heigel as Holly, being hooked up on a blind by their two best friends. The two do not hit it off at all! IT is a disaster. In fact, they barely make it out the door before they decide to call off the date. The two continue to be in each others lives because of their friends. But they never hit it off and continue to NOT LIKE each other.

Duhamel, Heigl and Sophie

Through a series of sad and unfortunate events these two (who were named as God parents) end up as the legal guardians and caretakers of their friends’ orphaned baby, Sophie.  This is where the story takes off into typical RomCom-dom. They follow the same formula that most do and you know that there’s no way, not even a shadow of doubt that these two will fall in love while raising this lovely girl.  So to answer the question posed earlier. Where will LAWKI fall in the world of Romantic Comedies? For me it’s somewhere in the middle. It starts strong, but finds itself failing to finish strong. It ends up being stuck in the middle. But I will say it’s the first movie that I’ve liked Duhamel in.

Final Verdict: not worth owning but won’t be surprised if we end up owning it

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Other tidbit: Christiana’s favorite part is when Sophie poops in Messer’s favorite Boston Redsocks hat.

14. The Sandlot

American classic!

               In the world of sports movies very few have stood the test of time like The Sandlot. I still remember when this movie came out--while I was in high school. It was, in all senses of word, an instant classic. It is extremely funny and well written. The characters are memorable and everyone has their favorites.  How can you even pick a favorite scene in this movie? There are so many!!

                I love this movie because it really captures the love of baseball. Especially from the point of a child loving baseball. Being a child that grew up in awe of the sport I can relate. I have so many great memories from playing baseball as a child. From midget league, little league to Babe Ruth I grew up loving baseball.  A love that has continued into adulthood. Even those people who aren’t particularly fond of the sport of baseball (we call them weirdoes) love The Sandlot. Following this band of 9 friends over the course of the summer as they bond and take on the neighbor monster known as THE BEAST!

SQUINTS!

                Even today at 35 years old I still love this movie. Not only for the move itself but also for the memories I have of watching this movie growing up.  It’s a special bond that many from my generation have for this movie. You go up to almost anyone at baseball game saying “You’re killing me Smalls” and that person will instantly join in laughing. Even with the fact that the movie was degraded into having cheap knockoff sequels made it still has a special rank of its own.  Long Live The Sandlot.  God bless America and its past time! 

Final verdict: You are not American if you don’t own The Sandlot!