Here are my Top Five Favorite Movies, not in any true order other than maybe by decade of release.

Whenever I am asked what my favorite movie is, I find my mind running through other questions. “What genre?” “What decade?” “How am I feeling today?” so, for my first answer it’ll be the one I found I answered the most. Sometimes to shock people and sometimes, it really was my favorite at that time.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) made at MGM, one of the first Technicolor movies. It stars Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan, and the best, Margaret Hamilton. Now, need I say anything when it comes to Judy? He voice? Her dancing? I didn’t think so. Add Ray Bolger to it and you have Gold, as far as I am concerned. Judy does a good job playing a 10 year old, when she herself was 16 years old. Yes, they had to “bind” her to make her look younger. So, before you get to critical, remember that. Margaret Hamilton plays one of THE BEST bad guys on screen. Most people in the Gen X area can say there is one spot in the movie that freaked them out for years. Usually dealing with Margaret. For me, it was the shriveling feet. This movie also has some really good practical special effects. My favorite scene is when she opens the door. PURE MAGIC!

The Philadelphia Story (1940), also of MGM. This movie is in black & white. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy (James) Stewart, and Ruth Hussey. This movie gets mixed reviews. The first scene is judged by a strange modern standard. However, I love this movie. Cary Grant is so, subdued in a good way, that it’s charming. Jimmy Stewart is amazing. Not to mention Kate Hepburn, love her. I’d like to see this story modernized with the cast from Jumanji, The Next Level (2019) in the various parts. Yes, DJ should be CK, and Karen could 100% play any, and I mean ANY, Kate Hepburn part.

Say Anything (1989) from 20th Century Fox. I related to this movie in more ways than I should have. It stars John Cusack, Ione Skye, Lili Taylor, and John Mahoney. Cusack was at his charming rambling best. Ione and Lili were relatable. I still want to use John Mahoney in the tub as a meme. Reminds me of the politics and how one presidential candidate is facing so much F.U.A.F.O. that I can imagine them doing that.

Soul Food (1997) also 20th Century Fox. This stars Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, and Nia Long. this is a great movie about sisters and the dynamics of being sisters. It’s just so real. I really love this movie. I can only hope that IF/when my boys get married the Mother/Son dance is A Song for Mama. If I say much more about this movie, I will give away plot points.

Rob Roy (1995) United Artist. Starring Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John, Hurt, Brian Cox, and the always great, Tim Roth. This is a version of the legend of Robert Roy McGregor from the Highlands of Scotland in the early 18th century, after the ’09 Rising but before the ’45, to give an idea of when it takes place. I saw this movie at the theater the day it came out. We dressed in Highland attire. I had never been in a theater when you could feel the hate for certain characters. I will somewhat spoil this one, there is a rape scene. It’s important to the plot, unfortunately. This movie is why there are times where I think I watched a different movie then the critics or other people did.

Well, there’s five. If you watch them or have seen them, please let me know.