Movie List
Movies that I've seen and would recommend to others.
Laurel & Hardy Films: A famous comedy duo who reached their primes in the 1930s. They mostly made short films, but they also participated in some feature length films. If you need a good laugh, their films are probably the best option. Just keep in mind that these films were products of their time and they were originally black-and-white (but there are colorized versions available). My personal favorites would be "Way Out West", "Dirty Work", and "The Music Box".
Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs: No childhood is complete without seeing this animated movie.
It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World: The opening scene is a bit dark, but it sets the stage for every moment of comedic genius that follows. In fact, the main cast is mostly professional comedians, so you know there will be stuff to laugh at. There's even a cameo appearance by The Three Stooges.
The Fox And The Hound: This Disney animated film had mixed reviews among critics since it blended some very dark themes with childish cartoon humor. Still, it's one of Disney's most underrated movies as it grabs your heartstrings at the beginning and pulls them tighter as the movie progresses.
WarGames: Nowadays, this movie is as much a tour of older computing technology as it is a look into life during the height of the Cold War. In fact, a lot of events in the movie are based on real life events.
Willy The Sparrow: A Hungarian animated film that was adapted for American audiences. It centers around a boy who is transformed into a sparrow with no knowledge about the dangers to sparrows. He must befriend and learn from other sparrows in order to survive. Side note, this film features one of the most beautifully accurate weather scenes in the climax.
Star Wars (Original Trilogy): A great family oriented space opera told really well. Although the first three films were mostly well-known for their revolutionary special effects, the movies also tell a great story.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: A brilliantly written and acted Star Trek film, widely considered by many to be the best film featuring the original series cast.
Spaceballs: This film is a parody to both Star Wars and Star Trek. It's just unmitigated fun with plenty of comedic value. Be advised that it has some pretty strong language (including an f-bomb or two) even though it is rated PG.
The Lion King: This is arguably Disney's best animated film with some truly masterful scenes and a riveting story. The original 1994 release has been given a PG rating, but it's definitely more engaging than the rereleased G rated version.
Aladdin: Although this film is really well-known for its original soundtrack, the visuals are still impressive and the story is really well done.
Jumanji: Imagine finding a board game that turns your world upside down and your life into a mess. That's the premise of this film, and there's a respectable amount of imagination put into it.
The Toy Story Series: I honestly don't know if these animated films will be as relatable to kids nowadays since so many kids are being raised on smartphones and tablets. But, any kids that acted out fantasies with their toys will be able to relate to these films.
Twister: If you're a weather nerd, you should definitely watch this movie if you haven't already seen it. Unlike a lot of other "weather disaster" movies, the writers actually tried to make some things accurate (for instance, a forecaster in the movie mentions the term "lifted index", which is an actual parameter used to forecast severe thunderstorms), but there are still some glaring inaccuracies that are comical in hindsight.
The Iron Giant: The only reason this animated film isn't more well-known is because the advertising campaign for the movie was fumbled. It's a great movie with one of the most gratifying climaxes ever animated.
Monsters, Inc.: Another Pixar film that beautifully appeals to our childhood. Unlike Toy Story, every kid should theoretically find this film relatable and engaging. Also worth mentioning is the creativity behind each character and the overarching story.
Star Wars (Prequel Trilogy): The original trilogy is a great story told well. The prequel trilogy is a great story told not as well. Still, it does a decent job showing how the villains in the original trilogy rose to power. Plus, there are lots of scenes with an unmatched visual appeal.
Spirited Away: A Japanese animated film (written by Hayao Miyazaki) that was adapted for American audiences by Walt Disney Studios. The visuals are on an absolutely different level, and there are several symbolic references to Japanese mythology throughout the entire film.
Ice Age: The original film is a great story about some prehistoric animals fighting to survive while trying to balance their own selfish interests with the need for cooperation. It's quite the emotional roller coaster.
Secondhand Lions: This film is primarily intended for a male audience, but there are some moments that anyone can enjoy. It centers around preteen boy whose abusive mother sends him to live with his great uncles where he learns about their wild past and the life lessons behind their stories.
Wallace and Gromit: Arguably the most successful franchise that almost exclusively used stop motion animation with clay (other known as "claymation"). While there is a feature length film (that took 2 years to create), the creators also made some short films that won Oscars (A Close Shave and The Wrong Trousers). The Wrong Trousers features one of the most memorable climaxes ever animated.
Harry Potter Series: I wouldn't consider myself a hardcore Harry Potter fan, but I did enjoy the movies (especially The Prisoner of Azkaban). If you've never seen them before, they're worth your time.
Finding Nemo: When this movie came out, it became one of my favorites as a kid. The visuals and soundtrack are still amazing even though this movie is over 20 years old.
The Incredibles: One of Pixar's best animated films. It's well-written, has a fairly unique plot, and is certainly not your typical superhero movie.
V For Vendetta: Note that this movie is rated R for a lot of gory scenes, but it's probably the best dystopian film ever made. It's definitely something that adult audiences can enjoy.
Ratatouille: This is a film I didn't fully appreciate until I was older, but the character arcs are what really sell the story. Unlike a lot of Pixar films, it doesn't have many flashy effects; it's just all about the narrative.
Wall-E: Arguably Pixar's best film that was also a prediction about what the future would truly become.
Up: This Pixar classic has some of the best storytelling out of all the Pixar films. The opening scene has almost no dialogue yet shows a highly detailed backstory of the main protagonist. Side note, if you're someone with acrophobia (fear of heights), the second half of the film will constantly have you on the edge of your seat.
Twisters: The sequel to the original "Twister" is another must-see for weather enthusiasts. The attention to detail is very impressive, and the characters use a lot of technical terminology correctly (and the terms are also explained pretty well).