The Movies I’ll Want to Watch as the World Ends

Or just any old time.

Photo by Myke Simon on Unsplash

I love movies. Sometimes I call them “films”, but only if they have subtitles. Otherwise, they’re movies — short for “moving pictures” —the emphasis on “moving”.

I love movies that move me. I love movies that make me cry. I love movies that make me laugh and cry and do it all over again, until I’m reduced to a soggy but satisfying mess. (Looking at you, Terms of Endearment. Bring it on, The Color Purple. Steel Magnolias! Yes! You’re killing me, Dreamgirls.)

I love movies that speak to me; that share my sense of honor and duty and don’t talk down to me. (Gandhi. A Few Good Men. Silkwood. Matewan. The China Syndrome. Norma Rae. Erin Brockovich. All The President’s Men. )

I love movies that build up to scenes so amazing they take my breath away. They don’t have to do it with pyrotechnics or special effects. Memorable dialogue and spectacular cinematography will take me there. (The Life of Pi. The Black Stallion. Out of Africa. )

Although there’s nothing wrong with special effects. Avatar and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are spectacular. (That battle scene with the ludicrous general nearly spoiled Avatar, but the special effects redeemed it.)