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If I Could Only Recommend ONE War Movie It Would Be Saving Private Ryan

WHICH WAR MOVIE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

The story around my pick is one that many would agree with I’m sure.  Legendary war films put courageous characters in horrific situations.  Many tell the true stories of soldiers who gave their lives for their countries.  Heroes who faced impossible odds and went into battle regardless.  Courage, honor, respect, loyalty, strength…  It’s one of my favorite genres.

To pick a favorite is tough because amazing war films are about as old as film itself.  There are so many classics to choose from but I went with a relatively recent film for 2 main reasons.  First, the movie is absolutely incredible.  Second, it gave birth to a term in my household known as ‘The Saving Private Ryan Guarantee’.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

I saw Saving Private Ryan in theaters when I was 14 years old.  It’s hard to believe it’s been so long.  Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece is quite simply amazing.  The first 20 minutes alone is worth the price of admission.  But what follows is a heart warming story about 8 men who risk their lives to save one.

When I left the theater that day, I couldn’t wait to tell my dad about it.  He loves war films.  We didn’t a chance to see it in theaters which was excruciating because movies took ages to arrive on home video back then.  Finally, the day it was released on VHS I rode my bike to the local video store and rented it.

We watched Saving Private Ryan as a family based on my recommendation and it didn’t disappoint.  From then on, when I wanted my family to see a movie I would give them the ‘Saving Private Ryan Guarantee’.  I wouldn’t say it often but when I did, they would always give the movie a chance.  They loved Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and co. as much as I did.

If I Could Only Recommend ONE War Movie It Would Be Saving Private Ryan

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XTRA | Top 10 Best Picture Oscar Losers

Check out these listings at Leicester Square Cinema.

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If I Could Only Recommend ONE Christmas Movie | Mickey's A Christmas Carol

Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie.  For many it’s Christmas Vacation and it’s pretty much my favorite as well. (In addition to Home Alone)  But that doesn’t mean that it’s the one movie I would recommend to someone looking to get into the Christmas spirit.

To me, the best Christmas movies remind me of my childhood and what it was like to wake up Christmas morning wide eyed and ready for a spectacular day with my family.  And so my pick is:

MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL

If I Could Only Recommend ONE Christmas Movie | Mickey's A Christmas Carol

No other Christmas cartoon captured my imagination like Mickey’s take on the Charles Dickens classic.  It was the one movie I looked forward to each year and remains one of the only ones I don’t own.  I think that adds to the experience though.  Searching through TV schedules each year on a hunt for this wonderful movie has become a tradition.

Having said that, you can watch the entire thing on YouTube anytime you want.

XTRA | 10 Flicks: Christmas Classics

XTRA | All Time Best: Non Christmas…  Christmas Movie

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If I Could Only Recommend One Science Fiction Film | Star Wars

Click here to check out previous ONE posts.

STAR WARS

Of course Star Wars!  If someone had never seen a science fiction film in their life you HAVE to show them one of the most influential films of all time.  But which episode? Or more specifically which version?  This is where my pick gets a little controversial.

With the recent release of the complete series on Blu Ray, people are once again complaining about the changes George Lucas has made to the franchise.  Does Greedo shoot first or not?  Introducing new fans to the series isn’t as easy as popping in Episode 1.  To me, you have to view them as they were released.  So my pick is the ORIGINAL VERSION of Episode 4.

If I Could Only Recommend One Science Fiction Film | Star Wars

A NEW HOPE

Somewhere out there, are millions of scratchy VHS copies of the original release.  If I had to recommend ONE science fiction film, I would find the entire original trilogy on VHS and show it off the way we all remember it.  Having said that, I’m not one of those Star Wars fans that felt betrayed when George Lucas started tinkering with the films.  I think it sucks that he hasn’t released the original versions in a digital format though.  Having said that, regardless of the changes he has made, the films still kick ass.

Check out my review of the documentary The People vs George Lucas here.

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IF I COULD ONLY RECOMMEND ONE...Musical | Movie Blog Feature

Click here to read the intro: Steve Has Never Seen A Movie In His Life!?

PART 1: MUSICAL

When I was younger, the idea of sitting through an old musical was practically unbearable.  One day, my Dad noticed an interesting movie in the TV guide and decided that it was time for us to experience one of his favorite movies.  As you can imagine, my sister and I were skeptical when we found out is was a musical.  Anything else would have been acceptable but my Dad insisted we would love it.

I still remember the look on his face when the movie ended and we were all lightly singing:

“76 trombones led the big parade…”

Or

“I’d say we got trouble.  Trouble?  Right here in River City!  Right here?”

The Music Man

If I Could Only Recommend One... Musical | Movie Blog Feature | The Music Man

Half way through the movie I remember turning to my dad and smiling.   ‘I told you so!’ was written all over his face.  The Music Man was the first musical other than The Wizard of Oz that showed me how wonderful musicals can be.  I no longer sneered at the thought of sitting through 2 hours of song and dance.  The Music Man opened that door for me and I have my dad to thank for it.

What better movie to recommend to Steve than the movie that taught me how to love musicals?  In case you haven’t seen it either, here is a synopsis via Wikipedia:

The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. In River City, Iowa, prim librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo sees through him, but when Hill helps her younger brother overcome his fear of social interactions due to his lisp, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold. Harold, in turn falling for Marian, risks being caught to win her.

When I was old enough to start buying DVDs on my own, I would spend the money I made working at Pizza Hut on Amazon buying all the DVDs I always wanted.  The very first order included The Sandlot, Gremlins and The Music Man.  We watched it as a family the day it arrived.

Just because I can, I thought I’d include the classic Simpsons ‘Monorail’ scene.

IF YOU COULD ONLY RECOMMEND ONE MUSICAL
WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?

Don’t forget to read Movies That Scarred Me For Life: The Complete Series

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IF I COULD ONLY RECOMMEND ONE... | Movie Blog Feature

WHAT IF YOU MET SOMEONE WHO HAD NEVER SEEN A MOVIE?
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

This is the story of Steve.  I got an email from Steve a while ago and he presented me with a fascinating challenge.  Here is an excerpt from that email:

“…  The reason why I’ve never seen a movie before is a story I’ll save for another day but needless to say, I have a lot of free time in the next few months before I start traveling again.  The question is, where do I start?  What movie could you possibly recommend?  So I’ll make it easier for you.  One genre at a time.”

I like to think that ‘Steve’ is a secret agent, trained as a young boy before he got a chance to see a movie.  Since then, he’s been traveling the world on top secret missions that we will never know about.  To the world, Steve doesn’t exist…  But thanks to a ‘work related’ injury, he now has to spend a couple months recovering with nothing to do except watch television and movies.

And so this feature is dedicated to Steve.  In the coming months, we will go through many movie genres from action to drama.  From the classics to the modern day blockbusters.  As per Steve’s request, it will begin with…

MUSICALS

Stay tuned.

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