It’s Sunday morning, depressingly rainy, and I sit here with Mark, watching one of his (and my) all-time favorite movies – Monsters vs. Aliens.

So, I’m inspired and decided to create a list of my top 10 favorite movies. When I look at this list, I realize what a kid at heart I am as most of my favorites are family rated movies.

So, here goes…

1

Kinky Boots

This is a lovely, inspiring, uplifting story about a failing shoe factory and the ingenious way the owner finds to create a niche market and save the factory and the jobs of his workers. Chiwetel Ejiofor is inspiring in one of the main roles, that of a transvestite who is the inspiration for the new line of ‘kinky boots’ and performs most of the music in this musical joy ride.

2

Once Upon A Time In The West

A classic,’spaghetti’ western starring Charles Bronson as a mysterious drifter who takes on the challenge of protecting a young widow after her entire family is killed by a band of bandits. The haunting harmonica music becomes an essential, key part of the plot.

3

Mulan

This animated movie was the first animated movie I had ever seen with a strong female character in an active role and holding a position of power. A young girl takes her lame father’s place among Chinese troops fighting attacking hordes – and winning.

4, 5, 6

Pirates of the Caribbean

For my fourth, fifth, and sixth selections, I choose the entire series of Pirates of the Caribbean as it’s impossible to pick just one. Whenever we watch these movies, we usually end up doing a marathon and watching them all in order. No one can capture a character like Johnny Depp, who I must say is my favorite actor.

7

Great Scout and Cathouse Thursday

Another old classic film with a wonderful cast including Lee Marvin, Kay Lenz, and Oliver Reed. The story is about a group of men seeking revenge and compensation against a former partner who absconded with their money. Oliver Reed in particular is hilarious in his character nicknamed ‘Pox Knox’ because of his warped plan to get a venereal disease and single-handedly infect mankind by first infecting prostitutes. It may sound morbid, but is hilariously funny in this context and the way Oliver Reed takes on the character.

8

Finding Nemo

An animated movie about Nemo, the young clown fish who has been taken from his father by deep sea divers for sale in the tropical fish market, and the absent minded fish, Dory (Ellen Degeneris), who assists in finding and rescuing him.

9

Monsters vs Aliens

Another animated movie about a strong female character who overcomes adversity by using it to her advantage to help others by fighting attacking aliens and become more confident in herself.

10

Once Upon A Time In Mexico

This movie is truly a departure from the family focused, humorous and/or musical movies I usually prefer. Another Johnny Depp film, I feel he is brilliant in the character of Sands, a corrupt CIA agent. Antonio Banderas plays El Mariachi who is on the trail of Barrillo (Willem Dafoe), a cartel kingpin who is planning a coup against the President of Mexico. If you can’t handle graphic violence and blood and gore, don’t watch this movie.