5. My Bodyguard (1980); directed by Tony Bill; coming of age drama. A portrayal of boyhood and friendship that manages to be realistic and poignant without wading into sexual pranks and gross-outs.
Normally sardonic character actor Martin Mull interacts effortlessly with the two unknown leads, Adam Baldwin and Chris Makepeace, both outcast, in a spin off the Of Mice and Men dynamic. Matt Dillon exudes the thuggish sensuality that made him an object of desire to women my age. Like with Rocky, we cheer for what we want without shame–or the intrusion of irony. Refreshing.
4. The Incredible Journey (1963); directed by Fletcher Markle; Walt Disney Productions; live action, family drama. A beautifully photographed natural drama about a Bull Terrier, a Golden Lab and a Siamese cat who become separated from their family and embark on a 250 mile trek back home. Along the way, they encounter an angry mother bear, a raging river and a hungry lynx all the while battling cold and hunger with the help of kindly strangers. Rex Allen–the Arizona Cowboy–masterfully narrates.
3. That Darn Cat (1965); directed by Robert Stevenson; Walt Disney Productions; family friendly thriller. Cute flick about a sleek and indifferent Siamese cat (a.k.a., D.C.) that belongs to two sisters–one a teenager, Pattie (Haley Mills) and one a young adult, Inkie. (No, I’m not kidding. It’s Inkie, played by Dorthy Provine.) To all intents and purposes, D.C. belongs to the whole upper middle class, artisan white bread, neighborhood. Everybody either feeds him or admires him.
Sooooo…D.C. starts hanging out with a couple of bank robbers and their bank teller hostage. (Yeah, they’re hiding in plain sight in Leave it to Beaver land, which is, actually, pretty darn smart.) The hostage exchanges D.C.’s collar with her wrist watch, but not before she scratches “HELP” into the back of it. Pattie discovers it and becomes convinced that the watch belongs to the kidnapping victim that’s all over the news. And guess what? Nobody takes her seriously. And you know what else? Somehow director Robert Stevenson pulls it all off. Saccharine, but good. Kind of like an occasional Nu Grape soda.
2. Pollyanna (1960); directed by David Swift: Walt Disney Productions; family drama. Wholesome production about an eternally optimistic, orphaned daughter of missionaries (Haley Mills) whose wealthy namesake aunt, takes her in out of duty instead of love. Pollyanna makes the best of her situation, befriending the townspeople including, even, the notoriously mean Mrs. Snow.
Everyday, Pollyanna, passes lavish empty bedroom suites as she trudges up and down servants steps to and from her attic living quarters, more befitting the servants. Being a precocious, adventurous child, she climbs a magnificent oak tree as a short cut to her room. One day she falls and critically injures her spine. For the first time her sunny disposition is threatened just as her emotionally distant aunt realizes what a…well, you know…she’s been. A life affirming film and suitable bookend to Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful World.
1. La La Land (2016); directed by Damien Chazelle; musical. Pure joy. A treasure. A marvel in cinematography and score, Chazelle’s brilliant, exuberant film has an opening dance scene that ranks with Gene Kelley’s athletic frolicking in Singing in the Rain and Liza Minnelli’s no hold’s barred revue, Liza With a Z. Ryan Gosling is predictably charming and earnest and sexy. So much so that we can forgive his middling dancing. But it’s Emma Stone’s show. She’s fantastic…And then there’s the love story…And the jazz. Choreographer Mandy Moore gets the slow clap.
Great suggestions, Pam! I loved #2 as a kid. I will keep an eye out for the others, especially La La Land.
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Thanks, Lily. Yes, do (about La La Land). You will like it. I’m sure of it.
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I’ve seen My Bodyguard and we did a play based on it in high school during the mid-eighties. It is a good movie. I’ve also seen The Incredible Journey which is very good…
I will look out for the others.
Someone just recommended La La Land to me…I haven’t seen it yet.
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It’s one of my favorite films.
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La La Land is on my list now. My son wants me to watch it and he normally doesn’t like musicals.
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I know…I don’t either, but there are a few that really resonate with me. Dream Girls, The Blues Brothers, The Commitments and Gold Diggers 1933 are some other musicals that I really like.
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The Blues Brothers yes… and on a much lesser scale Tommy because I like The Who…and Ann Margaret….but more as history of the Who movie rather than a movie if that makes sense.
Some of the routines in the 30s and 40s are pretty great…planned wonderfully.
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Oh man! Not to a lesser extent! How could I forget Tommy!!?? Great musical.
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It took me a few times to get into it… but Ann Margret singing The Who…yea hard not to like that.
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True.
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La La Land was a lot of fun for me. Whimsical, romantic, magical.
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Agreed. To me it’s perfect. There are so few perfect films.
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And there I was thinking this femme fatale from Nashville was all dark thrillers with a side dish serving of sleaze and nose fulls of cocaine fueled historic macabre! And here she innocently plods out her cute side. Hehe of course I’m having a laugh.
I’ve seen The Incredible Journey and That Darn Cat. Both lovely films. Now we showing are softer sides, I’ll add a random 5 I love. Mary Poppins, Calamity Jane, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Babe. Ok don’t tell anyone!! Right I’m gonna start roaring now to keep up the tough persona RRRAAAAARRRWW
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Ahhh…Just when I thought nobody was on to me. Busted. Ha!
Good choices Mikey. I especially love Babe. Beautiful film.
Thanks for reading.
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Plus “Babe – Pig In The City” is the madness sequel to have been ever made? Well It could very well be. .. All the best to you Pam
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You too, Mikey. It’s my 33rd Anniversary today. Nice dinner. A few drinks. Maybe take in a good Blues band. I’m in an exuberant mood.
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Congrats and sounds like a wonderful night was to be had. Hope it was super.
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Thanks Mikey. We ended up staying at home. I had my wine on our patio. My husband is going crazy getting our yard in shape. It’s lovely. We put on some B.B. King, Albert Collins and Ko Ko Taylor, so we got a good dose of Blues too.
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Sounds absolutely wonderful Pam 🙂
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Great post 🙂 Interesting list. My Bodyguard is very underrated. I see that you picked three Disney entries 🙂 As for La La Land, I do not know If that can actually be called a family film. am not saying that it is a bad choice, but I never really saw it as a family film – more middle range I think. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Yeah, I know what you mean, but I think it will be thought of as a family film in the future. I think of it as very wholesome and sunshiny, which, to me, spells family film. But I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for reading.
–Pam
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Hi Pam – I always perk up when I see a new post from you 🙂 So glad to have your suggestion of La La Land: my wife loves musicals and dance – definitely will put it on my list.
Fiddler on the Roof is a huge favorite for me (and my family). To Sir with Love is another.
Grace and peace to you…
dw
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Wonderful suggestions, DW. I’m a big Sidney Poitier fan, which makes me think of another great family film–Lilies of the Field.
Thanks for reading.
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I totally agree with John C. above: My Bodyguard WAS under-appreciated! I can’t imagine being a guy and watching that clock tick down the time to my doom and the fight that’s to come….
Apparently I’m the black sheep with La La Land, though, lol! There were pieces of it that I liked. I did a review of it a while ago.
But the fact that we’re all different is what makes life interesting! 🙂
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Yes. My Bodyguard is a lovely film. I’m intrigued about your review of La La Land. I’ll definately check it out.
And I understand. Some films resonate and some films fall flat. Thanks for reading.
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I picked up the “Cat From Outer Space” and have watched all these films except for La La Land…the family film I would highly recommend is the Anne of Green Gable trilogy starring Martin Sheen and the wonderful Ella Ballentine. Its beautifully filmed and well acted.
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Well, I love the book. Our 6th grade teacher read it to us after P.E. everyday. I will look for it. I’m a Martin Sheen fan. Thanks Michael.
Oh, on a different note..,A way different note… I watched The Counselor again the other night. I had forgotten about all that explilcit, ridiculous sex talk. I probably fast forward through it the first time. So that was embarrasing that I sent you that film…But anyway, it’s a pretty terrible film, that could have been really good. I still think it has it’s intriguing moments…
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I just re-watched The Original Kings of Comedy….I’m sure we’ll handle The Counselor okay,in fact we’re watching it tonight. I think this was Cameron Diaz’s last film before she retired,isn’t it?
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Yes…And this film is a big reason why, I think. Her performance was lambasted. But, to me, it’s the direction. Yes, the part is terrible, but it’s poorly written–that’s number one and then…Sorry, but Ridley Scott does a number two on her. I think she’s just giving him what he wants and she might not have had an inkling how it would come together. But honestly, any good editor would have left the car scene on the floor and lived with the consequences. You’ll see what I’m talking about. I can’t wait to hear your reaction to the film.
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She looks amazing in this film….except for “The Mask”,I have always considered Cameron to be a handsome woman with one of the best smiles in Hollywood. But she has proven she can handle heavy drama and its a shame she never really got that chance to do it properly.
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Hmmm…I’ve never thought she was that pretty. She has a nice figure but that’s it–to me. But, yeah, I think she can act. Her timing is very natural.
Penelope Cruz, to me, is very pretty. And I think she’s an excellent actor.
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Penelope is a fine actress….and she is a very beautiful indeed. She and Fassbender made a great looking screen couple…just too bad it was a dark and bleak film like this.
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Belated anniversary congratulations, Pam.
Family films? I have seen Polyanna and The Incredible Journey, from your list. I also have fond childhood memories of Swiss Family Robinson, Flubber, and Dumbo. But since I grew up, I confess that I have studiously avoided anything with the ‘Family Film’ tag, including La La Land. (Although I did love ‘Babe’) That said, such diversions are essential, as a counterpoint to the cinema portraying real life.
That is something we all need to escape from at times.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I agree Pete. I hope you are feeling better. How’s your back?
I encourage you to watch La La Land if you think there’s any hope you would like it. It surprised me. And like John said…It’s not really a family film…technically…
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My back is most bearable, thank you, Pam.
I may watch La La Land one day, but I have a big list of unwatched films I would rather see before that one. 🙂
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Totally understand. Glad your back is better.
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La La Land deserves all the praise it has received. Still, it’s a film I watched once and never again. Too many other films I rather see. The only other film I saw on your list is The Bodyguard. An intelligent coming of age film, out of the ordinary for sure. The other three
Disney films I have not seen.
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Yeah, these films are not our cup of tea–I think that’s safe to say. I doubt you would dig Pollyanna, or That Darn Cat but I think you would appreciate The Incredible Journey. It is a beautifully photographed film. But I wouldn’t suggest that you go out of your way to watch it. Sometimes I need to step out of my wheelhouse of crime films for a plethora of reasons. These are films that go against my grain and, yet, I like them very much. That makes me have an especially soft spot for them. La La Land is actually one of my favorite movies and that is very unusual for me. The musical may be my least favorite genre. Thanks for reading, John.
–Pam
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LaLa Land was so fun. My Bodyguard is on my list!
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Great. I don’t know of anyone who has seen it that didn’t like it.
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Great post! That Darn Cat sounds so much fun, I’ll definitely check it out.
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