I really wish that you would keep writing because you have so many fans wanting more of D.J. and Brian and they won’t want to stop, especially if you don’t find out what she does in college. And finally I really think that you should make it into a movie because more people will see it and it will get more popular and more people will read the other books as well.

1. -Alexandra
   

All my favorite movies

other favorites >>

Here’s my feeling: if I want to get depressed, I’ll read the paper. Ditto scared. Otherwise, I want light, fun nighttime viewing. This list leans toward kid-friendly flicks because guess who my dates are most of the time.

The Birdcage

Amazing how dated the gay-parent controversy is already – score one for sanity. If Hank Azaria accomplishes nothing else in his life – which of course we know isn’t true – he’ll still make it to comic heaven for this one. (R)

Blue Crush

Slam it all you want, but I love this film. I love how the surfing scenes blow you away. I love that the pro surfer girls are nice – that’s always been my experience with women athletes, that they’re incredibly competitive while also incredibly supportive. I love that the heroine doesn’t jump in bed with the quarterback on the first date. I love that she doesn’t win, because guess what, most people don’t. But life isn’t about winning, it’s about finding joy it the ride. (PG-13)

Bread and Tulips

Somehow we ended up with this from Netflix, put it on out of boredom, and fell in love. All four of us. We watched it twice. Very simple story, but so sweet, and I have a bit of a crush on Nic. In Italian with subtitles.

The Full Monty

Best introduction I know to screenwriting. How do you create eight believable, sympathetic, flawed and distinctive characters who all develop into better, fulfilled people in only 90 minutes? Example A is right here. Plus the music’s great. Some bad words and adult themes, but not nearly as R-ish as KKBB. (R)

Hoodwinked

This poor thing got trounced by the critics because the animation was so crude. Well, I could fill a U-Haul with beautifully animated garbage. This film at least had a script, and a brain. Favorite line, quoted innumerable times a day in our household: “That’s right, boss, never trust a bunny.” Only it’s “that’srightbossnevertrustabunny.” Just rent it. (PG)

Hopscotch

A sweet, quiet political comedy that I watch whenever the current Powers That Be freak me out too much, to convince myself that someone out there can stand up to them. Twenty-six years ago, this movie was rated R. Today they'd have trouble slapping it with PG. Kind of disturbing, really, how standards have changed. (R)

The Incredibles

Every mother is Elastagirl. (PG)

Keeping the Faith

I saw this in theaters when it first came out and found it sweet. We rented recently and found it fantastic. It doesn’t hurt that I’m a huge fan of Jenna Elfman, Ben Stiller and Edward Norton, not to mention the half-dozen other actors whose cameos steal the movie. But I found it such an accurate, if singular, depiction of real grown-ups grappling with honesty in relationships. And funny! PG-13.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

I saw this movie twice in the theaters, which means the producers owe me a thank-you note for doubling their numbers. Actually, the first time I saw it with my sister, and we laughed so hard that the other three viewers waited in the hallway afterward to glare at us. I would kill to write dialog that good. But please don't watch it until you're old enough. That R rating is there for a reason. (R)

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

Grapefruit sorbet. Although Don Cheadle, one of my favorite actors, is sadly under-used. (PG-13)

The Philadelphia Story

This is a cult favorite at Bryn Mawr College so of course I never watched it. Trust me, it’s not easy being non-conformist in a school full of them. But it’s too sweet to ignore forever. There’s a quick shot of the North Philadelphia train station, and North Philadelphia, that might as well be from another planet, it’s so different today.

Stranger Than Fiction

If you think Will Ferrell = Taledega Nights, then you really need to see this, which is SO smart and brain-twisty. And such a great supporting cast! The romance is utterly endearing.

The Thin Man

What? You’ve never seen this? The loveliest, funniest couple in American film history? The entire movie shot in 1934 in only 12 days, for roughly the cost of a tube of lip gloss? I admit, the opening scene is lame-o. But just wait for Myrna Loy, who is #1 on my list of great women of the twentieth century.

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