
The very first movie I ever saw was the original animated feature, Jungle Book in 1967. I was about 8 years old. I loved it, and I loved that my dad took Mom and us kids to all see it together-- And, we got popcorn.
The very last movie I saw was The Tourist starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. I hated it. The movie was the biggest waste of a Saturday night (and $24) that I can remember in a very long time. It was a dog and I'm pretty sure the rest of the audience in the theater agreed with me. What a disappointment.
So imagine my surprise when I was up early this morning watching the Golden Globe Award nomination announcements on television. When The Tourist was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Actor, I nearly fell over the tv stand.

But it got me thinking-- I've seen A LOT of really bad movies over the years but I've also seen some really great ones too. With the exception of E. T.; The Extra-Terrestrial, my all-time faves tend to lean towards small independent films like The Madness of King George with Helen Mirren and Nigel Hawthorne, Eat, Drink, Man, Woman directed by Ang Lee, Big Night which is when I started crushing on Stanley Tucci, and Life Is Beautiful starring Italian darling Roberto Benigni.
Movies currently playing in theaters have been a bit lackluster for me, but I'm hoping-- always hoping-- for a really good one just around the corner. This coming weekend, Black Swan is on my "must see" list. And, if I can get some extra time, I'll actually go see the not so great Burlesque so I can check out Mr. Tucci's performance.
*******
GIVEAWAY!
Are you one of those Day-After-Christmas-Shoppers? If you are, here's your chance to win an $80 CSNStores.com Gift Certificate to shop (online) til you drop starting December 26th. I'm having a giveaway and the winner will be announced December 25th! Just leave a comment below to enter.
Usual CSNStores.com Giveaway rules apply: US and Canada only (sorry). YOU pay the shipping. One time use only. No exchanges or returns. I draw winner randomly. Entries close Midnight, December 24, 2010 Pacific Time.
What are your all-time favorite movies?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: © kentoh - Fotolia.com
Photo Credit: Burlesque
My favourite all time movies are:
ReplyDelete- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Castaway
- Forrest Gump
- Ghost
I have not seen that new movie with Anjelina yet... maybe I won't now! *smiles*
As I can't win your Giveaway... I hope someone really nice does!
I haven't seen that movie yet, but it does seem that it just takes the right names to get nominations sometimes. We don't go out to movies often, just wait for them to come out on DVD.
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing another nice giveaway!
Movies are so expensive now, so if I go I don't want to be disappointed. It's hard to go off critics because everyone has their taste. I'm planning on seeing a few over the Christmas break, really want to see Burlesque.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day JJ.
Hi Joanna, I really like the story of you and your mom and dad and siblings going to the movies together. And getting popcorn too. Now I don't know if I want to see The Tourist. I am a big Johnny Depp fan. We stopped going to the theater to see movies and instead we watch instant play movies on Netflix. Regarding the Golden Globe awards, I disagreed with the nominations so much and ended up thinking it was all political anyway. Took the fun out of it for me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen movies in sooo long...
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to branch out and re-join humanity!
I saw all the classics in theaters when they came out... Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians...(and I am still saddened by what they've done to that one!)
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite movie, though?
The Gods Must Be Crazy.
i have a rather eclectic list...Once (my fav), The Postman (costner), star wars (the first movie), 500 days of summer (more recent & actually pretty good)...i am a sucker for a good love story...
ReplyDeleteI am very disappointed that The Tourist is reported to be such a bad movie. I was excited to see two of my crushes together!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised to see Angelina in a crappy movie, but Johnny...we've come to expect more of you, dearie.
Rarely do I get to a movie these days but when I do watch a movie I have learned to not go by what the critics say...if they say a movie is great, often times I think it sucks...if they say a movie isn't good, often times I like it. Thanks for letting us know about the movie with Jolie in it as it was one I was wanting to go to!
ReplyDeleteHappy hump day! XX
I'd have to say my all time favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption! I could watch that again and again and again :)
ReplyDeleteMy all time favorite movies are "Shawshank Redemption" and "A Bronx Tale".
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen "The Tourist" but I have heard several people talking about being puzzled by the nomination.
I'm glad you only -nearly- fell over the tv stand...that could have been a bad fall in your stunned state :)
I haven't been to a movie theater in years, I like the convenience of watching movies at home (love Netflix!). In the summer months, we have a theater in our backyard. We have an LCD projector and a 12 foot screen we watch movies on. In the winter, we watch them on the television (the screen is too big to set up in the house!).
ReplyDeleteFavorite movies....tough question. I love all of the classic holiday movies, especially It's A Wonderful Life. I'm also a big fan of The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Wizard Of Oz, The Elephant Man....I could go on and on.
I haven't seen The Tourist. I've never been fond of Angelina Jolie, although I thought she was great in Changeling.
Your giveaway sounds fantastic! I have a pretty good one coming up soon, too!
I was looking forward to seeing The Tourist. Now I have to think twice.
ReplyDeleteMy all-time favorite movie ever is The Quiet Man.
Some others are
Just Like Heaven
Must Love Dogs (my story)
The Sixth Sense
I love Unbreakable
ReplyDeleteThe Professional,
Singing in the Rain,
Black like me,
The color Purple,
Sideways
Thanks
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
I love Johnnie Depp...sorry to hear it's a lousy movie! I loved the Wedding Crashers, Blind Date, and Beaches.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I came here and read your thoughts on The Tourist. I almost broke my rule of refusing to see any Angelina Jolie movies just because johnny Depp is in it. I think I'll pass now.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite movies is Driving Miss Daisy. I love movies about the south. :)
I thought The Tourist looked like it would be good (we rarely go to movies) and I thought Burlesque looked good too. So thanks for your input! We'll wait till they are on TV
ReplyDeleteSince I'm in the Christmas mood/spirit, I'd have to say my most favorite movies for Christmas are Chevy Chases - Christmas Vacation and Bing's - White Christmas, neither are new, but both are classics. Merry Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteFavorite Chickflick....Everafter
ReplyDeleteFavorite Dude Movie......The Game
I lean towards musicals or animation. Sound of Music is one of my all time faves.
ReplyDeleteLife is beautiful makes me sob uncontrollably!
I've heard really bad things about The Tourist, which is too bad, because it looked promising.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite movies of all time, and definitely my favorite holiday movie is "Love, Actually."
"Jungle book" was one of my childhood favorite movies, too. For this season I recount many beautiful old movies, like Babes in Toyland, Gremlins, Elf, Holiday Inn, It's a wonderful life... Hope I'll see few of them in my Holiday Days.
ReplyDeleteHi! I have a lot of favorite movies.
ReplyDeleteA few are:
The Blues Brothers
Pretty in Pink
The Goonies
Say Anything
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Sorry you didn't have a great movie experience lately. Thank you though for this giveaway..and Merry Christmas to you! :)
aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com
I'm not a day after shopper. Ya'll know how twisted and obsessive I am, all the presents are purchased and more than wrapped up...heck I decorate each and ever package. Now a great certificate could sure make me change my ways and be a day after shopper...maybe for myself...heeehehehe!!!!
ReplyDeleteYa'll have a truly blessed day and loads of fun with your giveaway!!! :o)
i am an all year shopper my favorite all time movie is neil diamond the jazz singer thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net
ReplyDeleteI love movies!
ReplyDeletesome favorites are:
Amelie (waiting on Mic macs from netflix)
Love Actually (love to watch it esp around Christmas)
Harold & Maude (black comedy from 1971--not for everyone--great Cat Stevens soundtrack)
Leon aka The Professional (great movie--a bit violent)
Chocolat (love Johnny Depp!)
Happy Holidays and Thanks for the chance to win!
kakihararocks@gmail.com
My favorite movies are:
ReplyDelete- Newsies
- Unconditional Love
- Just Friends
- It's a Wonderful Life
- JFK
krtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com
no way could I remember my first movie. I do remember the movie "Birds" was one I saw as young kid. I got to go with my older sister.
ReplyDeleteThe problem for anyone older than say 30 or so is the movies are targeted to teens and maybe twenty somethings.
Day after Christmas shopping is my second biggest shopping day (right after Day after Thanksgiving!) I will be out early!
ReplyDeletei hate when a sucky movie gets nominated, how about the ones you've never even heard of.....
ReplyDeleteI rarely, if ever, go to a theatre to see a movie. I do make use of Netflix, though, and my passion for Indian films. I love India so that's the reason for my obession there - and if I miss something on the subtitles, I can easily rewind. I guess I'm just to lazy to go out! I've noted your list to add to my Netflix queue. Honestly, though, I forget a movie so fast and I can never remember who starred in them. I've been that way all my life so I don't think it's impending Alzheimeer's.
ReplyDeletewow interesting about 'the tourist' Joanna. I'd like to see that new Social Factor movie about the Facebook guy.
ReplyDeleteI tend to like some of the darker movies like Fight Club, 12 Monkeys or the 1978 version of Invasion of the Body Snacthers. The Shrek series is pretty cool. Kung Fu Panda is probably my favorite among the more recent movies I've seen.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't remember them, the first movies I saw were at the drive-in theaters with my parents. Whenever something scary came on, my parents would make me lay down on the back seat so I couldn't watch. I would peek anyway.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorites are:
Gran Torino
Outsourced
A Walk to Remember
The Notebook
Back to the Future
hard one...yes Grand Torino, good bad ugly, The hustler, cool hand luke, to kill a mockingbird, anything with Audrey Hepburn,it’s a wonderful life, harold & Maude, life is beautiful, ...opps...because of my own “fifty factor” can’t remember right now...Thank you so much for your necklace endorsement on my blog. You are the Best!! I am so pleased you like it...Make sure that the silver clasp makes a little “pop” sound when you put it on, so it stays secure. Just push it a little tighter with your finger. Lots of Love to you! Cynthia
ReplyDeleteThe Sixth Sense is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of the old classic movies - Hollywood's Golden Age (1930s - 1960s. They just do not make movies like that anymore. I also like the Disney classics.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was on vacation last month I took my mom to see Burlesque and although it received bad reviews and negative comments about how Cher looked, I really liked it. I had never heard Christina Aguilera sing or, if I did, I did not know it. I loved her voice in the movie.
Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!
~ Tracy
Joanna, I thought my post was clear, but nothing is clear these days. After a long battle with cancer, my MIL passed away. :(
ReplyDeleteFight Club
ReplyDeleteGrand Torino
Silkwood
Moonstruck
Stop Making Sense (Concert movie)
Harold and Maude
Annie Hall
....and that's just off the top of my head! My first movie was Mary Poppins and my grandmother took me and it was a big deal - popcorn and everything. At 13 my dad took me to see the newly released Romeo & Juliet (Zeffirelli) and I was blown away (and totally uncomfortable during the bedroom scene with my DAD sitting next to me!). In my late teens I spent an entire evening and early morning watching a Samari marathon at a local art house. Now THAT was a movie-going experience.
Movies that I like to watch even after a long time on the shelf: Broadcast News, The Shining, Beetlejuice, Forrest Gump, Home Alone, to name a few.
ReplyDeleteI've never shopped CVS, but I'm sure I'd have fun if I'm lucky enough to win! Thanks for the chance.
Cool.. a giveaway.. thanks for doing this. :) I'm drawing a blank on all but one movie right now - Princess Bride. It's one I can see over and over again.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list:
ReplyDeleteAll of the 'Toy Story' movies.
The latest Harry Potter, part I
White Christmas
It's A Wonderful Life
The Twilight series--I can't help it, I'm hooked!
The Holiday
Possession-2002, with Gywneth Paltrow
That's a partial list--I won't bore you all with the rest.
I stopped going to movies years ago...lack of funds. My favorites are the original Star Wars, Silence of the Lamb, anything Disney.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
My favorite movie is Rock Star. It combines two of my favorite things - music and Mark Wahlberg!
ReplyDeletedftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I haven't been to the movies all year but we have tickets to use before the end of the year. I think that we are going to see Tangled.
ReplyDeleteAfter Christmas is my favorite time of the year to get started on my stash for the next year. I can't imagine paying regular prices for gift wrap, bows, flannel shirts, etc.
Thanks for the chance to win!
1bmore @ gmail . com
Fried Green Tomatoes; Grand Torino; Scrooged; A Christmas Carol (all the versions); It's a Wonderful Life; and I could go on and on!!
ReplyDeleteI kind of wanted to see Cher's movie. So we will see!!
Great giveaway!!
Hugs
SueAnn
I love old romantic movies! my favorite is Gone With The Wind, but I also love The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (Rex Harrison is YUMMY) and all the Thin Man moves. Norah is definitely the brains of that couple. When I am wanting brainless entertainment I'll go for anything that is a comic book adaptation: X-Men, Hellboy,etc.
ReplyDeleteHere's my list of some of my favorites:
ReplyDeleteWhat About Bob?
Pee Wee's Big Adventure (tied with above for all-time favorite)
Tender Mercies
The Last Waltz
Office Space
Gran Torino
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
Saturday Night Fever
Stop Making Sense
I agree, the price of movies is insane! Better to wait for Red Box.
I have a long list Joanna but the first ones that come to mind are:
ReplyDeleteET
Forest Gump
Mr. Holland's Opus
Dances with Wolves
I generally prefer small indie movies, too. I did love the Madness of King George. And Kinky Boots. And Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself. And The World's Fastest Indian. I have a long list, in fact.
ReplyDeleteWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Dazed and Confused, Waiting, and The Muppet Movie.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com
Gregory's Girl - set in the town I spent time as a child, Cumbernauld near Glasgow in Scotland
ReplyDeleteohh i rarely remember the names of movies i love. i wish i did, there are so many that make me cry, make me laugh, make me think about things in new ways:)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any movies for awhile. I think the last one was eat pray and love. I hope to see some over the holidays. xo
ReplyDeleteKarate kid,Goonies,and back to the future are my favs.
ReplyDelete- Daddy Rich
daddyrichispoor@gmail.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Favourite movies? Joyeux Noel, Secrets and Lies, Welcome, Pride and Prejudice, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Walk the Line, Shrek 1, Finding Nemo and The Sound of Music. There are others I'm sure, but as I have the 2 second memory of a goldfish I can't remember! I do remeber a movie I thought was blindingly awful, and it won awards! It was Dreamgirls. Appallingly written and acted, I thought.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas everyone, from New Zealand, where we are struggling a bit with the heat. We expect it in January and February, but it's not usually quite this hot in December. Hard doing the roast turkey and all the trimmings in this heat, but we do! Madness! But lovely.
I am sorry to hear that the Tourist wasn't that great. I will probably wait until it comes out on dvd and spend a buck at the red box to see it. My all time fave films are
ReplyDelete~Beaches ~Cleopatra ~The dark Half
~Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
and a ton more
Happy Holidays
tanyainjville at yahoo dot com
Life is too short for bad films or books... Black Swan sounds like a must.
ReplyDeleteI have not been very thoughtful in posting comments on your blog. I want to tell you how much I appreciate you being my blog friend and I want to wish you a
ReplyDeletevery MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I don't remember the last time I actually went to a movie.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI love movies, and I hadn't seen a couple of the ones you listed...ok they are now on my netflix!! Thanks, and great giveaway too!!!
ReplyDeleteI would love a chance to win! A great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
Mine are Terms of Endearment and An Officer and a Gentleman. I realize that dates me. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteAnother chance at winning...woot woot!!! My top favorites are what about Bob, Terms of Endearment, The Breakfast Club and Beaches...once I get really thinking about it I remember some of the greats from from back in the day! Happy weekend! XX
ReplyDeleteThanks for another chance to throw my hat in!
ReplyDeleteI"m with you JJ - Et is still one of my favorite movies! Princess Bride ranks up there along with Happily Ever After, Two Week's Notice, Love Actually, and Walk the Line. (You can tell I don't get out much!)
ReplyDeleteHello...I'm back! Thanks for a second chance for the big win sweetie!
ReplyDeleteHave a grand evening and God bless ya!!!
Also, I can't stand watching movies in a theater anymore. People are SO rude. Cell phones, candy wrappers, everyone trooping over everyone else and going to the bathroom three times during the movie, people who wait until they get to the theater to have a REALLY IMPORTANT conversation... and the biggie?
ReplyDeleteI like watching movies at home because I like to at least narrow down the finalists in the 'who left the pee on the toilet seat' contest.
Ugh.
Gosh, I love movies. Everything from Disney to documentaries. Off the top of my head...
ReplyDeleteSalom Bombay
Enchanted April
Julie and Julia
Parrots of Telegraph Hill
Cold Comfort Farm
My Fair Lady
movies are a way to escape to someone elses world.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun hon!!! Hmmm let's see..the first one I saw..that I remember was either the Sound of Music or Oliver..I can't remember..loved them both. I adore movies. Thank goodness for our surround sound system..cause seriously cannot afford a movie in the theater..so miss them. I think the last one we saw was Lilo and Stitch..really it was. Am thinking it is time to go huh??!
ReplyDeleteHugs and love to you, Sarah
Since you said a second comment was o.k i would have to say that another of my favorite movies is Day after tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteFavorite favorite of all time every:
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful Life.
I adore it. We watch it every year on New Year's.
"Black Swan" is on my must see list, too! Some of my favorite movies are:
ReplyDeleteHope Floats
The Color Purple
Stella
Beaches
Such a fun giveaway - thank you for the chance to win! :)
tyson 2468 (at) charter (dot) net
Star Wars Tops my list...
ReplyDelete:) I grew up in a Sci-fi geek home!!
panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com
My favorite films tend to be the small indie flicks anymore. Too many big names, too much CGI, too much anything and they seem to edit what could be good to feature something I think of as cinematic Splenda instead of cinematic meat and potatoes.
ReplyDeleteSince you insist, I will put my name in for a second chance at your generous giveaway. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWell okay, I am stopping by to leave a second comment for a chance to win your giveaway. Hope your last week before Christmas is enjoyable and fun. How are you feeling? Many hugs to you, Joanna.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, you would, of course, be welcomed at Misfit Christmas. :-)
ReplyDeleteTop Movies?
Dangerous Liaisons
Spinal Tap
Ed Wood
The King of Comedy
The Way We Were
Pearl
We go one time a year, New Years Eve with the kids. Always a good one - National Treasure 1 and 2, oh gosh, what's that other series? With Steve Martin and his wife with like 12 kids. Ughhh, lol Can't remember.
ReplyDeleteI could watch Elf over and over, It's a Wonderful Life, the Christmas Box. I have LOTS of favorites!
Thanks for entering me! I barely ever shop, this economy has come close to defeating me. I'd probably order a new mailbox since the city plow ruined mine. :(
Great post. I liked "The American" with George Clooney. It was little off beat, not a Hollywood Blockbuster type movie.
ReplyDeletelove The Godfather, When Harry Met Sally, and The Notebook
ReplyDeletepedidentalasst at yahoo dot com
Thanks for another chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteWoohoo....a third chance to win??? Baby there are just no words!
ReplyDeleteYa'll heard it here people...Nezzy has no words! Heeehehehe!
Thanks for the third entry baby...third time a charm.
Right???
:o)
A third chance? Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to narrow down my list-
ReplyDeleteGone with the Wind
Auntie Mame
Barefoot in the Park
The Philadelphia Story
wow, all my favs are old movies...
My all time favorite movies (at the moment) are elf, up, the illusionist and bend it like beckham.
ReplyDeleteok, I am going to name a couple of obscure movies that no one else would pick. Nine Lives, a great movie of interconnected stories with some fabulous female actresses, too many to name. Ordinary People. Bug with Ashley Judd. Mother and Child (just saw it on netflix, Naomi Watts and Annette Bening, terrific)
ReplyDeletejhbalvin at gmail dot com
My favorite is The Neverending Story. Oh the memories!
ReplyDeletekathie78@yahoo.com
I love the Yaya Sisterhood and Steel Magnolias. Anything with southern females. Reminds me of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteSecond entry from your Sundays in my City post invite.
ReplyDeleteMY favorite movie would be one of these:
ReplyDeleteNightmare Before Christmas
Reservior Dogs
or
The Usual Suspects
Its hard to pick my very favorite movie but I do like Dark Ride, Dead Silence and To Kill A Mocking Bird.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite movies are definitely influenced by what I've loved watching with my kids like the Pirates movies and Harry Potter. I was surprised by The Tourist noms too.
ReplyDeleteI love Princess Bride. And Harry Potter. :)
ReplyDeletethe post I recently commented on said I can enter again? Really? If so, hurray!!
ReplyDeleteThey're too numerous to list, but one that comes to mind: Enchanted April is a classic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win this great giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
My favorite movies are: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Independence Day.
ReplyDeletemonster6236 at gmail dot com
Another chance? You are too generous - thanks!
ReplyDeleteOkay--I'm up for another shot at winning!
ReplyDeleteNight On Earth
ReplyDeleteStripes
Taxi Driver
Taxi-(with Jimmy Cagney)
DC Cab- ( yeah with Mr T !)
-but as you can see ...I'm biased !! LOL
This is really cool, another chance to win. Yee-haw.
ReplyDeleteA forth chance baby....woohoo!!! Dancin' and singin' here :o)
ReplyDeleteIs there room for one more? It is getting pretty full over here. Ha.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm old fashioned but my favorite movie is still Ben Hur. The Matrix comes in 2nd, and Paths of Glory 3rd. Great contest idea.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite single movie is Rosemary's Baby, and I'm a huge fan of Hitchcock, John Sayles and Brian DePalma!
ReplyDeleteeemoody77 at gmail dot com
thank you for a Last Chance. I also love the Officer and a Gentleman, Richard Gere was so dreamy when he came and swept away Debra Winger!
ReplyDeletejhbalvin at gmail dot com