Let's Go to the Movies

     A few years ago, I read a statement that I've never forgotten.  My apologies for not being able to give credit to the author, but I remember that he observed we can learn a lot about a person by just reading their check register and their to-do list.   There's probably a lot of truth to that,  even if plastic credit cards and on-line bill payments have taken something away from the checking industry.

     I'd like to suggest we can also learn much about a person if we simply know what their all-time favorite movies are.  I recently spent some time considering my own cinema favorites and was surprised that I listed 29 films spanning 64 years.  I wouldn't have thought my list would have included as many as it did.   For now, make what conclusions you will about why I find these motion pictures so special and entertaining.  In the future, I hope to explain in more depth why some of these had such an impact on me.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington................1939

Shepherd of the Hills...............................1941

Best Years of Our Lives...........................1946

It's a Wonderful Life................................1946

Shane.....................................................1953

Rear Window...........................................1954

Oklahoma................................................1955

An Affair to Remember............................1957

South Pacific...........................................1958

Magnificent Seven...................................1960

Zulu.........................................................1964

Sound of Music.......................................1965

The Natural..............................................1984

Hoosiers..................................................1986

Dead Poet's Society.................................1989

Field of Dreams.......................................1989

Lonesome Dove.......................................1989

Dances with Wolves.................................1990

Last of the Mohicans...............................1992

Shawshank Redemption..........................1994

Titanic.....................................................1997

Saving Private Ryan................................1998

October Sky............................................1999

Gladiator.................................................2000

The Kid...................................................2000

LOTR Fellowship of the Ring..................2001

LOTR Two Towers..................................2002

LOTR Return of the King........................2003

Seabiscuit..............................................2003

     Perhaps it would be interesting and revealing if you would make a similar list of your favorite motion pictures, then consider what they have in common.   Noting the films that are not on our lists might be equally revealing.

  To my descendants:  I can only hope that you'll still have access to these films I've listed, and that there will be motion pictures in the future that you will be able to enjoy, not because they gratify the senses, but because in some way they portray the matters of the heart.   While four of the films on the list do have some objectionable scenes and language, (Shawshank Redemption, Titanic, Saving Private Ryan and Seabiscuit)  they also portray courage, commitment, duty and sacrifice, among other redeeming values.