As You Wish

I'm very bad at putting numbers on things, and I don't know how I'd be able to rank one of these above the others, but here are some films that have ingratiated themselves into my life:


Ever After

If I had to pick any movie to represent my childhood, it would probably be this one. I and my siblings watched this film so many times I can recite most of the dialogue off the cuff. I love that this film takes itself so seriously - sometimes the acting (I notice this now, being not nine years old anymore) is really a bit awful - but it's so endearingly earnest at the same time. And I still laugh at all the funny bits and invent amusing backstories for the minor characters. And I still want all the pretty dresses!

The Scarlet Pimpernel


Yes, I know, I'm period drama obsessed. But this film (and the book it's based on) are absolutely splendid. Od's fish!

The Emperor's New Groove

I don't really enjoy watching movies alone very much, so it comes as no surprise when I discover that most of these films are movies that my family enjoys watching. I don't even understand how this movie can be so darn good. It just is. Heartwarming, hilarious. Truly epic. I'm racking my brains trying to think of another Disney film that depicts a pregnant woman, let alone a pregnant woman of Pacha's wife's awesome level. Unusually for Disney, this isn't a romantic plot, but somehow this chucklefest of brilliance also manages to have more heart packed into it than three standard princess movies.

Bride and Prejudice

A Bollywood interpretation of Pride and Prejudice? Of course it's awesome!

About A Boy

It's funny; I know a lot of people who dislike this film. I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it's just usual to hate Hugh Grant films, because Hugh Grant can be a bit of a pain in the neck. (He can also be entertaining - Music and Lyrics, anyone?) All the same, I really like the unconventional idea - taking the 'coming of age' cliche movie and turning it on its head. Instead of a young boy learning to grow up and a grown man learning to embrace his inner child, we have a young boy who needs to learn to be a child and a manchild who needs to learn how to grow up. I like it very much.


Secondhand Lions

Not as much as I like this film, though. I hate the framing device - the actor playing the adult Walter was badly cast, and it adds a maudlin air to a film that is tough yet tender. Yet this movie is delightful. Go watch it. Now!

The Princess Bride
My mother compares any film that is good in a special way as being 'like The Princess Bride' The only two films I can remember (though I know there have been more than a few) her using this phrase about are Secondhand Lions and A Series of Unfortunate Events. But Princess Bride is our standard of awesome. Always. Because it is.