Our Favorite Movies

As you can see from this list, we like romance, comedy, inspirational, “one person can make a difference”, adventure, morals/values, following your life purpose and passions, based on true stories, good-over-bad with no violence, evil, darkness, blood, profanity or swearing. We also like metaphysical movies and movies that focus on alternative methods of healing (of course!)

18 Again: George Burns switches places with his 18-year old grandson. Only George could pull off something like this. I love George Burns.

A Christmas Story (5* Movie): Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsly, Melinda Dillon. Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift. But along the way, he runs into opposition from his parents, his teacher, and even good 'ol Santa Claus himself. Sure reminds me of my first experience with Santa! One of the best Christmas movie’s I’ve seen. My favorite part was when Raphie’s little brother wouldn’t eat so on Christmas eve his mom piled some mashed potatoes on his plate saying, “Show us how the piggies eat.” I also remember being bundled up like a tick in winter. Good scene on that as well. Rated G. © 1983.

Almost and Angel: Paul Hogan, Linda Kozlowski. Paul stars as a talented thief who thinks he is an Angel after being hit by a car when saving the life of a little girl. Possible Near Death Experience. A “one person CAN make a difference” kind of movie. Hilarious impersonations of Willie Nelson and Rod Stewart. Joy-filled comedy. Rated PG © 1990.

Always: (After Death Communication). Holly Hunter, Richard Dreyfuss and John Goodman. A romantic adventure of alegendary pilot with a passion for daredevil firefighting. After sacrificing himself to save Al, the ace pilot faces his most challenging mission: helping Holly move on with her life. Great cinematography. I love this movie because an old flame of mine and I used to fly his plane over to Libby, Montana every once in a while as they were filming this movie to see how things were progressing. On the way back back from taking my Montana State board exams we almost ran out of gas and had to make an emergency landing in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. When he asked me if I was scared, I told him no because I knew he didn’t want to die and that he would do his best. He never seemed to fill that tank of his to the top. It was really annoying. He died six months later of colon cancer. So, I think in some way this movie was meant for me as his way of helping me to let go of his memory and to help me move on with my life. I know now that he knew he was dying. Rated PG. © 1997.

As Good As It Gets: (Pets as Healers/ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Greg Kinnear. “A comedy that comes from the heart that goes for the throat.” Nicholson plays Melfin, an obsessive-compulsive novelist with Manhattan’s meanest mough. But when his neighbor Simon is hospitalized, Melvin is forced to babysit Simon’ dog. And that unexpected act of kindness—along with waitress Carol Connelly—helps put Melvin back in the human race.

Awakenings: Robert DeNiro and Robin Williams based on a true story of a maverick doctor and the patients whose lives he changes. Robin plays a shy research physician who uses an experimental drug to “awaken” the catatonic victims of a rare disease. This movie came at a time when I was working with a coma patient and was looking for answers and techniques on how to wake her up. It gave me hope (even though she chose to pass over 13 months later.) Rated PG © 1990.

Babe: (Animal Communication) The story of an unprejudiced heart and how it changed a valley forever. In the world of Hoggett’s farm, every creature has a preordained purpose until the orphaned piglet Babe arrives and turns everything upside down. Cared for by Fly, he soon thinks he, too, is a dog. Farmer Hoggett senses something special in Babe and, though everyone thinks he’s crazy, enters him in the national Sheepdog Championships. Just when the owrl is laughing loudest, the tall farmer and the short pig step int the arena to compete and everyone is in for a giant surprise. In the movie there is a mean cat who tried to get Babe into trouble. I had never seen the movie until recently. Dagney (my cat) was sleeping below the TV screen. When the cat in the movie really stepped over the line and caused one of the animals to get a death sentence, I turned to Michael and said, “Now, that is a MEAN cat!” At which point, Dagney got up, stretched up to the TV screen and patted Babe on the nose with her paw! You can’t tell me that animals don’t know what we’re talking about! Rated G. © 1995

Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Story of St. Francis of Assisi and how one person CAN make a difference.

Calendar Girls: Helen Mirren, Julie WaltersLinda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton. They dropped everything for a good cause.” When twelve ordinary members of the Women’s Institute, a prim and proper local ladies’ club, decide they need to find a more compelling way to raise mney for a cancer ward they step out of the ordinary and decide to go naked (artfully done behind the usual baked goods featured on the calendar.) Good story for those wanting to help others after experiencing the loss of someone through cancer. I also liked the Tai chi exercise class the women attended. Good introduction to this exercise. Rated PG. © ?

Camilla: Jessica Tandy wastes her life by not following her passion to become a professional violinist. Story evolves to the enticing line that it is never too late to be happy in life.

Christmas in the Clouds: Timothy Vahle, Sam Vlahos, Mariana Tosca, Gram Greene. (5* Movie) A classic comedy of mistaken identity and romance set during the holiday season at a ski resort that is owned and operated by a Native American Nation. Shot on location at The Sundance Resort (owned by Robert Redford) in Utah, this is the first contemporary romantic comedy to feature an almost entirely American Indian cast. The film was featured at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Loved the vegetarian scenes. Rated PG. © 2006.

City of Angels: (Angels on Earth) Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan. “She didn’t believe in angels until she fell in love with one.” Spellbinding romance of the biggest romance under the heavens. Cage is Seth, and angel who must decide if he’ll forsake his immortality and become human—on the chance that the woman of his dreams might love him. That woman is Maggie (Meg Ryan), a pragmatic heart surgeon who doesn’t believe in angels. . .until she meets Seth. Rated PG-13. © 1998.

City Slickers and City Slickers II (two separate movies): Comedy/Adventure. Dude ranch adventures and the call of the west entice Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Jon Lovitz and Jack Palance to interact. Great family movie. Norman the cow becomes a pet. Nice story about how friends support each other through crazy ideas and situations. Rated PG © 1993/1994.

Cold Comfort: If you have heard of the book, The Tipping Point and liked that you will like this movie of how one person connects others to further their life paths.

Crocodile Dundee: Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski. Romantic comedy about a free spirited Australian who hunts crocodiles with his bare hands, stares down giant water buffaloes, and drinks mere mortals under the table. But he’s about to face the ultimate torture test—a trip to New York City to help a reporter finish her story about the “wonder from Down Under.” Good one-liners. Rated PG © 1986

First Do No Harm: (5* movie) Meryl Streep plays a mom who’s son has “incurable” epilepsy. When the hospital and doctors want him to try experimental drugs, Meryl researches alternative therapies on her own and decides to go elsewhere. Based on a true story. Very important for anyone who knows someone with epilepsy to watch. Introduction to the Ketogenic diet. I’ve used this type of dietary change and lots of cases with great success.

For Richer or Poorer: Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley are married and living in the best neighborhood in New York City. They are ripped of by their personal accountant and suddenly find themselves owing three million dollars in back taxes to the IRS. They decide to flee and post as long lost cousins of a local Amish farming family. Forced to adopt a simpler life of the Amish, the couple find that there are more important things in life than money. If you like this movie, you’ll like the book, Better Off—Flipping the Switch on Technology. Rated PG-13. © 1998.

Forrest Gump: (Overcoming Limited IQ) Tom Hanks and Sally Field. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You just never know what kind you’re gonna get.” Inspirational movie that has touched the hearts of people all over the world. Through three turbulent decades, Forrest rides a tide of events that whisks him from physical disability to football stardom, from Vietnam hero to shrimp tycoon, from White House honors to the arms of his one true love. Rated PG-13. © 1995.

French Kiss: Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline. Romantic comedy about life, love and larceny. When her fiancé is smitten by a beautiful Frenchwoman, Meg flies to Paris determined to win him back. However, nothing prepares her for Luc (Kline), a cunning, sexy Frenchman with a gift for gab and a fondness for thievery. A self-proclaimed expert on affairs of the heart, Luc promises to help Kate win back her man. But one star-crossed misadventure after another sweeps them across France, ultimately changing them in ways they never dreamed possible. Rated PG-13. © 1995.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: (5* Movie) Shannen Doherty, Sarrah Jessica Parker, and Helen Hunt play Catholic girls who want to try out for Dance USA (which is kind of like Solid Gold if you remember that show). The girls sneak out of the house, change clothes as school and dance, dance, dance. Upbeat comedy, colorful characters and a great ending. One of my favorite movies. Rated (none) © 1998.

Greenfingers: (5* Movie) Loved this one. Based on a true story, a group of prisoners engage in an experiment where they learn how to garden. They end up at a prestigious show in England and change the whole prison system for the better.

Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men (two different Movies): Jack Lemmon, Walter Mathhau, Sophia Loren, Ann-Margret, Daryl Hannah, Kevin Pollak and Burgess Meredith. Great comedies about feuding friends in Wabasha Minesota. The uncatchable fish named Catfish Hunter grows fatter. The wisecracks, zingers and put downs pile up like freshly raked leaves. Delightful, heartwarming comedy. Rated PG (contains “Salty” language and innuendo) © 1995/1996.

Head over Heels: Monica Potter, Freddie Prinze, Jr. fall in love in the world of high fashion of Manhatten. Romance/mystery/comedy. Fun movie. Rated PG. © 2001. Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is in Public Relations. She's darn good at what she does, until she gets fired for taking 4 bottles of vodka (which she had replaced) which her upper crusty male coworkers claimed she stole -- a sneaky, low-down, dirty way of getting her out of the company because she was a woman who was too successful and her male counterparts were jealous. The first story is set. Helen catches the train by the skin of her teeth, meets a nice fellow by the name of James (John Hannah) who appears to have acquired a fancy for her, but Helen clearly makes it known she is involved with another man. The second story line develops as she goes home, and finds her partner, Gerry (John Lynch), in bed with his ex-girlfriend, Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn). The story goes on from there with two endings. Very interesting movie, and quite the education on the metaphysical concept of parallel lives.

Hitch: Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Eva Mendes with Will Smith as New York City’s greatest matchmaker. Love is his job and he’ll get you the girl of your dreams in just three easy dates, guaranteed! Romance/Comedy. Tabloid columnist decides to uncover the secret behind the matchmaker’s success and falls in love with him. Rated PG. © 2005.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen. Michael really likes this one. It’s a bit too adrenalin-charged for me, but I do like the romance/comedy/Knight in shining armor type stuff. Rated PG © 1999.

IQ: Tom Robbins and Meg Ryan. Romance/Comedy about Einstein’s friends and how they conspire as matchmakers.

Jumpin’ Jack Flash: Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Lovitz and Jim Belushi. Whoopi’s screen comedy debut. A computer operator (Goldberg) at a bank is plunged into an exciting world of international intrigue, danger and romance when her terminal gets and S.O.S. from “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” a British spy stranded in Eastern Europe. She is soon matching wits with the deadliest members of the espionage community from the DIA to the KGB.

Just Like Heaven: (Out of Body Experience and Coma) Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Heder. Reese Witherspoon stars in the spirited romantic comedy. When David (Ruffalo) rents his new apartment, the last thing he wants is company. Then Elizabeth (Witherspoon) show up, insisting the apartment is hers. . .until she disappears right before his eyes. He’s convinced she’s a spirit. She’s convinced she’s still alive. As they search for the truth of Elizabeth’s past, their relationship changes from resentment to romance. The penthouse garden is a must-see at the end of the movie. I want one. Rated PG-13. © 2005.

Just Visiting: Jean Reno, Christina Applegate,Christian Clavier. “They came, they saw, they wanna go back!” Romance/comedy about one girl’s lineage involving time travel. Two men request the help of a local wizard to right a wrong and find themselves in the 21^st century. Good morals/values movie and of course the Knight in Shining Armor! Rated PG © ?

Laws of Attraction: Nora Dunn, Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore. Romance/comedy about two feuding lawyers who fall in love while gathering evidence for a rock star couple’s divorce case. A movie about Fate throwing two people together. “Love always has the last word.” Rated PG ©?

Life or Something Like it: Angelina Jolie and Ed Burns. Romantic Comedy about making choices, making friends and making a mess. You’ve gotta love Angelina in this one. Female reporter turned renegade when a psychic tells her she has one week to live. Rated PG © 2002

Mask: This is the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a personable young man suffering from "lionitis," a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis (Cher), Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle buddies, but treated with pity, condescension, and disgust by much of the outside world. The local high school principal tries to get Rocky classified as brain-damaged so he won't have to enroll the boy in his school, but Rusty fights for her son's rights with the ferocity of a mother lioness. Rocky makes friends easily both at school and at summer camp. He also falls in love with Diana (Laura Dern), a blind girl who cannot see his deformed countenance and is entranced by the boy's kindness and compassion. Now that he's got his own life in order, Rocky sets about to wean his chronically depressed mother from her drug habit. Mask is the sort of story that might have ending up wallowing in its own pathos had the acting, direction and scriptwriting (by Anna Hamilton Phelan) been anything less than very good. The film proved a much-needed financial success for director Peter Bogdanovich, though unfortunately it didn't come soon enough to stave off his declaring personal bankruptcy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Michael: (Angels on Earth) (5* Movie) Andie MacDowell, William Hurt and John Travolta. “He’s and angel, not a saint.” A tabloid magazine called The National Mirror interviews a woman who says she is living with an angel. Michael is gubby, magnetic and a babe magnet I this romantic comedy. While trying to get an exclusive interview with Michael they didn’t bargain for the joyous, life-affirming plan in mind for them. Miracle abound in this wonderful gem. I love it when Andie sings, “I Love Pie” in the restaurant. Rated PG. © 1996.

Mrs. Winterbourne: Shirley MacLaine, Ricki Lake,Brendan Fraser. Romance/comedy about a girl caught between true love and mistaken identity (Pregnant bag lady trading places with a rich woman theme). Rated PG © 1996.

Music From Another Room: Jude Law, Jennifer Tilly, Gretchen Mol, Martha Plimpton, Brenda Blethyn, Jon Tenney, Jeremy Piven, Jane Adams. “Their romance began the day she was born.” Romance/Comedy. Danny found his true love when he was only five years old when he delivered the girl he was going to marry. Flash forward 25 years as fate take shape. Rated PG © 1997.

Off the Map: (About depression) Sam Elliott plays Charley, a man who has fallen into a deep depression in a small town in New Mexico. Valentina d’Angelis plays Bo Groden, his 11-year old eccentric girl who is living in the now and learning to work the systems of poverty as she satisfies her sweet tooth by writing candy companies claiming to have had problems with their products, which usually results in a box of fresh goodies. Her mother, Arlene (Joan Allen) holds the household together and exemplifies “for better or for worse” of her marriage vows. The Grodens get by through living within simple means, one day an Internal Revenue Agent appears at their door, wanting to know why the family hasn't paid income tax for several years -- and not believing there has been no appreciable income for so many years. Great ending. Nude gardening scene. Good sub plots, too. © 2003.

Patch Adams: Based on a true story, Robin Williams plays a doctor who doesn’t look, act or think like any other doctor you’ve met before (kind of like myself!) He is willing to do just about anything (even using alternative medicine) to make his patiens laugh. Yucky ending for kids. Makes a lasting impression. Loved the woman who got to fulfill her dream before she died with bathing in noodles. Rated PG. © 1997.

Pay it Forward: (Random Acts of Kindness and One Person CAN make a difference theme) Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. “Is it possible for one idea to change the world?” We think so. Just imagine. You do a favor that really helps someone and tell him other not to pay it back, but to pay it forward to three other people who, in turn, each pay it forward to three more, etc. Junior high student Trevor McKinney (Haley) comes up with this chain reaction project of goodness for his social studies project. One of my favorite movies but the little boy dies in the end so you may want to have parental discretion. Rated PG-13 © ?

Pollyanna: Jayne Wyman, Richard Egan, Karl Malden and Hayley Mills perform in this timeless Walt Disney tapestry of a small-town Americana. She brings sunshine into the lives of everyone she meets. When her missionary mom and dad die, she is shipped off to her aunt Polly’s house to be raised in upper-crust society. I absolutely adore this movie (maybe it was because my dad always called me a Pollyanna while I was growing up). I still am a Pollyanna to this day. Love the Glad Game and have made a rough draft of the Glad Passages the movie talks about. A must see if you are learning about the Law of Attraction. Rated G. © 1960.

Runaway Bride: Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Romantic Comedy. Julia plays a small-town girl who gets cold feet each time she walks down the isle disappearing in a variety of ways. Richard plays a cynical, big-city newspaper columnist eager to write a tell-all story about Julia’s character and falls in love with her. I love the fact that Julia’s character, Maggie, works at a hardware store and is an artist on the side. Great chick flick. Rated PG. © ?

School of Rock: Teacher makes a difference when he allows his students to follow their passions and they compete in a music contest.

Serendipity: John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. “A Matchless Romantic Comedy.” Romantic comedy. If you don’t know what the word means and believe in destiny and love at first sight and the process of synchronicity, you need to watch this one. Love conquers all and is inevitable. We think it’s a 5* movie and watch it once a year around Christmas. Rated PG. ©

Sister Act 1 and Sister Act 2 (Two separate movies): Whoopi Goldberg. What can I say. I love Catholic comedies and rocking music in church. Whoopi is an ex show girl that keeps getting involved with this particular convent and really helps the choir out with their music and building their congregation numbers. And they affect her in positive ways as well. Action packed. Good family fun. Rated PG © ?

Sleepless in Seattle: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Sam (Hanks) is a recent widower who is seeking someone new. Sam's son Jonah, is also looking for a new mother, so when Jonah puts his father on national radio, hundreds of women write to him. One of the women is Annie. She's engaged to Walter, but he's a bit strange. Annie goes to great lengths to meet Sam. Rated PG. © 1993.

Sliding Doors: This is a movie depicting the concept of parallel lives. It is a movie depicting two stories of what would happen with just one choice in our lives. Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) plays out one woman's destiny to "catch" and "not catch" the London commuter rail.

Somewhere in Time: (Time Travel) Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. “He sacrificed life in the present. . .to find love in the past.” The story of a young writer who is approached by an elderly woman who gives him an antigue gold watch and who pleads with him to return in time with her. Christopher returns to1912 and the beautiful young woman who awaits him there. I love how they talk to each other through letters passed in the roll-top desk. Always wanted a roll-top desk after seeing this movie! Rated PG. © 2000.

Space Cowboys: Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner. They trained body and mind for America’s leap into space, but when the moment came, they were replaced by a chimpanzee! Four decades later their time has come again, but they’ve aged. Love this movie (5* keeper) and it’s packed with heart, humor and heroics. Rated PG. © 2001.

Stepmom: Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris. Touching story of unlikely friendship between two remarkable women raising the same children. Looks and feels like a true account of what being a step-parent is really about. And, really? It’s just a blessing to have someone else with high morals and values helping you to raise your children anyway in a situation where everyone is challenged by change. Rated PG-13. © 1998.

Strangers in Good Company: A busload of elderly people get stranded on a road trip and have to spend a couple days out in the wilderness foraging for food. A Catholic nun sets out on her own to get help. Great lines. Wonderful movie of strangers joining together and helping each other.

Sweet Home Alabama: Josh Lucas, Candice Bergen, Reese Witherspoon plays a rising New York clothing designer who suddenly finds herself engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor. Story about a woman who has a past and finally faces it. Of course there’s a good ending! It wouldn’t be on this list if there weren’t as I prefer to live in the land of Disney! Rated PG © ?

The Associate: Tim Daly, Bebe Neuwirth, Dianne Wiest and Whoopi Goldberg “Behind every great man is a woman. . .wishing he’d get the hell out of her way!” Whoopi is a corporate stock broker who does things her own way. When she finds herself as a go-fer to the young man she has mentored she decides to quit her job and open her own business. As a small business owner I loved how Whoopi made it happen and how she and Dianne created win-win situations for everyone involved (and how the dishonest people paid for their actions). Rated PG. © 1986. Dianne Wiest is really good in this one.

The Gods Must Be Crazy I and II (two separate movies): Rather unique movies, but I liked them. Xixo the Bushman who lives deep in the African desert, following the path of his ancestors crosses paths with a New York lawyer and a handsome zoologist. When two very different cultures collide type of movies. Makes you think about what we’re doing to our planet actually. Rated PG © 1980.

The Green Mile: (Miracles, Hands On Healing, African Shamanism)Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan. Miracles happen in unexpected places, even in the death-row cellblock at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. There John Coffey (Duncan), a gentle giant of a prisoner with supernatural powers, brings a sense of spirit and humanity to his guards and fellow inmates. In African culture Shaman suck out the bad stuff, it transforms into flies, and they blow them out. This movie did an excellent job of showing this metaphysical healing practice. Parental Guidance (Coffey dies in the end). Great movie though. Rated R. © 1999 (and it’s 188 minutes long).

The Other Sister: Diane Keaton. Movie about a mentally challenged girl falling in love.

The Quiet Room: Weird movie but I liked it. A little girl doesn’t like the fact that her parents are fighting all the time so she decides she no longer wants to take part and stops talking—but now she doesn’t know how to start talking again and it’s been over a year!

The Ron Clark Story (5* movie) Based on a true story. One white teacher makes a difference when he is hired to teach the toughest students in a black neighborhood. I did a media review on this one and his book “The Essential 55” Every teacher should watch it.

The Sixth Sense: (After Death Communication) Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. “Not Every Gift is a Blessing.” Bruce plays a distinguished child psychologist who meets a frightened, confused 8-year-old boy who is haunted by ghosts which are really people who have passed over and just want to get information back to the living. Rated PG-13. © 1999.

The Third Miracle (4*) Metaphysical story of Catholic priest who investigates a story about a bleeding Mother Mary statue.

Uncorked: This family has Popped its cork. Rufus Sewell, Minnie Driver, Nigel hawthorne. A delightful celebration of dreams and the unyielding spirit of individuality. Love the guitar solo. Life purpose video. Rated PG ©2001

View from the Top: Gwyneth Paltrow, Christine Applegate, Candice Bergen, Kelly Preston, Rob Lowe. Hilarious comedy about a small-town girl who’s about to get a taste of the big time world. Good morals/values movie. Rated PG © ?

What Dreams May Come: (After Death Communication). Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Annabella Sciorra. One of the most common ways people contact you after they have passed over is through dreams. The story of a supernatural journey beyond the realm of mortality in this visually stunning and unforgettable epic of how you are greeted on the other side by people and situations that you are mentally prepared for until you can accomplish the process of waking up and letting go. This one is a quest for everlasting love that takes Robin to hell and back. Some people actually experience hell-like adventures when they have a near-death experience, but these are rare so I didn’t think this was totally accurate, but a good movie anyway. Rated PG-13. © 1999.

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