A FILM FAN’S FAVORITES
A Westsider’s Look At Some Memorable Movies,
Each Worth A Couple Of Hours Of Your Time
By DAVID MEISTER
December 05, 2008
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The Red Balloon (1956 Oscar for Original Screenplay) is a French charmfest, about a boy “befriending” a red balloon. Its 34-minute length is great for the under six crowd.
Tweens (7-12) -
Mary Poppins suddenly appears on a London doorstep to serve as Nanny, and changes the entire family. Multiple Oscar Winner of 1964, including Julie Andrews who was NOT hired to star in the Broadway production “My Fair Lady”, because she wasn’t a big enough star---yet.
Young Teens (13-16) -
Room Service (1938) is an under-rated Marx Bros. comedy with Lucille Ball.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) features Cary Grant’s hilarious “takes” on his spinster aunts poisoning lonely old men.
The Three Musketeers (1974) mixes broad humor and adventure with a huge cast, under the direction of Richard (A Hard Day’s Night) Lester.
Old Teens (17-20) -
The Terminator (1984) catapulted the careers of Arnold Schwarznegger and director James Cameron. Mega-effects shot on a shoestring budget – good for boys.
Pretty Woman (1990) made Julia Roberts a star, as a hooker shacking up with millionaire Richard Gere. Updated Cinderella fable will appeal to girls.
Young Adults (21+) -
Z is flat out, one of the best movies ever made. 1969 Political thriller nominated for Best Picture, Director (Costa-Gavras), Screenplay, winner for Editing and Foreign Film (French). Dubbed version is excellent.
Exhausted Adults (You know who you are!) -
Airplane! is the antidote for family fatigue. When all are asleep, renew your holiday energy with this 1980 sophomoric comedy classic---try not to laugh!
Tell us what you think email
davidmeister@westsidetoday.comDavid Meister has been a passionate movie-goer, since his childhood, reared on Saturday afternoon double features and 25¢ pop corn. As a grown-up, he was a top executive at HBO, where he also launched Cinemax, was President of Time-Life Films, and later created The Sundance Channel for Robert Redford.
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