Are you having trouble deciding on a movie this weekend? Every weekend we will recommend movies based on a few selected genres, and if you take our advice (good choice), please let us know how you enjoyed it! Tweet us @cinemavens or post a comment below. If you missed last week's suggestions, click here. Happy watching!
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Starring (English version): Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Billy Crystal
Rating: PG
“Howl’s Moving Castle” is another masterpiece from Japanese director and animator Hayao Miyazaki. The animation is imaginative and whimsical, and it makes the film a visual treat. Sophie, a young, quiet woman who works in a hat shop encounters an eccentric, young wizard named Howl who lives in a gigantic, steam-powered, walking castle. A local witch is angered by their encounter and curses Sophie to become an old woman. Sophie leaves home to search for a cure for her curse and ends up living in Howl’s Castle. Filled with adventure, friendship, and action, Sophie’s journey proves that growing old doesn't mean that the excitement of life ends.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Starring: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal
Rating: R
“When Harry Met Sally” is the prime example of a modern romantic comedy done right. Most other movies of its type in the last twenty years seem derived from it, except that they aren’t nearly as good. Sally (Meg Ryan) and Harry (Billy Crystal) briefly meet in college and part ways, but a series of coincidental run-ins years later eventually create a friendship between the two. Their friendship grows into romantic interest, but they fear sex will complicate and ruin their friendship. Sally’s eccentricity and Harry’s fast-talking wisecracks make “When Harry Met Sally” an incredibly entertaining and hilarious film to watch.
The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed by: Charles (Charlie) Chaplin
Starring: Charles (Charlie) Chaplin
Rating: G
Who knew silent films could be so funny and clever? In the “Gold Rush,” Charlie Chaplin plays his classic character of the “Tramp” who travels to Klondike, Alaska with the hopes of striking it rich. During a particularly harsh blizzard, he stumbles upon a cabin owned by an outlaw, and slapstick shenanigans ensue. After the blizzard subsides, the Tramp visits a dance hall, falls in love with a beautiful socialite, and makes every (comical) attempt to woo her. Throw your skepticism of silent films away; we guarantee that after viewing the “Gold Rush” you’ll fall in love with Charlie Chaplin and his Tramp character.
(Pictured left: the Tramp with his signature cane)
Bonus Trivia: One scene, the so-called “Dancing Buns” scene, was so popular among audiences that many theaters at the time stopped the movie and replayed the scene again. That’s how good this movie is.
High Noon (1952)
Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly
Rating: PG
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