30/30: Five Movies I Could Watch Forever

This week, as I thought about the daunting task that faced me today, I have been haunted and restless. The number 5 has taunted me, daring me to live up to the Herculean task that I had given myself. You all know how much I love movies, and that I have dozens of favorites that I can watch over and over again. Knowing that about myself, I still went ahead and gave myself this 30/30 Vision Blog Challenge prompt for today: Top 5 Favorite Movies  -Of all-time. Any category, any style. The 5 movies you could take to a deserted island and watch over and over and over again.

Five. That's just insane. I can't even choose my top 5 comedies. I would have a hard time picking my top 5 Tom Hanks (Big? Apollo 13? Philadelphia? Splash?) movies or Mel Brooks (Blazing Saddles? Spaceballs? Men In Tights?) films. In a world where there are 6 Star Wars movies, how do I choose which 5 films I will watch forever? After a long discussion with my son and fellow movie lover Will, I decided it is hopeless. But nonetheless, I must do it. It's a moral imperative (a quote from the movie Real Genius- another favorite which has NO chance of making this list)! So here we go. Not the 5 best movies. Not even my 5 favorite movies - because some of my favorites (see Les Miz, Field of Dreams, Forrest Gump, Dead Poet's Society & Pleasantville) are too exhausting to watch that often. I should also say up front that none of The Lord of the Rings movies or The Hobbit made this list because I can't imagine taking one without taking them all. That said, The Return of the King was very close to making it anyway! These are 5 movies that I can (and have!) watch over and over and over again and never grow tired of them. So when I find a deserted island to escape to, here's what I'm taking with me...

1. Young Frankenstein - There are some comedies that make me laugh hysterically the first time I see them (The Hangover comes to mind) and then are never that funny again. Young Frankenstein is the complete opposite. I have watched it dozens of times- in theaters, on VHS, DVD and now Blu-Ray- and it keeps getting funnier. A brilliant, BRILLIANT film and maybe the easiest choice on this list. And yes- I KNOW it's in black and white. Get over it! Don't make me call Frau Blucher!
2. The Big Chill - It's partly the incredible cast. It's partly the humor. It's partly the music. It's partly that it is a reflection on a generation close to my heart. But mostly, it is because it is my favorite movie about lasting friendships that seem to survive no matter what. It's a story about hope- both lost and found. It probably wouldn't make anyone else's list- but it is an easy addition to mine.
3. Star Wars - Let me begin by saying I am one of THOSE people who actually enjoys all 6 of the Star Wars movies. I also agree with most fans who deem 1980's The Empire Strikes Back as the best film in the series and one of the best movies ever. But for my deserted island adventure, I choose the original. I had just graduated high school in 1977, and seeing Star Wars (there was only one then- so it was THE Star Wars!) absolutely blew my mind. Every time I watch it I am taken back to that theater and that feeling of amazement. So if I can only take one, I choose to meet Luke, Han, Obi-Wan, Darth, Leia and Chewy for the first time- all over again.
4. Monty Python & the Holy Grail - It is fairly safe to say that I have seen this film more times that any other movie on this list. I can recite the lines, sing the songs and tell dozens of stories abut exposing people to it for the first time. I saw it in theaters as a sneak preview. There is history here. And again- it never fails to crack me up. I could never leave my faithful steed Patsy behind, or not be able to hear the tale of Sir Robin. This strange and wonderful film is going with me!
5. A Muppet Christmas Carol - Sooner of later, even on a deserted island, it will be Christmas. I can celebrate the birthday of my Savior anywhere- but it won't really feel like Christmas without my favorite holiday film. We watch it every Christmas Eve and it never gets old. The music is wonderful, the humor is classic and it's got Muppets! And in case you are wondering, right now there are only 298 sleeps 'til Christmas...

OK - so that was just painful! No Stripes, Blues Brothers, Ghostbusters or Animal House? How can I not take a Die Hard, an Indiana Jones or The Princess Bride? What am I thinking not choosing a single superhero movie - especially The Avengers? Where is The Waterboy or A Fish Called Wanda? I am amazed that neither Anchorman nor The Rocketeer made my list, and that Airplane and Ferris Bueller are nowhere to be found. The sports fan in me would be very happy to have seen Rocky, Remember the Titans or Bull Durham show up on the list. Silverado and Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid would have been wonderful choices. I never change the channel when Wayne's World or Fletch comes on TV. And where the #@%* is Caddyshack? How can I not take Caddyshack? There are no Disney or Pixar movies, and leaving off classics like The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp and Toy Story hurt. There are no movies from the last 20 years- and that includes lots of amazing films. But this list is not about what is left out. It's about 5 movies that I- me personally- could watch again and again and still be entertained. And with that in mind, I declare my list a success.

I'd love to hear from some of you. What would be on your list? Remember, you can't be wrong- it's your list. Unless you choose a Twilight film. THAT is just not right...