Sometimes I get on Netflix and find nothing, nothing at all among the 8-million titles. This could be because too many choices causes me mucho brain fog. Am I alone in this? I don’t think so…But then some days I am pleasantly surprised at how many great options I see on Netflix. Even though we actually already own all of them. :)
Here is a list of 10 great viewing opportunities (streaming) on Netflix right now. How many have you seen? How many do you own?
In no particular order. Watch them all!
You’re welcomed.
1.
Love Actually (2003)
It’s a British Christmas-themed story with dozens of plot twists and at least 27 feel-good endings. The music is wonderful, the cast is top-notch. It’s energetic and colorful and even has some sniffly parts. Sure, I fast-forward through a couple of scenes, but I still hold my breath wondering if her answer will be “Yes would be my answer,” and I annually smile like crazy as the girl in the red coat and flies into the Prime Minister’s arms at the airport {cuteness overload}…more than once! I like this movie! “Love actually is ~ all around.”
2.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Classic family movie and all of my relatives are represented, including Clark Griswold, aka Dave Rhoades! Another great soundtrack, lots of wry humor and you have to watch it to see and shake your head over cousin Eddie if nothing else!
3.
Return to Me (2000)
Well, first you must know I think Bonnie Hunt, who co-wrote this movie, directed it and plays a great role in it, is pretty much very cool and sort of a genius or something. I love the Chicago backdrop and Carroll O’Connor’s performance in his final film (he died in 2001). It is a smallish romantic comedy, a clever storyline, hilarious neighborhood characters played by an extraordinary cast and just a really lovely love story. Plus? Such great music – Dean Martin, people!
4.
An Officer and a Gentlemen (1982)
Well, I mean it is one of the best endings ever. And I am not talking about all the Richard Gere be-hind shots, either. Hehe. Soundtrack!
5.
As Good as it Gets (1997)
Romantic comedy that is just thick with Jack Nicholson’s talent. He plays a writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder and the tagline, “Brace Yourself for Melvin” is sage advice. He is simply abrasive and horrible and yet somehow redeemable. The film is filled with quotables – almost always said by Jack Nicholson. Of course.
6.
Big Night (1996)
Set in the 1950s, Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci play immigrant Italian brothers who own and operate a failing restaurant. It is beautiful to look at and the food, oh the food…get yourself a plate of spaghetti while you watch. And plan to join them for the magnificent timpano feast on a sparkly dress-up night. Stormie has made it for our family {see it here}.
7.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
One of the best of the 1980s coming-of-age movies. It’s one day in the life of 5 kids in high school detention finding out that they are more alike than different. “Don’t you forget about me, don’t don’t don’t don’t…”
8.
A Room with a View (1986)
Some days you just need a cup of hot tea and a Merchant-Ivory film. It’s an adaptation of an early 1900s novel. It is loveliness. “Feign to deny it.”
9.
Far and Away (1992)
The fabulous Ron Howard directed this awesome historical-drama-adventureous-romance starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. It’s a story of Irish immigrants seeking great fortunes in America culminating in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893. I haven’t watched this in years, but I love stories of the immigration-era (when dreams and hopes were high) and the formerly-marrieds have great chemistry in it.
10.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (1954)
Seriously? You’ve seen this, right? Because it has everything, every-thing: music, romance, incredible sets, choreography, snow, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, counting your blessings, a black dress to die for, the hilarious Danny Kaye and Christmas by the truckloads. Watch it with the volume up and God bless America! “Snow, snow, snow, snow ~ Snowwwwww”
This is like – 20 hours of great movie time for free! Well, free if you already have Netflix, anyway. :)
P.S. As I look back over the list, I’d give most of these 4 out of 5 stars, but two of them would get the coveted 5 stars from moi…do you know which ones???
