I have a lot of favourite movies – some are well know, other’s not so much, some are considered rotten by Rotten Tomatoes. Here are my five absolute favourite movies (in no particular order) and why I like them.
1. Movie #1 – The Age of Adaline
The Age of Adaline is a romance movie released in 2015. I went to go see it with my mother when it originally was released and as an adult I love it more. Three things I always look for in movies are: if the storyline is well written and makes sense, the soundtrack goes well with the movie and meaning, and in the case of a romance movie that there is chemistry. All of those boxes are checked off in this movie.
The leading lady for this movie is played by Blake Lively. I know there’s a lot of controversy surrounding her since It Ends with Us came out in August in 2024 and her most recent lawsuit with Justin Baldoni – but she was cast perfectly as Adaline Bowman. In this movie she had beautiful chemistry with Ellis Jones played by Michiel Huisman – I was rooting for them from the beginning.
The soundtrack for this movie is gorgeous — I listen to it frequently – the music is so elegant and ethereal which is perfect for the movie and the main character. With the storyline, I really like that Ellis is very respectful, and playful too. I also identify to a degree with Adaline, who is fiercely independent because she had to be and is wary of a possible new romance with Ellis. However, she is brave and she doesn’t let her independence get in the way of what she wants while still being kind and true to herself, which I hope to channel more in my life.
Favourite Quote: “You’ve lived but you’ve never had a life.” – William
2. Movie #2 – Stepmom
I’ve loved this movie for years — I forget how old I was when I watched it for the first time since it was so long ago. This movie has both Julia Roberts as Isabel Kelly. the stepmom; Susan Sarandon as Jackie Harrison, the biological mom; and. Ed Harris as Luke Harrison, the dad. The main song referenced in the movie is Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
I love both Isabel and Jackie even though Jackie is kinda mean at the beginning. She gets better, trust me. I think it beautifully shows love in all kinds of different forms: Isabel connecting and falling in love with Luke’s (her partners) kids, Jackie wanting to protect her kids because she loves them so much, the love between the two children, and finally Jackie learning to love Isabel and accept her into the family. Also, Isabel always seems to put the right things first even to the detriment of her career – which I’m sure she fixed after the end of the movie.
It’s just such a beautifully heartbreaking movie.
Favourite Quote — from the scene that always makes me teary eyed: “They’re whole life’s happiness is wrapped up in you.” – Isabel
3. Movie #3 – Where the Crawdad’s Sing
I stumbled upon this movie when it was in my recommended page on Prime. On a whim, I decided to watch it during the summer and it quickly became one of my favourite movies. It has one of my favourite actors in it, Harris Dickinson, who plays Chase Andrews (who is a terrible person but he plays a terrible person really well).
The romance in this is a beautiful slow burn, but it has a great twist at the end. You can tell it’s a brilliant storyline because I truly believed what turned out to not be true. Also, I relate to Kya, the main character, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones. Kya is a fiercely independent woman like Adaline Bowman, but she’s also is fairly shy and wary of strangers, which I can sympathize with. She is also brave and creative. Kya is very drawn to nature and its hidden beauties, which is shown in all aspects of the movie. It also helps that Taylor Swift sang a song for the movie which quickly became a staple on my summer playlists.
Favourite Quote: “But they’re not deciding anything about me.” – Kya
4. Movie #4 – Red, White & Royal Blue
This movie came out and I loved it immediately – I kind of knew about the book (full disclosure I’ve never read it but I loved the movie). I like the actor, Taylor Zakhar Perez, from The Kissing Booth series. He plays Alex Clairmont Diaz, one of the love interests. Then there is Nicholas Galitzine, who plays Prince Henry or his royal *cough* ness (if you watched the movie you know what line I’m talking about). I loved the beginning which was both hilarious and caused me to gasp,. Anyone who knows me is knows it’s hard for a movie to get that reaction out of me.
I tend to like LGBTQ+ films, but this was just so beautiful – because they both are trying and that’s visible to the audience. They’re so in love and dedicated to each other, choosing each other even though it’s hard but not sacrificing themselves for it.
Something else I love about this movie is the acting – the the characters’ reactions and the slight change of expressions are perfection.
Favourite Quote: “I’ll break the sound barrier for you.” – Alex
5. Movie #5 – The Zookeeper’s Wife
This movie without fail always makes me cry – mainly because it’s based on a true story- and what a story it is. It’s a movie about the Holocaust, and how one couple saved 300 Jewish people.
The movie shows the complexity of their decision as there are scenes with the main couple discussing the risks they would be taking saving people, as well as near misses of getting caught and sometimes actually getting caught.
It’s such a beautiful movie because it shows that even in the darkest of times, people are willing to be kind enough to put their lives on the line for others, even strangers, because they know it’s not right and it never will be.
Favourite Quote: “You will be in great danger.” – Maurycy