I have only just seen this Brian Singer offering, considering it outside the nostalgic Christopher Reeve cannon.

 Based on an established graphic novel, Superman Returns resurrects more than the suit and the theme tune. Although none of the actors are the same as the late 1970s and 80s, Marlon Brando's part is digitally reprised. We revisit the Kansas landscape of Clark's youth and his now dating widowed Mother.

There are several reflections and references to the originals:

The teaser trailer has Brando's voice again using those very Biblical paternal words that the 1978 Movie did.

Superman's first dramatic act is to save a plane, 35 minutes into Singer's film. It takes twice as long to see the cape in Richard Donner's original. Reeve's first heroic act is also to save Lois on an airborne craft, bookended in a saving spree which ends with a passenger plane being flown safely home in a storm. Singer's story conflates these two in having Lois on a passenger plane connected to a launch (in Superman the movie, it's missiles; here it's a new way to send the Shuttle on its way). Brandon Routh, the 21st century recasting, uses Reeve's line after this rescue: "I hope this little incident hasn't put you off flying. Statically speaking of course its still the safest way to travel."

Superman and Lois again meet on her balcony in high altitude apartment block in Metropolis and he hops off the ledge, blows out her cigarette and advises her against smoking.

The Daily Planet building's still art deco. Both Superman films largely used sets - the original at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England - while Singer's offering took the cast to Australia. Both seem to bear homage to the real life New York newspaper buildings.

There's a photo from the first film of Clark's family - are they the same actors?

The storyline also has parallels: Clark again arrives in a skidding burning spaceship in front of his adopted mother. He presently heads back to metropolis and his reporter job.

"Is it a bird, a plane...?" Jimmy's poor Superman in flight shots are compared to those on a kid's mobile, updating Superman and using the well worn tag line. We know who it is by now.

Lex Luthor appears for the fourth time (we had a recess in Superman III). Compared to the Michael Rosenbaum character in Smallville, the movie villain is too shallow. It's not the acting that's at fault but the character. Although real estate is a lucrative, it doesn't seem dastardly enough to power the plot of three films. Another quoted line from the Salkind era is what Lex's father said to him - complete with bad joke. But unlike Smallville, Lex has no complex father relationship here. The Posy Parker Kitty part is the new Miss Teschmacher, his female sidekick, but Parker's not given the wit of the original or the (albeit underdeveloped) subversive intelligence that Pamela Anderson's Lorelei Ambrosia had in Superman III. Lex finding the ice palace - the fortress of solitude - has happened at least once already, and he's heard Marlon (Jor-el's) speeches to his son. The crystals build a thing of beauty the first time - but for Lex they built a blackened world that already looks destroyed.

This new film aims for compounding as many disasters, action and American icons it cane fit into its two and a half hours. There's the aeroplane sequence, not only a symbol of modern life and technology, but with the added pathos and meaning that being post twin towers brings. The landing in the midst of a baseball pitch is the most public place that a hero who does not seek fame could have brought the plane down; though the first movie has Superman proclaim himself to the country in the middle of its busiest city. In front of America's sporting heroes, the alien saviour makes his public reentrance to the planet. Baseball is another American cultural institution and having a stadium applaud its other invention underscores this.

There is also the Titanic - an Anglo-American disaster which is very much in public consciousness and the subject of a blockbuster or two - the last of which also showcased building vast sets and great special effects. Here, another luxury yacht becomes stranded among great sheathes of ice and breaks in two.

Lois is written again as a self absorbed fast talking Pulitzer winning journalist who can't spell - which I am still cynical is likely. But the first Lois - Margot Kidder - is sparky, though very of her time. The screentests (as I have already commented in my article on Associated Content) shows why Margot gives something to the part that marked her out. I hate to say that people are miscast, but I believe that Kate Bosworth is. She's updated - unlike Clark - but she hasn't got the essential spark. This is also true of the newer incarnation in Smallville, yet the sparky modern woman there is Chloe. (Why hasn't Clark fallen for her?)

At the end, it is revealed that the cloying little Kid is in fact Superman's child. As Lois does not recognize Clark as Superman, she must have slept with Superman in his hero persona, shortly before Superman disappeared. I understood from Superman II that he cannot have relations with humans without loosing his powers - hence Superman chose to give them up for Lois. Considering that two films follow this, Lois cannot have been pregnant throughout the adventures with Ross Webster's computer and the Nuclear Man.

The quality of Routh's acting is perhaps only apparent when you have seen footage of him off set. There is a look for Superman actors which he doesn't seem to have until in the costume. The contrast between his two personas is a similar performance to the late Christopher Reeve: conservative, good bumbler and mighty but wholesome confident hero. You can believe why a pair of glasses are so an effective disguise.

The same length as the first Superman movie, Superman returns feels too long... the extra half hour in one is spent covering the early days, which this film goes over. The usual baddy showdown and kryptonite leaves us wondering if the Man of Steel has been melted, but as this happens in Smallville every week, it's hardly as nailbiting as it could be. Or perhaps I am jaded.

Some may be glad of the 30 minutes wrested from setting the legend into making it, but the action at the end seemed like a series of unwanted encores - I just wanted to leave the theatre, so to speak.

Overall this seems like homage rather than adding anything new; a  way of introducing a new generation to he wonder of big screen Superman.

As characters, the two girls were quite annoying. I don't know any 17-year olds who run like excited children as Kim did. However the build up to the story was really good. At first I was confused because the beginning of the film seemed more like a drama andI knew the movie was supposed to be in the same category as the Bourne Identity, then things started becoming more adrenaline packed. I can't stress that word enough. I don't think I've ever flinched so much during a film. However it wasn't gory, it was just the frequency and power of the fight scenes in the film. There were also some very clever bits in this film. Most of it is in the fighting scenes with Neeson. If most action flicks leave you saying “he should have done this” or “why didn't he do that” this film might actually satisfy you. Unlike other films where the protagonist aims to not hurt anyone unless they get in his way, Neeson's character destroys everything and everyone in his path, fair enough as they are all involved in the sex trade.

Liam Neeson plays his character great. Maggie Grace (of Lost fame) adds nothing much to the role of “the 17-year old”, and Famke Jannsen, really doesn't do that great as her mother, regardless of that fact there we're not supposed to like her character. In the end once Kim is back safe in the U.S. (that's not really giving anything away, we all knew she'd be rescued) she is taken away in the chauffeured car with her mother and step-father sort of giving off the message that if you're rich and privileged you're safe. I understand that reason she went on the European trip in the first place was to “expand her mind” and as Lenore says “live a little” however it seems once she returns to the U.S. all of that is forgotten as she heads back to her mansion. Still, it stands out from other films with similar plots essentially because the fighting scenes are so well done and most of the plot is cleverly written.

As the world faces unthinkable challenges ahead leaders around the world willingly transfers their elective powers to just one man, President Nicolae Carpathia and makes him and him alone the United Nations' President. The world's population is transfixed on this charismatic young leader who moves with haste to prevent the world's major currencies from completely collapsing and forms a One World Currency in the blink of an eye.

Most of the people of the world are memorized and hanging on to every single word the charmingly handsome leader speaks, but for a rag-tag band of brothers in Jesus Christ are aware of the true man behind the alluring smile and uncanny wisdom President Carpathia appears to process. For this small group of born-again Christians form their own Tribulation Force, so to try to share the truth the man that the world calls Messiah and to introduce anyone who will listen who can rescue their souls from the wrath to come in the afterlife.

Buck Williams, Rayford Steele and his daughter Chloe prepare to face the forces of evil head-on as they try to collect as much information as humanly possible about the new leader's plans for the future of mankind.

Buck Williams, a shining star of the GNN news network discovers new love and receives an offer that is cannot refuse (I think that you know what I mean) and all before bedtime.

Rayford Steele wrestling with himself to accept a captain's position piloting an airplane which will be responsible for ferrying potentially the world's most dangerous man and the new leader of the United Nations, Nicolae Carpathia. Eventually, this job leads him and Buck to Israel, so that Buck can report live the biggest announcement in the world's history, but Buck and Rayford has made other secretive plans.

Chloe remains back in America to help a church mission and hospital. Praying and pining that man that she loves will return home safely.

Nicolae Carpathia begins seizing the national and world media outlets, so in a vein attempt to stop the spread of Christianity around the world. It is though that it seems that all of the other major world religions are setting the stage for the next evolution in human history, but before anything major can happen - Rabbi Ben Judea is set to announce news that will forever change the world.

If you want to know what happens next, then you will just have to rent or buy the movie.

Directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Steven Costner, Thirteen Days was about the Cuban Missile Crisis, a time when the intelligence and diplomatic ingenuity of the President Kennedy was shown as its best, a time when the American public was driven to fear, and a time when the Cold War came closest into turning into a nuclear war. Not only was Thirteen Days full of drama, but it was historically accurate as well.

Thirteen Days begins in October 1962 with U-2 plane flights over Cuba revealing Soviets in the process of installing nuclear missiles in Cuba. These pictures taken by the plane are immediately shown to President Kennedy by Kenneth O'Donnell, as they are an immediate threat. They are in good range of both Eastern and Southern America and one launch can kill thousands. The President and his ExComm advisors immediately begin discussing tactics to get rid of the threat. One of the earliest tactics proposed is an air strike, but is rejected as it could result in tens of thousands of casualties.

Another tactic that is proposed is a full-scale invasion of Cuba, which is preferred by many of Kennedy's generals. However, Kennedy's Secretary of Defense proposes a less dangerous tactic, a naval quarantine of Cuba. This tactic is accepted by the President and, on October 22, he announces the discovery of the missiles and his plan to the citizens of America. On October 26th and 27th, two deals are proposed by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev so that the missiles would be removed. Kennedy accepts the first deal in public and secretly had his brother, the Attorney General, accept the second deal in secret. In the end, the missiles are removed and American confidence is restored.

The movie Thirteen Days was accurate in many ways. One such way was how it depicted the fear of the American public. On one such instance, a television showed a supermarket out of food, as they were all bought by Americans to be brought home to bomb shelters. Soon after, people were shown crowding into bomb shelters. That, actually, was how Americans reacted when they were informed of the Cuban missiles; that was how scared Americans were. For example, President Kennedy's Secretary of Defense said, “wondered if I'd ever see another Saturday sunset like that."

According to statistics found, over one-third of the American population was crowded into shelters or basements, anticipating for the missile launch. In addition to that, schools were ordered that the children to practice a drill in case a real bomb was to explode. Not only were the fear of the public shown, but that of the President as well. In one scene, President Kennedy said, “For a second, I wish I wasn't president.” That is how he felt in real life as well, as he once stated that the chance of avoiding nuclear war was no better than 50 percent.3 This fear by the Americans was accurately shown in movie because it depicted how it was in real life. This was one of the reasons why Thirteen Days was a historically accurate movie.

Like how Thirteen Days accurately portrayed fear of the Americans, it accurately portrayed significant historical events as well. For example, in the movie, when Kennedy made his decisions for a naval quarantine, he announced it in a televised broadcast in addition to the facts that there were missiles in Cuba. Though the speech was a little cut in the movie, it gave the main facts; first, that there were SS-5 and SS-4 missiles in Cuba; second, that any missile attack form Cuba was considered as an attack from the Soviet Union and was to be responded accordingly; third, that he decided to place a naval quarantine on Cuba that prevented Soviet shipments of military weapons from arriving there.4 In addition to Kennedy's speech, the compromise between US and the Soviet Union was accurately portrayed as well.

In the movie, Khrushchev made two offers that were the same as the offers he made in actuality, the first that the missiles would be removed if it were promised that Cuba would not be invaded. Second, that the US removed the missiles in Turkey. Like how it was in real life, the content of these offers were very accurate as well. In actuality, two offers were proposed and the first was immediately accepted by President Kennedy. When President Kennedy heard the second, he was a little hesitant, but as tensions rose because a US pilot was shot down, he had his brother accept the second in secret to the Soviet ambassador. This was very accurately portrayed in the movie.

One important historical event that was accurately portrayed in the movie as well were the conferences held by Kennedy and his members of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council, the so-called ExComm. These conferences were very important as it showed the art of decision-making and the intense debates by the President and his advisors. One such example of its accuracy was how the first strategy, to launch an air strike, was depicted and proposed in the movie. This was accurately portrayed because the decisions made in the movie were the same as those made in real life.

The air strike was mainly supported by Robert Lovett, former Secretary of Defense.7 General Maxwell Taylor, however, showed concern regarding the strike because of its political impact and even admitted that probably, not all the sites would be destroyed. President Kennedy even states that neutralize the missiles and likely to force USSR to capture Berlin, even saying, "Which leaves me only one alternative which is to fire nuclear weapons - which is a hell of an alternative - to begin a nuclear exchange."8 Soon after, the plan was rejected. The movie portrayed the discussion quite accurately, even including the little quote by John F. Kennedy. The historical events portrayed in the movie was just one way of how accurate it was.

A last way that the movie was accurate was the military actions in the movie. For example, in one scene, pilot Anderson was ordered to fly over Cuba to take pictures footage of the missile sites. Like how it was depicted in the movie, Pilot Rudolph Anderson was shot down on October 27th, igniting the peak of the crisis.Another military action that was accurately portrayed was the quarantine on Cuba. In the film, Kennedy stated that he would impose quarantine on Cuba to stop Soviet military supplies to reach Cuba.

On one such occasion which was accurately shown in the movie was when McNamara discovers a submarine approaching with the ships to the quarantine line and JFK wonders what would happen if the US destroyers border one of the Soviet ships and then is torpedoed by the submarine. He even orders that Russian speakers be placed on all the ships, and later, he is told that it is already being done. Later, General Taylor spots that the ships are turning around and the President becomes greatly relieved. In addition to the accurate portrayal of the event, Kennedy's anxiousness and fear is portrayed, as well as his relief that the ships have pulled back. This is shown in this quote of his where he says, “We don `t want the word to go out from Moscow to turn around and then suddenly we sink their ship.”11 As shown in this paragraph, the military actions in Thirteen Days were accurately portrayed and one of the many ways that this was an accurate movie on the whole.

Thirteen Days, directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Kevin Costner is very dramatic and accurate as well. The fear in the movie was very accurately depicted in how Americans crammed into bomb shelters, which a third of its population did. The historical events in Thirteen Days were accurately shown as well, specifically the ExComm conferences, the speech made by Kennedy, and the ending compromise between the Soviets and America. In addition, the military actions were accurately portrayed; when Pilot Anderson was shot down and when the quarantine was issued. Most people came out of this theater probably thinking, “This was a great movie.” But without realizing it, they had a piece of history freshly and accurately embedded in their mind.

1. Clerks II

   
   
   
   
   Seen the first Clerks? Doesn't matter, clerks 2 does itself justice. With the great antics of Jay and silent bob, and a brilliant plot this is far more then a comedy. But it really wins you over with some great lines from Randall, the screw up in the pair. He makes a lord of the rings fan puke his guts, tries to bring back the racial slur “porch monkey” and many other antics. If your looking for a very constructive, funny comedy then don't look past Clerks.
   

2. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Too Afraid to Ask)

   
   
   
   
   In this slot, we have a less known comedy that is definitely worth the watch. Don't be fooled by the title, this is in no way a educational video and you don't have to be embarrassed about watching it. Woody Allan co stars in this comedy that tackles some of sexuality's toughest questions such as “what is sodomy”, where a doctor starts a sexual relationship with a patients sheep. Also included is “what happens during a erection”. Each question is answered with a hilarious skit which has it's very own story line. You will quickly choose your favorite questions and find yourself re-watching them with friends over and over again.

3. Office Space

   
   
   
   
   Based on the short series comics, office space is a comedy with so much to offer. Characters struggle through various problems such as sharing there name with a celebrity and dealing with a printer that will never work. The office is full of all personalities, including the arrogant boss (es), Milton a nervous, low-talking stuttering employee who can't seem to get anything right and a flair happy employee from the restaurant across the street. These characters come together very well to make one of the better comedies of our time.

4. The 40-Year Old Virgin

   
   
   This epic film tackles every man's worst nightmare: Still being a virgin, at the age of 40. The plot of this movie is very straight forward, a 40 year old virgin tries, with the help of his friends, to get laid. This movie is full of one timers that you won't want to miss.

5. Anchorman

   
   
   
   
   You just can't exclude this classic. Will Ferrell gives a brilliant performances as employees at a news station try hard to hook up with the new attractive employee. A must see for Ferrell fans and everyone looking for a good laugh. The news room has never been funnier as Ferrell and his co-workers fight desperately to stay on top of the charts.

6. Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2

   
   
   
   
   
   You can't have one without the other. Both Wayne's worlds are excessively funny. Two friends watch as there TV. Show grows very popular. But with great popularity comes great responsibility. These two movies are full of excellent lines and hilarious events to keep you laughing from start to finish.

7. Super Troopers
   
   

   
   
   The best cop movie you will ever see! Super troopers features a small highway police patrol that try desperately to not be the worst police force in the state and as consequence, having there funding cut. But taking work seriously proves very difficult for this crew. They have numerous games that they like to play as they approach a pulled over car including my personal favorite : the Meow game. One cop tries to beat the club record of number of times he can say meow without the offenders noticing. But things get serious when there is a murder on the highway and the makeshift cops have to step in and solve the crime.

8. Freddy Got Fingered
   

   
   
   
   Critics have been way to hard on this hilarious over the top movie. Some scenes may go a little too far ( he jerks off a horse) but it's all hilarious. Tom green stars and directs this great movie that is a ab workout on its own. This movie doesn't evolve around Freddy getting fingered at all. But more so on Freddy's brother, the main character, trying to establish himself as a artist. He dates a paraplegic girlfriend, who gets off on having her legs beat and tried to find inspiration at home while living with his crazy father. And just as you think it's going to end, the movie takes one heck of a crazy turn and continues for more.

9. Superbad

   
   
   
   
   If you haven't actually seen superbad yet, you have definitely heard people talking about it. This was the best comedy of 2007. The plot involves a group of under aged students trying to buy the liquor for a grad party that night. All the characters in this movie are hilarious and they each have different personalities and story lines. A excellent production that you will be quoting for months after seeing it.

10. Team America: World Police

    
    
    
    
    From the creators of your favorite cartoon (no not Family Guy) South Park. TAWP is a no holds barred comedy that criticizes just about ever organization and celebrity out there. If you are offended easily then don't go and see this cause chances are there's a joke about your favorite celeb. or organization somewhere in this epic production. So what if there puppets that just makes this great movie even better. Focused on a anti terrorist team that does more harm then good this movie takes the cake for funniest movie in circulation.

When the pilots in the B-52 bomber received instructions to bomb primary targets in Russia, their first reaction was of utter disbelief. They even went as far as to think it was a test, only to check the loyalty of the pilots. But when they realized it was an order, loyalty to the United Stated had priority over sanity and moral standards.

But there were some who could care less about sanity or moral standards. Doctor Strangelove was mad in a characteristic nuclear age way. He spoke very rationally and intelligently about mass murder and global suicide. He was confused in his allegiances. Was he serving democracy, or Hitler? Even his physical body was split, with a “paralyzed” arm that when he was about to commit the ultimate insanity, tried to choke him. “Buck” Turgidson was mad in a sense that casualties of 20-40 million were seen as possible “victories” for the United States.

The tough thing about making Dr. Strangelove was probably creating it to be so ludicrous as to not portray it as complete reality. People during the 60's actually worried about things that seem crazy to us in modern times. Fluoride as a soviet plot to contaminate the water supply of the United States is laughable today, but was actually considered a possibility during the cold war. General Jack D. Ripper was the mad general who issued out the order for nuclear war to protect his “precious bodily fluids.”

In one scene he speaks openly about the fluoride contamination problem, and how it will weaken the armed forces of the Americans. Ripper seems obviously mad to us now, but was he really that far-fetched a character? People like Gen. Ripper were actually based off of real people with the same rationalizations. General Powers, a real general, once said that if there are three people left alive after a nuclear war and two are American, it means we won. This way of nuclear rationalization could have been the trigger that started a nuclear holocaust in the 60's.

The very nature of this film suggests the effects that the cold war had on the American population. An age of absurdity and black humor was born to combat the fear and utter helplessness found in that era. Dr. Strangelove may have well been viewed as a comedy rather than a serious drama during the time it came out for this reason: denial.

The denial that the total annihilation of a way of life was only a bomb drop away. The madness of nuclear war was being expressed and reinforced by jokes and cartoons which emphasized the absurdity, and by novels and television dramas which emphasized the horror. Dr. Strangelove successfully brought these two aspects together, and the sane realization that nuclear war was insane. In this light the movie may be seen as a serious drama, as there was not too much difference in real life as to the life portrayed in Strangelove.

1. Coming to America. With an all star cast including Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, and John Amos, this film had winner written all over it before it ever hit the screen. Little did anyone know at the time that there was another batch of “stars” not listed in the credits that would bring as much to the screen as anyone else. And they were all Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall. The premise of the film is simple. The prince of a small African country is told he must find a queen. Although his parents want him to marry the girl of their choice, he has other ideas. He wants an American bride, preferably one from Queens. After coming to America, he quickly identifies the woman of his dreams but must woo her by pretending to be a down on his luck individual so that the object of his affection's father will offer him a job. The focus of the movie is on Akeem's (Murphy's) attempts to win over his lady love while still keeping his best friend, Semmie out of trouble. John Amos plays father of Akeem's lady fair. Sinclair and Jones play Akeem's parents. This movie is funny on so many levels that it is hard to put it all into words. All I can say is, if you haven't seen it, you should. You'll roar with laughter and you'll feel great when the movie is over.


2. Jumanji. I'm not a big fan of this 1995 film, but my husband loves it. There are definitely funny moments, but I found some of it difficult to watch. It stars Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, and a young Kirsten Dunst. When young Alan Parrish (Williams) discovers a mysterious game, he and his best friend Sarah decide to play it. Little do they know at the time that it will change their lives forever. Twenty-six years later, a brother and sister duo finds the game and also begins playing it. With each move they make, however, the game escalates at a frantic pace; letting loose animals and altering reality. If you like slapstick comedy, this is a film you should enjoy. It is loud, boisterous, and chaotic.


3. Liar Liar. This Jim Carey 1997 comedy was the perfect vehicle to showcase the talent and charms of Carey. Fletcher Reede (Carey) is both a workaholic and a fast-talking lawyer who can't tell the truth to save his soul. Although Fletcher loves his wife Audrey Reede (played by Maura Tierney) and his son Max, he can't seem to find time to spend with them, often making up excuses or lying about why. But little does he know that his days of stretching the truth are about to end when its son makes a birthday wish that his father wouldn't lie for just one day. This movie shows us how we human beings often get caught up in our little white lies, ultimately making messes from which you can never recover. That journey of truth also leads Fletcher to realize the error of his ways and puts him back on the pathway of a happy life. Let's face it, Carey is a comic master; a skill that rings through loud and clear in this rip-roaring good time of a movie.


4. Look Who's Talking. Who wouldn't love a talking baby that sounds like Bruce Willis? A winning mixture of an cute screenplay, perfect chemistry between actors John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, and a voice over track of Mikey's thoughts provided by Willis, combine to make this 1989 film hilarious. Mollie (Alley) is an accountant with a crush on a client (played by George Segal). The problem is, he's not at all interested in leaving his wife and children for her. Finally convinced she'll have to raise her child alone, she meets cab-driver James (Travolta) on her way to the hospital to give birth. He stays to help her and a relationship begins, moving from friendship into the real thing. Of course, Mikey has to do a little helping of his own along the way. This movie will make you laugh. It isn't sophisticated or high art. It's just plain old good fun!


5. Man's Favorite Sport. This 1964 classic film stars Rock Hudson and Paul Prentiss and features a supporting cast of wonderful character actors including John McGiver and Regis Toomey. Hudson plays Roger Willoughby, a magazine sports writer recognized as one of the world's greatest angling experts. His life is full of fun and women; two things he loves. But it's all about to change. His boss has entered him into a fishing competition. There's only one problem, Willoughby has never been fishing in his life. Enter Abigail Page, a fishing expert who can give Roger the skills he needs to win the competition. Unless, of course, she manages to kill him before then. Prentiss plays the perfect bumbling female with passive aggressive tendencies. In the process, she manages to hold her own against one of Hollywood's most legendary leading men. This is an old fashioned film where sex is implied but never really shown. It is, however, full of wonderful double entendres and lots of wonderful setups and gags. It is frolicking good fun!


6. Overboard. Watching this film makes it clear why the chemistry between Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell lasted through more than ten years of “non marriage.” They sizzle on screen (and off.) Rich bitch, Joanna Stayton (Hawn), is definitely not a nice person. When she hires Dean Profitt (Russell) to make a shoe closet for her ship, she decides to cheat him out of payment because he didn't make it out of cedar. So when Joanna falls overboard and lands in the hospital with amnesia, Profitt sees an opportunity to make his money back - in servitude. Little does Dean suspect that Joanna could fall in love with his children and with her new poverty-stricken life. And little does Joanna know that Dean - - a man without two cents to rub together - - could be the man of her dreams. Although I admit that certain scenes in this film are overplayed, that's half of the fun. It's a good old fashioned poke of fun at greed, sacrifice, and love in general.


7. Romancing the Stone. This 1984 film paired Kathleen Turner with a swash buckling Michael Douglas. The pairing proved to make on-screen magic, spawning two sequels. Romance writer Joan Wilder (Turner) has never been anywhere or done anything. She simply stays home and writes; that is, until her sister gets herself in trouble in Columbia. Then Joan must attempt a rescue. However, she immediately errs and gets on the wrong bus, which stops in the middle of the Colombian jungle. When everyone runs off leaving her alone, Joan tries to pay a fortune seeker, Jack Colton, to help her. The movie covers their adventures as they try to find the object that will save Joan's sister and keep their lives in tact. That proves no easy accomplishment with Ira (played by Zack Norman) and Ralph (Danny De Vito) hot on their trail. The chemistry between Turner and Douglas is both explosive and humorous, making this movie a comedy gem from start to finish.


8. Sister Act. This movie is the first time I heard Whoopi Goldberg sing. She is actually quite good! But then so were most of the nuns in her choir. Yes, I said choir. The premise of this film is that lounge singer, Delores Van Cartier, hides in a convent; not by choice but because her long-term gangster beau has decided he wants her dead. So while she's hanging around the convent anyway, why not be useful by teaching the choir how to really sing. Although Goldberg is definitely the star, I think most will admit that the ensemble cast could not have been more perfect. Kathy Najimy as a perky “sister” and Mary Wickes as former choir master, Sister Mary Lazarus were inspired choices. Maggie Smith as Mother Superior is no slouch either. This is a rollicking good time with some wonderful 60's Motown music thrown in for good measure. I pull this film out whenever I need a good laugh because it's sure fire, every single time.


9. Some Like it Hot. This wonderful gender-bending film starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, is listed as one of the American Film Institute's 100 top movies of all time. As well it should be because never was a guy dressed up as girl more funny than the two played by Curtis and Lemmon. Joe (Curtis) and Jerry (Lemmon) are two musicians who accidentally witness a gangland shootout. Knowing their ticket may be up, the duo decide to take a gig as musicians in an all girl band, which has a singer named Sugar (Monroe) that both guys want to win over. Poor Daphne (Lemmon, in his feminine version) attracts the attention of a lovelorn millionaire (played by legendary comic Joe E. Brown) which makes for some of the funniest sequences in the film. Then, of course, there is the romance between Sugar and Joe, which she shares tenderly with her girl friend Josephine (Curtis, in his feminine version). For just plain fun and loads of laughs, Some Like it Hot is the real ticket.


10. The Trouble With Angels. This 1966 movie matched screen great Rosalind Russell with “it” girl of the moment, Hayley Mills. Russell plays Mother Superior at the St. Francis Academy for Girls, a quiet sedate little convent school; that is, until Mary Clancy (Mills) enrolls. To say trouble follows wherever Mary goes, is a major understatement. Mary is trouble in the purest form. She and her new best friend, Rachel pull off a number of pranks which include substituting bubble bath for sugar, smoking cigars in the boiler room, and trying to make a plaster-of-paris mask out of a friends face. Who will survive: The girls or the nuns? It will be close either way. In the meantime, a good time will be had by all.


11. The Unsinkable Molly Brown. You can't always acquaint comedy with musicals, although more often than not, musical and comedy go hand in hand. That is certainly the case with this 1964 film starring Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell. Debbie Reynolds plays Molly, a character that survived a flood in nothing but a basket, while everything around her floated away. That positive omen is the premise of this 1968 film. If Molly didn't know something, she figured a way to learn it. Nothing stopped her - Ever! Although Molly meets her match in Johnny Brown, who eventually wins her a fortune worthy of any Rockefeller, she still isn't happy. It seems that money can't buy you friends in Denver society. So Molly bags her bags and heads to Europe, where being eccentric is expected. After winning over everyone there, she heads back Denver only to be rejected again; not only by her friends but by her husband as well. Molly eventually decides that she's had enough of Europe and that she needs her “Johnny” and heads back to the United States via the “Titanic.” But she proves once again to be “unsinkable.” This is a cute movie if you like musicals and love to laugh. This role was tailored made for Reynolds. She never looked more beautiful or sounded better.


12. Victor Victoria. This 1982 musical comedy stars Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, and Lesley Ann Warren. Based in Paris, this story of a girl dressed as a guy dressed as girl is a laugh-a-minute. Andrews plays Victoria Grant, a highly trained soprano who can't find a job because she sings too well. Along comes Carroll “Toddy” Todd (Preston), who befriends her and takes her home for a good night's rest. When his male lover arrives the next morning, Victoria defends Toddy's honor and by doing so, unleashes an idea in Toddy's mind. What if she pretended to be a European Count who performed in drag as a woman? The Count wins a spot at a prestigious Paris club where he makes a smashing debut, which is caught by an American of disreputable affiliation (Garner). He is shocked when the girl on stage removes her wig and appears to be a man. His girl friend (Warren), on the other hand, is delighted that the she is really a he but she obviously doesn't know that the “he” is really a she. Confusing, I know. That's what makes this film so darn funny! Lesley Ann Warren's performance in this film is “must see.” She is worth the price of a ticket (or rental) any day of the week.

That represents some of my “go to” movies when I need a good laugh. If you haven't seen them, give them a try. I think you will be happy that you did.