One of my favorite after school activities is watching movies. From comedies, to dramas, to animated films, nothing makes me feel better than to flip on one of my all time favorite movies. So in case you’re bored this weekend or anytime: in no specific order, these are some of my favorite movies of all time and why.
1. 13 Going on 30 – “Eminem is on the phone, he needs a decision right now.” “Plain….. Peanut……. Plain!” Anytime this movie is on, I have to watch it. It’s just one of those movies that is such a pick-me-up. It makes me laugh, cry, and aspire to be just like the main character: a magazine editor who is conveniently named Jenna. You have definitely been living under a rock for the last ten years if you haven’t seen this one.
2. Horrible Bosses – This is one of the funniest movies ever made, in my opinion. The combination of Charlie Day, Jason Bateman and Jason Sudekis is comedic genius. Definitely a funny movie to pop in when hanging out with friends or when you’re in the mood for a laugh. Second one was a total bust, though. Don’t watch it.
3. Zootopia – This is one of my favorite animated movies of all time. I was so surprised to see how modern and politically-charged it was from beginning to end. I love that Judy never gives up on her dream even though things continually knock her down. I know I probably sound like such a little kid, but I totally jam every time “Try Everything” by ‘Gazelle’ i.e. Shakira comes on my iPod. No shame.
4. The To-Do List – Probably one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s. It was released in 2013 and stars Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Donald Glover, Clark Gregg and so many other hilarious people. I don’t want to spoil any part of this one since I’m pretty sure I’m the only person on the planet who has seen it. It is based in the 1990s which makes me love it even more, and it is just total comedic gold.
5. Wreck-It Ralph – Yes, another recent animated classic. This movie tugs at my heart strings so much. I love how every character has flaws that aren’t clear to Ralph until he goes on his quest to become a hero. At first he thinks he is just there to wreck things, but he and his game-mates (game-mates?) then realize that he is just as important to the game as Fix-It Felix. And the ‘Bad guy affirmation’ is honestly my favorite part of this whole movie. “I’m bad, and that’s good. I’ll never be good, and that’s not bad. There’s no one I’d rather be than me.” It’s just so applicable in life.
6. 21 Jump Street – This movie has gotten less funny over the years because I have seen it so many times, but it’s still totally awesome. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are a match made in comedic heaven. I was still in high school when this movie came out, and it was so applicable at the time. And I loved how Johnny Depp and that other guy were secretly in it the entire time. That was a nice little surprise. The second one was actually horrible, though. A major disappointment in my book. The first one is super good, though.
7. Hercules – The Disney version, obviously. There’s just something about kid’s movies’ messages that just get me. This is a little embarrassing, but I feel like I was basically Hercules when he is trying to find out where he came from/where he belongs while I was trying to pick a major. Though I didn’t have to walk across any deserts or climb a mountain in the rain, I really felt like I was going to be searching forever. Then I finally found something I liked and I am like the buff and confident Hercules of journalism now. Also, “Go the Distance” is my theme song for life.
8. The Lion King 1, 2 – This is probably the No. 1 classic Disney movie of all time. Hamlet for kids, essentially, and it is such a rad movie. The second one is super underrated and deserves lots of credit for tackling race issues in the ripe year of 1998. And the songs from both movies are absolutely spectacular. I have to listen to “Circle of Life” every time it’s on. It is one of my favorite songs of all time. Definitely find an excuse to see the second one if you haven’t.
