It may be a rainy day or possibly you are social distancing yourself. So the parameters are possibly this will be the entire family (trying to keep in mind different tastes and interests) so films will have to be careful of subject matter (there are adult rated films for older viewers), and re-watchability. You may need some movies that are not too heavy on their subject matter and too light, fluffy entertainment, they have to be just right. Also, fairly recent films with some classics to get the attention of all viewers. We have to keep away from depressing or apocalyptic subject matter. If you have a favorite movie, by all means, play it, preference is more important than any list. Still, if you may need a reminder or point out one movie you may have forgotten, here’s another list. So what is left? Glad you asked!, this is the Geek Truth’s Top Rainy Day Movies!
Let’s get started with a genre not high on the list with dudes, Romance, and take a look at Crazy Rich Asians, http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/crazy-rich-asians-review.html. The Lake House (2006), based on the South Korean film Il Mare (2000), it has a couple connecting their lives through the lake house of the title separated by time. Before Sunrise (1995), a Richard Linklater film, brilliant in bringing in dialogue between two young people, slightly adult in content.
Next, let’s hear it for the Musicals genre starting with The Sound of Music (1965), the Rogers & Hammerstein musical is made fresh with the true story of Maria, the governess who becomes a part of the von Trapp family, review is at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sound-of-music-review.html. The Greatest Showman (2017), not historically accurate of course, but the story of P.T. Barnum and the inspiration of his performers, our review comes alive at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/11/retro-review-greatest-showman.html. Lastly, Moulin Rouge (2001), a teen+ musical with a young songwriter and his romance with a courtesan in Paris.
Next, let’s hear it for the Musicals genre starting with The Sound of Music (1965), the Rogers & Hammerstein musical is made fresh with the true story of Maria, the governess who becomes a part of the von Trapp family, review is at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-sound-of-music-review.html. The Greatest Showman (2017), not historically accurate of course, but the story of P.T. Barnum and the inspiration of his performers, our review comes alive at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/11/retro-review-greatest-showman.html. Lastly, Moulin Rouge (2001), a teen+ musical with a young songwriter and his romance with a courtesan in Paris.
Drama Movies of course have heavy subject matter, but also can be inspirational. Let’s start off with Rudy (1993), true story about Rudy Ruettiger who is too small for football, too poor and struggling with school to play for Notre Dame, but this is his dream. Next, Hidden Figures (2016), another true story about brilliant NASA mathematician Katheryn Johnson and her friends and colleagues whom made the space program possible, and lastly under the adult themed movies, Shawshank Redemption (1994), based on the Stephen King novella, finds Andy Dufresne in prison for a life sentence, but walls can’t hold down his spirit and inspire others.
Another genre is Action Movies! We start off with a family friendly The Karate Kid (1984), teen Daniel Larusso learning karate from gardener Mr. Miyagi, and it has sequels and YouTube series, but the orignal is the best. Now, the action masterpiece which would probably be for teens and older, is Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Archeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones, quests to find the Lost Ark held by Nazi forces. Sequels followed, put the original on repeat, there is a very good recommended television series. Lastly, at the teen and older category is Thunderball (1965), Agent 007 James Bond travels to the Bahamas to face Emil Largo, really almost any James Bond film; over the top perfection with You Only Live Twice (1967), the Roger Moore style in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and Skyfall (2012), Bond’s history and nods to past missions are wrapped up in this film.
Another genre is Action Movies! We start off with a family friendly The Karate Kid (1984), teen Daniel Larusso learning karate from gardener Mr. Miyagi, and it has sequels and YouTube series, but the orignal is the best. Now, the action masterpiece which would probably be for teens and older, is Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Archeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones, quests to find the Lost Ark held by Nazi forces. Sequels followed, put the original on repeat, there is a very good recommended television series. Lastly, at the teen and older category is Thunderball (1965), Agent 007 James Bond travels to the Bahamas to face Emil Largo, really almost any James Bond film; over the top perfection with You Only Live Twice (1967), the Roger Moore style in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and Skyfall (2012), Bond’s history and nods to past missions are wrapped up in this film.
Let’s move to the fantastic genres starting with Fantasy Films. One of the best is The Princess Bride (1987), a clever look at life and fairy tales with farmer turned pirate, Westley, trying to save his True Love, Buttercup, turn to the review here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/10/retro-review-princess-bride.html. Another young fantasy is The Neverending Story (1984), young Bastian escapes bullies reading about the adventures of Artreyu, sequels and a television series, but the original has its own charm. Now, we get to one of masterpieces of fantasy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001), young Hobbit Frodo with his friends and allies including the wizard Gandalf quest to destroy the One Ring.
The nature of the story will probably need teens and older to understand, but not enjoy, so there is the rest of The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003). There are other films of note, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Ray Harryhausen effects highlight this Hollywood fantasy with Sinbad taking on a sorcerer along with a cyclops and other creatures. An incredible fantasy movie, The Thief of Bagdad (1940), is pure fun and fantasy with Ahmad, sultan turned beggar, struggling against the evil Jaffar to save the Princess with his young friend Abu, played by the charming Sabu, very influential for other films.
The nature of the story will probably need teens and older to understand, but not enjoy, so there is the rest of The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003). There are other films of note, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Ray Harryhausen effects highlight this Hollywood fantasy with Sinbad taking on a sorcerer along with a cyclops and other creatures. An incredible fantasy movie, The Thief of Bagdad (1940), is pure fun and fantasy with Ahmad, sultan turned beggar, struggling against the evil Jaffar to save the Princess with his young friend Abu, played by the charming Sabu, very influential for other films.
The Horror genre might be difficult to find non-violent entertainment, but let’s start with Jurassic Park (1993), it really inspired kids, best for older kids, with Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Michael Crichton book, paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant and a small group are sent to an island park with dinosaurs that are unleashed, the Jurassic World franchise is interesting, but put the original on repeat. Next, we have A Quiet Place (2018), a resourceful family tries to survive creatures hunting by sound, read quietly the review: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/07/retro-review-quiet-place.html. For adult audiences is the R rated horror comedy, Shaun of the Dead (2004), Shaun, Ed, and their friends try to survive teh zombie apocalypse sweeping London.
We will look at Comedy Movies with touches of other genres. It starts with Ghostbusters (1984) so we can connect with horror. The former professors are turned professional paranormal investigators and discover that New York has supernatural powers that can take the city. A classic with sequels and reboot, but replay the original. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Python perfection satirizing Arthurian legend, but respectfully, “`Tis but a scratch.” Finally, The Breakfast Club (1985), an honest look at high school teens forced to spend a Saturday and coming up with some hard truths, this is for older teens on up.
We will look at Comedy Movies with touches of other genres. It starts with Ghostbusters (1984) so we can connect with horror. The former professors are turned professional paranormal investigators and discover that New York has supernatural powers that can take the city. A classic with sequels and reboot, but replay the original. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Python perfection satirizing Arthurian legend, but respectfully, “`Tis but a scratch.” Finally, The Breakfast Club (1985), an honest look at high school teens forced to spend a Saturday and coming up with some hard truths, this is for older teens on up.
Science Fiction Films, let’s start with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), a Spielberg classic prfect for young ones with young Elliott finding E.T. in his suburban world. Next, the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs sci fi classic, John Carter (2012), Carter is an ex-Civil War soldier who gets transported to Mars, “Och Ohem, Och Tay, Wyess Barsoom” at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-john-carter.html. Possibly for older kids for its sophistication, but it is another Disney film, Tomorrowland (2015), Casey Newton gets a vision of Tomorrowland so resolves to get there with the help of Frank Walker and a young girl, Athena, don’t wait until tomorrow to read the review: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-tomorrowland.html.
There are other movies including Star Wars (1977), subtitled A New Hope, Luke Skywalker, farm boy, is caught up in an adventure with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, to save the galaxy from the Empire! Of course the rest of the trilogy, Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) are worthy too. Maclunkey! Lastly, is the groundbreaking Westworld (1973) that has some adult content though rated PG, directed and written by Michael Crichton, it features two friends who are guests at the futuristic theme park for adults populated by robots that slowly malfunction. The recent series and sequel are not a match to the original. Review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-westworld.html.
There are other movies including Star Wars (1977), subtitled A New Hope, Luke Skywalker, farm boy, is caught up in an adventure with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, to save the galaxy from the Empire! Of course the rest of the trilogy, Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) are worthy too. Maclunkey! Lastly, is the groundbreaking Westworld (1973) that has some adult content though rated PG, directed and written by Michael Crichton, it features two friends who are guests at the futuristic theme park for adults populated by robots that slowly malfunction. The recent series and sequel are not a match to the original. Review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-review-westworld.html.
Comic Book Movies, you may immediately think MCU, there is a few, but let’s open that door a little wider with Wonder Woman (2017), the Amazon princess who travels from her island Themyscira to WWI battlefields to save the world from war. Find the review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/09/retro-review-wonder-woman.html. One of the stand out MCU movies, Black Panther (2018), of course it features T’Challa struggling with becoming king and facing Killmonger, read the review here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/12/retro-review-black-panther.html. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), probably for older audiences, teen and above, but it is a wild combination of anime, video games, and comic books, with Scott taking on the The League of Exil-Exes to fight for Ramona Flowers.
Alternates: it has to be Superman (1978), the first serious superhero film, with the destruction of Krypton, young Clark Kent growing up in rural Smallville, and then becoming the hero in Metropolis. Lastly, there is Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), seeing scrawny Steve Rogers transformed into Captain America and stand against the forces of Red Skull is reason enough to see this film. There is a very solid sequel with Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) that has Cap face the espionage of the modern world, but rooted in the evil of the past. High on the list is Iron Man (2008) that set up the MCU and set the blockbuster tradition for superhero movies and of course, one of the best team movies, Avengers (2012).
Alternates: it has to be Superman (1978), the first serious superhero film, with the destruction of Krypton, young Clark Kent growing up in rural Smallville, and then becoming the hero in Metropolis. Lastly, there is Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), seeing scrawny Steve Rogers transformed into Captain America and stand against the forces of Red Skull is reason enough to see this film. There is a very solid sequel with Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) that has Cap face the espionage of the modern world, but rooted in the evil of the past. High on the list is Iron Man (2008) that set up the MCU and set the blockbuster tradition for superhero movies and of course, one of the best team movies, Avengers (2012).
Animation, of course there are many fine Disney animated films, but you may already have them, so let’s look a little past them. First is the Hayao Miyazaki-san films, starting with My Neighbor Totoro (1989), a charming, gentle story about two young girls finding a magical friend during their mother’s illness. The review is here: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/11/retro-review-my-neighbor-totoro.html. Other films include Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), a young witch has to learn confidence in a new town, and Spirited Away (2001), a dark and wondrous fairy tale with Chihiro caught in a world run by the witch, Yubaba. There is some content like parents turning into pigs might be disturbing to young ones.
Next, Laika films, all of them really, but let’s feature Missing Link, about a lone Bigfoot who has to find a place to belong with his friend and explorer and lady adventurer. The review is at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2019/04/missing-link-review.html. Don’t forget Kubo and the Two-Strings (2016), http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/08/retro-re-view-kubo-and-two-strings.html, Kubo is a young boy who is a storyteller and musician teaming up with Monkey to face the Moon King. Then, there is The Boxtrolls (2014), a fun adventure with Eggs, a human boy raised by trolls, he befriends Winnie and they have to take on the evil Snatcher.
So the last film is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Miles Morales discovers Spider-Men from other dimensions and has to become Spider-Man!, review at: http://geektruth.blogspot.com/2018/12/spider-man-into-spider-verse-review.html. There is so many more films to add to this list. What movies would make your list? Some of the films will most likely be reviewed in the future. Thanks to all of suggestions given by my pals, you know who you are, this article couldn't be written without you!
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