Welcome to the area of the site dedicated to what I like to Watch.  This will mostly consist of movies since I am not a big television watcher.  Initially I am going to start off by having this organized as a top ten list, with a featured movie included as well.  The featured movie may or may not be on the top ten list, but is the movie that is listed under the Watch button on the home page.

If you have any suggestions, comments, or feedback.  Please send me an e-mail.

Feature Presentation

Encino Man (1992)

This is one of those movies I never managed to see all in one sitting before I purchased the DVD. This is one that will probably never make the top ten list. There is a little art in this, but mostly it's just a fun way to waste a little bit of time. Brendon Fraser and Pauly Shore make an interesting pair. You can already see Brendan's acting ability just waiting to come out. If you have a single funny bone in your body, well you will probably hate this. But if you laugh at someone stubbing their toe. By all means, pick it up and watch it. You do know you have to watch movies. Right?!?

Spector30's Top Ten Movies
1
 My Life (1993)

This has been my favorite movie since I first saw it a number of years ago now.  Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman play a married couple that is expecting their first child.  He's an overachiever and she's the kind sensitive type.  The twist to all of this is that he is dying of cancer and isn't expected to live to see the birth of their baby.  There are some touching scenes where the imminent death is discussed openly and sincerely, while at other times it is a slow unsettling poison lurking just below surface.  While this movie may produce a few tears, it is a truthful, meaningful look at the process of life and death.
2
 Pay It Forward (2000)

So you want to change the world.  Well, if you need a good idea this is it.  As a concept Pay It Forward is unique and refreshing, requiring a belief that all people are basically good.  In its implementation it is a refreshing look at the world through the eyes of a child.  The acting in this movie is superb.  Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey show sides of themselves rarely seen in today's Hollywood.  Haley Joel Osment ties it all together with a near-perfect portrayal of a child caught up in the storm of the realizing just how bad the real world can be.  And how beautiful it can be as well.
3
 I Am Sam (2001)

Sean Penn, as Sam, and Michelle Pfeiffer, as Rita Harrison, bring this tale of a mentally retarded man's struggle to maintain custody of his normal daughter to life.  The characters are well drawn, with depth and feeling.  Caught up in the daily routine of a high powered legal office, Rita at first is indifferent to the plight of Sam, but when confronted by her own lie to co-workers and their mocking she agrees to represent him.  She sticks by him when he has given up on his goal and his life.  Another tear-jerker, but well worth the cost in tissues.
4
 Office Space (1999)

A little lighter than most of the others on this list, Office Space is a great exploration of life in a cubicle.  For anyone who has ever worked in a corporate office environment you will be able to spot the people you know, love, and hate.  Peter Gibbons, played by Ron Livingston, lives a miserable life where every day is worst than the last.  When he finally gives it all up he finds happiness and love in the most unusual place.  Jennifer Aniston, as Joana, is funny and kind.  She lends a sensible performance as the waittress at the local food factory where Peter and his co-workers go every morning for coffee.  If you haven't seen this yet, get your hands on it today!
5
 Star Wars (1977)

The ultimate space opera brought to the silver screen.  This movie was responsible for forever changing Science Fiction from a slum scene to a well thought of and respectable field for movie-makers.  The action, along with state-of-the-art special effects brought to life the eternal struggle of good versus evil.  No subtlety here, just in your face, black and white portrayals.  The soundscape of this movie was another marvel of its day.  Because of the nature of the movie no one could know what a lightsaber or a landspeeder would really sound like so Lucas and his team had to invent many of the sounds from scratch.  If you like science fiction this movie is for you.
6
 Finding Forrester (2000)

Sean Connery as the reclusive William Forrester, author of the most well thought of novel of the twentieth century, is no stretch at all.  Connery reaches into himself and shows us an eccentric that is both believable and loveable in his stodginess.  When a young man accidentally intrudes in his life, a young man with a great talent for writing, the world tips slightly and knocks Forrester back on his feet.  He has to deal with people again after closing himself off from all but a few for many years.  This enlightening tale of coming of age in the city is a good morality lesson for us all.
7
 Christine (1983)

A movie made from a Stephen King novel.  Who would have believed it could be this good.  After The Shining, it would have seemed impossible for there to have been a movie as scary.  I was wrong.  This movie has a dark side bigger than the moon's.  A skinny young kid, a nerd, buys himself a piece of junk car that miraculously "heals" itself.  Though horrific in nature, the story is a simple one.  Be careful what you wish for because you may get it.  Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Christine is definitely the jealous type.
8
 Stargate (1994)

Kurt Russell and James Spader play the soldier and the geek.  The story unfolds as the geek is slowly given information about an artifact that was found on the Giza Plateau in the 1940's.  It is a huge ring of stone with numerous hieroglyphs around the rim.  This is the Stargate of the movie's title.  After figuring out how it works a team of military men and the geek travel to another world, half the galaxy away only to find humans living there speaking an ancient Egyptian dialect from the time of the Pharoahs.  This is a wonderful example of the best that science fiction can be.
9
 Ghostbusters (1984)

"I've been slimed!" Bill Murray exclaims after a semi-transparent green ghost attacks him.  Covered in slime his cohorts from Ghostbusters collect samples and get excited about the prospect of actually capturing a real ghost.  The plot leads us through the City of New York in an ambulance that looks more like a hearse (nice touch).  All the while Bill Murray is trying to hook up with Sigourney Weaver.  Who can blame him.  She looks great in this movie.  Nothing too serious here, just some laughs and cool special effects.  Even more impressive for the age of the film.
10
 South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut (1999)

Trey Parker and Matt Stone bring the potty mouth to the big screen.  Their weekly animated series from comedy central is tame in comparison to this.  The language is offensive in parts, sick in others, and downright disgusting.  This is what makes this movie such a hoot.  Third graders running around saving their parents from themselves and the Hordes of Hell.  Satan and Saddam have never been so hilariously portrayed.  Kenny even gets to come back from the dead if only for a short appearance.  If you enjoy the series you will probably enjoy this movie.  If you are easily offended I'd recommend staying away from this one.





All content (C)2003 S M Alexander, except for the stuff he didn't come up with.