I’ll break from my oh-so-serious tone and interject a little something personal here. Jessica and I officially decided on our all-time favorite movies tonight — here’s her list and here’s mine:
Notice that we share two (X-Men & Hitchiker’s Guide) — that’s pretty good in my book. I think the most important thing (for books too) is a good number of likeable, interesting characters. This is where X-Men, Hitchhiker’s Guide, the Princess Bride and the original Star Wars really shine. Now if you mix that with my favorite genre (an intense blend of fantasy and cyberpunk), then you’ve really got something. 
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It’s hard to imagine two vastly different movies than Hitchhikers and Fireproof. You definitely can’t be charged with singularity of interest!
Thanks, Gabe!
I actually thought the really odd pair was Princess Bride and Fireproof, especially as I did a post recently on Hollywood’s god of “true love”, as represented in Princess Bride and would love to do a comparison post with Fireproof.
The reason I like Princess Bride (and Hitchhiker’s) are the endearing characters (and, as a result, the wonderful comedy). The reason I like Fireproof is the theme (genuine romantic love) and the impact/intensity of that theme’s delivery. The reason I like the Matrix is the sub-genre.
The others (X-Men and Speed Racer) make the list because of a combination of sub-genre and great characters, though I’d have to say that X-Men does a bit better in both departments than Speed Racer.
What about X-men 2? Do you like that one?
Yes, I guess I’m vaguely referring to the whole trilogy with both X-Men and the Matrix, but I didn’t like the third installment of either series nearly as much as the other two, and the second Matrix movie had so much sensuality, I may never watch it again.
However, X-Men has a slightly different feel to it than X-2 — especially the first few scenes where Rogue discovers what she is, runs away from home and eventually decides to trust Logan — an outcaste like herself. I really like that sequence of scenes, it’s a little darker and creepier, almost gothic, and very emotional. I liked (and needed) the happier, funnier, more character-centric scenes later in the movie and in X-2, but I wish they had blended in more scenes like the first few of the first X-Men. And as for the final movie, The Last Stand, well… let’s just say I don’t like it when like-able good guys (or gals) turn evil…
“The reason I like Princess Bride (and Hitchhiker’s) are the endearing characters.”
Princess Bride, yes. Hitchhiker’s… I must have missed something ’cause I didn’t find anything endearing about it.
Is is like one movie that someone told me “it’s really funny the third time you watch it at 3am”?
Alright, alright — I know a lot of people didn’t like Hitchhiker’s Guide, it’s got a particular off-the-wall, british kind of humor — just completely random stuff like the books, but _I_ liked it. A lot. I particularly thought Martin Freeman’s acting and his character were superb. Like the time he’s hyperventilating, trying to gain enough courage to jump into the portal.
For me, at least, it grew on me the more times I watched it — but no, it’s not a 3am-silly kind of movie, at least, not to my knowledge.
But you’re welcome to disagree. I guess most people do (60% on Rotten Tomatoes). Perhaps it has to do with the last phrase in their consensus: “A frantic and occasional funny adaptation of Douglas Adams’ novel. However, it may have those unfamiliar with the source material scratching their heads”