I know there are going to be people out there who say, “What?! How could you leave out ___?!” I’m sure you have your own list. đ If you would like another list, here’s one. And when I looked at it I thought, “Oh yeah! I should have added ___.” Well, there you go. With only so much time and space I had to make choices.Â
But before I begin, I want to say something about “networks” . . .
âNetworksâ (or some call them “hubs,” “libraries,” or “brands”) now exist within streaming services which include hidden treasures, depending on who you are or what you like to watch. Turner Classic Movies continues to serve those who remember a great movie and would like to find it online. The Food Network exists for those who want to learn new recipes, ways to cook, or just watch chefs battle it out in the kitchen. Discovery Network solves crimes, disabuses us of myths, follows unusual history, or links us with ten seasons of âDirty Jobsâ and fan-favorite Mike Rowe. The HGTV empire expanded exponentially (and quickly!) following the likes of Chip and Joanna Gaines and Drew and Jonathan Scott in their (many and varied!) shows. All the networks mentioned here (and I have just scratched the surface!) are housed in the streaming service (what is now known as) Max. If you want a one-size-fits-all (or at least âmanyâ), Max might be a platform to consider. [I get no kickbacks from anyone!]
And, as always, I feel as if I have to “cover” myself by stating: And please remember that you must form your own personal convictions about movies which means reading the “Parent Guide” at imdb.com or reading my essays on personal convictions here and here and here.
Hanna â âWhy isnât this movie more popular?!â That was my thought the first time I saw the film. Strong female lead, trained to be an assassin by her father for her own protection. Bravado. Innocence. Humor. Great writing and acting. I actually felt sorry for the bad guys.
The Fugitive â Harrison Ford framed! He runs. He hides. Heâs a doctor and smarter than anyone else (outside of Tommy Lee Jones). My favorite line âSearch every warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, and doghouse!â Action! Suspense! A one-armed man!
The Mosquito Coast â Harrison Ford (again!) in a movie I used to show in its entirety to high school classes. When you think you know it all and try to control it all, well, letâs just say, humans donât bear the attribute of sovereignty. BTW, Ford and Helen Mirren join again in the Taylor Sheridan streamer 1923.
The Count of Monte Cristo â I donât know how many times Iâve recommended this! There is something for everyone: romance, betrayal, loyalty, recompense, a prison escape, sword fights, and Jim Caviezel!
Super 8 â What happens when you put Steven Spielberg and J. J. Abrams together? A mystery-adventure-coming-of-age story with bright lights in the sky! No. Seriously. This is good stuff. And the bigger the screen to watch this on, the better.
Behind Enemy Lines â pure, unapologetic, American can-do spirit. Can a downed U.S. pilot be rescued, well, âbehind enemy linesâ? Only if Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson have anything to say about it!
A Good Year â Russell Crowe as youâve never seen him before. This one is pure romance wrapped around a story about a guy who canât make up his mind. And if you get the DVD, there are three music videos where Crowe and his band put on pretty good performances!
In America â You want to know why people want to come to this country? One of the great immigrant stories. Dads and moms everywhere want better for their kids. Find out if this family can make it when their first home is in Hellâs Kitchen (thatâs in NYC, in case you didnât know đ)
Will Penny â Charlton Heston said this was his favorite movie. A western, yes, but a story of family, resolve, loyalty, and care for others. Originally âNRâ (not rated), it is hard to categorize. I placed it in the PG-13 category because of the violence.
True Grit â The Coen Brothers struck gold, again, in this great remake. My favorite lines are by Hailee Steinfeld. Her back-and-forth with the accountant toward the start is great writing and delivery.
Mask â do bikers treat people better than we do? Sometimes. My favorite manâs-man, Sam Elliott, costars, with Cher and Eric Stoltz (I can only find this on DVD but itâs worth it)
Karate Kid â I still channel my Mr. Miyagi when teaching, âAh ta, ta, ta, ta!â So many powerful themes about mentoring, going out of your way to help, bullying, and self-defense (!).
The Goonies â this one was a favorite in our house when our children were old enough (much more language was allowed in the 1980âs âPGâ ratings).
The Words â writerâs block, plagiarism, fame, and being found-out, brought to life in unique twists that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
Words and Pictures â Maybe itâs because I teach in an English department that makes this movie important to me; but that is not the only reason. I believe a word paints a thousand pictures pointing to the impact of Hebrew writing. Anyway, about the movie, itâs good: teachers, artists, romance. đ
Finding Forrester â A reclusive writer helps a young writer with his craft. One of the many fine performances of Sean Connery as a âteacherâ who is a better teacher than the teacher. Love it.
Freedom Writers â Starring Hilary Swank is based on a true story of a teacher who crosses language and ethnic lines to help students âfind their voice.â Powerful. Emotional. Educational.
City Island â every family is different, every family has problems, but this family takes âfamilyâ and makes it hilarious. Andy Garcia as youâve not seen him before. LOL funny.
New in Town â When Harry Connick Jr. isnât playing the piano and singing he is wooing Renee Zellweger. This is one of those movies set in the Midwest that actually shows the real life of people outside the coastlines. Sweet. Charming. Endearing. Quilting (you have to watch the movie).
Raising Helen â If anyone ever asks âWhat is a positive portrayal of a Christian pastor?â I mention this film. Another romantic comedy where the question of growing up takes on new forms.
Morning Glory â Harrison Ford is funny. No, really. Ford brings some of this character into the new streaming series Shrinking. Here, a little romance, a little office politics, and did you know he cooked?!
Click â And what if you could control your life? With a TV remote? Because you were a workaholic not considerate of your family. And would the skip button tell you what life would be like if you continued to pursue this course? There is indeed a moral to this story (as there is with every story, but I wanted to say this here because of its importance đ ).
An Unfinished Life â OK. If youâve not seen this one yet, forget all the others until you watch this one! It is an emotional story (all too acute for me now) but, to me, an essential show as I said years ago here.
Race â The great Jesse Owens his hailed in this great historical moment. Whatâs really interesting is the direction his life took after his racing days were over. And if you donât know the story, please watch our Truth in Two on his friendship with Luz Long (and his son).
Henry Poole is Here Ââ Do you need a little hope? Well, you need a lot of Jesus. Find my review of the film here. I promise you will never look at stucco houses in quite the same way.
Quiz Show â Robert Redford leaves us with the question âWould you cheat for wealth or fame?â The answer is best given in the discussion between father and son, the importance of a name. Not only is this a great movie, but it is also a great lesson in ethics. See a paragraph of review here.
Lord of the Rings (Trilogy) â The story begins with Fellowship of the Ring and continues in epic fashion with the oversight of Peter Jackson. I suspect if youâve read this far, you probably thought, âHow could he leave out LOTR?!â Not to be missed and to be rewatched a few times in a lifetime.
Next week, the list that many have been waiting for (and others will shudder to think I enjoy such shows) – Part 3, my favorite streaming series over the last year. And yes, they’re “R” rated.
And check out my book on movies When the Lights Go Down: Movie Review as Christian PracticeÂ
Support MarkEckel.com (here). Find the MarkEckel.com YouTube Channel (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), teaching at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Pictures: Robin Eckel, Snappy Goat