10 Movies on the Must Watch, and then Watch Again, and Again, List

By Maureen Bonatch

Scruff getting ready to watch TV

I rarely re-read a book. Not that I didn’t enjoy the story and hope to revisit the characters again, but more that I have so many other books that I want to read. Lucky for me, many books come in a series. That way, I spend more time with the characters in a new story.

I also love movies. But I have more luck finding good books than finding a good film. There are some movies that I have enjoyed so much that I can’t help but watch them if I come across them while channel surfing—and I’m not the only one who loves a good movie. 

I asked around, and have listed others  in addition to mine that are hard to pass up no matter how busy or tired we might be. I also asked what makes these movies irresistible. Here are 10—in no particular order of preference.

1. Overboard

This wasn’t one I initially thought of, but it is one I love to rewatch. When asked, it is the riches to rags and then back to riches that draws this viewer into the story repeatedly. 

2. Hope Floats

This one was listed as a favorite, and Where the Heart Is, as a ‘sappy, emotional drama.’ 

3. Urban Cowboy

The story, and music, draw this movie watcher back to the screen when this comes on.

4. Godfather, Scarface, Goodfellas

These crime dramas are always a favorite of my hubby, but I enjoy them. Goodfellas is especially one of my favorites. And I’m not the only one. We had friends over one evening. She put this on and was mesmerized until the end, even though she’d watched this many times and despite half the group falling asleep long before the end.

5. Pride and Prejudice 

The complexity of the characters draws this viewer in to watch multiple versions of this movie, show and re-read the books time and again. 

6. Bridesmaids

This movie was chosen by several viewers (including me). It was touted as a good comedy and friendship story. Me? It makes me laugh every single time. There’s nothing like a good comedy!

7. The Holiday

This is one of my additions. This fun romance involves switching places for totally different lives and finding love at Christmas. Romance movies aren’t usually my go-to, but I can’t get enough of The Holiday.

8. Shawshank Redemption

This was a favorite of several viewers, including me. This story of friendships,and overcoming adversity gets me every time. It is—of course—a Stephen King story. (If I included all the Stephen King movies I love to watch and rewatch, that might fill the entire list. I’m sure you’d like a little variety.)

9. Bram Stoker’s Dracula

This is one of my favorite—wait for it—love stories! Yes, I’m warped that way because to me, it’s a love story. I watch this movie at least once a year. Keanu might’ve drawn me in to watch it the first time, but the true (somewhat creepy) love interest is Dracula. It shows how true love surpasses time.( And must be blind if you get a gander at Dracula.)

10. Practical Magic

This movie is one of my favorites, and one of the other participants also picked it. I love a sister story with magical powers. It’s why I keep rewatching the television series Charmed again and again. (Perhaps it’s because I have three sisters? Unfortunately, so far, we’ve not acquired magic powers. Still hey, there is always paranormal women’s fiction telling us that our magic just might show up later in life! Psst…scroll to the bottom if you’re interested in some paranormal and cozy reads!)

Maybe you’ve heard of some of these, and perhaps others might now be on your to-be-watched list next time you settle in for a good movie.

How about you? Do you have any favorite go-to movies that you can’t watch enough?

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Just a small-town girl, Maureen Bonatch leads a double life. She lives in a magical world as a novelist, and as a nurse leader in reality. Maureen’s first novella was a paranormal romance published when blogs were a new-fangled thing. She’s since changed her focus to writing paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch and urban fantasy as Maureen Bonatch. 

While she’s not busy writing or doing nurse-things, she’s a mom to her twin daughters, bicycling in the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby, doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, and dancing as much as possible. She believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and that caffeine and wine are essential for survival.

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Dragons, Swords & Sorcery...Winter is Here! by C.J. Burright

I’m one of those people who 99.9 percent of the time prefers the book to the show, but one exception is Game of Thrones. I’m not necessarily saying I prefer HBO’s version to the books. There’s no way the show could adequately capture all the intricate plot lines and characters without going on for eons…not to mention fans are in a strange position right now, something I’ve never experienced before: the show is ahead of the books. It’s hard to prefer the book when it hasn’t even been published yet, right?

Nevertheless, Sunday was the season premiere (YEAH!!) and I’m super-excited to see what happens next in one of my Favorite Shows of All Time. If you’re a fan, gush with me. If you’re not…I’m not sure we can be friends anymore. Kidding (sorta). Here’s a quick list of a few of my favorite things about GOT to tide me over until next week.

DRAGONS

There are dragons, fire-breathing, flying, magnificent dragons. That’s all I have to say about that.

SWORDS AND BATTLES, WARRIORS AND CASTLES

Medieval fantasy is my catnip, and GOT has it all. Glorious warriors with brutal swords, fighting for their land and families to the death. Battles, sometimes whole armies, sometimes one on one…and some knives in the back. Or arrows to the chest while sitting on the pot (and deservedly so). Amazing castles in every kingdom, even one in the sky. The whole world is absolutely brilliant.

MAGIC AND OTHER SUPERNATURALS

Not everyone has magic, and what magic there is seems hard won…usually with a staggering price. Think twice before copulating to produce a shadow. Just sayin’. And besides the dragons, there are a myriad of terrifying, supernatural creatures to watch out for. I love that most of the people are normal humans, which makes defeating the supernatural creatures feel insurmountable, especially since the humans are always fighting for dominance among themselves. How can they possibly come together to defeat a mighty, supernatural foe? Stay tuned.

CHARACTERS TO LOVE AND HATE

There’s the noble, rejected bastard. The clever, snarky imp. A girl who’s lost it all, intent on vengeance. A queen who thirsts for power. Another queen who seeks justice and peace. A slippery spymaster. A spoiled princess forced to face harsh reality. Knights who are a human blend of good and bad, all with their own agendas. Just to name a few. These characters bring out the love—intensely. And the hate. There are a few that, even though you know you should despise them, they’re impossible not to like. And once in a blue moon, that character who SO deserves justice actually gets it or the character who FINALLY gets the break they need. BAM! Those are some very satisfying moments.

GAMES AND POLITICS...WIN OR DIE

One thing I learned early on—getting too attached to characters may lead to deep, deep regret. And throwing of books, gnashing of teeth, and yelling. Lots of yelling. There is political intrigue everywhere in these stories, and people die. Good people, bad people (yep, some of those in the poster above are already goners). It’s not always justice, and it often seems the most powerful and clever and ruthless people are the only ones who will survive. At one point, I vowed I’d quit reading and watching if either Jon Snow or Arya Stark died. I’d be done. And then I read somewhere that Arya is G.R.R. Martin’s wife’s favorite character, so I know at least one of my favorites will last until the bitter end. I hope it’s not a bitter end, but whatever happens, emotions will be invoked. Oh yes, they will be invoked.

I could go on and on, but ain’t nobody got time for that. I have a show to watch! If you’re a GOT fan, who’s your favorite character? Or do you prefer to stick to the books and avoid the visual?