Movies on Repeat

As many of you know, I collect DVDs. On last count, I had about 120, though that number has gone up since then. I have noticed that, while I own many, I tend to turn to the same favourites time after time. I figure it is probably because they tend to suit my mood and my personality. And because they provide some sort of emotional catharsis. Here's a list:

1. Edward Scissorhands

I watch this one at least twice a year. I love the ending, the performances, and the soundtrack. I think that when you're listing movies that are your "favourites", you have to list ones you can watch over and over again. I've lost count how many times I've seen this movie in the last seven years, but it's a big number.

2. Moulin Rouge

Another one of my favourites. What I love about this one is that my feelings towards the female protagonist, Satine, changes depending on my mood. Sometimes I hate her, and think she's unworthy of Christian...other times I love her. I always see her as a tragic character though. I enjoy musicals, and I've got a lot of the soundtrack on my phone. A few have been unlucky enough to play the soundtrack in the car, and have been victim to the unfortunate sound of me singing. Yes, they survived. But barely. So obviously I love the soundtrack, but I also love the costumes, and the sets. It's a very pretty film.

3. Love Actually

I try my best to save this one for the Christmas season, but I also tend to watch it during the summer. As you can no doubt tell, I'm a sucker for love stories, and this movie is full of them. Husband and wife, father and step-son, manager and artist, unrequited love, developing love, etc. It's (mostly) a feel-good movie, and I'm always left smiling (though my cheeks are stained with tears as well) and feeling better about the world after finishing it.

4. The Notebook

I haven't met many women who dislike this movie. In fact, it seems to be the go-to modern romance film for many women. It's another one that makes me feel better about the world by the end of it. I'm the type of person who tends to prefer sad or bittersweet films to happy films. I always explained it by saying something like "with sad movies, you cry, and for two hours, you're crying for someone you don't know, which takes you away from your own problems in life". I still like that idea of mine, but lately I've been craving happy, fun movies because often I'm so stressed from school, that I just need the mental break that laughter gives me.

5. Shaun of the Dead

This one is slightly different from the others. It's a comedy...about zombies...and also (triples?) as a romance. Most importantly, it's great fun. Everytime I watch it, I discover something new to laugh at, and love introducing new people to it. It's always a joy to see someone laugh and enjoy a movie they haven't seen before. It's probably my favourite comedy. Has anyone not seen it? If so, I say we do a viewing at my place sometime.

6. Beauty and the Beast

I don't actually own this one on DVD. We have an old VHS copy, but I'm not even sure it works. Whenever I want to watch this movie, I turn to YouTube, where I can stream it in several parts. Far from the best way to watch it, but it's easy. I've told myself that I'll buy it on DVD one of these days. Three years ago, I watched it for the first time in about ten years, and fell back in love with it. Since then, I've watched it endless times, with friends, or by myself. It's become my favourite "classic" Disney animated film.