Sarah and I's Collective Favorites

With today being Sarah and I's anniversary, I thought it would be fun to share 10 of our collective favorite movies. Sarah and I have very different tastes in movies. She limits her watching mostly to comedies, Rom-Coms, animated films, and family movies whereas I will watch just about anything but am more drawn to action, adventure, and science fiction/fantasy films. However, some films do overlap that we both enjoy, the MCU, and the Star Wars sequel trilogy just to name a few. The below list is just a few of the films we enjoy watching together. These are not in any particular order as most of the films are pretty close to equal. With that being said, here are 10 films that Sarah and I like to watch together.

10. Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey is Sarah's favorite in the DCEU. She enjoys it mostly because she loves Harley Quinn as a character. I really enjoyed having a story solely focused on Harley Quinn, who was one of my favorite characters from Suicide Squad. I also liked the way that the story was told in more of a nonlinear order and with a Deadpoolesqe style to it. It was also really fun to finally get an R-rated superhero movie in the DCEU that goes all in on the R-rated action in violence. I also quite enjoyed Ewan McGregor's character in the film. It was fun to see him play more of a villain role. The movie also has some pretty great and unique fight choreography to it. The scene with the confetti cannon as well as the fight in the funhouse are both a lot of fun and add some unique elements to the action. The main thing that keeps this movie down for me is just that it takes way too long to get everyone together. The film is called Birds of Prey yet the actual team does not come together until about 15 minutes left in the film. Had they gotten everyone together earlier, I think it would have been a much better film. Overall, while this movie does have some significant flaws, Sarah and I still have a good time watching this film.

9. Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids is Sarah's favorite pure comedy. This movie makes her laugh and has Mellissa McCarthy who is one of her favorite characters. I think the movie is a lot of fun, very funny, and has some truly heartwarming moments in the end. The bridesmaids all have great chemistry with each other and share some really funny moments. Each event has something about it that is memorable whether it be the dress shopping, the bachelorette party, or the bridal shower. There is something to laugh at throughout the film. Of course, Melissa McCarthy is great in this film stealing every scene that she is in and delivering several memorable lines. I also found the Chris O'Donnell character to be pretty fun and likable. He and Kristen Wiig have some great chemistry together and play off each other quite well. Rebel Wilson also has a fun little part in the film and she also steals every scene that she is in. The biggest hang-up I have with this film is that the movie makes Annie so unlikeable. She acts pretty selfishly in her jealousy and does some pretty terrible things to people The film tries to make you feel bad for her but in the end, it has hard to like her as she is very clearly in the wrong. In the end, this is a pretty fun comedy that keeps both Sarah and me laughing from beginning to end.

8. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is one of Sarah's favorite YA book adaptions. She enjoys the story as well as most of the main characters. This is also one of my favorite YA book adaptions. It is one of the more accurate book-to-movie adaptions I had seen in that it doesn't leave too much out nor try to cram too much in. I find the general premise of the movie extremely interesting. Once the actual Hunger Games starts, the movie gets very exciting and doesn't really let up until the end. I think Jennifer Lawrence is a great choice to play Katniss. She brings just the right kind of energy and gives an accurate portrayal of her character in the book. I also really like Woody Harelson as Haymitch. He steals every scene he is in and plays the Haymitch character very convincingly. The movie also does an excellent job of building out this world. It establishes the concept of the districts and capital very effectively as well as shows us what the issues are in the society and how hungry everyone is. The world feels very lived in and is just an interesting place to set this franchise in. The movie also handles the romance aspect very well. It doesn't overpower the story, but it is still important enough that it adds another layer to the characters. Finally, the movie supplies some very emotional moments that really add to the story, specifically some moments between Katniss and Rue. Overall, this is a solid YA book adaptation and the start of a franchise that Sarah and I both enjoy.

7. Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings

Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings is Sarah's favorite MCU film. She likes the magic aspect of it and that the 2nd half of the movie takes place in a fantasy-like land. I like the movie because it is basically a martial arts film inside of the MCU which is original and a nice break from the normal MCU. The fight scenes are all very well done with the choreography. They are all very exciting and executed very well. While the sets may be overdone with CGI, you can tell that the choreography itself is real as it pays homage to classic martial arts films. The villain is also one of the best in the MCU. You can understand his motivations and actually feel bad for him and want him to succeed. He is really just a broken man that wants to be reunited with his wife. Simu Liu is a great addition to the MCU as he plays a very likable character and can fit right in with the MCU personality. Awkwafina is also a lot of fun in this film. She has such a strong personality and also steals any scene that she is in. The biggest issue that I have with the movie is the overreliance on CGI. With the martial arts fights, had they not put so much CGI in there and just trusted the choreography, the scenes would've been just fine. Overall, this is a great MCU film that adds a new genre to its plate and is a great time for both Sarah and me.

6. Spiderman Homecoming

Spiderman Homecoming is another one of Sarah's favorite superhero movies. She likes the character of Spider-Man as well as Tom Holland as an actor. For me, this movie is a refreshing take on Spiderman avoiding the origin story that we've seen too many times and jumping right into him having powers. This film is basically a high school comedy in the MCU and pulls it off really well. Tom Holland is a perfect choice for Spiderman and can capture an immature high schooler well. The vulture is also a great villain. He is likable and sympathetic as he is not an evil guy trying to do bad things but a family man wronged by Iron Man that just wants to provide for his family. Michael Keaton does a great job in his portrayal as the vulture as he can give off a truly sinister vibe just by driving and talking to Peter. I quite like how the movie brings in Tony Stark as more of a mentor to Peter. It keeps the film relevant to the MCU and does something different with the overused Uncle Ben story. The movie also manages to balance the MCU references and Tony Stark's appearances and doesn't let them overshadow the film. This is very much Peter's story and the MCUisms take a back seat. In the end, this is a great superhero film, a refreshing take on the Spiderman character, and another shared interest between Sarah and me in one of my favorite franchises.

5. Knives Out

Knives Out is probably Sarah's favorite mystery film. She enjoys all of the weird characters as well as the mystery aspect of the film. I find that it is a solid mystery film with a fun story and interesting characters. Daniel Craig steals the show as Detective Blanc. The rest of the characters are also really interesting and manage to be memorable and likable even though they are all pretty selfish people. Marta has a sort of innocence about her that you can't help but route for while proving to be a lot smarter than most everyone else in the film gives her credit for. The Thrombey family members are a lot of fun as their dysfunctionality is quite funny to watch. Chris Evans is also great in this film. It is fun to see him play against the Captain America type. I also thought there was a good amount of humor throughout the story with a lot of scenes showcasing the more subtle humor. I thought the overall story and mystery itself were very well done. It takes what you expect about a typical mystery movie and flips it on its head while still making for a compelling mystery and keeping you on the edge of your seat until the edge of the film. In the end, this is a solid story with a lot of great characters and is a fun film for the two of us to watch together.

4. Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect is a film that I did not expect to like as much as I do. Sarah likes it for how funny it is. She always enjoys these types of comedies. I find this movie to be extremely funny and charming. It is my go-to movie to suggest whenever there is a group movie night as it is just very accessible and relatable to a lot of people. The story itself is very fun. It has a lot of laughs and the cast is very likable. Rebel Wilson as Fat Amy is such a scene-stealer. She is so fun and is the best part of the movie. I also quite enjoy the acapella aspect of the film. All of the songs and performances are a lot of fun to listen to and it is really fun to see various groups give their own flare to pop songs. The rest of the cast is a lot of fun as well. Anna Kendrick is great in the lead of the film. The Adam Devine character is also a lot of fun as Bumper. Finally, I enjoyed the Jesse character and his energy along with all his movie references. I think he and Anna Kendrick play off of each other really well. The Bellas as a whole is also a lot of fun together. They have great chemistry and play off each other really well. Finally, this movie is just so funny. There are a lot of fun jokes that make me laugh out loud as well as some very absurd physical comedy from Rebel Wilson. Overall, this is a very fun movie and one of my and Sarah's favorites.

3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Forces Awakens is Sarah's favorite of the Star Wars films and my favorite of the new trilogy films. She likes all the new characters in it, particularly Kylo Ren as well as the story. I really enjoy this movie as it is a great return to form for Star Wars films. It feels like such a homage to classic Star Wars more so than trying to be like the prequels. It has such a great story with a bunch of fun new characters. Both Finn and Kylo Ren add layers of complexity to the story and their individual characters. This is such an exciting movie and feels like a roller coaster ride of excitement from beginning to end. The movie also has quite a few funny moments mostly coming from either Finn or Han Solo. I also found the film to have some very emotional moments specifically in the final act of the film. Finally, I really like the character portrayal of Kylo Ren. There is so much conflict in him and at the time it really set up some great potential for his character to go. The biggest hold-up I have of this film is that it is a bit derivate of A New Hope. There are quite a few plot points that follow the original film and you can tell it's not exactly an original story. However, it is done in a way that feels more like a love letter than a remake so in some sense it kind of works. Overall, this is a great Star Wars film and is a great connection for Sarah and me in one of my favorite franchises.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

The original Pirates of the Caribbean is one of Sarah's favorite films. Johnny Depp is her favorite actor and she finds the character of Jack Sparrow so fun. I enjoy this movie because of the action-adventure aspect The pirate ship battles and swordfights are great. Of course, there is the introduction of Jack Sparrow who is the standout character of the franchise. Johnny Depp does great with everyone who is on screen with him and goes all in with the role. He is so great as the character that he actually got nominated for an Oscar. There is also a great villain in Barbossa and great protagonists in Will and Elizabeth. Will, Elizabeth, and Barbossa all hold their own opposite Johnny Depp and add some great moments to the film. The supporting characters are also great and several of them steal every scene they are in. The story itself is fairly straightforward which makes for a very easy-to-digest film. All of the characters have a singular goal and no one is trying to betray anyone else. The film is also able to balance the scariness of the cursed pirates by making the movie not too frightening for the average moviegoer. In the end, this is just such a fun film and is not just the best in the franchise that both Sarah and I love.

1. Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast is Sarah's second favorite Disney movie. She really likes the character of Belle and loves all of the songs. She also really enjoys the romance aspect of the movie. This is also one of my favorite Disney animated movies. I think this is one of Disney's best-written stories and the most fleshed-out set of characters. All of the characters are super fun and memorable. Belle is not just another damsel in distress. She helps The Beast with his character arc and really causes both of them to grow and change. Gaston is great as the villain and becomes such an iconic character. This movie has some of the best songs out of all of Disney with every single song being super memorable and catchy. This is also one of the few movies where I actually enjoy the romance aspect of it. We get to see the relationship between Belle and The Beast grow from disliking each other to being friends until they finally fall in love. The relationship is just really well done. Finally, all of the side characters are a lot of fun. Lumiere and Cogsworth are both great and add a lot of comic relief to the story. Overall, this is not just a great animated movie but it is also just a great movie in general and is probably one of the most iconic movies of all time.