Sarah's 14 Favorite Movies

As today is Valentines Day, I thought it would be fun to share my wife, Sarah's 14 favorite movies. Sarah has a pretty diverse selection of movies spanning from children's movies like The Little Mermaid and Encanto, to hard R files like Joker. Her niche is very much in the genres of comedy, cartoon, or romance and she doesn't really like to span much from that. However, we do have quite a few movies that we both enjoy, comedies, and MCU films. With that being said, here are my thoughts and ranking of Sarah's 14 favorite movies.

14. The Little Mermaid 2

Sarah likes this film because she loves the original Little Mermaid so much. She enjoys all of the characters in it and says that this movie contains her all-time favorite Disney song. I don't hate this movie, but it is definitely the weakest one on this list and is essentially tied with the next two for last place. This movie is mildly entertaining and is one that I don't really mind watching if Sarah really wants to watch it. However, there isn't really much going for this film. It is from Disney's direct-to-video division which means it just looks so cheap. The animation isn't as good and a lot of the main voice actors typically don't return. The main issue I have is that it takes Ariel way out of character in terms of how she chooses to raise her daughter. I also felt like has more of a TV show feel than that of a film as the story is so basic and really short. It also doesn't really have that many memorable songs. Overall, while it isn't terrible, it really isn't all that memorable either.

Score: 5/10 Grade: C

13. Breaking Dawn Part 2

Sarah really likes this movie as she was a big fan of the twilight books and has good memories of going to see this opening night with her mom. She is also a big romance and fantasy fan and this series has a little bit of both. For me, this movie is also tied for last place. While there is a little bit of action towards the end of the film, this type of movie is really not my thing. This movie goes so heavy on romance and the dramatic and is really just not the type of movie I usually watch. I also really didn't care for how they ended the film. They built the whole series up to this big climactic moment but in the end, it ends up being so disappointing and underwhelming. I also found the action choices and character directions to be a bit questionable at times. In the end, while I know Sarah really likes it, I really don't find it all that good of a film.

Score: 5.2/10 Grade: C

12. Twilight

Just like the last spot, Sarah really likes this movie as she loved the book series. This movie is her favorite in the series as well. While this movie still isn't really my thing, I can somewhat appreciate what they were going for in the execution. The basic story is actually somewhat compelling and the movie does a decent enough job of building out this world of vampires. However, just like the last movie, the action, and dialogue in this movie is just simply not that good. I don't think it is the actors themselves as Kristen Bell and Robert Pattinson are actually quite good in other films, as much as it is the choices of the director. I also felt there were some lapses in the logic of the overall story, Overall, while I can somewhat appreciate what they were going for, this movie really isn't my thing. While I have seen the whole series once, this is a series that I would prefer Sarah watch by herself.

Score: 5.5/10 Grade: C

11. You Again

You Again is the first Rom-Com on this list. Sarah likes this movie because she thinks it is really funny, is a fan of Kristen Bell and just really enjoys any type of romantic comedy story. I think the movie has some funny moments. I enjoy Kristen Bell and think she is very likable. I also enjoyed seeing some of these other bigger-name actors such as Betty White, Sigourney Weaver, and Jamie Lee Curtis. I thought it was fun to see them all interacting. However, what holds this movie back for me is that I just don't really understand the main conflict and think it's kind of dumb. The whole premise is based on the fact that Kristen Bell has been holding a grudge against this girl that bullied her in high school 15 years ago. The movie even includes the same conflict between the mother characters except they have been holding a grudge for 30 years. According to Sarah, this is how girls are but I just think it is incredibly stupid. There were also quite a few plot holes throughout the story involving why certain characters are acting the way that they are. In the end, while it does have some funny moments, I just can't get on board with the central premise.

Score: 5.5/10 Grade: C

10. Frozen 2

Sarah likes Frozen 2 more than the original Frozen. She likes how it expands the world and builds the characters as well as having a darker tone. When asked why she likes the movie, Sarah describes it as "It was good. It was dark." This is the last of her favorites that I wouldn't go positive on. While I did enjoy the darker tone and that they tried to go in a new direction with the story. I also really like the characters in the movie and find them all really fun. However, what keeps this one down is just that I wasn't a fan of the direction they decided to go. I didn't care for the overall plot and some of the logic they had to use to get there. I felt that it sidelined way too many characters and didn't really provide anyone with a compelling arc. I also felt that the movie tried way too hard to recreate memorable songs like the first one and aside from Into the Unknown, resulted in songs that were pretty forgettable and felt like parodies of the original movie. Overall, I enjoyed some aspects of the film, but the overall plot just didn't do it for me.

Score: 6/10 Grade: C+

9. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby was one of Sarah's favorite books and naturally is also one of her favorite movies. For me, there is a significant jump between this movie and the previous ones on this list. I really like the vibrant and colorful style of the movie and the high-energy aspect that director Baz Lurnam brings to all of his films. I also really like a lot of the performances in this movie with Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio being the two standouts, DiCaprio really does a great job as Gatsby and can bring to life the eccentric character of the book. Tobey Maguire also does a great job as Nick as he can provide the viewpoint of the outsider trying to make sense of everything. The main issue I have with the movie is that at times it feels like it is just an audiobook reading exactly what is happening in the book instead of trying to adapt it. In the end, this is a good film with some solid performances.

Grade: 7/10 Grade: B

8. 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 really 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 really enjoyed Ewan McGregor's character in the film. It was fun to see him play more of a villain role. 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.

Score: 7/10 Grade: B

7. Encanto

Encanto is a movie that Sarah is grown to like more and more since it came out. When we first watched it, she said it wasn't one of her favorites but she will watch it multiple times a week. I once heard her watch twice on the same day. She likes the movie because of the magic aspect as well as all of the songs in it. I get a good amount of enjoyment from this movie. It feels a lot like some of the earlier Harry Potter films in that it's all about exploring this magical place. I also like the mystery aspect of the film. Of course, the songs are a lot of fun and super memorable as well. The main reason this is still middle ground is that I felt that the story was a bit underwhelming given the premise. The story is about literal superheroes yet the story entirely takes place inside the main house. I think it really should've allowed for more of a larger journey. Overall, it is a fun movie but I wish they could've done more with it.

Score: 7.2/10 Grade: B

6. Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is another movie that Sarah finds really funny. It has so many moments that make her laugh out loud. She also really enjoys the characters and romance. I enjoy this movie for most of the same reasons. I think it is really funny. So many of the interactions just make me laugh. I also found most of the characters very compelling. You root for the two main characters and despise the people you are supposed to despise. I also really liked how the movie manages to tackle more complicated issues such as miscommunication between cultures, conflicts within family, and learning how to balance your own life with your relationship with your parents. I thought it handled these topics very well without getting too heavy-handed and preachy. The only thing keeping it back is that I felt that it went on just a tad too long. Had they tightened things up just a bit, I think the movie would have been better.

Score: 7.4/10 Grade: B

5. 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. The only thing that keeps this film from the top film is that Annie gets to be so unlikeable. The film tries to make you feel bad for her but in the end, she does some pretty selfish things that cause me to really not like her. Had they laid back a bit on her portrayal, this may have been my favorite film on this list.

Score: 7.5/10 Grade: B

4. The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is Sarah's all-time favorite movie. She really likes princess movies and Ariel is her favorite princess. She loves all of the songs and can quote every line as well. I enjoy this movie as well and it is towards the top of my list of Disney movies. Of course, the story itself is just so iconic. Pretty much everyone knows the story of Ariel and all of the characters that go along with it. The story itself is very simple and easy to follow and just makes for an enjoyable time. The songs are all super memorable as well with this movie having 3 songs that are some of the most famous songs Disney has made (Kiss the Girl, Part of Your World, and Under the Sea). The animation is also really well done. It is just amazing how they were able to make everything look so good just by drawing by hand. The only thing keeping this out of the top three is that there were a few plot holes that make me question the point of the movie. (ie. why didn't Ariel just write that she was the one that saved Eric so that he would kiss her instead of just fumbling without a voice). Other than that, this movie is a great animated movie and a lot of fun to watch.

Score: 8/10 Grade: B+

3. Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings

Shang Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings is Sarah's favorite MCU. 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. 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. The only thing that keeps this movie out of the top 10 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.

Score: 8.7/10 Grade: A-

2. Joker

Joker is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum of so many of these movies. While most of these films are lighthearted animated children's movies, Joker is a dark R-rated movie about a clown that kills people. Yet still, it is one of Sarah's favorite movies and one she will sometimes watch on a loop. She likes this movie because of Joaquin Phoenix's performance and how it discusses mental health. She also claims that it is a comedy and finds it funny but I am not quite sold on that. I think this is a very good near perfect movie. Of course, Joaquin Phoenix delivers a phenomenal Oscar-winning performance as the Joker. He just dives so deep into the role and delivers such a complex and layered performance. I also like how to move has something to say about society, the class divide, and the lack of concern for people with mental health issues. I think it organically addresses these things without feeling too forced. I also thought the overall story was very well written. It moves at just the right pace and never drags. The only issue I have with this movie is that it is such a super-heavy film and not one for everyone. I can't get myself to watch it super often just due to how intense it is. The number one spot beats it out only because it is much more rewatchable.

Score: 9/10 Grade: A

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. Out of all of Sarah's favorite movies, this is the one that I like the best. 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. 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. 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.

Score: 9.4/10 Grade: A