Author Spotlight
Alysabeth Albano
Buzz Lightyear zooms across the cloud covered background of Andy’s bedroom, and Woody the cowboy calls the shots to the army men from atop Andy’s Star Galactic comforter. All of the toys that make up Andy’s toy box have come to life and are scattered all over the floor of the bedroom. As the toys hear Andy’s footsteps come running down the hall, they all flop down in their respective spots and become lifeless once again. These common scenes from the iconic “Toy Story” scatter my childhood, and they never get old.
Many movies you can watch once, maybe cry, but the next time you see it you just get bored, and ultimately feel nothing. Some movies are one and done, and you just don’t have the desire to watch them over and over again. Some movies you get annoyed with, and can’t stand anymore. Some are just plain bad.
For me, “Toy Story” is not one of these movies. “Toy Story” is a movie you can relate to at any point in your life. It is a simple animation that has humor for your inner kid, and humor an adult can relate too. It’s a heartwarming story that has all the makings of a classic. Toy Story is one of those movies you can come into with only 30 minutes left, and watch until the end. It’s a story that is fun for all ages, one that you can watch over and over again.
If there is one movie that is a classic “chick flick” it is “The Notebook.” The movie is based off of Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Notebook, and stars Ryan Gosling (Noah) and Rachel McAdams (Allie) who portray two young lovers constrained by a short summer, and 
Allie’s protective mother. It is a classic story that I could watch time and time again.
It is a movie that we can all relate to. Maybe we haven’t spent a summer in South Carolina or were alive in 1940, but there is an underlying theme of love that everyone can relate to. The story of “The Notebook” is a story that never gets old, because you never get tired of rooting for your favorite characters. I could watch “The Notebook” a thousand times and always shed a tear.
With unoriginal plots and remakes flooding the industry these days, the classic story of Caddyshack is a breath of fresh air whenever my channel guide fails me. What makes this movie the best, in my opinion, is it’s unending stream of humor.
The movie’s tagline “The snobs against the slobs” pretty much sums up the plot of this movie: an uproarious summer at Bushwood Country Club, complete with a caddy/college hopeful, a boisterous real estate tycoon, a snooty club owner, a dimwitted assistant greenkeeper, an easygoing playboy, and a resident gopher. The story plays out with the same tone as the tagline, casually poking fun at the snobby stereotypes of country clubs and all that they incorporate; Judge Smails puts it nicely when he tells caddy Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe) that “some people just don’t belong.” The comedic styles of Chevy Chase (Ty
Webb), Bill Murray (Carl “Cinderella Story” Spackler), Rodney Dangerfield (Al Czervik), and Ted Knight (Judge Smails) combine to create this slapstick comedy, resulting in scene after scene of smooth jabs and witty one-liners.
While widely attributed as one of the best comedies of the ‘80s and regarded one of the best golf films of all time, this movie garners more than audience acclaim: it gets my number one pick.
So you’re probably wondering how “She’s the Man” even managed to make this list but really, guys, think about it: it’s “She’s the Man.” It’s only the best Amanda Byne’s movie ever made. Who doesn’t love an insanely cheesy romantic comedy where a girl pretends to be a boy so she can play soccer? No one.
The cast and the witty dialogue absolutely make this movie one that never gets old. There’s Channing Tatum, playing the stereotypical jock, Duke. Either Tatum requested to be shirtless 98 percent of the time or the directors really understood their target demographic, because let’s face it, he’s dreamy. Then you have Amanda Bynes (What a Girl Wants, The Amanda Show), who plays Viola (and Sebastian when she pretends to be her own brother). Obviously, Bynes isn’t the best actress but she is great at making awkward situations even more awkward. And that is what “She’s the Man” is: a 105 minute awkward situation.
The other great thing about this movie is how easily quotable it is. Everyone knows the “Welcome to Illyria” song and I know people say “I got a lifetime of knowledge.” These along with other fan favorites like “New school, new babe pool” and “Chick won’t stop dogging me” are what make this movie so amazing.
By far the most hilarious scene happens when Malcolm’s pet tarantula Malvolio escapes and finds its way to Sebastian (Viola) and Duke’s dorm. Remember Duke still doesn’t know Sebastian is actually Viola, even though he kissed Viola at the carnival. This along with their fear of spiders makes for the funniest scene in any movie I’ve seen yet. Duke and Sebastian (Viola) both freak out, jump on the bed and hug each other. Be prepared to laugh so hard you cry, at least I always do.
But like every romantic comedy there comes a time for the comedy to end and the romantic part to begin. The last ten minutes of “She’s the Man” take place at the Cotillion Ball, something the old Viola cared nothing about. However, new Viola desperately wants Duke to forgive her and be her date to the ball. You can guess what happens when she steps outside for some air. It is horribly sappy, so sappy you may want to stop right there, but don’t. You’ve watched 95 minutes, you may as well hold for a little longer; trust me it’s worth it. And spoiler alert you get to see Tatum in a suit, which is never a bad thing.
Truly, this is a movie that I could watch a million more times without ever getting tired of the cheesy jokes, the Amanda Bynes moments or the obvious misrepresentation of high school life.
Photos from www.allmoviephoto.com
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