Movie Magic

Do you have a movie that stops you in your tracks? One that, if you catch it while flipping through channels or see it pop up on your streaming service, you have to watch—no matter where it is in the story?

Sometimes it’s the movie itself that draws you in. Other times, it’s the memory of who you watched it with, or a special moment in your life that’s forever tied to it.

I have a few of those movies…

Secondhand Lions – Set in the 1960s, this story of a young boy and his cantankerous great uncles has always resonated with me. I grew up with a large extended family and spent a lot of time with my grandmother and great aunts, so I loved watching the bonds the boy forms with his great uncles. This was one of those rare movies my entire family would sit down and watch together—without a single complaint.

Under the Tuscan Sun – Italy, vacation, and home renovation all come together in this delightful movie. I love the feeling that you can rebuild figuratively or literally and surround yourself with love and acceptance… it would be lovely to do it in the Italian countryside, but my own home renovation project happened in New Jersey with a big homemade Italian dinner for my family when it was complete.

The Princess Bride – “Have fun storming the castle!” My all-time favorite line. This movie has it all: farm boys, pirates, princesses and adventure. I was about 10 years old when it first came out and my brother and I drove my mother crazy watching it. I showed it to my nephews (ages 9 and 11) recently and they liked it, but my mother loved it. She later admitted she never watched it all those times we rented it from the video store. “Inconceivable!”

10 Things I Hate About You – There was nothing I hated about this twist on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, especially the first time I watched as college student. The dialogue was witty, the characters memorable, and Heath Ledger singing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” as he dances across the bleachers is an unforgettable moment that never fails to make me smile.

I asked some of my coworkers about their must-watch movies. Unsurprisingly, no deep soul-searching was required, as titles quickly rolled off their tongues. I loved posing the question to small groups because it sparked stories, friendly debate, and passionate recommendations — ultimately resulting in a Staff Picks DVD display. 

Cathy can quote Jaws line for line. A Muppet Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition in her family. Her go-to movies for a good laugh include My Cousin Vinny and The Birdcage—and really, who doesn’t love those two?

Without any hesitation, Nancy named The Martian, quickly followed by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Shawshank Redemption, and Legally Blonde—that one always brings to mind Elle’s iconic “bend and snap” moment.

Tara wonders if you can handle the truth with her pick of A Few Good Men. Her other favorites span from When Harry Met Sally, The Firm, and Dead Poets Society to the high-energy fun of The Blues Brothers.

Tanu’s picks were classic must-watches—Doctor Zhivago, The Sound of Music, Ben-Hur, and The Bridge on the River Kwai. She mentioned that when snow covers a particular field in Robbinsville, its icy backdrop always reminds her of the frozen landscapes in Doctor Zhivago—a testament to how deeply these films stay with us.

In the end, movie magic lives not only in the films themselves, but in the stories we share when we talk about them - so what’s the movie that stops you in your tracks and pulls you in every time? 

-Michelle, Robbinsville