Countdown To Mother's Day! My Mom's Top 13 Favorite Movies! (5-1)

 In this list I count down my mom's top 13 favorite movies in honor of Mother's Day on May 13th( buy a gift you are almost out of time!) Now on to the list!

Number 5! Sitting Pretty

 Sitting Pretty is a 1948 comedy starring Clifton Webb, Robert Young, and Maureen O'Hara. The movie focuses on the efforts of the rather mysterious Mr. Belvedere(Webb) to bring a group of unruly children into line. Hired by Harry(Young) and Tacey(O'Hara) out of desperation, Mr. Belvedere declares that he absolutely detests children but is willing to help them anyway. What follows is a hilarious tale of gossip gone mad. Sitting Pretty is actually based on a novel called Mr. Belvedere written the year before( a pretty fast adaptation turn around) and was very well received on it's release. It was so successful in fact that it spawned two sequels, which was rare for the time( I know hard to believe with today's Hollywood right?)and it catapulted Clifton Webb to stardom earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The film's writer also won a Writer's Guild Award for best comedy. Sitting Pretty is just one of those movies that is fun to watch and my mom really loves it. It's another one of those timeless movies, it just works no matter how old it is because it's well done and features some great performances. So remember not to be an Appleton and watch Sitting Pretty!

Number 4! Quigley Down Under

 Quigley Down Under is a western set in the Australian outback starring Tom Selleck, Alan Rickman, and Lara San Giacomo. The story follows sharpshooter Matthew Quigley(Selleck) as he answers an ad by ranch owner Elliott Marston(Rickman) for a man with "special" long range shooting skills. It turn's out that the "special" skill you need is the ability to hunt and kill Aborigines. When Quigley objects he and Crazy Cora(Giacomo) are beaten and dumped in the outback to die. Quigley Down Under is a unique movie and an interesting spin on the western genre. My mom loves Tom Selleck and this is one of her favorite movies featuring him. I like it because it shows an interesting part of history that often gets glossed over or overshadowed by events in the U.S. Everyone thinks of the old west as an American thing, but Australia had a wild past filled with plenty of gunfights and cattle drives and it's fun to see it explored. The movie also has pretty good action and humor to go along with it's unique perspective. Watch Quigley Down Under, and if you don't, I'll let you live.

Number 3! The Birdcage

 The Birdcage is a hilarious movie starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The movie also features the great Gene Hackman. The story of the Birdcage revolves around the efforts of a gay couple to pass as straight for an important dinner where they are meeting their son's fiance and her family, one of which happens to be an ultra-conservative Republican Senator. Armand(Williams) and Albert(Lane) struggle not to disappoint Val and hilarity ensues. The Birdcage is actually a remake of a 1978 Italian movie of the same name. While sending the message that gay people are just that, people, it does it in a very funny and interesting way and never feels pushy with it's message. The best message movies are ones that don't feel that way when you watch them and The Birdcage is one of the best. My mom loves Nathan Lane and this movie. Remember not to pierce the toast and watch The Birdcage.

Number 2! The Quiet Man

 The Quiet Man is a 1952 movie starring John Wayne, Barry Fitzgerald, Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, and Victor McLagen. The story follows an American born Irishman Sean Thornton(Wayne) on his journey to reclaim his family farm in Ireland. Upon arriving he meets Mary Kate Danaher (O'Hara) and falls in love. The only problem is she is the sister of local tough-guy and loud-mouth Will Danaher(McLaglen) and by Irish custom only he can give her away to be married. Let's just say he won't give her up without a fight. The Quiet Man is based on a short story of the same name published in 1933. Republic Pictures produced the film and would only do so if the director and the two leads would agree to shoot a western for them first, and that's how Rio Grande was born. The Quiet Man is a great movie and one of my mom's favorite movies of all time. We have watched it more times than I can count and I'm sure we will watch it many more times. Everything just feels expertly done and the movie never drags or feels boring. Watch the Quiet Man or you'll regret it till your dying day, if you live that long!

Number 1! Tombstone

 Tombstone is a great western and a great movie. Starring Kurt Russell, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton, Val Kilmer, and an ensemble of great actors, the story revolves around the adventures of the Earp brothers( Russell, Elliot, Paxton) seeking their fortune in the town of Tombstone Arizona. Encompassing the historical events of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the subsequent Earp Vengeance ride of 1882 and while not 100% accurate, Tombstone does a great job of bringing you back to a pivotal moment in the old west. With great performances by the entire massive ensemble cast and great action Tombstone never feels dull. My mom loves this movie and wanted to make it clear that she thinks the love story involving Kurt Russell is her least favorite part. Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday really steals the show. No matter what you think of Val Kilmer I think you have to admit he does a great job here. Tombstone is just one of those movies that is fun to watch and can be enjoyed again and again. Filled with tons of quotable lines and a ton of memorable scenes Tombstone is a great addition to any movie library.  Law don't go round here law dog! But Tombstone does, so watch it today!

 And that's the list! My mom's top 13 favorite movies, some of which surprised me, and some I've seen a dozen times and knew would be included. I want to wish my mom and all the mothers out there a happy Mother's Day! Thanks for reading and let me know some of your mom's favorite movies down below!