Holiday Weekend Movies

Ok, if you’ve gotten through the endless cooking and/or washing of dishes (one or the other and not both, I hope), and the drama of relatives and "orphan" friends who throw back a bit too much Prosecco, maybe you’re looking for some quality movie time with the kids .... something that will have a feel-good ending, or that feels special or spectacular and that won’t remind you of the holiday madness ahead (it’s too early for Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life).

Here are a few titles you might not have time to come up with yourself as you’re running out the door, planning a stop at the local DVD shop (films with asterisks are on my list to write more about later):

SPECIAL AND SPECTACULAR:

- Wizard of Oz
- The King and I
- The Sound of Music
- Lawrence of Arabia
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
- King Kong (1933)
- *How the West Was Won (an epic western, rated G, 1962)

FLUFFY FUN:

- *It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963 caper comedy)
- Princess Bride (you know it, you love it)
- *Bringing Up Baby (1938) screwball comedy with Cary Grant and K. Hepburn)
- Charlie Chaplin’s Goldrush
- March of the Penguins
- *Arctic Tale
- *Akeelah and the Bee
- *Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)
- *Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup or Animal Crackers -- for slightly older kids
- *Laurel and Hardy (any! K has loved all of them; March of the Wooden Soldiers is one of my favorites)
- *The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine
- Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan films

Ok, have a lovely, long weekend. And remember, everything in moderation -- including family time -- will keep you sane.