Premiere of Friday Flick Picks! (And a Prize!)

*CONTEST CLOSED*

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of watching movies with my family; seeing a scary naked lady in The Shining, watching Aladdin at the theater on Christmas Eve, and only being allowed to watch Bram Stoker's Dracula with a paper sack at the ready to cover my head with during the orgy scenes. (Kinda pointless after seeing the scary naked lady when I was six, right?)

So I've thought about my love of movies, (not to be confused with a love for Hollywood), and I decided I wanted to feature reviews here on my blog. Just for fun. And more importantly, to give us all ideas of what to fill our Netflix queues with, what to track down at a Redbox, or what to buy for 95% off at a Blockbuster going out of business sale.

Enter David, who many of you may remember for his snarky name suggestions for my husband's '63 Volkswagen. He's a real movie buff. Our tastes differ sometimes, but it's possible he's seen more movies than I have, and that's impressive. David is also an engaging writer. So I asked him to do a weekly movie review here on the Enchilada. He'll tackle new releases, a few good oldies, and hopefully, an occasional chick flick, because his wife would probably appreciate that.

So without further ado, I bring you David, The Flick Picker. *And be sure to read all the way to the end of the post, where you'll find out how you can win a movie prize!*

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Hello, I am David Kestner ..... and I am addicted to movies. I have found that confession is good for the soul, and so I am confessing my addiction.......

If only there was a 12 step program for this!!! It would probably help my marriage!

I have been asked by Bethany at Organic Enchilada to make a regular post on her blog giving some no-nonsense, sometimes edgy, sarcastic opinions of some of the entertainment options we have today. I guess it is a good thing I am a no-nonsense, edgy, sarcastic opinion giver. Growing up the eldest of 6 children is my training!

Today's post at "The Flick Picker" is going to be a top movies post of all time without any real in-depth critique. In future posts, I will give my honest opinions of the Movie / TV offerings that are available these days. I will range my approach from movies that are "old" to the most current flicks I can afford to see in the theater.

As I bring you this "Greatest Hits" list, please read with the understanding that this is "This Guy's" opinion, so if you don't like it, Bite Me!

In no particular order or genre I present to you:

THE LIST

Tombstone - circa 1993.

Starring Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliot, Bill Paxton, Dana Delaney. Maybe my all time favorite movie. Rated R for violence, and some language. I insist that if this movie were released today, it would have received a PG-13 rating. Great story, great characters. A very fun movie. I own it on both VHS, DVD and Director's Cut DVD. (See, I am a fan!)

A Few Good Men - circa 1992

Starring Tom Cruise, Jason Pollack, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon and more..... Rated R for language, not for what I was expecting as a young man in the theater - to see a nude sex scene between Tom & Demi.... More than I would have liked F-bombs, but a very great story line with excellent character acting. If language offends you, I suggest watching this movie on a network showing.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - circa 1986

Staring Mathew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey and more.... Rated PG. My opinion; rougher language and innuendo than the above mentioned R rated movies... A story about a High School Senior and friends playing hookie from school. Lots of comic situations and some very funny interactions between the cast.

The Star Wars Saga - circa 1977 - 2004

I needn't list the actors - Rated PG / PG13 I shouldn't need to discuss the Saga at all. The first 3 were trend setters - period! The last three built on CGG and were actually fun to watch. I wasn't there in line dressed like a "Jedi" for any of the premieres, but I saw all but the first movie (A New Hope) on opening day. Everyone should own these on DVD.

The Indiana Jones Collection - circa 1981 - 2008

Starring Harrison Ford and others. Rated PG / PG 13 I liked all of them - the most recent one included! Just fun adventure and great - ahead of their time special effects.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy - circa 2001 - 2003

Starring Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, and more... Rated PG-13 for violence. A great adaptation of the book series of the same name. Having read all of the books numerous times, I will say that this was about as well done "Book to Movie" series I have ever seen! My fantasy visions were captured on film. A very good job by Peter Jackson!

Avatar - circa 2009

Directed by James Cameron - Rated PG-13. I liked this "short on plot and story line" movie a lot, due to the new use of CG. Once again, James Cameron took us to a whole new, believable world - much like his earlier Titanic. A very gifted director.

Here's my shocker....

A River Runs Through It - circa 1992

Rated PG. Directed by Robert Redford, Starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt. This was a very well done movie with no real "star" actors. One of Brad Pitt's first, and an early directing effort by Robert Redford. The setting and story line were very believable and really sucked you into the film.

Well, due to time and space, I will leave you with this list for now. Know that my next posts will be more than a list of a 40-something's view of what a good film is.

Until next time, plant your butt in a chair, stuff your mouth with popcorn, and enjoy a good movie!

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Thanks, David! I can't wait to see what film you choose to tackle next week! And how much grief would I get for admitting that I still haven't seen Avatar? Just wondering.

Alrighty, now for the prize!

Erica Moore is a very talented woman with a brand-spanking-new Etsy shop! She has generously offered to award one of you with this wicked-awesome Movie Night Basket!

Just think - you can munch on tasty goodies while you watch one of The Flick Picker's film choices!

So how do you win this most awesome prize? (That sounded like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, did it not?) It's simple. All you have to do is visit Erica's shop by clicking right here, find one of her products that you'd like to have or give as a gift, then come back here and tell us in the comments section which item you loved. (Mandatory for entry.) Easy, right?

If you'd like a bonus entry, you can grab The Flick Picker's button from my sidebar, (the one with the pretty, flashing lights), and paste it on your blog. Then come back here and leave another comment saying "Button". If you aren't the button grabbing type, you can click over to David's blog, and follow him. Then, of course, you would come back and leave a comment saying "Follow" instead of "Button".

Want just one more bonus entry? Tweet, blog, or Facebook about this giveaway, then come back and tell us what you did in a comment. Erica would love our support as she gets her shop up and running, so you could even do this if you don't want to enter the contest. Just sayin'. Pay it forward, guys.

So that's it! Up to three entries, and you could be the lucky winner of some tasty movie snacks and reusable popcorn tubs! Erica will also gift a Movie Night magnet to the first twenty people who leave a comment! How cool is that? A winner for the Movie Night Basket will be chosen on Sunday 8/8/10 at 5:00 PM MST using random.org. Continental U.S. only, must be 18 or older to enter.

Be sure to check back for our winner and for next week's Flick Pick!