One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
94. Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Directed by Rob Marshall
The Movie: London has changed since Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) last visited. It is the Great Depression. Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) still lives at his childhood home at 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Michael’s children, Annabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson) are mourning the death of their mother Kate. Michael is also three months behind on paying his loan. The shady new chairman of the bank, William Wilkins (Colin Firth) has dispatched his cronies to tell MIchael that if he doesn’t pay the loan by Friday the bank will take his home.
Michael knows that inside his home is his fathers shares to the bank that were left to him and his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer). Both the Banks’ search the house top to bottom looking for the certificates.
After finding a kite his father threw away, Georgie and his siblings head to the park to fly the kite. There, Mary Poppins descends from the sky, kite in hand. Mary accompanies the children home and informs them that she will be their nanny,
Michael goes to the bank and confronts Wilkins about the shares he owns. Wilkins denies that any evidence exists in his ledger and secretly destroys it. Back at home John and Annabel decide that they are going to sell their mother’s “priceless” bowl to pay off the debt. Georgie pleads with them not to, and in the skirmish the bowl is broken. Mary enlists the help of the Lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) to visit the adventure painted on the bowl. As the five visit the Royal Doulton Music Hall, Georgie is kidnapped by a wolf, a badger and a weasel that are taking their belongings. Annabel and John save Georgie and as the children fall off the bowl they wake up in their beds. Mary realizes how badly the children are missing their mother and sings a lullaby to help them sleep.
The next morning, Mary and the children visit Topsy (Meryl Streep) with the hope of fixing the bowl. The children are heartbroken that the bowl is not priceless and visit their father at work. While they are there the mistake Wilkins for the Wolf in their adventure and confront him. Michael doesn’t believe the children and scolds them for interrupting him at work.
After being wowed by Jack, the children and Mary return home. They find their father there and he appears distraught. Michael apologizes to the children and they embrace each other.
Midnight approaches and all seems lost. Michael however finds the certificates that he was looking for. Georgie mended the kite he flew with them. Michael and Jane rush to the bank. Mary, Jack and the children run to Big Ben to turn back time to help their father save their home.
Mary and the children are successful and turn back the clock five minutes. At the bank, Wilkins refuses to accept the certificate. Suddenly, Wilkins’s Uncle Mr. Dawes Jr. (Dick Van Dyke) appears and fires Wilkins for being unethical. Dawes also informs Michael that he has plenty in assets to cover the loan. Having invested the tuppence that he deposited all those years ago.
The next day at the park, Mary informs the children that it is now time for her to go. Mary opens her umbrella and floats away into the sky.
Why I Love Mary Poppins Returns (2018): How to sell a movie to Ryan. First take one of his most cherished films ever, Mary Poppins, add in his favorite actress Emily Blunt, make it a colorful musical and for good measure add a dash of Dick Van Dyke.
I remember watching Mary Poppins Returns in the theater and it hit me. The original Mary Poppins means the world to me. When Emily Blunt appears as Mary and floats down into the park, I seriously cried. I couldn’t help it. I love the original film and here I am all these years later and it is a magical experience.
Emily Blunt is amazing. She is hands down one of the best actors on the planet, period. Not only does she transform into Mary Poppins effortlessly, she sings and dances and oozes the perfect amount of charm and loveliness.
Lin-Manuel Miranda of course is charming as Jack. His ability to transform lyrics into rhythmic readings is nothing short of spectacular.
And Dick Van Dyke. I mean he is a national treasure. He is 93 years old in this film and he is dancing and singing on top of a desk, putting everyone else to shame. Again, I cried watching this. I grew up loving Dick Van Dyke. I was crying and smiling throughout his magical scene.
Beautiful cinematography and stellar direction make Mary Poppins Returns a surreal and magical return to 17 Cherry Tree Lane.