Tiffany’s Top 25 Movies

I am sure the top five movies are in the right order, but they are random after that.

1) Pride & Prejudice (2005)

2) Life is Beautiful
3) Finding Neverland
4) Schindler’s List
5) Pride & Prejudice (1995)
6) Anne of Green Gables
7) Anne of Avonlea
8) Emma
9) Whale Rider
10) A Bugs Life
11) Sleepless in Seattle
12) While You Were Sleeping
13) Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
14) Ever After
15) Babe
16) The Nativity
17) Nacho Libre
18) Galaxy Quest
19) Elf
20) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
21) Kung Fu Panda
22) Dan in Real Life
23) Dumb and Dumber
24) Ghost Town
25) Far and Away

Presidential Homes

Living on the East Coast has given us the opportunity to explore different estates and homes of America’s first Presidents.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon was a smaller dwelling, but with expansive lands overlooking the river. He liked to be outside more than in, riding his horse.


The Adams initial homestead was this tiny cabin. It was cool to see, especially after watching the HBO John Adams miniseries.

Jefferson’s Monticello was the most beautiful and innovative home. He created sliding windowpanes, skylights, and octagonal rooms. His furnishings have a European feel to it. Living abroad as an ambassador to France can do that to a person.

Madison’s Montpelier is a beautiful estate in a quiet setting. Dolly would host barbecues on the back lawn and was seldom without guests and boarders. James was a quieter man.

The second home of John Adams and later inherited by John Quincy Adams. This was also featured in the HBO miniseries.

Next stop? Ash-Lawn Highland, home of James Monroe. He, Jefferson, and Madison were all close friends and lived nearby.

Jeff's Favorite Movies

I got started on this list after watching "The Natural" a few weeks ago. Every time I revisit it, however, I discover a new title that I forgot to include. These are likely my top 25. I chose the films because they are movies I most frequently watch and recommend.

1) The Natural
2) Raiders of the Lost Ark

3) Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
4) Back to the Future
5) The Princess Bride
6) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
7) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
8) Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
9) GATTACA
10) Batman Begins
11) Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
12) Life is Beautiful
13) Rudy
14) Hercules
15) Babe
16) The Nativity
17) Nacho Libre
18) Secondhand Lions
19) Galaxy Quest
20) A Knight’s Tale
21) Contact
22) Mr. Holland’s Opus
23) Cinderella Man
24) October Sky
25) Kung Fu Panda

Funny to note, the majority are underdog stories of people rising above difficult odds, with some intervention from the universe to fulfill their destiny. Maybe that's theme that resonates with me. I love rooting for an underdog, even in sports- problem is you are either very fulfilled by an upset victory, or disappointed by the favorites winning. Such is life, but I'll keep rooting for them anyway.

Ghost Town

Tiffany and I just watched Ghost Town, starring Ricky Gervais and Greg Kinnear. This movie was a bit under the radar, but I saw an excellent rating on Rotten Tomatoes (my most trusted movie rating source) which made me want to rent it from the video store. It did not disappoint.

There are some hysterical moments involving a hospital procedure gone bad and staff trying to explain it without incriminating themselves. Then there were other heartwarming moments of a man awakening to the needs of people around him. Tiffany cried. The premises reminded me a bit of the movie "Heart & Souls" with Robert Downey Jr. Aside from the unnecessary language and bit of innuendo, the show is well worth the 102 minutes.