'Happy Thanksgiving- My Thanksgiving Classics'

'My Thanksgiving Classics'

There are many movies that capture that Thanksgiving spirit wonderfully that families watch every year. There are classic movies like "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", and "Home For The Holidays" and classic television series like "All In The Family", "Cheers" and "Roseanne" that have great Thanksgiving themed episodes. I have three recommendations that are near and dear in my heart and that I can watch over and over. They are beautiful movies with memorable characters, great stories and a capturing of the holiday that is life affirming, touching and very entertaining so give them a try and have a great Thanksgiving and eat a lot!

'Once Around' (R) (91) ****

Writer: Malia Scotch Marmo
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, Danny Aiello, Gena Rowlands, Tim Guinee, Roxanne Hart, Laura San Giacomo, Danton Stone

"Once Around" is a perfect look at a wonderful, loving family and a powerful, touching tearjerker with great performances and characters. Holly Hunter gives another of her outstanding performances playing a woman unlucky in love who meets an older man at a seminar that she falls in love with, brings home and then somehow starts to break her family apart. This man is played beautifully by Richard Dreyfuss and he is a loud, obnoxious and expressive man who at first seems to be a nuisance but someone we also grow to love as the movie unfolds. The Bella family is a close, Italian family and the father and mother played by Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands are proud of their family and this interloper tests them for a while but the beauty of this movie is that there is nothing that can break this family apart and how this new man becomes closer to them is the power of this movie. Aiello and Rowlands are outstanding in this movie. The writing is beautiful ,natural and original and you definitely will cry at the end. It is also one of the most beautiful and touching movies about family you will ever see. "Once Around" was neglected when it came out but it should have been nominated for Best Picture that year at the Oscars. I hope you discover this gem because after you do it will become one of your favorites.

'In America' (PG-13) (03) ****

Writers: Jim Sheridan and Naomi Sheridan
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Paddy Consindine, Samantha Morton, Sarah Bolger, Emma Bolger, Djimon Honsou

Here is another powerful and breathtaking drama about family and the journey of becoming an American citizen. What better way to celebrate America and family than the Thanksgiving holiday. This is such a powerful and beautiful movie that is a story that comes from the heart. It is about a family in the early 80's from Ireland who come to New York to live and become citizens. The father, played beautifully by Paddy Considine, is an aspiring and struggling actor and the family is poor. They live in a dilapidated apartment building full of the poor and the many drug addicts of the city. The husband and wife, played equally as strong by Samantha Morton, have lost a child and along with shedding that burden they have to make it through a life of despair. I was touched by how strong this family was and the movie is narrated by the older daughter and the kids are played perfectly and naturally by Emma and Sarah Bolger. The family also becomes involved with a man in the building who has the Aids virus and is an artist. How the daughters and finally the parents embrace this man and make him part of the family is one of the most beautiful and most life affirming moments ever caught on screen. This is a quiet, painful, beautiful movie full of tender moments and heartbreak. It is also one of the best movies of the decade and one of the most beautiful and powerful movies I have ever seen.

'A Home At The End Of The World' (R) (04) ****

Writer: Michael Cunningham based on his novel
Director: Michael Mayer
Starring: Colin Ferrell, Robin Wright Penn, Dallas Roberts, Sissy Spacek

"A Home At The End Of The World" is a beautiful drama this time dealing with an unconventional family with one of the most heartfelt characters I have ever seen in the movies. The movie starts out gracefully as a young man loses his older brother in one of the most shocking and powerful death scenes ever on screen. I say that because the brother is such a beautiful person with kindness and a big heart and the death is bizarre but powerful. This young man will grow up with that same kindness, heart and decency but he is a little confused also. He thinks he might have a strong attraction to a neighbor boy but can't figure out his sexuality. Both of these men will move to New York City and try to find their way in the World. The older versions of these men are played by Colin Farrell, in a beautiful and star making performance, and Dallas Roberts who is equally strong. They meet a free spirited woman, played wonderfully by Robin Wright Penn (one of our best actresses) who they both connect to. The Colin Farrell character falls in love with her and still is confused by his sexuality but he has so much love to give that he loves equally. This forms a basis for one of the most beautiful and touching families I have ever seen. It just proves that all kinds of families even unconventional ones show as much love and can enjoy the holidays just as strongly. The woman has a baby as the three try to raise that baby and you just know this family just can't work out. As I realized this and the movie comes to it's heartbreaking conclusion I was gushing tears. I was devastated by what happens but I also knew it was what should happen and somehow I find the ending life affirming and beautiful. The three performances are strong and Colin Farrell is so heartbreaking and Robin Wright Pen is so beautiful in this. I think she is one of the most beautiful women on screen and one of our best actresses and her performance here is masterful. This is another neglected drama that contains three of the most memorable characters, three of the best performances and one of the most heartbreaking stories ever made.

With these suggestions I know I might be trying to make you cry but trust me if you haven't already seen these movies they will be the most moving experiences you will have in your movie going lives. Have a great Turkey Day!