It was suggested by my sister-in-law that I add a movie day to my list, along with copious amounts of popcorn. I thought it was a great idea, and I added this twist: watch a movie from each decade of my life.

I’m 40 this year, obviously, so my ‘decades’ were 1973-1982, 1983-1992, 1993-2002, 2003-2012.

Annie (1981)

I always loved singing and dancing as a kid. I wanted to be Annie (in a movie, not an actual 1930s orphan). I love the songs and can still sing portions of them today, from memory. Maybe, and Hard Knock Life, and my absolute favourite… You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile!

A great memory of this movie actually occurred in university, when my roommate and I discussed Annie. It turned out DH knew all the words AND all the dance moves. She could strut down a straightaway like Ann Reinking singing We Got Annie!

I watched Annie at 8 a.m. on movie day and it was a blast. I hadn’t seen the whole movie for probably 25+ years.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

I could have chosen any one of dozens of movies from my decade of ages 10-19. I chose Ferris because it is such an iconic movie, because it was a family favourite growing up, and also because my Dad had the DVD.

There are so many classic lines from this movie:

Ferris Bueller, you’re my hero!
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you might miss it.
Do you have a kiss for Daddy?
Gummy bear? They’ve been in my pocket so they’re warm and squishy. (paraphrase… this might not be 100% accurate)
Say ‘Ferris Bueller’ and you lose a testicle!

And on and on.

I watched Ferris after my 10 km walk. I loved it, but fell asleep at the end and had to wind it back. I found the cast interviews on the DVD really fascinating.

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Huge jump in years from ’86 to ’02, but I had to go with Bourne. This movie solidified my ABSOLUTE LOVE for Matt Damon. Also, it was one of the first movies I remember seeing with DC, and we both loved it.

I have the box set of the Bourne trilogy but I’d never watched it. One of the movies, usually #2 or #3, always seems to be on TV so why get out the DVD? In this case, it was totally worth it.

I hadn’t seen the whole of the first movie for ages. There were lines in it that I’d forgotten and so they felt really fresh. When he gets to Paris and Marie suggests he might forget her in the car, he says “How could I forget you? You’re the only person I know.” A funny, sweet moment, brought to you by ‘amnesia.’

And 11 years is a long time. Matt Damon looks so much younger in the first Bourne movie.

I watched this movie last, in the late evening. It was out of chronological order but I didn’t care.

Love Actually (2004)

This is my favourite Christmas movie. It feels cheesy, like I should be a little embarrassed by how much I love it, but whenever I mention it I learn that EVERYONE else watches this movie every December. I’ve probably seen this one the most out of all my movie choices. Every Christmas for years, sometimes multiple times. I like to put it on while I’m doing the Christmas baking. I know it by heart so it never matters if I miss a portion.

It’s hilarious to see Andrew Lincoln as the lovelorn art gallery manager, since I now know him as the zombie-ass-kicking sheriff on The Walking Dead.

Hugh Grant was so good at what he did (because he did it over and over again in every movie). It’s a shame he got a bit old and squidgy. He really does look increasingly like ‘Aunt Mildred.’

Emma Thompson: “Be careful there.” I cry every time I see her trying not to cry when she realizes the gold necklace was a gift for someone unknown. But Emma also gets the classic line: “Nobody will want to shag you if you cry all the time.”

“Just incases” is a phrase I use regularly. I always figure people will not get it. But I don’t care. Colin Firth is just darling is this film. The best lines are throw-aways by his landlady in France: “Unfortunately she can’t speak French… just like you.”

And the little boy! “Let’s go get the shit kicked out of us by love. “ I’ve recently realized that adorable kid is now on Game of Thrones.

Love actually is all around.

Films that easily could have made the cut:

Meatballs – I love this film. Many good lines. Also, I always remember a friend saying ‘I don’t think you could call that a ‘film’.

Four Weddings and a Funeral – “Fuck it!”  I know all the lines from this one, and it was the beginning of my long-term love for Hugh Grant. But I don’t own it on DVD and I find Andie MacDowell’s performance gets worse every time I watch it. So sad that the red-headed roommate died young in real life. I love her conversation with the young girl under the table: “What’s bonking?” “It’s kind of like table tennis, only with smaller balls.”

Dead Poets Society – This was my favourite for a long time. Knox Overstreet is the best character name ever. And “Oh Captain, My Captain” can almost move me to tears at the end. Which is shameful since it’s a bit of cheese. “Thank-you, boys.”

The Replacements – DC and I love this one. Whenever it’s on TV I leave it on. Pain heals, chicks dig scars, glory lasts forever. Also, the scenes to Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive” are priceless.

Funny how there aren’t any recent movies on my list. I think that is definitely a sign of age.