My Top Ten Favorite Situation Comedies

Situation comedies are a guilty pleasure of mine. I am discerning, however, and am drawn to those with the best writing and characters. These shows span different eras, mostly because I’m an old guy, and styles. Feel free to weigh in with your favorites or tear apart my list:

10) I Love Lucy (1951-1957)- This sit-com is on my list for two reasons. First, it brings back memories of sitting in front of the TV with my family. Second, Lucille Ball was a genius when it came to physical comedy and her gutsy move to bring in her real life husband, Desi Arnaz, against the wishes of the network, showed her genius. They actually toured the country with live theatrical play versions of the show to gain acceptance. The show ended 5 years before I was born, but it still is a classic for me.

9) All in the Family (1971-1979) – Archie Bunker was the Donald Trump of his era, except for the billions of dollars and the real-life potential to become president. He spoke his mind on race, religion, politics and the sexes. This show broke many barriers. We heard the first flushing toilet on TV. We saw the first (as far as I know) interracial male kiss between Archie and Sammy Davis, Jr. Archie said what was on his mind, but we viewed it as comedy. The show tackled many tough subjects as well such as rape and cancer. In an era that was between the Vietnam War and the Reagan era, Archie and his family helped us get through it all. The thing that I liked most about this show was Carroll O’Connor’s ability to play Archie. In real life, he could not have been more different from this character. He was a soft-spoken, intelligent man who later faced the tragic death of his son to a drug overdose and sought to bring those responsible to justice.

8) The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) – This show had three things going for it that kept me tuned in. First, the writing was sharp resulting in fantastic banter between the characters. Second, the ensemble cast was an all-star list of actors and they worked very well together. Third, it had Mary Tyler Moore who I had a crush on since the Dick Van Dyke Show (See number 6). This show, recorded before a live audience,  has the record  for the longest laugh in sitcom history during the Chuckles the Clown episode. The cast and the audience lost it and it was great fun.

7) Frasier (1993-2004) – This show’s appeal for me centered around the relationship between Frasier, Niles, and Martin. The two psychiatrist brothers, one a Freudian and the other a Jungian, were both at odds with their blue-collar father, Martin, a disabled ex-police officer. Frasier and Niles like the finer things, as their late mother taught them. Martin was blue-collar to the core with his duct tape repaired recliner and his dog Eddie. The writing on this show was superb, just as it’s parent show Cheers (See number 5). It also incorporated the device of the mysterious wife that the audience never saw (Niles wife Maris).

6) The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966) – This is another show that predated my television viewing by a view years, but came to my attention through the magic of reruns. This was a pioneering show in that it showed both the work and home life of the main character, comedy writer Rob Petrie. Dick Van Dyke was not the first choice for this part. The pilot was actually shot with Carl Reiner (who went on to play Alan Brady on the show) as the main character. Even Johnny Carson auditioned for the role. Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were magic on this show. They were believable as a husband and wife. There was a very wide age gap between them which became a device on the show as well. This show also had a great ensemble and was almost two shows in one. At work, Rob had his writing team Buddy and Sally. Morey Amsterdam as Buddy was known to ad lib jokes frequently with many that could never be aired. They spent the day in an office with a typewriter and a piano writing material for the Alan Brady show. At home, the Petries had a very contemporary house and a great cast of neighbors. Their house frequently became a stage as their talented show business friends came over for parties. This reminded me of my own home as a kid when my dad and his musician friends would get together at my house.

5) Cheers (1982-1993) – This was another great ensemble show with great writing. THe other thing that was fantastic about this show was that main characters could be replaced with virtually no negative impact to the show. The first was Nicholas Colasanto, who passed away from cancer. He played the ex-coach-turned-bartender who often stole the show with his absent-minded humor. Although sad, the show replaced him with Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd. Woody was a bumpkin from Indiana who was almost the reincarnation of Colasanto, but brought his own style and magic to the show. When one of the main stars, Shelley Long, left the show, Kirstie Alley replaced her almost seemlessly. The show had running gags that revolved around secondary characters. Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, would always be greeted by the entire bar saying “Norm” when he entered, he always had a quip ready when Woody asked him how he was, and his wife, Vera, never appeared on screen except for one Thanksgiving episode when she was hit in the face with a pie before the audience could see her.

4) The Big Bang Theory (2007-) – Take nerds, comic books, super heroes, and fun with flags. What do you get? A show that I like. The science in this show is solid. The writing has been consistent. Two things strike me about this show. I have seen the cast interviewed on various talk shows and, with the exception of Mayim Bialik, who is actually a neuro-scientist in real life, they have no science knowledge or ability. They are very convincing as actors. As for the consistency of the writing, the show is now nine years into its run and this seasons episode that showed Leonard, Howard and Raj attending the Star Wars movie premier in parallel with Sheldon and Amy having intimate relations for the first time was one of the best episodes I’ve seen. This show is often maligned as being a one trick pony, but it does that one trick extremely well.

3) M*A*S*H* (1972-1983) – This is another show with a fantastic ensemble. A sitcom with a war at the centerpiece was not a brand new concept (F Troop and Hogan’s Heroes), but this one was done well. The writing was top notch. The ensemble cast was very good. It’s another show where main characters were seamlessly replaced with totally different types of characters. My only problem with this show is that it eventually became a soapbox for Alan Alda to present his own agenda, although often very relevant. The show lasted longer than the Korean War that it depicted. The final episode is one that I will always remember. It was the highest television show finale of all time with almost 106 million people tuning in.

2) Seinfeld (1989-1998) – A show about nothing. Lightning in a bottle. This ensemble show transcended the main character. Jerry Seinfeld, more of an observer than an actor on the show, wove his interactions with his friends and quirky acquaintances into one of the funniest shows of all time. The writing and formula of this show were brilliant. It truly was a show about nothing that had everyone talking the day after it aired.

1) The Simpsons (1989-) – This is my favorite sitcom of all time. Yes it’s animated. Yes, people say it has run it’s course. The writing is still top notch. The show is still relevant. Shows like South Park, Family Guy and others would not exist if it were not for this groundbreaking show. The show started as a short segment on the Tracey Ullman show. Legend has it that Matt Groening, the creator of the show, had a pitch meeting at Fox and was going to pitch an animated version of his Life in Hell comic strip. The studio didn’t like hit so he pitched the Simpsons on the spur of the moment using his own family, (Father-Homer, mother-Marge and sisters-Maggie and Lisa) as the character names only changing his own name to Bart for the pitch. He is now a multi-millionaire as a result of thinking quickly on his feet.

So that’s my list. Feel free to chime in with your own. There are plenty that would get honorable mention that I left off of the list. Shows such as Arrested Development, Home Improvement, The Bob Newhart Show, and Scrubs could have made a longer list.

I left off Friends, which may be on many lists, but I just never liked the show. These people had great apartments in New York, but never seemed to work.

My Top 10 Fictional Detectives

Okay, so I like to write detective novels. I have had a lot of inspiration from other fictional detectives over the years. This list is just some of them. I took them from TV and the written word. Take a look and see if any of your favorites are missing. I know that favorites like Inspector Poroit and Miss Marple are not here, but these are the detectives that had a lasting impact on me.

10) Theo Kojak – Portrayed by Telly Savalas, Kojak was one of the coolest police detectives on this list. He was a Greek American who was not able to be compromised, but would be known to bend the rules if it meant getting his man.

09) Adrian Monk – Tony Shalhoub was excellent playing this brilliant former police detective. Monk was suspended from the police force after his wife’s murder caused his OCD and multiple irrational phobias to intensify. He consults with the police, however, and uses his disorders as tools to help him solve crimes. Several other actors, including Henry Winkler and Michael Richards were considered for the role which was supposed to be more of a clumsy, Inspector Clouseau kind of character. This would not have been as endearing or engaging as the portrayal that Shalhoub brought to Monk.

08) Travis McGee – This playboy and amateur detective the lives on a houseboat makes a habit of solving the problems of others for money. McGee is the main character in 21 novels by John D. MacDonald. He refers to himself as a ‘salvage consultant’ more than a detective as he helps people secure the return of their property for 50% of the value. McGee is located in Florida and the water and boating play a large part of the stories in which he appears.

07) Harry Bosch – Michael Connelly’s Heironymous “Harry” Bosch is an LAPD detective. Bosch’s prostitute mother died when he was young and he spent time in orphanages meeting his powerful attorney father later in life. Bosch is also a Viet Nam Veteran who has trouble with authority. Recently, Amazon released Bosch as a series. He is portrayed very well by Titus Willever (pictured above) of Lost and Sons of Anarchy fame.

06) Columbo – Peter Falk portrayed Lieutenant Columbo for 24 years. His rumpled raincoat, cigar and absent minded nature were signature traits that made those he was pursuing underestimate his abilities. One of the unusual patterns about the Columbo series is that the episode usually started with the crime and often showed who committed it. Columbo would then appear and the viewer would be privileged to watch his process as he zeroed in on the criminal.

05) Jim Rockford – This private investigator is the inspiration for my Frank Rozzani character in my detective novel series.Rockford always seemed to get beat up in every episode, but bounced back to save the pretty girl and get the bad guy. Rockford was a decorated Korean War veteran who was falsely imprisoned and barely gets by from case to case. He also has an admirable relationship with his father and a tenuous relationship with the LAPD and an ex-con named Angel that bring comic relief.

04) Bill Hodges – This is a relatively new character, but he is so well written by Stephen King in his Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and the upcoming End of Watch) that I had to include him. King, in Mr. Mercedes, guides us through Hodges’ transformation from a depressed retired cop to a keen-witted private detective that solves one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. In Finders Keepers, the transformation continues as Hodges is now a confident private eye that has learned from the painful experiences in his past. King also transforms the supporting cast along the way in a believable, endearing way.

03) Alex Delaware – I have been reading Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels for over 20 years. Delaware is a bit of hybrid in that he’s not really a detective, or an amateur sleuth. He, like the author, is a psychologist and musician. His friend, Lieutenant Milo Sturgis, is an openly gay member of the LAPD. Delaware uses his skills to profile criminals and assist with police investigations as a consultant. We also get a glimpse into his private practice and relationship with a beautiful guitar maker. Over the 20 years that Kellerman has been writing Delaware novels, the characters have grown and aged just like all of us. They handle situations differently in the later novels than they did in earlier ones just as humans who age and evolve might do.

02) Sherlock Holmes – What can I say? The brilliant Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is the standard for the brilliant private eye that uses deductive reasoning to help, and often embarrass, the police. His sidekick, Doctor Watson, is the narrator in most of the stories. Holmes has a way of playing things close to the vest and then slicing through the case coming to conclusions that seem obvious once he presents his observations and the evidence.

01) Frank Rozzani – Okay, this is the main character from my detective novels. You might think it’s self-serving to make him my favorite, but hear me out. When I get to spend time writing for this character and his supporting cast, it’s like a vacation for me. It’s like I’m visiting old friends. He is a composite of many of the characters on this list. I’m justifying him as my number one detective. Feel free to shatter my dreams.

My Top Ten Buddy Movies

My Frank Rozzani book series has worked well because my main character, Frank Rozzani has a friend and sidekick to bounce his ideas off of. I have gravitated toward that type of configuration in the books I read and the movies I watch.

To give you a glimpse into what makes up my personality, I wanted to do another list where I share a genre of movie that’s fun to watch. These buddy films are the kinds of movies that I will sit and watch if I see them on the cable TV guide or if they pop up in Netflix of Amazon. They are all movies that I enjoy for different reasons. I’ll briefly explain why I like each one.

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

I’m not a huge Jim Carrey fan although I think he has his niche and has done some great films (Man on the Moon, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). What I like about this movie is the unconditional friendship between the main characters, Harry and Lloyd. I also like the inspired casting of Jeff Daniels. He was not afraid to put his dramatic acting career at risk to do this comedy. He has since done some of the best work of any actor in shows like The Newsroom. The switch from drama to comedy for actors is a hard one and he does it well.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

If you can separate Mel Gibson from his recent strange behavior, this buddy film is a good one. Gibson’s deeply depressed, slightly psychotic Martin Riggs character is paired up with Danny Glover’s grumpy, soon to be retired Sergeant Murtaugh character. Murtaugh wants to coast to retirement. Riggs wants to take suicidal risks and pulls his partner along with him. Once Murtaugh understands what motivates his partner, the two become inseparable and help to make each other better cops and men.

Wayne’s World (1992)

Okay. It was a slightly annoying SNL skit that was turned into a full-length movie. It was also the launch of Mike Meyers’ movie career. His style of comedy was on target with people in my generation. He made fun of the music and the styles that we lived. Meyers’ Wayne Campbell character, when teamed with the neurotic Garth, played by Dana Carvey, jumped from one joke or site gag to another. The plot was lacking, but the chemistry between the characters made the movie memorable.

Grumpy Old Men (1993)

This movie featured a classic reunion of two actors that were magic together. Walter Mathau and Lack Lemon successfully paired up in The Odd Couple (see number 4). This time they were two single men in the Winter of their lives that lived to play pranks on each other. Regardless of the anger portrayed between them, you could see the friendship that these two men had for each other, both on screen and off. Add in 90-something year old Burgess Meredith as Lemon’s father, and you have some great dialog shared by these acting giants.

The Sting (1973)

I know this movie isn’t the first pairing of Robert Redford and Paul Newman, but it’s a memorable one for me. This was the first movie that my parents let me see in the theater that wasn’t rated G. It is my first grownup movie and it was a memorable one. I loved the time period, the twists and turns of the plot and the ragtime music of Scott Joplin that accompanied it. I’m not ashamed to admit that I had an 8-track tape of the soundtrack that I wore out from overuse. Redford and Newman were a great onscreen pair and this was a memorable film for me.

Tommy Boy (1995)

This is another film where real-life friends use their chemistry on screen. Chris Farley plays the bumbling Tommy who is trying to help save his late father’s business and David Spade is charged with helping him. Spade is the straight man who knows the business and tries to keep an infantile Farley on track until he finally finds himself. There are a lot of great site gags and memorable lines. I’m one of those geeks that listens to DVD commentary and, for this movie, the director told a great Chris Farley story. When they were filming his father’s wedding to Bo Derek, the outdoor set required the large cast to remain perfectly silent for 60 seconds so the sound man could get levels for the ambient noise. At about 45 seconds, Farley loudly expelled gas and then turned to Bo Derek and asked her how she could do such a thing when they were trying to be quiet. The cast could not stop laughing and the outdoor screen had to be shot the next day.

The Odd Couple (1968)

In the case of this movie, I was introduced to it because of the 1970’s TV show of the same name starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. The show was great, but when I went back and watched the movie, the chemistry of Walter Mathau and Jack Lemon, along with Neil Simon’s writing, eclipsed the TV show. These two were great actors and brought their talents to this film like few others.

Road Films (1940-1962 – 7 films)

These films are old Hollywood with all seven films made before I was born. I was introduced to Bob Hope and Bing Crosby through television and then discovered their films on late night television. The chemistry between them was evident and their off-screen friendship was a strong one. I had the occasion to read one of Bob Hope’s memoirs and he talked about the relationship he had with Bing Crosby. They were known to skip a day of shooting only to be found on the golf course.

The Blues Brothers (1980)

Like the friendship of David Spade and Chris Farley mentioned above, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were friends from their days on Saturday Night Live. In this movie, they play brothers that always have each others backs, even when being attacked by an RPG launched by Carrie Fisher. The music in this movie is great and some of the sequences and lines will stay with me forever.

Silver Streak (1976)

Gene Wilder and Richard Prior were also a magical pairing in several films. They actually had a chance to be paired sooner. Wilder stepped in for the original actor in Blazing Saddles when alcoholism made it impossible for him to work. Richard Pryor helped write the film and was supposed to play Black Bart. The studios, however, didn’t view him as reliable and Cleavon Little was cast instead.  The uniqueness of the film’s casting was supposed to be about them being two different races, but, as a viewer, you quickly forgot that one actor was black and the other was white. Instead, you realized that they were both brilliant and made a very good comedy team.

My Top Ten Favorite Kid Movies

Having an 8-year-old at my advanced age (tale end of the baby boomers) affords me the opportunity to pursue one of my guilty pleasures, watching kid movies. Luckily, when my daughter is too old to legitimize my trips to theaters for these flicks, my granddaughter will be old enough to start going with me.

This list is an interesting one. It has a bit of a twist in that it spans many decades of movies. There is a very good reason for that.

Those who know me are aware that my wife and I have been married for 30 years. We always wanted children, but didn’t have much luck early in our marriage. We adopted after 15 years and then, in our mid 40’s, we were blessed with our daughter Lillie. She is truly a miracle. She is also a great excuse for me to go see kid movies. My goal is to get both the senior discount for me and the kid discount for her.

Keep this dynamic in mind as you look at this list of my favorite kid movies. They are the ones that I want to introduce my daughter to so that she will look back on them fondly when she’s an adult.

10) Toy Story 3 (2010) – Usually sequels are not a good bet, but I liked this one for a number of reasons. Mostly, however, it was the message that I took from it. The movie dealt with keeping your childhood memories in mind but passing them on as you get older. That’s pretty much what I try to do on a daily basis with my daughter. It was a bit of a tear-jerker at the end.

9) Inside Out (2015) – This is the most recent of the movies on my list. I liked this movie right away because it’s entertaining and smart. There is plenty for kids to enjoy with jokes for the adults as well. Underneath it all, the movie is based in science and is a learning opportunity as well as a fun 90 minutes.

8) The Incredibles (2004) – This movie was fun from beginning to end. The premise of superheroes living everyday lives with mundane jobs is fun. The family dynamic that the Parrs display are the same as every family except that they have super powers. The action was also enjoyable. There is talk of a long-awaited sequel and I almost wish they wouldn’t do one. The original would be hard to top.

7) Shrek (2001) – This movie was one that I had no desire to see. My kids were bored one weekend and we decided to go check it out. It was an instant classic. The casting, the quirky music choices, and the warped integration of traditional fairy tale characters was brilliant. This is definitely a case where the sequels were not necessary. The original set a standard that was impossible to top.

6) Night at the Museum (2006) – This movie has a special place for my daughter and I. When Night at the Museum 3 came out in 2014, we were going to go see it. My daughter, who was 6 at the time, wanted to see the first two before we saw this sequel. I sat with her and we streamed them on Amazon. She was enthralled. She’s like a learning sponge. In fact, the depiction of Amelia Earhart in NATM 2 inspired her so much that she dressed up like her for Hero Day at school.

5) Despicable Me (2010) – This is another movie with a message. You take a villain, add adorable children, throw in some minions and a transformation takes place. We watch the main character, Gru, go from being a super villain to a super dad. This was a very enjoyable movie as you got the feeling that he was a villain to begin with due to his loneliness and lack of a proper childhood.

4) Monsters Inc. (2001) – Another instant classic. This movie is funny and had wonderful casting. It also carried a message that helped us to get our kids to sleep in their own rooms. Those monsters didn’t want to hurt them. They were afraid to touch kids. It also reinforced my family philosophy. It’s better to live life with laughter instead of fear.

3) Up (2009) – This movie hit home. A story about a couple that couldn’t have children and a tragic illness that claims a spouse would not be the usual formula for a kid’s film. This one was masterful, however, in weaving that serious backstory into a fun second chance. The casting was great and the diversity of characters was fantastic. I think this is one of the most poignant children’s films ever made.

2) Hook (1991) – This may be an odd choice for the list. This film was not critically successful. It made my list, however, because of my daughter. We watched the original Disney Peter Pan together and she thought it was okay. I knew we had an old VHS copy of Hook and I asked her if she wanted to see what happened to Peter once he grew up. What happened next was magical. The first time we watched it, she made me stop the movie several times to ask me questions like, “wait, so you’re telling me that Peter Pan grew up to be a dad who doesn’t pay attention to his kids?” and “how could someone forget to fly. If I knew how to fly, I’d do it every day.” She watched this movie many more times and got more out of it each time. It’s a classic in our house.

1) Dumbo (1941) – Here is a very old movie that made the list. Dumbo is a classic in that it delivers the message that it’s okay to be different and that differences can make you special. It also conveys the care that parents have for their children. My kids loved the music and the animation in this film, but then got something additional out of it as they got older.

My Top Ten Favorite Books Turned Into Movies

It can sometimes be very disappointing when you go and see a movie that was made from your favorite book.  Once in a while, it gets done correctly. Here is a list of my favorites. What are yours?

A Christmas Story (1983) – This movie was based on the book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd. It’s somewhat autobiographical. The movie was low-budget and did poorly at the box office, but has become a cult holiday favorite. My family and I can’t start the Christmas season without watching it at least once. Every time someone uses a power tool or knife in my house, someone is likely to say, “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Misery (1990) – This is one of two Stephen King movies on my list. You would think that with all of the adaptations of his books that have been done over the years that more would have made my list, but, unfortunately, that is not the case. It takes a special director and actors to nail King’s vision and in this one Rob Reiner’s direction and the acting of Kathy Bates puts it over the top for me.

A Time to Kill (1996) – This movie comes from my favorite John Grisham book. It is a powerful story that works well on the screen. Matthew McConaughey has his breakout role in this film as the young attorney, Jake Brigance, who defends a black man in a hot bed of white supremacy featuring Kiefer Sutherland in the role of one of their leaders. Throw in Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd and the cast is loaded with talent.

Jurassic Park (1993) – When you take a masterful author with a keen sense of detail like Michael Crichton and give one of his best stories to Steven Spielberg and you end up with the magic that is the Jurassic Park movie. The special effects were state of the art for the time period and the ‘Jaws-like’ tension kept us on the edge of our seats as we waited for a glimpse of the T-Rex.

The Martian (2015) – When Andy Weir began writing The Martian, the self-proclaimed space nerd posted the chapters of the story on his blog. When someone asked him to put it in a downloadable form, he published it on Amazon for $.99. It’s popularity spread like wildfire and he earned a movie deal. That’s not why it’s on my list, however. It’s on here because the movie was very well done and mostly true to the details of the book. Matt Damon does a great job of bringing the intelligence and humor of the main character to the screen. Weir’s knowledge makes the science plausible and believable.

The Green Mile (1999) – Here is another Stephen King book adapted for the screen. Like the ones that were adapted the best, it is the director that does a masterful job of helping the audience see King’s true vision. In this case, it was Frank Darabont who wrote the screenplay and directed the film. He had earlier success in the same capacity with The Shawshank Redemption taken from a King short story. This film is magical and well cast with Tom Hanks and the late great Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey.

The Complete Harry Potter Series (2001-2011) – Of the eight Harry Potter movies, there are some that are not as strong as others. There were multiple directors and even multiple Dumbledores. One thing rings true. Every movie is based on a solid story with a long unifying arc through all of them. We watched the young actors grow up before our eyes much like the characters in the books grew up with each new volume. These were magical movies that will entertain both young and old for years to come.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) – I read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy as a child. From that time, I always hoped a good film adaptation would be done. There were animated versions and very poor, low-budget live action versions of parts of the story, but nothing approaches the masterpiece that Peter Jackson brought to the screen in his film adaptations. After seeing the first film, I re-read the trilogy and was amazed at how true to this dense work of prose Jackson was in the films. Yes, he left out Tom Bombadil, but perhaps Tolkien should have left him out as well.

The Godfather (Parts I and II – 1972 and 1974) – The Godfather was the first adult book that I read. I was probably around 11 or 12 when I read it and it had a profound effect on me. Granted, it is a book about organized crime among Italian-Americans in the early 20th century. The dichotomy of the book is the strong sense of loyalty among family and friends that permeates that ugly underworld. It was the same dynamic I saw in my own Italian family. when I saw the movie I was amazed at how true to the book Francis Ford Coppola was with his adaptation. Over the two movies, he fully explored the dynamics in Mario Puzzo’s book. It’s a shame that he made the third Godfather movie which was absolutely horrible.

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) –  It’s fitting that my favorite film adaptation of a book that I read is from my favorite book of all time. I’ve mentioned before that this book has meant something different to me each time I’ve read it. The movie came out the year I was born. I have watched it a few times and I’m amazed at how well it was done. Gregory Peck embodies Atticus Finch who is the literary embodiment of Harper Lee’s father. In fact, the pocket watch that Peck wears in the film was given to him by Lee after she saw his screen test for the role. It belonged to her father.That is a very strong endorsement from an author that wrote such a personal work.

I’m sure that there are other good book adaptations that I left off this list. My criteria was, did I read the book and did I like both the book and the movie. Please feel free to chime in with your own entries.

My Top Ten Favorite Kid Movies

This list is an interesting one. It has a bit of a twist in that it spans many decades of movies. There is a very good reason for that.

Those who know me are aware that my wife and I have been married for 30 years. We always wanted children, but didn’t have much luck early in our marriage. We adopted after 15 years and then, in our mid 40’s, we were blessed with our daughter Lillie. She is truly a miracle. She is also a great excuse for me to go see kid movies. My goal is to get both the senior discount for me and the kid discount for her.

Keep this dynamic in mind as you look at this list of my favorite kid movies. They are the ones that I want to introduce my daughter to so that she will look back on them fondly when she’s an adult.

10) Toy Story 3 (2010) – Usually sequels are not a good bet, but I liked this one for a number of reasons. Mostly, however, it was the message that I took from it. The movie dealt with keeping your childhood memories in mind but passing them on as you get older. That’s pretty much what I try to do on a daily basis with my daughter. It was a bit of a tear-jerker at the end.

9) Inside Out (2015) – This is the most recent of the movies on my list. I liked this movie right away because it’s entertaining and smart. There is plenty for kids to enjoy with jokes for the adults as well. Underneath it all, the movie is based in science and is a learning opportunity as well as a fun 90 minutes.

8) The Incredibles (2004) – This movie was fun from beginning to end. The premise of superheroes living everyday lives with mundane jobs is fun. The family dynamic that the Parrs display are the same as every family except that they have super powers. The action was also enjoyable. There is talk of a long-awaited sequel and I almost wish they wouldn’t do one. The original would be hard to top.

7) Shrek (2001) – This movie was one that I had no desire to see. My kids were bored one weekend and we decided to go check it out. It was an instant classic. The casting, the quirky music choices, and the warped integration of traditional fairy tale characters was brilliant. This is definitely a case where the sequels were not necessary. The original set a standard that was impossible to top.

6) Night at the Museum (2006) – This movie has a special place for my daughter and I. When Night at the Museum 3 came out in 2014, we were going to go see it. My daughter, who was 6 at the time, wanted to see the first two before we saw this sequel. I sat with her and we streamed them on Amazon. She was enthralled. She’s like a learning sponge. In fact, the depiction of Amelia Earhart in NATM 2 inspired her so much that she dressed up like her for Hero Day at school.

5) Despicable Me (2010) – This is another movie with a message. You take a villain, add adorable children, throw in some minions and a transformation takes place. We watch the main character, Gru, go from being a super villain to a super dad. This was a very enjoyable movie as you got the feeling that he was a villain to begin with due to his loneliness and lack of a proper childhood.

4) Monsters Inc. (2001) – Another instant classic. This movie is funny and had wonderful casting. It also carried a message that helped us to get our kids to sleep in their own rooms. Those monsters didn’t want to hurt them. They were afraid to touch kids. It also reinforced my family philosophy. It’s better to live life with laughter instead of fear.

3) Up (2009) – This movie hit home. A story about a couple that couldn’t have children and a tragic illness that claims a spouse would not be the usual formula for a kid’s film. This one was masterful, however, in weaving that serious backstory into a fun second chance. The casting was great and the diversity of characters was fantastic. I think this is one of the most poignant children’s films ever made.

2) Hook (1991) – This may be an odd choice for the list. This film was not critically successful. It made my list, however, because of my daughter. We watched the original Disney Peter Pan together and she thought it was okay. I knew we had an old VHS copy of Hook and I asked her if she wanted to see what happened to Peter once he grew up. What happened next was magical. The first time we watched it, she made me stop the movie several times to ask me questions like, “wait, so you’re telling me that Peter Pan grew up to be a dad who doesn’t pay attention to his kids?” and “how could someone forget to fly. If I knew how to fly, I’d do it every day.” She watched this movie many more times and got more out of it each time. It’s a classic in our house.

1) Dumbo (1941) – Here is a very old movie that made the list. Dumbo is a classic in that it delivers the message that it’s okay to be different and that differences can make you special. It also conveys the care that parents have for their children. My kids loved the music and the animation in this film, but then got something additional out of it as they got older.

Ten Books That Have Influenced Me

I really hesitated to come up with a top ten list involving books. I have read thousands of books in my lifetime. Coming up with a list of 10 is not realistic so, I did what I always do when I have a difficult task. I used the ‘rip off the band-aid’ method. I just listed the first 10 books that came to mind that have had an influence on me. Some influenced me as a writer. Others influenced me as a person.

10) Duma Key (2008) – Stephen King

This book is a bit off the beaten path. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Stephen King fan and you will see more of his books on this list. It’s one of the first Stephen King wrote after his accident when he was nearly killed while walking on a road in Maine. The story centers on a rich self-made construction company owner who is injured by a falling crane. He leaves his company, divides his wealth to provide for his ex-wife and daughters, and moves to a secluded house on one of the Florida Keys. While there he resumes the hobby of painting from his earlier life and discovers that he has some strange and powerful abilities. What really struck me about this book is the relationships. More than some of his pre-accident books, King writes thoughtfully about the relationships between the characters. One of the most touching is his relationship with the caretaker of Elizabeth Eastlake, the only other resident on the key. The man has an inoperable brain tumor. The main character, Edgar, is able to repaint the man’s CAT scan minus the brain tumor, and cures his condition. There are some elements of horror in the book, but what impressed me was King’s character development and inventiveness.

9) A Study in Scarlet (1887) – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I consider the Sherlock Holmes books, written by Sir Arthur Conan, to be the penultimate among private detective fiction. Doyle was not only a masterful writer in this genre, but his formula whereby Holmes solves the crime and then the criminal describes how the crime was carried out in great detail is highly effective. This book is interchangeable on the list with other Holmes novels, but it is the first and feature the introduction of Watson and Holmes.

8) It (1987)- Stephen King

If anyone doubts the versatility of Stephen King, this is the book to read to remove all doubt. In this book, King writes in the voice of his main character’s childhood and adulthood seamlessly. He is able to effectively describe the bond among the friends in this book while managing to scare the crap out of his readers. This is one of the scariest books I have ever read. The relationship is similar to that which he writes about in Dreamcatcher, but It does it more effectively and with much more impact.

7) The Stand (1978) – Stephen King

The Stand is Stephen King’s epic novel. I know he wrote The Dark Tower series, of which I am not a huge fan, but The Stand surpasses TDT on many levels. It is the classic good vs. evil saga. What is magnificent about this book is the character development. King has a laundry list of diverse characters and nearly all of them are fully developed over the course of the book. In addition, he grabs the reader from the very beginning and makes you both rush to the end of the book, but wish that it will continue.

6) Tell No One (2001) – Harlan Coben

This early book by Harlan Coben is easily his best. The book opens with a man who is grieving over the loss of his wife eight years earlier. He is then sent a mysterious email with a link and when he clicks on it, he sees a woman who looks just like his wife on a web cam and she holds up a note that says ‘Tell No One’. The rest of the book revolves around the danger he faces and the mystery of why his wife is missing. I’ve waited for Coben to achieve the level of quality of this book and, although he has come close, some of his books since this one have really missed the mark.

5) When the Bough Breaks (1985) – Jonathan Kellerman

This is the first book by Jonathan Kellerman to feature his Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis characters. Like Kellerman himself, Delaware is a child psychologist and musician. Delaware, however, is called in as a consultant with the Los Angeles Police Department. This is where he first encounters Milo Sturgis, the rough, poorly dressed police detective who also happens to be gay. Sturgis is closeted in the early books, but later, due to his prodigious ability to solve cases, he is accepted and promoted. This book deals with Delaware being called in to work with a young child who is the only witness to a murder. It is the first of many Delaware novels over the past 30 years. I have read them all and they are a huge influence on my own writing style. His development of Alex and Milo as friends and colleagues over the years has been masterful.

4) 11.22.63 (2011) – Stephen King

Yes, another Stephen King book, but this is not in the typical genre for him. In his later life, King has branched out into detective stories, with his Bill Hobbs trilogy, and with this book, a mix of historical fiction and time travel. The premise is that the main character is reluctantly on a mission to travel back in time, through a portal in a diner, to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Preventing the assassination, however, is only part of the allure of this novel. King did his homework with the historical part of it as we get great detail into Lee Harvey Oswald’s origins and background. King also writes very well in contrasting the time periods. The ending of this book is also very interesting. King has proven that he can move from genre to genre very well, especially this late in his career.

3) The Godfather (1969) – Mario Puzo

This book is special to me for a couple of reasons. It was the first adult novel that I ever read. My parents went to see the movie and couldn’t stop talking about it. I found the book in our bookcase and started reading it to see what all of the buzz was about. I was hooked. Puzo did a great job of capturing the spirit of the Italian family within the backdrop of criminal activity and murder. When I had the chance to see the movie when I was older, along with Godfather Part II, I was impressed with how closely they followed the book. I’ve gone back and read the book a couple more times and have watched the movies (with the exception of Part III) many times. This book made a strong impression on me.

2) Of Mice and Men (1937) – John Steinbeck

I read this book as a senior in high school and it was the first piece of classic literature that I enjoyed thoroughly. Steinbeck’s tale of George and Lennie is captivating. The love between the two characters is inspiring. This is especially true through George’s caretaking of Lennie and the ultimate gesture he has to make in dealing with him.

1) To Kill A Mockingbird (1960) – Harper Lee

I have read this novel three times. First, as a senior in high school, again in my 30’s and then again just before the unpublished and unofficial sequel, Go Set a Watchmen, was released. The mark of a good book is that you get something new out of it every time you read it. As the US is potentially taking a big step backward in terms of racism, this book resonates more than ever.

Honorable Mention:

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, could easily have made this list. There are countless others as well. I thought about doing a list by genre, but that would be too difficult. It might be something I tackle in the future.

Do you have life-changing books that you’ve read? How about books that have influenced your writing? Tell me about them. I’m always looking for a new direction to send my reading tastes.

My Favorite Fictional Detectives

10) Theo Kojak – Portrayed by Telly Savalas, Kojak was one of the coolest police detectives on this list. He was a Greek American who was not able to be compromised, but would be known to bend the rules if it meant getting his man.

09) Adrian Monk – Tony Shalhoub was excellent playing this brilliant former police detective. Monk was suspended from the police force after his wife’s murder caused his OCD and multiple irrational phobias to intensify. He consults with the police, however, and uses his disorders as tools to help him solve crimes. Several other actors, including Henry Winkler and Michael Richards were considered for the role which was supposed to be more of a clumsy, Inspector Clouseau kind of character. This would not have been as endearing or engaging as the portrayal that Shalhoub brought to Monk.

08) Travis McGee – This playboy and amateur detective the lives on a houseboat makes a habit of solving the problems of others for money. McGee is the main character in 21 novels by John D. MacDonald. He refers to himself as a ‘salvage consultant’ more than a detective as he helps people secure the return of their property for 50% of the value. McGee is located in Florida and the water and boating play a large part of the stories in which he appears.

07) Harry Bosch – Michael Connelly’s Heironymous “Harry” Bosch is an LAPD detective. Bosch’s prostitute mother died when he was young and he spent time in orphanages meeting his powerful attorney father later in life. Bosch is also a Viet Nam Veteran who has trouble with authority. Recently, Amazon released Bosch as a series. He is portrayed very well by Titus Willever (pictured above) of Lost and Sons of Anarchy fame.

06) Columbo – Peter Falk portrayed Lieutenant Columbo for 24 years. His rumpled raincoat, cigar and absent minded nature were signature traits that made those he was pursuing underestimate his abilities. One of the unusual patterns about the Columbo series is that the episode usually started with the crime and often showed who committed it. Columbo would then appear and the viewer would be privileged to watch his process as he zeroed in on the criminal.

05) Jim Rockford – This private investigator is the inspiration for my Frank Rozzani character in my detective novel series.Rockford always seemed to get beat up in every episode, but bounced back to save the pretty girl and get the bad guy. Rockford was a decorated Korean War veteran who was falsely imprisoned and barely gets by from case to case. He also has an admirable relationship with his father and a tenuous relationship with the LAPD and an ex-con named Angel that bring comic relief.

04) Bill Hodges – This is a relatively new character, but he is so well written by Stephen King in his Bill Hodges trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and the upcoming End of Watch) that I had to include him. King, in Mr. Mercedes, guides us through Hodges’ transformation from a depressed retired cop to a keen-witted private detective that solves one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. In Finders Keepers, the transformation continues as Hodges is now a confident private eye that has learned from the painful experiences in his past. King also transforms the supporting cast along the way in a believable, endearing way.

03) Alex Delaware – I have been reading Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels for over 20 years. Delaware is a bit of hybrid in that he’s not really a detective, or an amateur sleuth. He, like the author, is a psychologist and musician. His friend, Lieutenant Milo Sturgis, is an openly gay member of the LAPD. Delaware uses his skills to profile criminals and assist with police investigations as a consultant. We also get a glimpse into his private practice and relationship with a beautiful guitar maker. Over the 20 years that Kellerman has been writing Delaware novels, the characters have grown and aged just like all of us. They handle situations differently in the later novels than they did in earlier ones just as humans who age and evolve might do.

02) Sherlock Holmes – What can I say? The brilliant Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is the standard for the brilliant private eye that uses deductive reasoning to help, and often embarrass, the police. His sidekick, Doctor Watson, is the narrator in most of the stories. Holmes has a way of playing things close to the vest and then slicing through the case coming to conclusions that seem obvious once he presents his observations and the evidence.

01) Frank Rozzani – Okay, this is the main character from my detective novels. You might think it’s self-serving to make him my favorite, but hear me out. When I get to spend time writing for this character and his supporting cast, it’s like a vacation for me. It’s like I’m visiting old friends. He is a composite of many of the characters on this list. I’m justifying him as my number one detective. Feel free to shatter my dreams.

 

 

 

 

My Top Ten Favorite Drama Series

Last week, just for fun, I listed my top ten favorite sitcoms. I’m a little more discerning with the drama series that I watch since I have to invest an hour of time. Here they are for fun and discussion:

10) NYPD Blue (1993-2005) – This show was gritty and groundbreaking. It had a great ensemble cast, experimented with camera techniques, and pushed the envelope of network television standards with language and sexuality. There were also many great guest stars that worked seamlessly with the excellent cast. The writing was very good. Like other good dramas, the show was able to endure the departure of main cast members such as David Caruso, Sherry Stringfield and Jimmy Smits, and continue on without a deterioration of quality. There were great story arcs the lasted the duration of the show, not the least of which was the tragedy and triumph of Andy Sipowicz, played masterfully by Dennis Franz.

9) E.R. (1994-2009) – Created by Michael Crichton, this ensemble show had phenomenal acting and a gritty reality that accurately depicted the hectic, stress-filled lives of medical professionals while telling us enough about their personal lives to incorporate some interesting story arcs. This show saw many great actors come in and out of the main cast and as guest stars. Such notables as George Clooney and William H. Macy were part of the core cast. The writing was very good and, unlike many other medical drams, was accurate and realistic.

8) Grimm (2011-) – Grimm is an interesting concept for a television show. It’s part supernatural/horror and part police detective mystery. It follows the exploits of Nicholas Burkhardt, a police detective in Portland, Oregon. At the inception of the show, Nick starts having weird experiences and visions as he arrests criminals. He is then visited by his aunt and is told that he is a Grimm, a long line of individuals that find and vanquish wesen, or mysterious creatures like werewolves and other assorted shape shifters. He is also shown a trailer that contains ancient books and tools of the trade. What makes this show interesting is the friendship between Nick and Monroe, an antique clock repair specialist and werewolf. As the seasons have worn on, the circle of trust that are aware of Nick’s abilities and the creatures that plague Portland has grown without hurting the show. This latest season has taken a strange turn as Nick’s previously deceased fiance has reemerged as some kind of witch/secret agent. Hopefully the quality will remain high.

7) Lost (2004-2010) – This show is on my top 10 list despite my disappointment in the finale. This was one of those shows that was an event each week. Between the smoke monster, polar bears on an Island, and the rich backstories that were revealed, the question of how they would pull everything together and explain the mysterious island was always looming. As the highly anticipated final season and finale progressed, I’m not sure they ever definitively answered this question, which made the experience somewhat disappointing. The overall strength of the series, however, keeps it on my list.

6) Fringe (2008-2013) – Like Lost, this show had a lot of mystery and intrigue around why certain things were happening. Unlike Lost, this show did a very good job of resolving many of the outstanding story questions. Blending time travel, parallel universes, and other mysteries, the show was quite well written and acted. Notably, the work of John Noble as Professor Walter Bishop, was enjoyable to watch as you would never know whether he would solve an extremely complex problem with his towering intellect, or would disappear to buy a chocolate shake. He also did a great job of being the controlling, dictatorial figure in the parallel universe. Also notable was Leonard Nimoy’s cameo appearances as William Bell, the deceased genius with key answers to many of the strange events. The back story of agent Olivia Dunham as the child, Olive, who was studied by Bishop for her unusual powers and received experimental drugs, was very powerful.

5) Treme (2010-2013) – This show may be an unusual entry on my list, but it was powerful, nonetheless. I have listed it for two reasons. First, the music. This show takes place in New Orleans and featured many actual and fictional local musicians. The music and the depiction of the music scene was both realistic and enjoyable. The second thing that gets this show on my list is the eye opening depiction of the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. It explores how discrimination and government inefficiency affected the residents of the area. One anecdote that got my attention was how residents were barred from returning to certain minority housing projects under the guise of hurricane damage when the buildings were essentially untouched. There were also perfectly good houses that were repaired and then condemned so that unethical contractors could make money and then certain groups of people could be prevented from returning to New Orleans.

4) The Walking Dead (2010-) – This show is fascinating as a what if type scenario for an apocalyptic future. Inspired by a graphic novel series, the show has become very popular. The reason for this, I believe, is not so much due to the walkers (zombies). They have become almost a background element of the show as its sixth season progresses. Characters will have a conversation and a walker might interrupt them earning a knife or arrow through the skull, and then the conversation resumes. It’s the interaction between the characters and the investment that the fans make in characters knowing that the creators of the show are not afraid to kill off main characters, even with deviation from the original book. The show has spawned a second series, Fear the Walking Dead, which tells the same story from a different area of the country. Although not as popular as the original, it is also a good show. It will be interesting to see how this show resolves the story eventually and how many main characters can be killed off before it loses its allure.

3) The Blacklist (2013-) – James Spader is in his element on this show. The quirky actor plays Raymond Reddington, an ex Navy officer, turned spy, turned fugitive, turned high-level informant for a secret area of the FBI. He gives them information on highly sought after criminals in exchange for not being incarcerated. The appeal of this show is his relationship with Elizabeth Keen, an FBI agent who’s ties to Reddington are a mystery. We don’t know if he is her father, protector, user or some other variation. Spader’s sense of humor mixed with gritty brutality make him an interesting character to watch.

2) Breaking Bad (2008-2013) – Not enough can be said about this show. Walter White, a mild-mannered, but brilliant, science teacher is transformed into a illegal drug producing genius and drug lord. Imagine the pitch to the studios for that one. It is totally pulled off due to excellent writing and excellent acting by Bryan Cranston as White. The ensemble acting of the show is top notch along with Cranston’s excellent lead performance. Of particular note is Aaron Paul as White’s minion and eventual rival, Jessie Pinkman. Also Dean Norris as White’s brother-inlaw/DEA agent, Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, and Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo “Gus” Fringe, the chicken restaurant owning drug lord. The finale was criticized in some circles, but was satisfying overall.

1) Star Trek (Various series from 1964-2017 and beyond) – I’m a nerd or geek, whatever you want to call it. I’ve loved this franchise since I was a kid. I think it is loved for many reasons. There is always the Star Trek vs. Star Wars debate. I like them both, but Star Trek is much more cerebral. Star Wars is more of an action-packed series. The original Star Trek series was ground breaking. Less than 20 years after WWII and during the height of the cold war and civil rights movement, the show incorporated Japanese, Russian, African-American, female and alien members in its bridge crew. The chemistry forged between Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy would endure for decades with both the original cast members and well-cast actors in the reboot movies. The Next Generation series featured a more sophisticated captain with Patrick Stewart’s Jean Luc Picard. Going off to punch out aliens has been relegated to his first officer, Commander William Riker. The other series in the franchise, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise were all well done. There is another series planned to begin in 2017 and I will be there to watch it. I am such a nerd that, during my MBA studies, I did a project comparing the management styles of Captains Kirk and Picard. My classmates made light of this, but my professor was a Trekker/Trekkie from way back and I earned a great score.

You might notice that some notable shows like Law & Order, CSI, and the complete Shonda Rhimes lineup is missing. I’m sure these were good shows. I’ve never watched the the Law & Order or CSI series. The Shonda Rhimes shows, in my opinion, are not realistic and well-written. I could have gone old school with shows like The Rockford Files, Quincy M.E., or Columbo. These were great shows in the crime/fiction genre that have been a great influence on me, but those types of shows may actually be a future list on their own.

Your comments, criticism and additions/deletions are welcome.

 

My Top Ten Favorite Movies – At least for now

With this post, I wanted to lighten up a bit and give you a sense of my personality through the movies that I enjoy. It was hard to narrow my list down to ten. Movies are like books to me. I choose them to either match or change my mood. You will see a lot of comedies, but also some dramas and action movies. They may not be the most intellectually stimulating films, but, who cares. I like them.

10. Tommy Boy – OK, it’s a silly movie, but I love the interaction between Chris Farley and David Spade. This movie was made when Chris Farley was at his comedic peak and before he self-destructed ending his career much too soon. I always wanted to try to get out of a speeding ticket by pretending there are bees in my car.

9. Airplane – This was the first, and probably the best, of the parody movies. The gags are plentiful and simplistic, just the way I like them.

Doctor Rumack (Leslie Nielsen): “We have to get these people to a hospital”.

Elaine (Julie Hagerty): “A hospital? What is it?”

Doctor Rumack: “It’s a big building with a lot of windows, but that’s not important now.”

8. Die Hard – It’s a great action movie that was originally supposed to star Frank Sinatra as John McClane. The prequel to Die Hard was a Sinatra vehicle called “The Detective” where he played a character named Joe Leland. In the screen adaptation of the sequel “Nothing Lasts Forever”, the title of the movie was changed to “Die Hard” and the main character’s name was changed to John McClane. I can’t imagine Sinatra in this part instead of Bruce Willis. He would have strutted through the Nakatomi building in his suit and hat and a glass of scotch. Bruce Willis is the master at getting dirty and being a wise ass.

7. Blazing Saddles – Another comedy, but this one is probably Mel Brooks’ best. It is politically incorrect by today’s standards because of its use of the ‘N’ word, which is interesting when you consider that the script was written in part by Richard Pryor. Additionally, veteran actor Gig Young started in the role of the Waco Kid, but couldn’t continue due to the level of his alcoholism. Gene Wilder took over the role. Richard Pryor was supposed to play Bart, but the studio didn’t want him in the part and Cleavon Little was given the role. The comedic writing and the sight gags are the best that Brooks, in my opinion, has strung together in a movie.

6. Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Hope) – I remember when I was a kid and I went and saw this film on the big screen. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It captured the imagination of the country. It also introduced us to Harrison Ford who went on to make some of the most iconic movies of all time. I am hoping that the franchise doesn’t get too Disney-fied in the future.

5. Better Off Dead – You may not have heard of this movie, and I’m not sure why it’s on the list other than it’s a family bonding movie. It is a goofy 80’s comedy that stars John Cusack and Curtis Armstrong (later to appear as Booger in Revenge of the Nerds). The appeal to this movie for me is that members of my family quote memorable lines from it in the most awkward of situations. To us, that’s humor. Watch it and you’ll be saying “I’m sorry your mom blew up Ricky” and “I want my two dollars” along with the rest of us.

4. The Blues Brothers – Another comedy, but with a difference. The plot is crazy and the sight gags are funny, but the music also got me in this one. Between the amazing cameos by Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin to the inspired blues singing by John Belushi, the performances were solid. Belushi could have had a career as a singer. He was another self-destructive star that is gone too soon.

3. Office Space – I have spent 30 years of my life in corporate America. This entry does for movies what Scott Adams and Dilbert did for the comic pages. The ridiculous cliches and the treatment of people that slave away every day in the corporate world are often very close to what actually happens. This movie has a cult following and I am part of the cult.  I am the proud owner of a tee shirt that has a picture of a red Swingline stapler and the word “Mine” underneath it.

2. The Godfather (Parts I and II) – I’m an Italian American. I know that this movie shows the mob tendencies of my nationality, but that is not why I like the movie. I like it because of the family interactions and the memories of my own childhood. The wedding at the start of the first movie could have been ripped right out my memories. Small observations like these tough mobsters cooking a pot of tomato sauce in the kitchen brought back the smells of my grandmother’s kitchen. Make no mistake, these movies depict organized crime in a brutal and frank manner. That is not why I like the movie. It’s the scenic depictions of Sicily and the Italian dialog that makes me nostalgic. The story is also a good one.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird – It’s my favorite book and the movie adaptation was done very well. Harper Lee only wrote one book in her lifetime. The book is somewhat autobiographical as the character of Atticus Finch is based on her father. In researching the making of this movie, I discovered that Ms. Lee was very much involved in the production and particularly protective of how Atticus would be portrayed by Gregory Peck. She was so happy with his depiction that she provided the pocket watch that he wears in much of the movie. It belonged to her father.

I hope you enjoyed this list. Feel free to criticize it or make comments. Also, I’d love to hear what some of your favorite movies are.