This is a continuation of a four-part series of favorites, supported by data in the sense of quantity. Each is intended to be celebration, so you will find no theory, no review, and little trivia. Last time, the first, was on Favorite Movie Quotes (with Real Life Application). Previously designated as "Famous...", the initial post was on Film & TV Cars and another four-part series on film music began with one on the instrumental themes of John Williams.

Favorite Movies on Repeat

There are certain films that are the equivalent of comfort food, particularly for a person who watches a large number of movies. Like comfort food, they may not be the best but instead they can be simple, nostalgic, and familiar. But that is not to say that they can't be top-tier or have to be simple either. Clearly, I don't have an absolute definition, but some common threads are evident from just a cursory analysis. They are typically shorter, 1 hour 45 minutes or less, they are nearly always standalone, i.e., not a film in a larger continuity (or at least effectively so), and the tone is often lighter with at least some humor mixed in. A measure that is impossible to know from the outside looking in is these are movies that I can watch again and again, often with mere months in between and certainly at least once per year. To that end, seasonal movies are excluded (hmm...idea for the future?). The format will be title as a heading, and I will include the film's length early in my exposition as to why I find each one so rewatchable. With the last topic on quotes and the number of times I have seen these, it creates the perfect storm to include some throughout, but I will not force that issue.

Spaceballs

Most parody films are shorter than their primary source, and Spaceballs is no different at 1 hour 36 minutes. Of course, Star Wars is the main franchise being skewered, only a trilogy at the time. But there are also brief elements of Star Trek, Alien, and Planet of the Apes, to name a few of the more prominent. A few potentially less obvious ones are each a song, the "Dink-Dink Song" is actually "Colonel Bogey March", spoofing the tune's appearance in The Bridge on the River Kwai, and the baby Xenomorph sings "Hello! Ma Baby" using the actual recording from the notable Warner Bros. animated short, One Froggy Evening, and in similar vein. What makes Spaceballs so repeatable? I have watched through the Star Wars saga multiple times, so there's comfort in the familiarity of the basic story. The humor is typical of Mel Brooks' dry wit and camp and at its best for me. Despite its comedic and farcical approach, the performances are very good, including my favorite Rick Moranis role of Dark Helmet, and portrayed by Brooks himself, that of Yogurt (he is also President Skroob). Others great in their roles are Bill Pullman (Lone Starr), the always great John Candy (Barf), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), and voice performances from Joan Rivers (Dot Matrix) and Dom DeLuise (Pizza the Hutt). Difficult to narrow down, three of my favorite Spaceballs quotes come from the first two characters listed, though. From Yogurt, "Please, please, don't make a fuss. I'm just plain Yogurt," and "Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the film is made." The third is a joke that does not fully pay off until around the half point of the film, Dark Helmet says, "What's the matter, Colonel Sandurz? CHICKEN?" Fun facts: Sir Alec Guiness, famous for his role as Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy won his only Academy Award for The Bridge on the River Kwai, and Industrial Light & Magic, the special effects company created for the first Star Wars, produced the effects for Spaceballs, as well.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Unique in at least these two ways, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an early example of adult animation for the masses, and the level of interaction between those animated characters and live action was unprecedented. It's another film that is very efficient with its runtime of 1 hour 44 minutes, wasting nary a moment, which is unsurprising considering the investment of time alone for its use of traditional hand-drawn cel animation. What makes Who Framed Roger Rabbit so repeatable? It begins with the easy sell with the earnest performances of the cast. The live action players, most notably Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant and Christopher Lloyd as Judge Doom, blend with the animated characters so well that the illusion is not lost at all. Superb voice acting from Charles Fleisher (Roger Rabbit, Benny the Cab, and two weasels of the Toon Patrol) and an uncredited Kathleen Turner and Amy Irving as Jessica Rabbit's speaking and singing voices, respectively, contribute to maintaining that illusion. Additionally, something that would never happen today, characters from Disney, Warner Bros., Fleischer, and MGM are all featured, some even interacting with each other, notably Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. Its tone, while appropriately amusing as a film in which cartoon characters live amongst us, is also a throwback to the film noir genre of the 1940s. While the movie has a lot of noteworthy and funny exchanges and catchphrases among the characters, my favorite quote is actually a serious one, and by Roger at that, "A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it's the only weapon we have."

Dazed and Confused

With just the basics, one might dismiss Dazed and Confused as just another stoner comedy. So much more, Richard Linklater's semi-autobiographical film about the last day of school in 1976 and the night that follows actually plays out in structure a lot like George Lucas' also semi-autobiographical American Graffiti, set in the early 1960s. Following multiple intertwining plot threads in a mere 1 hour 43 minutes, it is a comedy overlaid with serious themes like bullying and hazing, freewill versus authority, and peer pressure. Its levity does not displace these more difficult realities of teen life, ones that have only become more difficult. What makes Dazed and Confused so repeatable? Despite these heavier themes, it never loses its identity as a comedy, making them more accessible. The themes are also universally relatable. While much of the principal cast is best known for this film, it also includes early roles for Joey Lauren Adams, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and Matthew McConaughey, many gaining attention from it. The film is more about the journey than the destination, making an easy watch. Along for the ride is a soundtrack of great '70s songs that serves much the same purpose of time setting like the one for Forrest Gump. As another film centered around dialog, it's driven by interactions among the various characters rather than one-liners. But I would absolutely be remiss not to mention David Wooderson's (McConaughey), "Alright, alright, alright." In addition, I have always thought Slater being mocked for, "Check ya later," is a more subtle funny, and it's a perfect example how the film exists in a sphere of mostly relatable humor. Fun fact: The snippet of the song that Michelle Burroughs (Jovovich) plays during the party scene is one she actually wrote and released the following year, "The Alien Song (For Those Who Listen)". As a side project, she has had an indie-level music career.

The Fifth Element

Admittedly, The Fifth Element pushes the envelope for this purpose with its length of 2 hours 6 minutes. Since I am surprised at this length, I am using the same measure for films that are much longer: If while watching I don't realize that much time has passed, it has more than justified its length. A few science-fiction films/franchises are much like what is commonly accepted as high fantasy, Star Wars being the most prevalent. But most of the sci-fi media I have consumed is "low", which I would consider strictly taking place on Earth, whether contemporary or futuristic. Like a lot of the genre, this film actually blurs the line with a mix of a 23rd-century Earth setting and otherworldly locations. It is a fairly basic plot of good versus evil, and predictable that good wins in the end. What makes The Fifth Element so repeatable? In defense of that basic and predictable plot, there are truly no original ideas left. So, all that remains for creativity is how those tried-and-true narratives are utilized. In addition, this is a comfortable and satisfying one, since ultimately, we are ingrained to want to see good win. I am already "in" to a certain point with the Ancient Egypt foundation and blending it with extraterrestrial influence is done with balance. Four of the principal cast, Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, Gary Oldman as Zorg, Milla Jovovich as Leeloo (her breakout role as opposed to Dazed and Confused), and Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod, nearly sell the whole thing on their own. Each are noteworthy, but Oldman is the chameleon he always is, and Tucker is perfect for the outlandish character he portrays. As a film that relies on visuals, action, and you guessed it, character exchanges as opposed to single lines, it is still worth noting the scene where Leeloo, as yet unfamiliar with the English language and heavily accented, begins a humorous exchange with, "Leeloo Dallas, mult-ti pass," while she and Korben are traveling inconspicuously. (It is best seen in context.)

Office Space

When it comes to this film, I am honestly not 100% sure where realism ends and satire begins. I am, of course, being facetious, but only to illustrate how well it nails corporations' way of thinking and modus operandi. More amazing is how well it does this in a brief 1 hour 29 minutes while managing to tell an engaging story over that backdrop. It manages to mock casual dining chains along the way, as well. What makes Office Space so repeatable? For anyone who has ever worked for a corporation or any employer with that mindset, it is extremely relatable. I have been told by workers in the information technology industry, that it is even more so for them. The fact that it was released in 1999 and still remains just as relevant is an extra layer of relatability. Its cast is excellent, though most of the principal cast is best known for this film. Notable exceptions are Jennifer Aniston and Gary Cole. Some of those in more supportive roles are perhaps better known overall simply from their volumes of work including Diedrich Bader and Stephen Root, and both are excellent here as Lawrence and Milton, respectively. This film has several quotable lines, but I do try to keep my content PG, or at least a low-level PG-13, but I have a couple of them. As with most jokes in film, context provides the setup. The character Michael Bolton (David Herman) in discussion of the singer of the same name becoming popular answers why he just does not go by Mike, "No way! Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." In a darker humor moment, Joanna (Aniston) serves at the fictional restaurant Chotchkie's, and they have buttons with slogans or in the shape of product referred to as flair. Main character Peter (Ron Livingston), attempting to make an argument for his and his co-workers' scheme, says, "You know, the Nazis had pieces of flair that they made the Jews wear." Joanna appropriately responds with a short, "What?"

Megamind

There is something about animated films that lean them towards being rewatchable. Usually, they are an easy watch and easy to consume with their typically shorter runtimes. Megamind certainly is a good example at 1 hour 36 minutes. It was in a long string of successful DreamWorks productions and preceded by the entire Shrek tetralogy, the first two Madagascar films, the first Kung Fu Panda, and the first How to Train Your Dragon. Perhaps not a popular opinion, but as far as films released in 2010 where the villain turns good, Megamind is the far superior one. This is in spite of, or perhaps because of, the fact that to date, this film has remained the single release plus epilogue short (I refuse to acknowledge whatever that is on Peacock), while the latter has turned into a joke in itself. What makes Megamind so repeatable? If you have followed along through many posts, you know my feelings towards superhero films. If not abundantly clear to this point, I also enjoy parody, regardless of my feelings towards the target subject. That is this film, borrowing much from the mythos of Superman, while simultaneously unironically answering the question, "What if the villain didn't want to be the villain anymore?" As a film, it never takes itself too seriously but is far from slack on performances. Led by Will Ferrell in the title role, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, and David Cross voice his potential love interest, eventual archnemesis, and sidekick/best friend, respectively, contributing to the film's high quality in comedy and overall. This film is very quotable, and again difficult to narrow down. After listening to an argument, a humorous exchange on its own, between Megamind and then nemesis Metroman (Brad Pitt), Roxanne (Fey), says, "Girls, girls, you're both pretty! Can I go home now?" Tighten/Titan (Hill) in attempting to express disillusionment says, "There is no Easter Bunny! There is no Tooth Fairy! There is no Queen of England!" A running gag is that Megamind often pronounces things wrong. After being corrected in one instance, he says, "Oh, potato, tomato, potato, tomato," all with the long "a".

The LEGO Batman Movie

Spun off the successful The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie is the exact expectation of a film branded as such and featuring the character. It is unquestionably my favorite of the LEGO continuity. All four films of the series are in the upper range of the "on repeat" sweet spot with LEGO Batman at 1 hour 44 minutes. If you've read my recent post, SEVENSES: Batman, it contains a fair assessment. If you have not or do not wish to take the time, essentially and the most relevant at this point for this purpose, it mixes humor with much more mature themes, keeping them accessible as a family movie. What makes The LEGO Batman Movie so repeatable? While not all Batman films are created equal, a long-time love for all things Batman does the heavy lifting. Clearly, the filmmakers have a similar affection, and it shows with lighthearted parody of moments over nearly the whole history of the character in film and television. It tells an original story, and had it been the plot of a more serious film, it would flourish just as well. This means the spoofing is not the entire basis. Not to repeat SEVENSES: Batman, but Will Arnett finds the balance of lampoon and earnest portrayal of Batman, common in most everything in this film. Other standout cast is Michael Cera (Robin), Rosario Dawson (Barbara Gordon), Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), and Zach Galifianakis (Joker). There are a few quotes that capture some of the humor well. After listing a large number of actual Batman villains, some very obscure, and being questioned of their authenticity, Joker says, "Nope, they're all real. Probably worth a google." Alfred and Batman are discussing the latter's greatest fear. After Batman guesses snakes, clowns, and snake clowns and Alfred tells Bruce it's being part of a family again, he counters with, "No, now it's snake clowns, because you put that idea in my head." Lastly, Batman's computer password is, "Iron Man sucks."

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Full confession: The first time I saw the trailer for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I thought it was fake. This is absolutely zero disparagement; it was simply that it was just after the MCU film Homecoming, and I just could not fathom a film outside that continuity. But I am very glad it is indeed real, as this is hands-down my favorite Spider-Man film, something I cannot foresee ever changing. At 1 hour 57 minutes, this is the other film here that pushes the time envelope. As a more or less family film and in spite of its general lightness, it contains heavier moments that deal with loss, disappointment, and overcoming challenges that make it more in the middle in tone. What makes Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse so repeatable? There is something both comforting and exciting in intermingling the very familiar with less so. That is perhaps the hook with Spider-Verse, with multiple Spider-People. Between Miles Morales, a middle-aged Peter B. Parker, Spider-Gwen, Peni and Sp//dr, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Ham, there is much variety with the basic premise of the hero. A lot of its humor revolves around the relatable awkwardness of the teenage Miles, the fish out of water Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Ham just being himself. Additionally, it does not shy away from calling out one of the more absurd moments in Spider-Man 3 but pays homage to other Sam Raimi trilogy moments more reverently. It maintains an even tone, one in which nothing is out of place due in no small part to its ensemble voice cast including Shameik Moore as Morales, Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker, Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen, Mahershala Ali as Miles' Uncle Aaron, and Nicolas Cage, a surprising (or maybe not so much) perfect fit for Spider-Man Noir. There are notable lines that are reflective of both its fun and serious. But my absolute favorite is from Stan Lee's primary cameo as the store owner where Miles buys his first costume. With a seemingly knowing smile, Stan tells him, "It always fits. Eventually."

This list is not conclusive. It happens to be the first seven I thought of, plus one I wanted to kick myself for not thinking of initially. I remembered others after the fact, but only one that ranked the threat of self-abuse. For the topic, instinct seemed best to trust. Since a quality of being repeatable is being standalone, I would like to offer a "defense" for the few that are technically not. With Megamind, I already explained my lack of consideration for its recent continuation. The LEGO Batman Movie requires zero context from The LEGO Movie. It's only a spinoff on a technicality. Finally, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse does have a sequel, Across the Spider-Verse. But it is only part one of the full sequel, as it was originally titled. The final chapter, renamed Beyond the Spider-Verse, may actually release on its current planned date in 2027. We'll see. But until then, this one is on repeat.

Next week...Favorite Movies Not on Repeat!