Top Ten Magical Realism Movies

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Today’s category: Magical Realism. The genre where the world is normal… mostly. The magic isn’t about saving the world or defeating a dark lord. It’s about everyday life, memory, love, grief, and the strange, beautiful ways we cope with being human.

Magical realism has always drawn me in, as I would assume most people, but it is our day dreams. Our what ifs. It’s not as crazy an exploring another planet or as mundane as *shudder* real life. It’s more.

As always, these are not ranked.

Prepare for wonder.

  1. Big Fish
  2. Pan’s Labyrinth
  3. Midnight in Paris
  4. Ruby Sparks
  5. Spirited Away
  6. Life of Pi
  7. Big
  8. The Green Mile
  9. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
  10. Pleasantville

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Big Fish

This might be the perfect magical realism movie. It’s about storytelling, memory, and the complicated relationships between parents and children. The ending makes me cry every time. Every. Time. And that was even before I had kids. One of my all time favorite movies ever.

Pan’s Labyrinth

This was the other movie where I was on the edge of my seat in the theater. I said magical realism is about the what if, but that what if doesn’t always start in a good place. The idea of a world designed as a coping mechanism is bother awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. And those eyes will always be creepy.

Midnight in Paris

I went into this thinking it’d be a generic Owen Wilson comedy. I was happily wrong. This movie captures the romanticism of nostalgia perfectly. The idea that every generation believes the past was better is true and false at the same time.

Ruby Sparks

This one is clever and unsettling. It starts as a quirky romance and slowly becomes something much darker. It’s about control, creativity, and the ethics of storytelling. And who doesn’t want their stories to come to life?

Spirited Away

This put Miyazaki on the mainstream map in the United States. I was already a fan of Totoro and Castle in the Sky and many others, but the story telling and messaging in this were so profoundly different and applicable that the gravity of this movie makes it hit a bit harder than its predecessors.

Life of Pi

Another one that fits multiple genres and is on multiple lists. It’s philosophical, emotional, and visually stunning. It asks big questions about faith, truth, and the stories we choose to believe. Could there really be a tiger on a row boat? Could there journey really happen. Like Pan’s Labyrinth, there’s a lot for interpretation here.

Big

Simple, heartfelt, and timeless. What kid hasn’t wished to be older, to be a grownup. It takes all the wonder and misconceptions of youth and frames it in a completely entertaining and relatable way. Also… dancing chopsticks. Enough said.

The Green Mile

I often have arguments with people who say Stephen King only writes horror. This is possibly the best adaptation of his works, and it’s because of how real it is. How real it could be. It’s a story about people, not of events, and there’s not single big bad guy. It’s just people being people, and trying learning how to be their best selves.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

This one blends magical realism with video game logic and music and Canada. It’s energetic, weird, and full of visual creativity. It captures that chaotic stage of young adulthood and managed to cast 97.4% of the best actors in it. The nerd in me who looks back at this nerdy movie is tickled by the fact that Superman, Punisher, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Johnny Storm, Death, and The Huntress are all in it.

Pleasantville

I talked about this one the other day. This manages to be dystopic and magical realism at the same time. The shift from black-and-white to color is one of the most powerful visual metaphors in film. It’s about growth, change, and breaking free from expectations.

What magical realism movies would you add? Which ones did I miss? Let me know.

Top Ten Dystopian Movies

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Today’s category: Dystopia. Or, as it seems more and more evident, looking out the front window. It’s the genre where we take one bad idea, turn the dial up to eleven, and then ask, “What if this is actually where we’re headed?”

Dystopian stories have always fascinated me because they’re really about the present, not the future. They exaggerate our fears, our systems, and our blind spots. They ask what happens when technology, power, or apathy go unchecked. They’re warnings, but they’re also hopeful in a strange way, because they usually center on people who refuse to give up.

Also, this genre has some of the coolest world-building in all of film. Weird cities, broken societies, strange rules, and protagonists who definitely should have stayed home but didn’t.

As always, these are not ranked.

Welcome to the end of the world.

  1. Children of Men
  2. The Matrix
  3. Equilibrium
  4. Gattaca
  5. The Fifth Element
  6. Snowpiercer
  7. I Am Legend
  8. Idiocracy
  9. Dark City
  10. Pleasantville

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

Children of Men

One of the most immersive and emotionally powerful dystopian films ever made, and one of the two movies where I was literally on the edge of my seat at the theater. Our “Meet Me” signs at school have a spot for favorite movie, and this is what I put down. The world feels real and terrifyingly plausible. The long takes, the tension, and the sense of fragile hope make this unforgettable. And the casting… dang. Put Clive Owen on the map.

The Matrix

Yes, it’s also on my action and sci-fi lists. It belongs here too. At its core, this is a dystopian story about control, illusion, and freedom. But that’s what an effective dystopia story is. Good and bad.

Equilibrium

This movie is wildly underrated. The premise—eliminating emotion to prevent war—is both fascinating and chilling. And that office scene towards the end. Awesome.

Gattaca

Quiet, thoughtful, and deeply human. It’s a dystopia built on discrimination and the illusion of perfection. Given some of the more recent advances in science, this one is coming closer and closer to reality. I’m not sure if I saw this or Dead Poets Society first, but it was this that cemented Ethan Hawke in my head.

The Fifth Element

Bright, strange, and visually unforgettable. This movie balances dystopian elements with humor and adventure. And it has Gary Oldman. Anything with Gary Oldman is amazing. Because it’s Gary Freaking Oldman.

Snowpiercer

I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one. All I knew was Captain America was on a weird train. Hold crap did it get weird and intense and it brought our world into the world of this train in such a profound and effective way… I can’t even explain how impressed I was with it.

I Am Legend

Fred. Oh, Fred. I think of this movie like how I’d think of a prisoner in solitary confinement. The emotional toll, the fortitude to persevere, and terror of it all. Then you throw in “zombies” and a pet dog and you’ve got yourself a recipe for intensity. This is my first recollection of an emotional, well-acting Will Smith. It lingers.

Idiocracy

I’ve been referencing this movie a lot recently, for obvious reasons. From the Crocs to Starbucks to President Camacho, this not only satirizes our country, but does a heck of a good job in predicting future trends. There will always be conversations about how well a movie as aged. I think this one will always age well.

Dark City

I feel like this is as Rufus Sewell as Rufus Sewell. Like Pimp My Ride but with Rufus. I saw this as a teenager and some of the concepts were so new that it blew my mind. Like the first time you read the Chronicles of Amber. This is a great entry point into dystopia.

Pleasantville

This might be the most hopeful dystopia on the list. It’s about growth, change, and challenging rigid systems. The visual metaphor of color works extremely well and makes the experience feel somehow more real. Like reading The Giver. And the ensemble cast was amazing. Everyone.

What dystopian movies would you add? Which ones did I miss? And which ones feel a little too close to reality these days? Let me know.

Top Ten Baseball Movies

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Today’s category: Baseball. The greatest sport ever invented. Yes, I said it. Other sports are fun. Cute, even. Baseball is storytelling.

Baseball movies hit differently because the game is like a movie. It’s slow and patient and full of moments. It’s a sport where tension builds quietly, where failure is expected, and where redemption is always possible. It’s also the sport most tied to memory. Fathers and sons. Summers and childhood. The smell of grass and popcorn. The feeling that for just a few hours, everything makes sense. It’s America’s Pastime for crying out loud.

Also, if you’ve ever talked to me for more than five minutes, you know this list was inevitable. There’s reason a rotation of Mariners jerseys hang from my classroom wall.

As always, these are not ranked. Like players, each is good for different reasons.

Play ball.

  1. The Sandlot
  2. *61
  3. A League of Their Own
  4. Field of Dreams
  5. Rookie of the Year
  6. Moneyball
  7. Trouble with the Curve
  8. The Bad News Bears (original)
  9. Major League
  10. Fever Pitch

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

The Sandlot

If you grew up loving baseball, this movie is basically required viewing. It’s childhood, friendship, and summer wrapped in nostalgia. I watched it with my son a month or so ago and he had an unsurprising interest in playing baseball afterward.

*61

This is a baseball nerd movie in the best way. The focus on pressure, media, and the human side of chasing history makes it stand out. Roger Maris’ story deserves way more attention than it gets. As with most of these movies, it’s not really about baseball. It is, and it isn’t. Also, the casting was perfect.

A League of Their Own

Funny, emotional, and historically important. The characters, the performances, and the message all work. “There’s no crying in baseball” has become part of the cultural fabric, and I can still sing the words to “The All American Girls”. Though of all the moment in this movie, the one I reference the most is how long Tom Hanks peed for.

Field of Dreams

This movie is less about baseball and more about regret, forgiveness, and second chances. It’s magical realism disguised as a sports movie, and it gets me every time. This movie is so iconic that MLB now plays one game a year at the Field of Dream field. When it’s eventually the Mariners’ turn I’ll probably have to make the drive down there.

Rookie of the Year

Pure childhood wish fulfillment. What kid hasn’t dreamed of getting called up to the majors? “Funky Butt Lovin’” was a go to exclamation in my house growing up. Plus, I’m still tickled that the mom in this movie is the mom of pro MLB player Pete Crow Armstrong.

Moneyball

Statistics, underdogs, and innovation. As someone who loves math and storytelling, this movie is right in my wheelhouse. I was fairly Brad Pitt’d out when this movie release, and he made me a believer again. I don’t know how many times I watch a game and wish the GM would watch Moneyball one more time.

Trouble with the Curve

This one is quieter and more character-driven. It’s about relationships, aging, and how the game connects generations. I said it earlier, it’s a baseball movie that isn’t really about baseball. And it’s one of the few Clint Eastwood movies I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

The Bad News Bears (original)

Everyone loves an underdog. This is about as underdog as you can get. The ridiculousness of all the characters, paired with the heart, made this an instant classic. Then they ruined it with Billy Bob. Sigh.

Major League

Comedy is one of my favorite genres. So comedy plus baseball? Yes, please. There are very few Charlie Sheen roles that I enjoy, but this is at the top (or at least tied with Hot Shots). It’ll leave you smiling after every watch.

Fever Pitch

Yes, it’s also on my romance list. I’ve got a bunch that are in several lists. But it belongs here too. It’s about love in all its forms—romantic love, family, and the kind of obsessive sports fandom that makes you both insufferable and loyal. And now that I’m teaching, his relationship with the students hits home even more.

What baseball movies would you add? Which ones did I leave off? There are a few that very good arguments could be made for (Bull Durham, Pride of the Yankees, The Natural, 42, etc.). And which ones make you want to go play catch immediately afterward? Let me know. This is a category where it’s hard to have a wrong answer.

Top Ten Musicals

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It’s been a while since I posted one of these. Summer got the best of me and I forgot. My bad. Today’s category though… Musicals. The genre where people express their deepest emotions through song, and everyone else around them just goes with it. No one questions why the entire room suddenly knows the choreography. Expect Patrick Dempsey.

I grew up on musicals. School productions, soundtracks on repeat, memorizing lyrics, and normalizing the idea of feline criminal masterminds and scarred secret admirers. Musicals are comfort. They’re joy. They’re heartbreak. They’re also one of the purest forms of storytelling because when words aren’t enough, you sing. And sometimes tap dance.

As always, these are not ranked.

Places, everyone.

  1. The Producers (Broderick and Lane)
  2. The Greatest Showman
  3. Spirited
  4. Rent
  5. Wicked Part 1
  6. Tick, Tick… Boom!
  7. Moulin Rouge
  8. La La Land
  9. Singin’ in the Rain
  10. Pitch Perfect

Here are some brief bits of rationale:

The Producers (Broderick and Lane)

This is pure chaos in the best way. Mel Brooks humor meets Broadway spectacle. Nathan Lane is a force of nature, and the energy never drops. This was one of the first musicals that made me realize how funny and outrageous the genre could be. Also, that to MapTap, I only now realized that Bialystock was named after a Polish town.

The Greatest Showman

I know it’s historically… flexible. I don’t care. I initially balked at the obvious music overlay, but after listening to the soundtrack a few times I was hooked. The music is incredible, the performances are electric, and it’s endlessly rewatchable. Also, “From Now On” is a top-tier musical number. I wreck my throat to it often in the car.

Spirited

This one surprised me. Funny, heartfelt, and genuinely clever. Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell work incredibly well together, and the songs are better really hit. That part shouldn’t have been surprising, since they’re the same people behind Greatest Showman and La La Land. I know it’s a Christmas movie, but I’ll both listen to and watch it anytime in the year.

Rent

This musical shaped a generation, and even though I only discovered it in college, it feels formative. The themes of love, loss, and community are timeless. My only real criticism is “Over the Moon”. If that’s even what it’s called. I deleted it from my playlist. :)

Wicked Part 1

I’ve been hooked on Wicked since it first came out on Broadway. I was a freshman in college and we read the book in class and (unfortunately only) listened to the soundtrack. Every song is unique and purposeful, and the movie (Part 1, definitely not Part 2) capture so much of that magic.

Tick, Tick… Boom!

I was interested in this as a fan of RENT, and was incredibly surprised by the joy and the anguish and in Andrew Garfield. I already liked him, but I was not expecting this. Fantastic. And Vanessa Hudgens makes everything better.

Moulin Rouge

Yes, it’s also on my romance list. It belongs here too. I still remember how awkward I felt when I watched Satine “seduce” Christian. If I’m being honest, it still makes me feel awkward. But “Elephant Love Medley“ and “Tango de Roxanne” will always be essential musical singalongs for me.

La La Land

Like Greatest Showman, I didn’t like this one at first. I like happy endings. But it grew and grew on me and now I use the opening number to entertain the kids (and hope they don’t try to jump on our cars). I now have a bucket list item of playing/singing ”City of Stars” with someone as a duet.

Singin’ in the Rain

The gold standard. Classic. Timeless, joyful, and technically brilliant. The choreography, the humor, the energy, and of course… you gotta make ‘em laugh.

Pitch Perfect

Pure fun. Anna Kendrick was/is adorable, and the rest of the cast brought the whole thing together. The irreverent humor mixed with great singing, not to mention a love story (which always hooks me), make this a perfect musical, especially with the aim of bringing in non-musical watchers.

What musicals would you add? Which ones did I leave off that you think are essential? Let me know. I didn’t have such a hard time narrowing this down, so I’m curious to see if there are others people like more.

End of Summer Update

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The end of summer is here, and for me that means back to school and the chaos that entails. My plan during the summer had been to get a lot of writing done. I guess there’s a reason a million best laid plans idioms exist.

Positives:

  • Last school year I wrote a short middle grade STEM focused novel and pitched it early this summer. I got a full manuscript request and am now in the waiting patiently phase.
  • I’ve fully plotted out a different middle grade math focused novel and everyone I’ve talked about it with has been super receptive and excited.
  • I’ve starting editing Grounded (tentative title), a novel I wrote three years ago.

Negatives:

  • My goal had been to finish A Pair of Jacks, the fantasy/mystery novel that began as my MFA thesis. That didn’t happen. I did get past a major hump, but still have 25% or so left.
  • I can’t write music. More on that later.
Crazy hair day at summer school. I didn’t have any hair, so one of the kids brought me a wig.

Normally summer breaks for teachers are relaxing, but between summer school and a nearly two week family reunion, I had a surprisingly limited amount of time. Nevertheless, I still wanted to get stuff done. Then I got Final Fantasy VII Remake. Yeah… I remember Jimmy Carr saying he didn’t like video games because they were too good. They were so good they sucked all your time. So, so true.

Even with that reduced time, I still manage to get some stuff done. I mapped out that middle grade book. I’m doing editing on the other novel. And… I tried to write some songs.

What I learned was that while writing words is relatively straightforward for me, writing music isn’t. I’ve played piano, cello, and clarinet, but being able to play is not the same thing as being able to create. So, and I recognize this will probably garner some hate, I tried out an AI music generator.

First note: I did not do this with the goal of making money or capitalizing on it. I was more curious as to how my words would sound. Some of them turned out not so great. Some of them were very fun. My kid has completely memorized a few of them, and for a few weeks I kept waking up with the song in my head.

But school has officially started, so I’ll have reduced time and mental capacity with which to work. My new goal is to get the novel edited in the next couple of months, and maybe work on the middle grade novel if there’s time.

Between kids (mine and my students), home life, and just life in general, it’s hard to get writing done. Fingers crossed I’ll make good progress, and fingers crossed I’ll hear some good news for the manuscript currently in review.