One of my absolute favorite activities is quoting movies. I particularly enjoy quoting them in the presence of my brother, who fully understands and appreciates each distinctive reference. Since we were children, we have been perfecting the art of movie quotes. Our favorite movies to quote range from obvious choices such as The Princess Bride or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to more obscure gems like Adventures in Babysitting and Field of Dreams. (No, not the “Is This Heaven? No, it’s Iowa.” cliche. We aim higher.)
My favorite movie of all time, however, is Home for The Holidays, a brilliant film directed by Jodie Foster, starring Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr.
One of the reasons I love it is the stellar cast that also includes Dylan McDermott and the late, great geniuses Anne Bancroft and Charles Durning. But more importantly, Home for the Holidays is sprinkled with impeccable dialogue and commentary on family relationships and dysfunction.
It is chock-full of quotable quotes, and thus combines two of my favorite hobbies: quoting movies and analyzing family dynamics. (Sidenote: I’m quite certain these two hobbies make me insufferable to live with at times.) Another reason my brother and I were so drawn to this movie during our formative adolescent years is because we so clearly identified with the sibling relationship between Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr. We saw each ourselves in the characters, but more significantly, we saw the depth, devotion, and complexity of our own relationship in that of Claudia and Tommy.
Obscure movie quotes: fun for…almost nobody.
We loved contributing our own commentary and analysis of the other characters- the uptight other sister, the obnoxious, attention-seeking niece, the endearing and politically-incorrect father, the batty old aunt, and of course the incomparable matriarch played by Anne Bancroft. We thought we were so clever and insightful. Years later, I am convinced that we were, and still are, as clever and insightful as we presumed ourselves to be.
My favorite movies are ones I identify with, that shed light on topics and relationships that make me squirm with recognition, and that provide ample opportunity for self-reflection and analysis of my own relationships. I am also quite obsessed with memorializing family moments, and Home for the Holidays is a brilliant snapshot of a typical dysfunctional Thanksgiving Dinner.
In my own life, I often become preoccupied with capturing slices of our life; I love taking photographs and displaying them prominently, recording ordinary moments on video, and blogging about my family. On that note, I’m going to share my personal favorite home movie.
My oldest daughter was three years old at the time, and she had memorized a few of her favorite books and liked to “read” them to us during her pretend “library time.” On this occasion, something funny had just happened- I believe a book had fallen off the shelf onto someone’s head- and I was reliving it in my mind while she read. I got the giggles- and she was rather offended by my lack of decorum and respect for “library time.”
This may seem like a strange favorite home movie; certainly we’re not doing anything extraordinary or impressive, not to mention the fact that I kind of look like crap, but it is a beautiful memory in my mind, and a realistic snapshot of life with a preschooler.
Those moments where you somehow  manage to perfectly capture a real moment in a family’s life, be it messy, frustrating, or breathtaking, are my favorite movies. On the big screen, or in our living room. I love being able to catch the richness, complexity, and mesmerizing layers of family life. The difficult relationships, the imperfections, the chaos, and the love.
Welcome Back to Finish the Sentence Friday!
Your hosts:
Me from Mommy, for Real
Janine from Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Kate from Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine?
Dawn from Dawn’s Disaster
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Next week’s sentence is: “I hit a turning point in my life when I…”
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You had me cracking up with your video and seriously love it!! And I am so with you on liking to be able to relate to the movies I watch, but I am so a sucker for a good comedy, too. I said it on my blog, but I just need to laugh. So thank you for that tonight!! 🙂
I totally love how this captures one of those moments you might otherwise forget, yet it’s sooo precious. Everything from the “It’s library time!” to “I’m done.” What’s more beautiful than something real?
Thanks for sharing one of your precious memories! I loved it!
I can’t believe I’ve never seen that movie! What a brilliant cast and the way you described it makes me really want to get out there and rent it and get a big bucket of popcorn and some chocolates, and just park off. Thanks for sharing…I’ll keep a lookout for it. 🙂
I totally had one of those “inappropriate laughing during story time” moments the other day! Both my husband and my son just shook their head at me. I love how you tied your favorite movie into your life
Ah, “It’s Library Time” so precious. I think this is so funny. Great laugh this morning. I got the giggles too. 🙂 By the way, I am a former school librarian so I love to see parents reading with their children. Just wonderful. Your little girl is probably the head of her class and very smart.
great video! it is the little moments that mean the most to us. My little guy gets upset too when I laugh, but he’s just too darn cute.
Field of Dreams is a great movie.
I feel so silly with my movie choice now, LOL
Oh, pshaw! Twilight is FABULOUS. 🙂 And yes, Field of Dreams is awesome.
I LOVE Home for the Holidays!!! RDJ and HH together are the best. Most people look at you blankly when you reference that film!!! I referenced the sister who goes down to her laundry room to exercise her anger away just the other day!!
AW! That video is SO CUTE. I love the way she tries to get you to stop laughing. So very toddler-esque. –Lisa
I am so NOT shocked that you love it. Pretty much only awesome people love Home for the Holidays. (Not that anyone here is NOT awesome for having not seen it. Or whatever.)
I know- most people have never heard of it, let alone would recognize an obscure quote. My brother and I frequently do, “Sad-sack Terziak!” (sp?) and laugh.
Hi, lovely post! I’m sorry to say I’ve never seen the movie, I don’t do movies much, but the video was fantastic! Lovely! See you soon!
That video is priceless! And definitely should come out at her wedding rehearsal dinner 🙂
Ha! Good call…
Alright, now I really want to watch home for the holidays. Now. Yeah it’s not Christmas, but we’re headed back home next month so maybe it will make me more prepared!
You should! I loved your choices, by the way…
Yes! Any of the National Lampoon movies are so great! And the Princess Bride is a staple in this house. My husband’s favorite movie. “Never mess with a Cicilian when DEATH is on the line!” and “InconCEIvable!” My husband gave me a talking card that said that. Still have it and I listen to it whenever I need a good laugh!
NO way! I want a talking card with that movie quote! I’d pay top dollar… Princess Bride is brilliant for movie quotes! The wedding scene is a classic too… and, “ANybody want a peanut?” OK, I better stop now…
There is so much that I love about this post. First of all, some of my fondest childhood memories include uncontrolable laughter, often with my mom, and watching other people laugh like that not only makes me very happy and laugh with them but also feels me with nostalgic warmth. How Izzy responds to your laughter is hilarious and reminds me so much of something my son would do. As for your movie choice, I will have to watch this movie now. I don’t have a sibling but I’m sure it will be relatable in other ways. I am totally curious.
It’s funny that my post starts with a declaration on how I can’t or don’t quote a movie for the life of me and yours starts with the opposite. I finally found proof that we are not the same person. Oh, and there’s also your amazing capability of deconstructing and analyzing just about anything, be it a hobby or a seemingly random behaviour (I’m referring to your post about cursing) and find a deeper underlying current in it and make it make sense.
Lovely post!
Thanks for such a lovely comment, as usual! I loved, “Finally found proof that we are not the same person!” 🙂 Off to read yours now- can’t wait!
I love those everyday moments. 😀 My hubby and I quote movies to each other all the time, too! 🙂 He hates it when I quote one from a sci/fi cuz it’s not his favorite genre. But I’m evil like that. 😉
OK. Did your I hear your daughter say ‘”w is for weird”? LOL Thanks Stephanie for opening that little window into your world:)
You mention some great movies. A couple of them among my favorites.
My other half and I often use snippits from favorite movies. He enjoys “challenging” friends by using a line or part of a line conversationally to see if they pick up on it. A friend and young daughter were visiting years ago. We drove up to St. Augustine in our Chevy Astro Van. K & L were sitting in the back. D, being a gentleman, went around to open the side door. As he did so he said “help ya down?”. My friend immediately knew it was a reference to It’s a Wonderful Life.
Enjoyed your post!
I love people who quote movies! Especially when it’s a perfectly timed funny quote! I’ve never had that gift, but my hubby does and it always makes me laugh! Great blog post. My daughter also gets offended by my lack of seriousness. I can totally relate to that! I love FTSF and I love finding all these great new blogs!
I’m glad you love people who quote movies- I think many people find it very annoying when I do that! 😉 Can’t wait to read your post- glad you linked up!
You just can’t help the giggles, can you? And telling you to stop just makes it worse. My new favorite movie quote: “No, no, NO – you’re ruining all the story!”
🙂 Thanks Dana. I have a serious problem with the giggles. Actually, I don’ t think it’s a problem, because I kind of love it…unlike my daughter!
That is just such a cute video! Your daughter is so serious and earnest during her “library time.” I’m terrible about taking pictures or videos during ordinary family moments, but this is a great reminder that it doesn’t have to be a big occasion — a wedding or a birthday — for the moment to be memorable.
Yes! Earnest is definitely the right word! My husband is much better than I am at remembering to take videos. I want to take a lot of my youngest right now, during this sweet stage of language development…
I like how you related each of your fav movie with your life…quite impressive 🙂
Quotes always go a long way and am glad I am not alone 😉
Happy Friday!
Thanks Ruchira! I’m glad you liked it!
I love love love your library video. So adorable (and you didn’t look bad at all!). That you and your brother share random quotes at random times is uber cool too. My brother and I do that, too.
I do love our movie-quote thing. It’s something special that we share, even when we don’t always have time to get together, or are pulled in different directions. I think it’s the nostalgia element that makes me love movie quotes. And how did I not know you have a brother?
You’re right about this movie, but you are especially right about sharing movie quotes. My sister and I do that as well, although maybe not to the distinctly awesome level that you guys are. But I especially liked your preschooler video. One of our fave home videos is when our first born was about 8 or 9 months, and she got tangled up in her blanket and started wrestling it. Nothing special, but it is freaking hilarious.
lol
(damn! you have your ‘out takes’ film already done!)
” and the Finish The Sentence Friday ‘Originality-in-Postation’ Award goes to…
First of all, how awesome we both used family videos! OK what made you think of that story in the first place, you were so calm and then all of the sudden? I love how she covers your mouth, and daddy agrees your not being polite! Although I think I heard a snicker there at the end! And when the movie is over is that you totally letting it all out??
Awesomeness.
You absolutely captured “three.” We’re in that right now and I 100% related to that situation. Laughing when a three is trying to be serious is like the urge you get to laugh when the teacher is talking- just the fact that you know you can’t makes you want to do it more.
Seriously Mommy, everyone knows the library is for quiet … even if it is at home! 😉
Home for the Holidays is yet another movie I forgot about. That’s surprising since Robert Downey, Jr. is one of my favorite actors! Ironically, Sherlock Holmes just came on. Love that you and your brother share that fondness for movie quotes. I typically ruin movies for the rest of my family by noticing the continuity errors or knowing how it will end / guessing the killer, whatever the case may be, in the first few minutes. I had to stop doing that when my brother-in-law threatened to stop watching movies with me LOL. [#FTSF]
Love LOve LovE it!!!
OMG I was laughing along with you in that video — too too cute!! I can totally relate to getting the giggles and not being able to stop. And I love how your daughter kept trying to cover your mouth. I definitely see how that is one of your favorite home movies. 🙂
I’ve never seen Home For The Holidays. I may have to now!
It doesn’t seem strange at all that this is a favorite. It captures your life as you live it. And she is so stinking cute! And whatever, you look great!
“It’s library time, you can’t waff.” LOL, I was trying to hold my breath for you. That was too cute.
Side note: I am going to have to check out Home for the Holidays. I am not sure if I’ve ever seen it.
I love to quote movies too, mostly with husband and sister, for the same reason that you love to quote with your brother. I included one in my post from Quick Change. And I recognized “The Blessing” right away. We say that one a lot too.
Your video is so cute. It’s so fun to go back and look at the videos. I wish my family had had a video camera when I was younger. It would have been really cool to see me be a brat for realz rather than just in my memory.
Lol! Other than “O Captain, My Captain,” my favorite movie quote is “With Great Pwer Comes Great Responsibility”from spider man. Movies can teach us lots!
For the record…National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is a classic. You can quote that movie any time of the year.
I love that you wrote about this and how perfect moments don’t have to be perfect…raw…real…feeling the emotions…those are the best movies to watch.
My three year old and I enjoyed your movie even though she said, “No” repeatedly. 🙂
Can you believe i’ve never seen it? now I have to. That home video was so cute!
What a great thing to share with your brother. And I love that you also shared a home movie as your favorite. Really cute.
You don’t look like crap; you look adorable! And I want to play next Friday! Where do I get the prompt?
P.S. I’ve never seen Home for the Holidays, but now I must!
Yay! Next week’s sentence is, “I reached a turning point in my life when…” or something like that. I always have it in the last bullet point in the “Welcome Back to Finish the Sentence Friday” part at the end of my post. Also, I often use the sentence rather loosely, when I am having a hard time writing a post to fit the theme, so feel free to get creative and veer off topic! 😉