These are a few of my favorite things...

Labyrinth

I remember first watching Labyrinth when I was home sick with a near-deathly case of pneumonia (seriously, if my doctor hadn't intervened sooner, I could have died.). I was delirious with fever and pain meds, laid up on the couch. My mom had put on the TV to keep me from accidentally dying of boredom, the station being the Hub network, and Labyrinth happened to come on. In that feverish, delirious state, I gazed in awe at the tv only to eventually have my first sexual awakening: David Bowie. He was definitely my first real crush (or was it Tom Hiddleston? I can't remember which). Was it the scandalously tight leather pants, the riding boots, the gloves, or perhaps the hair? Whatever witchcraft he cast on me, he became one in a long roster of dearly cherished fictional, morally ambiguous rogues. More than that, I just love the movie in general for all of the fantastical costumes and set designs. They truly don't make movies like this anymore.

Barbie as Rapunzel

This is one of my favorite Barbie movies ever. There's just something so charming and beautiful about the paintings featured in it, as well as the pastel colors and the music. Also, one of my favorite scenes is when Rapunzel paints each of the dresses she wants to try on for the masked ball. I wanted them so badly! I also this movie has the most calming music out of any of the classic Barbie movies.

Spirited Away

I got a late start to Ghibli movies. Maybe in late middle school...early high school? But for some reason this one is just super comforting to me. The music, the setting...it just feels like a warm bath.

Matilda

I remember as a kid going over to my neighbor's house, whose son used to babysit me, and down in the basement she had this amazing closet full of VHS tapes, all neatly organized on shelves and spinners. When she invited me and my mom over, she would let me borrow any VHS I wanted. It was such a fond memory. One of the tapes I used to borrow pretty regularly was Matilda. As a precocious little girl with an old soul, Matilda really did feel like a friend to me. Even doubly so as someone who loves to learn and loves to read. I also really love the scene in the restaurant when the fruit tart falls perfectly in front of Matilda, with the fork perfectly sticking the landing into it. I wanted that fruit tart sooooo bad....and the forbidden chocolates, too.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

This one is a sweet memory for me. I would watch it all the time at my grandmother's house. She introduced me to so many amazing older movies, and I'm so glad she did. She taught me how to appreciate older things, and as someone who primarily hung around senior citizens as a kid, I think this, in part, is how I became an old soul in the first place.

Sucker Punch

I know, I know.....this one is a divisive pick. But I love it, regardless. It's one of those movies where you love the concept, but wish it had a slightly better execution. I love Babydoll's character and her journey, and the fact that despite its psychosexual themes, at the heart of it, it's about women trying to survive while held captive under the male gaze. Asylum settings have always interested me, and I kind of wish that there were more scenes that explored the reality of mental institutions at the time. Even so, this movie is still very dear to me.

Pan's Labyrinth

Another Labyrinth-themed movie! This movie started my love for dark fantasy and fantasy horror. Guillermo Del Toro does it like no other! In my opinion at the end....Ophelia definitely becomes a princess in her next life. It's the only thing I'll accept.

The Shape of Water

What a beautiful movie. Honestly, it hits me right in my feelings every time I watch it. I really relate to Elisa and how she feels different and...set apart. It gives me hope that there really is a person that is the other half of one's soul, someone that truly sees them and loves them for all their imperfections

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

There's so many fun songs and bright colors in this movie, I just can't help but love it. And just like a lot of my favorite movies, there's always some tasty morsel I've always wanted to try. Well, a couple. 1) The "Drink me" potion. I guess something about cherry tart-pineapple-custard-roast turkey flavor just hits. 2) The "Eat me" cakes, naturally. 3) The growing mushroom. 4) The jam from the mad tea party. I could plan a whole tea party with all the stuff from that movie that I want to try!

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

I honestly just love Alice in Wonderland in general, and let me tell you....I was OBSESSED with this movie when it came out. I watched it in theaters several times, read the original Lewis Carroll books on repeat, and begged and pleaded with my dad to buy me the movie novelisation that I found at the book store, and then I read THAT on repeat. It was my comfort book/movie. The costumes were amazing, wonderland was strange and colorful, and Mia Wasikowsa absolutely nailed it as Alice. 10/10 one of my most cherished movies of all time.