My Top 10 Movies to Watch this November

Hey everyone so I hope everyone had a great Halloween yesterday.  So I got such great feedback from my "Top 10 Movies to Watch this October" post, I decided that I would start doing a Top 10 list at the beginning of every month.  So unlike Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving isn't really shown in films very much; at least not in a major role.  There are movies that share small Thanksgiving scenes, but with the exception of very few films, that is about it.  So this list will be centered around Thanksgiving films, films that have Thanksgiving scenes in them, and those centered around food in general since that is what most people associate with Thanksgiving.  Well here we go......

10. The Hundred Foot Journey (2014)
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements, some violence, language and brief sensuality.
Ok so to start off the list, I chose Dreamwork Studio's The Hundred Foot Journey starring Helen Mirren.  Now this film has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but it does talk about great food.  Helen Mirren plays Madame Mallory, a high-end French restaurant owner who receives an unwelcomed surprise when the Kadam family moves in across the street from her restaurant and open their new Indian Restaurant.  Soon Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal), a talented Indian chef, challenges everything that Madame Mallory believes in about culinary arts. As the two begin to learn from one another and start accepting each other's cultures, they are able to create some breathtaking results.
So I thought this film was great.  It is near the bottom of my list, because it isn't really a Thanksgiving movie, but that doesn't mean it is any less valuable.  This film shows how food can bring together two completely different cultures.  It is a great film for the whole family to watch and I would definitely recommend it.  This film is still in theaters right now, so if you have a chance go see it!!!

9. Ratatouille (2007)
MPAA Rating: G
Once again not really a Thanksgiving movie, but by far one of the greatest food films out there.  Pixar did an amazing job with this film and is definitely one you should see.  The film focuses on Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a French chef, but faces the obvious setback when the profession that he dreams of having hates rats.  As luck would have it Remy finds himself in the French sewers directly below the restaurant founded by his culinary hero.  What ensues is a hilarious rat race that completely turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.
This film is amazing and is one of Pixar's greatest films to date.  Though this film isn't about Thanksgiving, it shows how anyone can be inspired by food.  This is a great film for kids and adults alike and might even interest kids in cooking themselves.

8. Chef (2014)
MPAA Rating: R for language, including some suggestive references.
This is my final food-centered movie on the list and this one is by far my favorite.  The movie follows Carl Casper, an acclaimed chef whose family life is decaying right before is eyes as he focuses solely on his career.  Eventually after a bad review, he finds himself out of work and at rock-bottom.  While on vacation in Miami he decides to buy a food truck and drive it across country.  While on the road he is able to remember why he decided to cook in the first place.  He is able to find passion again.   Finally he as his career begins to flourish, he is able to strengthen his relationship with his family as well.
I love this film.  It is by far one of my favorite movies that has come out in recent years.  The cast is spectacular and the films message is memorable.  If I could justify this being higher on this list, it would probably be number 1.  This is movie that you should definitely see.  This film provides delicious pictures of food and I definitely don't recommend to watch this film on an empty stomach.

7. Spiderman (2002)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for stylized violence and action.
Ok so the first film on the list that actually shows something that has to do with Thanksgiving is Columbia Picture's Spiderman directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco.  The film centers on the origins of our favorite web-slinging hero Spiderman.  It follows the story of Peter Parker, a high school student who is just trying to get through his school.  He is a smart kid and while on a class field trip he is bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider that makes Peter start inheriting the spider's attributes.  Soon after the death of his uncle, Peter decides to use these new attributes to good use and become the vigilante that his city needs him to be.
Now I know that this may seem like a weird fit in my Thanksgiving movie countdown, but the Thanksgiving scene is this film is vital to the film.  It is the first time that the Green Goblin notices that Peter Parker is Spiderman and really the short battle during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is priceless.  If you can't remember it, I definitely recommend that you watch it this month.

6. Jack and Jill (2011)
MPAA Rating: PG for crude material including suggestive references, language and comic violence.
So this one is another film that has a fantastic Thanksgiving meal scene.  The film stars Adam Sandler and Katie Holmes.  Adam Sandler plays both Jack and Jill, twins that over the years have grown apart.  Jack is a very successful business man who is married and has two wonderful kids.  His life is great until his twin sister Jill comes to town for the holidays.  Jill absolutely loves Jack, but her neediness and passive-aggressiveness annoys Jack.  When the entire family decides to go on vacation together, it is up to Jack to finally accept Jill for who she is or he may just lose his entire family altogether.
So I think this film is hilarious.  Watching Adam Sandler play both roles is great and it something of a work of art.  The Thanksgiving scene happens at the beginning of the film and it is hilarious.  Though this scene isn't vital to the film it does show how Thanksgiving can bring the family together and even the families that annoy each other can come together for the holidays.

5. The Blind Side (2009)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.
So next on my list is Alcon Entertainment's The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw.  The film is based on the true story of Baltimore Ravens Offensive Tackle Michael Oher.  The story follows Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy who decide to bring in and adopt Michael, a homeless teenager who has no idea who is father is and has little formal education and skills to help him learn.  The Tuohy's help him get up his grades and get him on the high school football team.  He eventually becomes eligible to the for a NCAA Division 1 scholarship.  Though from the outside looking in it seems like the Tuohy's have given Michael everything, Leigh Anne realizes that Michael has done more for them, than they could ever do for him.
This film is great and is one that everyone should watch.  Sandra Bullock won an Oscar for her performance here and it was well-deserved.  The Thanksgiving scene in this film is something that all of us can relate to.  We are watching the big football game on TV and then all of a sudden it is turned off (much to our dismay) so that we can have dinner as a family.  Also just like all of us, we continually check the scores so we don't miss a single play.  This film is very inspiring and I definitely recommend it to anyone.

4. Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994)
MPAA Rating: PG for action violence
The next film on my list is Walt Disney Pictures' Squanto: A Warrior's Tale.  It tales the story of Squanto, a Indian warrior, and his tribe before and during the arrival of the English settlers.  As Squanto prepares for these strange new people, he notices that his tribe is being held captive and eventually he becomes a captive.  Suddenly it is up to Squanto to fight for the freedom of his tribe and try to mend the rifts between these two completely different cultures.
Though this film isn't wildly known, I personally really enjoy it.  I remember watching during class while I was in school during this time of year.  It shows the first thanksgiving, but it also shows how two cultures can come together and be thankful for what each other has.  It really shows the true meaning of Thanksgiving and is definitely a film that you should watch this month.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994)
MPAA Rating: G
Ok so I know what your thinking, this is a Christmas movie and to tell you the truth you are exactly right.  One of my favorites by the way and will probably be posted on my list for next month.  Anyway the film follows the story of an old man named Kris Kringle who claims to be the real Santa Clause.  When people start hearing this some become cynical of the old man try to reject all notions of belief.  Suddenly people begin to notice something special about Kris Kringle and after much debate both in courts of law and in conversations, people realize that maybe Kris Kringle could be the real Santa Clause and if not,his advancement of Christmas Spirit certainly makes him a good man.
So why is this film on my November list?? Because if it wasn't for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this story would not have happened.  Kris Kringle was the Santa Clause during the parade.  It was the Thanksgiving holiday that began the story and that is why this film is so important on my list.  It really is a classic and I truly recommend this film to anyone.

2. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)
MPAA Rating: R for adult situations and language.
The next film on my list is Paramount Pictures' Planes, Trains, and Automobiles starring Steve Martin and John Candy.  It follows the story of Neal Page (Steve Martin) on his quest to get home for Thanksgiving.  When his flight is cancelled due to bad weather Neal decides to make other means of transportation.  During his travels he meets up with Del Griffith (John Candy), an annoying, talkative, and crude person who finds out that they are heading the same way.  Suddenly Neal has to deal with his new friend on what seems like his most impossible journey ever.
This film is hilarious and is definitely one that I would recommend to everyone.  This is one of the only true Thanksgiving movies and it shows just how important family.  This film truly shows all that there is to be grateful for in this world.  The true meaning of Thanksgiving is shown in full view in this film.

1. Free Birds (2013)
So my number 1 film to watch this month is Reel FX Creative Studios' Free Birds starring the voice talents of Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Amy Poehler.  The story follows the story of Reggie (Owen Wilson), a turkey who is chosen to be the pardoned turkey this year.  His easily life is soon interrupted by Jake (Woody Harrelson), a turkey who takes Reggie on an adventure back through time in order to stop the turkeys from being on the menu of the first Thanksgiving.  What ensues is a hilarious ride through time as Reggie and Jake find themselves with a clan of turkeys struggling for survival.
Now just so you know, this film is cheesy and isn't for everyone.  I personally really enjoyed it and thought that it was funny.  The thing I like most about this film is that is shows that it doesn't matter what you eat on Thanksgiving, the only important thing is who you are with.  This film is great and is definitely one for the whole family to watch.

Well everyone thanks for reading.  I hope you liked my list.  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!! Have a great November!!