The Princess Bride (1987)

A classic in and of itself, is there anyone who actually hasn't seen The Princess Bride? I grew up watching this 1987 film, and I have to say that it probably affected my vision of true love more than any of the Disney fairy tales.

What makes this film so great? Westley's undying love for Buttercup? Inigo's unfaltering allegiance to his father's memory? Miracle Max and Fezzik's (not together like the clip might suggest, for the rare one's that haven't seen it, that scene is between Inigo and Fezzik) great sense of humor? I'm not sure, but I do know that I could watch this movie back to back and not get tired of it.

The one thing that I don't like about this movie though, is how ditsy Buttercup is. I mean, when you first meet Buttercup and Westley and they're still on the farm you think "oh, they're probably both just daft because of the intensity of this new love or something." I mean, we've all been there. But after Westley goes off and makes his way in the world, you start to realize that he's actually a pretty smart and courageous guy. But Buttercup, she does nothing to prove that she has even the minutest amount of intelligence. I'm not talking about how she doesn't recognize her "one true love's" chin, either. Because you know, that's a willing suspension of disbelief and all. Come on though, seriously, when he's fighting the ROUS in the Fire Swamp she just STANDS THERE! Doesn't kick him his sword, nothing. Not to mention that she doesn't figure out Prince Humperdink's scam until the movie is practically over. How dumb do you have to be to be fooled by that jerk?

Believe it or not, as nerdy as this sounds, I actually named my car after Westley. Hey, when I was in high school, my car was the ultimate hero.

P.S. As great as the movie is, the book is like fifty times better.