Labrynth
Legend
The Princess Bride
Willow
Krull
The Dark Crystal
The Crimson Pirate

All of those I watched when I was young, or at least younger. They made a big impression on me and I adored them, flaws and all. Yes, some of them are pretty cheesy. Yes, David Bowie's Crotch, Andre the Giant, the Very Irrational Weapon, Iocane Powder, and countless anachronisms were all watched, cheered, and learned from.

If I were going to a baby shower, screw diapers or cute outfits or baby toys. I would bring a set of movies, neatly boxed, along with recommendations as to what order to watch them in, key points of each story to talk about, and things that could be made to help the kid interact with the story - a mask like the Dread Pirate Roberts' mask, perhaps, or using blocks to make a miniature Labrynth, or maybe a dress like the Princess wore, or even a recipe for Mock Elderberry Wine (to be drunk out of acorn cups, of course).

I would recommend these movies to anyone, any age, any time. I watch all of them again and again, loving them more each time I do.

There are some that are more recent, things that I'd add to the list even though I didn't grow up with them, just because I can see the potential:

Spirited Away
Pirates of the Carribean (yes, all three movies)
And now, unhesitatingly, right up there with Willow and Princess Bride for a story of How Things Should Be...

...Stardust.

I know. I was a bit shocked too. I'd figured they would butcher Neil Gaimen's book, make some tacky fantasy flick that would be forgotten in an hour, and that would be that.

HELL NO.

Ok, the book I liked, it was cute, and interesting, if a bit... over-edited. The movie? Was AMAZING. INCREDIBLE. AWESOME. WONDERFUL. BRILLIANT. This is possibly the best evening I have had in YEARS just because this movie is so damn cool. I actually spent a bit of time crying... realizing that I won't be having a baby to show it to. Yeah, the miscarriage is still jerking my emotional strings every now and then. But! Regardless! MOVIE!!! If you only bother to go to the theater once this month by all that's holy, GO SEE STARDUST! Seriously, this movie is made of win. Just... just go. See it for yourself. And if you know any small children, say in the 7-14 age range, spend a bit of time and money to take them too. They'll look back on you with quite a bit of fondness.

I can't stress it enough.

Go see this movie.

Please.