he is the kindest and best of men.

Three from my personal collection. I'm easing back toward movies as the summer winds down.

Tai Chi Master (1993) - "Two friends, ex Shaolin monks, part ways as they brush with the ongoing rebellion against the government. The ambitious one rises up to be a powerful military commander, while his betrayed friend resorts to learn the calm ways of Tai Chi."

Source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I haven't seen a Jet Li movie in a while, and was in the mood for one of the classics
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% Audience: 84%

notable quote: "Enough! Stop living in your past! What do you think you're doing here? Stop shoving me away!"
story: a pretty basic good guy/bad guy film that rises to the level of its stars
visuals: stunning
costumes, hair & makeup: perfect for the story
acting: Jet Li (Kwan Bo) and Michelle Yeoh (Siu Lin) are terrific as always

intangibles: this is a pretty mellow martial arts movie, though the action scenes are excellent
overall: recommended (see also this post)

Without a Paddle (2004) - "After their friend dies, three men decide to fulfill their childhood dream by going on a camping expedition for the lost D. B. Cooper bounty, with calamitous results."
Source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I wanted to watch something that wasn't too serious or thoughtful
IMDB: 5.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 14% Audience: 68%

notable quote: "You owe me a hundred grand and the left nut!"
visuals: the outdoors sections were well done
acting: Matthew Lillard (Jerry Conlaine) is surprisingly good in this

intangibles: it's a buddy/quest/road trip/silly movie with unexpected heart
overall: recommended for reasons I can't quite understand

Sense and Sensibility (1995) - "Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the title opposites."
Source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I was feeling nostalgic and wanted something peaceful
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 97% Audience: 90%

notable quote: "Believe me, had I not been bound to silence I could have provided proof enough of a broken heart, even for you."
story: it's Jane Austen. What can anyone say?
visuals: beautiful
costumes, hair & makeup: costumes are really good. The hair is kind of horrible.
acting: Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon is one of the great performances of all time. The power of silence.

intangibles: no great explanation for why I love this one, either, but I see it regularly and always enjoy it
Academy Award winner: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published—Emma Thompson
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actress in a Leading Role—Thompson (Elinor Dashwood)

• Best Actress in a Supporting Role—Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood)

• Best Cinematography

• Best Costume Design

• Best Music, Original Dramatic Score
overall: recommended

[the title quotation is from Sense and Sensibility]