invincible

the year: 2006

the genre: sports


the cast: Mark Wahlberg (Vince Papale); Elizabeth Banks (Janet Cantrell); Greg Kinnear (Dick Vermeil)



the plot: A 30-year old Philadelphia Eagles fan who has just lost his teaching job and his wife (after she walks out) decides, at the urging of his friends, to show up for open tryouts - held at the suggestion of new coach Dick Vermeil.




don't miss: In the Giants game, when Mark Wahlberg is running down the sideline in special teams coverage, a Giants player hits him hard and knocks him down. This Giants player was a football player at the nearby University of Delaware, and was not supposed to contact Wahlberg, let alone knock him down. (Take THAT Blue Hen gainsayers!)





watch for: a smart aleck comment by Blaine. He usually has one when I mention Mark Wahlberg. :)



listen for: "Who said I was talking about him?"




did you know: the boy running in the street with the makeshift number 83 jersey is the real Vince Papale's son.

you've got mail

the year: 1998

the genre: comedy



the cast: Tom Hanks (Joe Fox); Meg Ryan (Kathleen Kelly); Greg Kinnear (Frank Navasky); Steve Zahn (George Pappas); Jean Stapleton (Birdie Conrad); Dave Chappelle (Kevin Jackson); Parker Posey (Patricia Eden)


the plot: He's the owner of a bookstore chain; she's the woman he falls for online. Both are unaware that she runs the little shop his company is trying to shut down.



don't miss: how to spell "dog".


watch for: what size cup Kathleen *really* gets when she orders a Tall Caramel Macchiato.


listen for: "One hundred and fifty-two people who think he looks like a Clark *Bar*."


did you know: the scene where Joe accidentally closes the door of Kathleen's shop on the balloons was unscripted. When it happened, Tom Hanks ad libbed the line, "Good thing it wasn't the fish." The director thought it was so funny that she kept it in.




extra bonus points: if you know the importance of the movie theater where the NYC previews of this film occurred.


also listen for: "Why?" "Because we're going to sell them cheap books and legal addictive stimulants. In the meantime, we'll just put up a big sign: "Coming soon: a FoxBooks superstore and the end of civilization as you know it."