5 movies on Amazon Prime and Netflix to enjoy with your mom

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MOM'S HOUSE — Sunday is Mother’s Day, a joyous time of celebrating the women who introduced us to this crazy world.

Not surprisingly, finding the perfect way to reflect on and acknowledge these fine women is often overwhelming and intimidating. Each year we look for new and important ways to say, “Mom, I love you,” and each year we’re not sure if we’ve succeeded in expressing what’s in our hearts.

Well, if your mom’s a movie lover, we may be able to help. Tell your mom you’ve booked the day just for her, and you’re bringing over the perfect film to enjoy together. Then, simply select one of fine choices below and, you’re welcome.

As an added bonus, if you have either Amazon Prime or Netflix, this gift comes for the coveted price of free.

Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice (Photo: BBC)

Pride and Prejudice (Amazon Prime)

For the sincerely devoted son or daughter comes five plus hours of Jane Austin goodness. Often referred to as the definitive adaptation of the novel, this BBC/A&E miniseries pulls almost every line of dialogue from Austin’s classic, and includes performances from Academy Award winner Colin Firth and the very talented Jennifer Ehle.

Can it be done in one setting? I’ll be talking about my experience in detail on tomorrow’s episode of Flicks Junkies, but the short answer is “yes.” It might take a Super Bowl level of snackage and regularly scheduled stretching routines, but this is for your mom. You can make it happen.

Romancing the Stone (Prime and Netflix)

Romancing the Stone
Romancing the Stone (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

What was Robert Zemeckis doing before his mega-popular “Back to the Future” trilogy? He was trying his hand at an Indiana Jones styled adventure with then-up-and-coming star Kathleen Turner.

Following romance novelist Joan Wilder (Turner), “Romancing the Stone” has everything from treasure maps to drug smugglers to kidnap ransoms and, of course, an open-shirted heartthrob named Jack T. Colton (Michael Douglas). Was it as good as “Indy”? Dear goodness, no. But it was popular enough to generate a sequel in “The Jewel of the Nile,” and if you and your mom end up loving “Romancing the Stone,” great news — “Jewel” is on both Prime and Netflix as well.

Searching for Bobby Fisher (Prime and Netflix)

Searching for Bobby
Searching for Bobby (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

This is easily one of my favorite portrayals of a mom, anywhere. This is not the “Not Without My Daughter” mom played by Sally Field, though for the record that’s on Amazon Prime as well; this is the understated, brilliant kind of mom who understands, watches and patiently guides her children. As long as she’s allowed to do that, the world is in perfect balance. If, however, that balance is shifted, pray you have nothing to do with said shifting because Bonnie Waitzkin (Joan Allen) will use your face to pry the world back up to where it belongs.

Seriously, at first glance this movie appears to be about a boy and his chess set. But the heart of this story is with the parents, and if at the end of this movie, you kiss your mom on the forehead and say, “Thanks for being that kind of mom for me,” it might just be the year your drawings get the best section on the fridge.

Forrest Gump (Netflix)

Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Speaking of Sally Field, does anyone love their mom more than Forest? Based on Winston Groom’s novel, “Forest Gump” remains one of the most quotable movies of all time and even inspired a restaurant, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

The main character, Forest, is a simple man who uses the wisdom instilled in him by his mother to find a meaningful and successful life. With the always-lovable Tom Hanks leading the charge, it’s hard to find someone to doesn’t enjoy this film on some level, and hopefully that someone isn’t your mom.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (Netflix)

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (Photo: Really Useful Theater Company)

What’s that? Your mom never got the chance to see “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, or tickets sold out too quickly during the national tour? That doesn’t matter, because you can watch the entire play now on Netflix.

For the record, this is not that terrible, terrible film starring Gerard Butler. This is an especially elaborate recording of a recent production and in some ways, if you’re someone who would rather watch a football game on TV than actually be there, this is better than dressing up and paying for parking. Though, to be clear, live theater is still amazing and everyone should support their local theaters. Travis Poppleton has been covering movie news, film reviews and live events for Deseret News and KSL.com since 2010 and co-hosts the FlicksJunkies podcast. You can contact him at tspoppleton@gmail.com.

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Travis Poppleton for OK.com

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