As you may have guessed, we have a rotating schedule for this blog: this week is my week…and you can tell by the timing (5 pm on a Friday) that I jumped right on that immediately.

The truth is that the national news has been so grim that I’ve been at a loss as to what to write about. So, in the spirit of those who just to tune out for a while, here are some of my favorite escapist movies:

The Thin Man (1934)

When an eccentric inventor disappears and his mistress is killed, Nick and Nora Charles get involved in the investigation.

Created in 1934, at the height of the Great Depression, The Thin Man is a delightful movie starring an indecently wealthy couple who just happen to get into solving murders. What I love about it is that the writers, Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, were a married couple themselves and really have that couple banter down.

Muppet Treasure Island (2005)

When young Billy comes to possess a secret treasure map, he sets sail with mild-mannered Capt. Smollet and a host of assorted Muppets and humans in search of the wealth. Their adventure is filled with songs, wacky humor, and irreverent silliness.

Not all actors play well with the Muppets, but when they do, it’s a treat. Tim Curry is one of those actors. Muppet Treasure Island is a movie that my husband and I are not sure why it isn’t better regarded, as it’s funny, charming and I, at least, danced out of the theater while watching.

America’s Sweethearts (2001)

Gwen and Eddie are the countries favorite on-screen couple. Having to promote their latest movie, the couple, whose public romance had turned into a private breakup, have to count on their veteran press agent and Gwen’s assistant-sister, Kiki, to keep the press from knowing about the real story. Can true love, happily ever after and other Hollywood endings really happen?

Starring Julia Roberts, John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Billy Crystal, this is a romantic romp, that doesn’t take itself too seriously at any time. Like many of Billy Crystal’s projects, America’s Sweethearts has a light touch, but an essential sweetness at its core.

Clue (1985)

In 1954, six strangers are invited to a party at a secluded New England mansion known as Hill House. After being met at the door by the butler, Wadsworth, the guests are reminded that they have been given a pseudonym to protect their true identity and asks that they only use that name with the other guests. During dinner, Wadsworth admits a seventh attendee, Mr. Boddy, and announces that each of the guests is being blackmailed. Murders, mayhem and hilarity ensue. (From Wikipedia)

Starring Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren, it’s hard to go wrong with such a wonderful ensemble cast, but Clue is firmly tongue in cheek with its gory murder mysteries. There were three endings made for the movie-only one shown in the theatre- but the DVD has all three, which makes it even more perfect. A fun movie for Halloween and safe for all but the youngest viewer.

Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015)

When an American spy encounters a Russian agent during a job behind the Iron Curtain, they are subsequently assigned to work together to track down a nuclear scientist using his daughter as bait.

This is a movie that my  husband and I have shown to multiple people, all of whom said, “Huh, I never thought to watch this, but it’s really good!” This re-make has a lot of humor, action and pretty people in it. What more could you ask for?