My honey is out of town. I’m in charge, which is rare and often worrisome for my better half. Puppy duties. A bit of laundry. Takeout or leftovers. Catching up on neglected chores. Trash removal. Basically, trying not to disrupt carefully crafted house order.

Actually, I am particularly productive when it comes to running the household solo. That self-evaluation likely has something to do with the limited scope of the honey-do task list and the sound strategy of avoiding making significant decisions or changes while my sweetheart is away.

(Valuable Life Lesson For Guys: Before your honey returns, mentally review your steps, check your honey-do list, inspect counters and sinks, and ensure the house is clean, tidy and vacuumed. Have you successfully avoided changing anything while she’s away? Knowing that you likely have missed or done something improper during your alone time, consider a thoughtful welcome-back gesture.)

Being in charge also means I have much more time to sit in my favorite leather chair, lean back with man’s best friend on one side of me and snacks on the other, and be in total control of the television remote. This is always a special moment in time, a uncommon indulgence that allows me to relax and enjoy various sporting contests and talk shows, and catch up on series and movies that momma has absolutely zero interest in.

The Idyllic Pastime of Scrolling

Ballgames and streaming media options aside, I generally do what any red-blooded American guy does once comfortable in front of the television — scroll!

Flipping through channels often results in coming across movies that mentally command me to immediately stop scrolling and watch that flick, often for the umpteenth time, even if the show’s screen time is closer to the ending scrolling credits than its opening title sequence. My personal gotta-stop-and-watch movies include:

• Field of Dreams, Major League, 42, Bull Durham, The Sandlot, The Natural, For the Love Of the Game, Moneyball, A League Of Their Own, Eight Men Out, Trouble With the Curve, Pride Of the Yankees

Yeah, I know. I’m such a guy.

(Valuable Life Lesson For Guys: At least in my house, the act of scrolling and the occasional “Ah Ha!” when a classic from the list above pops on the screen is singularly tied to those times when snookums isn’t present. The light of my life is not a fan of scrolling [even to avoid those accursed commercials] or most of my personal immersive movie choices.)

My Personal VERY BEST Stop-Scrolling Movie Is …

At the very top of my personal must-watch-again list is The Princess Bride.

The Princess Bride is a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed and co-produced by Rob Reiner. It’s an enchanting fairy tale told by a kindly grandfather to a little boy. The movie is a clever mix of swashbuckling, romance, slapstick comedy and witty dialogue that allows the age-old damsel-in-distress story to transcend generations. It’s a rollicking adventure that reaches back to the Golden Age of Hollywood — of Douglas Fairbanks or Tyrone Power playing Zorro, or Errol Flynn playing Robin Hood.

The handsome, dashing farmhand Westley is loyal to the most beautiful girl in the world, Buttercup. Buttercup is a young, feisty noblewoman who initially bullies Westley around on her country estate. They fall madly in love, but it’s a love that is quickly shattered by a political plot devised by Count Rugen and the vile Prince Humperdinck, who has his own sordid plans for Buttercup. The principal characters find two true friends to help them on their journey — the hot-headed Spanish swordsman Inigo Montoya and the man-mountain Fezzik.

Everything about Princess Bride is charming. It’s pure movie-going enchantment. Without question, the film’s talented cast (see below) and witty dialogue are its most enduring legacy; indeed, it’s not a stretch to say that there isn’t a single wasted line of dialogue in Princess Bride. As a result, it is likely the most quoted movie ever made.

If you’ve never watched this magical movie which deservedly became a cult favorite and instant classic, do yourself a favor and set aside 98 minutes to do so. Pull it up again if it’s been many years since you’ve watched it. It’s as good as you remember. Never watching this movie is … wait for it … “Inconceivable!”

Valuable Life Lessons From The Princess Bride

The central moral theme of Princess Bride is that the power of true love is stronger than anything. Unwavering devotion and commitment to one’s true love always prevails.

This cinematic classic also teaches other Valuable Life Lessons:

• Don’t judge people by appearances.
• Embrace humor even in difficult situations.
• Face challenges with courage.
• Find fun in everything you do.
• Listen to your elders.
• Love, loyalty and friendship win the day.
• Mental strength is more important than physical strength.
• Miracles do happen.
• Never give up on your dreams.
• Not everyone says what they mean.
• Stay true to yourself.
• The importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Women are not damsels.

Especially for us guys, there is one final and critically Valuable Life Lesson to be taken away from The Princess Bride. When your sweetheart asks you to do something, always respond, “As you wish.”

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Addendum from LSomerbyCooke …

The Princess Bride’s Amazing Cast:

• Cary Elwes as Westley / the Dread Pirate Roberts
• Robin Wright as Buttercup, the Princess Bride
• Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya
• Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck
• Christopher Guest as Count Tyrone Rugen
• Wallace Shawn as Vizzini
• André the Giant as Fezzik
• Fred Savage as the grandson
• Peter Falk as the grandfather
• Peter Cook as the Impressive Clergyman
• Mel Smith as the Albino
• Carol Kane as Valerie
• Billy Crystal as Miracle Max