Earlier this year we lost the legendary James Earl Jones (93), the voice of Darth Vader. Therefore the selections for November all have James Earl Jones (minus Star Wars). There are so many to choose from because he shows up in so many movies in minor roles. In fact, I don’t think I own or have seen, a movie where he is in the starring role. Be that as it may, let’s check out this year’s list for random movie month.
- The Sandlot (1993)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- Coming to America (1988)
- Sneakers (1992)
- Three Fugitives (1989)
- Bonus/Special Event movies
The Sandlot (1993) 
Directed by: David Mickey Evans
Starring: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Art LaFleur
My Rating:
The Sandlot is probably in the top five of my favorite baseball movies. It’s another iconic GenX/Millenial movie which I quote on a daily basis. The story is about a group of boys in the early 1960s who play baseball throughout the summer. A newcomer to the group makes a bad choice and gets the group “into the biggest pickle”.
James Earl Jones plays Old Man Mertle, whom we don’t see until the end but his role is iconic.
Field of Dreams (1989)
Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta
My Rating:
“If you build it, he will come”. This movie also makes it in the top five of my favorite baseball movies. This is probably the closest movie to a starring role for James Earl Jones that I’ve seen/own. He is in over half the film and is a crucial piece to the mystery behind the voices and the baseball field in the middle of a corn field.
The baseball field in this film does exist out in Iowa and you can visit it. It has now become a new tradition in the MLB for teams to play at that field sometime during the baseball season. I’d like to go see it one day.
Coming to America (1988)
Directed by: John Landis
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall
My Rating:
This is another iconic GenX film and the first film in which Eddie Murphy plays multiple characters. Something he will become known for throughout his career. This is another one of those movies where I find myself quoting it regularly. I think it’s just a characteristic of most GenX films, they are highly quotable.
James Earl Jones does have a larger role although he’s not seen quite as often as Field of Dreams. I have yet to see the sequel (Coming 2 America).
Sneakers (1992)
Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Sidney Poitier
My Rating:
This is a solid hacker film from the same director who directed Field of Dreams. It almost feels like a hacker version of Ocean’s Eleven both in plot and star-studded cast. If I had seen this movie before, it was long enough ago that I don’t remember it much. Granted, I was only 12 when it came out and we hadn’t even owned a computer yet.
This is another film in which James Earl Jones doesn’t show up until the end of the film. Although, about midway through you do hear his iconic voice on a telephone.
Three Fugitives (1989)
Directed by: Francis Veber
Starring: Nick Nolte, Martin Short
My Rating:
This is a fun, heartwarming movie with some classic Martin Short moments. I was a kid the last time I saw this movie and it’s as funny as I remember it. Nick Nolte is an ex-con just released from prison when Martin Short takes him hostage during a bank heist. His parole officer, played by James Earl Jones, finds it hard to believe he is as innocent as he claims.
In addition to James Earl Jones, we see another familiar face. Alan Ruck, aka Cameron from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, is also in this film. If you haven’t seen this movie I recommend you check it out; it’s a good movie.
Bonus/Special Event Movies
There is no bonus movie in November but there are several special event movies.
“Remember, remember the fifth of November”. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day and the day to watch V for Vendetta. It’s a great movie and I highly recommend it, especially every November the 5th.
November 17th is Life Day which is a Wookie holiday in the Star Wars universe. If you are so bold, this is the day to watch the Star Wars Holiday Special. The movie itself is not canon but Life Day became canon in the first episode of The Mandalorian.
Warning! This movie is notoriously bad, so much so George Lucas wanted to hunt down and destroy every bootleg copy ever created. Carrie Fisher used to put it on when she wanted the party to end. I watch it anyway just for kicks. It does have guest appearances from Bea Arthur, Art Carney, and Harvey Korman.
Finally, I’m ashamed to admit that this never occurred to me before. If you are looking for a Thanksgiving movie other than A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving then I highly recommend Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I completely forgot that this movie is about a man (Steve Martin) trying to get home to his family in Chicago for Thanksgiving. This is another classic GenX movie with John Candy and it’s a must-see.
“The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle.”
– Stanley Kubrick