Movies to lighten the mood
February 15th, 2008 at 11:44am Will Pfeifer
Given recent news events, it seems a little silly to talk about movies today. But then again, movies always have a purpose, even if sometimes it’s just as a way to escape the grim reality of daily life. So today, if the mood strikes you, post a comment listing a favorite movie or two that makes you feel a little better when you’re feeling down. Here are a few of my favorites:
DUCK SOUP (1933) It’s no wonder that, in HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, this Marx Brothers movie is what reminds Woody Allen that life is worth living after all. It’s funny, it’s silly and it’s like no other movie I’ve ever seen. Plus, it’s got none of those annoying romantic subplots or boring musical numbers that can be such a drag in other Marx movies.
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938) Movies don’t get more romantic (in every sense of the word) than this old-fashioned Technicolor adventure starring Errol Flynn as Robin and Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian.
STAR WARS (1977) C’mon, it’s STAR WARS — what more do you need to know? Do yourself a favor and pick up the DVD with the original version that omits all that computer-generated bric-a-brac Lucas insisted on sprinkling all over the so-called “special editions.”
THE HUDSUCKER PROXY (1994) This Coen Brothers movie is both a love letter to old-style moviemaking and a brilliant piece of cinema in itself. Tim Robbins arrives in The Big City, gets appointed president of Hudsucker Industries, invents the Hula Hoop, then plunges 44 floors to the pavement (45, including the mezzanine). It’s funny, it’s visually spectacular and it has a heart, too.
 OK, those are mine. How about yours?
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9 Comments Add your own
1. elDizzle | February 15th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Here are mine:
The Princess Bride - too obvious?
Pleasantville - smart and funny
Best in Show - the commentary by Fred Willard during the dog show is hilarious
Riding Giants - sun, sand, and big big surf, what else do you need?
2. odessa steps magazine | February 15th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Bringing up Baby
Blazing Saddles
Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Slap Shot
3. hokumboy | February 15th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Here’s five of my very favorites and the part that makes me love them so:
Sullivan’s Travels - The picture show in the church
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? - Bona fide
Hear My Song - The cow
Galaxy Quest - Sigourney Weaver’s cleavage
Uncle Buck - The electric drill
4. jan | February 16th, 2008 at 5:05 am
The Court Jester–I’ve seen it a million times and laugh out loud everey time I see it
Hear My Song–what a fun movie
A Mighty Wind–the music is actually good and anyone who remembers the 60s will find it a hoot
Best in Show–becomes funnier and funnier every time I see it
Babe–what’s not to love with this one?
The Full Monty–repeated viewings reveal how much character and relationship development there is among the guys over the course of the film, and it’s just great good fun
I Know Where I’m Going–with the deligtful Wendy Hiller and Scotland
All At Sea–very drole film with Alec Guinness; I’m still waiting for it on DVD although TCM plays it from time to time. Wonderful, wonderful film that used to be shown on Channel 9 years ago. When I first saw it, I thought, “This is stupid.” But they kept repeating it, and finally I fell for its charms
5. Will Pfeifer | February 17th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Good choices one and all. THE PRINCESS BRIDE is definitely not too obvious, a great little movie that manages to be funny, exciting and touching all at once. All Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries are worth watching, though GUFFMAN and BEST IN SHOW are my favorites. SLAP SHOT is another personal favorite, though don’t watch it when the kids are around — they’ve never seen Paul Newman swear like that! And GALAXY QUEST is looking more and more like one of the best movies of the 1990s — no kidding. Playwright and director David Mamet called it a “perfect” film, and I’m pretty much in agreement.
By the way, hokumboy, you listed both SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS and O BROTHER, but you neglected to mention the connection. “O’ Brother, Where Art Thou” is the title of the movie the director character in SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS wants to make as a “serious” film. Those Coens know their film history, that’s for sure.
6. hokumboy | February 17th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The Coen brothers love great movies. That’s why they make great movies.
7. Pat Cunningham | February 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
OK, Movieboy, here’s one to lighten the mood. I caught this the other night on one of those Encore western channels. It’s a 1957 western called “The Badge of Marshall Brennan,” and it’s so incredibly bad that it’s good. The acting, writing, music and cinematography are all awful. The cast includes Jim Davis (later of “Dallas” fame on TV) and Carl Smith, a country music singer of some note. I can’t do justice here to the crappiness of this flick. You’ll have to see it for yourself. Oh, one thing: Davis acts like Elvis through the whole thing. Elvis, you know, was just becoming a superstar then. Funny stuff.
8. Will Pfeifer | February 17th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Hokumboy: You know, that might be the most concise summing up of the Coen Brothers’ genius I’ve ever read. Nicely done!
Pat: I’ve never seen that movie — hell, I’ve never heard ot it — but it sounds like fun. I’ll keep an eye out for it.
9. Jen Sensible | February 18th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Movie man - here’s a current one - do yourself a favor and go see “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” It is extremely engaging from beginning to end. I was even surprised to see that Seth Rogen provided one of the voices. The man is moving up in the world! But seriously, the movie is wonderful.
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