Usually, if it's a really good movie, no matter what the message or theme is, it's the quality of the film itself, not the message that will spark up my mood. I've watched a few sad movies that were so well done that, despite it's theme, have made me feel invigorated for just having the opportunity to have watched a quality film.
However, there a few flicks that possess the ability to provide me with an emotional pick-me-up faster than others. While I'm sure that, if I took the time I could probably come up with a more comprehensive list, since there are alot of 'em (& of those, their reasons for the way they affect me are so varied), that trying to would probably take more time up that I'm willing to take right now.
So here are just a couple that currently spring to mind (I'm numbering 'em 5-1, but that's only in keeping with my reg'lar theme of posting my replies in such a manner. In this particular case, the numbers don't signify any real ranking).
Five movies that can quickly bring me out of a negative mood:
5. 40 Year Old Virgin
By far, my fave of the Apatow comedies. Like Knocked Up, his best films seem to be the ones in which he does triple duty as director, writer, & producer.
In this case, this triple-combo results in a movie whose strength lies not just with the high level of comedy (which probably would've been enough), but also for the fact that at it's heart, this is a story of a "late bloomer" that is handled not just intelligently, but even more importantly, with a genuine heart.
Ofttimes, many of the characters seem to deliver their punchlines with a tempered sense of sympathy towards the plight of the lead character, even when the results lead to a an exasperated situation of disintegrated success (a tried & true formula of the genre).
This movie can be touching & even socially in-depth at times, but without any cost to the number of out-loud laughs.
4. Duck Soup
I'm including this entry cuz since mark f mentioned it earlier & it just happens to be in my top 5 of favorite comedy movies of all time.
Also, coincidently, about a month ago, I just recommended this film to my brother, who had asked me if there were any titles that I could suggest that would bring him a few laffs.
It's truly a classic, with the Bros. Marx carrying on with their timeless mayhem antics & spouting out lines like "I could dance with you till the cows come home. On second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows till you came home."
For any of you who haven't yet seen this, IMO, the best of the Marx movies, but have decided to give it a view for the first time, I envy you. It will truly be a gala day for you. And if you're anything like Groucho, the Marx's head hermano, a gal a day is enough for you. You probably couldn't handle any more.
3. Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
The British try their hand at imitating some of the Tarantinoisms of Pulp Fiction. Or maybe Reservoir Dogs. I dunno. But what I do know is the way that my smile tends to crook as a result of listening to the way Lock Stock's script manages to continually weave up, down & sideways to finally coalesce into an English flavored "duck soup", full of chunky bits of quips, guns & sometimes-almost-hard-to-decipher-yet-humuorously-satisfying East End slang. This film proves that despite their pasty skin pigment, drab skies & even drabbier food, the English can have style.
Not to mention that among the vast cast is included a small but solid bite-strewn & really cool role for Sting (the former Police-man, not the clown-faced wrestler .....you
buncha nerds). The singer who, after filming was done, supposedly was responsible for introducing the director of this flick to Madonna. Which later would result in a relationship 'tween said director & material girl. Which later would result in marriage. Which later would then result in the movie Swept Away. Which later would then result in the conclusion that Sting needs to learn to mind his own business.
2. The Empire Strikes Back/E.T., The Extra-Terrestial/Raiders Of The Lost Ark
I tried to avoid mentioning 3 of the most mainstream movies ever, but if I wanna be honest, the truth is that these films mark 3 of my earliest movie-going experiences. Therefore, no matter how much I try to assimilate with all the other adults my age, most of whom have had they're childhood spirits crushed along time ago, Empire, E.T. & Raiders are a trifecta of film affection for me, that never fail to bring a smile to my now grown-up hairy pimp-ass.
Therefore, for this entry I'm counting these 3 as 1 film for the fact they've all had & still have the same level of effect on me. This is a trio of earliy blockbusters that not only shaped the way I enjoy watching movies, but also, they form the foundation of why going to the theatre & having the experience of being swept away by what is playing on the big silver screen has become one the greatest joys in my life.
1. Arachnophobia
This movie always reminds me of a far out "fun" fact I remember reading about once:
Statistics show that the average human will eat about 8 whole spiders while asleep in their lifetime.
Now while that fact (or even the movie) itself doesn't have the power to pull me out of any bad mood I might find myself in, providing such information to the public (including all of my fellow MoFos) sure does.
So y'know....
sleep well tonight, everybody.
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