Hundreds are movies coming out each year, but the best ones are those that left you a good feeling.
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The film industry is lucrative, artful and entertaining; and always has been since the advent of the first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, in 1906. Back then, limited colours are seen, but nonetheless entertaining. It lures £25,000 from a £1,125 budget; but now, films are generating millions to billions, with the promise of 3D viewing and Dolby Digital sound technology.
I’m sure you’ve seen varied genre. Some people fancied classical films, those films in black and white and others preferred the well-produced effects. There’s so much offered – horror, action, comedy, romance, and more. But what made your favorite, a favorite movie?
I think the answer is movies that we love are those movies that somehow, elated us. We like it because it made us feel good, by having a connection to the character and by appreciating the story.
I like inspirational movies the most. Inspiration itself is a positive feeling, and those movies may leave a better mindset or outlook in life. And these movies are truly brilliant – Dead Poets Society, Forrest Gump, A Beautiful Mind, 3 Idiots, The pursuit of Happyness, and Good Will Hunting.
I also dig Comedies; and I watch them repeatedly. These movies cracked me – Date Night, Eurotrip, Roadtrip, and American Pie series. The series that I’ve grown up will always leave a good nostalgic feeling. I age as Harry or Andy ages- Harry Potter and Toy Story series.
Feel good movies could be subjective, so what’s on your list?
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have loads of favorite movies – lately – the best feel good movie for a long time is: “My Week with Marilyn” – just like you I like “feel good movies” – drama and a good thriller, not much for comedy – they are mostly so silly. Like a good animated film, “Rio” is great.
My favorite is “the Chicken run”. An other new film I like is “The Rum Diary” – it was funny.
Yeah, Rio was elating! I’ll watch My Week with Marilyn soon, when it’s available to DVD. The Rum Diary had bad reviews, though I was re-encouraged since you liked it. Is there bad parts in the movie at least?
You know how it’s the critics are not like us normal people – was so disappointed with “The Iron Lady” – an absolutely wasted evening. Where expecting something like “The King Speech” – that’s one of my favorite. “The Rum Diary” isn’t bad in my book. I really enjoyed it – Jonny Depp are brilliant. It’s not a film that makes you think a lot – just a good watch. Let me know what you think about. There is bad parts in every movie.
HAHA you’re right about critics not representing the sentiment of normal people. Some movies that I like are bashed by them, while those with their high ratings are extremely boring. I’ll let you know about Rum Diary. Besides, Johnny Depp’s great actor.
Over the years (and I’m older than I look) the movies that come to mind when I think feel good are, Under the Tuscan Sun, The Three Musketeers (Oliver Plat, Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland – best version) Turner and Hooch. I’m sure there’s more, these were the ones that just popped in my head.
Read some reviews about “Under the Tuscan Sun”, one says it was charming. The only “The Three Musketeers” movie I’ve seen was the one shown last year, and I loved it so much I almost watch it twice in cinemas. Have you seen that version?
Yes, I’ve seen it and enjoyed, of course I’ve never seen a bad version of The Three Musketeers 🙂
Well, that’s the only version I’ve seen so I can’t really compare. Is the one with Oliver Plat the original version? Or just the best version? HAHA
Just the best, I’m not sure what year the original version came out, there may be one at least in the 50s? I just love the added humor in the more recent one.
Good list. I especially like Forrest Gump and Dead Poets. A couple other great feel-good movies are Big Fish and Cinderella Man. As for animated ones, UP is right near the top.
Thanks for leaving a comment man! “Up” was awesome, and I appreciate the value that the movie taught the young viewers. Oooh I want to watch big fish, interesting story.
My pleasure. You’ve got a pretty cool blog there. I enjoy randomness, and I’ve enjoyed several of your posts. Take another look at Falcone’s Crossroads if you get a chance!
Sure bro!
Are you anxious for the newest American Pie?
Are you? I’ve been anticipating that since last year HAHA. Series fan here! Though it’s been a long time before they followed up.
I am! They look a lot older. Funny how that happens…
Well, I know you’ll watch it anyway. What’s funny is Jim’s dad and Stifler’s mom, together!!
True that!
I LOVE “Dead Poets Society”!! And “The Devil Wears Prada” — Meryl Streep is flat out fabulous.
I remember “The Devil Wears Prada” – good times. “Dead Poets Society” always gave me chills, just love the story and the message.
Off the top of my head, feel good movies – Groundhog Day (as my friend said “That’s a film I could watch again and again!” haha), All of Me, and on the animation front, it’s Finding Nemo that does it for me.
I love movies that I could watch repeatedly. I haven’t seen much from the 90’s, but I’ll check out Groundhog Day =)) Finding Nemo was hilarious, yeah one of the great upshot of animation.
Well if you haven’t seen Groundhog Day then you won’t have got the joke about it being a film you can watch again and again! All of Me was a lesser known Steve Martin film from the 80s, some of it was a bit silly, but the end leaves you feeling warm and smiley 🙂
Admittedly, most movies are boring to me if the rough ending can be guessed or estimated ahead of time. Movies that are the best are ones with completely unpredictable endings. Still floored by the The Sting and recently Gran Torino. These are not in the inspirational category, but the endings were truly surprising.
I agree Randel. Unexpected plot are the ones that stood out. That’s why I also love movies that are based on books, because then you are assured that thought was put in the story. Thanks for visiting! I hope I’ll see you coming back =)
I really liked ‘With Honors’.. that was a redemption story if there ever was one.
I like that Brendan Fraser is in ‘With Honors’ – loved his movies. I think I’ll like this one too, thanks for sharing!
Dan in Real Life is my favorite movie!
Yeah, I’ve seen Dan in Real Life. Hilarious! Steve Carell and Dane Cook is in that movie, two of my favorite comedians. If ever got a chance I’ll go see Dane Cook live. Have you seen him do stand up comedy? It’s a riot! HAHA
One of my favorite scenes is when Steve and Dan sing “Let My Love Open The Door” at the family talent show. I haven’t seem him live but watched his bit on car alarms on YouTube. So funny.
Indeed! Dane has some stand-up comedy on dvd, not sure in YouTube though. Date night is another masterpiece of Steve, an action comedy. It’s with Tina Fey, they’re awesome together =))
Excellent post! Thank you for liking mine about the meaning of life. I’m not sure whether many people know about movies I would never forget: The Goat’s Horn, Decisive Time (these are Bulgarian movies, actually, but real classics)… Of course, there are others which most people will remember together with me: The Fisher King, Sea People, 2010 The Year We Made A Contact, etc Well, if the movie is based on a book, I usually like the book… Many movie fans would agree with me I guess? So, there should be an addition to your post: Feel Good Books And Movies ;)?
I have a suggestion you and many bloggers would like, I guess: Do you use sites like zazzle.com, cafepress. com, fiverr? They could be a good way to promote your blog/works, etc and to help “remove” stupidity in the streets like headlines on t-shirts, fridge-magnets, cups, etc: My Boyfriend kisses Better Than Yours, FBI – female body inspector, etc. Not everything we see and think of should be about sex, right? It would be much better if there were more nice pictures of mythical creatures, good thoughts, poems from fantasy genre, etc? I’m allanbard there, I use some of my illustrations, thoughts, poems from my books (like: One can fight money only with money, Even in the hottest fire there’s a bit of water, All the problems in the world lead to one – narrow-minded people, or
Let’s watch the moon, let’s meet the sun!
Let’s hear soon the way the Deed was done!
Let’s listen to the music the shiny crystals played,
let’s welcome crowds of creatures good and great…
etc). I guess anyone could appreciate such lines much more than the usual we see every day? Best wishes! Keep up the good work! Let the wonderful noise of the sea always sounds in your ears! (a greeting of the water dragons’ hunters – my Tale Of The Rock Pieces).
Thanks allanbard for visiting! I don’t know why but I haven’t seen those movies.. Tho I’ll check them out. I usually just watch American, but then I was introduced to Bollywood and a few British movies and I LOVED them. Perhaps you’re the one who’ll introduce me to Bulgarian movies. And just like what I’ve said in the previous comment, I like movies that are based on books because I know serious thought was put in the storyline.
I know what you’re talking about the street shirts showing provocative and sex-induced messages, which are wrong. I support your sentiment here. Have you designed some of these shirts? Cheers!
Thank you for the kind words! Actually not many Bulgarian movies worth watching ;), but there are some which have International rewards. The Goat’s Horn is one of them, an old Bulgarian movie about a story from Bulgaria’s past during the 500 years of Turkish occupation, It is a black and white movie, and there are just a few sentences in the whole movie… The actors and director don’t rely on words to express the story, the pain of the enslaved people, the horror in those times, etc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2mvYk_ibhY, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLQOBy6eEWc&feature=related
Decisive Time is newer movie, but about the same dark period of our history: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc2rs1O-mD4, you can find the 2nd part at the same channel too. Yet, I’m not sure whether there are suitable subtitles there… Both are movies that are real drama/thriller/historical/horror in a perfect combination… I guess that is what makes them so special, Yet many people with not so strong nerves couldn’t watch them… but I’ll be glad if some real movie fans from abroad like them too :). Cheers, hope you’ll like these suggestion of mine!
And have some better designs of t-shirts, etc at zazzle.com, caffepress.com, more are coming in the future too :)! Best wishes!
Alright! I checked out the designs, seems great so thanks for sharing that. In caffepress.com, they can customized not only shirts but other items as well. That’s awesome. And thanks for the links of the Bulgarian movies, made my life easier HAHA. Best wishes as well!
🙂 Glad to know you liked my links! Keep up the good work with the interesting posts! Best wishes! Let the wonderful noise of the sea always sounds in your ears! (as my water dragons’ hunters would greet).
I don’t care what frame of mind you’re in nothing beats a great “feel-good” movie.
On another note, even though I haven’t been following you for that long, I’ve enjoyed your posts (and I appreciate you’ve been reading my blog, as well). So I nominated you for The Sunshine Award for bloggers. Check out my latest post for details.
And thanks again for being so supportive!
Indeed, “feel-good” movies are for everyone. Hey thanks Stacy for nominating me! That’s the first Sunshine Award I’ve got, will be sure to check it out. Keep up the good work =))
If you can stand a little bit corny and a lot Disney, “Angels in the Outfield” is a keeper for a feel-good movie. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I love baseball, too.
I forgot to mention some good Disney movies too ;), I haven’t seen this one you mentioned but there are some I could watch over and over again: Dinosaur, Beauty And Beast, How To Train Your Dragon, Kung-Fu Panda, etc :).
Disney movies aren’t corny. It represents the child in us. Like what allanbard said, there are good Disney movies. I loved Lion King, Finding Nemo, Tangled, and of course the three Toy Story. Though their recent movies are flops – John Carter and Mars Needs Mom. I think they should stay at their expertise, right?
I love movies about places that I’ve traveled to and want to see again. The last travel-related movie I really enjoyed was “Midnight in Paris.” Have you seen it?
I have not.. What’s it about? Yeah I haven’t mentioned travel movies. I just enjoy seeing adventure and nature. On top of me head was “Into the Wild”.
I loved “Into the Wild,” but it was kind of intense for me. “Midnight In Paris” is about a young guy traveling in Paris with his fiance, who goes back in time and hangs out with Ernest Hemingway, Picasso, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and lots of other artists who were in Paris in the ’20s. It sounds a little hokey the way I describe it, but it’s pretty well done
Right? Into the wild was awesome. But yeah, it could be intense. I won’t do what he does, abandoning everything he had. It’s a good thought though – to live in the wild with nothing.
Well, there’s Paris in it so I probably would see it. Thanks for recommending!
Let me know if you like it! I’m a fan of all movies about Paris so let me know if you have any recommendations as well
Sure thing! Haven’t seen much movies shot in Paris. But hey, there’s Eurotrip, but not a major stopover in Paris though but great glimpse of Europe =))
One of my very favorite, laugh out loud movies is “Waking Ned Devine.” Different and funny. Definitely worth the watch. Have an awesome day! Lisa
You know, I didn’t see the movie Forrest Gump till now. I’ve heard the maxim “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get”. I didn’t understand it, until I watched the whole movie. It was beautiful in every way. Another movie, Pursuit of Happyness, I own the blu ray DVD :D, it’s inspiring and Will smith’s acting was impeccable and remarkable. If you’ve time, do read what I wrote for the movie Forrest Gump. (: I’ll be nice to hear your feedback on that.
My votes for my latest feel good movies are Ghost Town and Stranger than Fiction. Both are just so cleverly done. Love Ricky Gervais.
I love musicals! Little Shop of Horrors is genius. I love the part in one of the songs when they are singing about Seymour going out to get the plant food.
And he sings, “I don’t know, I don’t know. I have so, so many strong reservations.” and the plant sings out, “Tell it to the marines!”
It kills me everytime.
I love Westside Story. I’ve seen it 400 times and I cry everytime. Every single time!!! Some others I love: Chorus Line The Movie, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, A Hard Day’s Night (The Beatles), Carmen (flamenco dancing movie)
Good movies really work as a great spirit booster.
All the movies you’ve mentioned are my favorite feel good movies too! To me, a movie that can move you to tears and yet make you smile and feel hopeful about tomorrow is a good feel-good movie.
Here are a few additions to this wonderful list:
Inspirational Movies:
* The Shawshank Redemption * Hachiko – A dog’s story * The Terminal * Remember the Titans * Freedom Writers * Gattaca * Cast Away *
Romantic Movies:
* P.S. I love you * The Notebook * A walk to remember * The proposal * Pretty Woman * Cold mountain
Animations:
* Up * Monsters Inc * Madagascar * Finding Nemo * Wall E
I like it when the movie left me feeling hopeful. That’s the best! Yeah we do have the same taste, Freedom Writers is brilliant. Cast Away is among the very first movies that I’ve seen, nostalgic here =))
I like “foreign” (i.e., not U.S.) films because they often focus more on plot and character rather than special effects, as too many U.S. movies do.
If you liked “Cast Away” as an “inspirational” movie, a very “dark” survival movie I love is “Seven Beauties”, about how an Italian soldier survives a Nazi death camp. The 5-minute opening sequence is itself a commentary about kinds of people and is on YouTube.