Movie Project: what film always cheers you up?

As you may have noticed, blogging has been a bit light in recent months.

True to form, the moment my work settled into a nice, predictable pattern, the universe decided to turn everything else in my life upside down – just to keep me on my toes.

So while I’ve been dealing with broken cars, friends in crisis, a crumbling house, a complicated love life  and the sheer, unadulterated joy that is finding a decent primary school, my movie project has stumbled a bit. After a long day of drama, the last thing you feel like is sitting down to a sub-titled exploration of existential angst.

So, here's what I'd like to know: what movie do you watch after a rubbish day, when you want your faith in life and people restored, or you want to at least laugh until your sides ache? For me, the movies I watch on those days tend to be things like Big, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Princess Bride and (of course) Breakfast at Tiffany's.

What are your recommendations?

For those who are interested, here's my 2009 movie list so far:

The "movies that are totally worth your hard-earned cash" list:

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Into the Wild
Slumdog Millionaire
Coraline 3D
Persepolis ( thanks to Anne W for this one)
Spellbound
Lords of Dogtown
Best in Show ( thanks to Jess for that one)
Man on Wire
Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Zoolander
Star Trek (the JJ Abrams one, especially when I spotted Meghan's cameo)
The Beat that My Heart Skipped
Che Part I and II
Milk (thanks Alexandra W)
The Wrestler
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Let The Right One In
I’ve Loved You So Long ( thanks Joanne Mallon, I cried for about two hours)
Napoleon Dynamite (thanks Emily W)
Duck Soup (thanks Dom W for a GREAT recommendation!)
Run Lola Run (this one came from Lynn, I think)

The “movies that are really good but not great if you’re depressed” list:

No Country for Old Men
Fargo
Changeling
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Nil by Mouth (thanks Kate H)
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning ( thanks Crawford)

The “not everything I hoped it might be” list:

Taxi Driver
Complete History of My Sexual Failures
Inconvenient Truth
No Way Home
Moonstruck
March of the Penguins
Il Divo
Monsoon Wedding
Run Fat Boy Run (sorry Yeelim)
Wall E (Yes, Natalie, I BLAME YOU)

The “guilty pleasure” list:

Twilight
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
17 Again
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
The Boat That Rocked
Son of Rambow

The “Oh Dear, I think my soul just died a little” list:

Mamma Mia
Knowing
Monsters Inc
Night at the Museum

Comments

[Dan Thornton]

You taste in 'good mood' films tends to be similar to mine - films like Heathers and Mallrats probbaly edge Ferris for me (The humour is darker/more cutting).
Mindless action also works for me - just pick anthing produced by Simpson/Bruckenheimer - Top Gun, Days of Thunder, The Rock, Con Air etc. I grab beer/ice cream, disengage my brain, and enjoy the eloquent and intellectual dialogue (e.g. Con Air - 'Put the bunny back in the box).
If nothing else the lead characters are always named in comedy fashion..(Days of Thunder - 'Cole Trickle')

[David Child]

I'm a firm believer in the restorative power of Elle Woods to turn even the bleakest of days into glitter-soaked heaven.

Either of the Legally Blondes would work - that or Hairspray, you'll be singing along and dancing away after 10 minutes.

Snaps to cheesy films.

D

[charitygirl]

good list!

if you're into quirky action movies i'd recommend the Taxi movie trilogy. French action movies that will knock your socks off

[Sally Whittle]

@Dan - yes, I am a HUGE fan of Heathers but it doesn't tick the "feelgood" box so much for me. But you do remind me it's been an awful long time since I watched Con Air...

@David - have to say, never saw the second Legally Blonde - is it worth a look? or should i just watch the first one again?

@charitygirl - never heard of it - are you sure it's cheery? Because it is French...

[Watch Movies]

I love watching cartoons when I'm depressed or just sad or sick :) Anything by Miyazaki just pops my mood right back to the highest rank ever- Kiki the Witch is one of my all time favorites- you probably know him by "spirited away" which is also GREAT! I recommend these to - OOH! AN Tottoro :) He is also such a mood uplifter.

[Watch Movies]

I love watching cartoons when I'm depressed or just sad or sick :) Anything by Miyazaki just pops my mood right back to the highest rank ever- Kiki the Witch is one of my all time favorites- you probably know him by "spirited away" which is also GREAT! I recommend these to - OOH! AN Tottoro :) He is also such a mood uplifter.