Category Archives: Feel Good For All

2011, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Sports

Win Win (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Paul Giamatti stars as bush-league lawyer Mike Flaherty, who agrees to become an aging client’s legal guardian as a way to pay the bills. But his visions of an easy stipend begin to fade when the man’s teenage grandson suddenly appears on the scene. Just when the attorney thinks he’s found a way to make this new development work for him, the boy’s mother shows up and puts Flaherty’s dreams of a big score in jeopardy.

Feel-good films acceptable even for children are becoming an endangered species. Better grab this one while you can. Nothing is maudlin in this well-written and well-acted drama.

Paul Giamatti is his usual pitch perfect everyman, not a saint but still a hero in his everyday efforts to do the right thing (most of the time). His wife Amy Ryan (Helene McCready in “Gone Baby Gone”) is an understated pillar of strength.

As the lawyer Mike Flaherty, Giamatti is also a high-school wrestling coach with two assistant coaches: Bobby Cannavale (Eddie Saccardo in the TV series “Cold Case”) and Jeffrey Tambor (who, for me, will always be the crooked father of the Bluth family in the TV series “Arrested Development”, which I strongly recommend for those of you who love outrageous comedy).

Burt Young (Paulie in all the Rocky films) plays the senile Leo Poplar. Leo’s estranged drug-addicted daughter is played by Melanie Lynskey who was 34 during the filming. That age is just about right because Leo claims he has not seen Melanie for 20 years. And she could have a 17 year old son.

Alex Shaffer was perfect as the run-away champion wrestler (Leo’s grandson). He was 17 during the filming. Moreover in 2010, at the age of 17, he won the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship.

One small complaint: Alex was too polite a kid. If he was neglected by a drug-addicted mother, I doubt he would be such a model teen, although he did steal a car a while back.

DO NOT MISS THIS CHARMER !

2002, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Wonderful acting

Moonlight Mile (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman co-star as the grieving mother and father of a recently deceased girl who take in their daughter’s fiancé (Jake Gyllenhaal) because he’s the only living connection they have to their only child. Problems arise when the young man falls in love with a woman (Ellen Pompeo) whose boyfriend has gone missing, prompting his former in-laws-to-be to come to grips with the new relationship.

When this film was made in 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal was a mere 22 years old and Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy”) was 33 years old. She did not seem in the film to be that much older than Gyllenhaal. For me it is still shocking to watch an older film and see how young the actors look (even 9 years ago).

Here we have the perfect date movie that offers everything: love story, sad tragedies and humor (Susan Sarandon shoots off some wonderfully acerbic comments about the stupid things people say to you when someone you love dies). You might even shed a tear or two in some of the (possibly) more maudlin scenes.

Children should not be affected by the quiet, tasteful love-making.

“Acting by not acting” is an accusation I often hurl at actors who use their facial expressions (blank or otherwise) instead of saying anything. Perhaps I am harsh or just plain wrong. At any rate Gyllenhaal gets away with this technique which really seems to work for him.

“Moonlight Mile” is the name of a song in a jukebox that has meaning for Ellen Pompeo.

Oh, wait there’s more: you even get a happy ending.

2010, Comedy, Corny, Feel Good For All, Flirting, Love Story, Mediocre, Slapstick

Morning Glory (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Whiz-kid producer Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) finds her abilities put to the test when she’s charged with bringing a network morning show back from ratings purgatory. Her first job: getting the show’s feuding, acid-tongued co-hosts (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) under control. Jeff Goldblum co-stars as Fuller’s network-exec boss and Patrick Wilson is Becky’s put-upon boyfriend in this comedy from the writer of The Devil Wears Prada.

“Why don’t we formerly successful actors get together and make some money by making a B-film?” Perhaps I am overly critical, but with a cast consisting of Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, and Jeff Goldblum would you expect more ? Rachel McAdams seems to carry every film in which she appears. And of course there is the requisite handsome boy friend, this time barely played by Patrick Wilson.

Since playing Ira Buchman (alongside Helen Hunt) in “Mad About You”, John Pankow has had a few lean years.

You have seen Matt Malloy just about everywhere and I bet you do not know his name. As a secondary character actor he has been incredibly successful. In this film he plays Ernie Appleby and provides the best belly laughs of all. If for no other part of the film, it is worth waiting for his scenes late into the film. Hint: “amusement”.

Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed this fun feel-good that is probably OK for kids (ignore the F-word). Don’t let me scare you off from this easy to watch film.

2010, Acceptable for children, Drama, Feel Good For All, Supernatural

Hereafter (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Clint Eastwood directs this supernatural thriller about three very different people and their responses to death, including a hesitant American psychic named George (Matt Damon) who may be able to help the others find answers and peace. Marie (Cécile De France) is a French journalist caught up in the aftereffects of the devastating 2004 tsunami, while in London, young Marcus (Frankie and George McLaren) seeks to contact his deceased twin brother.

Finally I have found a current worthwhile feel-good film suitable for the entire family. Years ago a colleague at work said “If you want to make a good movie, why not just tell a good story ?” Perhaps the idea sounds simplistic, but this film tells a good story that keeps you interested. What’s more it has an ending that was perfect as a pleasant surprise because I thought the film would continue past that point.

Is Matt Damon a good actor or is he just plain lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time ? He made this film when he was 40 years old. He has put on weight but is fortunate to have a young face. For this film I think he fit well. His part was understated. In fact his character wanted nothing more than to be an ordinary man.

Please note the importance of the final handshake.

2010, Acceptable for children, Biographical, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All

The King’s Speech (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Britain’s King George VI (Colin Firth) struggles with an embarrassing stutter for years until he seeks help from unorthodox Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) in this biographical drama, which received multiple Golden Globe nods, including Best Picture. Logue’s pioneering treatment and unlikely friendship give the royal leader a sense of confidence that serves him and his country well during the dark days of World War II.

Quite possibly Colin Firth’s best film yet. His pairing with Geoffrey Rush is a perfect match and makes for very moving movie making. Definitely a feel-good film suitable for all (WARNING: there is a lot of yelling of curse words as part of Logue’s methodology).

There are some notable blasts from the past: Derek Jacobi (“I Claudius”) is the archbishop of Canterbury; Guy Pearce is George’s brother, the king who abdicated to marry a twice divorced American woman from Baltimore; Clair Bloom is Queen Mary; Anthony Andrews is Stanley Baldwin.

For me this is a “don’t miss” film!

2009, Acceptable for children, Feel Good For All, Sports, True Story

The Blind Side (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Oversized African American Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean (Tim McGraw), Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL. Bullock’s performance garnered a Best Actress Oscar nomination and Best Actress Golden Globe Award. Kathy Bates co-stars.

Yes, of course it is maudlin and a bit too goody-goody, but so what ?

There is at most one “uncomfortable” scene in the entire film (Michael fights with some gang-bangers). Note the school dropout in that scene because he figures in newpaper articles toward the end of the film.

This is a standard Sandra Bullock film. Moreover it is actually a feel-good for everyone. Quinton Aaron is NOT an actor. They tried to give him a part in one “Law and Order” episode which was a total disaster.

It pleased me that the Wikipedia article on Michael Oher shows that the movie was very accurate historically.

2009, Comedy, Drugs, Feel Good For All, Unusual

The Men Who Stare At Goats (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Journalist Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) latches onto an unbelievable story in Iraq when he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a man of mysterious origins who reveals he was a “warrior monk” trained by the U.S. Army to develop psychic powers. Jeff Bridges co-stars as Lyn’s mentor, the man who dreamed up the top-secret operation. Kevin Spacey and Rebecca Mader co-star in this Grant Heslov-helmed wild spoof.

Depending on your sense of humor, you might get some occasional good laughs out of this spoof. Ewan McGregor and George Clooney carry almost the entire show, with a little help from other actors. The story line is often weak. There are lots better films to watch. Not every film is a triumph for an actor. Sorry George.

2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Due to a genetic disorder, handsome librarian Henry DeTamble (Eric Bana) involuntarily zips through time, appearing at various moments in the life of his true love, the beautiful artist Clare Abshire (Rachel McAdams). Also starring Ron Livingston as Gomez, the soul-stirring romantic drama was adapted from the best-selling Audrey Niffenegger novel by Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter behind the beloved weepy Ghost.

Finding a film suitable for everyone, children included, is a rare event. This sweet, gentle fantasy romance is easy to watch. If at first it seems confusing, stay with it. Eventually you will take the disappearances and reappearances of Henry for granted.

Rachel McAdams was Della Frye in State of Play (2009) and Clare Cleary in “Wedding Crashers”.

Eric Bana was Henry Tudor in “The Other Boleyn Girl” and Avner in “Munich”.

Great date film!

2009, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Drama, Feel Good For All

The Boys Are Back (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Following the sudden death of his wife, Australian sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) struggles to cope with his grief and comfort his young son (Nicholas McAnulty). Being a single father gets even trickier when Joe’s rebellious teenage son from a previous marriage (George MacKay) moves in. Director Scott Hicks helms this touching — and often hilarious — tale of a family in flux, based on a memoir by Simon Carr.

In this film Clive Owen is as I have never seen him. Gone (well, almost) is the grinning bad boy. Instead he plays well a caring father left to his own uncertain devices. Both sons do an amazing job of acting. The younger gets it right as a little boy. The older teenager gets it right as an adolescent who wonders if his father even loves him. In some ways it is a very ordinary film. But for me the underlying truth is that kids suffer from divorce no matter what our permissive experts tell us.

And is Australia really that beautiful ?

2009, Feel Good For All, Revenge, Sci-Fi

Star Trek (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Capt. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his trusted team on the starship USS Enterprise boldly go where no man has gone before in this installment of Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi franchise that follows the early days of the intergalactic adventurers. The crew includes Spock (Zachary Quinto), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho). Eric Bana co-stars, and Leonard Nimoy appears as an older version of Spock.

As an old “Star Trek” fan and still adolescent at heart, I enjoyed much of the film. Sometimes the pseudo-scientific explanations of what was happening left me cold. And seen one battle in space is pretty much to have seen all of them. These days it seems fashionable to create “Origin of …” films. Granted I am getting older, but I do wish the young Captain James Kirk did not have a case of acne.

The best line of all was (say this loud and fast) “Are you out of your Vulcan mind ?”

Live well and prosper!