Category Archives: Feel Good For All

Up (2009)

From NetFlix:

After a lifetime of dreaming of traveling the world, 78-year-old homebody Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) flies away on an unbelievable adventure, with Russell, an 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer (Jordan Nagai), unexpectedly in tow. Together, the unlikely pair embarks on a thrilling odyssey full of jungle beasts and rough terrain. Other voices include the renowned Christopher Plummer and Pixar stalwart John Ratzenberger.

Not your average Disney film. Entertaining for young and old alike. Sometimes I just burst out laughing. In the initial part of the film we watch the lifetime of a married but childless couple. They age, she dies, he is alone. As I watched this part I thought “Oh my gosh, do I look like him ?” The fatherless boy scout is at times touching. The villain is, well, a real Walt Disney villain. If I could do the athletic stunts that the old man carries off, I would be in amazing shape. Just suspend disbelief and enjoy the fun.

Born to be Wild (2004)

From NetFlix:

Fans of the American Ballet Theatre will delight in this documentary about the renowned company’s four lead male dancers: Angel Corella, Vladimir Malakov, Hose Manuel Carreno and Ethan Steifel. Find out how each dancer got started in classical ballet, learn about their individual approach to the discipline, their backgrounds and their strengths onstage, and view clips of their best performances from the beginning to the apex of their careers.

It’s hard to believe that human bodies can do what these 4 men can do. The climax of this documentary will be all 4 men dancing together to the finale of Robert Schuman’s 4th piano quartet in a dance choreographed by Mark Morris. But interspersed with the rehearsals are biographical interviews with the dancers. Who knew that ballet was alive and well in Castro’s Cuba ?

Children of Heaven (1999)

From NetFlix:

Play Preview A delightful Iranian movie about a boy who accidentally loses his sister’s shoes and must share his own sneakers with her in a sort of relay while each attends school at different times during the day. Finally, the boy enters a much-publicized foot race, hoping to place third. The prize: a new pair of sneakers. Directed by respected filmmaker Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven is just that — heavenly.

Do not confuse this film with Children of Men which is a good Clive Owen film, but dark and somewhat depressing.

You can believe the NetFlix rave about “Childen of Heaven”! This film with Persian soundtrack and English subtitles is a gem. It is also one of those rare films suitable for all ages. Definitely a feel-good that should not be missed.

Intimate Stories (2002)

From NetFlix:

A charming and affecting tale charting the fortunes of three small town heroes pursuing their dreams, Carlos Sorin’s “Historias Minimas” offers further evidence of the current riches to be found in Argentine cinema. Awarded a special jury prize at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, it’s a deceptively simple yet delightful road movie concerned with three disparate characters heading for the Argentine city of San Julian.

Very much like an independent film. Quiet, unassuming, full of kind people being friendly to one another, the farthest thing from a car-chase film you could ever imagine. I could never live in so desolate a country where reaching the next important city could mean driving 200 miles. The highway (without Massachusetts potholes) stretches on forever in the midst of nothing. An elderly man makes that journey in the hopes of finding his former dog Badface. There is sadness associated with this search and I can say no more.

Soothing, but nothing special. It made me feel good that there are such nice, simple people (even if it just a movie). Subtitles in English are available.

Last Chance Harvey (2009)

From NetFlix:

Dustin Hoffman stars in this romantic dramedy as Harvey Shine, a
struggling jingle writer who risks losing his job to attend his
daughter’s London wedding, only to discover he is not exactly welcome
at the ceremony. While seeking refuge in the airport bar, Harvey meets
a lonely statistician named Kate (Emma Thompson) and soon finds himself
happily thrust into an unexpected romance. Hoffman and Thompson both
picked up Golden Globe nominations for their roles.

This is one sweet film. Hoffman and Thompson really pair off well. Beware: there are some tensely embarrassing moments for poor Harvey. But isn’t it rare these days to find a gentle feel-good movie suitable for all viewers ?

Do you believe this: Thompson (born in 1959) is 50 years old. Hoffman (born in 1937) is 72 years old. Not bad!

WALL-E (2008)

From NetFlix:

In a futuristic world, human beings have destroyed Earth and evacuated the planet, leaving the cleanup to an army of robots they’ve programmed to do their dirty work. Due to a mishap, the dutiful WALL-E is the only one left. But with the arrival of a female probe named EVE, the monotony of WALL-E’s existence is broken — and he experiences love for the first time. Andrew Stanton directs this Golden Globe- and Oscar-winning Pixar tale with a sci-fi twist.

Not everyone loves animated films. In the hopes that I could get interested I gave the film a try. WALL-E is built on at least two questionable premises: the earth becomes an uninhabitable junk heap, AND humans abandon earth to live a life of robot-served bliss on a space station. (With regard to the first premise, there is a 2008 documentary called “Life After People”.) Without giving anything away, the conjectured resulting state of those blissful humans is amusing (but I don’t accept the idea that every human would accept the bliss and its consequences). Finally the glorious triumphant end of the film seemed entirely bogus to me.

Much detailed hard work went into making WALL-E. The eye candy alone kept me interested for at least half of the film. But toward the end I was squirming waiting for it all to be over. Enough with chasing robots, electronic traffic control, etc.! Maybe I am just too old for a mini-Star-Wars-clone. And I wonder how a pre-teen or teen would react to this film appropriate for all ages.

As an alternative, try an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki such as “Spirited Away”.

Hopefully someone out there will disagree with me.

Hidalgo (2004)

From NetFlix:

    Viggo Mortensen stars as Frank T. Hopkins, reputed to be
    one of the best riders of the Wild West. His chance to
    prove his talent comes when an affluent sheik invites
    him to join one of the most outrageous and grueling
    races of all: a 3000-mile trek across the Arabian
    Desert. Previously open only to those who ride Arabian
    horses, the event allows Hopkins to join with his
    Mustang, Hidalgo. Can they win?

Goosebumps and more goosebumps! “Hidalgo” is not just a
western. It’s a feel-good, an adventure, and almost a
sports movie (horse-racing). The story is true. In fact
there is a Frank T. Hopkins WEB site.

Viggo Mortensen has proven himself an adaptable actor
(Good,  Appaloosa, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence,
Lord of the Rings, 28 Days). He speaks 4 languages
fluently and 2 others acceptably.

As I have said, a good western has to have good guys
and bad guys. “Hidalgo” has some great villains including
a beautiful British woman who continually speaks through
her nose and plots evil deeds.

Underlying the entire film is a clash of cultures: U.S. Army
versus the Sioux indians, British versus American, Cowboy
versus Bedouin.

Be prepare for a few sobs as well.

Son Of Rambow (2007)

From NetFlix:

    Forbidden to watch TV or go to the movies by his ultrareligious
    parents, young Will (Bill Milner) gets a hold of a camera, and
his
    mind blossoms
in this nostalgic comedy from
the team behind The
    Hitchhiker
‘s Guide to the Galaxy. Set in 1980s Britain, the film
    tells the tale of the friendship that blossoms between Will and
    class bully Lee (Will Poulter) when the latter recruits Will to
    help him make a home movie inspired by Rambo: First Blood

Thanks to Kate and Nigel for suggesting “Son of Rambow” which is the 320th film in our
collection.

 Finally a feel-good for everyone (such films are rare these days).  For some reason the film
got a PG-13  rating (parental guidance for kids under 13) due to violence. But the movie
is just about super-crazy kids making a movie. This is a sit, relax, and laugh movie.  For me
just the scene with the flying dog made the whole movie worthwhile.  There are other really
funny sight gags. By the way, wife Kathy also loved the film – which really says something.
For me the very last part of  the movie was just a tad maudlin. Still, the happy ending just
felt right.

Grace Is Gone (2007)

From NetFlix:

Director James C. Strouse’s indie drama stars John Cusack
as Stanley Phillips, an ex-military man trying to find the
courage to break some devastating news to his two daughters:
Their mother has died while serving in Iraq. As he works through
his complex feelings about his wife’s death and the war, Stanley
delays telling his girls the truth, instead taking them on an
excursion to a theme park. The film won the Dramatic Audience
Award at Sundance 2007.

I don’t remember ever seeing John Cusack in a bad film and this film is no exception.
Despite its sad theme the film is never maudlin. However, if by the end of the film you
don’t feel a bit teary, you might just be made of stone. The two girls are perfect, each
for their age. In fact the film is just about perfect.

I called this movie a “feel-good for all”. But you might want to prepare any children
viewers beforehand for some sadness.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED,

John Adams (2008)

From NetFlix:

Paul Giamatti stars in this sweeping Emmy-nominated
miniseries that chronicles the astonishing life of founding
father John Adams: revolutionary leader, America’s first
ambassador to England, the first vice president and the
second president. The iconic cast of characters includes
Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), George Washington (David
Morse), Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane), Benjamin
Franklin (Tom Wilkinson) and many more.

This book is based on David McCullough’s 2001 book. I was so inspired by this set of 3 discs that I have started to read the 651 page book. I will let you know in a few years if I have ever finished the book. I have classified this book as OK for children. But there are smallpox inoculations and breast cancer surgery (no explicit cutting, just the frightening preparation) that
caused wife Kathy to temporarily leave the room.

History really comes alive!