Category Archives: Feel Good Not For Children

2013, B-movie, Comedy, Corny, Feel Good Not For Children, Imperfect, Melodrama, Optimistic, School Teacher, Sex Scenes, Teenagers

The English Teacher (2013)

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From Netflix:

Devoted small-town English teacher Linda yearns for love. Enter Jason, a former student whose career as a Broadway playwright didn’t pan out. When she persuades him to stage his play at the school before giving up, love — and controversy — arises.

Nathan Lane, Julianne Moore, and Greg Kinnear join forces to give us a film which is both a comedy and a somewhat corny melodrama. Thank goodness for the surprising belly-laughs. Although you might give this film a B+, there are some interesting plot turns. Moreover, the events are all too possible (“What! A high school teacher having inappropriate sex! Impossible!”) . Several of the principle characters do have some bad moments, some soul searching, and experience some happy changes.

However, that high school play seemed too lame for the audience to be so excited. But then parents can appreciate just about anything positive.

Since I am not really raving about this film, I feel I can offer a small spoiler: there is a happy ending.

2013, Comedy, Coming-of-age, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Optimistic, Teenagers, Vulgar, Witty dialog

The Kings of Summer (2013)

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From Netflix:

Chafing under his widowed father’s control, Joe Toy invites a friend and an offbeat new kid to help him build his own house in the nearby woods. Now that the trio is finally free from parents and responsibility, what’s next?

Do not dismiss this film as just another teen-fling. Granted the main characters are teenagers, but their parents are wonderful comic personalities. Whoever wrote the script has a clever, sparkling, tongue-in-cheek skill with droll sarcasm. But do be prepared for a few obscenities here and there.

To be able to build such a house in the woods seems to me to be fantasy, but just accept it and move along.

Hats off to the three teen stars, including the remarkably offbeat character Biaggio.

Hopefully Kathy and I were not as overbearing as the three parents. At the very least our kids did not run off and live in a ramshackle hut in the woods.

And not a serial killer in sight! Have fun!

2009, Comedy, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Human spirit, Italian, Italian culture

Loose Cannons (2009)

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From Netflix:

This fiery comedy from director Ferzan Ozpetek finds young Tommaso about to reveal to his large, frenetic Italian family that he’s gay. But he’s beaten to the punch by his older brother, who is promptly disinherited by their furious father.

“Fiery” is not accurate. Instead this film is a sentimental feel-good that offers some truly funny laughs. Fundamentally the theme of the film is that if you want a happy life you have to be bold and assert your own individuality instead of, for example, doing what your parents expect. Granted, family obligations and duties may be stronger in Italy than here in the U.S.A. Here this independence applies not only to the gay sons but also to their grandmother who did not get to marry the man she really loved and consequently lived a life of regret.

For you Italophiles, the Italian spoken in this film is beautiful to hear. English subtitles appear and are not optional.

2012, Corny, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dancing, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Feel Good Not For Children, Frenetic, Manic depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Sports

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

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From NetFlix:

After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.

Let me make several observations:

  • I LOVED THIS FILM!
  • You will either love or hate this film.
  • Probably the best adjective that describes this film is “manic-depressive” or more accurately “manic”. At the very least it is never boring.
  • From time to time certain scenes might make you cringe.
  • Actors in the film have mastered “speed-speaking”.
  • Bradley Cooper is brilliant.
  • Jennifer Lawrence is beautiful. More importantly she is a perfect counterpart to Bradley Cooper. They must have rehearsed for hours to get their fast (everything in this film is fast) dialog so well tuned.
  • Don’t miss the dance scenes. Is that really Bradley and Jennifer dancing or is it faked?
  • Robert Di Niro is convincing with his own Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His trying to connect with his son is touching.
  • Betting on sports is insane.
  • Betting on a dance contest is even more insane.
  • Cheers to Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher and John Ortiz for providing such great supporting roles.
  • Is the last part of the film a bit corny?

Are these observations enough to get you interested in a film that I highly recommend. DO NOT MISS!

2011, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, French, Wonderful acting

The Intouchables (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Based on a true story, a quadriplegic aristocrat’s world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker. This unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor as they shatter preconceptions of love, life and each other.

Between François Cluzet (as Phillipe) and Omar Sy (as Driss) the pairing is as entertaining and warm as it is seemingly unlikely. But the story is based on a real such friendship. Be sure to watch enough of the final credits to see photos of the actual persons as well as to learn what happened to them.

Do not be put off by the initial car chase. This is NOT a car chase film. Instead the story tells of the growing connection between a wealthy almost completely paralyzed French aristocrat, Phillipe, and his black ex-con caretaker, Driss, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Driss’s enthusiasm for life is infectious and it eventually enriches Phillipe’s life. Expect frank discussions of sex. Expect some misdirected flirting. Expect some wild, surprising physical adventures (for example, hang gliding). Expect to smoke a lot of weed.

Expect to have a lot of fun watching this wonderful film. No matter your taste in films, DO NOT MISS this French film with English subtitles.

2011, Based on true facts, British, Comedy, Drama, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Satire

Hysteria (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In 1880s London, forward-thinking young doctor Mortimer Granville has a difficult time keeping a job until he and an inventor friend concoct an electrifying solution to the rampant “hysteria” affecting England’s sexually and socially repressed women.

Along with the fun and naughty treatment of the invention of the sexual vibrator, there is an underlying theme of women’s rights in Victorian England as well as a budding romance between the young Doctor Granville and the rebellious socialist daughter of Granville’s greedy employer.

Maggie Gyllenhaal (who played the title role in “Secretary”) plays the rebellious daughter. At first I did not recognize Rupert Everett as Edmund St. John-Smythe (probably because he was sporting a beard and has put on a bit of weight) who plays the inventor of the vibrator.

Despite my own enthusiasm, my daughter Kate found the film to be a bit “smaltzy”. Although not for children, at least it offers 100 minutes of somewhat thought-provoking amusement for the older family members.

2010, Feel Good Not For Children, Imperfect, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Mediocre, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Slow

Last Night (2010)

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From NetFlix:

During an evening apart, married couple Joanna and Michael encounter tempting opportunities to cheat on each other: Michael spends time on a business trip with his sexy colleague, Laura, while Joanna crosses paths with a former flame, Alex.

Imagine a film in the 21st century about marital fidelity! In fact, it was a pleasure watching the subject being taken seriously. Unfortunately the writing at times was either stilted or just plain amateurish.

Keira Knightley is beautiful (and possible anorexic) and reminds me of young Audrey Hepburn. Her smile sometimes seems to me somewhat less than genuine.

Sam Worthington projected an air of uncertainty that I found realistic and appealing. In addition his remorse towards the end of the film was well-done. He keeps his Australian accent during the film.

Alex is played by Guillaume Canet, a French heart-throb.

How realistic the scenes between Knightley and Canet were (they spend the night sleeping together fully clothed) I cannot say.

Although I give the film a “B+”, it was an adult feel-good, something increasingly rare these days.

2011, Corny, Dysfunctional Lives, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Slacker

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Siblings Jay and Mark Duplass direct this comedy focusing on two brothers — one a moderate success, the other still living with Mom. A trip to the store for glue, however, turns into an encounter with destiny for the stay-at-home slacker.

Do now films glorify slackers so regularly that I must add the film category of “slacker”? Granted in this year of 2012 unemployment is a genuine problem, but Jeff does seem to live in la-la-land. For the entire film he chases after any experience that is connected with the name “Kevin”, sometimes to his real detriment.

Jeff has a brother Pat whose marriage is in trouble. At least Pat is employed but he could be a lot more responsible and also responsive to his long-suffering wife Linda. Their situation and discussions ring very true.

Their mother Sharon (played by Susan Sarandon) comes off as a needy, lonesome woman who has no idea how to help her son who lives in the basement. Her flirting with an anonymous admirer is fun to watch and also a bit sad. Surely there are a lot of women in her position.

Finally a somewhat extreme episode unites Sharon, Jeff, Pat, and Linda. Probably we needed this episode to turn the film into a “feel-good”. Nice try!

Not boring, sadly current, worth a watch.

2006, Adventure, Coast Guard, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Psychological Drama, PTSD, Sea Rescue

The Guardian (2006)

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From NetFlix:

When legendary rescue swimmer Ben Randall is appointed to teach at an elite Coast Guard school, he’s compelled to skillfully train and inspire cocky upstart Jake Fischer to excellence, courtesy of some unorthodox coaching methods.

If nothing else, just the sea rescue school sessions fascinated me. Also there are some exciting sea rescue scenes. Costner’s troubled marriage (he is married to sea rescue, the old story) is secondary to the plot.

Costner’s involvement with his student Jake Fischer is fitting, owing to similar past tragedies. One of their discussions could be a real tear-jerker.

Be prepared for one really wild final rescue.

Aston Kutcher (plays Jake Fischer) will play the lead role in the 2013 film “Jobs”. He was 28 during the filming. His film sidekick Brian Geraghty (plays Billy Hodge) played Brian Eller in the TV series “True Blood”. He was 31 during the filming. On the other hand Kevin Costner was 51 during the filming.

Just tell me a good story and I am a happy listener.

2012, Chick Flick, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Nudity, Quiet

The Vow (2012)

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From NetFlix:

Rachel McAdams stars in this romantic drama about a newlywed woman who slips into a coma after a car accident and awakens with amnesia. Her devoted husband (Channing Tatum) must help her recover and also win her back.

What’s not to like about a chick-flick that offers all the feel-good enticements you could hope for:

  • Great flirting technique brought to us by Channing Tatum
  • Great flirting responses brought to us by Rachel McAdams
  • Poetic wedding in an art museum
  • Support from a large group of similarly artistic friends
  • Her success as a sculptress
  • Her post-accident memory of only her former life as the daughter of a wealthy successful lawyer
  • Kind and caring Channing, who only wants Rachel to be happy
  • etc.

Will our heroine re-learn to love our considerate, unselfish hero who never stops loving her despite all the hardships (such as her controlling, ambitious and disapproving father)?

Stay tuned, because I’ll never tell.