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January 25, 2005
Perfect, Funny Feel-Good Films
am not a professional film buff. I am not a film critic. I cannot explain the merits of Jean Cocteau, the subtlety of John Cassavetes, or the existentialism of Ingmar Bergman.
I know what I like, and maybe I can recommend to you some funny feel-good films on DVD that I regard as perfect (able to be seen again and again with greater appreciation) that you have not seen or heard about. (Later I may post some perfect feel-bad films.)
- Almost Famous Untitled: A director's cut of this funny and touching autobiographical Cameron Crowe film, which follows his journey behind the scenes of 1970s rock and roll. How he became a RollingStone magazine writer at 15, how he hung out with some popular rock bands (like Led Zeppelin and The Allman Brothers, fused into the movie's band, Stillwater). Be sure to listen to the director's commentary with his mother!
- Amelie: What is it with the French? Their films are either utter disasters or exquisite masterpieces. This film, pooh-poohed by Cannes, went on to be one of the most successful films in French history. A sweet, funny, one-of-a-kind film.
- American Pie: Simply the funniest teenage sex comedy ever made. With a heartwarming ending. One to play for unsuspecting sophisticated friends.
- Cold Comfort Farm: "I saw something nasty in the woodshed!" One of those wonderful little quirky gems that only the British seem to be able to create. A confectionate journey of darkness into light.
- Don Juan DeMarco: Johnny Deep is a deluded romantic. Marlon Brando is fat. And he's the psychiatrist that is driven to fix Depp. Instead, Depp fixes Brando. Perfect.
- Four Weddings and a Funeral: A classic of marriage and death.
- L.A. Story: The film that proves writer-director-star Steve Martin is a genius. Humor, romance, and Shakespeare, for those who know the plays.
- Moonstruck: I want to be Italian!
- Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?: If you've read Homer's The Odyssey, you'll love this fabulous remake--in 1930's Mississippi!
- Pride and Prejudice: This five-hour edition of Jane Austen's classic is the definitive edition! My wife and I take it out once each year as part of our Jane Austen festival (which includes Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion. (All classics. Please avoid the awful modern production of Mansfield Park, which violates the spirit of Austen.) Nobody can deliver a climactic kiss quite like Jane Austen!
- Shakespeare in Love: If you've never grokked Shakespeare, this film will help. The brief snippets of Romeo and Juliet in this film demonstrate the proper way that play should be directed, with Romeo as a strong character. Most productions play him as weak and insipid, allowing Mercutio to take over. A classic, that gets across the spirit of Shakespeare.
*** Our comedies are not to be laughed at. Samuel Goldwyn
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Posted by witnit at January 25, 2005 5:39 AM
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