Sunny Side Up: Feel Good Films

By Michael Lyons

“It’s the feel good movie of the year!”

One of the most over-used exclamations from film critics...but boy, one that we could used to be over-used right now.

Things don’t really feel good right now, that’s for sure, but maybe an escape to one of the many movies that do make us feel good would make us feel better, at least for a few hours.

Here is a brief list of some of Hollywood’s most familiar, and some seldom seen, feel good films:

“Singin’ In the Rain” (1952).  Donald O’Connor defying gravity through “Make ‘Em Laugh”; Donald, Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly gracefully tipping over furniture as they wish us “Good Morning” and Gene’s umbrella-spinning his way through the iconic title song.  This is, arguably, the greatest movie musical and one of the best films ever made and each time you watch it, it’s like a welcome visit from an old friend who makes you feel good.

“Pollyanna” (1960).  Walt Disney’s film adaptation of the novel about the title character, an orphan (Haley Mills) whose positive outlook on life helps change the perspective of the residents of a small town.  Considered for years to be Hollywood schmaltz, the name in the movie’s title has become synonymous with those who look at life through rose colored glasses.  But, quite honestly, we could use more Pollyannas right now.

“The Muppet Movie” (1979).  The Muppets “origin story” always makes us all want to find “The Rainbow Connection” and a home at “The Magic Store!”

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986).  Of all the John Hughes ‘80’s-teen-movies, this one about the title character (Matthew Broderick) who plays hooky on an adventurous day in Chicago has a joy of life unlike any other.  Shake it up, baby - twist and shout!

“The Fisher King” (1991).  Jeff Bridges is a “shock jock” and Robin Williams is Parry, an off-kilter homeless man in director Terry Gilliam’s film that unfurls like a good novel (thanks to an original script by Richard LaGravanese).  It starts off very dark, but little by little, the brightness of the film’s positive themes and messages shines through.

“Meet the Robinsons” (2007).  One of Disney Animation Studios most underrated films about a young, orphaned boy who travels into the future and in the process finds his true family and his true self.  With a recurring  and encouraging theme: “Keep Moving Forward,” this film focuses on a better world and a brighter future.

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (2019).  From just last year, Tom Hanks received a deserved Oscar nomination playing Mr. Rogers, in this true story of how he developed a friendship with a cynical journalist (Mathew Rhys), which changes the journalist’s life.  Like Mr. Rogers himself, this film asks the question: what would the world be like if you we took a more peaceful, positive perspective?  It would probably be as wonderful as Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

Take some time to feel good everyone and continue to be safe.

Sources: Wikipedia

Comic Relief: The Perfect Time To Re-Visit Hollywood’s Funniest Films

By Michael Lyons

“Reality, what a concept”. So said Robin Williams, one of the world’s greatest comedy minds.

Over the past few weeks, and most definitely, the past few days, we’ve seen such truth in that.

The world has definitely gotten real, becoming a different, scary, sad and unnerving place, in which our lives have changed like never before.

As we stay in touch with the latest news, stay safe and watch out for each other, it may be worthwhile to take a break from all of this reality and celebrate the power of pure laughter with some of Hollywood’s greatest comedy films.

In no particular order, other than alphabetical, here they are:

“Airplane!” (1980).  It’s been forty years since the Zucker Brothers re-defined comedy with this parody of...well...everything.  The laughs both in dialogue and in sight gags come fast and from every corner of the screen.  They’re even delivered by some of Hollywood’s most serious actors.  If you seriously haven’t seen it in a while, well, all that can be said is “Shirley, you can’t be serious?”

“Annie Hall” (1977). “I thought of that old joke. This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, 'Doc, my brother's crazy. He thinks he's a chicken.' The doctor says, 'Why don't you turn him in?' The guy says, 'I would, but I need the eggs.' Well, I guess that's, now, how I feel about relationships. They're totally irrational, crazy and absurd. But I guess we keep going through it because most of us need the eggs.”

How can you not laugh at lines like that in Woody Allen’s funnest film.  Hysterical and poignant.  Watch this romantic comedy, if you haven’t seen it in a while, you need the eggs.

“The Birdcage” (1996).  Director Mike Nichol’s adaptation of the classic French comedy “La Cage Aux Folles,” is like a comedic Russian nesting doll: each time you watch it, you can find something even funnier about it.

Plus, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Diane West, Hank Azeria and Gene Hackman in one movie, together? C’mon!

“Blazing Saddles” (1974).  No list of the best comedy films would be complete without something from Mel Brooks.  It’s hard to pick Mel’s best, but his parody of Westerns (which created the blueprint for an entire generation of movie parodies)  is hard to argue with as his pinnacle.  Crude, rude, politically incorrect and absolutely hysterical.  Plus...that campfire scene... 

“Bridesmaids” (2011).  A modern-day comedy classic.  Star and writer Kristin Wiig’s story of the trials and tribulations of the title characters.  Smart and so quotable, with solid performances all around, while not afraid to be off-color and rude, “Bridesmaids” set a new standard.

“Caddyshack” (1980) Made at the height of “Saturday Night Live” movie comedies, this is the All-Star Game.  Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray and a persistent gopher deliver a golf comedy that has become a beloved classic in the four decades since it was first released.  Not a day goes by that someone somewhere doesn’t quote this film.  If you’ve never seen it, you need to “Be the ball!”

“Duck Soup” (1933).  Is there really anything more to say other than this is a Marx Brothers movie?  In this one, filled with the Brothers’ trademark, off-kilter, rat-a-tat humor, Groucho is named the Dictator of the fictional country, Fredonia and includes lines like, “I’ve got a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it!”

“Hold That Ghost’ (1941).  Many would say that “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” is the duo’s best film, but “Hold That Ghost” makes a great companion piece.  In the film, Abbott and Costello find themselves trapped in a haunted house and Costello’s terrified, stammering reactions to the ghosts are pure, comic gold.

“The Odd Couple” (1968).  Before they were “Grumpy Old Men, “ Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were grumpy younger, divorced roommates, Felix and Oscar, in this film adaptation of Neil Simon’s brilliant stage play.  It’s no wonder that the story of the neat freak and the snob forced to live together has been adapted so many times (including a hit TV series), as the possibilities are endlessly funny.

“There’s Something About Mary’ (1998).  The Farrelly Brothers low brow, gross out comedy with heart is a hysterical juggernaut like no other.  Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz and Matt Dillon in a love triangle, of sorts, unlike any you’ve ever seen.  Just saying “the zipper scene” or “the hair gel scene” from anyone who has seen this film can immediately generate laughs.

So, while reality may continue to be a concept, taking some time to laugh with these movies, or many of the other well loved comedies out there, may just be what’s indeed.  Not a definitive list here, by any means, but one that may help ease some stress, at least for 90 minutes to two hours.  

Stay safe and stay well everyone.

Sources:

IMDb

Wikipedia

Sibling Revelry: Remembering “The Brothers McMullen”

By Michael Lyons

Films don’t look more low budget or independent than “The Brothers McMullen.”  However, the hand-crafted, made-by-a-group-of-friends feel of the film is a major part of the film’s charm.

The 1995 darling of the Sundance Film Festival put writer-director-actor Edward Burns on the map.  The film explores the exploits of the title characters, three Irish-American brothers who, through a series of events, find themselves forced to move back in together, in the Long Island home where they all grew up.

“The Brothers McMullen” explores not just different facets of sibling and family dynamic, but keenly illuminates Irish-American culture (particularly in New York).

With the film’s 25th anniversary this year, coupled with the fact that St. Patrick’s Day is on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to re-visit (or even visit) this independent movie gem.

“The Brothers McMullen” centers on three siblings suffering different crisis of faith.  One brother, Barry (Burns), a successful writer, finds himself falling for a girl (Maxine Bahns) he just met, after years of life as a playboy.  Barry’s brother Patrick (Mike McGlone) has broken off his engagement and the eldest brother Jack (Jack Mulcahy) enters into an extramarital affair.

Burns tells all of this, borrowing pages from the early days of Martin Scorsese, as well as the best comedic films of Woody Allen  (“I like being a pessimist,” says Barry.  “It helps me deal with my inevitable failure.”).

The film also uses its setting of Long Island, New York, like a character itself.  Not only does the Long Island Rail Road make an appearance, but since Burns used his parents house on Long Island for many of the scenes, locals will no doubt feel a sense of neighborhood in the story.

Then, there’s how immersed “The Brothers McMullen” feels in Irish-American culture that continues to add to the heightened reality of the film.

Though simple in its plot, “The Brothers McMullen” is deep in its themes about family bonds and how life’s “speed bumps,” don’t necessary mean an end of the road.

And you don’t have to be Irish or from Long Island to appreciate these very universal messages.

Sliante and Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

Sources:

IMDb

Wikipedia