Happy thoughts!
I was just watching That Thing You Do! on TV, and it got me to thinking about some of my favourite movies to watch when I'm in a crappy mood. Well, not the movies persay, but the specific scenes in said movies that make me disgustingly happy, no matter what else is going on in my life at the time. If you haven't seen any of the movies on the list, I guarantee you, you don't know what you're missing.
In no particular order:
1. That Thing You Do! - The Wonders/Oneders hear their song being played on the radio for the first time
Okay, I said no particular order, but that's not entirely true, because this? IS the best feel-good scene ever put into a movie. I'm not going to try to convince you That Thing You Do! is the greatest example of movie making ever made, because it most definitely isn't, but whenever I see Liv's character walking towards the mailbox with her letters, this irritating little smile creeps onto my face, just in anticipation of what's coming next. Then, when she gets that look of recognition on her face when the opening chords play over her radio, the smile gets a little bigger. It all goes to crap from there. EVERY TIME I see that scene, my cheeks actually ache by the time it's over. The actors sell their characters' pure, ecstatic joy over hearing their music on the radio so well, it makes me want to start shrieking and jumping around with them.
2. The Pink Panther - The Costume Chase Scene
I could try to describe all the little nuances about this scene that make me love it so much, like the old man with his chair, and the constant moments when the chase is halted so the four cars can talk to each other, but I think I'll just leave it at this: Zebra.
3. While You Were Sleeping - The Paperboy
Should I ever find this movie on DVD, I will buy it without hesitation and for one reason only: the paperboy. It barely qualifies as a scene (what is it, five seconds long?), but damn if I don't laugh my ass off every time I see it. You will never be able to convince me that it was intentional, either. It HAD to have been an accident, because no one could ever make such a spectacular wipeout on purpose.
4. The Lady Vanishes - Charters is the Most Apathetic Shooting Victim Ever
This is my favourite Hitchcock movie and I think Charters and Caldicott are chiefly responsible. Let me explain the scene. No, it's too complicated; let me sum up (and more on THAT particular movie later). A bunch of Brits are stranded on the tea car of a train, which has stopped in the middle woods and is surrounded by bad spy-type people. Charters wants to get the lay of the land, so he figures, "Well, I'll just poke my head out and ask the people with the guns. They seem to know what's going on." Everyone else is all, "Umm, that's stupid." He does it anyhow. He goes to the door and is about to cheerfully ask what all the fuss is about, when a shot rings out and Charters pauses, slightly puzzled. He goes back into the car, says, "Well, you were right" and asks Caldicott for a handkerchief. He then proceeds to wrap up his hand, which now has a hole in the middle of it, completely blase about the whole thing. He's so unaffected by the whole incident it kills me.
5. My Cousin Vinny - "The defense would like to drop all charges."
I still give a little cheer every time I see it. Look! Look at how happy they all are! Awww! Bill's crying! Group hug!
6. Singin' in the Rain - Exposing Lena Lamont as a Sham
Could I ever say enough about the genius that is Jean Hagen? No, I couldn't. Everything she does in this movie makes me laugh ("I've been kissing him since before you were born!" Hee!), but her delayed reaction to Kathy's voice being replaced by Cosmo's is probably the high point. Hey, just because I love to see Jean play the character doesn't mean I don't love to see her get taken down.
7. The Shawshank Redemption - Chess Piece? Meet Raquel.
Do I even need to explain this one? Do I? DAMN that was some good storytelling. On the off-chance you live in a cave and don't know what I'm talking about, just rent the movie. You will freak out, I guarantee it.
8. The Princess Bride - You know what I'm going to say, right?
What up? I'm Inigo Montoya. You knocked off my old man and YOU ARE GOING DOWN, BITCH!!! Or something like that. I don't remember. It's not like we're talking about the best revenge scene EVER! Should death make me so happy?
9. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - The Barn Raising
It's been called the best choreographed scene in musical history, but precious few of us have ever seen it, because few of us have ever been exposed to the sexist genius that is the Pontipee brothers. You must see this scene at least once in your life, even if you don't watch the whole movie. You get something in the number of (counts quickly in head) 10 professional dancers and acrobats dancing around a barn raising. Sawhorses get more air time then they've ever gotten on film before or since (thanks to all the guys dancing on them, leaping over them, sliding under them, doing backflips on them, skipping with axes on them, etc.). Then we move into one of the awesomest choreographed brawls in the history of ever which culminates with the untimely death of the poor barn, and all the women crying (most likely because they just found out that these really cute guys they like are actually RAVING LOONS!).
10. Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera - "Prima Donna
It's so much fun. I really don't know what else to tell you about it. It's my favourite number in the whole movie even though it's not my favourite song, just because it's so. Much. Fun. I love it when Minnie goes bowling for ballerinas. To me, THAT is good visual comedy, right there.
In no particular order:
1. That Thing You Do! - The Wonders/Oneders hear their song being played on the radio for the first time
Okay, I said no particular order, but that's not entirely true, because this? IS the best feel-good scene ever put into a movie. I'm not going to try to convince you That Thing You Do! is the greatest example of movie making ever made, because it most definitely isn't, but whenever I see Liv's character walking towards the mailbox with her letters, this irritating little smile creeps onto my face, just in anticipation of what's coming next. Then, when she gets that look of recognition on her face when the opening chords play over her radio, the smile gets a little bigger. It all goes to crap from there. EVERY TIME I see that scene, my cheeks actually ache by the time it's over. The actors sell their characters' pure, ecstatic joy over hearing their music on the radio so well, it makes me want to start shrieking and jumping around with them.
2. The Pink Panther - The Costume Chase Scene
I could try to describe all the little nuances about this scene that make me love it so much, like the old man with his chair, and the constant moments when the chase is halted so the four cars can talk to each other, but I think I'll just leave it at this: Zebra.
3. While You Were Sleeping - The Paperboy
Should I ever find this movie on DVD, I will buy it without hesitation and for one reason only: the paperboy. It barely qualifies as a scene (what is it, five seconds long?), but damn if I don't laugh my ass off every time I see it. You will never be able to convince me that it was intentional, either. It HAD to have been an accident, because no one could ever make such a spectacular wipeout on purpose.
4. The Lady Vanishes - Charters is the Most Apathetic Shooting Victim Ever
This is my favourite Hitchcock movie and I think Charters and Caldicott are chiefly responsible. Let me explain the scene. No, it's too complicated; let me sum up (and more on THAT particular movie later). A bunch of Brits are stranded on the tea car of a train, which has stopped in the middle woods and is surrounded by bad spy-type people. Charters wants to get the lay of the land, so he figures, "Well, I'll just poke my head out and ask the people with the guns. They seem to know what's going on." Everyone else is all, "Umm, that's stupid." He does it anyhow. He goes to the door and is about to cheerfully ask what all the fuss is about, when a shot rings out and Charters pauses, slightly puzzled. He goes back into the car, says, "Well, you were right" and asks Caldicott for a handkerchief. He then proceeds to wrap up his hand, which now has a hole in the middle of it, completely blase about the whole thing. He's so unaffected by the whole incident it kills me.
5. My Cousin Vinny - "The defense would like to drop all charges."
I still give a little cheer every time I see it. Look! Look at how happy they all are! Awww! Bill's crying! Group hug!
6. Singin' in the Rain - Exposing Lena Lamont as a Sham
Could I ever say enough about the genius that is Jean Hagen? No, I couldn't. Everything she does in this movie makes me laugh ("I've been kissing him since before you were born!" Hee!), but her delayed reaction to Kathy's voice being replaced by Cosmo's is probably the high point. Hey, just because I love to see Jean play the character doesn't mean I don't love to see her get taken down.
7. The Shawshank Redemption - Chess Piece? Meet Raquel.
Do I even need to explain this one? Do I? DAMN that was some good storytelling. On the off-chance you live in a cave and don't know what I'm talking about, just rent the movie. You will freak out, I guarantee it.
8. The Princess Bride - You know what I'm going to say, right?
What up? I'm Inigo Montoya. You knocked off my old man and YOU ARE GOING DOWN, BITCH!!! Or something like that. I don't remember. It's not like we're talking about the best revenge scene EVER! Should death make me so happy?
9. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - The Barn Raising
It's been called the best choreographed scene in musical history, but precious few of us have ever seen it, because few of us have ever been exposed to the sexist genius that is the Pontipee brothers. You must see this scene at least once in your life, even if you don't watch the whole movie. You get something in the number of (counts quickly in head) 10 professional dancers and acrobats dancing around a barn raising. Sawhorses get more air time then they've ever gotten on film before or since (thanks to all the guys dancing on them, leaping over them, sliding under them, doing backflips on them, skipping with axes on them, etc.). Then we move into one of the awesomest choreographed brawls in the history of ever which culminates with the untimely death of the poor barn, and all the women crying (most likely because they just found out that these really cute guys they like are actually RAVING LOONS!).
10. Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera - "Prima Donna
It's so much fun. I really don't know what else to tell you about it. It's my favourite number in the whole movie even though it's not my favourite song, just because it's so. Much. Fun. I love it when Minnie goes bowling for ballerinas. To me, THAT is good visual comedy, right there.