Blog #8 - Recommendations For If You Feel Sad

    Hi everyone. Thanks for coming back, I'd like to clear some things up before we go on. I've decided to simply write blogs when I have the time. I've been flooded with schoolwork, leaving me with minimal time to write. Hopefully you guy won't miss me too much, haha.

    Anyways, I've been feeling down recently and so I want to give some movies to watch if you're feeling down lately as well. I'll be rating the films on a scale of 1-5 based on how feel-good, comforting, or happy they will make you (obviously based on personal opinion). No time to wait, let's get started on the list.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009): 5/5

After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) breaks a promise to his wife (Meryl Streep) and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Giving in to his animal instincts endangers not only his marriage but also the lives of his family and their animal friends. When the farmers force Mr. Fox and company deep underground, he has to resort to his natural craftiness to rise above the opposition.

I think that most Wes Anderson films are comforting and nice. This movie honestly just makes you feel like a young kid again. Good runtime, good plot, good characters, childlike wonder, what more can you want? Also the running "cuss" joke is hilarious.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006): 3.5/5

The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route.

Arguably one of the most iconic movies of the mid-2000's. The movie isn't entirely comforting, and does have some sad moments. However, it's definitely is still a comedy. The ending scene is really funny and feel-good.

Superbad (2007): 3/5

Two inseparable best friends navigate the last weeks of high school and are invited to a gigantic house party. Together with their nerdy friend, they spend a long day trying to score enough alcohol to supply the party and inebriate two girls in order to kick-start their sex lives before they go off to college. Their quest is complicated after one of them falls in with two inept cops who are determined to show him a good time.

A hilarious movie (even if certain jokes are a bit outdated)... This movie should be a 5/5, but I think it weighs more as a raunchy comedy rather than a feel-good/comforting type movie. The screenplay was written by Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg what the hell can you do...

Juno (2007): 5/5

When precocious teen Juno MacGuff becomes pregnant, she chooses a failed rock star and his wife to adopt her unborn child. Complications occur when Mark, the prospective father, begins viewing Juno as more than just the mother of his future child, putting both his marriage and the adoption in jeopardy.

If you like Kimya Dawson, the indie aesthetic, and small town shenanigans, you've found maximum comfort here. I hold this movie close to me, especially because my mom loves it. Juno is also just such a little smart-ass and I love that.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986): 4/5

Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) has an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last duck-out before graduation, Ferris calls in sick, "borrows" a Ferrari, and embarks on a one-day journey through the streets of Chicago. On Ferris' trail is high school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), determined to catch him in the act.

This movie is comedy filled AND comforting. The only reason I've deducted a star is because it's more feel-good towards the ending more than anything else. An iconic, 80's defining movie, can't go wrong there.

Knocked Up (2007): 3/5

Rising journalist Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) hits a serious bump in the road after a one-night stand with irresponsible slacker Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) results in pregnancy. Rather than raise the baby on her own, she decides to give Ben a chance to prove he is father material. However, he is unsure if he is ready to be a parent, and both wonder if they would be compatible lifetime partners.

Okay, you guys might have to hear me out on this one. While yes, it is very much a comedy, I find the relationship between Alison and Ben to be very sweet, and a good life lesson. Maybe this is just a personal comforting movie, but honestly, give it a try. Goddammit Seth Rogan, you've done it again!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): 2/5

Socially awkward teen Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines, until two charismatic students become his mentors. Free-spirited Sam (Emma Watson) and her stepbrother Patrick (Ezra Miller) help Charlie discover the joys of friendship, first love, music and more, while a teacher sparks Charlie's dreams of becoming a writer. However, as his new friends prepare to leave for college, Charlie's inner sadness threatens to shatter his newfound confidence.

Okay, okay, okay, YES, this movie is sad. There are sad elements. But there are also just too many wholesome friendship moments for this to NOT be on this list. Maybe I just really love Charlie. Either way, give it a watch.

    You know, honestly, I could've put so many more movies. However, I have one more movie to put on this list. Except... it's not the movie version... it's (drumroll please)..

Legally Blonde - The Musical (2007): 5/5

I couldn't find a synopsis for this, but my god, you HAVE to watch this musical! It's honestly just so good, and does the "Legally Blonde" name so well. Also, more time for Emmett, what more could you want? You can watch the original here!

    I hope my list was good, and if you're feeling down, you can watch some of these movies. I'll probably watch a movie tonight, maybe I'll watch The Virgin Suicides (1999) again tonight. Not very fitting for the theme... this was a rather long blog. Even so, I hope you could enjoy it. Until next time.

                                                                                                                               -Alex