Not Quite Art House
<< UNDER CONSTRUCTION >>
Below is a list of a movies I have found inspirational that left me feeling hopeful and reflective. These are not art house films but more just films with something small to say.
These movies are by no means perfect. And I will share some of their faults below, but they stood out among other films that took a depressing turn and then couldn’t recover from that. Or films that are entertaining overall but couldn’t stick the landing.
As with all lists on my site, these are my personal opinions and aren’t based on ratings or critical reception. I am basing this list solely on films that left me feeling good once they ended.
(The list below is in no particular order and is an ongoing list I will add to as I discover more movies worth sharing.)
Recommended Movies
#1. Yesterday (2019)
- Really unique story concept.
- Great song covers.
- Good actors and interesting cameos.
- Comedy / Drama / Sci-Fi?
#2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
To see the world, things dangerous to come to.
To see behind walls, to draw closer.
To find each other and to feel.
That is the purpose of life.
- Over-the-top / Cringe day dream sequences early on. Movie takes off after these. Tolerate it, it’s worth the wait!
- I’m not a Ben Stiller fan, but he’s apparently a great actor when he wants to be.
- Great soundtrack.
- Beautiful directing and cinematography.
- Engrossing story about personal growth.
- Great supporting actors.
- Nails the landing! (imo)
A pretty honest and accurate review from some random site. I think they hit on a lot of the stuff that struck me about the film both bad and good. TLDR: A great underrated flick despite some faults.
#3. Stranger than Fiction (2006)
- I’m not a Will Farrel fan, but he’s apparently a great actor when he wants to be.
- Teenage coming of age movie.
- Still something adults may look back on and find very relatable.
- Sam Rockwell is great!
#5.
Not Recommended
#1. Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014)
Kudos to the guy that cut the trailer. He really earned his paycheck. Based on what I saw I expected this movie would be a lot like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Unfortunately the script was half-baked (imo) and could probably have used about 1 or 2 re-writes.
Simon Pegg played his part well and Rosamund Pike tried her best also. The rest of the cast felt like people simply reciting their lines.
Right from the outset of the adventure events unfold in China that make Simon Pegg’s character seem less charming and sympathetic.
Basically everything from the script, to the acting, story, emotional beats and directing all kind of landed at about 50% of what would have made this a great movie.
By the end I turned to my wife and shrugged. It wasn’t bad per se, but it wasn’t good. Had I not been expecting the ending to redeem it, I would have turned it off half-way through.
After looking up the director on IMDB to try and understand why this fell flat for me, I had a “fool me twice” moment when I saw he directed another “emotional” movie that never quite delivered called The Space Between Us. As well as “Hannah Montana: The Movie” and “Taylor Swift: Crazier”.
