Let's Get Emotional About it!

Have you ever felt that... well.. you need a good cry? You know, even if you're a man, you just want to sit down, while no one else is looking, cept possibly with a girlfriend to, in our own man-like idea of possibly scoring browning points... okay, I'm starting to ramble off, but, every once and awhile... even a guy needs a hug. Or heck, a nice "feel good" movie at the end of the day. Or maybe some nice little emotional movie. So I thought I decided to share with you, some great and what I call my top 20/21 and in no particular order "emotional movies."


1 Almost Famous (I prefer the director's cut "Untitled: The Bootleg Cut)
This movie feels like me. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I really just like to connect to my characters, but while I don't particually write music reviews, why is it I relate to Willam more than I prolly should? The whole dynamic of Penny Lane, Willam and Russel make the film, and of course, who can forget Jason fucking Lee??

2 Good Will Hunting
What can I say. Robin Williams makes this movie the great flick it is. Sure, I am a fan of Damon and Affleck too, but come-on. His relationship with Lambeu makes the movie. He geuiniely cares for the boy and the whole subplot with his wife... Skylar leaving and Will pushing her away... Just a great coming of age flick. And of course, that damned Pudge Fisk card.


3 A.I. - Artificial Intelligence
While I had to watch the DVD's second disc to understand the symbolic importance of what the fuck Jude Law was really doing in the movie, the ending of the movie makes you weep like a little girl. I don't know. I don't have a great super duper all sunshine and roses relationship with my mom. I wish I did though. And in a way, I want what David (the cute robot kid) wants. To love his mother and to have her love in return. And not have any one or anything matter but that love. And... that makes you fucking weep.


Weep.

4 Ocean's Eleven
We're moving to "Feel Good and Cheer Me Up" territory here, everytime I watch this movie, I am still amazed they fucking pull off that heist. And yes, I know what's going to happen. But it still amazes me. And they still look just as cool! I mean... fuck, I need to get George Clooney's trainer. Or agent. Or both.

5 You've Got Mail
I don't know what it is about this movie. First time I watched it in theaters, I was mildy dissapointed with it. Then I saw it on TNT and something about the movie stuck me differently. The actors of Ryan and Hanks, and EVERYONE in their supporting cast ranging from the little boy (F-O-X), Dabney Coleman to Greg Kinnear, it oozes of a romantic let-me-down-pick-me-up film that just gives you hope. And that's refreshing for a change.


6 Disney's Lilo & Stitch
Maybe it's Elvis, maybe I just darker things when I get older. But I LOVE this movie. To quote comic book guy from The Simpsons.. "Favorite. Movie. Ever." Well, in terms as far as Disney is concerned. ;-) But, this tale is quite dark when you get to the heart of it. Nasty possibly bloodthirsty alien bent on destructing worlds, intergalatic police, and a girl soon to be ripped from her sister's custody to her sister's lack of responsibility. Those are the basic roots of the film, but when you watch it, you just feel all... happy in the end. While no sequel or TV show will truly recapture (at least this point in time shows us this) the magic of the ending gives you during the "Burning Love" rendition by Wyonna, you truly feel a sense of Ohana, and that family is what you make it. (And the saddest part? "I'm... I'm lost. I'm lost." )


7 Addicted to Love
While I know Jimmy will shoot this down very quickly, and for reasons I quite reasonably understand, this is one of those "Get revenge" films, that soon turns into a blossoming relationship between Broderick and Ryan. Also, I find it just plain funny, and relatable. When you are obviously facing rejection your heart finds hope as the person you loved is on a pedestal and you can't let them go. Let's just say... "a smile chart" made by Broderick's character (an astrologer and studier of life and stars obviously) relates to ANOTHER chart of her moods within the week, and it leads him to conclude she (his ex played by Kelly Preston) will break up with her new fiance, some french guy. Yes, halarity ensues, and there is even talk of Lassie getting it on with Timmy.

8 Jerry Maguire
"SHOW ME THE MONEY!"
Come one. Despite that nice "catchphrase" which spread like wildfild across America during the Christmas and summer of 1998 to 1999, Jerry Maguire was a film for sportfans and non sportfans alike, about... gee golly gosh. Love. Friendship too. I mean I think the film rests on Gooding Jr. and Cruise's interaction, even tho that blonde chick and cute kid, awe hell, they work too.

9 Rudy
Okay, back to emotional territory-ville, Rudy is a football film for people who, it doesn't matter about what ti is. While it's more biased towards the land of football than previous entry Jerry Maguire, it shows off "Samwise Gamgee" himself, Sean Astin as a great actor, and the music plays a huge part in the finale of the film, which leads that dreams CAN come true if you work hard at it.

10 Kissing A Fool
Not many people know of this film. And while it's not funny, it doesn't make you cry, it's a good emotional film. And Jason Lee. And that Ross guy from Friends. And oh yeah, he's a dickhead in the movie. Actually worth a watch.

11 Awakenings
This is an older movie by Penny Marshall, starring Robin Williams and Bob DeNiro. The movie will have you crying like a girl at the end. Actually this is almost as close with Artifical Intelligence in the "Cry like a woman" film department.

12 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
The movie is very odd. So odd, most people will either love or hate the movie. But Jim Carrey gives his best performance since... well I hate to say it but he outdoes Truman Show. It's bout a guy who finds out his girl, or EX-girlfriend, erased all her memories of him. So he gets revenge and does the same thing. In the mind, we see the process occur, but the mind of the human is a terrible thing to destroy, as it makes you the person you become. And history can be upt to.... repeat itself. But.. Jim Carrey's most honest and terrific performance.

13 The Truman Show
The first big film that was overlooked. The Truman Show is a film that really makes you weep for Truman and hate Cristof. While his intentions are pure and good, Cristof cripples and destroys Truman actually, depending how you look at it, so yeah. It's another movie about the man bringing us down. Makes you feel good for Truman tho at the end. and actually gets a bit of a tear from me.


14 Saving Private Ryan
Speilberg. Hanks. Tripple X. (xXx) and Damon. (minus Affleck) This war flick pulls your heartstrings when you finally reach the last 20 to 30 minutes of this great war epic from War World 2.

15 The Iron Giant
I never thought a cartoon would make me cry. I mean, as much as this. (Yes, more so than Lilo & Stitch...) If you never seen it, for shame. The movie is so heartfelt and it's from the guy who did The Incredibles. YES. So go watch something that really tugs your heart. For the person you are is not the person others think you are. You are who you want to be. Even if it's Superman. And there is a missle coming for the earth. Go get em, Superma-- err I mean "The Iron Giant."

16 That Thing You Do!
Tom Hanks would win the award for actor most on my list. But it's true. The guy makes kick-ass movies. This goes into the "Feel Good" Category. while Ocean's Eleven is about making you feel about robbing a casino, That Thing You Do! is about the (I believe) creation of the " One Hit 'Wonders' " and Guy, (the drummer) growing up. Also, that song, it's peppy, and catchy. Just like Hanks says in the movie! Well don't that beat all! Or as Guy would say... "I am SPARTACUS..."

17 Disney's The Lion King
Scar kills Simba's Dad. ANd it's sad, alright? And it's good. Timon and Pummba. Scar, Simba and the whole Pridelands. What more do you need?

18 Jersey Girl
Kevin Smith's ode to his wife... and in a way, his father, a touching tribute to child-raising. And the ending rocks. I mean come on. Ben Affleck singing? Comedy genius! The burial scene of J-Lo with that touching Aimee Mann song? Sad as hell! If you've not seen this, what are you waiting for? Follow's Jimmy's example, a great one mind you, and see the movie multiple times!!!!! You honestly won't regret it.

19 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Whoa whoa whoa! There are a lot of reasons I bring this up. First off, The two parts of the film, or the "trilogy" which rings kick-ass for me, are both Sam's, and that is his monolouge in Two Towers in what makes us go on in face of evil and danger surrounding us... and of course, the best fucking line ever... "I know I can't carry the ring for you... but I can carry you." Granted I'm sure I ruined it, but when all hope is lost, it brings the biggest smile on your face as a viewer. We've invested... 7 hours at least into the film (s) and we want to see something good happen. But while we're winning on our fronts, the ring is not yet destroyed. And Frodo is turning evil! I mean COME ON!! But, um, yes. Anyway. :-D

20 Spider-man/Spider-man 2
Now... alot of people may be going.. "what? Emotional? C'mon. It's an action super hero movie." But really... I totally relate to Peter Parker. I do. I mean, I wasn't the popular kid. My "Spider-man" powers were my talents of singing and being the band geek. And I wasn't normal like everyone else. I don't care too much for sports, and I talk about movies constantly or stuff that pop culture fans only would know. And... every guy has "The girl next door" that they fell in love with in High School. I had mind. We never honestly got her, but it's good Spider-man did. and he got to kick ass webslinging in the process too. While I count Spider-man 2 more so than the first film, the first film is not without it's merit. The death of Uncle Ben was horrifying for me, (I saw my grandmother's life slip out of her, and it was haunting very much like the film's actor) and the fact Peter didn't really get MJ at the end, was refreshing. And to see everything pay off in film 2, (more notably, a very touching moment which brings tears to my eyes are the train sequence, the end of the film's "This is heavy." and of course, the "Raindrops Are Falling On My Head" sequence) is what makes it all worth while and not just another comic book movie, but an actual well developed character I care about.

Okay, while these are my top 20, I do want you to know these are mine. These do not reflect Jimmy's opinions in anyway, and while I know Artificial Intelligence is prolly on the list somewhere along with American Wedding, I'm sure..... ;-)

But I digress. Please share (including you Jimmy) your Top 20 Emotional Films, and these can be films that moved you in a good way (made you feel really good after you watched it) or made you just cry. If you can't think of 20 (I'm a movie geek... I understand) just list how ever many you have!