Top 10 Comfort Movies

Since we are having a discussion in Group Beyond Blue about which movies we hate the most, or which do a horrific job of portraying mental illness on the big screen, I thought I'd post Movie Mom's fun gallery on her 10 best comfort movies. Nell Minow writes:

Bad cold? Feeling a little flu-ish? Crawl into bed, get lots of rest, drink lots of fluids, and settle back with some cinematic chicken soup and some motion picture penicillin--also known as comfort movies.

The setting for the ideal comfort movie should not be too hot or too cold as that can be a distraction to those with fevers or chills. The plot should not be too complicated or too exciting in case you doze off a little. And while it does not have to be a comedy, it does have to be upbeat and cheerful because laughter can decrease blood pressure and boost your immune system. That means a comfort movie can not only help you get better faster; it is good preventative medicine. So pull up the covers, pop in some DVDs and enjoy these prescriptions from Dr. Movie Mom.

Galaxy Quest

Rated PG for some action violence, mild language and sensuality (Ages 9-adult)

This delightful comedy hilariously but affectionately skewers television sci-fi, its stars, and its fans. The fast, funny, and fresh script has a terrific premise: the actors from a long-cancelled "Star Trek"-like television show find that real-life aliens have replicated their ship and brought the series to life. Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shaloub, and Sam Rockwell play the actors and Justin Long is one of the devoted fans. The story unreels in a tightly constructed farce that is filled with surprises that include first-class special effects and some great adventure along with the laughs. The more you know sci-fi, the funnier it is. And since you have the extra time, pair it with the hilarious documentary "Trekkies" for a perfect double-feature.

Happy, Texas

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and some violence (High school-adult)

Two prisoners (Jeremy Northam and Steve Zahn) escape and hide out in a small town pretending to be child beauty pageant consultants – and a gay couple – while they plan a to rob a bank run by a beautiful and warm-hearted woman (Ally Walker) and try to stay out of the way of a sweet, lonely cop (William H. Macy). The endearing characters and small-town charm make this a nice place to visit when you're feeling in need of a little sunshine.

The Music Man

Rated G (Some mild sexual references but suitable for all ages)

My all-time favorite movie musical has it all – comedy, romance, crime, small-town gossip, gorgeous music, sensational dancing, great performers, a barbershop quartet, and, of course, that parade with 76 trombones and 110 cornets. Robert Preston repeats his stage triumph as con man "Professor" Harold Hill, who comes to Iowa to sell band instruments and Shirley Jones is Marian the Librarian, who does not trust him. Songs like "'Til There Was You," "Lida Rose," "Goodnight My Someone," and "Gary Indiana" make this one of the most joyously tuneful films ever made.

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

Rated G (Ages 10 and up)

This is a documentary about Mark Bittner, the self-appointed full-time caretaker of the wild parrots who live in the Telegraph Hill section of San Francisco. The birds are indigenous to the forests of South America and no one is quite sure how or why they got to California. It may be that they were captured to be sold as pets and then escaped or were released. Bittner is a cross between a street person, a hippie, and a modern-day St. Francis and his devotion to the birds is at first endearing, then inspiring, and then a truly spiritual experience. And the conclusion is deeply moving and tender.

Charade

Not Rated (Middle school-adult)

Director Stanley Donen out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock with this glossy thriller-romance starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant and set in Paris. Best of all, after you've watched it, you can watch it again listening to the deliciously witty commentary from Donen and screenwriter Peter Stone. It is almost as much fun as the movie itself, especially when there is a close-up of Hepburn and they stop in the middle of whatever charming anecdote they were discussing to just stop for a second, take a breath, and ask, "Isn't she beautiful?" Yes, she is. (Next time you get sick, take a look at Donen's other romantic thriller, the almost-as-entertaining "Arabesque" with Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck.)

Pride and Prejudice

(Middle school-adult)

There is a fine MGM version with Sir Laurence Olivier and a screenplay by Aldous Huxley and the Kiera Knightly remake is very well done but as long as you have all day you should watch the miniseries with Colin Firth and revel in every one of its 270 minutes. That's what it takes to do full justice to the beloved Jane Austen novel about the romantic battles between witty Elizabeth and proud Darcy and with a very comforting happily-ever-after ending.

Office Space

Rated R for language and brief sexuality (Mature high schoolers and adults)

You think the office can't manage without you? Here's the antidote, the cult classic that made the Red Swingline stapler and the TPS report code words for petty work problems. Ron Livingston stars as a guy who stops caring at work, which leads to his getting promoted. Jennifer Aniston is the waitress at the local chain restaurant who gets in trouble for not wearing enough humorous "flair." Watch this film and you'll either feel better about not being at work or feel like you never left.

Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion

Rated PG-13 (High school-adult)

This happy mash-up of romance, drama, low comedy, and high drama works because it is all tied together by Tyler Perry's open-hearted conviction. The sincerity of his commitment is the through line that keeps the audience connected to the story and the characters. In addition, the crazy-quilt shifts in tone and genre are well suited to a story of a large extended family where, at any given moment, characters are facing a broad variety of financial, spiritual, moral, psychological, and work-related challenges -- even the dreaded math problems that Madea refers to as "Al Jarreau." She might not know the word "algebra," but if there is an extended family member who has a problem with it and -- this is the important part -- is ready to be helped, Madea will find some way and some one who can give what is needed and is powerful enough to help clear your sinuses.

The Magnificent Seven

Not rated but cowboy shoot-em-up violence (Middle school-adult)

This classic western based on a classic Japanese film ("The Seven Samurai") is the story of seven gunslingers-for-hire who take on the bad guys that have been terrorizing a small village. Steve McQueen and Yul Brynner lead an all-star cast that includes Charles Bronson and James Coburn. The gunmen are tough, cool outsiders, their speeches brief and ironic. They know they have more in common with the bad guys than they do with the peasants they are protecting. But they also know that while they are not suited for the quiet life, it is important enough to them that they will risk their lives to keep the villagers safe. Gorgeous actors, great gunfights, and some important lessons about what matters most make this a "magnificent" tonic.

Babe

Rated G but references to "fixed" animals, issue of animals being killed for food and a sad death (7-adult)

This adorable story about a little pig is "a tale of an unprejudiced heart and how it changed our valley forever." Babe lives his dream (and saves his life) by learning to herd sheep and becomes successful through respect and courtesy instead of threats and violence. This movie is a delight and guaranteed to lift the spirits of even the crankiest flu sufferer.