Ten Movies That Will Dramatically Improve Your Day

The YTP Spouse and I are movie addicts, and when we lived abroad, we would often end the workday with an after-dinner movie from our collection. We had a special list of films for particularly rough days, a list designed to improve even the darkest of moods. It took us years to refine this list, but I am giving it away completely free right here, right now, to you, dear reader.

Fair warning: more than half of these films are satires or parodies since – in my humble opinion – those are the greatest forms of comedy. If you do not care for that genre of humor, check out movies #3, #5, and #6.

Presenting,

TEN AWESOME MOVIES:

ANY ONE OF WHICH WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR DAY

(and once again, just in time to add to your Amazon Wish List for Christmas!)

Disclaimer: Not all of these movies are family-friendly, so check the ratings before you buy or rent.

1. America’s Sweethearts:
This satire of the entertainment and film industry is hysterical. Starring Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Billy Crystal, this film is so funny we actually wore out the DVD from watching it so many times. Our second copy is on its last legs now as well.

2. Intolerable Cruelty (Widescreen Edition):
This parody of divorce and marriage with Catherine Zeta-Jones and George Clooney is also a consistent go-to film in our house. Billy Bob Thorton’s monologue as a Texas oilman is so perfect it reduces me to tears of laughter every single time.

3. French Kiss:
This sort-of chick flick, sort-of comedy appeals to men and women alike because of how very male Kevin Kline‘s character is in this movie. He gets to be a guy’s guy the whole way through. That doesn’t happen a lot in romantic comedies. Watching Kline and Meg Ryan argue on the plane is hysterical.

4. An Ideal Husband:
Based on the play by satirist Oscar Wilde at his best, this movie has a solid cast including Minne Driver, Rupert Everett, and Cate Blanchett. You cannot ever go wrong with Oscar Wilde. He makes you feel witty just for being part of the audience.

5. How to Steal a Million:
This Aubrey Hepburn film is one of my favorites, as it is both funny and charming and exciting at the same time. Plus, the 1960s feel of the film – from the cars to the clothes – is tons of fun to watch as well.

6. To Catch a Thief:
Grace Kelly and Cary Grant are glamorously entertaining here (he more than her) in an action comedy about a cat burglar who steals jewelry from very wealthy ladies. The whole point of the film is to show how cool and calm Cary Grant can be right up until the very moment he throws a punch. I am always reminded when watching this film how much modern actors base their whole personas on a persona Grant created and perfected.

7. The Blues Brothers (Widescreen 25th Anniversary Edition):
It’s the Blues Brothers, what more is there to say? It’s dark. They’re wearing sunglasses. Go watch the movie.

8. This Is Spinal Tap (Special Edition):
This parody of the rock-umentary format VH1 and MTV pioneered is beyond funny. It follows a fictional aging British rock hair band on their revival tour of the United States. Best line of the movie (watch for it): “This one goes to 11.”

9. A Mighty Wind:
Made by the same people that did Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind parodies the folk music scene in a way that defies description. Let’s just put it this way: listen very carefully to the lyrics in the songs.

10. Best in Show:
I know this is three in a row, but Christopher Guest is amazing, and this third production of his is probably the funniest. A parody of dog lovers and dog shows, this one has some scenes that they must have based on real-life stories of dog owners, because there is no way they could make that stuff up.

So there you have it. Now: Go laugh, enjoy yourself, and cheer up!

Tagged as: Arts, Cary Grant, Cate Blanchett, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christopher Guest, George Clooney, Kevin Kline, movies