OT: Movies where the good guys win? - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Nov 21, 2004

OT: Movies where the good guys win?

Date: Nov 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"With a long weekend approaching, I need some relief from my stack of term papers. Can anyone suggest (nonviolent) movies where underdog good guys fight the political baddies and win? I'd really prefer something with humor and not lots of shooting. (Think "Dave" not Bruce Willis movies.) These days I'm feeling the need for a sense of hope, even if it has to come from fiction. Suggestions?"

"Secondhand Lions" is the movie to see. Rent it! Michael Caine & Robert DuVall are great in this one.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

First Ant!! Where ya' been?

Anyway, there's always the classic Jimmy Stewart, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Neverending Story

Date: Nov 21, 2004

As a 26-year-old newspaper reporter and former waiter at O'Charley's, I recently saw "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." It's a movie everyone should see.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

There's a little violence, but Casablanca shows good people doing the right thing in the face of evil and great odds.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

one that helps me with hope (although doesn't meet some of the original poster's criteria) is shawshank redemption.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Stepford Wives, anyone?

or either of the Shrek movies.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

The Stand

Date: Nov 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"First Ant!! Where ya' been?

Thanks so much for asking, LVN. As Robert Frost once said:

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference"

But even at a distance, I'm in this for the long haul; and I plan to be first at the big picnic I keep reading about on this message board!

NO QUARTER

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Any Lord of the Rings, despite the recurrent violence. i watch a little bit every day.

Any Harry Potter (#3 is almost out).

Breaking Away.

Last Unicorn.

UHF.

Tucker.

I wish there were a movie entitled No Quarter! Maybe we'll make one.

Jameela

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Jameela, let's do.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

I'll put a plug in for The Incredibles. My kids and I saw it a couple of weeks ago, and we all loved it! It's not political, but it's definitely about the good guys winning out over the bad guys (and also about perseverance, staying true to yourself, and the importance of family). All ages will enjoy it.

A movie that I saw a few months ago and really loved was The Station Agent. Very heartwarming without being formulaic. And no violence (that I can remember!).

Date: Nov 21, 2004

As long as we're already doing an OT, let me add that Lord of the Rings is also one of my favorites, and in fact the BOOKS are more wonderful than the movies. The movies are very true to the spirit and feel of the books. I have probably read LOTR thirty times over many years.

Harry Potter -- again I enjoy the movies, but the books are wonderful and can bear re-reading.

In both books, there is a strong component of the importance of scholarship, by the way. The kids in Harry Potter spend a great deal of time studying and especially working in the library. They write essays for every class, and sit for long written exams.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"In both books, there is a strong component of the importance of scholarship, by the way. The kids in Harry Potter spend a great deal of time studying and especially working in the library. They write essays for every class, and sit for long written exams. "

Thanks for noticing!

Date: Nov 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"The kids in Harry Potter spend a great deal of time studying and especially working in the library. They write essays for every class, and sit for long written exams.
"

And magically, none of them appear to fail!

(I wouldn't have minded sitting for long written exams had I been a little wizard who could enchant the ballpoint pen to do the writing for me

)

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Invictus, you're far too modest. I think it's fair to say that most of the regulars on this board would agree that you don't need a wizard to do your writing for you.

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Some of us know who's doing Invictus' writing...

<SMASHES HEAD WITH LAMP>
Bad Elf! Bad Elf!
</SMASHES HEAD WITH LAMP>

Date: Nov 21, 2004

I always enjoy "Leaving Las Vegas" for an uplifting treat. I take a deep breath it's over and say "thank God that's not me."

Date: Nov 21, 2004

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. They've all been dutifully noted (although I think I'll pass on "Leaving Las Vegas" . . . . . )

Date: Nov 21, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. They've all been dutifully noted"

We look forward to receiving a full report on your Holiday movie experience(s).

Date: Nov 22, 2004

Try "Office Space." It's not for kids, but it's pretty much about life at a place like USM; however, you do get Jennifer Aniston and hope for the future.

Date: Nov 22, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: I made Gene Siskel take the easy way out
"Try "Office Space." It's not for kids, but it's pretty much about life at a place like USM; however, you do get Jennifer Aniston and hope for the future. "

I second Office Space. One of my all-time favorites...you will laugh out loud repeatedly!

"How many pieces of flair are you wearing?"

Date: Nov 22, 2004

They're loud, vulgar and so funny.

The Big Lebowski

Fargo

Raising Arizona

Date: Nov 23, 2004

"The Gods Must Be Crazy"

"Local Hero"

"That Sinking Feeling"

Date: Nov 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
"With a long weekend approaching, I need some relief from my stack of term papers..... These days I'm feeling the need for a sense of hope, even if it has to come from fiction. Suggestions?"

Sure, here's a few of my personal favorites....some older than others but all worthy:

Paper Chase...gotta watch this one at least once a year

Absence of Malice...Paul Newman outsmarts the establishment and makes the bad guys squirm

Cookie's Fortune...comical murder mystery filmed in Mississippi, warm and uplifting story.

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou...yep, you know it

Big Bad Love...based on Larry Brown's autobiographical short stories, plus great soundtrack

Matchmaker...fabulous Irish humor, Janine Garafalo, and breathtaking on-location scenery

The Station Agent...humor, pathos, and a cerebral dwarf--what else is there?

That should be sufficient to get you through the long weekend, eh?

Date: Nov 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Orson Wells
"
That should be sufficient to get you through the long weekend, eh?

"

The stack of term papers is going much more slowly than I had hoped, so I'll be lucky to get to any of these. But thanks anyway! I'm saving the list . . .maybe next summer . . . .

Date: Nov 24, 2004

During the actual grading part (while violence has been ruled out) my personal preference is to get low grade horror movies. Not enough plot to distract me, enough screaming to keep me awake.

Date: Nov 29, 2004

Got the 30 term papers read without any loud screaming. Loved Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. That's all I got to. . .

Date: Nov 29, 2004

Wow, you got your papers done! Can anybody explain the pyschology behind my hatred of and reluctance to, grade essays. What makes it so hard? Why can't I just pick up the darn pen and DO it instead of suffering for days?