Elizabeth G: "Feel Good" Friday Nite Flicks

Between the struggling economy, divisive politics, and deadlines (I'm finishing up a book and immediately starting another one, which means working at least six days a week for the foreseeable future), I really look forward to taking Friday nights off to watch a movie with my husband.

Here are my Top Ten "feel good" flicks for a Friday night. Most, but not all, have a strong element of humor. They all have a wonderful romance with a happy ending OF COURSE.

1. THE HOLIDAY (2006) The cast: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Eli Wallach. Written and directed by the very talented and very funny Nancy Meyers. Takes place at the holidays, but we first saw it on TV this summer, so it's fun year-round. Rated PG-13 for some profanity.

Watch for: The hilarious, laugh-out-loud telephone tag scene with Kate Winslet. Also the two wonderful child actors in my favorite "tent" scene.

2. A GOOD YEAR (2006) The cast: Russell Crowe, Freddie Highmore, Albert Finney, and Marion Cotillard, who won the Academy Award last year for playing Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. A GOOD YEAR is based on Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence. Rated PG-13 for some profanity.

Watch for: Everything. A superb cast. A funny and touching story. A wonderful love story. Beautiful French countryside. And wine. How can you go wrong with that combination?

3. AUGUST RUSH (2006) The cast: Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard, and Robin Williams. Rated PG.

Watch for: I've already written about this movie in a separate blog earlier this summer. Very touching. Glorious music.

4. SERENDIPITY (2001) The cast: Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, John Corbett, Jeremy Piven, and Molly Shannon. Rated PG-13. Two people meet and fall in love. Is it chance or Fate?

Watch for: Well, I pretty much see all of John Cusack's movies, so I guess you can tell I'm a fan. (Okay, I'll confess that the "elevator" scene in the first quarter of the movie drives me nuts! And I don't mean in a good way, so I fast forward through it.)

5. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002) The cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Christina Eleusinitos, Kaylee Vieria. Also written by Nia Vardalos, of course. Rated PG.

Watch for: Is there anyone on the planet who hasn't seen this movie? LOL If not, you're in for a real treat.

6. MUSIC AND LYRICS (2007) The cast: Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Brad Garrett, Kristen Johnston, and Campbell Scott. Rated PG-13.

Watch for: Everyone does their own singing and dancing, including Hugh Grant, who's actually very good in the role of an 80's "has-been" rock star. A bit of fun and fluff.

7. THE MUMMY (1999) The cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, and Arnold Vosloo. Rated PG-13.

Watch for: Well, of course, with my penchant and love of all things ancient Egyptian, this movie is on my "must" own list.

8. THE MUMMY RETURNS (2001) The cast: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Alun Armstrong, and Patricia Velasque. Rated PG-13.

Watch for: I actually enjoyed the second "Mummy" movie as much as the first one. A bit silly, perhaps, but just plain fun.

9. MR. & MRS. SMITH (2005) The cast: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughan, Adam Brody and Kerry Washington. Rated PG-13. Sexy and funny. Also "shoot 'em-up" violent, but no "blood and gore" graphic violence.

Watch for: Since Angelina Jolie was a kick-butt heroine in the Lara Croft movies, she can more than handle herself in a fist fight with Brad Pitt. It might not be funny with an actress who couldn't hold her own against a man.

10. ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS (1950) The cast: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Patricia Medina, and Walter Slezak.

Watch for: Well, I wouldn't watch this movie if you paid me. LOL But I couldn't think of a tenth movie for this blog, so my husband suggested the Abbott and Costello flick.

Now it's your turn to share with the rest of us here at RWQ. What are your favorite "feel good" Friday Nite Flicks?

Cheers!
EG