yea it doesnt have to be lighthearted. i take comfort in watching films like tetsuo which are anything but.
I understand the concept (though I don’t think DR. STRANGELOVE intends for the audience to find the humor in everything. It’s really more in the tradition of dark, nihilistic comedies of outrage).
For me (though I won’t explain my reasons):
ANNIE HALL
DUMBO
FOOTLIGHT PARADE
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS
I wasn’t saying that was the intention. It is just a wildly hilarious films that is also very dark so when I’m laughing and realize my amusement is from the whole world being blown up I feel a bit better about my problems.
My Man Godfrey; a film not really about anything but a great story and some terrific dialogue delivered by a fine cast.
Lord of the Rings.
Gone With the Wind. Because of “as God is my witness they’re not going to lick me” and “with enough courage you can do without a reputation” and “tomorrow is another day” and etc. It is not a guilt pleasure, I truly adore that film.
i have to agree on Dr Strangelove, although I wouldnt list it personally i actually take comfort in seeing it. yea its not intentioned to but it doesnt have to be.
forgot to list mine before, so here they are:
3-Iron
A Better Tomorrow (& the end of II)
Army of Darkness
Back to the Future Trilogy
Big Trouble in Little China
Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Love Letter
Oasis
Return to the 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Anything Hayao Miyazaki.
Almost Famous
Samantha, now that you mention Miyazaki, i have to add Porco Rosso
I’m curious about this article so I’ll try and track it down.
A few of my own comfort films:
Any Hammer horror film!
The 400 Blows (1959)
Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring (1986)
Viva Las Vegas (1964)
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Harold and Maude (1971)
Giant (1956)
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
The Pink Panther (1963)
Danger: Diabolik! (1968)
I’m know there’s more, but these are the first few that came to mind. If I come across any of my “comfort films” playing on TV I usually drop everything and watch them.
wizard of oz, no question
High Fidelity
Chungking Express
Aria (if I could find a good DVD of it with the OAR)
Better Off Dead
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Joe vs. the Volcano
Videodrome
Yi Yi
Lost in Translation
Three Colors – Red
Miyazaki films
Great call, JONNY B. The Wizard of Oz is one of mine as well!
And I can’t believe I forgot to mention Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Misfits and The Man Who Would be King. John Huston’s made a lot of my favorite “comfort” films.
My biggest is probably October Sky
I can watch that movie over and over again
So many to choose from! As for the definition, I think a comfort film is one you can watch anytime and enjoy yourself, even when you’re depressed – hence comfort. More than that, it’s the sort of film you know you enjoy that much, a cherished thing; it makes you happier just thinking about it. I’d imagine that everyone here has an extensive list; we all take a bit more comfort from film that the average moviegoer, wouldn’t you say? A few of mine that come to mind:
Hannah and Her Sisters
Dawn of the Dead (original)
My Dinner With Andre
Withnail & I
The Sweet Smell of Success
The Big Lebowski
The Night Porter
Metropolitan
Band of Outsiders
24 Hour Party People
The Man With the Golden Gun
The Shining
Shogun Assassin
Ghostbusters
36th Chamber of Shaolin (You know what I’m talkin’ about, Monster!)
Rear Window
The Lady From Shanghai
36th Chamber of Shaolin (You know what I’m talkin’ about, Monster!)
Damn straight Daniel!!
Lord of the Rings
The English Patient
Chocolat
Jules et Jim
Some Like it Hot, Billy Liar, Desk Set, Night at the Opera. Ladykillers, Unfaithfully Yours, a Sturgess film and many other similar titles. To me, ‘comfort films’ implies light-hearted. I watch Bergman or Antonioni for intellecutal challenge, not for ‘comfort’. Comfort for me is relaxing – sitting in front of the TV, putting on the dvd player, with a nice bowl of popcorn, my cat, my love, and a glass of beer. With a good favourite film, in the comfort zone, I am able to forget my troubles, forget my cares and get happy. Yes, Dr. Strangelove does qualify as a light-hearted or comfort film too, because it is very comforting to think this big bad world that can cause us all so much agony and grief can be blown to smithereens in an instant.
The Best of Youth is my number one comfort film. Even though it is 6 hours long, it is easy to get wrapped up in.
My others are:
All About My Mother
Shawshank Redemption
The Iron Giant
The Straight Story
Kikujiro – Joe Hisaishi’s score in this one is especially comforting
Central Station
Rushmore
The Dirty Dozen
Killer of Sheep
Stalker- the ultimate escapist film
Chungking Express
Alfredo G indeed, Hisaishi’s score for that one is probably one of his best.
Dazed and Confused – Because it’s just so fun and makes me want to drive a muscle car and smoke a lot of pot.
Brokeback Mountain – Because it is, plain and simple, a perfect film that grabs you by the heart, regardless of your sexual preference.
Halloween – Because it is the most perfect horror film ever created. Though the scare factor has worn off, its dark, fun atmosphere lives on.
Michael Mann triology: Collateral, Heat and Thief. Fast-paced, stylistic action films that never get tiring.
Alien & Aliens – In the same vein as Halloween, except the scare factor holds up, and the special effects are outstanding.
The Matrix – Another of the great actions films. I always find something new to appreciate about this one every time I see it.
The Warriors – Plain fun. Great action. Great style. I love Greek mythology, and this one is reminiscent of a classic Greek tale.
Chunking Express: Fun to watch, albeit a fragmented, underproduced film. But I guess that’s what makes it so raw.
Citizen Kane – For study
Royal Tenenbaums – A bittersweet, colorful film full of unexpected laughs and tender moments. Gene Hackman and Ben Stiller have great chemistry.
Shawshank Redemption
American Beauty
Ice Storm
Vanishing Point
Two Lane Blacktop
Fanny and Alexander
The Punisher
All the Presidents Men
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Drew Gregory
There was an article about a week ago in the LA Times where the writer listed her comfort films. I disagreed with a family member what that meant. Does a comfort film have to be light hearted? Obviously no one is going to say Schindler’s List but Vertigo for example comforts me because I enjoy the film so much. My biggest comfort film is Dr. Strangelove. I watch it when I’m depressed because it teaches us to find the humor in everything including nuclear war. What’s your definition of a comfort film and what is yours?