Times are tough. Uncertainty looms. The air of negativity seems to be swirling all around. We all need that break from reality to immerse ourselves in some feel-good moments. Escape into the cinematic world after work or during weekends to give your busy mind a little rest. You deserve it.
Easy A (2010)
Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Stanley Tucci
Remember back in our school days when we were all going through this awkward phase and trying our best to fit in so we won’t be deemed a weirdo? In Easy A, Olive is one character forced into a similar scenario. It led to her telling a white lie about sleeping with a guy which soon landed her in hot soup. It’s Emma Stone at her best in this feel-good teen movie littered with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud performances from the supporting cast. Sure brings you back to those days when the biggest worries we had now seem less intimidating compared to our grown-up woes.
He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson
No feel-good movie list is complete without a rom-com. He’s Just Not That Into You features a star studded cast in various relationship phases. They all have one similarity: figuring out whether the person they are interested in is the right one. The movie presents relationship woes in a relatable manner, making it a perfect movie to catch with your other half while reminiscing your own courtship days. It’s always good to indulge in saccharine sweet endings once in a while.
Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things In Life (2016)
Cast: Joshua Fields Millburn, Ryan Nicodemus
During this period of uncertainty when we are devoid of social interaction and filled with more spare time, sometimes we start asking ourselves again what the definition of happiness is. This documentary serves as a guiding light to this age old question. The show follows Joshua and Ryan, also known as The Minimalists, who travel around America to give talks on why they chose to live the simple life despite having it all previously. It also features other like-minded individuals who found their own Ikigai (our reason for being) by choosing to let go of the many material possessions they had to lead the life of a minimalist. A thought provoking piece which reshapes the conventional thinking on what constitutes happiness. Less can sometimes really be so much more.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Cast: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson
The second installment of the rebooted series sees our friendly neighbourhood Spidey and his friends jet off to Europe. The nemesis Peter Parker has to fend off this time is the egocentric and mean spirited Jake Gyllenhaal, aka Mysterio. The holding force in this rebooted Spider-Man series is the friendship between Peter and his best friend, Ned. Just like how Batman can’t live without Robin, and James Bond is nothing without Q, this comedic duo stand by each other through thick and thin, while not forgetting to provide the laughs with their high school lingos and geeky insider jokes. A light hearted movie that’s well paced, you can’t help but laugh at certain offbeat funny moments.
The Truman Show (1998)
Cast: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney
What if, one day, you realise the life you have been leading all this while is actually a reality TV show? What if everyone you know and even your closest friends and families are just actors? In this current day and age where the difference between reel and real is a fine line, The Truman Show had already accurately predicted the world’s future back in 1998. Jim Carrey is the reluctant leading actor of his own show whom you silently root for throughout the whole movie; drawing you in with his never say die attitude to escape from the pseudo reality to lead a life of his own. Nothing beats watching a story of triumph where one goes against all odds to emerge the winner.
