Feb
What’s In Your Arsenal?
I don’t know about you, but I have certain comfort items I call on when things happen in life.
For instance, if I’m not feeling so hot, I like to pop in one of a handful of movies–true-blue cinematic friends who are guaranteed to put a smile on my face. 
*Housesitter
*The Devil Wears Prada
Why? I’m not exactly sure. But I know that they make me smile. And laugh.
When I’m struggling with a question or a problem that I just can’t fix easily, I find that a drive in the car with the music blaring helps. A lot. Some of my favorite songs for that…
*Midnight Blue
*Anything by Survivor
*And, really anything with a good beat
So that’s what I’m curious about today. Do you have a favorite movie you tend to pull out and watch depending on a particular mood? Any songs you tend to play? What and why?
~Elizabeth
February 12th, 2010 at 9:17 am
The ones I tend to watch to get me in a writing mood are all classic Tarantino, PULP FICTION and KILL BILL in particular. Either that or Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. When I’m vegging out, it’s 80s action films: TERMINATOR, ROBOCOP, ALIENS.
Writing music tends towards either hard rock (Motorhead, AC/DC. Metallica) or something complex, like classical or 70’s art-rock (Yes, King Crimson).
No surprises there, I’m sure.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:19 am
“Gone With The Wind” or “Hello Dolly” are the two movies that I’ll put on when I’m feeling low. I love the drama of GWTW and the upbeat melodies of HD and they both make me feel good after I’ve watched them.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:43 am
When I need a lift, I like to watch a little (but lovely) film called, Rock My World, with Peter O’Toole, Joan Plowright, and Alicia Silverstone.
For music, I’ll go for the Monkees.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:01 am
For movies, Airplane or Animal House change the mood. My current favorite show though is Phineas and Ferb. I know it’s a kids show but it is really good at changing my mood.
Music has to be 80’s. (with some Led Zeppelin thrown in). Def Leopard, Van Halen, etc.
You know you want to click on this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6652YIBzByk
February 12th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Good ones! And Chris, I DID click. And it made me smile!
Keep ‘em coming!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
When looking for a laugh….The First Wives Club! Energizing music—80’s for sure…comfort food when not feeling well….chicken broth with baby pastina!
February 12th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
A movie I pull out to feel happy is Sweet Home Alabama. Music I find comforting and decreases my stress level is Barry Manilow.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Nikki, I’m with you on the music!!
Donna…I *love* Sweet Home Alabama! Great movie!!! Thanks for stopping by…we hope to see you back again (we have a really nice crew of people who comment fairly regularly on this blog).
February 12th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I pull out my Harry Potter movies and have a marathon. Although last weekend it was Sex in the City. And I have to say I love Sweet Home AL too. (And Barry Manalow…)
But two weeks ago I caught the film version of Sargent Peppers Loney Hearts Club Band with the Bee Gees, Peter Frampton, Steve Martin, and more. It made my day… My husband on the other hand stayed in his man den. I love the Bee Gees.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Sometimes, on those days, it’s probably better he stay in his man den. A girl just needs her chick flicks, sometimes, you know?
February 12th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
My ‘happy music’ CD: Bob Hope’s, “Thanks for the Memories.” Some really sweet duets there with extremely talented singers. And then the numbers with Bing and Bob from the Road flicks–always fun. The out-takes make me laugh.
I fully intend to leave instructions for that CD to be played at my funeral. I also fully intend to not write those instructions for another fifty years.
If I were to name two pick-me-up movies, they’d be Holiday Inn (Crosby, Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Irving Berlin–Wowza!) and a dumb, poorly written movie called “Her Alibi,” with Tom Selleck and Paulina Porizkova. I love this film. It’s a mystery writer’s fantasy, and the internal narration, where Selleck reimagines his actions onto the page, I find hilarious. The plot has holes you could drive a truck through, and the bad guys are cartoons, pure and simple. But some of the situations they set up, and a few throwaway dialog lines always make me laugh out loud.
Um….okay, my afternoon is shot. Going to put the movie in.
P.S. –
JD: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is in my CD rotation, too. Love them early Eastwood westerns.
Chris: I usually find the Perry/Doofenshmirtz side stories more engaging than what the boys are up to, but yeah, that show is a hoot. And if you’ve not bought the soundtrack…Go Thee Forth Now and Purchase. It’s fun.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Sorry to derail your afternoon, Joe!
And yeah…fifty more years. At least.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Chiming in late– or maybe early for next week, LOL. I just wanted to let people know about the “Dear Lucky Agent” contest. This month they are targeting young adult or middle grade fiction.
You can find out more at: http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/CategoryView,category,Contests.aspx
Lynn