The Sheila Variations

Off the top of my head:

Chick Flicks I Dig
Sense & Sensibility
Eat, Drink, Man, Woman
Say Anything
When Harry Met Sally

Guy Movies I Can't Stand
Showgirls
Highlander II and III
Fight Club (The more I watch, the less I see)

Undignified Blubbering
ET (I really thought he was dead, dammit!)
Sense & Sensibility (that scene at the end when Emma Watson finally breaks down...)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (why does Ang Lee keep appearing on this list?)
The Wrath of Khan

George ... Oh yes, I should have put Sense & Sensibility on my 'cry every time I see it' list. Emma Thompson (not Watson - ahem) bursting into sobs just GETS ME EVERY TIME!!!

You know, showing any of those dog related movies like Sounder, Old Yeller or Where the REd Fern Grows just shouldn't be allowed in schools.

I remember seeing each in school. On those rainy days when we couldn't go out to play, they'd put those on TV and each time, it ended with a classroom full of blubbering fourth graders.

I can get through Sounder and Old Yeller okay, now, though I grant you that Sounder's still rough on me.

I don't know if I could make it through Where the Red Fern Grows.

Ack - I keep getting her mixed up with Emily Watson. Hey, they look vaguely similar, play similar roles, and their names sort-of sound the same.

Anyway, Emma Thompson absolutely nails that scene. She doesn't just break down - she reminds you of everything that's happened before, and how strong and steady she had been throughout. When she finally breaks, you can't help but feel the same weird mix of relief, joy, and weariness all at once. The entire film depended on that last scene; she had to be perfect, and she was.

Thinking back, was that an amazing cast or what?

This talk of Emma Thompson reminded me of one I had left off my list: Truly, Madly, Deeply.

Sheila and I have discussed this before, but I think Juliet Stevenson's crying-at-the-piano performance wins Best Crying in a Movie. Add to that Alan Rickman (!) and the poetry of Pablo Neruda, and break out the Kleenex!

Lisa - Oh my gosh. TOTALLY. It's the rawest realest piece of acting I think I've ever seen. Woah. She rocks.

Oh man, Field of Dreams is one of those no matter how hard I try not to, it never fails. When I'm about 10 minutes from the final scenes I start telling myself "not this time", inevitably I tear up nonetheless.

And for a personal reason, A League of Their Own gets me every time.

Laura,

I'm that same way with It's a Wonderful Life. I always think I'm okay, not gonna cry, then Harry says, "Here's to my brother George, the richest man in town!" and I fall apart. Every time.

BEACHES????

I don't believe you. I think you're lying. I just plain don't believe you.

And to be honest, you'd have to be made of stone not to tear up at Sophie's Choice. Male or female. I mean....c'mon.

Alex, I just don't like the movie Beaches. I never have. I am very sorry. Am I supposed to like it?

Red,

You are not supposed to like Beaches. Among other things, it uses cancer as an obvious plot device. We need somebody dead, let's invoke cancer.

On the other hand, if you want to laugh for 90 minutes then cry your eyes out at an accurate portrayal of cancer (and who doesn't?) then watch My Life.

Beaches......no, no, no, no. It's absolutely a terrible movie, and I wholeheartedly agree with Big Dan. It's unbelievably manipulative.

I felt the same way about this that I did about Philidelphia Story. You want lesions and tragedy and death and AIDS? Come on'a MY house. Please. I love Tom Hanks and all, but did he EVER kiss Banderas? Once? I was pissed during that fim.

About Beaches....I was referring more to the Bette Midler Factor. The FACT of her in this movie. No, no. Awful movie.

But Bette? That's why I was surprised. Fabulous singing Bette.

Oh CHRIST! Not Philidelphia STORY....just PHILIDELPHIA!!!!!

I mean, was Tom Hanks plaing opposite Katherine Hepburn? And if he was, why DIDN'T he kiss Antonio Banderas? Why, I ask you. Why?

I've been up since 7am. My head is spinning like Linda Blair's.

Alex ... ohhhh, I get it. Yeah, I just didn't like the movie - it was manipulative with a capital M. I don't mind being manipulated, as long as it's not so OBVIOUS.

And I know it's not really funny, but I am still laughing: I think you mean just plain old Philadelphia and not Philadelphia Story - unless Miz Embrie had AIDS and I was unaware of the sub-plot.

hahahahahaha I was typing as you were typing ... I should have known you would catch that error!!

OMG, George, I'd totally forgotten about www.khaaan.com. It's still as funny as the first time, and I say that as someone who loves that movie (the only really GOOD Trek movie).

The only one that gets me every time, that I can think of, is Mr. Holland's Opus. Actually, it gets me twice - when Glen is singing "Beautiful Boy" to Cole, and when he gets on the podium to direct his Symphony.

Knute Rockne, All American. "Win one for the Gipper" may be so cliche that it's hard to take seriously out of its original context, but man oh man if you put that halftime scene on for a roomful of Irish Catholics there will not be a dry eye in the house. (especially if they're all there to watch a Notre Dame game)

Heck, I get verklempt at Airplane!'s "Win one for the Zipper" scene.