Sam’s Showtime Schedule
There is no better way of celebrating this time of the year than by being a cinephile. As skies are clearer and days are longer, there comes broader changes, wherein it feels as if the whole world becomes alive and well. As we greet goodness into our lives, let us also greet a showtime special. Screen these uplifting motion pictures meant to have you leave feeling better than you did before pressing play.
With this list, find a what-to-watch guide with features alongside reviews — well, moreso rambles — of praise and commentary. Without further ado: a film bro (woman), a movie critic (avid Letterboxd user), and a cinema student (undergrad with a cinema minor) presents: Feel-Good Flicks.
1. MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988) Dir. Hayao Miyazaki
“You’re nice people, they won’t harm you.”
My Neighbor Totoro is my personal favourite Studio Ghibli release, an animation that introduces both admirable along with relatable characters who are unforgettable. Above all, it is a tale like no other that shows the beauty of being a kid, growing up, and dealing with changes in life.
2. MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON (2021) Dir. Dean Fleischer Camp
“I want to be having a good life and stay alive. And not just survive, but have a good life.”
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is an A24 live action stop-motion animation which intertwines a heartfelt story and strong visuals with a powerful, poignant dialogue, all of which combine to make the viewer appreciate what is around. No matter how small or strange one may be or feel, one will always have the capability to explore the big world and experience big emotions. There is so much worth living for and there is nothing as important as community — not only for Marcel, but for you and I as well.