For a short work week it's been a really, really long week.  I've had terrible insomnia all week waking at ridiculous hours like 4 in the morning.  Not to mention I had blood work and my yearly exam this week.  Not fun.  So what could be better on a cloudy, humid Friday night than a big bowl of creamy tomato soup and a cute romantic comedy. 

Earlier in the summer I asked all of you for your lists of favorite lighthearted movies, those comedies that leave you in stitches, those romantic ones that leave you swooning, those movies you love for no other reason than they just make you feel good.  For weeks now I've been wanting to write a response post in which I told all of you what my favorite choices are but I just never made the time.  Tonight, while I'm on the couch under an afghan, it seemed like the perfect night to share a few of my faves.

The list all of you compiled in the comments of this post were fabulous.  Many of the ones you mentioned are favorites of mine as well--Amelie, Love Actually, Something's Gotta Give, Mad Hot Ballroom, Some Like It Hot, Sabrina (both of them), The Royal Tenenbaums, Practical Magic...  And I was glad to see Spanglish mentioned so many times because it is one of my I-love-it-so-much-I-have-to-own-it movies.  Here are some more (sorry, no links, I'm too tired)...

Tonight's choice:

• Win a Date with Tad Hamilton--I just recently discovered this movie and I've got to say I love it.  It just makes me feel good.  And that Topher Grace is just too cute for words.  A few weeks after seeing this movie for the first time I found myself standing in line at Hastings purchasing my own copy, you know, so I can watch it anytime I want to.

Comedies that really crack me up (and I'm not sure which one is my favorite because I love them all so much):

• Bottle Rocket--my favorite movies in the world are the Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson movies.  They are just so witty...in a dry kind of way.  Bottle Rocket could be my favorite but I don't know because I also love...
• Rushmore--Max Fisher.  Oh, Max Fisher.  One of my all time favorite movie characters.
• Old School--this movie makes me laugh until I can't breathe.
• Home Fries--dark and delicious
• The Matador--it's been awhile since I've seen this one...better put it on the Netflix queue
• Napoleon Dynamite--"lucky"

Sweet and Touching and Wonderful:

• The Family Stone--I watch this movie even when it isn't Christmas
• About a Boy--definitely my favorite Hugh Grant movie
• Dear Frankie---but beware, you might sniffle a little
• The Station Agent--just plain wonderful
• Return to Me--this one just makes me happy
• Never Been Kissed--well, now I like it.  The first time I saw it I was going through a divorce and at the end of the movie I went straight to the theater bathroom and cried in the stall.
• Little Miss Sunshine--why don't I own this one yet?

Unforgettable Characters I Can't Get Enough of:

• Benny and Joon--Johnny Depp as a Buster Keaton type character...perfect!
• What About Bob--"baby steps on to the elevator"

The Teen Scene--I'm not a bit teen movie fan but there are a few...

• 10 Things I Hate About You--it's that scene when Heath Ledger sings You're Just Too Good to be True on the school bleachers...adorable...
• okay, I guess there's only one

And You May Remember the Movie that Inspired a Post:

• Just Like Heaven

The Three Most Watched Movies in our Home:

• Pirates of the Caribbean 1--we're big Captain Jack fans
• Pirates of the Caribbean 2--can you tell I live with little boy
• Sleepy Hollow--this one may sound a bit weird but I can't help it.  I don't know what it is about this movie but I love it.  I love it so much that Trey has banned my watching it when he's around because he's sick of it.  I think I have a little crush on Ichabod Crane.

A Few of my Latest Enjoyments:

• Kiss,Kiss,Bang,Bang--I'm not a big Val Kilmer fan but he is really good in this
• 10 Items or Less--Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors
• Hairspray--oh my god!  I loved it!

My Ultimate All Time Favorite Feel Good Movie:

• and the winner is...Chocolat...must be viewed while eating some form of chocolate...or a nice thick slice of key lime pie

Comments

[Star]

So many good movies you've listed here. Return to Me just keeps moving up my list of feel-good movies.

What About Bob - OMG, it's been forever since I've seen that but it just makes me laugh so much. I've got to get it again soon.

Wishing you a restful and happy-movie filled weekend!

[Jennifer]

Oh such wonderful movies you have choosen. Two of my favorites which you don't have listed here are 'Serendipity' and 'Major League.'

Oh how I love movies!

[deirdre]

I'm going straight to Netflix to add a few movies. Thanks for the list. I'm ready for something light and fluffy and oh, so romantic.

[DebR]

Sometime when you're in a RoCo sort of mood, you seriously need to track down a copy of American Dreamer! One of the best romantic comedy movies EVER, IMNSHO.

[maddie]

Chocolate and About a Boy -
are sublime films:)

[bella]

A forgotten mention for the comedy catagory: Bedazzaled. So funny.

[wendy]

My horse is named after johnny's character in chocolat...roux...oh, and his show name is chocolat...

[hel]

I too am struggling with insomnia.

I wish I could have a bowl of that soup and watch a movie with you.

Florian refuses to watch anything that is not socially and politically relevant or has lots of sword fighting in.

Sigh...

[kristen]

I love Just Like Heaven. So much so that after I watched it, I rushed over to my computer and looked for it on title trader, found it and am the happy owner. xo

[Ms. Diva]

Have you ever seen Sandlot? The first one. Talk about a feel good movie!! And the line, "you play ball like a GIRL!!" One of my all time faves!!!

[boho girl]

this was a delight to read.

just wanted you to know that i am thinking of you and missing you terribly.

love you.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

You've mentioned many of my favourites too! I just love movies. xx, JP/deb

[kristine]

We have many of the same favorites. If you get a chance – check out a movie called “In America”. It is so great! If you loved The Station Agent, you’ll like this too.

[Wenda]

thanks for that - i'm especially looking forward to watching your favourite Hugh Grant movie

[Wenda]

thanks for that - i'm especially looking forward to watching your favourite Hugh Grant movie

[Wenda]

thanks for that - i'm especially looking forward to watching your favourite Hugh Grant movie

[karla nathan]

YOu are right on the money with all of those!

[Cynthia Sebastian]

Had to respond to the most fave movie.
Chocolate is one of my all time favorite!
There is a independent film called Saint Ralph ( or St Ralph) that is fabulous! No big names ( except Jennefer Tilly as the nurse) and I guarentee you will enjoy it!
Onward and Upward!

Cynthia Sebastian

[Jennifer]

I definitely have to agree with the Chocolat comment. When I watch it I eat chocolate, period. I can't help it. I just can't. It must be the stark contrasts in the movie of the dreary, boring and unexciting town compared to the delicious, exotic and exciting juliette binoche.

[Tinuviel]

So right on 'About a Boy'. My fave teen scene, though? John Cusack in 'Say Anything'--you know, with the boom box...