I really like the stage show of Doubt, and they seems to be cleaving closely to it. It is not, however, happy-fun or terribly uplifting.

Happy-Go-Lucky

I thought Doubt was quite good but not great. With the movies that are out right now I think you can do better.

Oh, hah. After seeing Doubt my sister and I were talking and she was all "I really was more in the mood for feel-good kind of thing, you know, like Milk."

Me: boggle

Her: What? He gets elected right?

Me: Um, yes. And then assasinated.

I would say on balance, Milk and Doubt are about even on upliftingness. Milk has higher highs and lower lows.

Of Jesse's list, I've only seen Doubt and I loved it. I think my ideal production would be this cast, on stage. (The script really benefits from being delivered directly to a live audience. The movie is excellent, but I'm glad I saw the stage version first.)

Benjamin Buttons is, from what I've heard, a great cathartic tear-jerker, whereas Revolutionary Road is just kind of depressing. I still want to see it, if only because DH described the relationship as Pete Campbell/Betty Draper (but not quite as well written).

Happy-Go-Lucky

I don't think I'm emotionally prepared for something fun. Also, I am hoping for a $6 early show.

Oh, hah. After seeing Doubt my sister and I were talking and she was all "I really was more in the mood for feel-good kind of thing, you know, like Milk."

Heh. I could see that, too.

Benjamin Buttons is, from what I've heard, a great cathartic tear-jerker, whereas Revolutionary Road is just kind of depressing.

Yeah, I think BB might me the winner for that reason. Also, Brad Pitt.

I'd say TCCoBB is quietly joyful, and rather apropos to ring in the new year. There was a tear at one moment, but it's certainly not what I would call a tearjerker because of the way it deals with death: which is constant and a given and whenever it arrives, and it does constantly, it's met with respect for life and as a reminder to make it count, and make it count Now, because you never know what's gonna hit you.

Not really spoilery, but JIC.

See it with your parents, your grandparents, your kids. For serious.

(I LOVE Big Fish. It's one of my favorite movies ever. But I don't watch it very often, because it turns me into a weepy mess.)

Oh yes, Both Edward S and Big Fish are weepers for me.

Also, believe it or not, Murderball, perhaps my favorite documentary. There are a couple of scenes that depict fatherly love as it really should be that just do me right in. There are also, watch from the hall, scenes depicting wretched fathering, so it gets ya coming and going.

also, regarding Benjamin Button, sfx/technically, it's a marvel to witness --which leads to two wonderful, shallow pleasures: a young Cate Blanchett and a Brad Pitt circa The Favor. Think of the youthful Xavier and Magneto in that third travesty of an X-men movie, in the flashback with Jean Grey, to the bajillionth power. Two dizzyingly gorgeous people made younger and more gorgeous. Yum.

Heh- after all that, I'm now watching Revolutionary Road on DVD.