Movie warnings...post the movies that blindsided you.

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  • sam408
    sam408 Member Posts: 1,099
    edited May 2008

    When I'm in need of a good laugh, I pop in Christmas with the Kranks. That botox scene is priceless!

    It's basically a good family movie and they even managed to play the neighbor with cancer into the movie in a good way.

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited May 2008

    Seems like most of the "family" movies out there anymore are always about one-parent families--many times it's because the mom has died and yes, it's usually cancer. UGH.

    I actually got sort of weepy with Christmas with the Kranks. I can't think of any movies that have caught me off guard recently--probably because I haven't seen anything new for a very long time. I just wanted to suggest a freakin hilarious show in case you all have missed it. "MY NAME IS EARL" is one of the few television shows that can make me laugh out loud. It's now on TBS Monday nights. I laughed so hard last night it kept my husband awake.  

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  • Helen1
    Helen1 Member Posts: 209
    edited June 2008

    I recently saw Sex in the City movie.  My ex-husband has seen everyone of the television episodes.  I have not watched any of them.  So I told him that I would be his wingman and go with him so he could tell people he had to go with me.  I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and found it very funny.  It was almost as much fun as watching the sex in the city lady wannabes w/ their funky purses and ugly shoes that came dressed as their favorite character.  It was 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and the theatre was packed.

    Helen

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited June 2008

    My husband watched sex in the city on TV before we got married and wants to go, I guess I will be his 'wingman' so he also can say I made him go with me.

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  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited June 2008

    Family Stone ruined my Christmas Day( the 1st after dx) when it first came out. My daughter and I went to see it and the guys went to another....why we didn't walk out ,I'll never know but when we did come out we were both livid and furious that this "comedy " was anything BUT ! The guys had no clue but knew we were extremely upset.

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited June 2008

    I so remember when years ago we published here about the "Family Stone"...we were all so mad!!!!!!!

    I could have punched that TV and sued whoever put the film out without a discloser... it was suppose to be a comedy!!!!!!!  I did not laugh once and my skin still crawls thinking about that movie!

    Good feel movie: Little Miss Sunshine... LOL and sorry, have not gone to the movies lately, but would like to follow the advice of someone here and see Iron Man on the theater.

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited June 2008

    I so remember when years ago we published here about the "Family Stone"...we were all so mad!!!!!!!

    I could have punched that TV and sued whoever put the film out without a discloser... it was suppose to be a comedy!!!!!!!  I did not laugh once and my skin still crawls thinking about that movie!

    Good feel movie: Little Miss Sunshine... LOL and sorry, have not gone to the movies lately, but would like to follow the advice of someone here and see Iron Man on the theater.

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited June 2008

    I so remember when years ago we published here about the "Family Stone"...we were all so mad!!!!!!!

    I could have punched that TV and sued whoever put the film out without a discloser... it was suppose to be a comedy!!!!!!!  I did not laugh once and my skin still crawls thinking about that movie!

    Good feel movie: Little Miss Sunshine... LOL and sorry, have not gone to the movies lately, but would like to follow the advice of someone here and see Iron Man on the theater.

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited June 2008

    "The Savages".

    It's about an estranged brother and sister who are forced to get back together to deal with their aging father's dementia, transfer to a nursing home, and eventual death.  There is no surprise with this movie--the evidence of a problem, and a not-so-good-time at the movies, is there from the very first scene.  There is no one dying of cancer, but it is a downer from beginning to end--despite the fact that it is advertised as a "comedy" (albeit one perfused "black humor"--a la Fargo?).

    I have NO IDEA why we rented this movie.  I think it was probably advertised as a promo with "The Family Stone," which should have been a clue.  Once I realized what "The Savages" was about, I put off watching it for weeks.  Finally last night I was in a good mood, so we decided to get it over with.  What a waste of time.  OTOH, it got very good reviews from a bunch of critics who were obviously better prepared to deal with the gloom-and-doom of yet another dysfunctional family than I was.

    otter 

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  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited June 2008

    I recently saw the "Sex in the City" movie -- at 10:45 am. Not a man in the crowd. Since there are lots of scenes of naked breasts (on people having sex) be warned if you don't want to see them. I did think it was interesting that both the character who was supposed to have had bc (Samantha) and the actress who really did (don't remember her name) appeared to have totally unblemished boobs with totally perky nipples. It made me wonder inappropriately about what kind of treatment she had had/was supposed to have had, and what the guy's hand was covering.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    Revkat, I noticed that too (the actress who played Miranda - the character who left her cheating husband, Steve - was actually the one who really had bc). I felt like such a voyer because I was looking for some scars, lol...

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  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited June 2008

    Oh gosh, I know I'll be looking, too!!!  But basically I think it's very inspiring that she shot these scenes post-lumpectomy, post-rads!

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited June 2008

    Autumn in New York (Richard Gere and Winona Ryder):  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0174480/

    So, OK, it didn't actually blindside me.  First, I had already seen it but forgot, and I didn't remember the key details until too late; and second, the "bad news" comes pretty early in the film and isn't hidden at all.  But, it is about a 50-ish playboy-type who dates and then falls in love with a 20-ish woman, only to find out she has less than a year to live because of an inoperable tumor.

    Here's a comment from a reviewer who actually had Hodgkin's Disease herself:  http://www0.epinions.com/mvie-review-6950-2E8279A6-39A200FE-prod5?linkin_id=8003929 

    "Charlotte Fielding has cancer. Of course it's not the real type of cancer, where people get sickly, yellow, and vomit a lot, it's the movie type of cancer, where people are ethereal, quote a lot of poetry and say all sorts of Memorable And Deeply Wise Things. Of course she doesn't even quote the good cancer poetry - the Audre Lord or Mary Oliver. Instead she floats around in gauzy clothing reeling off the treacle that's found in every fifth grader's poetry reader. Somewhere, Emily Dickinson is spinning frenetically in her grave. We're supposed to believe our gal has one paw on death's doorknob, but were it not for every character in the movie telling us that ad infinitum, you would never know. Sure, she's a little pale but she also has all sorts of energy. She makes ridiculous hats, ice skates, and gets into dramatic rows with her paramour in which she teaches him Memorable And Deeply Wise Things - mainly that life is fleeting and love is precious, yadda yadda yadda."

    otter 

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  • Jule
    Jule Member Posts: 250
    edited June 2008

    Sorry if this is a repeat...The Christmas Shoes (movie and song). Cry every time I hear the stupid song and ball my eyes out with the movie. And yes, every movie that I pick out recently from NetFlix has someone very ill or dying....I have bad luck!

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  • Amers
    Amers Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2008

    So-for a good list-

    Second Hand Lions--it was actually on TV-AMC I think

    Cocoon-

    Amy

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  • SusanG
    SusanG Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2008

    Oh, Lord...I was getting a manicure the day before I got the results of my biopsy, and they had the TV on HBO. It was showing that mini-series about John Adams, and I saw that part you're talking about. There I was waiting to find out if I had breast cancer, trying NOT to cry while I watched John Adams' daughter tell her mother her breast cancer was back. And then she died! ARGH!

    Another one I haven't seen mentioned - it's an older movie, but it's worth warning you about - Sweet November with Keanu Reeves. OMG. I saw it a couple of years back, and just thinking about it now makes me want to cry. Don't watch it if the sad endings upset you.

    I saw someone recommended The Notebook - I have to say that pretty much anything by Nicholas Sparks is going to end sadly. Just be warned about that. 

    The Notebook has a sad ending (okay...somewhat bittersweet, I guess...though no cancer) but Mr. Sparks lost me as a reader when I read Message in a Bottle. Not only did the hero DIE at the end, he did something INCREDIBLY STUPID that made him die. I'm sorry. I've no patience for characters (or real people, for that matter) who are simply too stupid to live.

    I'm a writer myself (I write romantic fiction) but I do NOT like books with sad endings. I don't care how poignant it is, or what message it sends...I WANT a happy ending, darn it!

    Su

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  • SusanG
    SusanG Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2008

    My picks for watching over and over:

    Lord of the Rings. Any of them. I ADORED the books, and I loved the movies.

    My Firefly TV series DVDs. If you like sci-fi, particularly if you're a fan of Joss Whedon's work, WATCH this series. It's fantastic. But do not watch the movie version - Serenity - it's rather sad.

    My Cousin Vinny. I don't care how many times I watch this movie - I laugh my butt off every time. Marisa Tomei definitely deserved her Oscar in this one.

    Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?  If you haven't seen this one, you really must. I had no idea George Clooney could be that funny. It's a very silly movie, but the dialogue is hysterical.

    If I think of more, I'll holler. Meanwhile, if any of you have recommendations of good romantic movies that have HAPPY endings, please let me know!

    Su

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  • SheriH
    SheriH Member Posts: 785
    edited June 2008

    I was flipping through the channels and caught the ending of "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.  I had forgotten what a sweet movie it was.  It had a happy ending.

    My dd watches "Priness Bride" and "Robinhood, Men in Tights" over and over again.  Classics!  She also adores "Ever After" and "Princess Diaries", girl fantasy movies.

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  • SLH
    SLH Member Posts: 566
    edited June 2008
    More movies for kids with sneaky depressing deaths: The Bridge to Terabithia, and for teens: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
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  • revkat
    revkat Member Posts: 763
    edited June 2008
    oh I sobbed through Sisterhood of the the Traveling Pants totally embarrassing my 3 teenage daughters (although they were dabbing at their eyes too).
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  • fire
    fire Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2008

    Sex and the City?

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited June 2008

    Holy Crap. I watched "Grumpier Old Men" with dh on Sunday and forgot about the part where Burgess Meredith (who plays Jack Lemmon's dad) dies. Not cancer or anything, but really put a downer on an otherwise fun movie.  WTH? Why do they have do screw up a good time??

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  • anneshirley
    anneshirley Member Posts: 1,110
    edited June 2008

    Otter--my husband and I thought Keaton (in her role) was a real bitch as well.  Nasty, mean, superior!  And I thought learning late in the movie that she had terminal cancer was unfair to audience (so now we have to feel sorry for her!) Over praised movie I thought!

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited June 2008

    These movie are older but worth avoiding.



    'Phenomenon' with John Travolta. My daughter, 16, and I laid in bed and watched this after her chemo treatment. We were blindsided when we found out that he actually had a brain tumour and died. My daughter cried and said "Mom, I think I'm dying too." It brings me to tears even as I type this, because she was right. However, I will say that watching the movie did bring up a conversation that we needed to have. But hate the movie now!



    "What Dreams May Come" with Robin Williams is my other most hated movie. Two other couples who had also lost a child were with us and we were expecting a beautiful 'afterlife' experience. It was awful. He lost his wife and two children and then he died. He hardly even gave a second thought to his children and spent the movie in this horrible dark 'hell' trying to save his wife's soul. Several people actually left part way through the movie.



    My favs for a laugh are 'Princess Bride' and 'What About Bob'.





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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2008

    PIP, I am so sorry about your daughter. How heartbreaking to watch that movie with her and have her say that....... how awful to have to say goodbye to your child.  That is just something that should not be....

    Big hugs from Virginia!

    Miss S

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited June 2008

    So, what did y'all think about the Bucket List?

    otter 

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  • SLH
    SLH Member Posts: 566
    edited June 2008

    Two of my favorite actors are in The Bucket List--Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.  But I think I'll pass.  Did you like it, Otter?

    PIP, I'm sorry.  What an awful time for you.

    sally 

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited June 2008

    Sally, I did like it, which surprised me.  It's not a very complicated movie, but, like you, I really enjoy watching Morgan Freeman, and Jack Nicholson as long as he isn't being too evil.  He was just vulnerable enough in Bucket List to make it OK.

    OTOH, my dh didn't like it.  I'm not sure why--I think he just enjoys comedies, and something with a serious theme (even if it has funny parts) usually doesn't make his list.

    otter 

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  • SLH
    SLH Member Posts: 566
    edited June 2008

    I saw another one on the shelves at Blockbuster that is probably one to avoid!  It just came out with Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden, and it's directed by Clint Eastwood's daughter.

    It's called "Rails & Ties":  Unlikely melodrama about a young boy who comes into the lives of a train engineer and his dying wife (she has terminal cancer) after an act of fate occurs binding the three together through their grief.

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  • psychologoboy
    psychologoboy Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2008

    ok, so i have dealt with the loss of my Grandmother, and mother due to BC.

    I feel i dissagree with alot of what is being said here.

    While i agree that for younger viewers, the point may be misconstrewed. A few of the movies noted have been very helpful for me.

    I can never understand how my momma felt when she was told she was going to pass, my stomach still hurts thinking of it. Movies are made to give a different vantage point on reality. I don't remember but i watched a great movie about a son and mothers preparation for loss. It saved my life.

    BTW- if looking in the comedy section, and you find a movie with topics relating to cancer, why then do you watch it?

      

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