Feel-Good Classics OR Sick Cinema

Let’s take it easy this week. I just got my second COVID-19 vaccine today and am looking forward to watching movies and relaxing all weekend while my body does its thing. That got me thinking — what are THE BEST movies for sick days? Here’s a quick list of my top 5 why they’re so great. I think of them as feel-good classics or “sick cinema,” if you will.

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1. Howl’s Moving Castle
   What makes this movie so awesome? It’s not just a visual feast, but a heartwarming story of a woman learning to live for herself but still caring for others.
   Best Part: Billy Crystal’s Calcifer voice acting
   Weakest Part: The meandering ending

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2. The Princess and the Frog
   The music in this is just splendid, but the characters are the most memorable. And, for me, the lesson Tiana learns always hits hard. Best Part: The Shadow Man scenes
   Weakest Part: Charlotte La Bouff’s obliviousness

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3. The Princess Bride
   The movie quite literally opens with a framework story where a young boy is sick in bed. What other setup do you need to know this is a great movie for when you’re sick? But, as the grandpa says, it has “…fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…”
   Best Part: “As you wish”
   Weakest Part: Inigo Montoya after the 100th time

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4. Clue
   Cult classic comedy with some rockstar performances with amazing one-liners. What could be better when you’re under the weather?
   Best Part: “Flames…on the side of my face”
   Weakest Part: Professor Plum being a lech…

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5. IT (The 90s Miniseries Version)
   Do you need to feel like you’re losing your touch with reality? Do you want to feel like you’re being pursued by a homicidal supernatural clown? Do you want to question the interconnectedness of the entire Kingverse? Well, the original IT miniseries is there for you; best watched while you have a fever and are going in and out of consciousness.
   Best Part: The realization that all of the victims had incredibly successful lives
   Worst Part: The realization that they all ended up back in their hometown

That’s it. Those are my 5 recommendations for sick cinema viewing. I’m looking forward to binge watching all of those, and then some, while modern science works on my body to make me better than I was before. If you’re able, go get vaccinated! And give these movies a try if your side effects are gross.