Movies You Shouldn't See: Meet the Spartans (2008)

Meet the Spartans was once called Epic Movie 2. They cleverly disguised this film as Meet the Spartans because the writers were so ashamed of having written such an awful movie. The disguise didn't work. Meet the Spartans is just another awful spoof. Again, the first few times it was funny, but it has lost its charm.

Meet the Spartans is a spoof of 300, Transformers, Stomp the Yard, Grand Theft Auto, Ugly Betty, American Idol, and all other American entertainment things. It provides an even less funny outlook on action movies than ever before. Carmen Electra has been cast in a leading role if that tells you enough.

Although this may be a horrible movie, it has been a bit overcriticized. I would like to say that the Dane Cook impression was actually funny, but the rest of the movie just seems to weight it down. Come on. You made fun of Nicole Richie by making her look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Not funny!

What else is there to say about the movie? I have already criticized the awful nature of this movie enough for your likings. 300 is now not as good as it was the first time. Poor Carmen Electra. Why did you take their offer? I am not even going to go into how stupid the American Idol bashing is. For shame, Aaron Seltzer and your other six or however many writers, for shame!

Pineapple Express (2008)

Though every comedy seems to boast "From the writers of Superbad", this one has the right to do so. Pineapple Express is fine and shockingly violent comedy. As opposed to other Seth Rogen works, this one is actually aimed at viewers with a refined movie taste. Though it may also may be aimed at pot smokers, you do NOT have to be one to see it and enjoy it.

Pineapple Express is the quirky story of a man (Seth Rogen) and his dealer (James Franco in a Golden Globe nominated role). After he sees a man get shot while he is high, he runs to his dealer and go on the run. Little do they know that the murderer and a corrupt policewoman are hot on their trailer. Indie auteur David Gordon Green directs.

Again, why is this film so smart? It really is the script that makes it work. Though it is an absolutely ridiculous and overly long movie, it still is a gem. It may be violent and not for everyone, but still how could anyone not laugh at the car chase scene? The whole kicking the foot through the window bit is one of the funniest I have ever seen. Also the cross joint is hilarious and wild.

If the tagline "One hit can ruin your whole day." wasn't good enough, the first fifteen minutes are sure to bring anyone who watches it under its spell. Though I will admit it could have been cut slightly, it does manage to make you laugh and that is the point of it. Seth Rogen has done another great job. My next Netflix rental will be Zack and Miri Make a Porno so we'll see if he's any good in it.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

The second smart comedy of 2008 is Tropic Thunder. Tropic Thunder is actually not smart at all, but it is a fine parody of war films such as Platoon and Apocalypse Now. Add some great acting and a clever script together and you get the nice surprise that Tropic Thunder is. Clever and stupid all at once, the movie is easily quotable and very fun.

The movie, as I have said before, is one long parody of the war film genre. It is about actors on the set of a movie who can't seem to work towards any progress in the movie. Among the many stars in the movie, there's Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey Jr. The director decides to get realistic war footage so he puts the actors in a climate the aren't used to: actual war. There are many cameos including Nick Nolte as a war veteran and Tom Cruise as a ruthless Hollywood agent.

Though even the credits seem like a joke, the movie was nearly completely made by actors. Ben Stiller does quadruple duty by acting, directing, producing, and writing the film. It's obvious that he wrote the script because it is so kooky and obnoxious (but also enjoyable) at times. What isn't quite as obvious is that movie star Justin Theroux also helped write the script. Also, the cast is quite good. Robert Downey Jr. is great as a black man and was nominated for an Oscar as a result of his performance. He won't win it, IMHO, because he is up against Heath Ledger.

Tropic Thunder is a comedy that should stick with American audiences for a while. The movie is offensive and never dull, typical characteristics of any Ben Stiller or Jack Black movie. Though I can't stand either actor, they are actually quite enjoyable. The rest of the cast isn't too shabby either. The fake trailers in the beginning are simply a nice finishing touch on an already golden movie.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of three great comedies of 2008. Unlike many of its genre, it is smart and hilarious. The acting is great and really fun to watch. Though it may be fluff, it still is quite funny and a great popcorn flick.

Peter (Jason Segel) is a musician happily going out with Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), an actor on the craptastic parody of CSI. Sarah breaks up with him over the reason that she has found a new boyfriend played by Russell Brand. Her new boyfriend is a sleazy rocker. Peter's brother suggests he take a vacation to Hawaii to get over the break up. Peter goes and there he meets Sarah again.

The movie's smaller roles are also what make it great. Mila Kunis plays an amiable love interest of Peter's. At times, she is cute and at other times, she is raunchy and hilarious. Bill Hader as Peter's brother is great. Jonah Hill of Superbad fame also plays a waiter at a resturaunt. My personal favorite is Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as a Jesus loving man conflicted about sex with his wife.

The film is famous for its (ahem) full fronal scenes from Jason Segel. Are the necessary? Not really, but are the funny? Certainly. When asked about why he included them he said "Penises are funny". Apparently, that is true.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a movie that will be forgotten, unfortunately. For the next few years, it will retain its popularity, but I don't think it will stand the test of time. Still, the actors are enjoyable as well as the jokes. Smart and funny are two things that don't usually mix, but here they do exceptionally well.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Even though the title may just be the worst one in history, Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona is funny and charming. Though not hilarious as Allen had wished, it still is visually stunning and well acted. The film makes you feel as though you actually went to Barcelona for two hours.

Rebecca Hall plays Vicky and Scarlett Johansson plays Cristina, two girlfriends who take a trip to Barcelona for the summer hence the title. There they meet the elusive Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), a nice artist. They both fall in love with him. The love triangle becomes some other quadrilateral when Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), a previous girlfriend of Juan Antonio, comes back to see him. And that's not even the end of it.

Penelope Cruz's acting is the best part of this film. She gives a really great performance. There aren't many actresses who can give a real tour de force performance like she can. Though the other actresses and Javier Bardem come off as a bit dry, Cruz really shines and well deserves her Oscar nomination and Golden Globe.

As I mentioned before, the film is beautiful. Though it is probably very hard to make Barcelona look ugly, when you add Woody Allen into the equation, the filmmaking reaches a new level. As Juan Antonio and the women walk around Barcelona, the viewer becomes so amazed by the sights they see. This movie actually inspired me to travel to Barcelona next summer.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona's humor may be strange, but it still is very lovable. This is one of 2008's good movies. Somewhere in the middle, the film begins to feel a bit long, but the resolution makes it better. A weird lesbian scene and great acting, this film has it all. Woody Allen has directed another good one.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Baz Luhrmann's frenzied Best Picture nominee is one of my favorite musicals. Moulin Rouge is a clever, frenetic mix of dance, romance, and drama. The music, at least for the most part, is not original, but rather an update (actually, quite the opposite) of newer songs. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are great. Luhrmann being one of my favorite directors, never fails to astound me.

Moulin Rouge is the story of Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young man searching for love in Paris. One day, a bunch of Bohemians literally crashes through his roof and he becomes involved in a play. The lead actress they want is Satine (Nicole Kidman), a seductive dancer at the Moulin Rouge, a famous cabaret. They go there to ask her, but Christian runs into problems when he falls in love with her, but she has already been sold to the Duke even though she loves him back.

The best part of the movie is the first trip to the Moulin Rouge. The energetic scene where the characters sing "Lady Marmalade" as remixed by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink is amazing. Watching the update on the Nirvana song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is fun. It's great to see people dancing to modern music 1900's style. Then again, it's all so Luhrmann-esque.

The characters are also what makes this movie so great. Toulouse Lautrec, played by John Leguizamo, who was the famous poster artist, is beautifully acted. Also, Nicole Kidman is charming as Satine, even when the film turns ugly towards the end. Ewan McGregor is also adorable as the innocent Christian.

Quirky and charming, Moulin Rouge is a stunning classic. Updates on songs and at times corniness, Baz Luhrmann has created a great musical. Though the mood changes a lot in the second hour, it still remains good and touching. I have to say, I'm the first in line when Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby is done!

Movies You Shouldn't See: Mamma Mia! (2008)

It's too bad this film is bad because it looked really good. Unfortunately, the star studded cast wasn't even close to enough. Some of Mamma Mia's scenes were fun, but some were just energetic and boring. I will commend the film for Amanda Seyfried, but I will not commend it for making the musical into something much worse than it deserves.

Personally, I can't understand why you would make a movie anyway, but...there's Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a girl who isn't sure which one of her mother's (Meryl Streep) three bedmates is her father. She then decides to invite the fathers (Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth) to her wedding. Definitely Maybe, anyone?

The casting for the movie is very spotty. It ranges from Seyfried who is the upcoming big actress of 2009 to Pierce Brosnan who should never sing. When he opens his mouth to sing, it makes me want to scream. They could have at least done what West Side Story did and dub his voice! Meryl Streep is so so, but it is hard to believe she had operatic training.

The biggest problem I have is that the movie is overly peppy and somewhat exhausting to even watch. You watch one musical number and you're just tired from watching it. All the women are all just so peppy to the point where it is annoying. The guys are barely in half the movie, but when they are it is just disastrous.

Mamma Mia is a blockbuster, but I honestly don't know why. Maybe because it has ABBA music in it, but I'm not sure. Surely one of the worst letdowns of last year, Mamma Mia makes me want to just hit one of those overly energized women in the movie who randomly break out into song. Believe me, I don't care about that usually, but it just doesn't make sense!

Movies You Shouldn't See: Step Brothers (2008)

Well, when I saw the Will Ferrell/John C. Reilly collaboration, I wasn't thrilled. Then again, Walk Hard wasn't too bad and neither was Anchorman. Only differnce between Step Brothers and those two is that this one is awful. Step Brothers is a disjointed mess that follows no plot whatsoever and doesn't even attempt to. Its type of humor is so strange that I don't even think it for anyone, not even a die hard Will Ferrell fan.

The stupid storyline follows Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly who are united as step brothers when their parents marry. They hate each other at first (of course) and are both 40. After only 10 minutes, they decide they need a job. The plot changes just about every 10 minutes so it is pretty free form.

I think the thing I hated the most about this R-rated comedy was that it made no sense! Comedies are for people who are not as intellectual as somebody who would see foreign French movies. So if I don't have the mental capacity to understand the random time jumps (until the very end in which the writers decided to give a title card), then who can? That is a question I cannot answer.

The other thing I REALLY hated about this movie was how crude it was. I understand that comedies were meant to be crude, but not this much. There is a scene where Will Ferell places his testicles, which are so obviously fake, onto a drum set. Not only this, but the camera lingers on it hoping to squeeze a laugh out. Well, the only thing the squeezed out was a disgusted face.

If you like crude and odd movies, this is one for you. If you have a hope of seeing a good comedy, this is NOT a movie for you or anybody else. It seems like Ferrell has lost his funny and Reilly could do so much better. What agent chose this movie for them? The answer would be a very bad one.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Superhero Movie (2008)

Don't ask how, but this didn't go direct to DVD. Yes, Superhero Movie is another one of those movies--those stupid parody ones. Disaster Movie and Superhero Movie in the same year. A tragedy. I'm crying on the inside as to what Hollywood has become.

If you actually care, you can read the summary here. Rick Riker (Drake Bell) is a student who is bit by a radioactive dragonfly on a school trip. When he discovers he has the ability to fly, things suddenly change and he begins to realize he can have his love interest, Jill, the girl next door.

Though a movie spoofing superhero movies seems like it would be funny, it is quite the opposite. Risque humor and comic violence don't make everything funny, people! Believe me, this has good intentions, but it doesn't quite make the cut. The best of its kind recently (which isn't saying much) does not even squeeze a chuckle out of me.

Well, you were probably wondering how I came across this rubbish. So, I was on a plane to Europe, but I was having trouble sleeping. I didn't want to watch something that demanded very much attention so I selected this. It did the trick. I fell back asleep after 20 minutes. I later finished the film (What? There was nothing better do!) and was rather disappointed.

Superhero Movie will be laughed at for how bad it is eventually. It tries to be funny but clearly fails, epically. Nobody ever said you had to step past Scary Movie, but the producers did and continue to. Why? Well, to be honest, nobody knows. These aren't even bringing money. Somebody needs to make a movie called Movie Movie already!

Movies You Shouldn't See: Norbit (2007)

"Have you ever made a really big mistake?" reads the poster. Yes, yes, I have--by watching this movie. If you allow yourself to judge a book by its cover, you would never waste your time with this. I saw it by accident on HBO, so don't misjudge me, but Norbit is really really really bad.

This complete trash is about a man who is engaged to a woman of monstrous proportions. The man is played by Eddie Murphy, and so is the woman, and another character. This I must commend the movie for along with the makeup. Then the man, Norbit, finally meets the woman of his dreams (Thandie Newton).

The biggest problem with Norbit is that it isn't funny at all. Although some people will insist that every comedy has one funny joke, this has just broken the pattern. I'm sorry, but I didn't even laugh once during the whole movie. I was nearly bored to tears.

Norbit is the worst film to ever be nominated for an Oscar. Yes, that's right it was nominated for an Oscar. Even though I criticize this, it did deservingly get nominated for the award for makeup. It's not easy to make Eddie Murphy look completely different three times. I have to say, the makeup is excellent.

Don't see Norbit and expect to laugh. It is complete rubbish and should not be viewed by anyone's eyes. This is one of the worst movies I know of. Stay away!

Airplane! (1980)

"Don't call me Shirley" has become a defining line in movie history thanks to this film. Airplane! is a hilarious parody of all disaster movies. Clever scripting and some risque humor help this film achieve a place in my movie collection. Never again will a spoof be this good.

Airplane! is the hilarious story of a man who gets on a plane where everybody gets sick from eating the salmon. Amid all the other strange events happening including turbulence that makes a woman's breasts jiggle along with her jello, he meets a beautiful flight attendant, a doctor, a girl who needs an organ donor in a different state, a doctor, and an odd pilot (Leslie Nielsen). The plot is already wacky enough for a great movie.

It's little things that nobody notices in this movie that make it worthwhile. For instance, while the opening credits are running, you can hear a man and a woman arguing over which colored lane you should walk in if you have no baggage. Also, after the film is done, there's a funny little scene involving the taxi driver from the beginning. The Zuckers are clever with their humor and one can easily see that by just taking a look at this.

Its not often that you come across a movie this funny. The dialogue is witty and the humor is so strange, you just have to laugh. Although it may be rated PG, there's some pretty inappropriate jokes and they're the best ones in the film. Airplane! is a clever parody movie that is now regarded as a classic.

Movies You Shouldn't See: Date Movie (2006)

It seems that funny movies that end with "movie" are all the craze these days. Actually they're not funny at all. Stick with the Scary Movie series. This is nothing special here; it's just a big piece of crap. It's amazing that the 2 of the 6 writers can retain their dignity after this!

Date Movie is a horrible spoof of all romance movies. It spoofs a lot of them, but mostly My Big Fat Greek Wedding. It is about a man searching for the perfect woman. He finds her, but her parents don't exactly like him or any man she dates very much.

Some of the humor in this movie is just trash. In a spoof "The Bachelor", our main character disqualifies contestants, but when they are disqualified, they are shot. It doesn't get much more lowbrow than this folks. There's also some just flat out crude humor scenes that I won't even get into.

The film is not a complete trainwreck until half way in. The first half isn't terrible, but it's still mediocre. The second half, on the other hand, is just terrible. It makes it one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

Date Movie brings something new to the table-a new, terrible genre of cinema. The only funny part is in the first five minutes and it's a chuckle not a laugh. It just isn't a good movie. I couldn't be more plain and simple about it.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Billy Wilder's outrageous and hilarious cross-dressing comedy hasn't aged a day since it came out in 1959. Apparently, I like it very hot. Some Like it Hot is better than most comedies I know of. If only Hollywood stopped coming out with trashy spoof movies and started coming out with more like this.

Some Like it Hot is looked at as one of the first gay and lesbian movies. Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are two band members on the run after witnessing a mob hit. They get jobs in an all female band so Joe becomes Josephine and Jerry becomes Daphne. They meet Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), a seductive member of the band and Joe falls madly in love. To furthermore complicate things, Jerry decides that he is going to get money and pretends to be in love with an old, rich man.

Some Like it Hot features some of the funniest lines ever to be said in movie history. The end punchline is what the film is known for and has gone into AFI's most memorable quotes list. I won't reveal since it is hilarious and will ruin the movie if I do.

This movie is one of the most fun and hilarious movies ever. Unlike many of Monroe's movies, this one isn't sissy and womanly, but can be viewed by a wider audiences. Everyone will laugh at Curtis and Lemmon's antics and will surely be pleased by their fake female voices (Curtis' voice was dubbed). This film absolutely stands the test of time and is sure to excite all audiences today!

Fargo (1996)

Oh ya, this flick is a good one. The Coen Brothers directed and produced this down right strange thriller/comedy and it came out to be a masterpiece. They lend their own odd sense of humor to a seemingly average crime movie.

The strange plot starts with Jerry (William H. Macy), a car salesman who plans to kidnap his own wife with two men played by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare. When the plan falls apart and the police are lead onto it, Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief played by Frances McDormand in an Oscar nominated performance, is set out to find the kidnappers.

The Coen Brothers never do fail to amaze me. This film is witty, clever, and exciting-a combination that many films cannot put together days. Actually, I never have seen another movie quite like this one. The two have won four Oscars and it looks like a fifth is coming their way for Burn After Reading.

Fargo is hilarious and at times thrilling. Every minute is smart and the film doesn't really have a down moment. The gross climax of the film is good and strangely dark and comical. It isn't too often you see these two come together.

In Bruges (2008)

Maybe Bruges isn't so "fairy tale like" at all. A seemingly very scenic town changes quickly for Ray (Colin Farrell), a hit man who is forced to move with Ken (Brendan Gleeson) to Bruges, Belgium after he kills a little boy by accident. While Ken is having a great time sightseeing, Ray is bored until he meets a woman on a movie set that he falls in love with. Unfortunately, she has vengeful boyfriend. More unfortunately, their boss (Ralph Fiennes) is still giving them jobs.

In Bruges' oddball comedy and slick action is what makes the film work. The film can be seen either way and it's still a masterpiece. The humor isn't for everyone, but neither is the whole movie. It is rather slow until an hour into it.

Martin McDonagh gives some great direction. You have to honor this man for being able to do such a great job on his first time directing. He really is able to bring out the beauty of Bruges and that is what a good director should be able to do.

In Bruges is, as I said, not a film for everyone. Colin Farrell and the script are enjoyable, but some will not be able to appreciate the pace of the film which speeds up a lot in its final half hour. The bloody finale will stun audiences and the weird comedy should bring quite a few laughs. As of November, In Bruges is an easy Oscar contender.

Safety Last! (1923)

The iconic image of Harold Lloyd hanging from a clock's hand is timeless and still very funny. Safety Last! has not aged at all either. The entire movie is a fun romp in slapstick humor.

The classic silent stars Lloyd as a young man desperate for money. He barely has enough money to buy things for himself to eat. Finally, he finds a solution to his problem when a man across the street from the place he works at is holding a contest that has a prize of money if anybody can climb to the top of the building.

The long, final sequence in which Lloyd actually climbs a very tall building (remember, there were no special effects or green screen in the 20's) is both suspensful and very humorous. The movie itself is very short and the final scene takes up a good deal of it, but the audience is hooked right in. One can't tear their eyes away from this lengthy scene which ends up not feeling lenghty at all.

Safety Last! is a timeless classic that is one of my favorites. Because it is silent, many people won't watch, but it is definitely worth at least two viewings in my opinion. Slapstick comedy and Lloyd antics abound, Safety Last! is one to watch.

Knocked Up (2007)

Judd Apatow is truly the director of this generation. Knocked Up is the funniest movie to come out of last year. Apatow has a monopoly on the comedy part of Hollywood and this film is the reason why.

The subject matter is usual for a Seth Rogen film. To celebrate a woman's (Katherine Heigl), she decides to go out to a club with a friend. Of course, she gets completely smashed. Anyway, so she meets this seemingly attractive guy (Seth Rogen) and has sex with him. Looks like she forgot a condom. She ends up getting pregnant.

This film is very smart unlike Apatow's other films. Although his films are considered high class comedy, this one actually requires some knowledge to watch and understand it. Firstly, the film gives a surprisingly good message. Number two, some of the jokes do need some brain power to comprehend them.

The film may be very entertaining, but it doesn't manage to fill all 130 minutes of it (can you believe there's an unrated version!). Come on, it's long for any comedy! This is the problem with all Apatow movies. The same complaint was made by many reviewers over Pineapple Express, which I have yet to see.

Knocked Up is an intelligent, fine comedy that is sure to please all audiences. Unlike his other films, it is smart and great. Judd Apatow, you are forgiven for the lengthy, graphic, and realistic birth sequence towards the end.

Movies You Shouldn't See: W. (2008)

I guess W. didn't exactly win my vote. This is it. Oliver Stone has finally made a less than stellar movie. W. is not a terrible movie, but it sure is not good enough to fill out all two hours and ten minutes that it takes up.

W. is the story of George W. Bush, played beautifull by Josh Brolin in what should be an Oscar nominated (but not winning) performance. His friends and his political exploits are explored by Oliver Stone. Laura Bush is played by Elizabeth Banks in a stale, but passable performance. Ellen Burstyn plays Bush's mother well, Thandie Newton does an excellent job as Condeleeza Rice, and Richard Dreyfuss is spectacular as Dick Cheney. The other performances, not so much.

To start off, the film is rated PG-13. What kind of Oliver Stone movie is rated PG-13? What contributed to this was a lot of appropriate language where f-words could have been substituted and the forgotten tale of Bush's cocaine addiction.

Also contributing to the film's rating is Stone's lack of risk. For example, one of the few great scenes in the film is Bush fighting his father in the Oval Office in a nightmare. The scene may be edgy and brilliant, but the rest of the movie is far from it. Stone has clearly toned down the subject matter in his worst attempt at satire ever.

W. reads like a long, boring Saturday Night Live skit. It can't hold my attention for the full movie, but the trailer is worth watching. Some good acting and direction, but the film is not edgy enough for the man in the director's chair.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1975)

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is written by Neil Simon. You know what that means. It's another New York movie and play. This one's about a couple trapped in New York during a heat wave where the power goes out. Sounds like a Seinfeld episode, right? Well, it manages to hold it's ground pretty well for nearly an hour and forty minutes.

Of course it's good if it has Jack Lemmon in it! He is hilarious in it acting next to Anne Bancroft. Both of them put on amazing New Yorker accents for this one.

The film prays on such obvious things which is why it is hilarious. Imagine walking up almost twenty flights of stairs or running out of water. It's pretty funny, especially when you see a couple breaking down as a result of it. For some reason, The Prisoner of Second Avenue isn't known by many people, but it should be. It is much better than most of the comedic crap that comes out in theaters these days. Instead of seeing Superbad, see this.

Oh, and by the way, where ya gonna get the water?

Amelie (2001)

This film also goes under the names "Le Fableaux Destin du Amelie Poulain" and "Amelie from Montramarte". In French, subtitled in English.

Amelie is a quirky film in it's own genre and sure to charm anyone who watches it. The French film was released in America during the week of 9/11 and it was exactly what the country needed.

Amelie is about a woman played by the beautiful Audrey Tautou (you may recognize her from The Da Vinci Code) who leads a fantastic life. After charming the lives of seven unhappy Parisians, she finally falls in love. The only problem with this is that Amelie has never been in love. She is a woman who can make other people happy and yet has trouble making herself feel good.

Just like Jean-Pierre Jeunet's other films (A Very Long Engagement, The City of Lost Children), there is a very dream-like feeling to it. Amelie is digitally colored in way to accentuate the surreality of it and cause the viewer to be in a daze of color. The film is generally slightly tinted certain colors just as A Very Long Engagement was tinted yellow.

The French humor in the film is hilarious. I have never seen anything like the scene in which Amelie keeps herself occupied. This is the only scene in the film which is in any way inappropriate. Amelie ponders to herself how many people in the world are having an orgasm at this exact second. In true Jeunet fashion, he shows them as she counts. Her answer is seventeen and she smiles. Odd and yet at the same time very artistic and comical.

Amelie is the perfect movie for a bad day. It is the best feel-good movie that I know of. In fact, I'm pretty sure this film changed my life. It will encourage you to make others and yourself feel happy. Go ahead. Make yourself feel better. Watch Amelie.