There’s been a lot of awful news so far for 2017 and it doesn’t look like it’s going to let up so it’s time to binge-watch movies that are going to make you happy cry and forget about all the sh*t that’s going on in the world. At least for a few hours.
This movie is based on real life ski jumper Michael ‘Eddie’ Edwards whose life ambition was to go to the Olympics. In the summer of 1986, 18-months before the next Winter Olympics, with no money, no equipment and no coach, he decided to try his luck as a ski jumper. He may have finished last in both his events, but he won the heart of everyone who was there and everyone who watches this movie.
I’m just going to say the 1988 Winter Olympics must have been the BEST EVER - because it not only had Eddie the Eagle competing in the ski jump, it also debuted the Jamaican Bobsled team. Cool Runnings is “loosely” based on the story of how four Jamaicans learned how to bobsled and competed in the Olympics. If you aren’t cheering them on at the end of the movie when they cross the finish line, your heart is made of stone.
I know, I know… everyone and their dog has a bucket list these days, but you don’t have one with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman playing the main characters. While the movie is a little predictable (two men who are complete opposites in personality, both with terminal cancer, bust out of the hospital and take a road trip, hilarity and heartfelt moment ensue), there are laugh out loud moments, followed by a “no, I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying” ending.
What happens when coach Ken Carter (brilliantly played by Samuel L. Jackson) puts school before sports and benches his undefeated high school basketball team for poor academic performance? A lot of angry students and parents, and ultimately, kids who make the right decision, that’s what.
I cried sad tears when I realized they took this movie off Netflix Canada. Based on a true story, it’s about a teacher (Jim White played by Kevin Costner) who realizes some of his students in the impoverished California farming town are very strong runners, mostly because running daily from school to the fields to pick crops in scorching heat will do that. Long story, short: He puts together cross country team and leads them to win the state championship. You’ll cry as they cross the finish line.
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