Cinema has always been a tool for escapism, so in these extremely challenging times, here are some cinematic gems to help you feel better.
If you want to be footloose and fancy-free
In times of trouble, it can be uplifting to see people with no troubles at all. Two example would be Top Hat (1935) and Carefree (1938).
If you want to sing along
You should watch the film with great songs and dance routines at least once a day for the next few weeks to improve your mood : Singin' in the Rain (1952) and The Blues Brothers (1980).
If you want to fall in love
Why is it such a pleasure ? One reason is that the most tense dramatic question is whether its devastatingly attractive heroine and hero will get together (of course they will). The best romantic comedies are Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) or When Harry Met Sally (1989).
If you want some tender loving care
Sometimes we all feel as if we're children in need of some grown-up support. The Jungle Book (1967) and Mary Poppins (1964) will bring back memories of your childhood.
If you want someone to save the world
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) is the Bond movie with the perfect balance of believable danger and self-parodic escapism. Not a Bond fan? Choose your favourite action hero, whether it's John McClane in Die Hard (1988) or, Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
If you want to see the funny side
Let's forget about the world for a moment. What we need now are films which are devoted to one thing and one thing only: making us laugh. One of the finest is This is Spinal Tap (1984), What We Do In The Shadows (2014) and Penguins of Madagascar (2014).
If you want to see light at the end of the tunnel
At the start of Pixar's Wall-E (2008), Earth is a wasteland and its lone inhabitant is a robot. By the end, the human race has returned to Earth, and crops are growing again. Good to know.
Source: BBC Culture