These things give me the feels

December 1, 2013 5:23 PM

I've got a handful of things that make me feel emotional, happy, silly, cheerful, optimistic, and I'm trying to figure out (a) what they have in common and (b) what other things I might enjoy.

So, these are things that make me feel emotional, often on the verge of tears, optimistic, introspective, etc. I am trying to figure out what the common denominators are, and what other movies/books/songs/etc. might trip the same triggers.

Movies: "Beasts of the Southern Wild" and "The Tree of Life."

This song by Snow Patrol.

This song by Dry the River.

Almost all of "Babe" and "Babe: Pig in the City," but especially the scene where all the animals have to thank the pig.

The scene in Doctor Who when young Amy Pond packs up her suitcase and waits for her Raggedy Doctor to return.

So, what do these things have in common? I can detect themes of youth, childhood, possibility, fatherhood. But I'm also wondering if there are any musical themes that run through them ... are they all in the same key? Do they have anything else in common? What are other books/movies/TV shows/songs that might similarly tingle this one particular part of my brain?

posted by jbickers to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

I'm not sure if this would apply, exactly, but that montage ending in Wall-E meeting Eve - and also their dancing in space after he blasts out of the airlock - is pretty great feeling stuff.
posted by Glinn at 7:52 PM on December 1, 2013

Hmmm... I'm not sure I can identify any themes beyond what you've already picked out. But here are some songs that give me similar feelings. Maybe some of them will do it for you?

(A few of them are that weird combo of uplifting music with sad lyrics, so your mileage may vary.)

Sight of the Sun - fun.
Television - Jack's Mannequin
Pure - The Lightning Seeds
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Love Love Love - The Mountain Goats
posted by mekily at 8:01 PM on December 1, 2013

Those things ALSO give me The Feels - "Babe: Pig in the City" is one of my favorite movies of all time. I think they share what I'd call "emotional bravery": they all contain BIG, raw, complicated, sometimes-sad, sometimes-hopeful feelings, and they are open and forthright and non-shy about it. They are the opposite of the recent-ish trend towards simplicity/cynicism/sarcasm/making-fun-of-earnestness in pop culture.

If you concur, you may wanna check out...

Movies:
"Castaway on the Moon"
"Raising Victor Vargas"
"Upstream Color"

Stories:
Everything George Saunders has EVER written; start with "Sea Oak".

Music:
Aimee Mann's songs from "Magnolia", especially "Wise Up".
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:33 AM on December 2, 2013 [1 favorite]