I used to really love the movies. In fact, I had a show on a local radio station called “The 4th Row”. That’s because I always sat in the 4th row and my friends could always find me. I did pretty high brow intellectual reviews, for instance my review of Pretty Woman was “It sucked”.
When movie theatres all became mega plex’s I stopped going. Mostly because the theatres are too cold for me, especially in the summer with the A/C cranked. No more local ticket taker who knows me to tear my ticket while saying “Yeah, yeah, I know, I’ll go fix the temp.”
I still watch a lot of movies though, it’s just now I get most of them from the library or on line. I was thinking of movies that portray cancer lately and so I looked for a list of said movies. I found one site that is called 265 movies about Cancer.
Reading over the list I realized that I have 2 different ways of looking at these movies; Pre Cancer and Post Cancer. My brother and I saw Brian’s Song dozens of times and cried each time but I don’t think it registered with me that one of the main characters was dying of cancer.
Now, post cancer, I notice when someone’s 2nd cousin’s wife who doesn’t even get screen time has cancer.
Perusing the list, I’ll give you some of my favorites, but I invite you to check out the list yourself. There seem to be a lot of Zombie movies on it. I don’t watch zombie movies and never knew they had anything to do with cancer!?!? Also, Rocky, Saw 11 and Saw 111. WTF??? And I like the movie “I Am Legend” with Will Smith but can’t figure out what it has to do with cancer.
Here are some that I liked that did have a connection to cancer.
Blue Butterfly – this was in my pre cancer days and I still loved this movie! I knew going in that it was based on a true story which made it even better.
50/50 – this was post cancer and I was reluctant to watch it but loved it. I like movies about guys’ friendships and this too was a movie based on a true story.
My Life – pre cancer for me but I’m a huge Michael Keaton fan
Beginners – I just saw this last week though it’s been on my list for a while. I really liked it.
STEPMOM – who could resist this one?
Sweet November – Keanu Reeves, need I say more?
Biutiful – I LOVED this movie!
Some Honorable Mentions are: Thank You for Smoking, Nothing in Common, Medicine Man. But be sure to check the site for yourself, some of the movies listed are just good for a laugh. (Just because they're on the list.)
Other lists are here, here, and here.
Please add any of your favorite cancer movies and remember this is always an Open Thread. feel free to talk about whatever you like.
Monday Night Cancer Club is a Daily Kos group focused on dealing with cancer, primarily for cancer survivors and caregivers, though clinicians, researchers, and others with a special interest are also welcome. Volunteer diarists post Monday evenings between 7:30-8:30 PM ET on topics related to living with cancer, which is very broadly defined to include physical, spiritual, emotional and cognitive aspects. Mindful of the controversies endemic to cancer prevention and treatment, we ask that both diarists and commenters keep an open mind regarding strategies for surviving cancer, whether based in traditional, Eastern, Western, allopathic or other medical practices. This is a club no one wants to join, in truth, and compassion will help us make it through the challenge together.