The Most Beautiful Novels and Movies

[Potter]

Because there is so much ugliness in the news, and because it will increase in the US as we get closer to November, I’m thinking of devoting more and more time in September and October to reading 'beautiful stories. I hope to find immensely hopeful novels that are dominated by grace. What novels and movies feed your soul?

 

[Isca]

This poem, by the English poet Charles Causley:

**Eden Rock
**
They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock:
My father, twenty-five, in the same suit
Of Genuine Irish Tweed, his terrier Jack
Still two years old and trembling at his feet.

My mother, twenty-three, in a sprigged dress
Drawn at the waist, ribbon in her straw hat,
Has spread the stiff white cloth over the grass.
Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light.

She pours tea from a Thermos, the milk straight
From an old H.P. sauce-bottle, a screw
Of paper for a cork; slowly sets out
The same three plates, the tin cups painted blue.

The sky whitens as if lit by three suns.
My mother shades her eyes and looks my way
Over the drifted stream. My father spins
A stone along the water. Leisurely,
They beckon to me from the other bank.
I hear them call, ‘See where the stream-path is!
Crossing is not as hard as you might think.’

I had not thought that it would be like this.

 

[Corvus_Corax]

This poem, by the English poet Charles Causley:

Thank you so much for this! It is absolutely beautiful and truly spoke to me. Upon reading it I started to cry - not a bad thing, just overwhelmed with personal memories.

 

[Isca]

Thank you so much for this! It is absolutely beautiful and truly spoke to me. Upon reading it I started to cry - not a bad thing, just overwhelmed with personal memories.

It has the same effect on me. I like to think that heaven could be like this.

 

[randomuser]

The movie “It Could Happen To You” about the cop (played by Nicolas Cage) who gives a waitress (played by Bridget Fonda) a winning lottery ticket for a tip. Incredibly timely, in more than ways than one, and a very uplifting story.

 

[Isca]

The movie “It Could Happen To You” about the cop (played by Nicolas Cage) who gives a waitress (played by Bridget Fonda) a winning lottery ticket for a tip. Incredibly timely, in more than ways than one, and a very uplifting story.

Oh yes! And also “The Pursuit of Happyness” with Will Smith. Even better when you know it’s about a real person. A very inspiring movie, and very poignant at times.

 

[Della]

Lord of the Rings. Nuf said.

 

[MrZoom]

Lord of the Rings. Nuf said.

I re-watched the Extended Editions of the movies this past week.

 

[FghtinIrshNvrDi]

I am reading the “Father Brown” series by GK Chesterton. They’re delightful.

 

[Della]

I re-watched the Extended Editions of the movies this past week.

I have them, too. The extended parts add so much to the narrative and the characters, don’t they? The same with The Hobbit. Even though the films aren’t as rich as the books, they’re still masterpieces in their own right, IMHO. Jackson’s efforts have given a new generation a taste of Tolkien’s incomparable work, and prompted many to read his works.

FghtinIrshNvrDi:

I am reading the “Father Brown” series by GK Chesterton. They’re delightful.

Indeed. And wonderful examples of practical Catholicism, full of wisdom and insight.

 

[MrZoom]

I have them, too. The extended parts add so much to the narrative and the characters, don’t they? The same with The Hobbit. Even though the films aren’t as rich as the books, they’re still masterpieces in their own right, IMHO. Jackson’s efforts have given a new generation a taste of Tolkien’s incomparable work, and prompted many to read his works.

I haven’t seen the EEs of The Hobbit. What’s your take on them? I’m particularly interested in how much the added footage helps (or hurts) The Battle of the Five Armies. IMHO, it’s the weakest of PJ’s six Middle-earth films, at least in the theatrical cut.

 

[Della]

I haven’t seen the EEs of The Hobbit. What’s your take on them? I’m particularly interested in how much the added footage helps (or hurts) The Battle of the Five Armies. IMHO, it’s the weakest of PJ’s six Middle-earth films, at least in the theatrical cut.

I was amazed at how much more the EEs added to TH. More whimsy when needed, more narrative, more motivation for characters’ actions. Get them. I think you will be impressed.

 

[jeannetherese]

I am reading the “Father Brown” series by GK Chesterton. They’re delightful.

Me too!
I’m on “The Absence of Mr. Glass” right now.
I’m also re-reading Brideshead Revisited. It’s excellent. The 1981/82 movie for television is faithful to the book and excellent (one scene not appropriate for children).
Island of the World by Michael D. O’Brien is my top read of the year.
I loved the poem Isca; thank you for sharing it with us.
jt

 

[MrZoom]

I was amazed at how much more the EEs added to TH. More whimsy when needed, more narrative, more motivation for characters’ actions. Get them. I think you will be impressed.

Just placed an order on Amazon.

 

[Della]

Just placed an order on Amazon.

 

[bluerose]

I read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” at least once a year because even in the darkest moments in the characters’ lives, there is a glimmer of hope, of love, of joy.

 

[Origen52]

The book “the song of Bernadette”, I don’t like the movie. Sister Faustina’s Diary, and of course there’s always trying to read the bible from cover to cover, even if you’ve done it before.

 

[BellsMom]

Goodbye, Mr. Chips about a teacher at a private boys school reflecting on his long tenure and all the people and events he’s witnessed. Wonderful movie.

This one may seem a little shallow but I love the movie Ever After starting Drew Barrymore. Its a retelling of Cinderella. Whenever I’m feeling a bit blah I always watch it and it cheers me up.

 

[john_ennis]

Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited…both the novel and the BBC production. (The multi-part miniseries–not the horrible newer movie.)

 

[Della]

The book “the song of Bernadette”, I don’t like the movie. Sister Faustina’s Diary, and of course there’s always trying to read the bible from cover to cover, even if you’ve done it before.

Which movie version have you seen? The one with Jennifer Jones is a lovely version. The score fantastic and all the performances pitch perfect.