ABCs at the Movies: The Doubles Round!

[Fran]

aka   Albero di Natale, L' (Italy)
       The Christmas Tree (USA)
       When Wolves Cry (USA) (video title)



This is the first movie I saw in a theater that I remember crying at.

From IMDb: 

Pascal is a little boy who lives with his father; his mother is dead. His father, played by William Holden, takes him off on holidays to the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea. During the trip, they take a small boat out to sea and whilst William Holden is diving to free a trapped fishing line, Pascal remains in the boat and gets exposed to radiation from a nuclear bomb which accidentally falls from a passing plane. Hospital tests confirm that Pascal's days are numbered; his life expectancy is not expected to be longer than six months. Confronted with such a terrible perspective, Pascal's father is determined to let Pascal pursue his interests to the fullest extent during the remaining short time....

The film is extremely emotional and if you have seen it when young, you will never forget it!

[Lynne]

starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, directed by Garry Marshall

[oilgun]

I saw this with my sister when it came out and we were both in tears by the end of it.  Actually, everyone in the audience was in tears so we were able to cry free of embarrassment.  I can still see little Ricky Shroeder crying for his pa...

Here's what Andy James from Wakefield, England has to say about it:

One of the most heart-rending films in the history of films
I first watched this film in 1980 as a five year old with my gran and we managed to distort the credits through our tears and sobbing. I received the video about four years ago, and as a twenty-two year old it had the same effect. Last night, I watched the Champ with my girlfriend and I am happy to say that the years haven't mellowed me and we were both in floods of tears before I switched the film off. I defy anybody who has an emotional bone in their body not to be touched by the story of Billy Flynn, and more importantly TJ. I won't give any of the storyline away as it will make it all the better for watching if you haven't seen it. As for me, I can't wait until the Champ get's it DVD release as I will be first in the queue.

[Lynne]

very heart-wrenching

[Fran]

From IMDb:

I just returned from seeing Eight Below with my nine-year-old son. If you love animals, this movie will be very enjoyable. The story is about a guide in Antarctica who has to bring a scientist on an expedition by means of a dog sled team. Things get a bit hairy and the weather does not cooperate. The guide reluctantly leaves the dogs with a promise to return. The return becomes nearly impossible because of extreme weather conditions.

You can't help but fall in love with these beautiful dogs. Throughout the movie they fight for their survival while exhibiting team work and compassion for each other. It is almost impossible to hold back the tears while watching the way these wonderful dogs care for one another. The rest of the plot is almost unimportant, other than the fact that the owner of the sled dogs obviously has tremendous love for his loyal and hard-working dogs. The film sort of splits into two separate story lines: the dogs alone in Antarctica fighting to survive and the main human character trying to get back to save the dogs. I would strongly recommend this movie.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXkoGlxVbLY[/youtube]
Trailer:  2:17

[oilgun]

From IMDb: This is truly a beautiful film.  Well written and superbly acted it tugs at the heartstrings harder than almost any other movie. The way it sets up an obvious story line and then like a gentle roller-coaster suddenly takes you in another direction is unequalled in this type of film.  There are so many points of genuine sadness and whenever you think you have guessed the story you suddenly turn to find an outcome more surprising than you thought.  Major characters die, major characters do not "fall in love" and major characters are not allowed to cop-out; it is as a film should be.  Remarkable well written, produced with care and acted with understatement and love - it is a beautiful film.  Watch it.

==ASIDE==
What's really great about EIGHT BELOW is that even though it all takes place in Antarctica they still managed to give us a scene with a naked Paul Walker! 

[Lynne]

Directed by Ben Affleck, starring Casey Affleck...

[Fran]

From IMDb:

In a tragedy that only the likes of Sophocles or Shakespeare could recreate, the film House of Sand and Fog proves that some dreams really can't be shared. The American dream is shattered for Colonel Behrani and Kathy Nicolo in this movie of devastating beauty. It is a film about the relentless struggle between an Iranian man and a post-alcoholic over a small house near a Californian beach. When Kathy loses her house due to county error, Behrani buys it for the sake of money and self-pride. Their worlds clash when they realize there is no perfect solution to this mistake, ending with a shockingly tragic twist. The acting put forth in this film was nothing less of amazing. Ben Kinglsey, as always, played his role as if he was really in it, really showing us his point of view and displaying his need for the house. Jennifer Connely played her role beautifully as well, showing the inward spiral she was facing and how her depression finally took her over. The story was nearly flawless with a few money and law errors. However, the tragic themes of the film ring through nonetheless. With a little less than a superior performance from Ron Eldard, the film still had wonderful acting and brilliant film technique. Based on the best-selling novel by Andre Dubus III, director Vadim Perelman does an incredible job of staying true to the novel, and using a few Russian film techniques to give a sense of emotion. This type of film truly will tug at your heart and bring tears, yet will give a sense of appreciation for the human life.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REodL9tT0Cg[/youtube]
Trailer:  2:27

[oilgun]

==ASIDE==
GONE BABY GONE didn't make me cry, it made me livid.   The film I enjoyed the least in 2007.

[Lynne]

Mothers and daughters...there are bound to be tears!