Reel Happiness
with Lisa Wellington
Hey, production delays happen, and occasionally feel endless, right? (Lisa Wellington is feeling a lot like Jodie Foster's Woman at War project...)I've been severely sidelined by ME/CFS, but ah'll back. Sooner rather than later, fingers crossed!
About Lisa Wellington
I fell for film as a youngster when a woman accidentally cried out, “Don’t shoot!” at Rolfe during The Sound of Music, when Lady Litton pulled the Pink Panther out of the cold cream and demonstrated that the girls could play as strong as the boys, and when Tevye danced on the rafters as a rich man with a joy that leapt off the screen and into my heart.Captivated by film’s ability to influence and inspire us so deeply, I grew up to earn a degree in writing and criticism, as well as certificates in Cinema Therapy and Positive Psychology.I joined the reviewing press in 2009 and weave these concepts into my work, showing people how to use film to build inner strength and resilience, and how to show up strong in the world and meet it full of courage, character, grit, nobility, and so much more.I've appeared on a variety of channels over the years including Film is Life, Reel Happiness, Examiner, We Got This Covered, and the Houston Film Critics Society radio show.I joined the Houston Film Critics Society in 2014 and currently serve as a Board Member, after nine years as an Officer. I also serve as the Film Programmer for a private community of approximately 300 residences.Fun fact: My grandfather was on the team that produced Rainey's African Hunt, the first film accompanied by sound. It ran at the Bijou Theater and grossed over a half million dollars (in 1914!), earning Carl Laemmle the funds to launch Universal Pictures.I credit my grandfather for having given me the DNA for my lifelong love affair with film (and very likely my extreme aversion to safari hunting and visceral avoidance of Ernest Hemingway to boot, go Grandpa).
Where Are the Brain Games & Success Tools for Movie Lovers?
These haven't disappeared for good, they're just being reassembled into a new form. As technology evolves, so must we, and they'll return in due time.Please check back here for a downloadable PDF or some such of much/most of much of the content you have enjoyed here in the past, including the Reel Foundations Program.
In the Meantime: Let's Hear It for Letterboxd
Ah, Letterboxd, we love you so. Ibid that severe ME/CFS sideline, mine is painfully, woefully behind along with the rest. You can, however, find about 4,000 titles, which should be enough to get you started on a good browse of my opinions.Here's How I Rate a Film
(Note: Now that Letterboxd has improved their rating ability with half stars, I'll have to go back and polish everything, since it can now accommodate the 77 Stars concept. But for now, it's just my own.)77 Stars: Desert Island
Part of my heart and soul, these are. If forced to choose a handful of films for life, these make the list; I feel “due” to see them at least every few years (a few much more often, like months). Holding a personal meaning, they are probably magnificently executed as well (though not required to be). Sometimes they creep up on me (An Education), other times I fall instantaneously (Inception). However it happens, it isn't about like or dislike. It's unconditional love.5 Stars: Magnificent
Truly stellar, these will live on for years through multiple viewings. Perfectly realized, and completely satisfying on whatever level they sought to be. (Does one “love” The Killing Fields? You get my meaning…) These I'll watch at any opportunity, use as background instead of music (in the lighter cases, of course), and generally carry with me throughout life.4 Stars: Great
Comedic or tragic, these were a great time. I really liked these - they were a terrific experience and I'll happily see them multiple times. I don't carry them with me, but I'd sure hate to have to leave them behind.3 Stars: Time Well Spent
Solidly handled overall or possessing some notable feature. Most titles fall into this rating, so I break it into ranges for clarity.High. For one reason or another just didn't qui-i-ite make it to four stars. I'll likely watch them again if they cross my path, or if I get a bug to watch a certain performance.Regular. Hitting dead center on my affection continuum. Almost no opinion, except that they were very fine films and I'm glad to have seen them.Low. Fine in their own rights, just vibe on a different wavelength from mine or lacked some requisite attribute. They were like a decent blind date ~ good guy, good time, but it won't happen again.2 Stars: Disappointing
Some aspect or another is handled poorly enough that it gets in the way of an otherwise decent film. I really wanted to like these but just didn't. Bummer. But I'm glad I tried.1 Star: Accursed
I just loathed these, sorry... Either some aspects are so badly handled that the film actually irritates, or it contains a major betrayal of the rules of fiction.* Very occasionally, I just loathed it for some reason of personal taste (e.g., Cry Baby). Behold, hours of my life I'll never get back.*Note: If the team pulled this off successfully, the film shoots straight to 5 stars. It is extremely difficult to accomplish, and deserves all praise when managed skillfully. (We’re looking at you, To Live and Die in L.A.!)One of these days I'll come back and add a similar section as to what I value in filmmaking (and some favorite artists), to expand on why I feel this way. But for now, onward...
(c) 2003-2025, Lisa Wellington. All rights reserved.
Contact: lisa AT reelhappiness DOT com