The Best Feel-Good Movies Vol. 1: Streets of Fire

Jay here. I've never been big on traditional feel-good movies. My comfort food is Jaws, Aliens, Lethal Weapon, Halloween, Star Wars and flicks like that. They entertain me like no other kind of movie can.

But there are some movies that don't fit that bill, yet they do make me feel good. I'm in a funk, and they lift my spirits. Even make me physically feel better. One of those flicks is Walter Hill's Streets of Fire.

One part Western, one part sci-fi flick, this is the story of a former soldier, Tom Cody, who comes home to rescue his ex-girlfriend, rock star Ellen Aim, from the clutches of a creepy motorcycle gang. Only this world is infused with 1950s style, no one is over the age of 30, and it's drenched in rain and neon. And the music is all rock and roll, baby.

The best way to describe it is The Leader of the Pack kidnaps The Queen of the Hop and Soldier Boy comes after her.

This movie is fun! You've got a great, young cast that includes Michael Pare, Diane Lane, Rick Moranis, Willem DaFoe and Amy Madigan, and they're all having a blast. The action is tight, the visuals eye popping and the plot fast moving. There's a bit of a love story, but it doesn't overshadow the movie.

Tom Cody, as played by Michael Pare, is a great, old-school tough guy, Diane Lane never looked hotter, and Willem DaFoe just oozes intensity as the bad guy. They're great archetypes, which is Walter Hill's speciality.

Then there's the music. I was never big on 80s pop music, even at the time, but this soundtrack owns. It gets your toes tapping and your head bobbing. Tonight Is What It Means to be Young and Nowhere Fast are great rock anthems, and two of my favourite songs of all time... says the metal head!

If you haven't seen this movie yet, please do. It's not for everyone but, if you get it, I guarantee you'll love it.

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