Feeling blue? Here are 5 movies you should watch

Film critic Richard Crouse offers a list of movies to watch when you need a mood boost.

When you’re feeling down, a trip to the movies can take you on an emotional journey. They don’t just entertain us; they can be therapeutic, too.

A nation-wide survey from 2016 found audiences felt “less stressed, like I took a mini vacation” from their problems after watching a movie.

Medical science backs up the anecdotal evidence. Scientists say the brain hierarchy is flatter when watching movies, freeing us, for the duration of the movie, anyway, from the stress of working and solving problems.

Comedies and dramas flood our brains with feel-good endorphins, laughing reduces the stress hormone cortisol levels and horror movies release dopamine, a 'feel-good' neurotransmitter that helps with mood regulation.

In other words, movies can help when you’re feeling down, so, if you’re feeling blue, here’s a list of feel-good movies to make you feel great.

For years, blogger Ari Seth Cohen chronicled the lifestyles—concentrating on the styles—of the women the fashion industry forgot, the chic seniors of New York City. His documentary “Advanced Style” focuses on seven women ranging in ages from 62 to 95, like fashionista Zelda Kaplan, the eldest of the pack.

She’s a firecracker in fiery, exotic clothes. Asked if she still goes out dancing, she says, “Very rarely because my partners are all dead.” Like the rest of the women, she drips with personal style.