Boys Don't Cry... Real Men Do

By Chris Kavan - 06/26/10 at 08:54 AM CT

Reading that Toy Story 3 packed enough punch to make grown men cry - I'm not ashamed or afraid to admit that certain films get to me. Not just classic weepers like Old Yeller and Brian's Song either. Here is my unabashed list of films that make me tear up every time:

5) Return of the Jedi: I take no pains to hide I'm a huge Star Wars fan. In a movie that opens with a slug of a hutt and ends with furry ewoks, it's the final scene of all the principle cast together that makes a fitting end. Here's one place where the extended edition got it right: John Williams new score, as opposed to the yub-yub ewok song in the original, truly provides a fitting end to timeless series.

4) Spirited Away: Hayao Miyazaki has made many fine animated films, but this is my favorite one. When the characters make a connection it is powerful, as is the one between Chihiro and Haku - when she realizes who he truly is, and gives him back his true name, it's pure magic on screen.

3) Lord of the Rings: And here's one where I prefer the original edition instead of the extended cut. Don't ask me why, but when Gandalf rides into the Shire in the very beginning of Lord of the Rings with all the kids calling him, combined with the music, something just strikes me. Even I can't say for sure why this one hits me so hard, but it does, every single time.

2) Almost Famous: There's a reason this ranks so high with me - the characters, the music, the journalism - I feel I can relate on many levels. If you don't feel some emotion when they sing "Tiny Dancer" on that tour bus, I feel bad. Ranks as one of my favorite scenes in any film, ever, and never fails to get to me.

1) Big Fish: Whimsical story about a man's embellished life, but when father passes on the story and his son takes over - I guess Billy Crudup (see also Almost Famous) must have a lock on getting to my emotional core. Tim Burton has made many dark films, some funny, some serious, but this is one film that is guaranteed to make me cry at that time.

Is there anyone else man enough to admit that certain films make them cry? I bared my soul, I promise I won't be critical of your choices. Well, too critical anyway.