Stars at the Governors Awards List Feel-Good Films in Wake of Paris Attacks

In the wake of Friday’s deadly Paris attacks, stars at the Governors Awards in Hollywood were understandably somber on Saturday night. Believing in the comforting, uplifting effect a favorite film can have, we asked attendees to name the movie that puts them in the best mood. (Photo: Getty Images)

“It puts it all into perspective,” said the star of the forthcoming drama Spotlight. “It is a wonderful life. You forget sometimes there’s joy right next to hardship. They can coexist." (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

"It’s funny, I’m uplifted by feeling down and then elevating,” the Concussion star said of his admittedly odd choice of feel-good film, the seven-time Oscar-winning war drama starring William Holden and Alec Guinness. “It deeply inspires me: Two men making really difficult decisions… It doesn’t turn out happy but it’s a cautionary tale, and for whatever reason it makes me feel good.” (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

“My favorite movie of all time is The Big Lebowski,” said the Straight Outta Compton star. “A lot of people my age don’t know that film. It’s just such an escape." (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

"The first 10 minutes always has me bawling,” the Concussion star told Yahoo Movies. “I love how surreal, emotional, and delightful it is.” (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

“They came from nothing,” the Tangerine star said of the members of N.W.A., portrayed in the blockbuster biopic. “They became big stars and here’s Ice Cube in the same room with me tonight.” (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

“'Tis the season,” said the Ghostbusters reboot director of the classic 1946 Jimmy Stewart movie. “It shows you if you dwell in the negative what life could be like and if you are in the positive what life could be like. So much of the world is beyond our control in that way, but if you can control what’s around you and how you affect the world that’s all you can do. I think that [film] crystallizes it the best." (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

"You can’t watch it and not laugh,” said the one-time Oscar-nominated actress. “I’ve seen Wedding Crashers five times. Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Bradley Cooper, and Rachel McAdams — they’re brilliant!" (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

Star of the forthcoming gang-violence drama Chi-Raq by Spike Lee (who was one of the night’s honorees), Parris chose another Lee title as an appropriate film for the moment. ”School Daze. It makes you think,“ she said of the 1988 movie. "It makes you laugh but it also makes you uncomfortable and makes you want to affect change in your community.” (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

“I think you have to sit in a moment like this,” argued the three-time Oscar nominee of the Paris terror attacks. “I’m still trying to put it all together in my own mind. It’s an awkward thing to come to an event like this after the events of yesterday, but there is also a very strong truth about carrying on. So, maybe I’ll watch Pitch Perfect in a month." (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

Calling the 2008 Oscar-winning Disney-Pixar film one of the best movies ever made, Wittrock, who appears in the upcoming financial crisis drama The Big Short, said, "Everyone should just watch that film tonight. Try to go to bed with a little peace and the world will be just as chaotic tomorrow." (Photo: Getty Images/Everett Collection)

"Movies are magical,” said the Steve Jobs writer, also an Oscar winner for The Social Network. “They can take you out of things. They can lift you up. I don’t know if right now, today, there is such a thing as a movie that can take you out of that horror." (Photo: Getty Images)