It seems as though every currently popular film focuses on white men being manly (and maybe –if we’re lucky - walking away from explosions), average-Joe-type people being raunchily funny, or animated animals being cute. While these types of movies are great in moderation, I wish we could shake things up a little bit… With this in mind, I present you with some of my favorite films and their (possibly) accompanying moods.
1. “I just want to eat Froot Loops in my pajamas and pretend I’m not an adult.”
The Road to El Dorado
Friendship! Tongue-in-Cheek bravado! Rollicking musical numbers! A non-verbal armadillo! If you said yes to one or more of the following, then you should definitely watch this animated 2000 flick. It can be an excellent break from the Disney overload some of us experience when trying to nostalgically return to animated films from our childhood, and the animation style provides an excellent rendering for the tale’s surprising variation in emotional themes. Plus, the soundtrack is performed almost entirely by Sir Elton John (!!!)
2. “Grandma, please stop asking me why I’m single. I know I’m single. Stop.”
(500) Days ofSummer
Feeling overwhelmed with everyone in your life being preoccupied with relationship statuses? Grab a tub of ice cream and dive into this movie! Nothing says, “F the Patriarchy, I’ve come to terms with being single” like watching a film that sneakily smashes the manic pixie-dream girl trope and shows viewers the dangers of pursuing something romantic due to feelings of obligation, or some sort of preoccupation with romance movies. And if all else fails, just enjoy watching the beautiful creatures that are Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
3. “My friends are really into horror movies, but I’d rather be confused than scared.”
The ABCs of Death
They say life is like a box of chocolates, and this definitely is keeping with that trend. Composed of 26 short horror films by 26 different directors from around the world, this alphabetical compilation is no doubt entertaining, but shouldn’t keep anyone up at night out of fear (though maybe out of sheer thought). It’s full of clever ideas, some pretty darn good acting, and multiple “what the, what is even happening right now?” moments; also, correctly guessing the horror topic that corresponds to the given letter can be remarkably fulfilling.
4. “I want to be artsy, but I also want to cry my eyes out.”
Mood Indigo
Sometimes, you just need to have a good cry… and by a good cry, I mean you need to fall in love with a wonderful cast of characters in a beautifully whimsical world, only to watch it all crumble away in a mess of metaphors. This French film is full of ridiculously well-written and well-rendered characters who navigate a world very different from our own that somehow seems remarkably normal to everyone involved, and while it is an absolute marvel artistically, be prepared for some waterworks!
5. “I need a REALLY good laugh.”
Spy
I am a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy… and as someone who abhors spy movies about broody, attractive white guys who topple crime syndicates without getting a speck of dirt on their white three piece suits, this movie is one of the best films I never knew I needed. It has McCarthy’s usual energy, humor, and gumption, but it is also backed by a great cast of wildly funny characters: from your standard Bond-type character, to the exaggeratedly prissy villain, to two ridiculous supporting agents, the cast never ceases to amuse or surprise. This movie may make you laugh so hard that your eyes water more than they did with the tearjerker from #4.
6. “I need a film I can watch with my family.”
Funny Face
A fashion photographer goes into a bookstore for an impromptu shoot, only to stumble upon the unique beauty of the store clerk, whom he promptly annoys by leaving the shop in shambles… He notices her face on the film reels and offers her a job, and the antics that follow are a must see! Funny Face is, and forever will be, my favorite Audrey Hepburn film of all time. It has style, an interesting plotline, a catchy closing song, and two phenomenally talented actors with great chemistry… but it’s also a film from 1957, so it won’t put you or your parents in the awkward position of watching romantic scenes together that are anything over PG, and it has a little something that appeals to most people.
7. “I’m bored and I need a wildcard movie- suspense, humor, satire, maybe some gore.”
Hot Fuzz
This spoof on ‘crime fighting duo’ films everywhere follows a British supercop as he moves to the town with the lowest crime rate in the country… and the highest number of convenient accidents. This film will definitely make you laugh, but it’s not all gratuitous humor- it’s more like eating one of those fancy pints of some unique Ben & Jerry’s ice cream than it is having a scoop of vanilla.
8. “I really should learn more about society…”
The New Black
Not to be confused with the similarly named Netflix series on women in the justice system, this enthralling documentary by Yoruba Richen covers many angles of the fight for marriage equality in the black community. Marriage equality is a topic that has been explored in the mainstream media in a predominantly white setting, further erasing the racial aspects and implications of the movement- this film offers first-hand accounts from individuals on both sides of the movement toward marriage equality and provides a look into the current sociopolitical dynamic within a given community. It is a highly informative and interesting film that won 4 festival awards and had 3 official selections (read: please watch this film even though it wasn’t nominated for an Oscar… because it should have been).
9. “I’m babysitting, but I don’t want to be bored out of my mind.”
The Secret of Kells
This Academy Award Nominee is a definite crowd pleaser- it has a touch of folklore and history, a dash of pixie dust, a few diverse monks, and a singular white cat who follows a boy on his journey to discover… you guessed it, the Secret of Kells. Each and every frame of this animated wonder is ornately drawn and enlivened by a deliciously warm color scheme within a unique animation style. It manages to incorporate the wonders of most children’s movies well with some of the very subtly alluded to adult historical information.
10. “I don’t want to watch any of these.”
The Breakfast Club
You know those nights when you manage to burn the pasta, and you decide to throw in the towel and make breakfast for dinner? Yeah, when all else fails, breakfast is usually a good thing to turn to…. Breakfast… Breakfast Club… It’s not the same thing, but I’m just trying to justify my devotion here! My point is that there’s comfort in what is classic and familiar.
Happy watching!
