…you gotta see!
I’m not one of those guys. I never sit around and watch a movie over and over again, memorizing every line of dialogue, so I can spring it into my next beer/guy talk. Even movies that I love I very rarely watch more than once. I take the same attitude I have with books—since there are so many great ones out there to discover, I really don’t have time to try one over again. I think there are only two good reasons to watch a film a second time: either you are trying to figure something out that you didn’t get the first time, or it is one of your Three Movies.
Yep, I have Three Movies that get a pass on the above paragraph. It is not because they are incredible artistic achievements that enhance my humanity simply by watching them. Not an Academy Award winner (or nominee, I think) among them. In fact, apart from my immediate family, I doubt if there will be a single reader who has actually seen all three. But I’m sure I’ve seen each of them at least five times—and not because I’m channel surfing and one happens to pop up. No, I watch them because I want to.
Insert drum roll here. My first movie is called Beautiful Girls. I just watched this one on IFC about a week ago. Matt Dillon, Timothy Hutton, Uma Thurman, a very young Natalie Portman. A group of guys and their wives/girlfriends are back in town for their 20th reunion. Events ensue. Yeah, nothing profound. Except it’s really about us guys and how our obsession with how women look utterly incapacitates us from developing deeper, meaningful relationships. It’s about finding beauty in the soul. But in a hip, funny way. Rosie O’Donnell has a great rant on guys and boobs, and all of the boys grow up a little by the end.
My second movie is Grosse Point Blank. Just realized, another reunion movie. A hit man comes home for his tenth year high school reunion (well, for a job, too) and gets reacquainted with the girl that he stood up on Prom Night. John Cusack (a personal fave) and Minnie Driver in by far her most appealing role, along with Dan Ackroyd as a rival hit man. But what drives the movie is the hysterical rapid-fire banter that goes on between every character in the show. You need to shut up when you watch this movie! I don’t think there’s any underlying redemptive message in this one, but I don’t care. Great soundtrack, too.
The third of my Three Movies is Dazed and Confused, probably the most well-known of the three. This is the last day of school (and night) at a nameless Austin high school in the mid-seventies. A bunch of unknowns who went on to become big names (McConaughey, Affleck, Zellweger) played the high school kids. I feel funny giving this movie such a glowing endorsement since most of the kids are stoners and profligates who would have driven me crazy if I had them in my class—but there is something about them that rings so true and wins over my affection even as I’m shaking my head. It is one movie that makes me want to be young again. I know for sure the next time I’ll watch it—on the night I retire.
There you have it. If you didn’t have anything to watch tonight, you do now. Of course, movie tastes are like music tastes and a certain part of our anatomy. My Three Movies might not be your cup of tea. But if you follow my blog—then please reply and let me know what your Three Movies are. I’m always looking for something good to watch.
Okay, my three are: (1) The Passion of Christ; (2) Monty Python: In Search Of The Holy Grail; and, (3) Princes Bride. Of course I will always be a sap for It’s A Wonderful Life, Scrooged (with Bill Murray) and A Christmas Story, but I consider those seasonal! I’m fairly eclectic in my tastes. But once little Miss Harper starts watching movies, trust me, you’ll be watching the same G‑rated gem (like Ice Age) several times in a row (this has happened with Jason and now Jay is in that stage!).
Keep in mind I did get my BFA in producing for film and television.…..1- Pan’s labyrinth 2- One Hour Photo 3- Closer and 4- Love Actually . As I’m sitting here kind of replaying these in my head they are all really emotion provoking movies. Not the typical soppy, 3 act happy-ending love story…more emotionally awkward, cruel at times, and just painful to watch (in a good way). The kind of uncomfortable emotions we have all felt but maybe don’t want to admit me have. Or maybe I have said too much! Lol
hey christine — thanks for reading! i loved Pan’s Labyrinth, and Closer got the same kind of emotional response from me that you describe. (i like movies that stir me up, too.) I remember seeing Love, Actually in a theater at Christmas in New Orleans — enjoyed it, but it didn’t stay with me. i’ll have to watch it again. And One Hour Photo — haven’t seen it but it sure seems like a strange choice. i will put it on my list (yes, i actually do keep a list of films i want to see!) again, thanks for the input!
I’ve never watched any of these movies, but I’m interested in watching Grosse Point Blank now. I am the movie junkie who enjoys watching the same films over and over again. If the Bijou or Alamo Drafthouse happens to host one of my favorite films on their screen I will make an effort to attend. Books on the other hand do require more time to enjoy a second or third time; however, one book that I have enjoyed several times is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
P.S. I’m sure you would have enjoyed having the characters from Dazed and Confused as your students.
thanks for reading, berto! i’ve been meaning to read Hitchhiker’s Guide… for years. maybe i will now. and i think you’re right–i would have liked the Dazed and Confused guys.
Are you going to do a separate blog on your top 3 films?? haha I don’t think I have 3. Mine top two are 50/50 and Timer.
hey lauren — yeah, i’m sure i’ll write more about films, esp. my very favorites. i really liked 50/50 too (although i got scolded by my sister who said that it made light of what is a truly devastating disease…ah well!) i’ve never even heard of Timer, but you have me interested.