We all need a movie binge day sometimes, with popcorn and something bubbly on the side. However, when you’re trying to escape and unwind, you can’t just watch any old film. Only certain ones are rewatchable, where no matter how many times or at what point you catch it on TV, you still get a huge rush of dopamine each time. For me, there are so many to choose from but I’ll start here with three:
“Grease”: I was 13 when I first saw this movie and it changed my life. I was right at the point where the template for all my interests was being set. It’s timeless I think because it was set in an idealized version of the ’50s and wasn’t saddled with the disco-era feathered flip or flared polyester trousers among other fashion crimes. Every scene and song is a classic. Just think “Summer Nights” or “Born to Hand Jive” or “You’re the One that I Want” and it all comes back to you.
“Sixteen Candles”: Alright, I know times have changed and some aspects of this film are definitely not politically correct, but I felt better when Rainbow Johnson of “Black-ish” acknowledged all of this in a recent episode and decided to love it anyhow. Molly Ringwald is at her absolute best here and John Hughes is at full-flower writing convincingly about the angst of teenage characters while making us laugh. And the soundtrack! Unfortunately, they only released an ep as the soundtrack but Spotify has built a playlist featuring all the songs, capturing a terrific time in pop.
“The Women”: I have to throw in a classic here, one you may not have heard of but something you should see tonight. It’s one of the few films ever made where there’s not one male in the entire film, only women, hence the title. Directed by George Cukor (“Philadelphia Story”, “My Fair Lady”, half of “Gone With the Wind”), based on a Claire Boothe Luce play, the film is jam-packed with stars including Norma Shearer (a huge star of her day, now forgotten), Joan Crawford (wire hangers), Rosalind Russell (later “Auntie Mame”), Paulette Goddard (common-law wife of Charlie Chaplin), Joan Fontaine (sister of still-living Olivia de Havilland), Marjorie Main, and most importantly, Mary Boland as Countess De Lave and her famous refrain “L’amour, l’amour, toujour l’amour!” or “always love”.
Alright, I’m sure you have your own favorites, so fire up the TV and get watching!
