Batch #3: Nuns, Knights, and general mayhem
The usual.
This was one where I stuck to mostly classic films that I knew had major cultural significance to people, some of which I had been told to watch over and over again (Forrest Gump) and some of which I had never been personally recommended at all (WHY DID NONE OF YOU TELL ME ABOUT SISTER ACT??)
And let’s all bow our heads at the loss of Heath Ledger, because, among other reasons, I would have loved more movies like A Knight’s Tale.
THE MOVIES
Movie #11: Forrest Gump (1994) | PG-13
First time seeing it [Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson had just been diagnosed with Corona so I decided now was a good time], and kinda astonished that all anyone ever references is that box of chocolates and not the scathing indictment of the ways American society ignores, mistreats, and exploits our most vulnerable populations - the mentally and physically disabled, women, children, the poor, sexual abuse and domestic violence victims, addicts, racial minorities...It's basically the world's suckiest bingo card, and the movie repeatedly demonstrates that it's only sheer dumb luck that gets anyone out alive. But people seem to cling to the luck and not the conditions that necessitated it.
Also: Baby Haley Joel Osment! SO TEENY OMG. He was honestly one of the best child actors I’ve ever seen, and one of the best little surprises about Amazon’s recent series The Boys (which is dark as heck but AMAZING) is that it featured him in a multi-episode role. I’m so glad he’s still acting.
Movie #12: Ocean’s Twelve (2004) | PG-13
The only Ocean's movie I skipped and it's not terrible, but a few too many plans within plans within plans which gets a bit annoying and undercuts suspense because you just have no idea what's even happening. Stick with 11, 13, and 8.
Movie #13: Logan’s Run (1976) | PG
Perhaps not the ideal time to watch a futuristic dystopia, though to be fair I had no clue what it was about. Hits all the "human population in the future trapped in a small environment, living according to extreme rules, told they are the only ones left alive, this is false" tropes, though undoubtedly they were less tropey in 1976.
There's a romance too, and while it’s cheesy and not super convincing, I just really want to call attention to how much emphasis is placed on consent in this movie. Like, they meet when the protagonist summons her, a sex worker of some kind, to his room, and she is allowed to CHANGE HER MIND and decides not to sleep with him. Multiple times in the movie as they are swept off on wild adventures together, she asks, "The choice is still mine?" regarding romance and sex, and he answers, "of course!" in this incredulous tone as if appalled that she even needs to ask, and he respects her decision each time. THIS WAS 1976. Considering people's enduring ignorance on this topic, and the entitlement men often display toward sex (eg, even in the most minor "I paid for dinner, she could at least give me a kiss," never mind the obvious more extreme cases), it was kind of mindblowing to see that consent is not remotely a new concept, and depressing that people still have not learned.
Movie #14: Sister Act (1992) | PG
How did no one ever tell me how great this movie is. HOW. If you haven't seen it, it's what you need in your life at this very moment. Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith are amazing, the music is great, and that final act is a work of art.
I started it with some concern about potential white savior tropes, but in my opinion it really holds up and Maggie Smith’s character (the potential white savior) is genuinely and mutually saved by Whoopi Goldberg’s character, in such a way that didn’t feel icky or patronizing, but like a relationship between equals with very different strengths.
I’ve been told the sequel is also very good, but alas, it is not in my digital DVR :(
Movie #15: A Knight’s Tale (2001) | PG-13
Ten minutes in, I could already tell why this one is a classic.
I wonder if Galavant would ever have gotten off the ground if this hadn’t been made first. Also: redheaded Alan Tudyk! Utter diva Paul Bettany!
And Heath Ledger, z"l, had Big Chris Hemsworth Energy.
Or is it Chris Hemsworth who has Big Heath Ledger Energy?
[I’m in the middle of reading Gabrielle Union’s memoir (it’s great, btw), and her description of Heath Ledger upon their first meeting during the filming of 10 Things I Hate About You was: “He talked about Shakespeare and art, all in an impossibly nondickhead way.” Which I consider to be a compliment of the highest order.]
The romance in this movie is stupid af, and literally everything in this movie that is not romance is so much better than that love story. Thankfully, “everything else” is about 90% of it. So definitely worth it.
That’s all for now — see you next week, and in the meantime, if you liked this, let me know and/or tell your friends if you think they’d like it too.