We Love Movies

Winona Ryder appreciation post. She’s just such a sensitive artist who’s just as badass and rock and roll as fuck. Those beautiful eyes, that dishevelled short hair, that tomboy style...I want that. Otherwise, I’ll gladly watch all her movies and search for more of her iconic outfits and stuff on Tumblr and in Pinterest.

I mean, she’s still so beautiful WHY THO

I want to live in the 90′s. 

I’m sure I’m just so taken with the cool aesthetic as are other current models, Instagramers and millennials right now. 

Albeit the grungy torn up jeans ARE cool, the hip hop scene was killer, cult classics like Clueless will always be fun to watch, and I’m sure watching hit shows like Friends influenced a lot of girls to strive to be as cute and effortless as Monica and Rachel were...sorry, Phoebs. I love you, your style is just rare, but not any less cute.

There’s just something else hidden in that era that a lot of people of today are so pulled into. I get glimpses of that hidden quality with the influences of my aunts and uncles who were kids and teens in the 90s, and to this day, they are just so cool as fuck. They have always fascinated me. The way their eyes light up when someone mentions Reality Bites, the way they just automatically groove into the Roger Rabbit, the Cabbage Patch, etc. when a hit tune from that time plays. The way they explain the complicated history and rivalries of rap artists, the way they just joke and play around like kids just reflects what must have been the level of playfulness and exploration of freedom they were delving into back then. 

So far, the piece of artwork of today that definitely captures the hype of that decade so authentically is Mid90s (2018) dir. Jonah Hill. I haven’t even watched it yet, but if you just watch the trailer, I guarantee that you will be taken by it without it giving away any of the major scenes or plotlines. I know I shouldn’t be swayed by trailers alone, but you can tell some trailers are exceptions. There are those few that are just as good, or at least reflects the essence of the movie without giving much away, (e.g. The Social Network (2010) dir. David Fincher).  

Watching interviews of Jonah Hill talking about his latest project makes you wanna keep listening to his wise words and entertaining anecdotes about that era. It truly made me wish I was just as formed and surrounded by that atmosphere. He truly grew up in that time, he witnessed the style evolve, and he hung out with actual skaters. The way he talks about skaters, for those who do not skate, makes you see them as purely motivated artists with so much in their hearts and so much to tell. Finally, a movie that doesn’t depict skaters as that stoner friend or just dudes wasting their time on a piece of wood and breaking any bone for fun as they go. 

Just the effortlessness of how the 90s kids used to dress, the art and passion they inherited from the music that surrounded them, and the environment that didn’t have to rely on social media at any time during the day seemed like such a thrill of a lifestyle that a lot of us seem to want to achieve these days.

Whatever anyone’s or my opinion is about the film after having actually watched it, I am so grateful that Jonah Hill even wanted to showcase a story like this. These are the kinds of movies that I want to pay for. The idea is so refreshing but so deceptively simple, universal and most importantly, authentically human.

The Bold Type is exactly what feminists of today really need. Every type of woman will not be disappointed.

On the contrary, one of the many lessons I’ve learned while pretending I’m part of the trio of Jane, Kat and Sutton on their career lives in NYC, is that we can’t just put women into types and categories. This show explains why feminists of today need countless seasons of tackling issues regarding feminism and basically, issues regarding humanity and how we can help in solving them with mere basic human understanding and compassion. 

Another thing is that sadly, other girls and other women have a tendency (especially with the efficiency of social media) to use feminism to their advantage without having the need to, I’m talking about those women who think they can just get away with anything because they are female even with no issue being present.

This show teaches us what we can do to better our understanding by looking into the lives of Sutton, Jane and Kat-- by looking at how they understand today’s current issues, seeing each point of view and taking all into account with, again, compassion because we are invested into their mistakes, misunderstandings, and the issue of sending and receiving the message wrongly. Almost anyone will be able to familiarise. 

Although this a very feminine show, it’s no gossip girl wherein it’ll probably be a gamble to get your brother or your boyfriend...or husband to watch with you. And although their hair and makeup on the show is obviously too good to be done by any of us normal people, this show is still for everyone to relate to, especially to the everyday career woman.

I am definitely late to the game but Freaks and Geeks has got to be one of the best tv shows ever.

I’ve respected Judd Apattow for as long as I can remember ‘cause he’s one of the most honest filmmakers around. I’ve watched Love on Netflix, a show he produced alongside the show’s star Paul Rust and Rust’s real life wife Lesley Arfin. I’ve seen it a while back and, well...I loved it. It’s as simple as that. 

One of the things that give me life in this modern world is to search and stumble upon works of film and television, such as Love, that not only create something entertaining, but something honest and visceral; seeing the messy, the insecurity, the confusion, etc. and all the raw and tender moments in between the story. The show is all too familiar, even for those who may not have experienced a real modern relationship yet, we’ve seen it before at one point or another. 

Having the show only lasting for 3 seasons was sort of a disappointment for me. It’s a lot more frustrating as I’m seeing countless reality shows and teen dramas being offered a million seasons for being...basically not real and too pretty. 

Maybe those kinds of shows just goes against my personal preference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Now, my frustration was multiplied by ten when I discovered Freaks and Geeks. 18 episodes. 18 EPISODES?! Not enough. Simply not enough :(. It certainly isn’t fair that we’re given this chance to watch this, get really enamoured by each character and get really involved in their situations only to be cut off a chance of a second season. The show still has dedicated fans and has a growing fandom, still. People, including myself, are falling in love with this show even at this day and age...and this show aired like 20 years ago.

A few years back, I’ve watched My So Called Life and of course, I only ended up disappointed upon realising that it lasted one season. Another great, visceral work of art of the reality of teen angst that was revoked of a chance to extend its storyline #whydothegooddieyoung. I already thought that My So Called Life would be the best show that would reveal the reality of the “normal” high school experience. Little did I know that I’d watch Freaks and Geeks a few years later and have my heart ripped out again :(. 

These are the kinds of things that make me sad in this world. Trust me, I hate to be mellow dramatic... I probably am just another obsessed fan. But on a personal note, just to emphasise why this show has struck a chord with me is because I seriously feel like I do not belong in this world 24/7. I’ve looked around at my peers, have been physically present with them and yet, I have not related to them as much as I have been while watching a show like Freaks and Geeks. As fictitious as the show is, it is the absolute realest. From the painful crushes, to the academic frustrations, to the disagreements with the elders, to finding your crowd, to finding yourself and being true to yourself. The creators and writers of this show truly knew and understood the weight of the average teen life and showed it to the world with flair and beautiful humour. I wish for producers of this time to care for their work this much.

So, I know this is nearly 20 years late and I’m sure it is well beyond a cult classic at this point, but I just want everyone to know that watching this show was seriously what I needed. And despite the advances in social cultures, especially in school, no doubt that’s what a lot of kids need right now, too. 

Taiki Waititi.

I’ve adored this man ever since I was introduced to his very original and hilarious mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows (2014), which he co-wrote and co-directed alongside New Zealand pal, Jemaine Clement. I watched it with my brother and his girlfriend and laughed althroughout. This was the kind of movie that our collective humour was searching for. The concept in itself is unique and interesting, but if you pack that with realistic performances and petty and humorous banter between all the lovable and relatable characters with simple plot lines, then it’s got more to offer.

I’m going to be frank here. As a film lover, I come across many films nowadays that often try too hard to be cinematic. Filmmaking is a beautiful craft and it’s often overlooked that way. We get caught up in delivering an oscar worthy performance, in reaching critique standards, in being known as a serious filmmaker. Sometimes people just take it TOO damn seriously. It’s easy to forget during production, when creating a screenplay, or in the conceptualising phase that movies are all about experiences, it’s about creativity, truth and imagination. Too many stick to its rules that were never created in the first place. Plot direction, character depth and visual artistry are all important, don’t get me wrong. But we must remember that all these are in service of the story, to tell our truth, to share experiences, to evoke feeling.

I’m just so tired of being amped up by these cool trailers, these endless promotions, these entertaining interviews with the cast if the story their serving is not something to have been believed in. I guess most filmmaker’s intentions were to tell the story they visualised in their head, and they’re not wrong in doing that. But a lot just do it for the sake of making a movie, for being famous, for the name. The thought in itself is desirable. But I just hate to see people waste such an opportunity to tell these stories and replace them with opportunities for success, whatever that may mean.

Taika Waiti is one of those filmmakers today who isn’t afraid to step out of the box ever so simply. He knows how to leave his audience members enamoured without having to give out tear jerking lines or performances. He makes use of his quirks to make people laugh at exactly the best amount. Watching his movies is so refreshing and such a simple yet fun experience. I don’t care if he’s only made four feature films so far (plus one cute short film). He has proven that more to the world when he made a “risk” with Thor: Ragnarok. Finally, a marvel film that’s just as awesome as it is funny. He did all these without sacrificing character development, a good plotline (ty to its writers) all without being all over the top. I mean, the fight scenes alone were hella. (hehe, gettit). As long as his next films are as good as all the films he’s made, I don’t mind waiting a while for them to come out. Either way, I’ll always be a Taika supporter!

If there’s one thing we can take away from Taika Waititi’s work, it is to be original. Have fun, give it your all, and don’t take yourself too seriously. And most of all, don’t be strict on rules, believe in your story, and don’t listen to people like me. If getting your story out means walking on the road less travelled, then by all means!

 (photo from Pinterest)

½ Keira Knightley

Her red carpet looks are the perfect example of the pretty + preppy aesthetic.

She wears these ensembles that include beautiful details such as artistic drawings, intricate details, and simple layers.

Two words. Marine Vacth.

This French beauty is a model and actress who I practically got obsessed with after watching the coming-of-age film Jeune et Jolie (2013) dir. François Ozon. After seeing the film I was in awe of Vacth’s effortless and emotionless yet conflicted performance. My favourites are her red carpet looks. I love them all. Barely any makeup, tomboy effortlessness, and guarded poses and facial expressions. The reason I love the French. It’s as if they step out of their homes thinking “I’m way beautiful, I don’t need to get my hair and makeup done. Let me wear any outfit I’m comfortable in since I know I’d rock it anyway.” I’m no expert on the French people but this is what inspires me about them...the French I know, at least,

True Romance (1993) dir. Tony Scott

I recommend this movie especially to those who enjoy films including adventure, romance, mobs, and a great plot line....I mean, who doesn’t? This goes down to one of the coolest and feistiest romances out there.