My boyfriend Dan (with who I am currently quarantining), is a man of many hobbies. When he’s not watching sports/sports gambling/blogging about live theatre/singing along to show tunes/playing online trivia/doing magician stuff/asking me to make him a tuna sandwich/refusing to buy me expensive jewelry, he’s typically watching a movie.
Sometimes, when I’m not on my 47th rewatch of Grey’s Anatomy, I’ll watch one with him.
And so that is how during quarantine we have watched a shit ton of films. Some of them I had never seen, some he had never seen and not all of them were enjoyable! I decided to rank them for my own amusement and your (hopefully) enjoyment.
All my digital media training is telling me to rank them worst to best to build anticipation, but those lists always suck because who cares about what’s good? I’m starting with #1. Save the worst for last! It’s more exciting that way!
The Goodbye Girl
This is my favorite movie we’ve seen so far. It’s a very cute rom-com and I never realized how appealing young Richard Dreyfuss is. I even Googled if he’s Jewish (aka crush-worthy/HE IS). 10/10. Definitely watch this if you are a complicated woman who wants to feel all squooshy inside or if you’re a schlubby actor-type with a white knight complex. You’ll feel seen.
My Cousin Vinny
Worth it for Marisa Tomei’s outfits, alone! Also a great movie to watch if you feel like you can’t get enough Joe Pesci, which is how I feel 90% of the time. Also I saw him when I was on a walk the other day in Toluca Lake. He wasn’t wearing a mask. Oh, Joe!
Bonus points if you recognize that one of the leads is Rachel Green’s ex from Friends!
Scream
I know! I’d never seen Scream before! I finally get why everyone has the major horn for that Dad from Riverdale. He was crazy and hot. Also, petition to revive Matthew Lillard’s career from its Ghostface grave.
Charade
It’s not like I have a Kate Spade tea cup with an Audrey Hepburn quote on it or anything (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but I think Hepburn is FABULOUS in this movie and that Cary Grant is pretty darn cute. Was he gay IRL? Is that an old Hollywood rumor? I don’t care! Those two have chemistry for days.
A great movie to watch when you’ve had enough of your boyfriend, have your period and just want some wine and chocolate.
To Catch A Thief
Made me want to go to the French Riviera/ wear a pretty dress/ drink a sazerac sling. These are top marks from me, people.
First Wives Club
I’ve seen this movie 100 times but Dan had never seen it. It’s a classic. Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, SJP AND Maggie Smith?? Your fave movie could NEVER.
Interview With A Vampire
This felt like a Twilight prequel? Almost? Kirsten Dunst gave me major Renesmée vibes. Plus, one thing I have discovered during quarantine is that I think I fucking LOVE Tom Cruise. I mean, I hate him (#TeamNicole) but he’s so good at acting!!! Damn!!
Romancing The Stone
Another actor whose movies I’ve learned I have a soft spot for is Michael Douglas. This movie had big Indiana Jones energy but I wish the female lead had been Goldie Hawn or someone like that. I’d love to see who was on the short list for casting. Good movie to watch with a pizza!
Dirty Harry
We watched this movie because I have been feeling homesick for San Francisco and my family and I knew it had some cool shorts of North Beach. After watching this I realized how good my dad’s Clint Eastwood impression actually is.
American Graffiti
This movie had me feeling nostalgic for something that doesn’t and maybe never existed! I loved it!
Donnie Brasco
I fucking love movies about the mob.
Coco
Okay, fuck this movie for making me cry but FUCK! This movie!!!!! So fun and also sweet!!!
Election
Dan was SHOCKED that I had never seen this film. I enjoyed it but I think it kind of made me hate Matthew Broderick. Baby Reese was incredible though.
The Princess and the Frog
Dan had never seen this one and I’m really glad he liked it because I think it’s one of my favorite Disney movies.
Honeyboy
This movie was very sad and then I spent a really long time Googling Shia LaBeouf!
Fatal Attraction
I knew the term “bunny boiler” came from this movie. Dan says my dad made that term up. Glenn Close is national treasure.
Heaven Can Wait
CLASSIC movie about someone dying when they shouldn’t have and the people who run heaven having to put their soul into someone else’s body. CLASSIC!
Basic Instinct
We watched it to see Sharon Stone. Again, some really nice shots of San Francisco. I thought it was kind of dumb but thinking about it now I guess it was more dumb-fun. Also how does she look so elegant in a white turtleneck and why can’t I pull that off!?
Waiting for Guffman
Your typical silly Christopher Guest comedy. Good cast. Great movie to half-pay attention to.
Anna and The Apocalypse
This movie was weird AF, especially because I didn’t know it was a musical. It’s about a Christmastime zombie apocalypse in England? Ireland???? It’s cute and predictable but still a good watch, especially because real life feels sort of like a zombie apocalypse rn anyway.
Scream 2
Not as good as the first one but still kind of fun. Not realistic that Buffy would die but ok.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The best Indiana Jones movie.
Punch Drunk Love
Probably the only Paul Thomas Anderson film I like. Don’t take my film school diploma away!!! It’s a time Adam Sandler was serious in a film and it worked!
Death On The Nile
Better than Murder on the Orient Express!
All the rest of the Indian Jones movies
I know, it’s a crime I’d never seen these. They were fine.
A Few Good Men
Tom Cruise is fun! Demi Moore is not fun but I like her! This movie is ok.
Shampoo
My dad said we should watch this one. It was aight. Goldie Hawn wore some cool outfits.
National Treasure
Kind of fun but also I didn’t really care. Sorry to Dan who LOVES this movie.
Monsters University
Nothing special but easy to watch especially after you’ve had a lot of margaritas and just cried your eyes out to Coco.
Tangled
Am I the only person who thinks this movie is just,,,,, fine? Also what is the lesson here??? Blonde hair is magic and brown hair is not??? Weird.
Private Benjamin
Cute but it falls apart.
Leaving Las Vegas
VERY depressing! Kind of glad I saw it? Would have been fine never watching it though.
Bob & Carole & Ted & Alice
The seventies were strange but Dyan Cannon dressed well is the moral of this story.
North By North West
Felt like semi-enjoyable required reading but also I fell asleep watching this so I don’t think I actually know how it ends?
Rope
Ugh. Pass.
Step Brothers
TRULY do no understand the hype. Arrest me. Maybe it’s because my parents aren’t divorced? There are much better buddy comedies out there that aren’t quite so stupid.
The Exorcist
I get that it’s iconic and that it was terrifying at the time but also this movie barely made any sense and it felt like you had to know a lot of back story on things before you watched it. Also, okay — so he offers himself up to Satan and then tosses himself out a window. Is Satan dead now? Wouldn’t that be a bigger deal? Or did Satan just jump into someone else’s body? Wouldn’t THEY be possessed? This barely made sense. ALSO SHUTUP ABOUT SPOILERS. THIS MOVIE HAS BEEN OUT FOR LIKE 50 YEARS ALREADY.
Reality Bites
I watched this because a podcast told me to. SNOOZE.
The Master
The Master Cleanse is more fun to endure.
Collateral
Tom Cruise but make it boring.
Phantom Thread
My boyfriend loves this movie and likes to quote the thing about asparagus and oil. I absolutely hated this movie and tried to take frequent trips to the bathroom and kitchen so I didn’t have to watch it but Dan would always pause it until I came back. Thanks. 🙃
Mission Impossible 2
FINALLY!!! THE WORST MOVIE WE WATCHED!!! #1!!!! CAPITAL B, BAD!!!! I didn’t watch Mission: Impossible but I can assure you, ANYTHING is better than very stupid Mission: Impossible 2. This was a total waste of time. Watching George O’Malley scratch 007 into Meredith Grey’s hand is a better time than streaming this. SKIP.
Lately 