Life’s been…a bit rough lately. While commiserating with friends, someone asked on Twitter about “go-to” movies. The ones you watch when you just want to enjoy yourself for a while. That you trust to do that for you. I followed the thread a bit, looking for some new additions, but in the end I stuck with my own. Which, I guess, is how that works.
So, while it may not be of use to you, there’s always a chance, so here’s my list in almost no order. I’ll link some of my favorite bits, in case you want to check them out.
Armageddon
I can’t help it. Bruce Willis at his gruffest and grumpiest? A whole team of uncivilized men being ridiculous and caring about each other? Teamwork and banter, lots of things blowing up? I am so there.
“The money’s good, the scenery changes, and they let me use explosives.”
The Fifth Element
More Bruce Willis! Also multi-pass. And a fun DJ, and lots and lots of fun and fighting and explosions. Love Leeloo. SO MUCH.
“Weddings are one floor down, my son. Congratulations.”
Godzilla (1998)
I love me a good monster movie. This is another one with a great team and lots of banter. The part where they are fleeing Godzilla in a cab, arguing over the best route? Just fills me with delight.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph that is really..that is…large.”
Twister
Dr. Jo Harding, awesomesauce. Bill “the Extreme” Harding, estranged hubby still in love. A great and fun team of storm-chasers, a whole lot of wind, and “Cow!” What more could I want? Not blinking much, I’ll tell you that.
“Actually I think that was the same one.”
Periodically, of course, one has to add some movies to the collection. Lately I’ve added Doctor Strange, which I love for the fantastic fights and the smartass snark, and (this shocked me) Benedict Cumberbatch. He is utterly perfect as Doctor Strange, my favorite superhero from so long ago.
There are many great quotes, but I’d rather link you the Ancient One Kicking A$$.
There’s also, always, Ghostbusters (2016) I love that movie so much… The snark, the teamwork, Holtzmann’s marvelous Holtzmann-ness…Kevin. Oh, Kevin. I always watch the extended version. And, if I have time, go on to the bonus features to see all the jokes and good stuff that didn’t get into the extended version. Though I will admit that I skip the extended scene with Erin being incredibly socially awkward. It’s just…painful.
(If you’re considering watching it, don’t pay too much attention to the reviews. If you go and look, a lot of the bad reviews are people whining that having women in the movie ruined it, which of course is bullshine.)
“Okay. Yep. Roomful of nightmares. Not going in there.”
Wonder Woman, Rogue One–these are movies I love and always mean to rewatch, but they’re a bit too emotional for the feel-good I need a break category.
Of course, when things are really bad–I mean, really really bad–I fall back on the extra-strength, okay but at least you’re not in THIS situation—Aliens. Beset by nightmares, by monsters, the (awesome, bantering, working-together) Marines supposed to protect her dropping one by one or faster, and through all that and betrayal too, Ripley keeps Newt safe and then has that EPIC fight in the docking bay of the Sulaco? Heck. To. The. Yes.
“Get away from her you bleep” is one of my favorite lines from any movie ever. Another oft-quoted is “I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.”
“Hey, Vasquez, you ever been mistaken for a man?“
Vasquez and Hicks and all the Marines…love that movie. Love, love, love. And I come out the other end glad I’m not being hunted by xenomorphs. Ultimate feel good, right there.
