...his desert island movies.
My friend Damir made pizza from scratch last week (d-lish). While we ate it we watched one of my favorite movies from the last 10 years—Good Boys.
Considering it's not on the radar of many of my friends, I was surprised to learn that it's one of Damir's recent-ish favorites as well. "I've seen it at least three times," he told me. "It never gets old." Needless to say, we’ve been texting each other ridiculous quotes ever since. ("I know what cocaine is.")
Afterward, I starting thinking about what other movies I'd happily watch over and over (and over) again—there were a lot. As a challenge to myself, I decided to try and make a "desert island" list of five. It took several days and much self-doubt/second-guessing, but I think (I think) my list is finally finished.
First though...
- Honorable Mentions: Almost Famous, Avengers: Endgame, The Dark Knight, The Devil Wears Prada, Easy A, For Love of the Game, The Goonies, Home Alone 2, Knives Out, Love, Simon, Ocean's Eleven, Runaway Bride...and way too many others to count.
I'm also including a Special Mention movie because I already did the little write-up thing before swapping it out with something else.
- About Time — Sure, every viewing absolutely wrecks me, but nothing makes me appreciate the people or small things in my life quite like this movie. It also makes me consider all the things I'd do differently if given the chance (so many). And isn't Bill Nighy's performance just...chef's kiss? It almost makes me want to start playing ping pong with my dad.
Now, without further ado, Corey's Five Desert Island Movies...
Fire Island — The magnetic, queer AF cast, the idealic (and accurate) gay setting, the brilliant one-liners ("Can I trade someone a Crest White Strip for a PrEP pill?"), and that cover of "Sometimes" by Muna, Fire Island delivers all the laughs while still giving us the sweet, satisfying ending we deserve. Also, who among us isn't in love with Conrad Ricamora?
Dan in Real Life — Cozy family cottage vibes, Steve Carell at his most charmingly melancholy, a supporting cast that includes Emily Blunt, Dianne Wiest, Alison Pill, and John Mahoney, and an acoustic soundtrack that I can (and have) listen to on repeat for days on end. Plus, it's pretty underrated in terms of quotability: "You are a murderer of love!"
Notting Hill — Peak London charm, eccentric side characters, and that scene where the seasons change while Hugh Grant walks down Portobello Road absolutely going through it...we've all been there. Oh, and the "I'm just a girl..." speech in the bookstore...I mean, can you beat it? Plus: "Oh my god, my flatmate. I'm sorry. There's no excuse for him." Oh right, and the soundtrack speaks for itself. In fact, I'm listening to it right now.
10 Things I Hate About You — A perfect late-’90s soundtrack, arguably one of the best casts of any teen movie ever (Allison Janney's portrayal of the porn-writing principal cannot be improved upon), and endless quotability: "My insurance does not cover PMS!" I wore the VHS of this movie to bits during my middle and high school years. To boot, who didn't wanna go to that insane castle-ass high school on the water?
And finally, my #1 desert island movie...
- You've Got Mail — The ultimate comfort watch: sweater weather in New York City, The Cranberries, the internet before social media, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear, Parker Posey, a sneaky cameo by Chris Messina and, thanks to the Ephron sisters, easily, easily one of the most quotable movies ever. ("Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino." / "Thank your, ladies and gentleman." / "A hotdog is singing! You need quiet while a hotdog is singing?"). And bonus points for the cutest wingman, er, dog: Brinkley
Okay, that...was actually kinda hard.