Movies To Watch
7.14.2020
While the process of reopening the city is slowly underway, the prospect of resuming that summer ritual, a chillingly cool movie theater on a hot day, still feels far off. We’re still in Southern California though – and the reminders of movie magic are all around us. So while we’re missing our favorite theaters (and some of our favorite things to do around the city) it’s a perfect time for a cinematic culture trip, where we can revisit some of our old haunts, all from the comfort of home.
Here’s to re-exploring the cult classics set in and around our city – with some fun pairings from our Collective to truly complete the experience!
“The Big Lebowski is about an attitude, not a story," Roger Ebert once wrote. And the eternally chill outlook of its anti-hero, El Duderino, certainly provides balance to our current moment – particularly if you’ve found that your hair is thriving (à la Jeff Bridges) in quarantine or that your robe and pajama pant moment has morphed into something more like a uniform.
The debate still plays out today: noir film or absurdist comedy? Either way, this movie is sardonic but still light-hearted. And its meandering plot leaves room for you to contemplate other pressing inquiries such as: who is living in The Dude’s Venice Bungalow now, and do I even *have* a rug that really ties the room together?
Watch It When: You’re feeling reminiscent for a casual late night grocery run at Ralph’s.
It’s the definitive romantic comedy (with perhaps one of the best shopping montage né comeback scenes in cinematic history) – but at its core, Garry Marshall’s Pretty Woman is a rags to riches fairytale about big dreams. And even if ours are still on hold, it’s a good reminder to keep on dreamin’.
Watch It When: You’re feeling weirdly nostalgic for the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Did you know that Julia Roberts’ iconic cut-out dress is by the brand Hunza? Now relaunched as the swimwear line Hunza G, it has found new-found success and a celebrity fanbase, and is known for its comfortable but still sculpting, crinkle-stretch fabric.
With Spike Jonze as Executive Producer, Love And Basketball stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as childhood sweethearts whose relationship is tested while each pursues their dreams as a top Basketball recruit at USC.
Much more than just an early-aughts hoops flick or a coming-of-age romantic comedy, Love and Basketball made an indelible impact, showing a Black female athlete challenging her sport and her status quo, while remaining always true to herself.
Hot tip: Don’t forget to pause when you finally get to the line: “All’s fair in Love and Basketball!” Then, cheer from the couch like you’re witnessing the game-winning shot.
Watch it When: You’re missing all the excitement and adrenaline of seeing a live game at the Staples Center (or the idea of College sports in general).
Dogtown and Z-Boys is the 2001 documentary film that tells the story of a group of teenage surfer/skateboarders and their influence on the history of skateboarding. Cool fact: during one of California's record-breaking droughts, local backyard pools were emptied and became hotspots for these young skateboarders looking for places to skateboard.
Watch It When: You’re in need of a good reminder that you can still find power within your limitations.
Starring Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce is the brilliant HBO miniseries adaptation of the American Noir film, based on the original book by James M. Cain. Set in Post-Depression era Glendale, it tells the riveting story of a struggling mother determined to give her artistically gifted - and oftentimes vicious - daughter a path to realize her success, while navigating a twisted post-divorce romance.
Watch It If: You’ve already viewed every Mid-Century home on Zillow, and you’re ready to go to the next level.
In Mildred Pierce, Mildred parlays her domestic talents into opening a successful restaurant that exclusively serves fried chicken and waffles – with pies for dessert (truly, a concept ahead of its time!).