Film Picks: "Girl Power"!

Ah yes, Valentine's Day. So we meet again. 

To be honest I don't give two hoots about the holiday (maybe I am repressing?). I am neither angry or elated. I mean, I got a Dum Dum and a couple Snicker bars from my friend so I am ALL SET. But I know that my "indifference" for such a socially shaped holiday isn't the norm.

Let's face it: you don't have a honey tonight and that is PUNK ROCK.  You don't need anyone! Turn that frown upside down! U rock, don't ever change!

Did that help at all? No? Okay. Here are my top "girl power" movies to get you out of your self deprecating slump.  

(see video HERE)

 Now and Then (1995)

Now and Then will make you cry. But in a good way. It's a flash back movie relaying the childhood adventures of a core group of girls in the '70s.  Christina Ricci plays the younger version of Rosie O'Donnell. What are you still doing here? Go watch it!

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Talk about one cheeseball of a movie. Never Been Kissed will make you laugh your head off, right before it rips your heart out when you realize the similarities between you and "Josie Grossie". But in all honesty, this movie has a great message. It's totally chill if you haven't experienced XYZ by now, and there will always be assholes in high school. So sit back, relax, and watch Drew Barrymore eat a pot brownie. 

Thelma And Louise (1991)

This is one of my newer film finds. Thelma and Louise are tired of the South's shit so they decide to go on a road trip when something terrible goes wrong (trigger warning: attempted rape). I know you're probably expecting another snarky line from me, but I have to be straight up when I say I have major estrogen respect for this movie. It is such a great homage to all of the cowgirls of the world who get shit on.  I thought the ending was THE BEST. Plus Brad Pitt.

 Whip It (2009)

I wont go into too much detail on Whip It (see my Film Muse post!), but this movie will always hold a special place in my heart. From the kick ass soundtrack to Bliss' "fuck-you" response to the idiot boy shown above, this film overall is TOO GOOD. Ellen Page and Alia Shawkat are goddesses. 

Romy And Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

Woah! A honorary mention appears? Romy and Michele's High School Reunion has made it into my Film Picks posts before, but I had to mention it again. If you are having a bad day, EVER, just put on this movie. The story is of two 28 year old women (best friends forever) who realize that their high school reunion is coming up! But wait - they haven't done anything with their lives! So they pretend they invented Post-Its. Just go watch it. 

Hope you all enjoyed! 

Will you be my Valentine? 

-Lauren Rose

Curbside Fashion

Film Picks: '90s Pop Cult Movies!

Hello!

I thought I'd keep up with my Film Picks series, so I decided to make my top '90s Pop Cult list! Okay, so some of these are from the early 2000s. But they all embody that '90s nostalgia nonetheless. If you didn't see my Youtube video explaining my favorites, check it out HERE.

Pop cult to me means a lot of things. Mostly, I consider a film to be "pop cult" if it has a certain visual/emotional feel that surrounds the narrative. This can be shown through costume design, set design, camera work, dialogue, and performances. Basically, if I feel like I can take a screen shot at any point in the film and it would be considered pop art, I'd classify it as so. So in no particular order, here are my top '90s (ish) Pop Cult Films! 

 Ghost World (2001) - (I WILL FOREVER THINK OF THIS AS A '90s FILM)

Cynic and artist, Enid, finds herself drifting from everything she knows after graduating her horribly amusing high school. Thora Birch (Enid) delivers the most punk rock performance of a life time. Steve Buscemi is in this movie. Why are you still reading this. Why aren't you watching the movie. I can't write a proper synopsis of this film without hating myself. 

Jawbreaker (1999)

"Liz is the cat's meow": one of the most amazing lines from Jawbreaker spoken by Fern Mayo. What is Jawbreaker about? Death and popularity. After accidentally killing their best friend, a group of popular girls try to cover it up- by bribing a loser (MAYO) to keep her mouth shut in return for popularity and beauty. 

The Doom Generation (1995)

Two best friends are going nowhere on an open road when they meet "X", a wild and dangerous drifter. Upon going to the Kwik-E-Mart for some nachos, shots are fired and the gang flees the scene. What will happen? Sex? Drugs? More sex? This film is pretty amusing until the last few scenes. WARNING: GRAPHIC MATERIAL. 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) (SAME THING AS GHOST WORLD)

A rockumentary of the ages. Hedwig, transgender rockstar, meets Tommy (Michael Pitt), an innocent bible thumper who becomes infatuated with her. Together, they make sweet music. That is, until Tommy gets too freaked out about their relationship, rips off Hedwig's music, and goes on to be a millionaire rockstar. Hedwig lays it down in a beautiful story, completed with full length music videos and animations. 

Clueless (1995)

An adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, Cher decides to fix everyone's problems (especially when they benefit her). This film is '90s materialism on crack. If you are going to watch this film for anything, let it be for the costume design. Checkered yellow skirt suit combo? Yes. R.I.P. Brittany Murphy. 

"I could really use some kind of herbal refreshment..."

"Oh, well we do lunch in ten minutes. We don't have any tea, but we have Coke and stuff."

"No shit! You guys got coke here?"

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

Romy and Michele have remained best friends since high school when they learn they have to go back for their reunion. Disgusted with how unpopular they were, they decide to fabricate how well they have been doing ever since they left. Go to the gym? Check. Rent a fancy car? Check. Tell everyone you invented Post-It Notes? Check. 

Cry-Baby (1990)

John Waters is at it again in this exceptional pop cult film. Set in the 1950s, greaser/bad boy Cry-Baby (Johnny Depp) tries to win over the good girl. Much like a musical mockumentary of Grease, this film is full of awesome script writing, beautiful makeup, and roll on the ground humor. Start out your John Waters marathon with this one!

"I'm so tired of being good!"

Pulp Fiction (1994)

You've seen it on the dorm room walls, Pulp Fiction is probably one of the most well known cult movies out there. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this dark comedy crime film shows the lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's  wife, and a couple of bandits (thanks IMDB). It's one of the those movies that you have to watch over and over again to completely understand it/appreciate it. So start now! 

"I said GODDAMN" 

Fear and Loathing is Las Vegas (1998)

Written by the real Hunter S. Thompson, Johnny Depp plays a tripping journalist who travels to Las Vegas with his lawyer. This dark comedy has some of the most entertaining costume design and cinematography out there. You know what? I'm just going to show you this. 

There you go! Some of the best '90s Pop Cult Films out there. I hope you enjoyed and start planning your next movie night with one of these picks. Have a good one.

Lauren Rose

Curbside Fashion

P.S. I hope you enjoyed the college video art I did (top 4 stills/in the video). I might make them into GIF form for my Tumblr, we'll see!