For this post, I’m turning to a stalwart arrow in my self-care quiver – movies!
I enjoy movies quite a bit – which is good, considering that I write about movies and television. Even so, there are so many wonderful things I haven’t seen. Much like my TBR (“to be read”) book list, I have a lengthy “to be viewed” list of movies as well. Like everyone, I have likes and dislikes that are personal and should never be read as judgments. (Although I swear that the world in 2022 needs – yes, NEEDS! – a Keanu Reeves/Brendan Fraser vehicle. The goodness and compassion of the two leads would likely just leap off the screen, making the entire viewing audience better versions of ourselves.) While I have a very eclectic taste in films, ranging from awful “creature features” of the 1950s to Kurosawa and Bergman, I have an especial liking for old Hollywood films, especially comedies. I’m finding out that I really like the William Powell/Myrna Loy Thin Man movies, as well as deeply nutty films like Barbara Stanwyck’s Ball O’ Fire, which is a very loose adaptation of Snow White. I enjoy the little details, like afternoon papers, telegrams, and phones brought to the table in upscale restaurants. I also like the whip-smart dialogue. (I’m also getting better at the game of “I know that guy!” for character actors.) Tonight might be Stanwyck in The Lady Eve, although I’m also eyeing Monroe, Grable, and Bacall (!) in How to Marry a Millionaire.
Mind you, I know enough to know that these movies are fantasy (that’s why I like ’em, thankyouverymuch) that were made under the studio system, which had MAJOR problems, as did wider society. Still – as escapism, they’re hard to beat. Under the RESOURCES tab, I have a few movies listed that I think are especially useful to those walking the Diva path and I intend to keep adding to those. For a wider range of terrific classic movies, let me suggest two books by film enthusiast Jennifer Garlen – Beyond Casablanca and its sequel. You might also enjoy the Cinematherapy series, which gives you suggestions of far more modern movies grouped by mood.
No, the movies can’t solve every problem. But they can be very, very satisfying.
Spread joy, Divas!
Leave a Reply