If you’re a happy, well-adjusted person, never go on a date with me. Just don’t.
I don’t mean because I, myself, am such a morose individual — I’m not. But my cinematic picks can be real downers.
I can’t help it! I like heavy-hitting dramas, acting tour-de-forces. I like walking out of a theater feeling devastated. Even on a date? Especially on a date.
(Films discussed in this post: A Dangerous Method, 50/50, Cedar Rapids, Margin Call, The Perfect Host, The Guard, The Ides Of March, Horrible Bosses, Warrior.)
In my post on “The Chicks,” I reflected on the ups and downs for females in film last year, from the ribald shenanigans of Bridesmaids to the slightly-less-ribald racial politics of The Help.
Ladies first. Now here come the guys.
(Films discussed in this post: Hugo, Hesher, Terri, and Win Win.)
It’s a hard-knock life for kids in the movies.
Whereas actual kids these days have it comparably easy, their on-screen counterparts tend to get tricked instead of treated, kicked instead of kissed. Unlike most kids you’ll meet in real life, the majority of youths you’ll encounter in movies not only come from broken homes; but chances are, one or both of their parents are dead.
Morbid much, Hollywood? Jeez.
Yes, being orphaned allows our young heroes to be their own bosses. Masters of their own fates. And that tends to get them in trouble…
