Hey Karen, did you find me any movie recommendations for the weekend? What is you need from me to determine what I want to see?
Sure Ken, I can help narrow down your recommendations with a few guidelines. The first two questions are pretty simple: what kind of movie brings you the most joy, and what kinds of movies would you want to avoid, when it comes to genre?
I think I like cerebral movies the most, movies that make me think, but also movies that have a lot of drama to them, especially emotional drama between people who are close, who are flawed but relatable. What I don't like, and don't want to see are movies with too much gore, or violence that doesn't serve a purpose.
So you wouldn't want to see something like The House that Jack Built, but you would like to see something like Melancholia, the former having violence for the sake of violence and the later having a deep emotional meaning underneath the scifi theme.
I'd agree with the Melancholia pick, one of the best movies I've ever seen, I always feel a deep connection to Kirstin Dunst when she lays on the side of the river under the light of the moon, there is a deep surrender and peace to that idea, letting go of the problems of your past, giving up control over the world, and things you can't control. The house that Jack built might be the complete opposite of that, inherently nihilistic, shining a light on the absurdity of evil in our world, the complete lack of meaning of some of the awful things that can happen. I don't think I'd want to see that in a theater, or more than once, but there is some appeal to it because of it's underlying theme of complete absurdity. But you're right, it's not the type of movie that would lift me up.
Critics have said that Midsommar is very good, it has a lot of drama and interpersonal relationships. Not only do the critics love it, but the violence in it isn't the main focus, but the emotional connection to the main character is. There is a sense of catharsis when watching that people get, that I think you might like.
That sounds like a great recommendation to me. Do you have any others?
What kind of movies do your friends like to see?
My best friend said she went to see the rock climbing movie this summer, I can't for the life of me remember the name of it.
Free solo is what it was called. It was a close look at one of the hardest climbs that Alex Honnold ever faced. Do you like movies which show the human spirit and body triumphing over physical obstacles like that?
I do, but I'm not sure I'd see it in movies, maybe I'd wait for it to get onto youtube movies.
Okay we're almost done. What is the first movie that comes to mind as playing a pivotal role in forming who you are today?
I would have to say Melincolia, again. There is a catharsis in watching it that I just cannot get over. The mood of the movie is amazing, the premise is amazing, the acting is suburb, I don't think there is another movie that has defined who I am in the last 20 years.
It looks like Midsommar is a good fit for you then. It's not overly violent, there is a protagonist you're meant to connect with emotionally, and it should bring those same feelings that melancholia may have for you.
Alright thanks again, go ahead and book that one.
Which day would you like to see it?
I like to see movies when the theater isn't crowded, so probably a weekday morning.
How does Friday mid morning sound?
That's great, thanks for helping me.
It was no trouble at all, you're welcome.