The Criterion Collection Should Hire Me: aka Cinematic Comfort Food
By Chloe Hampton
Happy November friends!! I love watching movies, and I love making lists (of everything, literally everything) so I am overjoyed to write another super fire movie list. Sorry I am not putting Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on this list, because it would be fraudulent as I’ve shamefully never seen that. And a good number of these movies are not comforting in the slightest, however they have super November vibes, However, you all are obligated to watch every single movie and send me an essay on each when you watch them. (Warning: There are multiple concert movies so if you hate fire music beware) Thank you and enjoy :D
THE LIST
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) dir. Wes Anderson
I think most of you fully expected this movie to be on the list, and for good reason. Every year I make my family watch this movie and make banana pancakes, so I have wonderful memories associated with it. If you’re looking for something to watch to celebrate the season, this is it.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Moon (2009) dir. Duncan Jones
This is how I imagine it feels to not go home Thanksgiving Break. One side of November is warm and vibrant like Mr. Fox, the other is cold, gray, and muted like Moon. I watched this for the first time in a Sci-fi movie class at UMass before winter break. Definitely one of the most underrated movies of the 2000s I’d say, and Sam Rockwell is awesome as usual. Fun fact: was made by David Bowie’s first born son.
Stop Making Sense (1984) dir. Jonathan Demme
Directed by the same dude who made Silence of the Lambs, talk about wild range. Not gonna lie, I just really love Talking Heads. David Byrne is so awesome and cool and inspirational, if you ever see me with my headphones I wear 24/7 on, and dancing at any given stop light on Com Ave know it's because of him. This movie just feels like pure joy.
Never Let Me Go (2010) dir. Mark Romanek
I watched this in class years ago and bawled my eyes out so I will neverrrrr watch again, but like you still should. Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro novel, the film is sort of dystopian, sort of romance, sort of coming of age, and completely torturous. The cast is fantastic (Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, Carey the goat Mulligan) and the score is amazing. Just like don't watch if you’re having a bad day…
Hot Fuzz (2007) dir. Edgar Wright
I rewatched Scott Pilgrim and remembered how much I used to LOVEEEE Edgar Wright films. Possibly my second favorite after SP is Hot Fuzz. A hot shot cop gets moved to a small rural town, and has to solve a murder mystery. Heck yeah. I’m not a huge comedy person, but Edgar Wright's comedic pacing is unbelievably good. Plus has my (somewhat) cool 17 year old brother’s stamp of approval.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
The Breadwinner (2017) dir. Nora Twomey
Thanksgiving is around the corner which I’m super excited for, however I also can’t help but think about the political economic state of the world and stuff, ya know. The Breadwinner is based on Deborah Ellis’s novel, inspired by real stories from Afghanistan. It's about an 11 year old girl who disguises herself as a boy to support her family. It's extremely moving, and the animation is beautiful, highly recommended.
Vertigo (1958) dir. Alfred Hitchcock
This is allegedly Hitchcock’s favorite movie he ever made, and more importantly it’s mine. Without a doubt one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and this film definitely confirmed those claims to me. The color symbolism, the score, the story arc, boom boom boom. It’s somehow romantic, psychologically twisted, and for people who hate old movies (wrong) it's actually very entertaining.
Vertigo (1958)
Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (1994) dir. Beth McCarthy-Miller
MTV Unplugged come back to me, take me back to God’s country. The Cure, R.E.M., Stone Temple Pilots, Hole, Bob Dylan, Alice in Chains, Oasis, even Korn?? Technically like I think it still exists but it’s just not the same. Regardless, Nirvana is my favorite band of all time and their unplugged set may be the most beautiful thing in human existence. I don’t listen to Nirvana much anymore for various reasons, but for whatever reason every fall I come back.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) dir. Hayao Miyazaki
Thanksgiving is near, who else up thinking about how they’re grateful for the environment, MMMHHH. Love love love this movie, and truly my second favorite Ghibli film. Very similar to Mickey 17 but like the PG version and way better, although I love both. Technically made before Ghibli was an official studio but led to it becoming one. Nausicaä is my goat and I aspire to be as loving and understanding as she is.
Un monstre à Paris (2011) dir. Bibo Bergeron
Elena this one is for you. One of my favorite childhood films, and I was convinced no one else had watched it. Either way it’s a super cozy movie for the autumnessity. A little weird but all the best things are. I can’t fully explain what happens in the plot but imagine if The Bee Movie wasn’t freaky. Not to mention the soundtrack is unbelievably fire.
Honorable Film & TV Mentions
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (peak), Hoodwinked (idek but still), Spider-Man (Raimi one but Andrew and Miles still better), The Walking Dead (I’ll never stop telling everyone to watch it, but it is the appropriate season… well the first 6 seasons at least) Friday Night Lights (Accurate Texas rep, fall vibes. Lots of dialogue was unscripted)