Let me solve your movie dilemmas
Introducing the cinema hotline ☎️
In Haley Mlotek's book No Fault: A Memoir of Romance and Divorce, she writes about preferring to watch movies when they aligns with her mood, allowing her to absorb its full impact. “I want them most when they are uncanny replicas of life—moments and experiences used like elements rather than reflections. They warp under being watched.”
I can relate. But sometimes, the right moment never comes.
When I’m not watching things for work, which is at least half of the time, I’m staring down five different streaming queues, which have accreted titles over the years like the pile of clothes I have shoved in my closet (so many items, bought but never worn) or my inbox, which has never, and likely will never, reach zero.
Overwhelmed by choices, I’ve become that meme, helplessly scrolling for the perfect 90-minute movie, wasting at least 30 minutes in the process that could’ve gone towards watching Rivette’s Out 1 or Dances with Wolves (jk, maybe).
To navigate this first-world conundrum, I’m launching a new column: CINEMA HOTLINE. At least someone should be able to watch something with ease.
When the feeling strikes, leave a comment, reply to this email, or jump into the chat with your personal movie questions. Tell me what you’re looking for—a mood, a theme, something else? It might just become my next post.
(H/t to
who writes This Needs Hot Sauce, who inspired me when she was looking for recommendations for 18 hours of airplane travel. And the name comes by way of the always shrewd who writes Vik’s Busy Corner.)And now, here’s the first installment:
Q: What movies should I play at a party?
Movies deserve your full attention, but sometimes they’re just background viewing, but not in the mindless, nefariously passive way of Netflix. Andrew Truong asks what makes the perfect party backdrop, much like the bar at Nitehawk, where old films silently play on a vintage TV. Could some movies actually be more enjoyable on mute?
Love this idea.I will be calling!!
OMG this is Amazing. Always. Endlessly scrolling looking for something that isn't the television version of Doritos. People knock the video store, but I say bring them back. I was like in and out in under 15 minutes. There were always good options of new releases and shelves with clear categories and no algorithm.