Monday, January 30, 2012

In which I approve of using movies as social tests, especially The Golden Child



In case you're not yet familiar with it, Our Valued Customers is a webcomic that depicts actual remarks overheard in comic book stores. It's meant to be enjoyed the same way people enjoy Real Housewives or checking in on the Kardashians: with much judgment and eye-rolling. Though it's much easier to swallow than any reality show.

Occasionally though, I find myself thinking that a comment isn't the craziest thing I've ever heard. Like the one above. I strongly object to the harshness of the B-word, but as a fan of The Golden Child, I totally agree with its use as a litmus test for discovering My People. (Having already discovered My Wife, I don't need it as a dating screen.) It's a divisive movie with more people laughing at it than with it, so any time I find another appreciator, I know we're going to get along. And if you don't laugh until you ache at "I-ah-ah-ah-I want the kniiife...Pleeeeeease," then I don't know what's wrong with you.

So my question is: what movies do you use to tell if you're going to get along with someone?

9 comments:

Darius Whiteplume said...

My sister uses "Rushmore" and I would agree, except that my wife hates that film. I tend to avoid folks who are overly into either "The Blues Brothers" or "Animal House" for some reason.

I have to agree a bit on "The Golden Child." It is much more awesome than people appreciate or will admit. Same might be said for "Willow."

Michael May said...

I feel the same way about Blues Brothers and Animal House. I can appreciate that they're funny, but I don't see the genius that a lot of people do.

I just realized the other day that I haven't introduced my son to Willow yet. It'll be the first time I've seen it in decades, but I remember being in love with Joanne Whalley and thinking that Madmartigan was the coolest character since Han Solo.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

Resident Evil, Legends of the Fall, Golden Voyage of Sinbad, Donnie Darko

Michael May said...

Good ones. I especially agree about the Resident Evil series.

Sarah said...

The Breakfast Club!

Michael May said...

A Thousand Times YES!

That movie was so perfectly tailored to my age bracket and experiences when it came out that I forgive people of other ages who don't react to it as strongly as I do, but there's no quicker way to my love than being able to quote that film. There was a time when my brother and I could recite the entire thing by heart.

Mitchell Craig said...

The Searchers, North by Northwest, and The Incredibles.

I swing for the fences.

Michael May said...

Classics, all. Nice choices!

ben c said...

i know this is completely arbitrary, but "rear window" and "batman returns". (or rather, the first 72 minutes of BR)

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