Movie Clip O’ the Day: Batman Returns

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Batman Returns because someone online mentioned it just now and instantly I thought of this one scene that pops into my head regularly.

When a neighbor or stranger says hello to me while I’m out walking around, 9 times out of 10, I’m going to reply with, “Hello there.” And when I do, in my mind I’ll see a flash of Selina Kyle busting out the T and the O on the hot pink neon sign that hangs in her apartment.

The good movies really do stick with you in weird ways. And I don’t know about you Miss Kitty, but I love that.

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Wall Street

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Wall Street because greed seems to be running rampant out here in my corner of the world. Gordon Gekko said “greed is good” and instead of learning the lesson there, we ate it up until we puked and then started eating that too. Gross, right? Yeah, so is unchecked greed.

Ok now that I’m done raining on your parade, get out there and have a fabulous holiday weekend. Go see a movie, read a book, have a nice dinner, take yourself to a concert. Do something nice for yourself.

Movie Clip O’ the Day: This Is Where I leave You

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from This is Where I Leave You because love and loss are heavy. Eventually we’re all going to need some help carrying. So here’s to those who step up, help out and get us through.

Also, I love this movie and saw it when it first came out. Always wondered why it went mostly unnoticed at the time. In retrospect it looks like actual critics didn’t like it as much as I did. However, it landed on Netflix last week and quickly hit the US Top Ten. In case you missed it, this is me telling you to add it to your list.

This is Where I Leave You (2014)

After their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes, and might-have-beens.

IMDB

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Defending Your Life

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Defending Your Life because last week I was talking to my friend for the first time in a minute and I wanted to relate something in our conversation to a scene in that movie. However, I realized before saying anything that I wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen the movie, so I figured I’d ask before getting into it. As it turns out, she hadn’t seen Defending Your LIfe. Learning someone hasn’t seen a movie I love dearly is always a shock to me, I don’t know why. At the same time, it also presents an exciting opportunity for me to sell the movie and try to get this person to watch it for the first time with me. I love doing that, watching their reactions or lack thereof and then judging accordingly. Unfortunately, even if I were able to convince my friend to watch this with me, it would be a little tricky to set it up because she lives in Madrid and I live in California.

I’m feeling compelled to send her a copy of the movie so she can get the full effect. That’s better than a bunch of YT clips, right? Or maybe we can do a watch party. Wait. Can you do international watch parties when your time zones are super different? I guess we’d need to be on the same streaming platform for that as well. Feels like a lot of stars that need aligning for a movie night. While I love that she’s living her best life in Spain, I miss when we used to live in the same area. But, life is too short not to hang out with the people that mean something to you even if it’s done virtually.

Appreciate when you have your friends nearby, man. Life is beautiful and weird. People scatter. Remember to hang on to the good ones.

Defending Your Life (1991)

In an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.

-IMDB

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Call Me By Your Name

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Call Me By Your Name because pristine advice doesn’t have to come from your real dad. It can come from anywhere anytime, like for example Mr. Pearlman (Michael Stuhlbarg) in the clip below. So keep your eyes & ears open because you never know when you’re going to be hit with the kind of wisdom that’ll reach deep into your chest and rip out your heart just to show you how to properly care for it.

A bunch of movie related social media accounts shared snippets of this scene yesterday since it was Father’s Day and this is one hell of a father-son moment. However, none of the posts that I saw included the whole thing. There’s a lot to take in with this scene, so I searched for the best clip I could find.

You know, it’s too bad everyone doesn’t get this kind of moment of guidance from someone they trust and respect growing up, we’d live in a completely different world if we did.

Call Me By Your Name (2017)

In 1980s Italy, romance blossoms between a seventeen-year-old student and the older man hired as his father's research assistant.

-IMDB

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Before Sunrise

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Before Sunrise because Jesse and Céline met 28 years ago on this day. Twenty eight years ago I got to be a fly on the wall and absorb every word of their 24-hour conversation. All those years ago, I knew instantly that I would count this movie among my favorites. I never anticipated that 28 years later, it would still top the list. Good movies give me life, just like good conversation.

Before Sunrise (1995)

A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

-IMDB

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Goodfellas

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Goodfellas because we lost Ray Liotta this week, and of course I was going to share a clip from this movie in his honor.

I read something just now on the bird app about Goodfellas that made me both happy and sad simultaneously. Since it’s movie related, I figured I’d share.

Reconsider Cinema @coenesqued2

Ray Liotta and Lorraine Bracco will forever enter through the kitchen in “The Copa Shot.” One of cinema’s touchstone moments for its technical achievement in serving as the magic doorway into Henry Hill’s exclusive world. Scorsese has the couple walk in a circle to achieve depth.

Touchstone moment is right. The Copa scene is beautiful and incredibly effective. The music, the dialogue, the lighting and warmth, it’s all perfect. You’re spiraling into this world alongside Karen. And you’re equally as excited to see where it takes you.

I love the Copa scene, so yes to everything in the original tweet but at the same time: Goddamnit, Ray.

Ray Liotta

December 18, 1954 - May 26, 2022

Movie Clip O’ the Day: The Color Purple

Today’s Movie Clip O’ The Day comes from The Color Purple because I hope we can all come to the realization that we’re all something too. And while we’re at it, let’s promise to do whatever it takes to remember our names because they’re one of the few things we really ever have.

The Color Purple (1985)

A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.

Movie Clip O’ the Day: Goodfellas

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Goodfellas because Christmas is upon us and what better time than now for this important reminder:

Stuff is just stuff. And, too much stuff will almost always lead to trouble. Take it from me and Jimmy. He knows because he’s seen things and I know because I just moved my parents from VA to CA and it turns out they were closet hoarders this whole time.

This was me for three solid weeks in VA—every single closet, every single time.

In the end, too much stuff will just render you incapable of actually enjoying it all.

🎄Merry Christmas🎄

Goodfellas (1990)

The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito in the Italian-American crime syndicate.

Movie Clip O' the Day: The Cabin in the Woods

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from The Cabin in the Woods because it’s been my experience that the words / thoughts / energy we put out into the universe—good or bad—always come back to get us in the end.

🎃 Happy First Day of Spooky Season! 🎃

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin, where they get more than they bargained for, discovering the truth behind the cabin in the woods.

Movie Clip O' the Day: French Kiss

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from French Kiss because I will quote this line until the day I die. And, there will likely always be someone within earshot who shoots me a WTF look when I do it. Ironically, those folks are the kind of people who end up with twitchy asses.

French Kiss is Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein at their rom-com best. It’s my current favorite in the genre and totally underrated in every way. I’d tell you to stream it but I’m not sure you can. I can’t stream it here in the US. I had to buy a physical copy. Totally worth it.

French Kiss (1995)

A woman flying to France to confront her straying fiance gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her for smuggling.

Movie Clip O' the Day: Selena

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Selena because it IS exhausting, especially on days like today (Cinco de Mayo). Also, because I remember the precise moment I first saw this scene. I’d never felt more represented in a movie in my entire life. I got emotional quick and then immediately embarrassed. I didn’t want anyone in the theater to know I was about to spill a couple of tears during a scene which was clearly meant to be lighthearted. But, I’d finally seen my experience reflected back at me on the silver screen and that doesn’t happen often for Mexican chicks. For a movie nerd like me, this was huge. I’ll never forget it.

Selena (1997)

The true story of Selena, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart topping albums on the Latin music charts.

PS - By now I’m sure you’re well aware that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence day. What you may not know is that the way we celebrate this holiday in the US has a lot to do with the American Civil War. So don’t let anyone tell you it’s not a real holiday. It is, at least for some of us.

Nothing beats the real Selena.

“Cinco de Mayo is part of the Latino experience of the American Civil War. It’s not about the Mexican experience.”

David E Hayes-Bautista, Director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the School of Medicine at UCLA.

The Surprising True History Behind Cinco de Mayo - time.com

Movie Clip O' the Day: Girl's Trip

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Girl’s Trip because when you lose a real one, you lose a little bit of yourself.

And here’s a bonus clip because it is a comedy, the best female comedy if you ask me.

Girl’s Trip (2017)

When four lifelong friends travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there's enough dancing, drinking, brawling and romancing to make the Big Easy blush.

Movie Clip O' the Day: Creed

Today’s Movie Clip O’ the Day comes from Creed because you never know when it’ll be your turn to be the underdog.

Creed (2015)

The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.