We might be two peas in a pod but me and Mandy have basically zero crossover as far as entertainment choices go. Nonetheless, through painstaking research we’ve found 20-odd movies that we both like. Enjoy!
Clueless
Mandy – Davey likes this movie because of the skaters and political activists, I like this movie for the humor and style.
Davey – Great movie that I immediately forget everything about as soon as I watch it. Not sure exactly why this happens but I’ve seen it at least four times since it came out, always enjoyed it but can’t for the life of me explain what happens in it. Anyways, looking forward to watching this movie again for the first time!
Eighth Grade
Mandy – This is probably one of my favorite movies of the last year. I cried during this movie because boys are gross and stink 🙁
Davey – Watched this again recently and liked it as much as the first time. A unique movie about a painful period of life that’s treated with the dignity it doesn’t usually get. Found it quietly devastating that every time the movie’s plot pivots, it’s on a small act of kindness.
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Mandy – My all-time favorite scene in a movie is the dinner scene where everyone sings “Say a Little Prayer”. Everything I do is inspired by it and I hope that explains who I am.
Davey – Mandy showed me this for our mandatory Feb Rom Com and I loved it. Julia Roberts flexes reality in this one, playing a character who is on paper so completely unlikable but that you can’t take your eyes off of or stop rooting for. Say a little prayer scene is incredible and was used to great effect to pump people to great effect before a party recently. Still thinking about the background kids singing voices full of helium.
Edge of seventeen
Mandy – I deep and loud cried through about a quarter of this movie. Coming of age, mother/daughter conflict movies always really kill me. I can’t tell if Davey enjoyed the movie or my psychotic laugh crying more.
Davey – Very good and watchable while still being weirdly devastating. Hailee Steinfeld’s scenes with Woody Harrelson are incredible, will write a little more about it later, but highly recommended.
Dazed and confused
Mandy – I’ve probably watched this movie at least 20 times. It was my favorite movie as an up and coming alternative youth-child and is probably still one of my favorites. My favorite character is Slater and Davey’s is Wooderson.
Davey – Technically speaking my favorite character is Darla, but Wooderson is iconic and a close second. Probably the biggest crossover for us, a movie I also watched many many times in high school and based on recent watches will continue to watch for the rest of my life. A perfect prism of teenage years that shifts in meaning based on how old you are when you watch. That Linklater could make a 20+ character mini story formatted movie so enjoyable for so many people for so long is a towering achievement. One of the greatest of all time.
Inside out
Mandy – Davey and I saw this in theaters three times. I cry every time and feel this message is important for all. 🙂
Davey – We could probably use more movies that are overtly about emotional development, the trick is actually coming up with a good premise for one. This one both did that and made a very good movie out of it.
Booksmart
Mandy – Booksmart was an effortlessly funny movie about 2 cute friends. Seems like the kind of movie you could watch no matter the mood or weather.
Davey – Super funny with a lot of great performances that was woke in a way that didn’t make me feel like I was being pandered to. Exceedingly breezy, would also basically watch anytime.
A Simple Favor
Mandy – I think i’ll probably elaborate on this at a later date, but this movie really messed with my head in a lot of ways. I recommend watching the pilot or whole Gossip Girls series before seeing this movie, as it does a great job following Serena Vanderwoodsen after her time as a NY socialite and on into her life as a psychotic suburban mom. It’s not really about Serena, but played by the same actress basically acting as Serena because she probably only has one character she can act as. A simple woman in A Simple Favor.
Davey – Me and Tom are gonna write about this coming up so gonna have to keep my powder dry for this bad boi.
Jennifer’s Body
Mandy – This movie rocks the house down and is basically an anthem for women of the world which is chill and I respect.
Davey – Mandy’s mandatory Oct scary movie from last year, been a while since I’ve seen but a really unique and good horror film that was ahead of its time. Started my reevaluation of Diablo Cody who has another entry on this list.
The Witch
Mandy – This was Davey’s choice for my one scary movie a year at Halloween. It made me really sad and anxious a lot of the time, but an overall success. Would watch again. The goat is weird.
Davey – Another annual Mandy Oct Scary entry, love the puritan vibe, love the sexual politics, love black Phillip. Works on a ton of different levels.
Step up
Mandy – This movie also rocks the house down. A thing I love is seeing Channing Tatum dance. He’s incredible. Gifted.
Davey – Channing Tatum is a bad boy from Baltimore on the wrong side of the tracks but Jenna Dewan is a good girl from Baltimore on the right side of the tracks! Luckily for us they will bridge their differences, through dance. Way better than it has any right being, super tight and fun film with fun characters, actual stakes, and awesome dancing.
Magic Mike
Mandy- Davey and I have seen this at least 3 times together. Each time with a different group of my girl friends. I screamed and laughed maniacally every single time.
Davey – Easily one of the funnest movies to watch with any group of people who enjoy the male bod. Put this sucker on and watch the roof get blown off. Also has a lot of Soderbergh’s touches which muddies the waters on the kind of movie it is in a really interesting way.
Grown ups 2
Mandy – I can’t tell you how many times we saw this one when it was in theaters. Davey talked about it for about three months until I told him I’d had enough and to please stop. I think it may be time to re-watch.
Davey – The first time I saw Grown Ups 2 was on an airplane. I was watching it with the sound off, but got so curious that I got a pair of headphones to finish it. I spent several days of that trip trying to explain what happened in it to my brother who was very patient and kind. When I got home we went to see it at the discount theatre because I needed to verify that it wasn’t a mirage, that what seemed to be happening in this film was actually happening. It’s since become something of a touchstone for a particular kind of malevolent psychedelic American energy in film. Impossible to describe, must be experienced.
Scott Pilgrim
Mandy – A solid movie about a weiner dude and his relationship issues. If you like nerdy things and computer music, you should watch this. Personally, I could watch anytime.
Davey – Stylistically undeniable but I also think that the actual storyline is deeply underrated and generally misunderstood. I’d also watch pretty much whenever, deeply enjoyable movie.
Coco
Mandy- This movie made me blubber cry. A beautiful message about keeping people’s memory alive in any way possible and how it impacts their presence on this earth. I have applied this message to my simple life many times.
Davey – A deeply nuanced film about death, complete with practical grieving advice. Marketed towards kids which is depressing but still important tools for everyone to have. I honestly get sad thinking about this movie but have been considering watching again.
O Brother Where Art Thou
Mandy – Love this movie and the soundtrack. Didn’t like it as a teen, but now that I’m matured, I enjoy. I think George Clooney has a nice vibe and i like that he’s an escaped bad boy.
Davey – Watched a bunch as a kid, prob not top five or even top ten Coen but still mad good. Very nice specimen of the Coen screwball style.
Cloud atlas
Mandy – I’ve seen this movie twice and would watch it a third time even though it’s four hours and extremely confusing. I like the way Tom Hanks talks 🙂
Davey – Watching this movie is like seeing someone dunk from half court and shattering the backboard while still somehow missing the basket. There are scenes where they’re cutting through time and space and you’re experiencing several different climaxes to several different stories all at the same time, which is thrilling and befuddling. Doesn’t always work but still an unbelievable experience and a must if you like movies.
Girls trip
Mandy – The other best movie I saw this year. I’ve watched this many times with various girl friends and every time we’ve laughed and screamed maniacally. If you want to know how I like to party, watch this movie.
Davey – Hell yeah this movie rules. Despite the popular myth, I introduced Mandy to this one. The first time we watched, in an act of defiance she immediately fell asleep, only to be woken up 20 minutes later by me and Chrissy laughing our damn heads off.
I Love You Man
Mandy – This movie makes us think of our friends, Ren and Eric who are endlessly in love. A feel-good movie about men who like each other and aren’t afraid of showing emotion. A rarity.
Davey – Very beautiful and sweet film that is also very funny. Makes me feel good and gives me hope.
Step Brothers
Mandy – This is another movie that I have a love/hate relationship with because of Davey. When he watches this movie he laughs so loud that i can’t concentrate. I do enjoy the movie though when he can keep it together and secretly it makes me happy to see husband laugh and smile 🙂
Davey – Probably the best movie made about what it’s like to be a man.
Madagascar 3
Mandy – A film that really captures all the beautiful things in this world. I also love Andrea Bocelli and the scene where the animal is singing.
Davey – This movie is good as hell, my boy Noah Baumbach helped write it and it’s got the second best use of Andrea Bocelli of all time (First is in Step Brothers). The ones got some serious zip, don’t sleep on it.
Tully
Mandy – The only movie I’ve ever seen about post-partum depression and mania. This movie really fucked me up emotionally which I love lol.
Davey – A great movie about post-partum, goes a lot of places you don’t normally see touched on in a film. Does a really nice job of being non-literal and actually taking advantage of the fact that it’s a movie to help tell its story. Has a wonderful and strange ending.
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Yes, Technically there are 22 but we are not sticklers for the rules or symbols and meaning and we like a nice round number.
