When I was in middle school, the era of Tumblr and romanticizing your life was in full swing. Yes, we all needed Lana Del Rey’s
Born To Die album on vinyl, we took artsy photos with our Polaroids, and we thought we were so different.
I was also introduced to two brands that would impact our shopping experience for life: Urban Outfitters and
Brandy Melville. Urban carried the boho chic, semi-overpriced clothing and vinyl records so you could live the edgy life of your dreams…and Brandy carried “one size fits all” clothes that were super soft and basic.
Quickly, everyone who was anyone was wearing Brandy Melville. We were in a time where everyone thought they were destined to be on the coast of California with their tortured artist boyfriend and a camera. So, obviously, Brandy was the epitome of that dream.
When Brandy Melville partnered with Pacsun, it was over. We all were rushing to the mall to get the next one size fits all garment…but the catch? One size didn’t fit all.
It became a running meme- Brandy Melville stores were geared towards women under a certain weight. And, to make matters worse, the workers were intentionally cliquey and rude when you tried to shop in one of their standalone stores.
For years after Brandy Melville’s prime, girls made social media posts jabbing at the old Brandy workers for their behavior.
And we all moved on. People realized this brand didn’t really care about its customers…so they shopped elsewhere. Until recently.
You know a documentary is good when it gets the internet talking. Because if there’s one thing the public loves, it’s drama and a good sob story. So when we heard about the new
HBO documentary, Brandy Hellville: & the Cult of Fast Fashion,everyone thought it was going to cause the evisceration of the brand.
And while the documentary does detail horrifying stories of racism, employee mistreatment, and admission to ripping off designs in the name of fast fashion…it didn’t stop Brandy Melville from resurfacing.
No, it made Brandy Melville more popular than ever.
Because what the documentary did was remind the public how
comfortable the Brandy Melville sweat sets are. They remind us of a simpler time, when we were all younger vying over the brand’s clothes.
I’ve watched countless TikToks where girls show their new shopping hauls and mention Brandy. I listen to podcasts where influencers are once-again gushing over their Brandy sets. It’s like suddenly we’re back in 2014 and none of this ever happened.
In fact, Brandy Melville has never experienced a financial crisis because of all the controversy. They’re still a very successful fast fashion brand, and it’s just getting worse.
I can’t even lie to you, I recently purchased a Brandy Melville denim skirt from Pacsun and it barely fits me. Some of the items are so small I can’t even fathom how
“one size fits most.”
But what’s equally impressive is the world’s indifference to this. We’ve seen it before: shopping on SheIn for discounted prices despite knowing how unethical the site is, and not to mention other fast fashion stores like Forever 21, H&M, Missguided, Boohoo, and yes, even Zara.
These days, it's hard
not to shop fast fashion- even if you feel bad about it. Soaring prices of clothes, the replicability of the market makes it so easy for every store to recreate the same clothes...even if the quality is a massive difference. And unfortunately, stores with past scandals like Hollister and Lululemon, where issues like size inclusivity and racism have surfaced, have taught us that shoppers don't seem to let controversy affect them.
In 2023, Brandy Melville did around $212 million in sales- a sharp increase from the $169 million they did in 2019.
Not only that, but Brandy Melville's reign of terror is showing no signs of stopping. Instead, social media users recently caught Brandy Melville's attempt at targeting an older group of women: the 25 and up crowd. A new store under the Brandy umbrella has launched called St. George.
At St. George you can get more mature versions of Brandy Melville favorites, home goods, and more. Yes, you can get St. George olive oil (which I'm sure is the best of the best) when purchasing your St. George tank. And, yes, they do at least have sizing up to larges.
And if this is their attempt at saving face in the wake of the documentary, it's hilarious. Genuinely funny. It's what they should've been doing all along...but instead of truly addressing controversy and making change, they've reincarnated.
There’s a lot to be said about the new Zac Efron romantic comedy on Netflix (and when it comes to Zac, I’ll always say it), A Family Affair.
First of all, the press tour has revealed a wealth of information about my dear Zac — and unlike with many movie stars, the more I know, the
better. Just weeks ago, the internet was set ablaze when Zac revealed that his seminal, star-making performance of the hit “Bet On It” in High School Musical 2 was completely improvised. Beyond his critically acclaimed performance in The Iron Claw (famously snubbed by The Academy Awards), this info finally clued people into Efron’s true acting prowess.
He also revealed that “Get Your Head In The Game” from the original
High School Musical was shot in one take. Is there anything this man can’t do? Mastering choreography while sinking baskets and giving us some of the most iconic Disney scenes of all time? Olivia Rodrigo, watch your back, Zac Efron is coming for the crown of Disney’s biggest musical success story. It’s also refreshing to hear a male movie star speak fondly of the projects he did in his youth for younger fans — Jacob Elordi, take note.
But beyond the revelations about the beloved
HSM franchise — and the hints that Efron is itching to do another movie musical to recapture the magic of Hairspray and Greatest Showman — the most surprising thing about A Family Affair is that it’s kind of … good?
Let me be clear, I watched it purely because
I’ll watch anything with Zac Efron. I watched the recent Amazon Studios film Ricky Stanicky starring Efron and John Cena, after all, and it certainly wasn’t for the plot. I can only watch The Paperboy so many times to get my fix of him and Nicole Kidman together (I’m an Evangelist for that movie — if you haven’t seen the underrated Lee Daniels masterpiece, run, don’t walk). But I didn’t have high hopes for A Family Affair. That was my mistake. Imagine my surprise when the film wasn’t merely tolerable but quite charming.
The reviews prove I’m not the only one who thought so.
Don't get me wrong, it’s not a cinematic masterpiece. Yet, I have no doubt that I’ll be returning to it as a comfort movie many times in my future. It’s funny! It’s delightful! The acting is good enough to buoy the unfathomable plotlines. And it has enough heart to justify its more outrageous elements.
A Family Affair has officially joined the ranks of classic romantic comedies. But more notably, it’s joined the ranks of Hollywood's latest obsession: hot young dudes paired with fabulous older women. It's like The Graduate got a glow-up and decided to call itself feminism. And I’m all for feminism in mainstream movies — thank you, Barbie — I wonder about the limits of this genre and if it can deliver the promises it purports to make.
What is the A Family Affair movie about?
A Family Affair is not the 2009 Mary J. Blige song, much to my dismay. Rather, it’s Netflix’s latest rom-com effort starring Nicole Kidman and Disney Channel alum turned thirst-trap Zac Efron. At the center of their unconventional romance is Joey King, who you might know from The Kissing Booth or her awful accent in Bullet Train. Apparently, joey’s graduated from Netflix teen rom-coms to... Netflix mom-coms (you heard that term here first!)
The premise? Kidman finds herself in an entanglement with Efron — her daughter's famous boss. Honestly, the most unbelievable thing about this is that King’s character goes from being a pretty terrible assistant to managing a company. Some ex-assistant definitely wrote this screenplay.
Semantics aside,
A Family Affair is unexpectedly funny, engaging, and poignant in many ways. Just not the way it probably thinks. King goes from being wholly insufferable and selfish to learning that the world doesn’t revolve around her. Frankly, a lot more of these proto-girlboss characters need to experience the same harsh reality checks that King does in this film. Imagine if one of the characters in Lena Dunham’s Girls was told to their face that they were the worst. That’s what King goes through, and it shows a shift in the zeitgeist of narcissistic female characters paraded as simply chaotic yet relatable feminists. However, the film takes another would-be-feminist angle: the romance between Kidman, a 50-year old writer, and Efron, a 34-year-old movie star. It’s played as a feminist milestone. But is it?
Watch the A Family Affair trailer here:
A Family Affair is not the only film pushing this take. In the past year alone, multiple movies are tapping into this new fantasy. It's like Eat, Pray, Love, but instead of finding yourself through travel, you find yourself through... Zac Efron's abs. Hey, whatever works, right?
It’s not just Netflix. Welcome to the boy-toy boom
At the core of this sexy storyline, there’s a deeper message that's been largely ignored by mainstream media: the idea that women can rediscover their sexuality and sense of self at any age.
Wasn’t that the same message of the early-summer smash,
The Idea of You, featuring Anne Hathaway getting her groove back with a character based on Harry Styles? It seems the fantasy of dating a One Direction member isn't just for teenagers anymore. Moms can have their fan fiction-esque y/n moment, too.
And lets not forget that Gabrielle Union, queen of 90s rom-coms, starred in her
own version of this too in last year’s The Perfect Find. Alongside Keith Powers, she played an ambitious 40-year-old career woman making a comeback while falling in love with a younger man. Based on the book by Tia Williams, it was poorly received by critics but beloved as a comfort movie by its target audience.
And it’s easy to understand why. There's something undeniably empowering when women — who society often tries to make invisible — take center stage in these romantic fantasies. It's a celebration of female sexuality that has no expiration date. It's saying that desire, passion, and yes, even silly, giddy infatuation aren't just the domain of the young.
There’s been a market for this kind of story for decades. Hollywood just kind of … forgot? The essential
Eat, Pray, Love is the epitome of the post-divorce drama. Under the Tuscan Sun is for all the women who dream of leaving it all behind and buying a house in Italy, then finding love, of course. But the real blueprint is How Stella Got Her Groove Back, in which Angela Bassett goes on a restorative vacation and falls for the younger Taye Diggs.
Real-life seems to provide a plethora of examples of older women in recent relationships with younger men. However, from Jada Pinkett Smith’s entanglement with August to Cher and Madonna’s 39 and 35-year age gaps respectively, these might not be the greatest examples.
Yet, we take what we can get. Let's be real, in a world where women are constantly bombarded with messages about how to stay young, how to fight aging, how to basically apologize for daring to continue existing past the age of 40 (which is
not that old?), these movies feel like a breath of fresh air. They're saying: You're not past your prime, honey. You can still snag one of the internet’s boyfriends.
Subverting the genre
In a way, these “reverse” age-gaps are refreshing. For decades, we've been force-fed the tired narrative of older men with younger women. From Bond Girls to Woody Allen's entire filmography, Hollywood has been telling us that men age like fine wine while women don’t exist beyond 25 — just ask
Leonardo DiCaprio.
Even now, looking at the age difference between many actors and their co-stars gives me the ick. Some of our favorite rom-coms are guilty of this too. Kiera Knightly was just
17 in Love, Actually. That says more than enough.
In that sense, these new films are giving a big middle finger to that tired old trope. They're saying, "Hey, women over 40 are still sexual beings! They can be desirable! They can desire!" And honestly? It's about damn time. They're starting conversations. They're challenging norms. And, as Hathaway asserted when taking the controversial role in
The Idea of You, just because a woman isn’t in her twenties, doesn’t mean she can’t have interesting roles. And-so. This genre is giving actresses over 40 complex, sexy roles.
It’s also important to note that many of these films are written or produced by women. Gabrielle Union’s production company was behind both
The Perfect Find and The Idea of You. And many of these storylines are sourced from books. So these are real women’s voices — and there’s clearly a market for it. But does that make it feminist?
To be or not to be a feminist narrative
While I champion the idea of women exploring their sexuality and finding themselves, why does a woman's journey of self-discovery have to revolve around a man? Are we still saying that to be fulfilled, a woman needs to be desired? Does her journey of self-discovery need to involve a man — even if it’s a younger, hotter one?
The problem isn't that these movies exist. Like any sweet treat, they’re easy and comforting and scratch a specific itch. There will always be a place in my heart for Zac Efron doing anything. The problem is that this genre is being touted as the apex of feminist cinema — which is taking up space that could be used for actual feminist art. Just like
Barbie’s fickle feminism (which I loved, but barely said anything), we’ve seen how feminism-lite can get in the way of actual radical ideas.
Real feminism isn't just about flipping the script — it's about rewriting it entirely. It's about telling stories about women who are fully realized human beings, with lives, interests, and passions that exist independently of their relationships with men (or anyone else, for that matter).
So where does that leave us? These age-gap movies can be celebrated for giving us fresh narratives, but they're a starting point, not an end goal. We need stories that celebrate women's sexuality and desirability at all ages, yes. But we also need stories that celebrate women's intellect, ambition, friendships, and personal growth — stories that recognize that a woman's worth isn't tied to those who need or desire her but to who she is as a person.
So go ahead and enjoy A Family Affair and The Idea of You. Swoon over Zac Efron's abs and Nicholas Galitzine's accent. But remember, this is only the beginning.
There are few movies that are deemed instantaneous classics. Comfort films that sink into your soul from the moment you first watch them in the theater and resonate for decades in your memory bank. For many, that movie is the Y2k 2006 hit: The Devil Wears Prada.
It had all the makings of a classic: a gorgeous, star-studded cast some of whom had yet to reach the apex of their careers, quip-worthy lines that are still quoted to this day, and then there are all those delicious, catty jabs at
Vogue.
The star-studded cast in question?
Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, the semi-clueless journalism school grad who landed a job at Runway Magazine as an assistant to the widely feared and highly regarded Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep.)
If you somehow live under a rock and haven’t seen the film or read Lauren Weisberger’s wonderful novel, it’s a satire about work-life balance and the lengths we’ll go to for success. And, of course, Meryl Streep’s Priestly is based on
Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour.
With an equally stacked supporting cast in Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci,
The Devil Wears Prada is often quoted and replayed. Sarcastic quips from Streep’s character like “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” or “What you don’t know is your sweater is not blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s cerulean.”
And while I could go on and on about how iconic specifically Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Wintour is, that’s not why I’ve gathered you here today. I actually have good news:
The Devil Wears Prada has been renewed for a sequel- and yes, Streep, Hathaway, Tucci, and Blunt are all in talks about returning.
While nothing’s confirmed just yet,
Entertainment Weekly just got word that both Blunt and Streep are in talks to star in a film with a storyline concerned with the death of print media in more recent years.
Although Disney declined to comment,
EW reports that most of the original cast, director, and producers are discussing a reunion. Which is quite possibly the best news, since no one else can play Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs but Streep and Hathaway.
In past years, multiple members of the cast have mulled over the idea of a sequel..but struggled to imagine a world where
The Devil Wears Prada can exist side-by-side rapidly vanishing world of printed fashion magazines.
However, there’s a plethora of possibilities in the fashion journalism community– simply take a few notes from
Vogue!
Seriously, what a year for
Gypsy Rose Blanchard. What a success story. Since being released from prison on December 28, 2023 — only days before ringing in 2024 — she’s become a cultural phenomenon.
Blanchard spent seven years in jail after being convicted of second-degree murder for the death of her mother, Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. Blanchard conspired with then boyfriend, Nick Godejohn, to stab Dee Dee after finding out Gypsy Rose
didn’t have a lifelong illness, but was instead a victim of child abuse. These events inspired hit drama docus like The Act starring Joey King — seducing the world into the great labyrinth of Gypsy’s lore.
She went from inmate to attendee at star-studded events in mere months. By January 5, she was at seen at the red-carpet premiere for “The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard” alongside her then husband, Ryan Anderson. From that moment on, she was doing podcast interviews, frequently making informative TikToks on what prison life was like, and even starring in her own reality show.
Now, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has announced she’s pregnant. But no, it’s not with her former husband, the aforementioned Anderson.
I’m sure you’re also wondering just how we got here — so let’s dive into the love life of Gypsy Rose and explain it all.
A Quick History Of Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Complicated Love Life
Gypsy Boyfriend #1: Nick Godejohn
If you watched any of the Gypsy Rose documentaries, you’ll remember
Godejohn. Gypsy’s first BF, who began as a secret online romance and spilled into a torrid love affair that ended up with Dee Dee Blanchard dead. Godejohn is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. The pair broke up quickly after their sentencing in 2019.
Gypsy quickly moved on to Ken Urker, followed by an engagement announcement by April 2019. Naturally, the couple met because Urker wrote to Blanchard in prison after seeing the HBO docu,
Mommy, Dead and Dearest — they wrote to one another for a year and a half before he popped the question.
Urker and Blanchard were on-again-off-again until a third Gypsy boyfriend hit the mix.
Can we even call him a boyfriend if she immediately marries him in 2022? Nonetheless, Urker was pushed out of the picture (briefly) when reports surfaced that Blanchard and Anderson had tied the knot. And, yes, this was another pen pal love story.
By March 2024, however, Blanchard and Anderson headed for
splitsville, sadly. Three months after Gypsy was released from prison.
So Who Is Gypsy Rose’s Baby-Daddy?
That would be Gypsy Boyfriend #2: Ken Urker. Gypsy Rose announced via TikTok today, July 9, 2024, that she’s due in January 2025.
Yes, the busy year for Gypsy Rose continues and I’m sure the world won’t have anything crazy whatsoever to say…
The first looks at Gladiator II are here — starring Paul Mescal, Lee Pace, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and more — and we can’t get enough.
Finally, a movie that will unite all genders. It’s like
Barbie and Oppenheimer in one: Gladiator II. One of the most anticipated films of the past few years, Gladiator II is a sequel to the 2000 smash hit Gladiator. The original box-office hit was a cultural phenomenon that still resonates in our film landscape today.
Written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson,
Gladiator starred Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Tomas Arana, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, and more. Who amongst us doesn’t remember Russell Crowe’s epic performance, which arguably formed the basis of the modern action hero?
Ridley Scott returns as director with an entirely fresh cast and the ambitious goal to make an equally iconic film — and I can’t lie, the first look is promising. The film is coming to theaters on November 22, 2024 — I’ve marked the date on my calendar already. The countdown’s already begun, and I feel like I’m watching water boil as I wait for each new morsel of information and each thrilling image. Well, we’ve finally got the first look at
Gladiator II, and it’s only made me hungry for more.
Here are our thoughts on all things Gladiator II and why we can't wait to return to the Colosseum:
The Sequel To End All Sequels
Gladiator II is not just a sequel; it's a cultural phenomenon in the making. The original Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for its lead, Russell Crowe. Its sequel promises to deliver an equally impactful cinematic experience by retaining the core of what initially made the film successful: historical accuracy buoyed by exciting action.
Scott may be returning for another round in the Colosseum, but he’s not merely doing a victory lap. The stakes are high, especially considering the mixed reviews of his last effort,
Napoleon. One of the biggest flops of the last year, Napoleon attempted to do a lot of what Gladiator II is aiming to achieve. They’re both action dramas based on historical figures. However, where Napoleon dragged, Gladiator II needs to soar. The upcoming Scott effort has got to be fast, furious, and, let’s face it, hot. Napoleon wasn’t necessarily full of heartthrobs, but Gladiator II is. Thank goodness for us. If anything, this fact alone will get people in seats when it opens in theaters — just look at the crowds that The Iron Claw brought in despite its depressing subject matter.
The long-awaited sequel is, in many ways, a true follow-up to its predecessor. The film picks up decades after the events of the original. As Maximus dies, he thinks of his wife and son, Lucius. Now, this seems like a hint at a sequel, which focuses on Lucius who’s now living in Numidia, an ancient kingdom in Africa. However, Roman soldiers invade his new home and Lucius is forced to become a gladiator.
Ridley Scott's direction is known for its grandeur and meticulous attention to detail, and "Gladiator II" is no exception. The story draws from real-life historical events to explore not only the physical battles but also the political and emotional struggles that define the era. The film promises breathtaking visuals, intense battle sequences, and the epic cinematic experiences that Scott is famous for.
Here’s what we know so far about the ins and outs of Gladiator II.
What We Know About Gladiator II
Each new day brings fresh information. And the new images in the first look are the most revealing tidbits we’ve received yet.
The cast is one of the most intriguing parts of the movie.
Paul Mescal is obviously the most impressive cast member in the lead role, partly because he’s such an unexpected choice — but we’ll get to that. The other cast members are equally exciting. From the returning cast to new additions, every single name on the
Gladiator II bill is super.
Denzel Washington is set to play Macrinus, a former slave turned wealthy powerbroker in Rome. Returning to her central role as Lucilla, Connie Nielsen is back. Djimon Hounsou is also back as Juba. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger play alongside each other as the twin emperors of Rome, while Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius, a former Roman general who becomes a gladiator as punishment for insubordination.
Pascal, known for his roles in
The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones, has become famed on the internet for being a gentle giant. But in this role, his gentleness is replaced by ferociousness as he takes on the role of a fighter who has learned from the best. “He’s a very, very good general, which can mean a very good killer,” Pascal told Vanity Fair. Yet, he admits he was still afraid to spar with Mescal. “He got so strong. I would rather be thrown from a building than have to fight him again.”
Which brings us back to Paul.
The Paul Mescal of it all: Aftersun, Normal People … Gladiator?
It’s surprising how famous Paul Mescal has become for someone with relatively few credits. But his breakthrough role as Connell in Sally Rooney’s
Normal People alongside Daisy Edgar Jones made him an instant heartthrob and one of the internet’s boyfriends. Following it up with Oscar-bait Aftersun cemented him as one of the greatest actors of our generation. And he can do it all, which he proved in his role in the recent theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire in London — which he was appearing in when he got the Gladiator role. But just like the other dramatic virtuoso of our time, Timothee Chalamet, he made a choice that no one would expect for his first major blockbuster: an action movie. And unlike my dear Timmy, he has the body for it.
Gladiator isn’t a superhero film. It’s not just muscle, Marvel body, and special effects. On the contrary, part of what makes the original stand out from the souped-up action mega-movies that followed it was its core. At the center of this story isn’t merely history but also an emotionally-driven narrative. Dune is the same, which is why it worked. Also, such a project requires a lead actor who can handle the pathos as well as the physicality. Paul Mescal, who was a Gaelic football player before becoming an actor, is a rare specimen who can do both.
“I’m used to being physical in my body,” he told
Vanity Fair in a tell-all interview about getting the role and the grueling process of training and filming. Mescal also spoke about how balancing the physical and emotional elements of the film contributed to his excitement to take on the challenge of this role. “[It’s about] what human beings will do to survive, but also what human beings will do to win. We see that in the arena, but also in the political struggle that’s going on outside of my character’s storyline, where you see there are other characters striving and pulling for power. Where’s the space for humanity? Where’s the space for love, familial connection? And ultimately, will those things overcome this kind of greed and power? Those things are oftentimes directly in conflict with each other.”
But don’t worry, he’s taking the physical aspects just as seriously. “I just wanted to be big and strong and look like somebody who can cause a bit of damage,” he said. “Muscles start to grow, and that can be deemed aesthetic in certain capacities, but there is something about feeling strong in your body that elicits just a different feeling. You carry yourself differently … It has an impact on you psychologically in a way that is useful for the film.”
Although Mescal insists that the physicality isn’t merely aesthetic, we can’t deny that it’s part of why we’re rushing to see the movie — I told you it was going to unite moviegoers of all genders and sexual orientations. While all straight men love any excuse to ponder the Roman Empire (check), the rest of us aren’t
dismayed by Paul Mescal’s thighs (double check, one for each leg). Infamous for gallivanting around in short shorts, Mescal’s physicality is part of his draw, but never has it been put to such good use. This is our Brad Pitt in Troy. Our Kellan Lutz in that awful Hercules film … and that awful Tarzan remake. Our Brendan Fraser in the less-bad 1997 Tarzan. Except with an actor whose acting is as good as his looks.
The press tour we’re all waiting for
Needless to say, with a cast this good, I can’t wait for the press tour. We’re in an era when the
marketing magic behind the movies we love is more transparent than ever — but also more entertaining. After press tours like Barbie, Dune 2, and Challengers, big-budget movies these days have to come with big-budget press tours.
So this fall, we’re in for a parade of our favorite, great actors. I can’t wait to see them bantering on red-carpets, playing with puppies, and revealing more about life on set. But most of all, I’m hungry for each glimpse of the movie we’re going to get from here on out.
Here's an article from the Wayback Machine . . . causes one to think: can politics get any worse?
Originally published 2/25/2021
Here's the best conspiracy theory you'll hear all day (among the many coming out of the White House): None of this is happening.
Everything since the 2016 presidential election is just B-roll for a parody movie about the American presidency. Our actual president is dancing with Annette Bening at a state dinner. Our president is balancing the federal budget with common sense. Our American president is kicking ass on Air Force One.
Like most people these days, I rely on movies to feel anything close to a real emotion. When it comes to political fervor, most of my passion for democracy comes from watching movies about fictional presidents, preferably with excellent cinematography and unrealistically attractive actors who recite Aaron Sorkin lines in bold pantsuits during dramatic "walk-and-talk" tracking shots. Who hasn't closed their eyes and pretended The West Wing's Martin Sheen was running America with his soft, uncular gaze?
But rather than analyze what that says about my and most Americans' civic values (or the fact that 96.5 percent of us don't give a f**k about democracy, according to a recent Yale study), I'm going to keep searching for the next great American president in my Netflix queue.
These are the best fictional American presidents (and their finest moments).
What is it about disaster movies that used to bring such solace? Was it witnessing unity in the face of adversity? Was it the emotional gravitas of humanity's final reckoning? Was it all the really cool explosions?
More importantly, whatever happened to major studios' steady roll-out of disaster movies every year? Oh, that's right. We're Living in One.
As much as Donald Trump wishes he had the charisma of Bill Pullman, President J. Whitmore's inspiring speech at the end of 1996's Independence Day is too iconic to forget:
"We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests.
"Perhaps it's fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution—but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist."
Americans coming together in order to survive a global catastrophe? Utterly preposterous (literally: Americans are more politically divided over the current global health crisis than other advanced countries).
But Mimi Leder's 1998 movie gave us his majesty Morgan Freeman as President Tom Beck. Freeman's solemn speeches make this mediocre disaster movie a must-see.
"Millions were lost, countless more left homeless, but the waters receded. Cities fall, but they are rebuilt. And heroes die, but they are remembered," he says.
"We honor them with every brick we lay, with every field we sow, with every child we comfort and then teach to rejoice in what we have been re-given. Our planet, our home. So now, let us begin."
A classic American Everyman doing a better job running the government than the elected official? What madness.
In Ivan Reitman's 1994 Oscar-nominated movie, Kevin Kline is Dave, and Dave is all of us. He also happens to be the doppleganger for the president of the United States.
Among the movie's most memorable scenes is when Dave Kovic, an "affable temp agency owner," owns the sh*t out of the presidential cabinet by balancing the federal budget with common sense and basic math.
In this small movie you've probably never heard of, President James Marshall is played by Harrison Ford, a small screen actor you've also probably never heard of.
Wolfgang Petersen's 1997 action movie finds the POTUS and his family held hostage by communist radicals on Air Force One. While the American government rallies to rescue the president, he decides to just start kicking ass. Later, in an off-the-cuff speech, he decides to stop acting like a polite politician and act like a leader.
"And tonight, I come to you with a pledge to change America's policy. Never again will I allow our political self-interests to deter us from doing what we know to be morally right," he says. "Atrocity and terror are not political weapons. And to those who would use them: Your day is over."
The American President (1995) 1990s romantic comedy movie trailer Michael Douglas Annette Bening
Michael Douglas plays President Andrew Shepherd in Aaron Sorkin's 1995 film. Annette Bening plays Sydney Ellen Wade, a passionate lobbyist for Earth-saving environmental legislation (pre-Greta Thunberg and climate scientists finally b*tch-slapping us in the face")–who becomes the POTUS's girlfriend.
If you haven't watched President Shepherd's affirmation of democracy and human decency in the face of political subterfuge, then you're missing one of the finest speeches in American rhetoric to ever win an Oscar:
"America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight," he declares in his national address.
"It's gonna say, 'You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.'
"…We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things, and two things only: making you afraid of it, and telling you who's to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections."
In a year when reality feels so much more surreal and dystopian than fiction, movie presidents encourage us to keep believing in impossible governmental ideals–like fair democracy, equal rights, and not being assholes.
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