One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
90. Bottoms (2023) Directed by Emma Seligman
The Movie: PJ (Rachel Sennett) and her best friend Josie (Ayo Edebiri) head into their senior year of high school with a plan. They are going to finally tell their crushes, cheerleaders Brittany (Kaia Gerber) and Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) how they feel. They plan on making their move, just to talk to them at the fair.
When they get there they meet up with their friend Hazel (Ruby Cruz) and awkwardly try and talk to Brittany and Isabel. Josie sees an opportunity when Isabel has an argument with her boyfriend Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine) the star quarterback of their high school for them to play heroes. Isabel gets into PJ’s car and Jeff stands in front of the car and won’t let them leave. The car inches forward and barely touches Jeff’s knees. Jeff however falls onto the ground in agony.
At school a rumor starts that the girls went to juvie for their “attack” on Jeff. This outrages the students and PJ and Josie are sent to the principals office. Principal Meyers (Wayne Pere) says he will suspend them. Josie quickly lies and says that they attacked Jeff as practice for a “feminist defense club”. PJ and Josie decide to set the actual club up at school with help from Hazel.
The ladies need an advisor at the school for it to be official, so they reach out to the recently divorced and disinterested teacher, Mr. G (Marshawn Lynch), he agrees and the club is one official.
At the first club meeting, Mr. G threatens to shut it down due to the violence. But is convinced by PJ and Josie that it is for feminism and Mr. G not only agrees to allow it to continue, but he becomes more involved as well.
The club brings the ladies closer together and also makes other students at the school uncomfortable, none more than Tim (Miles Fowler) a fellow football player who doesn’t believe that PJ and Josie went to juvie. Tim is able to discover the truth after he calls the detention center and there is no record of PJ and Josie being there.
Hazel comes home one day and finds that her mom is sleeping with Jeff. Hazel knows she has to tell Isabel. She does and Isabel breaks up with Jeff in the cafeteria. The club also decides that they are going to vandalize Jeff’s house with eggs and toilet paper. Hazel, hurt more than anyone makes a bomb and blows up Jeff’s car. Tim suspects that the club is behind Jeff’s car being blown up and tells Principal Meyers, who agrees with Tim. Josie believes that there isn’t a way forward for the club and thinks it should end as well. She and PJ have a falling out which leads to them having dates with their respective crushes. Josie and Isabel realize there is mutual attraction and have sex. PJ strikes out with Brittany when Brittany informs PJ that she is straight.
At a pep rally for the big homecoming game against Huntington High, Tim calls out the women’s fight club to fight the schools top boxer, who happens to be locked in a cage because he is so demented. Hazel is chosen to fight him, and although she puts up a good fight she eventually loses. Tim reveals to the school that Josie and PJ were never in juvie, which fractures the club further. Even Mr. G is devastated and gives up on feminism to go back to his chauvinistic ways.
As the game draws near and Josie and PJ not speaking, Josie seeks advice from her babysitter Rhodes (Punkie Johnson). Rhodes informs Josie that Huntington plans on killing a Rockbridge High School football player as that is a tradition. Realizing that the fight club might be the only chance to save someone, PJ and Josie are able to bring them back together. PJ and Josie learn that Huntington has hooked up pineapple juice to the football field’s sprinkler system to kill Jeff who is allergic.
At the game, Hazel intends to blow up a tree to distract everyone. When that fails Hazel and PJ make out, which works to distract everyone. As Huntington arrives, the club reforms, with Isabel and Brittany. A bloody battle ensues with the death of several Huntington football players. Josie save Jeff by carrying him off the field. The sprinklers start spraying pineapple juice and Tim realizes that the ladies saved Jeff and cheers them on.
Why I Love Bottoms (2023): I remember seeing the trailer for Bottoms and thinking that looks really funny with a talented cast. What it ended up being is one of my favorite movies of not only of 2023 but ever, and one that requires multiple viewings to catch all the jokes.
The leads are fantastic. Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott are not only great actors but are willing to be the butt of a joke which makes them instantly likable. The film is whip smart. It doesn’t force feed you its message it gives it to you in a funny and intelligent way.
I also too love comedies where just because there is a certain focus in a scene doesn’t mean there isn’t other shenanigans happening in the frame. Bottoms is peppered with silly, funny background actions that if you blink you will miss.
The dialogue comes at you with a blink and you will miss rapid fire of poignant and silly lines. The characters of PJ and Josie are so relatable because they talk like you talk to your friends. Making fun of each other, but also and always with a glimmer of love.
Bottoms also pulls no punches. It is violent, profane and all the better for it. Bottoms fully embraces its premise, never skimping on showing you the brutality of the fights and the vulgarity of the language.
But just because the violence and the language are over the top, I think it is a movie anyone and everyone will enjoy. My mom, yes my mom asked for a movie recommendation for her and my cousin to see. I told her Bottoms. She loved it.