Favorite Thanksgiving Films
“And the things you can’t remember / tell the things you can’t forget / that history puts a saint in every dream”
- from “Time” by Tom Waits
Ok, so I don’t don't understand Thanksgiving. I Admit it. So when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of fall and family. And I realize holidays aren't subjective, but here are my favorite Thanksgiving movies (Amazon affiliate links–may be available elsewhere too it’s just how we movie at home):
Okay, this isn't a Thanksgiving movie. But it's also not a Halloween movie. It's really a Christmas movie. But I like to watch it right after Thanksgiving. It's a musical by Danny Elfman directed by Tim Burton.
This film came out in 1997 and I haven't seen it in a few years. It's definitely a drama, but I remember it is a great film that illustrates how a small thing that can happen among family members can keep people from not talking with one another for years. It stars Blythe Danner and Roy Scheider as the parents and Noah Wyle and Michael Vartan as brothers along with Hope Davis and Julianne Moore. The women aren’t brothers. Awkward sentence.
This is the Thanksgiving film you want to see–especially if you aren’t with the whole family this year. The acting is fantastic and it’s a great storyline about three siblings trying to come together as a family. It’s a funny family hyjinx film. Stars Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Anne Bancroft, Claire Daines, and Dylan McDermott. Highly recommended.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
This is easily the most fun film on this list. Steve Martin and John Candy trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Must see.
Jenna Laurenzo says she decided to make the film she wanted to see but couldn’t find. The story is of a young lesbian couple coming home and (maybe) coming out at Thanksgiving. This film has heart. And a good premise. If you enjoy romantic comedies, and can handle the beautiful messiness of a first time indie film director, then I recommend this one. But you really have to enjoy the messiness of indie films. There are severe issues. But ultimately very cool to see someone willing to present herself and her story in this way.
Hey, so, these things inspired recently (really cool stuff this edition):
Songs in Empty Shopping Malls: Psycho Killer by Talking Heads - This dude records video of music playing in abandoned shopping malls. Odd and super interesting commentary. Listening to these reminds me of Glenn Gould’s idea that the listener is as responsible in music as the performer in his essay “The Prospects of Recording.”
Nandie Bushell loves playing drums and screaming to Nirvana’s “In Bloom.” - Full joy at 0:48. This video started a YouTube drum-off between her and Dave Grohl. Grohl was the drummer for Nirvana and now is the Foo Fighters. This is what the world needs more of.
Thursday Evening by Brian Eno set to a video painting - great ambient music to work or read to.