Falling Down.
I know some here may criticize me for suggesting this, but watching the original Star Wars trilogy always cheers me up. It has a wide range of emotion in it, but none of it is too over the top. There is love, but not overly desperate. There is action, but it isn’t an Arnold movie. There is mystery and suspense, but not overdone. I feel that they are good “balance”-ers, if that makes any sense, especially if you loved the films as a child. :}
Big Lebowski. Get it now.
Hey Joshua, I usually watch the films of Aki Kaurismaki, most of his films deal with unemployment. And they’re hilarious. Here’s some of my favorites: Shadows in Paradise, Ariel, Drifting Clouds, and I Hired a Contract Killer.
But I guess, if you’re trying not to be reminded of being unemployed, I usually watch films that just make me laugh out loud: 24 Hour Party People, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Duck Soup, and It’s a Gift.
As just a pure comfort film, with its warmth and generosity, I love Jim Jarmusch’s Night on Earth.
Shawshank Redemption will make you feel good
Sorry to hear about this, Joshua … but it’ll give you more time to post here, won’t it?
How about an Astaire-Rogers marathon?
Or the Marx Brothers at Paramount?
Or some of W.C.Fields’ more surreal outings such as MILLION DOLLAR LEGS, INTERNATIONAL HOUSE & NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK …?
Or a Miyazaki festival?
Or, here’s a wierd suggestion: MIRROR-MASK. I have no idea why my spirits were raised by this but they were.
Steelyard Blues
Office Space
Kicking and Screaming (1995)
Dazed and Confused
Falling Down! Great choice. I love that movie.
Anything that is free. No, renting DVDs is not in your budget now. Turner Classic Movies is your friend!
I’ve never been a huge fan of renting movies anyways, I’m more of an ‘own them’ kind of guy. Which is why I’m pretty well stocked and can accommodate almost all of these suggestions sans a couple.
Office Space to remind you why you’re glad you don’t live in those godforsaken cubicles anymore.
The Big Lebowski to show you what to do for recreation, namely bowl, drive around, and the occasional acid flashback.
Sorry. There are millions of us out there now. This may seem like an odd recommendation, but I’ve been on a noir fest of late and found this in my local library without knowing anything about it. “Kiss Me Deadly” (1955) directed by Robert Aldrich. I won’t say much (not to spoil) other than it is NOT a typical noir.
Withnail and I is the ultimate “What to do with all this spare time?” film, and if you can’t afford the boose, there’s always lighter fluid.
“Ikiru”
How about The full monty? :)
Besides that, Falling down is one of my favourite movies, but I don’t think that just fired is the right timing to watch it… :-D
Bringing up baby never fails to cheer me up….Oh and Taxi Driver.
How about all those great movies of the 1930s that are all about either the unemployed or the very rich? William Wellman movies, for example. Full of vitality, humor, and great spirit!
Ken Loach: My Name is Joe
So sorry to hear about your job loss, Joshua. Escape through film is not the unhealthiest thing you could do. Office Space is always a good choice, and for some reason American Splendor seems in order. All those wonderful characters, Harvey, of course, Joyce, and my personal favorite, Toby restore my sense of belonging when I’m feeling really alienated. Hang in there, we all have a job to do.
I think unemployment, I think Roger & Me but it’s a bit of a downer so I’ll say Wordplay. It’s an interesting and fun documentary about Crossword puzzlers and the world they inhabit. Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Jon Stewart and Mike Mussina, all fans of Will Shortz and the NY Times puzzle, make appearances. I’d also recommend UB40 a great feel good band named after an old British unemployment form. Good luck to you!
I just watched Red Rock West (John Dahl, 1992) . Guaranteed to do the job…
Josh W sorry to hear that man. Ive been out of a job since last Dec and recently just started working again temporarily for a family business.
It honestly has been rough but Ive just looked at it as an opportunity to find out what I really want to do with my life. As for movies, I definitely back Falling Down and will second your idea of a horror binge.
Theres nothing like some good old fashion ultra violence to cheer up the soul.
For some reason, when I saw the title of this thread, Clerks came to mind. Seems appropriate.
high fidelity
“The New Age” to my knowledge it’s not on dvd but if you can find it online or on vhs it’s worth the hunt. Peter Weller and Judy Davis are awesome in this.
oh and I’m also unemployed Josh. I feel your pain dude.
To Loki… Red Rock West….. fucking great choice. Wouldn’t have thought of it but it works.
The real answer by miles is Dancer in the Dark.
Joshua W
So my department was laid off today, and so I’ve got a week to find another job. I’m not sure whether to mope about or whether to try to go all euphoric or drunken.
With that in mind I turn to you guys, what movies do you watch when you lose a job? Or I guess any significant blow to your comfortable lifestyle.
Right now I’m thinking of going on an all night horror movie binge, but I’m not sure. What would you do?