ON IN THE BACKGROUND.

a pick six

by Hunter Jon

Very few movies are designed to be watched casually. In fact, I’d argue one never has been. But some can be. Watched casually, that is. I would recommend giving your full attention to any movie you’re watching… however, certain movies don’t necessarily need it, especially beyond that first viewing. Some movies (and trust me - the list is small) almost work better as background movies, so to speak. Their narratives allow you to take a break from them without hitting pause and when you return, while you’ll certainly have missed something, it’s kind of… just… okay. Whether your attention wanders or you’re physically stepping away for a moment, you’re safe to jump back in at any given moment. So if you’re looking to throw something on in the background to keep you company as you go about some other business, simply want to watch something that you can miss bits of and not feel guilty about it or are even just looking for snippets to watch online without committing to a full viewing, here’s a list of my go-to ‘casual movies’.

(I've included an inappropriate amount of honourable mentions) 

GOOD TIMES (1967)

Sonny & Cher bounce around spoofing various classic Hollywood scenes in this variety movie directed by William Friedkin (he was young). It’s an absolutely terrible movie, so proceed with caution. If the above screen shot gives you a headache - stay away. But if you’re a fan of these two and have never seen this - give it a whirl.

CHELSEA GIRLS (1966)

I think everyone wishes this was better than it is. It’s directed by Andy Warhol. It’s over three hours long. It’s presented entirely in split screen, exhibiting two scenes of no relation next to each other. The ‘scenes’ in question are, uh, experimental to say the least. But it’s consistently fascinating, even when not working very well. Look up the poster, though - it’s more impressive than the movie it’s promoting.

MONDO CANE (1962)

This "shock-umentary", which takes you around the world and shows off various bizarre, strange rituals of all cultures, rocked the world upon its release. It’s one hell of a macabre mosaic and not only spawned countless rip-offs that worked ‘Mondo’ into their titles, but an entire Mondo sub-genre of guerrilla filmmaking. Not for the faint of heart... or anyone with taste.

HOTEL MONTEREY (1973)

A few movies directed by Chantal Akerman could be on this list, but this one fits best. It’s a series of soundless shots taken inside a hotel. That’s it. That might sound boring, but with Chantal at the helm nothing ever is. It’s a profound study in everything from human nature to geometry. You enter a sort of hypnotic state watching this thing - great for visual meditation.

THE TRIP (2010)

Continuing to blur the line between fiction and reality, director Michael Winterbottom and co. follow Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as they drive around England on a tour of restaurants. But rather than food, the focus becomes the comedic bits and bickering - all improvised. This was a TV series in the UK but edited down and released as a movie everywhere else, and became the first in an unlikely franchise. They worked more fictional melodrama into the saga with every entry, which I personally believe wasn’t the best idea. So go back to the beginning with this one, when all that was stitching the thin plot together were battling Michael Caine impressions.

HOW TO IRRITATE PEOPLE (1969)

Long before Christopher Guest and friends popularized the concept, John Cleese and Graham Chapman delivered this “mock-umentary”, which, as the title suggests, explores irritation. It aired the same year that “… Flying Circus” debuted. So if you want a break from the same old Python sketches but desire comfort-food-viewing with a similar flavour, munch on this.

ROBOT CHICKEN: STAR WARS (2007)

Basically “Robot Chicken” in general could have made the list, but TV shows don’t qualify. However, this double sized, one-off special does. It was made when these gents were in their prime and features some of their absolute best bits. They really impress when satirizing things they genuinely love, so all the “Star Wars” material they churned out in the early days was particularly strong (and hilarious). And if you don’t like a sketch, just wait a few seconds (literally) and you’re onto an entirely new one. What other program can you say that about? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched the “Palpatine on the phone” sequence (shown above). It holds up over ten years later.

WAKING LIFE (2001)

The IMDb summary of this movie is: “A man shuffles through a dream meeting various people and discussing the meanings and purposes of the universe.” I think that sums it up pretty well. I like the description of him “shuffling” through the dream as opposed to simply walking. My two cents: it’s like a cinematic kaleidoscope of all things Richard Linklater; a kind of animated companion/ode to “Slacker”, complete with a reprise of Hawke and Delpy as Jesse & Celine before the “Before…” series was even a series.

THE ARISTOCRATS (2005)

Literally one hundred comedians tell the infamous “Aristocrats” joke, which has the potential to be the filthiest joke ever told and has been a backstage tradition since vaudeville, allegedly. The movie itself is a cool look at different sensibilities and styles tackling similar material, as they’re all basically telling the same joke - but one that leaves plenty of room for each to make it their own. And the style of this documentary is inadvertently ahead of its time; each telling resembles the haphazard, phone-captured viral videos of today, encapsulating the same energy/urgency.

JACKASS NUMBER TWO (2006)

People think the stunts are the appeal. That watching people get hurt is funny and that’s why these things are popular. To believe that is to seriously minimize what “Jackass” offers. The main draw here is, and always has been, the camaraderie. It’s infectious. Even better - the raw format of this franchise makes you feel like you’re a part of it, like you’re one of the gang. There is profound healing power in knowing you’re not alone. And even more power in laughter… especially when sharing it. That’s why these guys are popular. Dare I say it? Alright, I will: they are my generation’s Python. Jonze being Gilliam, naturally. If you ask me, this movie is the highlight of their cinematic career… so far. They worked out all the kinks and upped the ante. Plus it's bookended beautifully.

SAMSARA (2011)

Ron Fricke directed this. He also directed “Baraka” and was the cinematographer on “Koyaanisqatsi”, directed by Godfrey Reggio. This movie is very much in the same vein as those seminal works. It’s essentially a montage of overwhelmingly beautiful and/or profound footage, shot all over the world in glorious 70mm. Some critics said the visuals made up for the narrative flaws, but to presume this movie has any narrative aspirations to begin with is pretentious and entirely missing the point. The point is: awe inspires. Seeing this on the big screen might change your life. But, in the meantime, just leave it on in your living room as a favour to your soul.

THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE (1977)

John Landis, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker and Jim Abrahams all went on to bigger things. But first they gave this rolodex of rude. It’s probably the closest a movie’s ever come to equating an issue of MAD or Cracked. The ‘comprised-of-crude-sketches’ formula had been tried before with movies like “The Groove Tube and “Tunnel Vision” and many times after with “Loose Shoes”, “Jokes My Folks Never Told Me”, etc. And by the time Landis circled back around with “Amazon Women of the Moon” the idea had pretty much run its course. But this is the golden goose of the flock, if you ask me. Perfect for pick-n-choose viewing.

AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH (2002)

 Long before podcasts, Kevin Smith found an outlet for skillfully spinning epic yarns in college campus Q&As. Even people who don’t like the man’s movies seem to get something out of this. Smith managed to build a whole second career for himself as a general raconteur on the shoulders of this one DVD release - it’s that strong. And it’s over three and half hours long. So throw it on and spend a whole afternoon with the guy. I’ve done so many times myself and always come out the other side feeling better, because if laughter is the best medicine than this is like running a marathon.