Have you been mindlessly scrolling…again?
There’s nothing more painstakingly dull than spending anymore than five minutes deciding on the right flick to pick. And on a Wednesday, it seems like there’s just not enough time in the day. That’s why we’ve speeded up the whole process with our latest edition of Executive Decision.
This week, we’re suggesting Jonah Hill’s 2018 comedy-drama film Mid90s. Aptly set in 1995, Hill’s directorial debut follows 13 year-old Los Angelean Stevie as he juggles a brutal older brother, a single-parent household, and a group of new friends he meets at a skate shop. If you’re still unconvinced by this promising synopsis, peep the list below for five reasons you should watch most definitely watch Mid90s tonight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Rx6-GaSIE
An unexpected debut for Jonah Hill.
Mid90s marks Jonah Hill’s first venture behind the camera, and as a debut feature, it promises an exciting and unexpected career path. In Mid90s, Hill takes the Jordan Peele route to directorial success, overcoming the caricatures of his past comedic roles to instead turn out a poignant and somewhat un-funny story. Much like Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems or Steve Carrell in basically anything he’s done since The Office, there’s something magical about watching an established funnyman defy expectations, and Mid90s gives Hill ample room to stretch his non-comedic muscles.
View this post on Instagram
An accurate ode to skate culture.
While skateboarding films of the past have used skate culture merely as backdrop, Mid90s feels like a well-deserved and long-overdue ode to the sport. Stevie’s novice skating skills at the beginning of the film are his entryway into the culture, and Hill expertly captures the bond-building and coming-of-age qualities that come with every hard-earned kick flip. So integral was the accuracy of skate culture that Hill cast actual skateboarders like Ryder McLaughlin and Olan Prenatt, and even hired the former editor-in-chief of Skateboarder Magazine to calibrate the film’s look. If you weren’t a much of a skater at the start of the movie, you’ll want to pick up the nearest board by the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2oby0e65jA
From the treasure trove that is A24.
A24’s catalogue is eye-wateringly good. From Euphoria to Midsommer to Ex Machina and the previously-mentioned Uncut Gems, it’s almost as if the production company is on a mission to outdo itself with each new release. A24’s renowned reputation means that its title card at the beginning of a movie basically guarantees quality, and Mid90s is no exception. Once you finish it, we suggest you add any (or all) of A24’s filmography to your watchlist.
View this post on Instagram
Nostalgia porn.
Mid90s has such a distinct period setting it’s like stepping into a time machine of the not-so-distant past. Decked out with pre-augties pop culture references like Stevie’s ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ bedspread and his much-loved Super Nintendo console, the film’s set design is spot-on in replicating its titular era. Despite the somewhat misleading title of this reason, Mid90s doesn’t lay its nostalgia on too thick, instead opting for a subtle recreation of the 90s.
The O.G. wardrobe.
While costuming is important for any movie, it’s especially the case for a film about a hyper-specific and vividly-remembered era. Hill had a hand in crafting the film’s wardrobe, and it amounts to an impressive collection of what would now be considered ‘vintage’ clothes. Adding to its devotion to skate culture, the movie features much-coveted and low-key brands like Vans and World Industries. Get a taste for the stylishness that Hill bought to set in his sneaker shopping spree below:
