How I Double Feature

A double feature. A cost and time-effective way to watch movies. You may think it is a waste. “Why watch two in one day? You’re wasting so much time?” Au contraire, mon frère, it is actually quite the opposite. Here are some reasons:

1. You only have to go to the movie theater and leave the movie theater one time.

2. It helps you block out time. That day, you're booked. That's it. Reserve that time for yourself, or whoever you plan on attending the movies with.

3. It reduces the need/want to pay for things at the movies. In my opinion, if you go on two separate days you are more likely to buy two drinks than going to two movies in one day. At a double feature, you'd just get one large drink.

4. Lastly, if you see two you are more likely to calm your nerves if a movie you plan to see is intense, this particularly works for horror films and dramas. Many people describe being shocked going outside after a movie. Sometimes it's shocking because the light hits you and you forget it's daytime. Or it is shocking because it isn't daytime. Sometimes it is shocking because you are expecting a creature to be out there somewhere...watching you. Or maybe you watched something sad and you feel defeated. This is why the double feature works.

My friend, Ash O'Neil, and I at the Barbie screening we attended together.

I think a big resurgence in double features owes many thanks to the Barbenheimer phenomenon in 2023. I personally watched Oppenheimer first (cough cough reason 4) as it made the most sense to me. Many people were saying, and having watched it I agree, that Barbie was more emotional than anticipated, but for me Oppenheimer still had more intense sequences, so I watched it first. I watched in IMAX, unfortunately, that gave me migraine. You can see the migraine in my eyes in the photo. Onto my more recent, migraine-free double feature.

Hokum directed by Damian McCarthy

Image from Hokum.

I thought Hokum was really, really good. I loved the themes of guilt and grief. Adam Scott delivered an amazing performance as usual. I am one of the few Adam Scott fans that have not seen Severance. I’ve seen Parks and Rec, and I am a big Krampus fan for nostalgia reasons. I like seeing him play an asshole, but I also like seeing him play the funny guy. This character was a real mix of both, but he has valid reasons to be a mix of both. I think at the end of the day the character had a lot of heart, and I was charmed and spooked by this film, even if the lights in my theater remained on the entire time.

I had about an hour to kill in between movies. I went to a nearby Bath and Body Works because I needed a new lotion and body spray to go with these berry body washes I have. One of my berry body washes is a Philosophy one. I love their products. I needed one more item at Bath and Body Works and I could get something free. I love gourmand scents. I want to smell like something that exists and is edible, preferably very, very sweet. I found an ice cream body wash. I snatched it up. I still had time.

Then, I went to TJ Maxx. (The plaza has a great combination of stores.) I got more body products, and I found an Animal Cracker Philosophy body wash. Pairs perfectly with ice cream. A fun theme was coming along.

Before I left I investigated the pet aisle for my family’s adorable dog, Ruby. I found a Latte BarkBox toy, and it was at a good price. I snatched it up. My Dad still hasn’t given it to her though. He wants me to be on the phone for it, which I appreciate. I think we both just keep mutually forgetting. I shared my haul with a close friend. Then, it was finally time for the second movie. 

Life Hack directed by Ronan Corrigan

Image from Life Hack.

Before I entered the theater I realized something. I have been 21 for a while now and one of my big 21 milestones was to drink at the movie theaters. It’s not that I really want to get drunk, and especially not miss any details of the movie. It’s just a rite of passage in my brain. I decided to order something. I just got a Twisted Tea. I don’t like beer, and I thought this was sufficient. It was about as good as a regular Twisted Tea could taste, which was not that good.

Me holding my Twisted Tea with my 21+ wristband.

The movie itself was pretty good. It had it’s flaws, but I was really fascinated with it’s portrayal of internet culture. It is satirical in many ways, particularly with it’s depictions of Tumblr, Reddit, and Discord, but it also still feels so real. You feel like you can find those characters in the comment sections of videos starting a comment war. Posting “#aesthetic” photos online. You can see them gaming, posting stupid YouTube videos, just being young.

The film just came from a place of love and criticism. Although the internet has led to many beautiful friendships and allowed friendships to be maintained when people move, as seen in the film, it still allows for crime, sexualization, exploitation of mental health, and many other harms. Social media is just that, social. And although people can be wonderful and great, they can be incredibly toxic. I think this film shows all of that off very well.

Overall, double features are incredibly fun. I highly recommend doing one. I recently did another, so expect another sort of day-in-the-life style blog soon.