While I am thinking about it, here are some of the movies that make me want to book a flight or start writing an itinerary. These are in no particular order, as I believe that they each make vastly different contributions but I will be adding entries here as they come to me and I have something to say about them, so check back frequently. You can find links to the videos on Amazon Prime in the titles (if available).
1. Chef
Man, what can I say about Jon Favreau’s Chef? As a father, a former Chef myself and a road trip enthusiast, this movie gives me all the right feels. Starring Favreau himself as the titular Chef, in the midst of a career meltdown turned existential crisis, Chef does exactly what it sets out to do (yeah, pun) – highlights the intrinsic relationship between family, food and travel. Seeing a man find lost connection with his kid via the simplicity of local foods picked up on a road trip from Miami to LA really pulls my heartstrings. Favreau was so dedicated to getting the role accurate, he leaned on friend and LA staple Chef Roy Choi to teach him the ropes. I can say it is the most reminiscent and nostalgic of kitchen life, I have ever felt from a movie. As an added bonus, Netflix put out The Chef Show, with Favreau and Choi, cooking some dishes from the movie and beyond with many of Favreau’s Hollywood friends (also really worth a watch, if a bit off topic).
PS, Carl was 100% correct about the molten lava cake.
2. Before Sunrise (and Sunset and Midnight)
Yes, ok…I am probably cheating (already at my 2nd choice) by including a trilogy as a 3-way tie. But also, I am not ranking the movies on this list. And, also, it is my blog so (*sticks tongue out*). But, honestly, these movies are less a “trilogy” and more a “three part opus” by Master of “coming of age” filmmaking, Richard Linklater. Set over the span of almost 20 years, and to the backdrop of Vienna, Paris and finally Greece, Before Sunset, Before Sunrise and Before Midnight follow “passing ships in the night”, Jesse and Celine (played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Deply, respectively) as they first meet, reconnect and share a life. It is the ultimate romance story, and the ultimate Linklater outing, somehow simultaneously fantastical and very grounded, and it is the ultimate “Europe by Train” tale that will have you wanting to buy a backpack as soon as you finish it.
3. 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless
Yay our first documentary! Without the need to qualify, 180° South is just one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen, period. Directed by surfer and general outdoorsman Chris Malloy, the film follows Jeff Johnson as he sails from California to Patagonia, Chile. The trip is an homage to a late 60s expedition by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins (friends since youth and founders of Patagonia and The North Face, respectively) and ultimately enlists the two to complete a previously ill-fated excursion to summit the Corcovado Volcano.
This is the one that will get you thinking about South America in ways you never have before. Patagonia is gorgeous and this movie is a testament. Filled with surfing, climbing, sailing and diving to the view of the Andes mountains, this film is a hidden gem and I love it.
4. National Lampoon’s Vacation
I told you that this was not a site for travel snobs. I told you that there are infinite styles of travel and none of them incorrect. Let me say it for the people in the back: This 👏 Is 👏 The 👏 Quintessential 👏 Family 👏 Roadtrip 👏 Movie. Sometimes the answer to the itch is simply packing the family up in the metallic pea family truckster (damn fine automobile) and heading to the House of Mouse…er, Moose. This movie brings so much nostalgia from my childhood, has inspired an upcoming family trip to Disney World (yes, I will cover it) and this list would not be complete without it. Anyway, if you know, you know. If you don’t, find out.
5. Changeland
This movie will make want to pack up and head to Thailand in the worst way. Seth Green’s feature directorial debut sees his character despondently heading to Thailand to reflect on his life in a time of marital crisis, while pushed to broaden himself by an estranged friend and attempted motivator (played by real life friend Breckin Meyer) whom he invited, last minute. The film also boasts the return of (other real life friend) McCauley Caulkin, in the McCauley Caulkinest role I have ever seen, Caulkin’s (real life) wife, Brenda Song and a fantastic cameo by WWE’s Randy Orton.
This movie works as sort of an antithesis to The Beach where, instead of the lead character heading to Thailand to find themselves, here the lead character finds themselves, in Thailand, in spite of themselves. Reluctant enlightenment though journey, food and crystal clear water. It does not get anymore on-brand than that.
6. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
This movie precisely captures the spirit of the Would Be Wanderer (and also makes me feel about Iceland how Changeland makes me feel about Thailand). Departing one’s comfort zone to find one’s self. In this case, it is director/star Ben Stiller’s titular character who, working for Life Magazine developing photos, is coming to terms with the juxtaposition of his job and the reflecting juxtaposition of his life against that of the nature action photographer he works with (albeit, mostly through email). We often find Walter lost in fantastical daydreams, in which he is the adventurous hero and gets the girl (in this case, Kristen Wiig). When faced with the opportunity of actual adventure, Walter embarks on a journey the likes his life has never seen. Traveling to Iceland to meet the aforementioned photographer (played by Sean Penn), Walter finds himself and his inner adventurer along the way.
7. Hunt For The Wilderpeople
Maybe the best film on this list. Maybe the best film ever set in New Zealand, and possibly Taika Watiti’s best movie to date. See this film. It is a brilliant and charming and hilariously funny hidden gem and shows a side of NZ rarely seen (this is not your LoTR’s New Zealand): The Backwoods. Native kiwi Sam Neill is in full force here and only overshadowed by how utterly well timed the young Julian Dennison is as Ricky Baker (“once rejected, now accepted“). Very reminiscent of when Jonah Hill was introduced to us in Superbad.
8. Lost In Translation
Sofia Coppola’s masterpiece about an unlikely pair learning that sharing a drink called loneliness is better than drinking alone (sorry) had to make an appearance here. Set beautifully in Tokyo, ScarJo and Bill Murray find friendship in one another, each barely understanding the language of the other but both understanding the universal language of isolation.
9. In Bruges
So good. While this movie may as well have been developed by the department of tourism for Bruges (“It’s in Belgium”) with its never-ending array of scenery and architecture just dominating the viewing, it is then masterfully layered on top with brilliant performances by Brenden Gleeson and Colin Ferrell, in this very dark comedy. Given the same cast and director, I am super excitred to soon see The Banshees of Inisherin, in hopes that it does similarly for Ireland what In Briges does for Belgium.
