As the usher brings forth the Ice cream and snacks, we wait for the main feature to resume
Comfort Food
Science Fiction stories are often set in the future and in a reality that is radically different to our own. There is sometimes a ‘removed-from-the ordinary’ feel, which is one of the things that attracts a lot of people to this genre. Some forms of Science Fiction though base themselves near to reality, especially post apocalyptic fiction. Those of us who grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s remember the films such as Threads (1984) or The Day After (1983) that depicted the after affects of a Nuclear War. These films are still grim watching now, at the time they were very close to the bone as it was a worry everyone had at the time. Steven Soderbergh’s film Contagion (2011), though not strictly Science Fiction, now has the unwanted award of depicting something close to what is happening in the world.
In this time of worry when a lot of us need some comfort it’s time to dig out the comfort films. What is a Comfort Film? To me it’s a film I know well that helps me lose myself but no matter what I end the film feeling like I’m drinking a hot cup of Cocoa. It is a film that I have watched too many times to mention but I will always come back to it. The quality of comfort films can be good or even bad because sometimes it’s just the memories and feelings that comforts you, or it can be a really good quality film as well.
The obvious films for me are; The Star Wars Saga, Star Trek Films (both old and new), Jurassic Park and Jurassic World films along with the Guardian of the Galaxy Vol 1 & 2. Then there is always A Knights Tale or The Princess Bride, how can you not feel good about True Love?
I also have films that aren’t what people would expect me to like but come under the banner of a Comfort film. There is something about Alan Parker’s Fame (1980) that I love, I can’t put my finger on it but it’s a film that surprisingly is comforting to me. I remember having a copy on VHS that was recorded off the TV that I watched a lot of in a very stressful period of time. I also find Sword and Sorcery films can come under that banner, no not the wonderfulness that is Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings but films such as The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), they may not be the best films in the world but they have something that keeps you going back for more.
So if you’re Self-isolating (I really hate that term) it’s time to look through your DVD’s and Blu-rays, yes you should still have those because what happens if the internet goes down, and look for some visual comfort food. Don’t forget streaming platforms or film channels as they could have some gems too, remember even physical media fans such as myself still enjoy streaming a film or two…especially as it can bring films to your attention you may have forgotten or coming across ones from your childhood memories.
Until next time keep safe.
The lights dim, we now resume the main feature’
