.jpg)
It is possible for movies to age well. While many do not, particularly those made in the eighties and earlier, it is refreshing when I rewatch an oldie and it is still a goodie. That was not the case for Ladybugs with Rodney Dangerfield or the kids' classic Beethoven. While I loved and enjoyed Dangerfield immensely as a youngin', I think we can all agree (him included) that it's good he's dead. He would not have made it through this time where language and consideration all of a sudden matters. I remembered The Ladybugs being hilarious and warm and cheeky. Ignorance sure is blissful because it was transphobic and misogynistic while making sure to gobble all of the low-bearing fruit as jokes. Beethoven was equally as awful, because if you don't remember because your subconscious was trying to protect you, the "bad guys" are collecting animals to test ammunition on to ensure its deadly. How did Stanley Tucci ever agree to that?!? Another moment when I wished I just kept the memory and didn't try to relive it.
The Legend of Billie Jean was another movie I tried except I was prepared for this disappointment. I was ready for the offensive language, ass-backwards thinking, and useless policing... but it never came! The movie starts slow, showing the relation of two siblings, Billie Jean and Binx (the OG Binx), who are siblings in real-life too, Helen and Christian Slater -- also, Helen Slater is way hotter and totally underrated. Their bond is clearly strong and she is guided by a strong moral compass. Him, not so much. Binx is your classic boy with an underdeveloped amygdala. The plot is a tad farfetched, but the characters and twists make it worth it. These two are supported by friends and strangers alike throughout all of Texas in hopes of righting an awful wrong. While the police are not completely useless in this film, there is a clear understanding that the law prevents good cops from doing the right thing and how politics corrupt their roles further.
If you are questioning if you're attracted to women, you may want to give this movie a watch. Billie Jean is hot, fierce, kind, and the ultimate badass. She's a real-life superhero, and honestly, she is your average woman. Throughout the film, Billie Jean leads her army of kindness and fairness to victory against "the man", literally and figuratively. Her following and friends, Putter and Ophelia, add exactly what is missing from the sibling pair to keep the adventure fun and exciting. Each of them has some of the best lines in the film, and their POVs are needed.
I was comforted and surprised by how this movie approached justice, rape culture, cults, capitalism, and female leads in 1985. That's no easy feat although incorporating Joan of Arc sure did help -- also, thank you for the historical reference! For reference, Ladybugs and Beethoven came out in 1992. The writers, Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner, along with director, Matthew Robbins, did all of the right things from language to actions. Honestly, I would have loved for their not have been a male romantic interest for Billie Jean, and to have left her presenting more open to a Lloyd or Lady. Had that been the case, I guarantee this would be a more iconic gay film. An ode to the OG gay films and to films who got it right the right time. We salute you!
Honestly, rent it. Buy the DVD. It's not for the plot line, but for the empowerment! Happy Women's Month!!!