Part 3: Marijuana and a Movie
If I haven’t made it clear already, I’m new to the modern world of marijuana. I was a pothead pre-legalization (see part 1 of this series) and in my years away I’ve missed some pretty key milestones. Now at this point you’d expect me to discuss all the amazing advancements in weed tech or the extensive economic impact of legalization. Nope! In this article I’m going to explore something lighter but just as important to marijuana culture; the stoner movie. By my estimation I’ve missed at least 10 years if quality pothead programming. Streaming has created a bounty of movies and television to suit the tastes of every pot enthusiast and I am here for it! I’ll preface all of this with the fact that in the following I am not pretending to be a film critic, nor am I suggesting that these are the best, or even the worst of film. These are simply movies I’ve watched (and enjoyed) while blissfully stoned (and snacking.)
Horror movies and weed are a bit of a hit miss situation for me. I’ve loved horror since I was a child but my tastes have definitely changed over time. First, the movie itself has to have a quality of unreality, maybe we can call it “horror whimsy.” Basically, the movie has to unrealistic enough so at to avoid sending me spiraling into thoughts of the fragility of mortality (no thank you). Second, the right dose is essential to my horror movie enjoyment; the key is here is to have just enough to be hungry and a little chatty but not enough to be completely fried. My trusty vape pen is perfect for this as I have complete control over my intake. My pals over at Creator’s Choice recommend Sweet Crush’s Blueberry (OG) and it fits the purpose perfectly! For a light-weight like me this kind of control if practically luxurious. Once the perfect dose is attained and the snacks have been gathered the movie can begin, let’s start with a film that has a pretty standard plot but a seriously eerie concept.
Smile is a creepy but simple film that follows a pretty standard horror movie formula that I have observed, here it is:
Inciting incident + personal trauma + research phase + reluctant devoted love interest + race against time = The standard horror move
In spite of its formulaic nature this film is incredibly unsettling and surprisingly enjoyable. One important note here is that the movie is one massive trigger warning and it might be a little too intense for some. But if you enjoy a movie with an original but also very dark concept along the lines of “It Follows” for example, then you will probably enjoy Smile.
Next we have Knock at the Cabin starring former wrestler Dave Bautista. This movie has the potential to be ridiculous or awe-inducing depending on how you approach it. I suppose it really depends on how you feel about a constant sense of impending doom (and when I say doom I mean on both a local and also an epically global scale). The main characters are quickly faced with life-altering choices and responsibilities far beyond their comprehension. As the movie progresses it essentially becomes a grab-bag of disturbing events ranging from squishy gore to mass-extinction events. If you like a good “what would you do” moment with your horror then this one is for you.
It’s time to lighten the mood and explore some more typical stoner fair: the trippy comedy. In Palm Springs Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti have a chemistry and likeability that makes this movie instantly re-watchable. This movie is, at its core, a movie about growing into one’s self and becoming an adult. The relationship between Samberg and Milioti’s characters in combination with the brilliant time-travel plot (yes time travel) allows the movie to sometimes feel like 50 First Dates and at other times feel like Zombieland. In essence, this is a well-acted movie that creatively explores dark themes with a sense of lightness that makes it all delightfully digestible. I will say that I still stuck with my vape pen for this one as I knew going in that the movie would explore some heavier themes. For our next film I took a very different approach…
I feel like if I left this next one out I would be seriously undermining any shred of credibility I might have. Before I reveal the movie I must admit that I went all out on this one! The prospect of a Nicolas cage movie meant that this was a serious endeavour, I walked into Creator’s Choice and said to the budtender “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, what pairs well with ‘Nicolas FRIGGIN Cage’?” The inevitable answer, gummies of course (I highly recommend Creator’s Choice 1:1 Assorted Gummies, perfect for a nice high and some relaxation too) . Gummies put me perfectly in line with the ridiculousness of this film. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is Nicolas cage in his element as a hilariously exaggerated version of himself. He does this self-impersonation so convincingly that about 10 minutes in I turned to my husband and said “this is going to be sooo good!” The combination of this insane romp of a movie and some rather potent gummies had me practically buzzing with joy. This movie has everything my little stoner heart could desire: action, comedy, Pedro Pasqual, Nicolas Cage, NPH and young Nicolas Cage. If you like a good bit of satire, humour and unhinged ridiculousness with your cannabis then you have 100% found your flick. For me, it’s an instant classic.
As you may have guessed, I have a definite love for movies and as a result this article could easily become an independent series of its own. But for now I will leave the topic of movies for stoners as to be continued…However, I just can’t resist giving a few additional recommendations for your next marijuana and a movie night. Here’s a few movie and marijuana pairings for good measure.
Super Hero
- Thor – Edibles, of course, because Hemsworth is a snack!
- Guardians of the Galaxy I & II – Make it a beverage for that all-over buzzy feeling
- Suicide Squad – Vape it!
Trippy/Ridiculous
- Swiss Army Man – Try a tincture, you’ll want to be precise for this weirdness.
- Cocaine Bear – be brave and go with hash for this off-the-rails journey
Family Friendly (But not to actually watch with children while high)
- Meet the Mitchells – Bake up some cannabis treats for this futuristic adventure.
- The Muppet Movie – Get that 70s nostalgia with a pre-rolled.
Do you have your own marijuana and a movie suggestion? Some great snack pairings? We want to hear from you…
