I’ve found that “guilty” pleasures usually refer to things women like- men don’t get shamed for watching 6 hours of football on Sundays or golfing for an entire day. It’s just a way to minimize entertainment/activities/etc that typically women enjoy. Or I’m just in my ragey feminist era and I’m completely wrong, who knows? Anyway, I like what I like, so why pretend otherwise! Also, parmesan Goldfish are elite.
I have my PhD in Russian literature and you can pry my beach reads and rom coms for my cold dead hands. I love serious books and other works that make me think, but 90% of those works are real bummers—especially in my field. I need a balance of things I consume for fun and the things that hefty, especially right now.
When I was teaching screenwriting, I’d tell my students that they weren’t allowed to describe films as “good” or “bad” as those were subjective opinions, but they could discuss which ones they liked or didn’t like, and why the movie had/had not worked for them. I was trying so hard to get them out of the binary thinking of what is supposed to be a “good film” vs “bad” because film, much like any other art, is as much about how it makes you feel as it is about anything else. The movies that shaped me into the person I am today are not all considered “good” by critics, but they made me feel seen in one way or another. I also reject the notion that something being nominated for an Oscar is “good” because there’s as much politics there as anywhere else. All this to say: let people like what they like!!
Love this - speaking the truth! One thing I love about getting older (mid-40s here) is that IDGAF who knows (or doesn't!) what I'm reading, buying, watching, etc. xo
Adding This is a Love Story and Shell Games to my list! Also love what you said about lowbrow in relation to books. I like to read both “highbrow” and “lowbrow” books and when it’s been a stressful week there’s just something about turning off my brain and reading a predictable romcom with some popcorn after a hot bath.
Don’t overlook the Westerns they are on that list for a reason! My family laughs at how much I love that genre but there’s just something about them. Have a great weekend!
Haha, I’ve really tried. I’ve seen several of them and they never get any more enjoyable for me! Clearly, a lot of people love them as they’re so highly regarded!
My husband is the same, but it’s Metacritic. If the score is under 75, then it’s a no. The problem is some of the most popular movies, often from years past, are given very low scores! Enjoyable movies even if not critically acclaimed.
Haha - I have the opposite problem! My husband only wants to watch YouTube and I'm like, can we watch an actual film?! I think you're right that he would never call his preference a guilty pleasure, and not to decry the YouTube creator industry, but I could really go for some cinematography and a musical score every once in a while!
OMG my husband is the same way about the Rotten Tomatoes scores, I don't get it! Why would you care about what other people think about the movie? It's also been proving to be kind of a scam, I always like to remind him lol
This reminds me of the book “Bad Taste”, by Britain’s Nathalie Olah. It was published in 2023 and tackles “the politics of ugliness”. On a personal level it helped me understand why I like the things I do, and why I’ve felt guilty or lesser for not abiding to the cult of minimalism!
I’ve found that “guilty” pleasures usually refer to things women like- men don’t get shamed for watching 6 hours of football on Sundays or golfing for an entire day. It’s just a way to minimize entertainment/activities/etc that typically women enjoy. Or I’m just in my ragey feminist era and I’m completely wrong, who knows? Anyway, I like what I like, so why pretend otherwise! Also, parmesan Goldfish are elite.
Like I said, that could be a totally different essay!!!! You aren't wrong at all.
This is so true!
I have my PhD in Russian literature and you can pry my beach reads and rom coms for my cold dead hands. I love serious books and other works that make me think, but 90% of those works are real bummers—especially in my field. I need a balance of things I consume for fun and the things that hefty, especially right now.
Haha I love this. AGREE that balance is so important.
When I was teaching screenwriting, I’d tell my students that they weren’t allowed to describe films as “good” or “bad” as those were subjective opinions, but they could discuss which ones they liked or didn’t like, and why the movie had/had not worked for them. I was trying so hard to get them out of the binary thinking of what is supposed to be a “good film” vs “bad” because film, much like any other art, is as much about how it makes you feel as it is about anything else. The movies that shaped me into the person I am today are not all considered “good” by critics, but they made me feel seen in one way or another. I also reject the notion that something being nominated for an Oscar is “good” because there’s as much politics there as anywhere else. All this to say: let people like what they like!!
I love this, thank you for sharing!
Love this - speaking the truth! One thing I love about getting older (mid-40s here) is that IDGAF who knows (or doesn't!) what I'm reading, buying, watching, etc. xo
YES!
Adding This is a Love Story and Shell Games to my list! Also love what you said about lowbrow in relation to books. I like to read both “highbrow” and “lowbrow” books and when it’s been a stressful week there’s just something about turning off my brain and reading a predictable romcom with some popcorn after a hot bath.
yes me too!!!! And all reading is good reading!
Don’t overlook the Westerns they are on that list for a reason! My family laughs at how much I love that genre but there’s just something about them. Have a great weekend!
Haha, I’ve really tried. I’ve seen several of them and they never get any more enjoyable for me! Clearly, a lot of people love them as they’re so highly regarded!
Excited for this is a love story!!!
such a special book!
My husband is the same, but it’s Metacritic. If the score is under 75, then it’s a no. The problem is some of the most popular movies, often from years past, are given very low scores! Enjoyable movies even if not critically acclaimed.
haha i’m glad i’m not alone! And yes agree — romcoms and even action thrillers always seem to get low scores.
Grace, this might be my favorite post to ever come from your Substack! I just couldn’t agree more with everything you said. So well written!
Thank you!!!!!
Haha - I have the opposite problem! My husband only wants to watch YouTube and I'm like, can we watch an actual film?! I think you're right that he would never call his preference a guilty pleasure, and not to decry the YouTube creator industry, but I could really go for some cinematography and a musical score every once in a while!
Haha! That is hilarious. One of my best guy friends is obsessed with Youtube too. I don’t get it!
Would 100% rec The Brutalist in theaters !
I’m hoping we can see it in a theater in LA!
I don't believe in guilty pleasures, a thing gives your pleasure or not! Also don't understand "hate watching."
Amen!
I could have written this exact post!!!
So glad you agree <3 have a happy weekend!
Ohh I've never had parm goldfish! *Adds to list.
you are missing out!
OMG my husband is the same way about the Rotten Tomatoes scores, I don't get it! Why would you care about what other people think about the movie? It's also been proving to be kind of a scam, I always like to remind him lol
haha! The ratings are usually pretty accurate, IMO, but sometimes I want to watch something that won’t be critically acclaimed.
This reminds me of the book “Bad Taste”, by Britain’s Nathalie Olah. It was published in 2023 and tackles “the politics of ugliness”. On a personal level it helped me understand why I like the things I do, and why I’ve felt guilty or lesser for not abiding to the cult of minimalism!
Ooh I need to take a peek at that!