Truer Story: It’s hard. It’s really hard to decide. Last night it was closing time at Littleneck and as we were awaiting the floors to be mopped, there was a very intense discussion going on…which is the stronger 90’s classic movie…Singles or Reality Bites? Yes, VERY important stuff going on here. All things must be considered…soundtracks, stars, quotes, outfits…
So according to the other stragglers, Singles wins hands down. I do not think it is so easy. I am not the biggest Soundgarden and Pearl Jam fan (shocker) and wasn’t nearly as invested in Singles as I was in Reality Bites when the movies first came out. It could have been the timing of the releases of the two movies…I was a mere 12 when Singles came out (1992) and all of 14 for the premiere of Reality Bites. I was instantly in love with Winona and Ethan…and Juliana Hatfield’s “Spin the Bottle” was totally relatable. My junior high school friends and I would act out the gas station “My Sharona” dance again and again. I think I was just not old enough to truly appreciate all that Singles had to offer, however. So when taking a second look and pitting the two movies up against one another…one must consider all factors.
There’s music: The Pixies’ “Dig for Fire” to the Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere.” Hmmm…Juliana Hatfield is to Screaming Trees as Mudhoney is to Big Mountain doing a bad cover of a bad song. They each have their ups and downs in soundtrackland.
As far as stars go, I’m a BIG Winona fan (obviously), but Bridget Fonda makes me swoon. Matt Dillon’s facial hair grosses me out…but Ben Stiller grosses me out in general.
Lelaina: “I was really going to be somebody by the time I was 23.”
Steve: “I was just… *nowhere near* your neighborhood.”
Decisions. Decisions.
Life is hard.
In the end, it all comes down to the way I feel now when I watch the two movies. All nostalgia aside, there is just something so captivating about watching Singles in 2012.
There’s no denying how hot this look is though…
