July 2021: Fires

Summer bonfires, barbecues, and heat. Here are our recommendations that feature fire.

Jesse’s Rec

Do the Right Thing (1989)

While the fire at the end of Do the Right Thing represents so much culturally that extends far beyond the scope and time of this movie, I love it for what it represents within the film’s universe. The single block of Bed-Stuy where the movie’s set has an endless variety of characters, all loosely bonded by the community they live in. As the movie rolls on, however, you realize these ephemeral bonds grow tighter and tighter in the face of an endless beat of small humiliations from white police officers, white neighbors, white business owners, and the intimidating gaze they project. Slowly those microaggressions reach a boiling point and burst into flames at the center of the block, with everyone who had been silently tied by this bond of suppressed rage feeling a heat so recognizable none of them can look away. On a day where the summer sun beat down in ways that made the community wilt, the act of setting their block ablaze brought a renewed sense of ownership not even the hottest day of the year could overcome.

Kirk’s Rec

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Who knew that the title Portrait of a Lady on Fire would double down as a metaphor for repressed burning desire AND describe one of the film’s most striking visual moments? Celine Sciamma’s lesbian period-romance is full of fire and this bonfire scene acts as an expression of undeniable passion.

Chris’ Rec

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Fire bad. Fire good too. But fire also bad. 

This scene could have easily been cut, but there’s a charming playfulness in this short interaction between Peter Boyle (RIP) and Gene Hackman. Plus, audiences probably got a kick out of seeing a recent Best Actor winner do some Brooksian slapstick in a 4-minute uncredited cameo. 

Stephanie’s Rec

Jennifer's Body (2009)

The fire at the Melody Lane was the catalyst to that lead to the possession of Jennifer Check and brought us Low Shoulder’s “Through the Trees”.

Dylan’s Rec

Climax (2018)

Gaspar Noe’s Climax is one of our great party films. Sure, everyone accidentally overdoses on LSD and does everything from pee themselves to dance fighting to setting themselves on fire. But hey, that’s just another night in Paris’ hottest vogueing company.