Sometimes, life just gets us down. All you want to do is throw your feet up on the couch, watch something silly, and forget everything else. You'll get back to the matter at hand, but for now, a little distraction won't hurt. Especially with World Mental Health Day happening tomorrow, we thought we'd bring a lighter side to the discussion of male depression and mental health.
Last year, the Esquire team gave personal tips on dealing with the blues. This year, we've rounded up our go-to movies and TV shows that put a smile, or even a laugh, in our systems. Hopefully, it does the same for yours.
Norman Tan, Editor-in-Chief
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
My not-so-secret guilty pleasure that I've watched more times than I can remember. Bored? Watch TDWP. On a flight and finished watching the new releases. Flick on TDWP. Why? It's the fun and frivolous side of our industry on 'roids—makeovers, fashion weeks, and those snide comments.
Favourite quote:
Wayne Cheong, Features Editor
I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON
It's a sketch comedy where the crux of most sketches is that ‘saving face’ leads to hilarious results.
Favourite quote: "All right. This is good. [reads off from smartphone]. 'Slopping down in some pig shit with these fat fucks and I'm the fattest of them all. If I die tomorrow, no one would shed a tear. Load my frickin' lard carcass into the mud. No coffin, please. Just wet, wet mud. Bae.'"
Eugene Lim, Fashion Editor
FAMILY GUY
They take everyday scenarios and add a massive dose of ridiculous to them. Basically, they play out scenarios that only live in my mind.
Favourite quote:
Asri Jasman, Associate Fashion Editor
GIRLS TRIP
A great comedy is always the cure for a shit day and Girls Trip is a really good one (and helmed by an all-female cast too). The chemistry between all four leads feels genuine and the acts that they get into are hilarious. One of the highlights is definitely the scene that involves drunk zip-lining. But also, at the heart of it, the movie is about friendship, which always calls for a sentimental moment.
Favourite quote: "Today is the last day that we will ever be this young."
Joy Ling, Writer
ZOOLANDER
It's utterly un-PC and stupidly ridiculous. Plus crazy cameos.
Favourite quote:
Derrick Tan, Writer
QUEER EYE
Changing the lives of others for the better. What's NOT to like? Oh, and RIP Bruley [sad face].
Favourite quote: “You can’t selectively numb feelings. So if you try to numb the vulnerability, you also numb joy, happiness, connection. You can’t have connection and joy and happiness without vulnerability.”
Daryl Lee, Contributing Motoring Editor
PACIFIC RIM
Big robots fighting even bigger monsters, what's not to love?
Favourite quote: Empty the clip, EMPTY THE CLIP!!
Rebecca Chew, Art Director
THE OFFICE (US)
Because sometimes nothing is more absurd than a desk job.
Favourite quote: "Nostalgia is truly one of the great human weaknesses, second only to the neck."
Penn Ey Chee, Junior Art Director
GRACE AND FRANKIE
It gives you an insight of people at the age of 80.
Favourite quote: “Corgis are the preferred mode of transportation for woodland faeries."
Cornelius Cheng, Senior Account Manager
INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
Tarantino's sense of humor is on another level.
Favourite quote:
Ingrid Walker, Intern
FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL
It's a lighthearted, highly quotable film with just the right amount of romance and comedy.
Favourite quote: "Well, you're definitely crazy. But so is everyone, right? So who cares?"
