Artwork by Chloe Leeson

In ‘Talk To The Internet’, we take the same 10 questions and one internet sensation to find out their loves, hates and their dream casts in the world of film.

Caelan Hughes is a 23 year old writer and blogger hailing from Hawaii. Now living in New York, she runs The Daily Sass, a ‘feminism, fashion and fotography’ blog. Amongst the 3 ‘f’s’, she also is a lifestyle blogger and posts regular ‘Outfit of the day’s’. You can follow her on twitter @Caelan_Hughes.

What’s your favourite film and why?

Okay, I’ve decided that right here and right now, that I will by far be your worst person featured on this spectacular blog. This is because I love, and I mean LOVE horrible, horrible movies. It’s not a millennial, post-ironic thing – I don’t intentionally love them because they are so bad, I just love really corny bad things. Also as creepy as it sounds but most of my favorite movies are kids movies from my childhood, which makes me sound like those people who listen to Disney soundtracks in their car, but I guess I watch movies as an escape from my own anxiety. My love of One Direction is very similar to my love of these movies – sometimes you just want a cheeseburger-distraction, I hate serious and sad things because they often make me feel serious and sad, so why not watch stupid, cute and funny things that don’t make you question reality or what you’re doing with your life.  So, here are my favorite movies:

1) Alvin and the Chipmunks Great adventure – I’d like to say that this has a very rich plot for an animated kids movie about chipmunks. It involves an international money laundering conspiracy, hot air balloons, and some racially insensitive depictions of other cultures (even for the 90’s this was no bueno), but most of all it features some great songs. I loved it as a child and I rediscovered it when I was 15 and I kid you not, one time my sister found me listening to the soundtrack all alone once….yep

2) Crossroads – Of course the only film featuring Britney Spears is one of my favorite movies of all time. First of all, did you know Shonda Rimes wrote the screenplay, and that Brit Brit originally wanted to play the “trailer trash,” pregnant Taryn Manning character?  It’s just such a stupid movie, but I gotta love Britney’s portrayal of a valedictorian virgin. The songs are corny, the plot is corny, but for some reason, at several points in my life, I’ve looked to this movie for comfort during my transition into adulthood, and I’m not gonna lie, it’s been very helpful. Also funny Caelan-fact, for my 16th birthday I convinced my entire group of 15 friends to sit down and watch the entire movie with me in the middle of the day…lol to know me is to love Britney.

3) Aquamarine – UGH THIS MOVIE WAS EVERYTHING TO MEEEEEE. Now that I’m a crusty 23 year old, I look back at this movie and at the time of it’s release and just laugh at how I was the prime target demographic for this film. It featured mermaids, YES. It featured, Emma Roberts and JoJo, YES AND YES. And it featured aquatic fun, magic and mystery, a sweet love story and blue hair extensions, literally EVERYTHING I wanted in a film. It is just so cute and simple and perfect. A couple years ago when a friend of mine passed away, I really found comfort in this film because it was the perfect silly, sweet distraction and it always lets me have a good cry at the end.

Honorable mentions include: The Little Rascals (oooootaaaaayyyy), Clueless (I used to carry the script of this film around in my backpack in 7th grade, to be prepared ALWAYS), Empire Records (to this day, I try to celebrate Rex Manning day with some M&M’s and some doc martens every year), Marie Antionette (aesthetic goalsssss), and of course Rushmore (Nothing gets me like a Young Jason Schwartzman…nothing).

What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen and why?

Well considering my list of favorite movies are pretty garbage, I think I would say that worst film I’ve ever seen is probably Teen Witch. One might think “but I thought you liked bad movies,” but I’m not gonna lie, this movie is too bad. I’m a huge fan of wizardry in films and TV (I’ve seen every episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch), but this movie makes no sense. There are no limits to her magical powers in the film, did she kill her grabby date in the car when she makes him disappear (we never see him again)? Every magical universe has rules about making people fall in love with them, so why can she? Also the clothes and hair are awful, there are no actors of color except for the gym coach and “guy in car,” and the only thing that redeems the film is “Top That“.  OH also my boyfriend dragged me to Batman V Superman and it was as bad as everyone has been saying…bad and confusing and corny. 10/10 do not recommend. Oh and Congo, that is another stinker.

If you could make up your own imaginary film genre what would it be called?

Honestly, I would make beautiful porn. LOL, this sounds nuts. But porn is so gross, and oiled-up, and I wish that there was Sophia Coppola-directed porn that was beautiful and made me turned on and not feel gross watching. Porn should be beautiful and accessible and all the people involved should make a ton of money and only have to sleep with people that they genuinely are attracted too.

If you were given the opportunity to direct, who would you cast in your dream movie?

WELLLLL I heard the most interesting story on This American Life recently, about a Korean movie actress and a director that were kidnapped by Kim Jon II from 1878 to 1986 and forced to make movies for him. This story is not only incredibly fascinating, but would be a great opportunity to give some great Korean actors some cinematic spotlight. I’m a huge fan of Daniel Dae Kim and would love for him to get a part like this. And for a totally different movie, I would love to work with Amy Adams and Liv Tyler, they are kind of my queens.

Who is your favourite woman character from Film or TV?

Oooooh! What a great question, I might just have to say Ugly Betty that character is too good, I love genuine characters who are so funny and have great minds, hearts and spirits. That show is seriously under-appreciated and and America Ferrera is America’s sweetheart in my opinion.

In your opinion, what is a seriously under-rated cinematic masterpiece?

Well all the movies I like are seriously under-appreciated but I’m gonna say Thelma and Louise, I think this film isn’t taken seriously as an American Western because its about two women, but this is just such a beautiful story of intense friendlove and sticking your middle finger to the patriarchy. Not to mention that the cinematography is FABULOUS (and the clothing is incredible!) PLUS who doesn’t love Susan Surandon and Gina Davis, I mean, YES.

Rank your top 3 films by your favourite director (if you have one!)

I’m gonna go ahead and say that my three favorite Wes Anderson movies are: 1) Rushmore, 2) The Royal Tenenbaums, 3) The Darjeeling Limited

What was the last film you watched?

My boyfriend and I watched Bowfinger yesterday and it was absolutely adorable. Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin are so silly and sometimes problematic, but if you want to turn your brain off for about 2 hours, this is the film for you!

Favourite movie quote?

I’d probably have to go with “It wasn’t the aquarium, it was the handjob, and you know what else, it was worth it!” – Rushmore

And finally, what film are you most looking forward to in the near future?

Okay, so I recently watched Ghost Busters for the first time, and I’m going to be honest, I’m SO looking forward to the female reboot. A lot of people are hating on it and frankly I think a lot of the negative attention it’s gotten is extremely sexist. But I think this movie will be funny and I really wanna support a project like this just so the world knows that women are funny, and that we should keep remaking older popular films with an all female cast! I think it’s a great idea!

by Chloe Leeson

Chloe Leeson is the founder of Screenqueens. She is 20 and from the north of England (the proper north). She believes Harmony Korine is the future and is pretty sure she coined the term ‘selfie central’. She doesn’t like Pina Coladas or getting caught in the rain but she does like Ezra Miller a whole lot. Her favourite films are Into The Wild, The Beach and Lords of Dogtown. But DON’T talk to her about Paranormal Activity. She rants about cinema screenings @kawaiigoff.