There is something effortless about Easy A that defies description; Emma Stone’s nuanced performance as Olive Penderghast raises this script to the upper echelon of teen comedies. She’s surrounded by some of the best comedic talents of the past few generations, made only funnier when one imbibes whilst watching.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Rhiannon curses
- Olive’s clothing is referenced in dialogue
- Woodchucks make an appearance
- Olive claims to be nebbish or pathologically unpopular
- Literature outside of Scarlet Letter is discussed
- Todd is dressed in costume
- 80s movies are referenced
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time you see an orange.
There are few films that I identify with more than Young Adult. I consider it something of a personal affront that the film was completely ignored by the Academy Awards in 2012, but it’s a much darker comedy than most people can appreciate. I love the intense character study undertaken by Diablo and Jason; surprising no one, Charlize is impeccable as a woman on the verge. In an homage to Mavis and her ironclad liver, I’d recommend playing the drinking game with Maker’s, but if your body (or wallet) can’t handle it, I guess you could just use some Hard Jack’s Cider.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Mavis drinks whiskey/bourbon
- Terrible eating habits are witnessed
- Anyone is addressed or discussed using their full name
- Cosmetic enhancements or maintenance appear in a montage
- Reality TV makes an onscreen appearance
- Any character is appalled by the behavior of Mavis
- Mavis uses her Blackberry
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time they mention Mavis Gary’s career.
2012 was the year where the Oscars went off the rails. Young Adult was completely shut out, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was underrepresented, and The Descendants failed to…well, sweep everything. Sure, it won Best Adapted Screenplay, but George lost Best Actor, the film lost Best Picture, and, perhaps worst of all, Shailene Woodley wasn’t even nominated.
This is my response to the sheer injustice of it all. To enjoy the quiet brilliance of this film, to reflect on these performances, to appreciate the beautiful screenplay and cinematography…with alcohol.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Scotty is hungry or discusses food
- Someone says “Hawaii”
- Matt learns something new about his wife
- Anyone mentions the family land
- Family turmoil occurs in a hospital room
- Someone cries
- Matt’s befuddled face is shown in close up
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time the daughters curse
I spent this year’s Christmas with my best friend in Philly and I felt it…I felt perfect. She’s been a dancer most of her life and I spent one too many nights referencing Nina Sayers. The obvious result are these rules for the Black Swan drinking game.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Anyone mentions perfection
- A human being takes on the appearance of a bird
- You can see Lily’s tattoo
- Feet are shown outside of ballet slippers
- Anyone discusses Beth
- Nina’s full name is announced or appears onscreen (call list, poster)
- The full phrase “Swan Queen” is uttered
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time you see black or white.
When I was a kid, the Christmas season hadn’t actually started until Thanksgiving was over and my brother and I watched Home Alone. I hate Christmas now, but this movie still holds a place for me as one of the only Christmas films I can sit through in its entirety. Clearly this means it deserves a drinking game.
One must drink from beverage when:
- A car hits the McCallisters’ lawn jockey
- If anyone curses (yes, hell counts - it’s a kid’s film)
- Product placement is noticeable
- The tarantula makes an appearance onscreen
- Anyone says the word “Paris”
- Someone makes fun of Kevin’s age
- Old Man Marley shows up
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink anytime Kevin apes for the camera (screams, flails his arms, or talks to himself).
I watched The Craft countless times as a middle schooler and as I grew older, really grew to enjoy it as the cult film it became. Eventually I decided that casual witchery, 90s fashion, and booze needed to be combined, so I created the following drinking game…Happy Halloween.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Anyone says “Manon”
- Bonnie’s scars are referenced
- Sarah’s mother makes an on-screen appearance
- Breckin Myers is a twat
- The Four Corners are mentioned (any of them)
- A member of the coven is bullied
- Sarah smirks
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time the girls use witchcraft.
Coop is clearly enjoying my OC drinking game too much.
When I was in college, my love for Clueless and penchant for alcoholism merged quite spectacularly with this drinking game I invented for the film. If you earn minor ducats at a thankless job, this might be even better than a good old fashioned boinkfest.
One must drink from beverage when:
- Cher and Josh bicker
- Anyone uses a cell phone
- Anyone hits on Cher
- Daddy yells
- Cher’s poor driving is displayed
- “Popularity” is mentioned
- Cher grunts, whines, or squeaks
- Shopping or the mall are shown or mentioned
- Anyone says “clueless”
Optional Shit-faced Rule: You have to drink every time Cher changes outfits.
The OC Drinking Game: A Great American Pasttime
I feel like there’s always a good reason to talk about The OC, so I’m posting my rules for the drinking game I invented back in college. It works a lot better for the first two seasons, but you can always tweak it for the underrated third season. You could even use it when Kaitlin comes back to rule the world in the fourth. Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think:
One must drink from beverage when:
- Summer says, “Ew.”
- Coop looks busted.
- Seth says the word, “awkward” or makes a situation awkward (usually inducing silence).
- Ryan punches someone.
- Kirsten has a drink in her hand.
- Sandy references pot smoking or surfing (only his own).
- Characters reference pop culture.
- Characters reference bagels or bagels appear on screen.
- Party ends with someone falling/being thrown into a pool or a physically violent fight.
- Character checks into or visits Mermaid Inn.
One must chug entire beverage when:
- Kaitlin Cooper is referenced or seen (seasons 1-2 only).
- Homosexual PDA is witnessed.
- Ryan discovers a secret.
One may assign chugging to other player when:
- One can correctly guess song and artist of any music used in the show prior to end of episode, using DVD booklet, or searching online.
All players must drink for duration of any slo-mo.
I gotta testify, come up in the spot lookin' extra fly...
