This week, we spoke to Taylor Rooks, who — aside from being your favorite athlete’s favorite reporter — has a lot of thoughts about movies. Is Marty Supreme a great sports film? She says yes! Is Eternal Sunshine sci-fi? Yes, again! Do date movies have to be romantic? No, preferably not. Do we get back to Eternal Sunshine to talk more about it? Yes. And, on top of that, she offers some crucial advice for the perfect snack. Taylor also has a fantastic newsletter, which you can find here!
What’s a movie that you love?
Ooh, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Great pick! One which The LOX have never seen, which is crazy to me.
Wow. They haven’t? They should.
What makes it special to you?
It’s interesting to me because watching that movie when you have really experienced real love -- but also real self-exploration and you understand the things that have happened in your life that show up in a multitude of ways in your relationships is just a different viewing experience. And I’m not someone who watches love movies, to be completely honest with you -- that’s just not really my genre. But this is about love that is real and messy and overcomes and is difficult and challenging, when you understand that love will hurt you; it’ll make you feel bare and naked and frustrated and it’ll force you to look in the mirror. And you’re still deciding to say, “Okay, I still want to do it.” Like it isn’t a romance movie that is neatly packaged up and has a very happy ending -- and I say “happy,” for lack of a better term. It’s just like, a raw kind of love story and I don’t think that romance movies are really like that.
What’s a popular movie you’ve never seen?
So...I haven’t really seen Die Hard.
Wow!
Not in a real way, no! You know how you’ll see clips of a thing and be like, “Oh, okay! I know what this is.” But, no, I have not sat down and watched Die Hard.
So you got the essence through those clips and that’s enough? Or do you think you’ll watch it one day?
I think I’m too far down the road! I don’t think I’ll ever see it. Yea, and I love that sort-of action, the kind that doesn’t completely make sense. But there’s just something about it, I don’t know. Part of it is, I’m so tired of people asking that question of whether or not it’s a Christmas movie that I decided I am not going to watch it so I never have to answer.
It’s just not an interesting-enough question that it has to be asked every year.
(laughs) And yet, people ask it every year!
What is a good date movie?
Mmm! Let me think.
While you think, I did see Eternal Sunshine on a date in college -- and it’s just interesting that you’re like, I don’t like romance movies. So I’m wondering what you’re gonna say.
Yea, like, if I was going to think of a date movie, I don’t think I’d pick a romance. I would pick something that made us have a larger conversation about life or meaning or what was that about? Because to me, the date is about exploring one another’s minds. If I don’t know this person, why am I watching a movie about love? I don’t know you enough to know if I love you. And I guess I’m thinking moreso about a first date -- but a good date movie...? I’m gonna think on that, because I’m really stuck.
Okay, well...
You know, I think that Dune is a really good date movie.
…you said Dune?
Yea, I’m trying to think what I’d want to watch on a date. Dune 1 or 2, that’s a fun date movie.
That’s a very long date movie.
(laughs) “Buckle up! Hope you like this!”
Are you into sci-fi, fantasy, epics of that nature?
I am into some of them, yes. I am into sci-fi.
Favorite sci-fi movie?
Okay, I’m not gonna say it because I already talked about it but I include Eternal Sunshine as a sci-fi movie. Because of the mechanism -- your memory can be erased, the technology of it. Even though like, to me, this is a romance drama, but there are absolutely elements of it that are sci-fi. Someone is putting this thing on your head and you are going through the memories that you had. So I won’t say that, but just letting you in my head a bit. Okay. Back to the question: I like Looper.
I’ve never seen it!
Oh! You’ve gotta watch it. I don’t know if you take recommendations, but you have to. It’s good. This is a newer sci-fi, so it can’t be my favorite but I certainly really loved it: The Substance. That was great.
Good movie, not a good date movie, I don’t think!
What’s something you used to watch on VHS?
Oh my gosh, like, every Disney movie. I was such a Disney girl, I loved Disney movies. I don’t know if you’re talking about that far back, but...oh, also, The Pagemaster. Do you know what movie that is?
Wow, yea. I haven’t thought about it in 1000 years. I don’t know if I’m making this up but I think there was a video game, too. (Ed note: there was.)
Oh my god, I loved The Pagemaster. It’s one of the many reasons I love reading. I also liked this movie called Rock-a-doodle. Loved Neverending Story. Oh, and if you want one that was a little more adult, I loved the Long Kiss Goodnight. My mom liked that movie and I would watch it with her. Have you seen that?
I haven’t. It’s one that I know exists but not one I feel like anyone talks about. I remember it being at Blockbuster.
I think you’ll really like it. Samuel L. Jackson, Geena Davis -- it’s really really good.
Where do you sit within a theatre?
I like to sit in the back on the edge. I obviously don’t want to be too close to the screen, I’m not into craning your neck and looking up. But I also like that, if you’re in the back and to the left, you’re kind of having the movie experience on your own. Like, yes, you’re getting the communal reactions: the joy, the laughter, the gasps when something happens. But it still feels like you’re having your own singular movie experience, even if you’re around people.
And why the aisle?
I don’t know! Probably if I have to go use the bathroom.
Fair response! One of the things that gives me agita is getting up in the middle of the movie and trying to get out of the aisle. Not stepping on people’s feet. Nightmare.
And whispering “scuse me, scuse me, sorry.” Ugh! I am...so sorry that you’re having to go through this, my friend. (laughs)
On planes, do you watch the same movies or do you try something new?
I actually don’t watch movies on planes.
Why’s that, or rather, what are you doing instead?
I work if I must but I also really like to read on planes. I like that it’s just you alone, away from everybody, and there’s a peace in that. So I’m never really watching movies or TV on planes.
What’s a movie you could talk about for two hours?
I feel like there are so many...let me think. I want to say the Harry Potters, but that doesn’t count because they’re also books but like, I love love love them.
Are the books better than the movies?
Oh, definitely. But that is not a slight to the movies. Of course they’re better. It’s so so so much background on the characters, you understand their relationships a lot better. I think the background on their stories and their why is incredible, you have so much more time with everyone. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about TV shows. And, by the way, I think that’s why it’s more of a thing why it’s harder to pick a thing I would talk about for two hours: I am much more of a TV person than I am a movie person. I really like movies, but television shows are more my jam.
What’s a movie that you think would make for a better show?
Huh. Another great question! Well, I promise you I am not going to keep talking about Eternal Sunshine, I will give you another answer but I think it could’ve been cool if there were a series that uses that same technology from Eternal Sunshine. And you’re basically exploring the different traumas that people brought into relationships and how it shows up in their experiences and their memories. Cause like everyone’s would be different and that would be a cool kind of romance show. I think that could be cool.
Apple is on the phone with me right now -- they would like to buy this adaptation. They’re willing to pay whatever, it’s crazy.
(laughs) It’s almost like, at it’s best, I think Black Mirror could be what Eternal Sunshine is. That’s sorta the way I see it, just the ways we play with love and memory and things like that.
Totally.
Okay, now back to my real answer. I love love loved One Battle After Another but I think that could be an interesting TV show. Not to say better, but I just think that it could’ve been a nice television show about revolutionaries.
There’s so many interwoven storylines.
And there’s people you just want to know more about! Benicio Del Toro, Regina...there’s so many people I was interested in, in that movie. Having more time with all their characters would make for a good TV show. I’ll say that. Not that it’s better, but...
It’d make for a compelling watch, for sure. Sinners, One Battle or Marty Supreme?
Oh my goodness! (long silence) I really enjoyed them all. I think my ranking goes Sinners, One Battle, Marty, if I had to rank them.
When I was watching Marty the first time, I felt, I think I hate this person. And then at the end, I thought, I think I am this person.
(laughs) Wait, why? Explain.
I think the experience of wanting to create something so badly and being told no over and over -- it’s very much a metaphor for the creative process, in his aspirations for greatness. I think that’s how people operate these days -- right or wrong -- maybe not as ping-pong players, but as creatives. I’m not as sociopathic as he is, but I am driven and I recognize that drive.
Yea. Okay. I like that you see a personal connection there -- his relentless belief in yourself. They didn’t want us to like Marty, Marty wasn’t created to be (in my opinion) some endearing character that everyone fell in love with but he was certainly someone who wouldn’t give up and believed in himself. He’s a bit of a weasel -- which you are not, to be clear.
Thank you, Taylor! Yea, I told Eric that I saw myself in Marty and he was like, the fuck are you talking about? You’re not selfish, you’re not destructive.
Yea. I also do think that we need to rebrand what it means to be selfish. I think that if you are not considering others, you are doing things to the detriment of others, that is of course terrible -- we should always be cognizant of our actions and desires affect other people. But at its core, I think being selfish has kind of gotten this negative connotation and I don’t really think that it always should. Like, wanting what you want is an admirable characteristic. And, at its essence, wanting self, wanting agency and autonomy...these are good things! Again, it’s when other people are being affected. But just in a vacuum, I don’t view being selfish as bad.
What’s a good sports movie?
Hm! Hoop Dreams, I just think is so good. The task of the movie, you know, is incredible. And it’s sorta similar to what I was saying: there’s a realness and rawness to it, because the fact of the matter is most people who want to be professional basketball players don’t become them. But that doesn’t take away the beauty of the sport of the craft or the drive or the competition and it was just such a compelling movie. You really fall in love with William and Arthur. I love Hoop Dreams. But I also like Coach Carter, He Got Game. Above the Rim. There are a lot of great sports movies. I think Marty Supreme is a good sports movie!
Where’s the best place you’ve watched a movie?
For my now-husband’s birthday, last year, I basically got a warehouse rented out and we essentially did a drive-thru movie there. So there was like, a blow-up screen. He loves The Avengers, so we watched that. And that was a really fun way to watch a movie.
What kind of car did you drive?
I can’t remember what kind of Ferrari but it was a two-seater. It’s not a car that I have, it was just part of the gift. (laughs) We rented it. It was a convertible. The sound was really great.
That’s awesome. That is such a good gift!
Why thank you! I try!
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What is your ideal movie snack?
Popcorn -- I always have to get popcorn, and I always have to get Buncha Crunch. Sometimes I’ll put some Buncha Crunch in the popcorn. But popcorn is my number-one must. That’s when I go to the movies.
I had to look up Buncha Crunch.
I like that they’re round and kind of in the shape of popcorn. So you put it in the popcorn and get a handful, and it works perfectly.
Taylor, this is the most important thing you’ve told me in all of this. You made so many smart, salient points but this Buncha Crunch popcorn shit is the illest. Let me take some notes.
(laughs) Oh! They had a popcorn maker for the drive-in, so we were able to have popcorn. It was really cool!
Yea, for sure. The popcorn is the thing that made that cool. Absolutely.
(laughs) The popcorn was unforgettable!
Always great talking to Taylor! For more of her story — from Illinois to Georgia to NYC — make sure to check when she was on A Waste of Time with ItsTheReal. And for her Substack, subscribe here!