It’s :four::two::zero:today:flushed::scream:but I’m not smoking weed :herb::maple_leaf::sleeping::smirk::smoking:I’m smoking:dash::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:the Bible:innocent::yum::pray::skin-tone-3::closed_book:because heaven:arrow_up::heart_eyes::open_hands::skin-tone-3::joy:is the highest you can get:raised_hands::skin-tone-3::triumph: Happy lung a fat bong and let Netflix autoplay take control of your destiny day to all those that celebrate. In the spirit of 4/20 we’re taking a look at our favourite stoner flicks.

Disclaimer: I’m not gunning for a Pulitzer with this shit. It’s kind of my Christian Bale moment in the way I’m going “method” (blazed.) All grammatical errors are a testament to my artistry. I hope these films give you as much joy as they’ve given me.

Inherent Vice dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

Watch on Prime Video

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s adaption of Thomas Pynchon’s novel of the same name is a psychedelic, neo-noir trip. My favourite strain of stoner flick is the choofed-out detective narrative and Inherent Vice is a mighty addition to the canon. Joaquin Phoenix as “Doc Sportello”, a slurring, spaced cadet private-eye, is transcendent.

Lore has it that Katherine Waterston’s character is an allusion to Paul Thomas Anderson’s former girlfriend Fiona Apple. This hasn’t been confirmed by any sources, merely wistful romantics on Reddit. I don’t want to get called out by any cucks at a certain satire publication to call me out for lazy journalism, let me believe in something!!!

Dazed and Confused dir. Richard Linklater
Watch on Youtube

Matthew McConaughey please be my boyfriend!!!! Has any film led to a spike in Pinterest “70s outfits” search traffic more than Dazed and Confused? 

Spring Breakers dir. Harmony Korine
Watch on Stan

Spring…. Break…. Forever…. Harmony Korine’s horny, perverted caper might’ve done some irreparable damage to my teenage psyche but whatever. Spring Breakers felt revelatory for those that existed in the milieu of Vice obsessed teens that endlessly trawled the Opening Ceremony sale section.

True Romance dir. Tony Scott
Watch on Prime Video

Drawing from a delicious early Tarantino script, and directed by ’80s hotshot Tony Scott (Top Gun), True Romance is a sexy, over-the-top fabulously Americana flurry. Our lovers on the run, Patricia Arquette and Christian Slater, are true pioneers of bimbofication. I crave to be swept away in a pink Cadillac on a getaway drive from a drug-dealing pimp.

It also features a stellar lineup of supporting performances from Dennis Hopper, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walker and our late king James Gandolfini.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure dir. Stephen Herek
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All we are is dust in the wind dude.

Koyaanisqatsi dir. Godfrey Reggio
Watch on Stan

This film caters to two kinds of people: those that strive to achieve a state of smooth brain-ness and those that get some depraved kick out of spiralling into dread.

At its core Koyaanisqatsi is very much an environmental film. A manifesto on the destruction that mankind has wreaked on planet earth. If you really wanted to torture yourself you could lean into the anxiety. Though the monumental cinematography of Ron Fricke married with Phillip Glass’s glorious score invites us all to mentally check the fuck out!

The Holy Mountain dir. Alejandro Jodorowsky

Hell yes!!! hell yes!!!! Literally any film by Jodorowsky would do the trick, but The Holy Mountain is my personal favourite. It’s just bonkers!!! like completely batshit insane!!!

Jodorowsky penned the screenplay after going seven continuous days without sleep, dosing himself with LSD and taking a spiritual journey from philosopher Oscar Ichazo (aka the dude that invented the Enneagram of Personality test). It’s the kind of film that begs you to fall into a Wikipedia hole and immerse yourself in the mythology surrounding the madness.