Hey everyone, hope you’re doing well! It’s been a bit quiet on my end, but for good reason—I just turned a year older and, more importantly, I just got married! February has already been a whirlwind, and alongside all these life changes, I’ve been re-centering myself creatively, gearing up for a long-term writing project, and, of course, making space for even more films in my growing library.
With Black History Month in full swing, I wanted to dedicate my February watchlist to films that highlight Black actors in leading and supporting roles. I asked my Films with Friends co-hosts, Lawrence and Matt, to comb through my collection and put together a list of movies that fit the theme. We settled on a challenge:
Two films per day; giving me the option to watch both or pick one, depending on time and energy. That means 56 potential films this month, covering everything from action and drama to comedy and war films.
The first movie I watched to kick off the month? Jackie Brown. And man, it was so good. Tarantino knows how to craft a story, and this rewatch hit even harder than I remembered.
Why This Might Be My Last Thrift Trip for a While
Since my schedule is packed, I knew this might be my last major thrifting run for the month, so I made sure to grab enough titles to tide me over. If you’re new to Thrift Picks, here’s how I approach collecting:
The Four Categories of a Great Film Haul
When I thrift for movies, I break my choices down into four main categories:
Instant Buys: Films I’ve seen, loved, and will always want in my collection.
Re-watch Picks: Movies I’ve enjoyed before but need to revisit.
Watch-list Additions: Films I’ve heard about or wanted to see for a while.
Blind Buys: Random finds that seem interesting, purely based on instinct.
Let’s get into this haul!
Category 1: Instant Buys
These are movies that, once I spot them, immediately go into my cart.
Just Friends (Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart) - A hilarious comedy classic. If you haven’t seen it, fix that.
The Lion King (Platinum Edition) - Every copy I’ve found before this one was too scratched to buy. Finally, a clean copy!
Brave (Disney/Pixar Special Edition) - This was a fantastic find—sealed, with a Blu-ray, DVD, and a 32-page storybook. I picked up an extra copy for my daughter, who I gifted a DVD player for Christmas (along with 20 films to start her own collection).
Category 2: Rewatch Picks
Movies I’ve seen before but wanted to revisit.
Dr. No (VHS) - The Sean Connery Bond films deserve a place in my library.
A Few Good Men - Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, courtroom drama at its finest.
ATL - Found a factory-sealed copy. Easy buy.
Ace Ventura Double Feature - Pet Detective and When Nature Calls in one set.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off - A classic that I hadn’t watched in years. This version comes with new righteous features!
Misery - I’ve only seen this once, and it was introduced to me by an ex. It’s time for a rewatch—on my terms.
Hidden Figures (Slipcover Edition) - Comes with a companion booklet and a velcro-opening case. Beautiful packaging.
Gone with the Wind - I already own a larger collector’s edition, but I picked up this simple copy for easy access.
Category 3: Watch-list Additions
Movies I’ve been meaning to watch but never got around to.
Dead Presidents - A crime drama about a Vietnam vet-turned-robber. This heist film has to be good.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Somehow, I’ve never seen this. Time to fix that.
Psycho (Collector’s Edition) - I’ve seen bits and pieces, but never the whole thing. This edition includes a behind-the-scenes booklet.
Major League II (Sealed Copy) - Haven’t even seen the first one yet, but I’ll track it down.
Wild Things - I vaguely remember parts of this movie. Time for a proper viewing.
Species 1 & 2 (Double Feature) - This just sounds wild. An alien-human hybrid escaping captivity to mate with men? Yeah, this is going to be a trip.
RBG (Documentary on Ruth Bader Ginsburg) - Thought it’d be cool to learn more about her.
My Cousin Vinny (Sealed Copy w/ Slipcover) - My manager has been hounding me to watch this for months. I finally found a factory-sealed copy for a dollar!
Category 4: Blind Buys
The wildcards. I have no idea what I’m getting into with these.
New Jersey Drive - Not a Spike Lee film, but executive-produced by him.
Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Isle of Wight - A concert film (I’m trying to collect more of these).
When You’re Strange (A Film About The Doors) - Narrated by Johnny Depp.
Midnight Express (30th Anniversary Edition) - A prison escape thriller with Academy Award-winning writing.
The Come Up Vol. 5 (Street Massacre Edition) - A hip-hop documentary featuring Jadakiss, The Game, Lloyd Banks, and more.
Dave Chappelle: Live at the Fillmore & Half Baked - You can never go wrong with Dave Chappelle.
Killa Season (Starring Cam’ron & Juelz Santana) - Never heard of this, but it looked interesting.
Yes Minister (BBC Complete Collection) - British political satire. Looked too good to pass up.
Endeavour (Complete Series, Seasons 1-7) - Found the entire series for $7—an absolute steal.
Final Thoughts: The Thrill of the Hunt
This haul is stacked with great finds, and it should keep me busy for the next two to three weeks. That’s the fun of thrifting—you never know what you’re going to find, but with a little patience and persistence, the best stuff always turns up.
What’s Next?
I’ll be diving into my Black History Month watchlist and sharing my thoughts on some of the standout films.
Films with Friends debuts in two weeks, kicking off with Glengarry Glen Ross (Streaming on Prime Video).
Expect a few more reviews, podcasts, and some surprises in the coming weeks!
Let me know in the comments:
Which of these movies have you seen?
Which ones are on your watchlist?
And as always, subscribe to the newsletter for more deep dives, recommendations, and thrift adventures.
Until next time—happy watching!
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