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In many social gatherings, there is an icebreaker passed around: If you could bring five things with you to a desert island, what would they be? This question has also been altered to ask about music, people, and movies. Responses are often a collection of favorites people have, but what if the selection was given more thought? Would the chosen five change? These recommendations are presented to those who struggle to make up their minds. These five picks, in particular, each bring another entertaining aspect that makes the lonely life of being on a desert island a tad more bearable.
1. Burlesque (2010)
Coming in first on the list is Steve Anton’s Burlesque. A small-town girl moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, finding a job as a waitress in a Burlesque Lounge. Eventually, she becomes the “it” girl who not only dances but sings too! Filled with a star-studded cast of Christina Aguilera, Cher, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, and Eric Dane, it’s a pick that must be brought to a desert island.
Burlesque offers many possibilities alongside merely viewing the film. Since it is filled with musical numbers, you’ve also gained a new soundtrack to keep you company. You won’t only be able to bust out singing, but your dance moves can make a hot debut after learning the choreography to the performances. If you’re up for the project, you can even take the resources around and create your own costumes as well. What else do you have to do, but perform the whole movie for an audience of coconuts? It will definitely win the award for Best Show on a Desert Island.
2. Castaway (2000)
Some may not find a film about being stranded on a desert island to be a must bring, but it’s for this reason it has been selected. Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) finds himself washed ashore as the only survivor of a plane crash, and must learn how to survive using only the resources he’s surrounded with. After many failed attempts at contacting others for help, he gave up and lived life alongside his volleyball companion Wilson.
The film brings many aspects to a dire situation of being by oneself on a desert island. It presents different ideas for survival that can be improved and can help fight off loneliness. Instead of making your own Wilson to accompany you, why not talk to a human being, Tom Hanks in particular? You won’t feel like you’re suffering alone either, as he faces similar dilemmas and breakdowns.
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Choosing only one out of the eight films was difficult, but taking into account the situation the decision was a no-brainer. In the fourth installation, Harry Potter finds himself unwillingly wrapped up in the Triwizard Tournament, a fierce and deadly magical competition. The film also marks the awaited return of the Dark Lord himself, Voldemort. It’s filled with new characters, creatures, and spells, making it entertaining in many ways.
The Goblet of Fire is the perfect movie to have on a desert island for the people who will miss sports. While it isn’t exactly a sports movie, there are four scenes filled with action: the Quidditch World Cup, the dragon egg retrieval, the Black Lake rescue, and the deadly maze. The Triwizard Tournament events specifically have an absence of commentary. Is there a better way to entertain yourself than adding in the must-needed commentary to a fantastical competition? You can even get creative with it, and make the series your own in a way. Just remember, through the growing desert island madness, that it’s just fantasy.
4. Ip Man (2008)
In times of boredom, an action film makes the time pass faster as you get engrossed in fights. Ip Man is based off of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the art of Wing Chun in the ‘30s. It takes place in the city of Foshan during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Although war probably wouldn’t be a go-to when finally finding a sort of peace away from people, the intense fight choreography by Sammo Hung makes it all worth it.
In civilization there are numerous distractions that stop us from learning new things, but being away from it all leaves no more excuses. Using Ip Man as a type of guide to martial arts, you can learn a number of things. Sure, there may not be anyone to spar with, but that doesn’t stop you from also learning discipline and focus. In fact, training your mind and body while stranded on a desert island would most likely make your will to live stronger.
5. The Decoy Bride (2011)
Last but not least is the rom-com The Decoy Bride featuring David Tennant and Kelly Macdonald. The film focusses on a remote Scottish island where a Hollywood actress is planning a secret wedding based on her favorite novel. After the media catches wind of the change in plans, a local girl is hired as the decoy. There are amazing one-liners and cheesy romantic moments that can be endlessly played on repeat.
No worries, as this recommendation also serves a purpose like the rest. In the film, the actress’s favorite novel is the only book written about the island of Hegg. There are many quotes shared throughout the film, which mock its bad grammar and the use of non-existent words. Taking inspiration from this, you can pen your own one-of-a-kind novel filled with as many nonsensical lines about your desert island. There are also rock souvenirs that are given to tourists in the film. Why not make your own collection of rock people to decorate your small area?
“Who Knows What The Tide Could Bring?”
Being stranded on a desert island is an interesting situation to think of oneself being placed in, and creates a chance to reflect what we value. It also allows new purpose to come from old favorites of ours when they become our everything. Hopefully, one of these five has made its way onto your top five movies list. Even if they haven’t, perhaps they’ve opened your eyes to the possibilities the movies that have made it can bring.
