I had a thought the other day. I had several, actually, but I wrote this one down:

Movies have taught me that I should make sure my shoes are always end of the world appropriate. I don’t want to be stuck fighting aliens or natural disasters in high-heeled boots. Especially since they’d likely be my last pair of shoes.

Some other things I’ve learned from movies have subsequently come to mind:

Movies have taught me that your friends – your true friends – will stick by you even if you’re a little weird, a little damaged, or think that you’re a little too much trouble.

Movies have taught me that you should always have a set of lockpicks on your person. You never know when you’re going to be locked out of the neighbour’s house and need to get in, or chained to a radiator with handcuffs.

Movies have taught me that if you persevere, it will be worth it.

Movies have taught me that business developers are always evil.

Movies have taught me that people are capable of more than they know. People can do more, push harder, and survive what seems insurmountable.

Movies have taught me that you need to be the change you want to see in the world.

Movies have taught me that men have feelings too.

Movies have taught me that if it’s about an animal, I’m going to cry. A lot.

Movies have taught me that women should have infinitely variably wardrobes and no matter how dark things get, or how dire life seems, or what natural disaster has occurred, there’s always time for full makeup. Because, standards.

Movies have taught me that people’s intelligence drops when they are afraid and in a group.

Movies have taught me that speaking out and doing the right thing can be really hard and can have really negative consequences but that in the end, it’s the best thing to do.

Movies have taught me that almost everything will blow up if you hit it hard enough, regardless of whether or not it has the necessary components to create an explosion.

Movies have taught me that short men are supposed to be funny, all the time.

Movies have taught me that most of the time, the book is better.

Movies have taught me that I am the kind of person who will pay twenty-five dollars for two-dollars-worth of popcorn, butter, and pop.

Movies have taught me that very few people are capable of sitting silently for two hours.

Movies have taught me that if someone says “don’t look”, it’s probably best not to look.

Movies have taught me that there is an appropriate song for every single situation you will encounter in life. There is also a trite, meaningless phrase for every complicated challenge.

Movies have taught me that minorities in mostly white groups have to be funny. It’s best if they mock their own cultural characteristics.

Movies have taught me that I should probably not go down to the basement in really creepy houses when I hear strange noises and the power goes off, especially if I’m wearing situationally inappropriate stilettos.

Movies have taught me that there’s always a reward for doing the right thing so if you didn’t get one, something is definitely wrong.

Movies have taught me that natural disasters are coming and they’re going to be awful so I should probably cultivate some rich and eccentric friends who have helicopters and luxurious retreats situated well above sea level.

Movies have taught me that there’s magic in the world.

Movies have taught me that karma is a thing and it always catches up with you.

Movies have taught me that everyone is supposed to be in a couple or trying to be in a couple and if you aren’t, then you’re probably the comic relief.

Movies have taught me that taking off your glasses is the international signal for “I want to have sex.”

Movies have taught me that it’s okay to be your own person, it’s okay to look after yourself, it’s okay to put yourself first and your friends will have your back when you need them.

Movies have taught me that people facing traumatic or difficult struggles are always really good people who are kind, insightful, generous, and thoughtful and so if you are going through hard times and aren’t, then there’s something wrong with you.

Movies have taught me that guns are easy to use, especially machine guns, and novice shooters will always get their man, especially if the shot is really, really tricky.

Movies have taught me that miracles are always supposed to happen in the really dark moments and if they don’t, then you should demand a rewrite. Because movies also taught me that most things are supposed to end with a happily ever after.

Movies have taught me that women’s points of view will usually be discounted, and even if they ultimately turn out to be right, they won’t get the credit, and they’re supposed to think that’s kind of cute.

Movies have taught me that my sense of humour is a little dark and a little twisted. Also, my laugh is a little loud.

Movies have taught me that too much camera flare can be really annoying.

Movies have taught me that life is not a movie. You can’t sum up everything with a soundbite, problems are often complex and can’t be solved in two hours, and sometimes, things don’t work out for the best.  And that’s just life.

What have movies taught you?