Never stop doing what you're doing. Your analysis of pop culture is some of the most thought provoking material I've watched, and it's so important for our society to be aware of what influences us, GOOD and BAD.

This is why I prefer earnest and empathetic protagonists rather than gritty and cynical people creative media has been trying to push recently. It's so refreshing to see a hero who actually acts so nice and is genuine about it; so it's very annoying when people say these types of characters are corny or naive or boring. But showing empathy would never be boring to me, altruism is not naive or too unrealistic. In fact, I think it shows a lot of character; choosing to be kind and empathetic despite the negatives or evils in the world.

This is ultimately why Ready Player One frustrates me so much. There's no substance behind the character's supposed "love" for all the works it references, just bland, superficial wrote memorization. No attempt is made to communicate any actual understanding, the fact that it's a thing you remember is apparently supposed to suffice. This is why there was a controversy surrounding the movie's use of the Iron Giant as a big, "final boss fight" power-up for the hero. When you actually understand and appreciate what the Iron Giant was in the context of his own film, then you know that using his likeness as a tool of violence strongly contradicts everything the character stood for. So the supposedly loving "homage" to him in Ready Player One becomes a cheap, cynical perversion of the character

"Its especially important for young women to be represented as leads in their own adventure stories. And I'd argue that its just as important for young male audiences to see these kind of representations. Boys need to learn to identify with female characters and see women and girls as fully human equals with their own stories." I think that this is such an important point and I would encourage you to tackle this subject at length in its own video. For all the fervor devoted towards "empowering young women" through stories and media, such stories often blindly reinforce that only women can relate to stories about women. Where as both young boys and girls can look up to and admire male heroes in stories, stories with female leads are for some reason exclusively for girls under the guise of specifically offering girls role models which they apparently desperately lack. Its just as important to emphasize to young boys that their role models can be women too for exactly the reason you stated. This concept has an impact on the bigger picture of the movie industry. Why make your main character a woman when that will signal to your audience that this movie is "for women" and will discourage men from seeing it? (As pleasant as it was to see a woman in the lead role of a Marvel film, think about the rhetoric surrounding the Wonder Women film and how women were finally getting representation and how this was a Marvel movie for female fans) Why would studios take the risk of "alienating" their male audiences when culture dictates that women theater goers will be complacent enough to pay to see a movie with a man as the lead. Whether statistics back this up, I'm not sure, but this seems to be the narrative of big studio thought processes.

Lilo and Stitch made me cry a lot when I was young. The whole Ohana means family and that you also get to choose who your family is plus Nani's selfless acts in raising Lilo. Everything was just wonderful.

“Depictions of men and boys who reject guns and violence as markers of their manhood are critically important in our current culture.” “As this movie illustrates, there’s no reason Hollywood can’t present empathy as a defining feature of masculinity.” THIS.

As a half Japanese individual who grew up watching Ghibli movies, and loved Nausicaa especially, your inclusion of the movie made me so incredibly happy! Its cool that you included a movie that wasnt from America/Hollywood in your list! Amazing video once again!

I think people in the 80s were getting tired of the cold war, and were really frightened by the idea of mutually assured destruction. I think we saw this in a lot of the films of the time; films that encouraged empathy and solidarity, as you have listed here, but also films like War Games that presented war, especially the idea of nuclear, war as needless and futile. We had become "a society that was trying not to nuke itself," to paraphrase author Neal Stephenson, from his book "In The Beginning....Was The Command Line." We need a return to those themes and that mindset now more than ever.

My mouth dropped open when the title shot of Natty Gann showed up. It's still one of my favorite movies, but I never hear anyone else talk about it. This made my night.

Lilo and Stitch was especially formative for me. Mulan was really important for me, seeing a strong female lead doing just as much as her male counterparts rising above everyone’s expectations. Rugrats in Paris helped me understand loss and longing and family in a deeper way as a child. So many movies that shape us, it’s funny to think about.

man, it just takes a few shots from The Fox and the Hound to make me tear up. I really enjoyed this essay, thank you!

*cuts to The Secret of NIMH* "They're the moments that still put a lump in my throat." Me: *instantly wells up with tears at the scene*

"Boys need to learn to identify with female characters, and see women and girls as fully human equals with their own stories." As a nerd who's been frustrated with too many female characters only represented as far as they have value to the male characters/readers, it's an incredible relief to hear men with audiences make this point. Your "Fantastic Masculinity" video made me a supporter on Patreon; quotes like this keep me around. THANK YOU.

How DARE you show us All Dogs Go To Heaven?! I don’t need to cry, man!

The Fox and The Hound is an eternal wellspring of emotion for me (and a lot of other people, too).

I never know how much I miss this channel until I see a new video

my formative movies were 1. brave little toaster 2. the iron giant 3. the addams family 4. matilda 5. ferngully

Oh my GOD! Someone else who appreciates Nausicaa?! I swear with everyone I've met they think Nausicaa is the most boring Ghibli movie and it honestly breaks my heart when I hear that. When I read things like "everyone has their one Ghibli movie" mine is definitely Nausicaa, it reaches me on such a deep and personal level! Thank you so much for including it! Also thank you for reminding me about some very good movies I haven't seen in years, Harry and the Hendersons and especially Batteries Not Included, I adore that film!

Men discussing empathy is the only thing I care about tbh

I'm not a millennial born in the 80's, I was barely around in the 90's but these movies (batteries not included and Nausicaa) really hit me with nostalgia. I'm glad people see how much movies shape us.

I think it's important to note that solidarity means more than just expressing support for someone. The rise of clicktivism has left the unfortunate impression that just _saying_ "solidarity" is tantamount to engaging in it. Solidarity means sharing someone else's burden or risk. That means unless you are actually putting your own ass on the line, putting yourself in the literal line of fire in support of someone else, it's not solidarity. Clicking "like" on Facebook or signing a petition or replying with words of encouragement on a KZfaq video isn't solidarity.

What I love about these videos isn't the videos (I do really like them too btw) but that I know I can look through the comments and feel better. I can read insightful, critical, kind, and thoughtful comments. Makes me sad for all the other videos... :-(

Your unwavering defence of fantastic beasts is both awesome and awe inspiring

Solidarity forever.

As a person born in the mid-80's, almost all of these struck a personal chord with me, but the scene that always gets me, even just thinking about it, is the Mother's death scene in The Land Before Time. Talk about empathy and solidarity. Also, diversity, community, life & death, etc. As complex as the Bluth films were, they still spoke to emotions most filmmakers think are too heavy for kids.

i was so happy to see batteries not included.

A need for empathy might be the reason "the shape of water" won best picture this year.. it's not the typical blockbuster as its a different kind of romance.. 😊💜

well now i have wet eyes... thanks for that...

Please make a video on how to Train Your Dragon. I feel like there is so many wonderful things to unpack and discuss about that movies and it's colorful world and characters.

I didn’t really have a movie heavy childhood, we were a book reading household and I didn’t really get into movies until I was into my teens through my English teachers. But Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron stands out to me as something special as does the Robin Hood movie although it’s well blurred together with the various stories I read and wrote about the character in my head.

empathy generating machines is an amazing phrase. definitely something i'll think about in my writing from now on

I don't feel like I can express how much I love your insight on pop culture. By now, two of my closest friends and I have watched every video you made, which sort of makes us into a little fan club. You definitely deserve more attention, and I'm positive you'll get it by time and with your uploads. Please keep doing what you're doing!

I’m so happy that you talked about Batteries Not Included, it’s such a sweet and touching movie but sadly it has almost been forgotten. I saw it in theaters and since then it has had a permanent spot in my heart. ET and Neverending Story are the other two movies that basically shaped my childhood. Thank you for giving “Batteries” a spotlight and also thank you for talking about how Hollywood never makes movies from the girls’ pov. In Neverending Story there’s a Princess but she relies on Atreyu and Bastian to save the world, although I don’t feel too bad about it, I had a huge crush on Bastian and that’s enough for me to love that movie even more.

All of Miyazaki movies, specially Mononoke Hime. Labyrinth has a female lead (and David Bowie, of course). Noticed you used a clip from Neverending Story but didn't mention the movie, guess maybe 'cause you wanted to focus on lesser known ones? Great video as always

I was just thinking that I love how many great shows there are with female leads for kids these days. I have two boys, 8 and 6, and some of their favorite shows are Spirit Riding Free, Little Witch Academia, and Legend of Korra. They're even getting comfortable with the slightly romantic elements of some of the shows, which I think is wonderful. Maybe they'll be able to understand the importance of emotional communication and solidarity more than men of previous generations. They also love Harry and the Henderson's.

Thank you for this list and your insights. I share the values you describe and I will be watching these films with my kids.

I forget how old Naussicaa is as a film, it really is a masterpiece

Hmm. Movies that impacted me. Well, I guess Shrek. Until I saw that movie, I thought love was all sunshine and rainbows. Then I started to realize that it's really about understanding each other as people and coming to terms with yourself. It also taught me that you don't have to be fairy tale beautiful to do that. It was better that Fiona stayed an ogress at the end. It taught the "beauty is on the inside" thing a lot better than Hunchback of Notre Dame and Beauty and the Beast. The Beast scared me. I couldn't imagine loving someone with such a short temper. The first Spider-Man movie taught me that just a little carelessness can lead to a huge disaster. Really, TV had a bigger impact on my development than movies did. You should have talked about TV shows too.

Mine would be: 1. The Brave Little Toaster 2. The Last Unicorn 3. The Dark Crystal 4. The Women of Brewster Place 5. The Boy Who Could Fly

For some reason this video made me fucking cry, seeing the hopefulness in all of those movies sort of broke my heart

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was a good movie that generated empathy for me. Very underrated movie. Walter is a suffocatingly ordinary man working a dead end job in New York City. He’s actually kind of a loser: he’s middle aged yet he has no children or significant other, and he’s about to be laid off. His life is boring, but what he sees in his mind is extraordinary. He’s a dreamer. He envisions himself saving the world, saving his workplace crush, and generally being a hero. His life never changes until he makes that bold step outside his dreams and into the real world when he spontaneously buys a plane ticket to Greenland to find his old mentor. Arcade Fire’s Wake Up is playing in the background. Like Neo in the Matrix, he takes the red pill. He has awoken. My favorite movie changed my life.

as a late-90s/early-'00s kid, there were a few of these I hadn't even heard of. thanks for bringing awareness to movies with messages like this. having said that, I just saw Nausicaa for the first time the other week, having never seen a Miyazaki film before ( yeah, I know). I absolutely loved it and I'm working my way through his filmography now.

Grave of the Fireflies... That is all.

I would like to add that solidarity doesnt require empathy. A syptom of many mental illnesses and psychiatric conditions is an incapability or trouble with feeling empathy due to not understanding how emotions work. However not being able to feel empathy doesnt mean someone cant feel compassion, sympathy, solidarity or comradery because you might understand that this thing makes other people feel this way without being able to feel that feeling for yourself (basically being able to recognize the feelings of others and thus supporting them vs being able to identify with and feel the feelings of others and therefore being able to see from their perspective, kind of different sides to the same coin in the end). Basically empathy is not required for solidarity, compassion or genrally being a kind and sympathetic person. Edit: I do realize this is kinda a side note to the video and I really like the video, just wanted to mention it cause I often see people talking about empathy as a universal thing and thats not always true

I think you hit the nail on the head with the subject matter and the selection of movies. We are in dire need of a world with much more empathy and solidarity. I think, western civilization is sick and I mean that in a medical way, not as a pejorative. You can definitely feel a form of cynical civilization fatigue in many if not most movies and other forms of entertainment. It's like no one has any hope for the future anymore. Many of my friends don't believe, that mankind will be around for another 100, let alone 1000 years. There is a sense of impending doom, coupled with an alarming sense of fatalism and a defeatist outlook on the future of the planet. I'm talking about all the post-apocalyptic stuff scenarios, zombie movies and dystopian sci-fi movies. Of course, showing a positive depiction of the future seems counter intuitive, because stories need drama. But I think, with the stories we consume, this sense of hopelessness gets amplified. As a species, our strength lies in our ability to cooperate efficiently - I believe, mankind can solve its current obstacles if it manages to overcome its own weaknesses and shape a new society, that does not bring out the worst in us. But for that, we need to increase our solidarity and empathy.

Nausicaa was one of my favorite movies growing up!

This. Quality media (and literature) aimed at children is more important for the formation of their personality and worldview than people seem to give it credit for. Somehow, it is s seen as inferior to media and entertainment for the adult population, the argument being that the intellectual themes have to be on level with the audience, and children does not yet have a large frame of reference. They are not stupid, though. They are not unable to understand human emotions, bravery, selflessness or ethical dilemmas - if presented in a believable way through clever storytelling. Storytelling in itself can actually prove to be one of the most effective devices for teaching children about society. The use of supernatural phenomena or anthropomorphic creatures can be perfect analogies for very real issues or power balances between people from different backgrounds. And kids get that. They are not just "dumb adults to be", but rather beings with high levels of brain plasticity that demand stimulation. With this being said, I was born in the beginning of the nineties in a different part of the world, so I didn't know most of the movies presented as the focus of this video. I did, however, recognize the themes mentioned, so perhaps there is a universality to it that transcends cultural differences - or maybe the differences are just in the selection of themes available. An example from Scandinavian media in the era was the presence of alcoholic family members in children's movies. While being somewhat a stereotypical and superficial representation, it still served a purpose of de-stigmatizing the issue. Today, this representation is less prevalent for various reasons (some good, some bad). My point is, that children can handle pretty heavy content mixed in with their entertainment, and if done right, it can be very beneficial for their emotional development. Thank you for your work, it is very comprehensive and on point.

Amazing Grace and Chuck seems fucking sanguine in a post-Kaepernick world.

Another spot on video, and thank you for this movie list, I have never seen most of them and really want to see it now ! Your videos are my absolute favorite on the internet. I am proud to contribute via patreon to your works, and your insights have a huge influence on me :)

it's so cool you included naussica! studio ghibli movies always provide really wonderful stories about girls and their adventures. this was a really interesting video :)

Batteries not included was my movie. So good. Not talked about as much... respect for highlighting it.

I'm addicted to your content ! Really from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for taking your time to make these beautiful , conscious and thought-provoking videos . Much support ! :-)

I'm always so excited to see new videos from Pop Culture Detective, and they never disappoint! Thank you so much for the work you do.

The scene at the end of Nausicaa always brings me to tears and I don't know why. Just seeing that hat lying there with the plant growing in front of it while the music swells. It is the very definition of hope and I don't know why it makes me cry every time even though I've seen the movie like 70 times

Omggg those movies look so good. I totally agree. Being able to feel and experience empathy and solidarity through film....I wish we had more movies like that, In this day and age.

I wish more films brought us together

Atreyu crying for Artax. Still the saddest moment from my childhood.

I loved that scene in Robin Hood where they're in prison and share that one cookie. And in Spirit (that animated horse movie) there's a scene where he's been captured and the eagle he used to race against looks at him and it's SO GODDAMN SAD and I'd never cried at a movie before and I was amazed that the sad eyes of an eagle were doing it for me

What corporate America and marketing firms remember about the 1980s films were the catch-phrases, the clothing, the radical imagery, the design motifs of bold shapes and color, techno electronic music, and the action of films like Robocop, Terminator, and Aliens. But what I love most about 80s movies are their heart, their slower, more laid-back look at the world around them and the characters with regards to each other. 80s movies took time to rest, breath, and reflect on the events just a moment or two earlier, and reflect on what may come. I love the mood and atmosphere that 80s movies have. There's a grit and a realism, even in the fantasy films (in fact, even especially in them) that fantasy films don't have anymore. Fantasy is too bright and polished now, it doesn't like the brown sandy grit that you got from Labyrinth, Baron Munchausen, or Legend. And the raw emotional sentimentality that you got from Don Bluth films is almost non-existent now in American family films. You don't get that same hard punch to the gut when a character dies, moves away, or breaks up with another character. I'm glad you made this video, because the younger generation of movie-lovers should try to recognize what made 80s movies truly memorable and lasting, aside from their insane story-lines and awesome music. Heck, it's even important to remind people that Star Trek II, III, and IV were great 80s movies because those films still hold up today, and present a lighter but familiar side of sci-fi that I feel people forget were from the 80s when the rest include darker turns like Aliens, The Thing, The Fly, and... I dunno, LifeForce.

You always do a good job. Thank you for making these videos. I look forward to the next one.

i love how you talk about empathy . its so incredibly important and you talk extremely eloquently and vitally about it ! bless you, it really inspires me and reminds me of what stories i want to tell.

My favorite movie about community action is Be Kind, Rewind. The movie starts with Michel Gondry's adorable playfulness, but evolves when the "sweded" movie business clashes with Hollywood copyright enforcers. Instead of becoming cynical and angry, the characters use their creativity and community spirit to make something original and really wonderful.

The Shape of Water was a good recent example of an empathy-generating movie.

I really appreciate your genuine awareness about representation and tone. The work you do here is so heartfelt and useful.

These clips are making me cry so hard. I love seeing you upload

Ahhh I was tearing up watching this and remembering movies I hadn't thought of in a long time. Thank you for all your work to create these videos.

I remember the jouney of Natty Gan! I was about 5 when that came out. On the top of my list is The Dark Crystal. That movie had the biggest impact on me more than any other movie in my life, at a time when I was just really becoming aware of my surroundings. Later there was Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, but Kira was first. Her character and that movie in general helped to foster a huge amount of empathy in me for animals and to bring about an idea that making friends with animals was a sign of strength, instead of shooting or hunting them. As a little girl I already loved animals, so Kira for me was such an inspiration. To this day I rescue cats and kittens and try to be a friend to animals everywhere. Plus, she had wings!

As always, thank you. Seeing your videos pop up on my feed and getting to watch them always makes my day.

I loved this video, it actually had me tearing up, the fondness in your voice when you talk about these amazing, kind, and emotional movies really brought it all together, thank you

I'm happy that this is about good and nice movies this time tbh

ah, so sweet. What a great stroll down memory lane. Thanks for all the positive feels!

I've watched all of your videos so many times- I'm always so happy to see when you've uploaded! Thank you for making such fascinating content.

Your videos have given me a lot to think about. I always felt something was wrong but could never put my finger on it. Your message is clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much for enlightening me.

I’m so happy that Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind was the cover for this one, as well as in the video. So glad that something from Japan was also included, considering their perspectives at the time.

I'm here, I'm early, I'm pumped for this video! Love all your work!

I always look forward to the newest updates from this channel. Thanks for putting out some of the good stuff online.

This channel and these videos are always so good and pure. I love them so much. We need more of this in our media.

i love all the positivity in this video! its good to be critical but i'm also always interested to see what media you think combats harmful tropes well

I'm so glad I'm on your Patreon. I didn't know I needed this... but right now, in my week and in my life, this was perfect. Thank you.

This is genuinely my favourite channel on KZfaq, this video actually make me tear up and judging by the comment section I'm not the only one. I wasn't expecting you to focus on the positive aspects the episode and it was pleasantly rewarding, so many of the movies you talked about seem like the types of film I have been wanting to find and watch for so long and I'm definitely going to now! The fact that you focus on both positive and negative aspects films makes your channel even better! I'd also love to see videos analyses on foreign films as well! Thank you so much for your videos, keep them coming!

These videos feel really important. You're helping me think and see things in a different way. It's hard cuz it feels so alien to me.

I’m so glad that i found your channel. I’ve been watching some of your videos for last few hours and I can not express how much of a good job you are doing.

I just wanted to stop and say I really love this series that you've been doing and how in depth you always go into your work.

Your essays are always so good. Thank you for sharing

EVERY VIDEO IS GOLD, HOW DO YOU DO IT?!

I feel like there aren't any men in my life that talked the way you do and have the level of understanding and consciousness that you do and as a young girl I'm just grateful to have stumbled across your channel your videos honestly increase my faith in humanity

Nausicaa is one of my favorite movies from Hayao Miyazaki. I got kinda teary just seeing those scenes and remembering that movie. I definitely gravitate towards empathetic and heartwarming stories both in film, but also in published works.

Keep those lists coming and we, parents of new generations will follow your footsteps and will educate our kids with those amazing movies. Empathy and solidarity. true values, thank you so much for doing this. Never stop.

Thank you for the memories and making me cry.

I really enjoyed this essay! Thank you for making it.

I think this is one of my favorite videos you've done! I can't wait to watch some of these movies to be honest.

I cried through almost the entire video... Dude, your work is amazing and inspiring to me as a writer and as a human.

Your video is so warm it soothes the soul

Beauuuuuutiful essay of all these worthy films!! Thanks again, I hope I'm going to see them soon ;)

I remember a few of these! Little teary in remembering their impact. You are so right, we need so much more of this. Especially in kids movies!

Wow I have never heard of most of these!! Thank you, I will definitely check some of them out!

This is an awesome list. Reminded me of how I ended up the way I did. I was born midway through the 80s so got the benefit of both that set of films and the ones from the 90s as a kid and man, I have a lot of wonderful stuff to show my little one. Thanks for the reminder. :)

Thank you very much for introducing these wonderful stories to us.

I've watched most videos on this channel several times, and I recommend it to most people! I would love an update of this video for other decades :)