Hi! I'm MDG.
I am an American woman in love with an Indian man. I moved to Bangalore, India July 25th, 2010, and am happy to be sharing my experiences with you!
Please don't hesitate to comment or contact me directly. I love both! 
The Americanization of an Indian
I sent MIM out in the cold and snow to pick up donuts. I’m such a good girlfriend! In the sudden quiet and stillness, it’s the perfect time to write a new blog.
So, lately I’ve been trying to get MIM up to American pop culture standards. We watch a lot of Family Guy together and I have found myself needing to explain many of the jokes to him. Really, how funny is Family Guy if you don’t get the jokes? He laughs when I laugh, but when I ask him if he knew what the joke was about, he usually says no.
For starters, I decided to put him on a 80′s/90′s movie regimen. I thought he should be up to date with those around his age first. I thought of all the movies I grew up watching and enjoying. This is the list I have come up with so far. Please feel free to add whatever you can think of. We’ve got to help this poor soul become Americanized!! 
P.S. I’m crossing them out as we watch them!
1. The Goonies
2. Big
3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
4. The Breakfast Club
5. A Christmas Story
6. National Lampoon’s Vacation (& Vegas Vacation & Christmas)
7. Dirty Dancing
8. Little Monsters
9. Back to the Future
10. E.T.
11. Gremlins
12. Pet Cemetery
13. Stand By Me
14. Little Shop of Horrors
15. Nightmare on Elm Street
16. Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure/ Big Top Pee-Wee
17. Police Academy
18. Poltergeist
19. The Princess Bride
20. The Shining
21. Splash
22. Teen Wolf
23. Urban Cowboy
24. Karate Kid
25. Beetlejuice
Suggested by Readers:
26. 16 Candles
27. Pretty In Pink
28. The Lost Boys
29. Grease
30. Animal House
31. Caddy Shack
32. Lethal Weapon
33. Home Alone
34. Ghostbusters
35. Disney!!
Ones we caught by accident that weren’t on the list:
36. Risky Business
32. Lethal Weapon
33. Home Alon
Pretty in Pink!!!
I am trying to get my dbf to watch all my favorite movies but he is putting a stop to it, apparently he doesn’t think its very fun to watch movies I’ve already seen.
Why why Pet Cemetary! Why! That movie freaks me out!
*looks under the desk*
Brrhhhh!
haha! MIM hates scary movies too…it might take a bit of coercing to get him to watch that one!
jubee, I never really got into Pretty in Pink as much as The Breakfast Club but I do agree, it needs to make the list!! MIM doesn’t mind watching movies I’ve already seen, but he does mind the quality of the old films. And, he’s a total action guy, so I can just see his face when I say “tonight, we’re watching Pretty in Pink!” haha!
Why does he need to become more Americanized?
I doubt my husband has watched most of those movies and I have never had him sit down and do things to become more “North American”. I’m glad my husband doesn’t make me sit down and watch Malayalam comedy to make me more “Indianized”!
JMHO
dbf also has a problem with “older” movies, apparently if it was made before 1995 it must be terrible. Also he is really into rom-coms, I am not so much, so I am going to try to introduce him to Annie Hall, I hope he can get over the whole “30 years old” thing.
Hey Sarah! I am a lighthearted person who loves to joke around, so please do not take this post in a bad way! MIM is all for catching up on the things he’s missed here while growing up in India and I’m all for sharing them with him. I’m not going to force him to sit down and watch these movies, but we are big movie watchers (since we lack tv and cable!) and I would love for him to see the things I grew up watching. If we find the time, why not throw in an oldie? The “becoming Americanized” is a joke…but I’m sure he won’t mind knowing a little bit more about our culture if he’s planning on living here for good.
OMG I LOVE some of those movies that you have listed on their just do you know you have dirty dancing listed 2x’s oh don’t for get is the movie called 16 candles or sweet 16 it’s molly ringwald movie the one who did pretty in pink. What about die hard movies,I’m drawing blank here but what about the dan glover mel gibson movies I can’t thik for the name of it right now grrrr and I CAN SEE the movie right in fron of me. I love how you have goones listed first I loved watching that movie when I got it on VHS I ended up wearing it out LOL! Oh that movie weird since is another one.
Oops! I guess I REALLY want him to see Dirty Dancing. Thanks for pointing that out Nicki! I think the movie you are talking about is 16 Candles. And yeah, Die Hard movies are great!! We actually watched those together when we first met since I have the collection. Let me know if you come up with the name of the other movie. I love the Goonies too. There’s something so special about 80′s films. Or perhaps it’s just nostalgia!
Americanized…. lol
You should tell him to watch movies like Titanic, Unfaithful, Matrix, Saving Private Ryan, Ace Ventura…..
Hi Anil! Titanic was very popular in India and MIM has already seen it there. The other movies are very good suggestions too. I think MIM is more familiar with them then ones from the 80′s. He needs to suffer through those first…he he he (evil laugh)!
Hi,
Animal House( John Belushi), and Caddyshack( Bill Murray) might be fun.. plus exposing him to the frat house culture. Also the Thursday TV shows.. The Office and 30 Rock??
The easiest and the most effective way to get Americanized is to pay attention and follow the “American Political Scene.” It will suck one into to the core of American culture, raising more interesting questions: Why are there liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, fighting fiercely? Why is there a culture war? How did America go from a slave-based economy to electing a black(ish) president? Of course, all this will provoke the new comer to study and research American history and values, which are inextricably tied to the Constitution.
On second thought about movies, while there are many good American movies (most of what you named above), most movies from Hollywood portray a thwarted picture of American culture. Especially when it comes to women and sexuality. Most movies don’t show normal American stuff but only the rarest, racy ones (of course, it’s what people pay for, right?)
P.S. And always remember to watch the “Daily Show” every night. Jon Stewart’s jokes are too American even for me. I think a little bit of explanation will help.
@Adithya my dbf’s reason for even reaching out me before we met was because I work in politics and he is so fascinated by the political system. He says when he told his friends about me he told them I am nice and pretty and I work in politics and he thinks its so amazing.
You should start watching West Wing seasons 1 by 1, it’ll take forever but that show is so worth it or start off by watching An American President…I think I am taking that movie to his place tonight now
Guys! I totally forgot about Beatlejuice! We watched it last night!
Adithya,
MIM and I are not very political but you are right, that is a great way(and much better way than watching worn out movies)to become “Americanized”. As for Jon Stewart, I think that’s a great idea! We love to laugh so hopefully we’ll learn something at the same time! You also gave me an idea to expose MIM to more American history. I just took it for granted that he may already know about certain things, but I think exploring US history together would be a great thing to do.
I remebered the name of that movie leathel wepon I know it’s whole collection of them. don’t for get about home alone as well.
ahhhhhhh you need to watch Grease…..
…”Tell me more tell me
Won’t you tell me more
Tell me more hear me say
La la la la la”…
Do you remember???
This movie and this song are part of my chilhood hahahaha
I wish funny!!!
Ah of course I remember Grease! Huge part of my childhood too! Totally needs to be on the list! “Those sum-um-mer NI-IGHTS!” Thanks Frida!
Ahh thise are my fave as well I love greese!
Me again…:D
I love old movies and songs..
Ahhhh i know other hahahah very old too, THE LOST BOYS, i think that are two parts…
it was successful here, in Brazil
I cant forget feet of those horrible vampires ….
hahahah it bring me good memories…
I could not resist and looked for the trailer hahahhaha…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsv_NQFbQzo
Frida, I have never seen the Lost Boys. I watched the trailer and it looks good! Well, as good as 80′s trailers get! They’re pretty bad huh? I’m going to try and watch that movie, thanks for the tip!
Happy New Year!
If you are specifically looking for oldies, how about Box-Set DVDs of the TV series M*A*S*H? Now, that’s American humor through and through. BTW, I love Alan Alda (also liked his book, “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned”).
Contemporary? How about Gran Torino? Clint Eastwood is one heck of an actor-director.
I’ve seen some of the movies listed here when I was in India. But I haven’t heard of most of the movies listed above. I watch movies like Godfather, Saw, Scarface, Silence of the lambs, Gladiator, 300, Matrix, LOTR, Rocky, Fast and Furious, Terminator, Shawshank Redemption, Swordfish, Face Off, Dog Day Afternoon, Dumb and Dumber, Euro Trip, Hangover etc.
I can’t watch old movies. Now she makes me to watch all the oldies.
MIM most of the movies she listed were made at the same time or after some of the movies you have listed above, Scarface was made 30 years ago!!!!
Open your mind friend, guaranteed MDG is exposing you to some stuff you will end up loving!
Yeah I know. Some of my favorite movies are from 80s. We’ve watched few of the movies listed by her. Some of them were good(like Lampoon’s Vacation, Christmas story). And some of them were OK(shining, beetle’s juice) and one(Pee Wee’s) we had to stop coz I was not interested at all.
It seems like she has a good list because I’ve seen that readers agree with her. So, we’re going to complete the list asap. Today we watched another nice movie(Forrest Gump) to keep the ball rolling.
hey guys,
Nobody has listed Titanic here. That is my all time favourite. I like Leonardo.
Ghostbusters 1 & 2 are a must!
My husband had never seen any of the Disney animated movies growing up in India, and I know he really enjoyed watching them on January Term back in college – of course, it helped that he was watching them with a bunch of music school students who would sing along with every song.
There’s also the Don Bluth animated films (Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time).
I watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Anyone, anyone, anyone…… has watched that movie?
Now go in the state of affairs and also accomplish your goal.
Why Dave, when movies are so much more fun?
[...] PostsIndian Cultural Night Was Great! (58)The Americanization of an Indian (32)Hindus vs. Muslims (22)Sigh (21)An Indian and a Gori Walked Into an Amusement Park… (21)How I Met [...]
All I watch is bollywood movies
Really Akshay?! Well maybe you should consider checking out this movie list sometime too! I have nothing against Bollywood – love it – let me know if you get around to any of these movies.
Maybe I would. I usually like action hollywood flicks like Terminator series, Back to the future etc. I grew up with bollywood movies, and singing Indian songs. Here in the US also, I sang in many Indian functions, because I love Indian hindi film music. Indian movies are quite entrenched in my blood, especially Amitabh Bachchan, the greatest Superstar of the world in my book. But somehow, I never developed a strong liking for American movies. Maybe I will give it a try.
This is not a movie, but my own Indian Man did not know what the term “plus one” was until I told him. I was shocked he didn’t know. He is so westernized but sometimes he catches me by surprise and reminds me how Indian he is.
plus one? U mean u r a BBW?(ie thick?)
American movies are boring. Indian movies rock. We make the best colorful movies in the world. Indian movies are awsome. I love India.
To tell the truth, I’am speechless. The Shawshank Redemption is extraordinary. I’am a young film fan, in point of fact, this movie came out whenI was born, and hence I am more used to films with marvelous special effects, edge-of-your-seat action, et cetera. This film has none of that, and still, it attracts me really much . Way Frank Darabont applies the story of Red to drive on the story, the excellent the film music used (note the harmonica used merely earlier Red getting the letter close to the end). The whole film, from starting to finish, from actions to music, is a beacon of hope, judgement, and repurchase. The cast is ideal, Morgan Freeman(Red) actually brings about a fresh feel to the film, and that is exactly what the movie is, what a film should be. Really recommended for each movie fan.
Hey,I have 1 q,where u get this guy.I haven’t read all ur mail,but I get the picture about the joke.Me-Iam originally Indian who grew up in Saudi Arabia and the 2.5 yrs in USA and now back in South East asia relearning culture.
TC