List by Lise Patron
Fave Chick flicks
Romantic comedies get a bad rap. I've had it up to here with the bad ratings they get. Mention "romantic comedy" and all critics start at 1 star and work their way up to 2-1/2 if it's really good. Why this prejudice? They are just as predictable as any Arnie movie, and yet action movies of all stripes have stars to lose rather than gain. So here's to chick flicks--a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon when you've got the sniffles, or an evening when you just want predictability without the kabooms.
I've tried to include only romantic comedies, but I also had to add other 'chick flicks' because I've seen them so often. I mean I had to add Pride and Prejudice for goodness sake ;-)
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So, when I can't spot Love Actually in here, what's the reason?
I haven't watched it more than once, and it's not a title I'll grab over these ones, probably because it's too busy. There are what, at least 4 story lines?
It's a 'genre' I tend to despise (although I'm really not the target audience) but I do rather enjoy the Cusack-Beckinsale film, Serendipity.
@Lise: yep, it has too much of almost everything, which is why I love that film I guess. ;-)
Adam, many on here don't really fit the "genre": Mostly Martha, Beautiful Girls, Kissing Jessica Stein, Strictly Ballroom and Sliding Doors. But I did get a good chuckle from your comment. After all, you did watch Yogi Bear ;-)
@Lise: Believe it or not but I'd rather watch Yogi Bear on repeat than have to watch He's Just Not That Into You again. Pleasingly, you don't have that film on the list so I don't have to unfollow you. ;-)
I wasn't a fan of Serendipity. There was something about the writing that I found clunky and awkward in spots. But maybe it's time to give that one another go. I've only seen it once.
It's not perfect but I think it avoids the trappings of other, lesser, films of its kind and Cusack and Beckinsale make a great pairing.
The Korean original, Il Mare, is definitely well worth tracking down if you like The Lake House. Good to see some love for Next Stop, Wonderland also! Such an underappreciated little gem.
@Geir, thanks--I didn't realize The Lake House was a remake. It's turning out that Il Mare is not easy to get. My online dvd rental place only has a dubbed version, which I would never ever watch, and the various Amazons are out of stock. I'll keep looking.
The Hong Kong release is a rather inexpensive option if you have access to a region free dvd player: www.yesasia.com/global/il-mare-hong-kong-version/1001821648-0-0-0-en/info.html
Another Korean movie I highly recommend is My Sassy Girl. There is an American remake of this too, one with a poor reputation attached to it, if I remember correctly.
Great, thanks for the link. I'll get both.
I'll vote for Il Mare as well. I believe I even own a rather luxurious three disc edition. Lise, have you seen Friends With Money? I'm sure that would fit in here, and I found it much better than expected.
@Jacob: When they get around to building that bridge to Norway, I'll drop by to watch that 3 disc edition ;-) Yes, I saw Friends with Money and I liked it as well. It's a bit of a talkie, though as I recall.
Adam mentioned above: "I am not the target audience", and you know that really applies to me lise! :-)
I am forced to watch a few as my daughter and daughter-in-law, love them, and they like my theater.
Where are Chasing Amy, Knocked Up, Manhattan, and Annie Hall? I just watched the re-issue (Criterion I think) of "It Happened One Night". I actually might have enjoyed it!
I was forced to watch Crazy Stupid Love last year. ( I bought BRs for my girls at Christmas.) I thought that one was pretty good. Check it out!
Adam mentioned Kate Beckinsale a couple of times, which reminded me I will watch anything with her in it. :-)
I must confess: I did like a few on your list (scarily more than I thought!!!) :-)
SB-I don't consider Manhattan and Annie Hall chick flicks. Come to think of it, there are a few titles on here that aren't chick flicks but just include romance, which is a different thing. Oh well, they'll stay on because they are the films I re-watch most often when I'm tired of reading subtitles. As for the others you mention, I didn't like any of them except for Crazy Stupid Love. Not sure it's a favourite, though.
I was just going by your first paragraph, and I thought you were on The "romantic Comedy" ,version of chick flicks.
Did you see "It Happened One Night" ? or is it too old. :-)
I saw it years ago but I definitely have to rewatch. Thanks for the reminder. And no, it's not too old. In fact the 30s and 40s might very well be my favourite period.
Another vote for It Happened One Night here. in fact, I think most of my favourite romantic comedies are pre-1980:
Top Hat
Funny Face
The Lady Eve
Bringing Up Baby
The Philadelphia Story
The Shop Around the Corner
that kinda thing.
Also, Before Sunrise/Sunset, if they count?
@David, good suggestions. I have to admit that I really really disliked Funny Face, and I wasn't a fan of Lady Eve at all either, but I do love Bringing up Baby (I think I prefer Midnight (1939), but it's time for a Baby re-watch) and The Philadelphia Story. I even really like the remake, High Society. Used to watch that everytime in played on TV.
I liked Before Sunrise well enough but not the sequel. She really got on my nerves, and I went through a spell where I couldn't take two-hander "talkie" movies for a while. I think I still have to wait a bit before seeing one of those.