Sunday, July 6, 2008

Please Advise!

Well!  As I said before, due to dear husband's summer schedule, I have total control of Netflix and I am relishing North and South as my dinnertime viewing instead of stuff we have to agree on. Luckily we agree on a lot - in fact, he is a bigger Buffy fan than I am, but he would rather have needles poked in his eyes than watch a romantic comedy.

Thanks to my insanely busy life, dinnertime is the only time I ever do any passive viewing.  And movie theaters? What are those? I have a huge hole in my mind where romantic comedies should be! 

Which brings me to my request: What other fabulous chick flicks should I be renting? I have Princess Bride coming after this. Though I do like fun, clever, sappy contemporary romantic comedies. 

I loved:  The Truth About Cats and Dogs.  Also, Serendipity with John Cusack, Moonstruck, Miss CongenialityMaryKate had a post on romantic comedies recently, and people seemed to enjoy The Holiday. Maybe I'll try that. Any other ideas???

35 comments:

lisabea said...

Sleepless in Seattle
You've got Mail
In and Out (because Joan Cuszak is my hero)
Raising Helen

Hey have you seen the Bird Cage?
School of Rock..ok now I'm just spewing out movies I love to watch in general....

lisabea said...

My Big Fat Greek Wedding!


SHIT I could do this all day. You are EBIL! EBIL! My wip neeeeeds me, Ceejay!


Bend it Like Beckham!

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, excellent! I saw Sleepless in Seattle and that was great (Are you seeing a theme? I have seen the major romantic comedies of the 90's.)

But you've got mail...a contender. I don't know Raising Helen.

Carolyn Crane said...

I was never attracted to My Big Fat...I like more romance than comedy. Bend it...now is that a romantic comedy???

Kati said...

Hi CJ - Thanks for the blog pimpage. Oh, I loves me some romantic comedy. Loves it.

Have you seen Hitch? It's cute and very funny. If I need a romance fix though, I go to the Keira Knightly version of P&P, which, I realize isn't contemporary. Or how about Something's Gotta Give? It stars Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, but it's a fantastic and interesting love story. I also truly adore Return to Me. Yes, it's cheesy, but it's the yummy squirt from a can kind of cheese. So delicious.

Good luck!

little alys said...

Hmm...maybe Down With Love, Bride and Prejudice or Dear Frankie?

I usually go for the more hilarious ones, but Dear Frankie is overly sweet.

50 First Dates, While You Were Sleeping, or Fierce Creatures are also pretty good.

Let us know what you pick. :)

Shannon said...

Love Actually
Ever After
The Wedding Singer
When Harry Met Sally
Strictly Ballroom
Never Been Kissed
The Cutting Edge
The Lake House (although, not a comedy. Makes me bawl like a baby.)

Bend It.. is definitely a romance. So good.

Wow, there are so many more. I could just keep going...

Anonymous said...

Bring some classics in:
You Can't Take it With You
Top Hat
Shop Around the Corner
Holiday (Hepburn and Grant, not Diaz and Law)
The Women (Jungle Red -- my favorite color)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (what's a little kidnapping between friends?)
Jane Eyre (the one that was just on PBS)
Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier (not true to the book but a dynamic duo)
Mrs. Miniver
On the Town (you can fast forward through parts of the Miss Turnstiles dance number -- it is kinda long)
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Another vote for Strictly Ballroom
All four seasons of Coupling -- following Jack and Susan's relationship with lots of other laughs is great.

Joanna Chambers said...

I'm extremely fussy about romantic/ comic movies...

My fave is probably Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

And a very little known one but also written by Charlie Kaufman. Shit - what's it called? Human Nature maybe? It's got Rhys Ifans and Patricia Arquette (who I HEART - she is sooooooo sweet).

Um - another vote for Strictly Ballroom. And When Harry Met Sally is ALWAYS worth another watch no matter how many times you've seen it.

Oh - and I really love The Tall Guy with Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson (old british 80s flick - did it make it over there?). Worth it just for the musical about the Elephant Man that Jeff gets the starring role in after years as a bit-part actor.

Thea said...

Oh the chick flick :)

Romantic Comedies:
Bridget Jones (duh!)
While You Were Sleeping (I don't know why I love this movie so much, it's BRILIANT)
Love Actually
When Harry Met Sally

Historicals:
Dangerous Beauty
Pride & Prejudice
EMMA *love*

Fantasy:
Stardust :)
The Princess Bride

Cartoon:
Howl's Moving Castle :)

That's what I got right now.

Bev(QB) said...

Many suggestions above that I concur with, so I'll add one that you can watch when your hubby IS around since it's a chick flick in the disguise of a historic action flick (and one of my top favorite movies of all time):

A Knight's Tale

My absolute favorite scene is when they are dancing and you gradually realize the music has morphed into Bowie's Golden Years... I get chills at that scene at the same time I'm smiling from ear to ear. And the kiss at the end has GOT to be one of the best screen kisses of all time- it's so devouring, so hungry. *sigh*

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: I saw Something's gotta give on a plane, or at least most of it - that WAS really fun. P & P I'm actually thinking about.

LA: I think 50 first dates is one I wanted to see at one time...is that the one where she is writing for a women's magazine? I have to check.

Shannon: I'll be investigating these. Never Been Kissed, I remember liking the plot of that. I'm glad to hear you like it.

Anon: Ooh! Classics! This is great. I like your comment on Seven Brides... maybe I'll try that one.

T: Okay, I'm officially putting on Strictly Ballroom. I don't even know what it is!!

Thea: Maybe I'll put on While You Were Sleeping, too. I'm seeing patterns with a lot you mention.... This is SO helpful!! Oh, hey, Emma is great, yes!

Bev: Even more helpful...a Trojan horse for when hubby is back watching.

Kristie (J) said...

If you're willing to go real far back into the chic flic movie vault, I always loved An Officer and a Gentleman with Richard Gere and Deborah Winger. And while not chic flicky at all, before N&S took over my life, two previous favourites are Last of the Mohicans with a Very Sexy Daniel Day Lewis and The Outsider with Tim Daly - based on a book by Penelope Williamson (a very good book by the way!)
And I go along with Ever After. I just watched it last week and it was really sweet.

KT Grant said...

The Holiday!! That was such a cute little movie. Kate Winslet is adorable and Jude Law is so sexy.
I recommend Kate Winslet's first movie, Heavenly Creatures, directed by Peter Jackson and his masterpiece. Forget LOTR's trilogy. Heavenly Creatures is a beautiful love story between two teenage girls based on a true story where one of the girls kills her mother.

Carolyn Crane said...

KJ: I forgot about an Officer and a Gentleman. That is going on the list.

KB: Heavenly Creatures is one of my all-time FAVORITE movies.

More votes for The Holiday and Ever After...

lisabea said...

Bev...I LOVE THAT MOVIE. Ok sorry. But the movie I've seen too many times and is a total guilty pleasure and, er, I'm embarrassed that it's even on my ipod:

10 things I hate about you. YES YES YES.

Sarah said...

Me 3 on the greek Wedding, loved it, and Strictly Ballroom is a delight. I thought Stardust was fab also and as the dh is a total Neil Gaiman freak it was a must see in our house. 10 things is merow and how can one go past 16 candles?? Nostalgic or what??

One of my favs that has Liv Tyler is Stealing Beauty and you cannot miss Amalie which is French. Sometimes the title is long like le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, or just Amélie. Gorgeous, clever and funny, I have watched it many times. If you like Audrey Tautou in that one you can also try A Very Long Engagement or the French title is Un long dimanche de fiançailles. Stunning cinematography and the colour in the film is breathtaking. The only thing is it is quite long.

Another cool foreign one is Run Lola Run and Franka Potente in it. She is also in The Princess and the Warrior (which is amazing and the hero is smexin).

Enchanted by Books said...

Hey Carolyn
I just wanted to say I love Serendipity too. It's one of my favorites. :)

The Bookworm said...

OMG, I'm the chick-flick queen...lol...I drive my hubby crazy. The posts here have already mentioned some really good ones. Officer and a Gentleman is one of my favs too.
how about:
Legends of the Fall (Brad Pitt-this is a must see movie...I cannot stress that enough...lol)

Say Anything
Pretty In Pink
Breakfast At Tiffany's
50 First Dates
The Wedding Singer
Gone With the Wind
Pride & Prejudice
Emma
Last of the Mohicans
Bridget Jones Diary
Don Juan DeMarco (Johnny Depp...omg)
Titanic
Moulin Rouge
Steel Magnolias (get your box of tissues ready for that one)
Cold Mountain
P.S. I Love You
First Knight (richard gere)
Pretty Woman
Dirty Dancing

I could go on and on...:)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

sula said...

I'm sitting here working furiously on more stupid homework but listening to my collection of movie soundtracks. It occurs to me that you should really check out Dangerous Beauty. Very lush scenery and sets, story of a courtesan in Venice (back in some historical day, I forget which), Rufus Sewell looking omg HOT, and a little proto-feminism "yay educated women" thang going on. It gets my vote. :) Oh and having just checked it out on netflix...you can watch it instantly online. No waiting on the mail.

Christine said...

What great suggestions. I'm taking notes!

I don't watch many chick flicks either, but my favorites are:

Ever After
Practical Magic
Tristan and Isolde

Shannon said...

Oh, I can't believe I didn't think to mention Coupling. It is hands down my favorite sitcom ever. The pilot ep had me rolling. hehe...Donkey Man.

If you like musicals you should check out
West Side Story
Guys and Dolls (Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando when he was hot)
Sound of Music

How could I forget Sliding Doors? And I still think the Colin Firth version of P&P is the ultimate Austen adaptation

Carolyn Crane said...

LB: Okay, 10 Things

Sarah: I like Liv Tyler! Stealiing Beauty, huh. I saw Run Lola Run and really dug it.

Rachael: Hey!

Naida: Great list. I am triangulating. Also, Say Anything...I think I was interested in that at one time...

Sula: Dangerous Beauty sounds like a fine tip, actually.

C: Ever After is a clear fave here! It's on the list!

Shannon: That P & P is on. On musicals, I was also thinking Grease!

Sarai said...

I liked You Got Mail... Damn I suck at this b/c I don't care for romantic movies *ducks* whoops that's so strange to say outloud but true. I prefer action or straight funny movies. Interesting maybe I should check some of these out?

Carolyn Crane said...

Sarai: You've got mail is now on my queue. You're almost as clueless as I am!

Sarai said...

I know sad right? I suck at games like this. Now ask for TV shows and action flicks and I'm all over it like glue!

Tracy said...

Oh I loved Truth about cats and dogs and Serendipity is one of my all time favs. How can you not like John Cuszak?

Def. You've got mail. Oh I should have a list since these are my fav type of movies but I can't think! lol I'll have to look at the movie collection when I get home!

Anonymous said...

Anon again -- can't remember my username/password.

You've Got Mail is a remake of a great Ernst Lubitsch comedy starring Jimmy Stewart: Shop Around the Corner. A great period piece that is alternately romantic and poignant, with a sometimes caddish JS. It was also remade with Judy Garland and Van Johnson as In the Good Old Summertime.

You might also try Truly Madly Deeply with Alan Rickman.
Cold Comfort Farm -- not a romance as such, but soooo british.
I Conquer the Castle and Enchanted April are also top-notch.

Bridget Locke said...

Oh, this is fun! :) I'll just put in my 2 cents, even if they've been named...


Never Been Kissed
13 Going on 30
Roman Holiday (which isn't a romantic comedy per se, but Gregory Peck is HAWT!)
50 First Dates
The Wedding Singer
Bride & Predjudice
Chocolat (w/ Johnny Depp...as an Irishman...yum)
Strictly Ballroom
Year of the Comet (very obscure movie w/ Tim Daly...in a mustache!)
Home Fries (this one is weird, but I love it. Does that make me weird? LOL!)



And you can't go wrong w/ any of the Jane Austen movies:

P&P (my favorite is the 2005 version w/ Keira Knightley & Matthew MacFadyen. A. b/c he's hot and B. b/c they have some major chemistry)

Emma w/ Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam. Yum!

Persuasion w/ Keiran Hinds. That man is smoldering! Yum!


Enjoy whatever you choose! :D

Shannon said...

Oh! All the Austen adaptations reminded me...

Mansfield Park (w/ Francis O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller)

Tracy said...

All of these are great!!

Chocolat
Family Man
A Lot Like Love
Roxanne
When Harry Met Sally

Carolyn Crane said...

Tracy: I am getting the greatest list now from this. Eventually, I'll watch all these.

Anon: these sound like great ideas. I already put Seven Brides and Shop around the corner on my queue now. Maybe I'll add Enchanted April - I always wanted to see that one! - And your others are now on my LT list!

Bridget - Thanks for the picks. I saw the Wedding singer - that was great.

Shannon - Oh, Mansfield park! I read that book and rather liked it.
'
T: I forgot about Roxanne - that's with Steve Martin, right?

sula said...

CJ!!!! What are you doing here...go finish North and South! lol.

btw, after recommending Dangerous Beauty to you the other night, I was inspired to watch it again. Curled up in bed with DBF. Watched it on the laptop - love that instant viewing feature. go netflix!

:)

Anonymous said...

Charade (1963, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn), I was going to recommend GroundHog Day, but Wikipedia reports, "After a police pursuit, Connors drives the stolen truck off a cliff and into a quarry, causing both man and rodent to die in a fiery explosion; but the loop does not stop. He commits suicide several more times — he electrocutes himself, steps into the path of a truck, and jumps from a tall building (other attempts are alluded to) — but mere death cannot stop the day from repeating." So maybe it's not. I remember liking Andie MacDowell.

2ndheartmom said...

I'm getting to this discussion late, but I'll post anyways. I thought I would hate it, but I really liked 27 Dresses. I also heard that Definitely Maybe was pretty good. I also just saw Mamma Mia and if you make one trip to a movie theater this year - make it for that movie!!!!