Los Angeles. Heroin overdose. "In the fifth, your ass goes down." Big Kahuna Burger. The Wolf. Chopper. Jack Rabbit Slims. Bad Mother Fucker Wallet. The Bonnie Situation. Royale With Cheese. The Music. Honey Bunny. Ezekiel 25:17.
Have you figured it out yet???
#1- Pulp Fiction
I remember having a conversation with my mom one day about Pulp Fiction. She said that I would really like it but also warned me about something... that I would catch myself laughing at inappropriate things. So on one spring evening in 2003, I turned on my surround sound, plopped onto my bed, and started the movie. By the time opening scene ended, I knew I was in for a very enjoyable experience.
A group of individuals with connections to Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) intertwine with one another in four separate stories. Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta), who are hit men for Marsellus, are on assignment to retrieve a briefcase for their boss. After an unexpected incident, they have to rely on The Wolf (Harvey Keitel) to solve the problem. Then Vincent has to take Marrsellus' wife, Mia (Uma Thurman), on a "date" while he is out of town, which was successful until Mia discovers a little baggie inside Vincent's coat pocket. Later, a boxer named Butch (Bruce Willis) makes an arrangement with Marsellus but goes against it. He finds himself attempting to escape the Los Angeles area before he might be killed.
I could go on and on about this movie, but I wont. Instead, I will list my five favorite scenes.
5. The Bonnie Situation: When Marvin got shot, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Yes, that disturbed me but it was funny on how Vincent accidentally killed the guy. So Jules and Vincent have to employ The Wolf to solve their problem. The Wolf gets in, delegates, and gets out in under an hour. Now that's someone who should be programmed in your cell phone!
4. Pumpkin and Honey Bunny strategizing the robbery: Ah, the very first scene of the movie. The way that Pumpkin convinces his girlfriend to rob the restaurant just pumped up their adrenaline, and you could sense that. When they actually stand up and do it, I remember exclaiming something like "Oh shit!" before the opening credits began. Now that's a way to start a movie!
3. Mia's drug overdose: Mistaking heroin for cocaine... wow. When Vincent discovers Mia, he flees to his dealer's house to resuscitate her. Seeing the needle plunge into Mia's chest (filled with adrenaline) made me cringe and happy that it worked out.
2. Jules and Vincent inside Brad's apartment: Between the discussion about Big Kahuna Burger and Ezekiel 25:17, what's not to enjoy about this scene???
1. Mia and Vincent's date at Jack Rabbit Slims: When they walked into the restaurant, I was in awe. I wanted to go eat there myself (until I found out that it was a fictional place... dammit). I loved how authentic the restaurant felt, especially with how the employees were dressed and the themed menu. I really wanted to know what a $5 shake tasted like. Mia and Vincent had awesome conversation before they went to dance. Oh, and they both danced very well (obviously since they won a trophy).
So who wants to come over with some Royales with Cheese and watch this with me? Hehe...
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides with the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and good will shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon those with great vengeance and with furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."
11 years ago, I was introduced (by a former boss of mine) to a little movie called Mallrats. That became the beginning of a great journey with writer/director/producer Kevin Smith and his work. Last year, I attended a Q&A show of his and loved hearing all these stories of his time making movies and working with certain actors in his career.
When they announced a few months ago that Kevin Smith would be coming back to Kansas City in May (with Jason Mewes), I was ecstatic. So imagine my surprise when he announced just weeks later that he would be coming in March to pre-screen his latest film, Red State. Me... a movie geek that loves Kevin Smith's work.... getting the chance to attend such an event. I was researching ticket prices immediately. My mom bought tickets for her and I to go a couple weeks later.
Leading up to the night, Kevin Smith did the usual radio spots and Twitter promotions. But this was the Kansas City show... and it got a lot more interesting, thanks to the members of the Westboro Baptist Church. The movie stirred up a lot of controversy the past year since it was believed to be about the Phelps and their many antics. Just like the last time Kevin was in town, they planned to protest prior to the show, but I don't think they expected to be invited to see the movie and get involved in the Q&A.
They accepted.
Oh... this just got interesting. Then, hours before the show, Kevin decided to give out 100 tickets to anyone that came to the Midland with their own picket signs. The most creative ones got tickets. Now I was more excited to see what the night was going to bring.
My mom and I make our drive down town and this is some of what we saw when we drove by (no, this isn't my video... but glad I found it):
Okay, so the protest was about 15 people (which was double the amount from last year). But seeing the counter protesters was highly entertaining. My mom and I walked around to look at some of the signs before entering the theater. We have some very creative people in the city!
After we got in the theater, grabbed a drink and got seated, we didn't have to wait long for the show to begin. Kevin came out to great applause and many of us gave him a standing ovation. He was wearing a hockey jersey and looked like he had lost some weight (good for him). He acknowledged the Phelps family, who had seats in the first balcony. The audience was pretty courteous to them; I recall only hearing a few half-assed "boos." Kevin then mentions that after the movie, Megan Phelps-Roper would join him onstage to give her personal review of the film. He keeps the rest of the opening speech short and introduces the film. Then... the movie begins.
Three high school teens decide to go to a nearby town to have sex with a woman that they found through the Internet. They end up finding themselves inside the church of an extremely fundamentalist group. The leader of the church, Abin Cooper (Michael Parks), takes the word of God to a new level, in which he and his church members murder those who commit sin, which is witnessed by one of the teens and the adult members of the church. The teens, now extremely terrified, try to escape the same fate. They end up in the middle of a hostage situation with the ATF, lead by Joseph Kennan (John Goodman). This begins a lot of bloodshed on both ends of the terrorist type acts.
This movie is definitely a horror movie... but on a different level. If you think about how leaders like Fred Phelps can get when they get worked up over something they are passionate about (like what he "preaches" to others), then imagine what would happen if he decided to take matters into his own hands and slay others "in the name of God." That, to me, is scary on a realistic level. Kevin warned the audience that this film will send you through a weird mix of emotions... and it did.
The movie does have good dialogue, as Kevin Smith has developed throughout his career. The church service scene is one of the most well-written (and acted) scenes he has ever created. That same scene has the first death, which was executed in a way I had never seen before. Some stranger is plastic wrapped onto a cross and gagged. Then, when the church members were ready to kill him, they wrapped his head with plastic wrap and aim a gun at the top of his head to shoot downward. They do it this way to prevent spilling of homosexual blood in the church. Yeah, it was fucked up.
The acting was phenomenal. Michael Parks owned that role... there was nobody else that could have executed it as well as he did. John Goodman was the character everyone rooted for, all the way to the very end. Kerry Bishe (she played Cheyenne- the granddaughter of Abin Cooper) had the breakout role of the film, and I hope some major academy recognizes that when awards season comes around next year. Overall, this movie was very good and I cannot wait for its release in theaters this October so I can see it again! Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
When the movie was on, Kevin tweeted about how we responded to the film. Apparently, Kansas City was the most bloodthirsty audience (at that point on the tour). Then again, we have the Phelps living in our backyard, so to see fictional versions of them becoming part of the bloodbath was a lot more enjoyable to us. We laughed at the beginning, got silent during Abin Cooper's speech, and fiercely cheered when a church member was killed (which happened a lot). At one of the most epic deaths, someone yelled "Winning," causing a lot of laughter and cheering (and made me smile, since it felt just like sitting in the theater when I go to the monthly Rocky Horror showings). We also cheered for John Goodman... a lot. He was the hero and we loved him for it.
All right... time for the Q&A session, which was being filmed (I had a feeling it would).
The first thing Kevin brought up was that the members of the WBC that stayed for the movie left 15 minutes in... followed by a comment that we have now found a way to drive them away from protesting at funerals (just start showing the movie to them!). There were a few good questions about casting, like that if George Carlin were still alive, he would have been considered for the role of Abin Cooper (but as Kevin stated numerous times, nobody other than Michael Parks could have done that role justice). A couple people asked film making questions and such, which Kevin went into detail about his plans about helping independent filmmakers get their works showcased.
Then, the unexpected happened.
I noticed a couple of people standing at the microphones to my right. Something seemed different about them. They introduced themselves. Libby Phelps and Joshua Phelps-Roper. Everyone got silent. They were two of Fred Phelps grandchildren and they emancipated themselves from the church (and their family). The audience went wild with applause.
Two minutes later, they were onstage... and remained there for the next hour.
Libby and Josh basically recounted to the audience of how they left the church and their family (Libby left about two years ago and Josh left when he was 19- which I think was about 7-8 years ago). They confirmed that the church was basically a cult. They did not celebrate any holidays except for birthdays (so no Christmas or Easter... funny how they call themselves a RELIGIOUS organization and not celebrate those days). Both of them have found love, as Libby is engaged and Josh is married with a son. They also have had difficulty finding something they can believe in when it comes to organized religion.
When asked about the movie, Libby and Josh gave some very awesome insight. During a scene where the ATF and the Cooper family are having a shooting battle, Abin asks his daughter for some sweet tea. Libby pointed out that she experienced similar instances when she used to protest. They would talk about dinner plans and stuff while holding picket signs and getting things thrown at them. This brought Kevin to tears and when he hugged Libby he said that her comment "made up for a year's worth of bad reviews for Cop Out" (and the audience cheered).
The Q&A ends with a couple more questions before Kevin (and the Phelps) get a massive standing ovation. Since it was filmed, I predict that when Red State is released on DVD the Kansas City Q&A will be in the bonus features. I'm almost willing to put money on it.
So, there you have it. My epic evening at the Red State pre-screening. I was so glad I got to experience this (and my Mom too). It was one of those "you HAD to be there" kind of nights. At least I was kind enough to share a lot of it to my friends and readers.
Kevin Smith is coming back May 2nd to Kansas City, with Jason Mewes. My mom is already planning to get us tickets. Seeing Kevin Smith three times within a year? Wow... how did that become possible??? :-)
Well, what do we have here??? A blog challenge about my favorite movies. Some of you are curious about what I consider to be my favorite movies of all time... and I am more than happy to share that with you. Some of you know what my top 5 has been, but I have made some recent revisions (goodbye The Dark Knight). With so many good movies out there, I want to share with you my 10 favorite movies. Get ready for some great films (and some surprises).
#10- Chasing Amy
Holden McNeil (Ben Affleck) and Banky Edwards (Jason Lee) are partners in making comic books. While working at a convention, they meet Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams). Holden immediately has a crush on her and tries to pursue her, until he finds out that she's gay. They continue to hang out, but Holden's feelings grow stronger. He confesses his love to Alyssa, which begins a fight, but they end up as a couple. Despite their love for each other, obstacles get in the way. Alyssa's friends are disappointed in her, Banky is jealous that Holden is spending so much time with Alyssa, and Holden discovers a lot of things about Alyssa's past that he just cannot seem to get out of his mind. Holden has to decide whether to let the past go or make a change for the sake of the relationship.
Kevin Smith has a great way of storytelling through words, especially with a complicated love story. I related to Holden when he was finding out about Alyssa's past (the hurt, the anger, the not so discreet way of confronting her... yeah it was pretty obvious). I also related to Banky, since I had friends that resented me when in a new relationship (especially with blowing off the girls to spend time with a significant other). Alyssa... she is somewhat of a role model to me. She's independent, very straightforward about her lifestyle, and is willing to take a chance with her heart. Add all the geekiness (comic books, conventions, creative SAT questions) and I am a happy girl!
#9- The Boondock Saints
Two Irish-Catholic brothers, acting on their own behalf to eliminate the Mafia and their affiliates in the Boston area.... sounds like a pretty fucking good idea to me! Yes, they are offing people, but you can't help that they have the right intentions and cheer for them. They have very unconventional ways for getting the job done, like they've watched too much bad television (as Agent Smecker points out at one of the crime scenes).
This movie exceeded my expectations. I knew I was going to enjoy it, but not as much as I did. There's some great action sequences, lots of laughs (the more I watch the scene where the cat gets shot, the funnier it gets), and lots of attention to detail by the great Paul Smecker. I love *my* Irish boys and was happy to see them reunite for a sequel (which was pretty good, but lacking in the Rocco and Smecker areas... for obvious reasons). Oh, and if anyone wants to learn how to use the word "fuck" in every way possible, then this is the perfect movie use as a guide, LOL.
#8- August Rush
A very simple story with a very BIG heart. A boy named Evan is on a journey to use music to seek out his biological parents in New York City. Meanwhile, his mother, a cellist, is on a search to find him after discovering he is alive. His father finds himself at a crossroads in his life and ends up making a cross country trip to rediscover his passion for music. In the end, everything comes together... at a concert in Central Park.
One of my favorite things about this movie, aside from the story and the music, is how you see that New York City is full of musical arrangements. I know that if I ever need inspiration, I can just take a trip, sit on a bench and write down what I see or hear around me. I loved how Robin Williams played a character who hates Julliard, when he attended that same school in his youth. Oh, and I need to thank my best friend for raving about this movie. You were definitely right about it, Brandon :-)
#7- Cruel Intentions
Two high school step-siblings, who are experts at manipulation and seduction, make a pact to destroy the innocence of a couple new students before the school year begins. Sebastian goes for Annette, who has vowed to stay a virgin until she falls in love; Kathryn goes for Cecil, who's developed an interest in her music instructor. However, for Sebastian, things don't go as planned when he ends up falling for Annette, to the displeasure of Kathryn.
This is my number one guilty pleasure movie (I was fifteen when I saw this movie in theaters, so it's also my favorite coming of age film). I have been given a lot of crap for having this in my favorites list over the years, but I do need to point out that this was a remake of the novel Les Liasons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liasons) and it was aimed to introduce the classic to a younger generation. And yes, I have seen the films Valmont and Dangerous Liasons... but Cruel Intentions will always be my favorite retelling of the novel.
#6- The Departed
A movie with dirty cops, undercover cops, the Boston Mafia scene, and directed by Martin Scorsese. Talk about a great combination!!! It took me a couple viewings to comprehend everything that happened in the film, and I was highly impressed. I was very satisfied with how all of the angles were worked out to make the film very believable. Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan was so good that I forgot about the actor and just saw the character on the screen. I could not get enough of this movie when I first saw it; I think I watched it about a dozen times in a month.
#5- Forrest Gump
I don't see how anyone could hate this movie. It's full of wisdom, life's ups and downs, and southern hospitality. It's a wonderful story of Forrest's life and the people that touched him dearly through his journey. You cheered for him when his leg braces fell off. You were sad when he lost his Momma and Bubba. You laughed when he showed off his bullet wound. And, when Jenny and Forrest finally became a couple and married (with little Forrest as the ring bearer), you were happy. It also made me realize, at the age of 10, that people with learning and developmental problems can live a normal life and be happy. I will always love my Grandpa (RIP) and Grandma Savory for introducing me to this film... it was basically the first film that made me realize the beauty of a great story.
#4- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
I have loved this movie since I was about 3 years old... not kidding (well, that and Dirty Dancing... my family always had HBO). What teen wouldn't want to play hooky from school and spend the day doing all kinds of things in the city? I know I wanted to... even though I never actually did it. At one point in time, I dreamed of owning a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California. Ferris is one of those individuals who will remain true to himself and won't settle for a life that is monotonous or mediocre. He will always be one of the most interesting people you meet... which is probably why I always have been attracted to people like that :-)
#3- The Shawshank Redemption
What would you do if you were charged with murder and had to spent a lifetime sentence for a crime you didn't commit? For Andy Dufresne, he kept himself busy. During the day, he would write letters that eventually became a project for an enormous library for the inmates. He also used his banking skills to help prepare taxes for all the guards as well as do the books for the Warden, but he was a lot smarter than he let on. It wasn't until he escaped the prison and was hundreds of miles away that the Warden and his best friend Red figured out what he did at night to keep his sanity... behind a really big poster!
I was actually introduced to this movie by a convicted felon... my ex-husband. Of course, my views on the movie differ dramatically from his, since I have not served a sentence in prison (a few hours in my town's jail, yes... but it's not the same). You fall in love with all the characters, the story and the time period. I cannot find a single thing I dislike about this movie... or any flaws for that matter! If anyone reading this has yet to watch this movie... stop whatever you are doing and watch it. NOW!!! Then tell me what you thought about it.
#2- The Phantom of the Opera
Having just recently reviewed this on my Valentine's movie blog, I'm going to focus on a few key points as to how it made it at nearly the top. I am a hopeless romantic. That started when I was about eight years old when first seeing Disney's Beauty and the Beast. So as an adult, who has experienced love a couple of times, seeing the passion and the romance just made me feel like that eight year old all over again. This movie hones in on my theater background, my love for music and my emotional depth. I absolutely need to see a stage production of this before I die. Where's my Phantom (minus the murderous rage)???
Now you know what my favorites are... pretty good list, don't you think???
Yes, I am aware I didn't list my number one favorite movie. There is a reason for that; it gets it's very own blog later this month. It's different than my other favorites, but it's definitely a great one for any movie geek out there! For now, I'll give you a few clues to guess what it could possibly be: It is a 1994 film set in the Los Angeles area, there are a ton of big name actors/actresses in the movie, and the plot is complicated, in the sense that there are several mini plots in the film, which all ties together in a "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" kind of way. Good luck guessing!!! ;-)
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me.... 12 of my favorite holiday movies (and specials)!!!
Elf
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." How did any of us enjoy the holidays before Buddy the Elf came into our lives??? The way that Buddy sees the world beyond life in the North Pole makes me feel like a kid again, mainly because of the innocent wonder of discovering new things and ideals. Not only is this movie highly entertaining for young adults, but it is also a great family film (especially since they stand by the fact that Santa is real and they "squash" the rumor that the parents put the presents under the tree). If I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit, I just pop this into the DVD player and wait for the movie to fill me with happiness for the season!!!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
When you see "National Lampoon" and "vacation" together in a movie title, expect to see some Griswold's. Unlike the other three Vacation movies, we see how Clark and the family interact while staying at home for the holidays. Whether it's setting up way too many lights outdoors, realizing that the extended family wrapped their cat in a present, or watching as Clark zips faster than the speed of sound when sledding, you WILL crack up (and for me, I still do after watching this movie dozens of times).
A Charlie Brown Christmas
As someone who grew up with Snoopy as her favorite cartoon character, this movie was a MUST watch several times each holiday season. I remember when I was about six or seven and wishing I had the same tree that Charlie Brown had... I saw it's potential to be beautiful. I always loved how everyone danced when practicing for the Christmas program (and what's better is seeing the Hey Ya! Charlie Brown video on YouTube). I loved how Linus quoted scripture from the Bible to help Charlie Brown realize the true spirit of the holiday season... sometimes we just need the reminder of what Christmas is really about.
Home Alone
As a seven year old sitting in the movie theaters, I thought this movie was epic!!! To be left at home by accident and having free reign on whatever food I wanted to eat and to watch movies I wasn't allowed to watch.. that was ideal. I wished I was as smart as Kevin when it came to setting up booby traps against Marv and Harry. My favorite trap was when Marv was stepping on the ornaments when getting in through the window. I felt his pain. John Hughes did a great job portraying the fears and excitement of a child, from the creepy type neighbor to the furnace in the basement. This is one of the funniest family movies I've ever seen.
Oh, and I had a crush on Macaulay Culkin.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Okay, so I couldn't resist having the sequel on here!! For a movie that takes place somewhere completely different than the first one, John Hughes was able to keep the charm we all fell in love with (and believe me, I've seen sequels that were a hot mess... like Sex and the City 2). I absolutely loved seeing New York City at Christmastime; that city is idealistic to have a true holiday themed vacation. The pranks were so much better than the first movie (come on, they had to be!) and a lot more brutal. It's a wonder that Marv and Harry were able to walk (or speak) after several of those! I felt this one was a lot more heartfelt than the first, especially about Mr. Duncan's plan to donate to the Children's Hospital. It touched on one of the best things about the holidays, people helping others that cannot celebrate due to poverty or illness.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ah, a classic holiday special brought to us by Dr. Seuss! I used to watch this several times each year. However, the copy that I watched at my Grandparents got cut off when the Grinch was stuck up the hill with the sled. It wasn't until I was a preteen that I finally got to watch the ending (even though I knew the ending... I mean, it was a book first!). Of course Hollywood had to remake this into a full length feature film when I was in high school. It's a good film on its own, but I will always love the cartoon special more :-)
Bad Santa
If you put Billy Bob Thornton in a Christmas movie, expect it to be dirty... just saying. His character Willie and his partner Marcus have had a great method for conning department stores around the holidays. But this particular year, unforeseen obstacles get in the way, which include a young boy, overintoxication, and a security guard who catches onto their scheme. It was amusing to me to see that Sue was raised Jewish and had always wanted to fulfill her fantasy of having sex with Santa, then getting her wish. Those moments made the movie. This was also the last movie that John Ritter ever made, which made his scenes feel a little bittersweet. Who says all Christmas movies have to be bright and cheerful???
South Park Season One, Episode 10: Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo
I've been a fan of South Park since its debut in 1997. When the first Christmas special aired that same year, I was entertained... and kind of disturbed. I enjoyed the parody of A Charlie Brown Christmas and how the town attempted to make the holiday season non-offensive (even though that ended up in a total disaster). But the most disturbing thing of all??? That a piece of crap (literally) helped everyone get into the holiday spirit. Oh, and you have to admit, when Mr. Hankey says "Howdy Ho!!!" it puts a smile on your face. :-)
"Hankey, the Christmas poo. I love him and he loves you...."
A Christmas Story
Look! It's a Christmas cult film... so much that TBS plays it for 24 hours straight!!! I'll never have to own it since I can get my fill of the movie each year. Everyone can relate to Ralphie. We all have that dream gift that we want SO BAD! We all have that crazy relative that gives you some strange clothes (although mine were never Pink Bunny suit embarrassing... just underwear, lol). Someone we know has had been "triple dog dared" into doing something. This movie, in all its eccentricities and misadventures, is universal to everyone (and why it will remain as a classic during the holiday season).
The Polar Express
My generation grew up with this book. I remember having it read to my classmates and I in elementary school. Now that I have a kid of my own, I get to watch him experience this classic tale as a movie. This is one of the few instances where the film has exact same charm, innocence, and wonder as the book. The movie not only keeps the attention of children, but it is entertaining enough for the adults to enjoy (and if anyone else is like me, it brings back a sense of nostalgia).
The Nightmare Before Christmas (presented with the Fall Out Boy version of "What's This)
Wow... it seems like I was just talking about this movie on my Halloween list. Oh, wait, I did!!! To see Jack Skellington discover the world of Christmas and then to figure it out through scientific experimentation was fun to watch! Although things didn't turn out as planned for Jack (or Santa, for that matter), it was one of those movies where you realize that you appreciate the world that you live in, even if you have moments of monotony. Oh, and that it's good to explore beyond your own place in the world, because you never know what you will find (in that fun, exciting way)!
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
This is one of those specials that I can actually remember watching when I was 3 or 4 years old. Cookie Monster's attempt to contact Santa always made me laugh. Bert and Ernie exchanging their favorite possessions for gifts made me a little sad, but I also noticed how good of friends they were to each other (Hey, this was before I was old enough to hear of the gay lover jokes, so get your mind out of the gutter!). I also had hopes that Big Bird would see Santa, even though he fell asleep. The suspense of seeing Santa myself got to me as a kid, I always wanted to see more than just his shadow. I found a DVD copy of this special when working at Cargo Largo and wanted to share this with my son. He loves it as much as I did!!
Last night, I was watching John Carpenter's Halloween. I was also talking to my best friend Brandon on facebook, and mention that this was my first time watching the movie, even though I've seen several of the other Halloween films. He flips out on me and then decides to tell some of our mutual friends in a chat room. Again, more shocked reactions. In my defense, there are a lot of films out there. I know I won't see them all, but I enjoy trying!
So when I woke up this morning, I spent a lot of time thinking about how my movie geekness could be in jeopardy because there are several excellent films out there that I have yet to see. I expect that many will react to this list with amazement, denial, and shock.... "Wow... Casey hasn't seen THAT movie???" "Wow, that's a classic, she needs to see that one immediately!" "How could she have not seen that one.... that's totally her kind of movie!"
Are you guys ready for this??? Don't say I didn't warn you....
-The Godfather Trilogy (I personally feel extremely ashamed of not seeing these movies)
-Rain Man (I own it)
-Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
-any of the Rocky films
-The Shining
-Alien
-2001: A Space Odyssey
-The Graduate
-Philadelphia
-Empire of the Son
-Terminator (although I've seen #2 and #3)
-This is Spinal Tap
-Lawrence of Arabia
-Rent
-Slumdog Millionaire
-Taxi Driver
-Across the Universe (my Mom owns it... good thing I live in the same house, lol)
-The Goonies (major shame since I'm an 80's kid and all)
-Fried Green Tomatoes
-Vertigo
-Dog Day Afternoon
-Gone with the Wind
-The Phantom of the Opera (I own the Gerald Butler version)
-It's a Wonderful Life
-Monty Python and the Holy Grail
-A Clockwork Orange
-Jaws
-American History X (I own it)
Okay, everyone.... please get those shocked looks off your faces!!! It's a good thing I have access to some of these in my own house. As for the others... I'm working on it! I will no longer feel I need to shame myself for missing out. But all I have is time in the future.... and a couch, some movie snacks, and hopefully a few friends to join me in my movie watching endeavors!
Oh, and yes.... I enjoyed John Carpenter's Halloween... by far the best one!!! The theme still makes my heart beat faster.
Yea.... I've been dancing to that since I was in diapers. Seriously, I have.
I was raised by parents who went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday and Saturday night, twice a night. They've seen the show with an audience over 200 times... not kidding. Growing up, I always knew when the movie was on television. My Dad or Mom would crank up the volume as loud as they could, and I would run into the room, do the Time Warp, and return to whatever I was doing (part of that had to do with the fact that they wouldn't let me see the entire film until I was old enough to understand what was going on).
Naturally, I've been a fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show my entire life. With that said, I didn't realize until I was in high school that it was a cult film. I guess that's what happens when raised by Rocky Horror enthusiasts... which isn't a bad thing at all. When I was involved in theater, I found other people my age who were into the film as well, even attending a Halloween party where I was handcuffed to my friend Janis while watching the movie. Oh, fun times indeed!!
But...
I was still a "virgin" until my mid-twenties.
For those with extremely confused looks on their faces (Wait, she can't be a virgin, she has a kid!), a "virgin" in Rocky Horror terms means someone who has not seen the movie with a live audience and a floorshow. When I wanted to go to a live showing as a teen and my early twenties, I didn't have the opportunity because the Kansas City area shows were no longer active. However, that changed a couple years ago... and it was someone I actually know that brought it back.
I had my first real Rocky Horror experience on July 17, 2010.
Being that I was a virgin, I had to be initiated. I will not give out the details... that's supposed to remain a secret ("What Happens at Rocky Horror"... yeah, you get the picture). Then, there is the discussion of the prop bags and when to use each prop during the film. Cool... have to do that sometime. Then the film starts.
Now, this is an audience participation event, as well as a floorshow. Many obsceneties will be shouted out throughout the movie. I already knew a few of them... when you see Brad, you yell "asshole!" When you see Janet, "slut!" Those are some of the universal comments. Each show and each theater is different... you don't always know what you will hear. Personally, I was amazed at how creative some of the "shout outs" were.... references from The Princess Bride, Star Trek, Star Wars, Rainbow Bright, and even recent pop culture news (like Mel Gibson's career and Gary Coleman in a casket).
Now, about the floorshow. There are a group of actors that play the characters from the film. They dress up and use props when needed. I don't know if it's just me, but when going to the show, you pay more attention to the floorshow than you do the movie screen. Everyone in the floorshow dresses up for their roles... and accurately. My favorite costume is the sparkly outfit worn by Columbia... I applaud Rachel (who normally plays her) for finding the right pieces!
I was extremely pleased with my first Rocky Horror experience, so much that I've gone to every show since then! The second time I attended, I brought two "virgins" with me, one of them (my friend Katrina) had not seen the movie either, so it was definately a first time experience for her! My mom also came that time, however, it's been so long since she's gone that she didn't know half the references the audience was saying. I guess that's what happens when a younger generation takes control of the show (hehehe). I have also started dressing up for the shows (80's night in September and I wore fishnets last weekend for the October showing).
I am really excited for next week.... the Halloween showing!! I am ready to see lots of costumes (and yes I will have one on as well) and enjoy what will be my 5th Rocky Horror experience. I still have a long way to go to reach my parent's record... but I can do it! At this rate.... you'll probably see me join the Fishnets and Floorshows cast. And yes, I am seriously considering it!
Chick flicks.... the movies that women hope become a reality to them at some point. I've seen my fair share of these films, and yes, there are moments where I get all mushy for the passion I see on the screen. The movies hone on the emotional connection and will always have an audience. These are also some of the most predictable films out there, but sometimes you need something basic and easy to follow.
The Holiday:
I love, love, LOVE this movie! There's romance, movie geekness, and parenting. I can totally relate to Graham. He feels he needs to "compartmentalize" his life between socialization/dating and taking care of his two little girls. Just the struggle to eventually mesh the two worlds together can be chaotic, and I thought it was excellent that this was part of the movie. Oh, and the fact that Amanda and Miles both work in the movie industry, and Iris's love for movies.... totally awesome. If I could turn my life into a movie, this one will definately be considered!
Chasing Amy:
You know you truly love someone when you go against everything you thought you knew and break through your own boundaries for that person. Alyssa knew she was gay but fell for Holden anyway. Holden struggled with Alyssa's experimental sexual past but tried to understand, even go as far as trying to broaden his own experiences (even though it failed miserably). This is, by far, my favorite Kevin Smith film. I can completely relate to it and dream of having a guy like Holden someday...
He's Just Not that Into You:
A chick flick that is pretty damn realistic! I know of several guys that really liked this one because of that. There aren't all those predictable cliches that you see in other films. It was also nice to follow all the couples separately and see how they intertwined with one another. And yes, all the advice that Alex gives to Gigi is true. And to think that this movie (and book) would not have been possible if not mentioned by Jack Berger in Sex and the City :-)
Sex and the City-The Movie:
The fabulous four, the fashion, the city.... oh how I was so happy when this came out! I was there at the Midnight showing expecting amazement... and got it! This movie was definately touching the dark side of life.... how to bounce back after 10 years (off and on) with the same guy who couldn't make it to the alter the day of the wedding. It was heartbreaking and yet you applauded Carrie for getting her life back as quickly as she did and realizing things that she had done that contributed to what Big did. This one definatly kept the charm of the series (now the sequel on the other hand.... I'd call that a "hot mess").
My Big Fat Greek Wedding:
I've always had this fascination with Greek culture, so to see this movie about a Greek family was pretty cool. They are wild, loud, love food, and there's always some excuse to get together and celebrate something. If I could sum up this movie, it's that even though you can't pick your family, they will support you with whatever makes you happy in life and in love.
The Prince and Me:
A girl going to college falls in love with a guy that happens to be a Prince. Sounds like a dream come true! What I loved about this movie is that it wasn't some brainless girl that got the guy. It was someone who was agressively trying to get into medical school and had several ambitions for her life. Her independence also was brought up between them because if she chose to follow her heart, she would have to sacrifice her ambitions for a career. It was very realistic compared to other "fairy tale" type of stories. Plus, you have to enjoy the simple joys in life, like tractor racing!
Catch and Release:
You know... it would really suck to have your fiance pass away the weekend you were supposed to marry him. Then to make some major changes, like moving in with his roommates and finding out that he was supporting a child that lived out of state. I liked seeing how each of the characters coped with the death, especially when Sam overdosed on pills and bounced back. Next time I go to Colorado, I need to take more time appreciating the beauty of the state... so mesmerizing.
Stepmom:
Blended families are definately part of the normal thing nowadays, and this movie does an excellent job of showing the good and the bad when there is divorce and remarriage. Throw in the many unexpected things that life throws at you, and you have a movie that everybody can relate to and appreciate. Yes, this movie can be a real tearjerker at the end (although I never actually cried), especially with the scene between Isabel and Jackie at the restaurant.
The Notebook:
Nicholas Sparks... nuff said. *And I have mentioned in previous blogs... I would love to have this kind of strong, loving relationship.*
You've Got Mail:
Yes, I have met guys over the world wide web. I have found that it is a good way to connect with people, then when you finally meet them in person, you have an ease or comfort that you wouldn't get compared to a blind date. For both Joe and Kathleen to be opposing forces in the professional world and end up falling in love with each other is cliche, yes, but you have to admit that it melts your heart when she realizes that it was him all along.
I admit it, I am a bookworm. I have been since I learned how to read. Ok, maybe not so much in junior high and high school, but once I hit college I got back into it... tenfold. I just love getting so wrapped up in a book that before I know it, hours have flown by. So when some of my favorite books are adapted into film, I'm ready to see how well they portrayed the story. I have the preconceived notion that books are ALWAYS going to be better than their movie counterparts... and I'm pretty much right. But, there is the occasional instance where I am pleased with how accurate a movie portrays the book. I would like to share with you some of the best (and the worst) book to movie adaptations I have seen.
*I warn you... there will be SPOILER ALERTS, especially with the ones I thought were the worst adaptations.
Let's start with the worst ones, shall we???
#1- Angels and Demons by Dan Brown- I have never been so disappointed in a movie... EVER. The book read like a movie plot so I figured Ron Howard wouldn't have a problem adapting it to film. Um, yea... he did. He omitted SO MUCH out of the book. The biggest part of the book... the arguments of science vs. religion was barely touched. Then, the character Maximillion Kohler wasn't even in the movie at all... he was a supporting character but played a key role in the film. I really wanted to see him in the film (and wanted to know who would have played him). One of my favorite parts of the book was also not covered in the movie: the realization that the carmelengo was the son of the Pope (yes Pope's cannot have sex or reproduce, but by the power of science, aka sperm donation, it was possible). For those who haven't watched the movie.... SKIP IT. Read the book.
#2- The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot- Disney has a huge reputation for "sugar coating" films. As a parent, I do understand why they do this but when they base a film on a book series, I want to see accuracy. Ok, for one... the books have Mia and her mom living in SoHo, not San Francisco. Mia's father isn't dead... he had testicular cancer and can no longer produce heirs to the throne (which is why Mia found out she's royalty). Oh, and the best part of the books??? Mia and her friends are obsessed with The Rocky Horror Picture Show!!! There are several parts in the series where they bring it up... and go to the Midnight showings. Even though I was raised a Disney Brat... seeing the "sugar coated" adaptations make me sorely disappointed in the company. You gotta admit... it would be amusing to see the "Time Warp" in a Disney film... hehehe.
#3- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult- Ok, this one could have avoided being on the worst list if they didn't change the ending. I was fine with them omitting one of the characters... Julia, the guardian ad litem. I was also ok with the fact that they didn't cover much of Jesse's delinquent acts to get attention. But, to completely change the ending was just wrong. The movie ended where Kate died. In the book, Anna is granted medical emancipation and is on her way to the hospital to tell her sister. But Anna and her lawyer Campbell are involved in a car accident, leaving Anna brain dead. Her parents decide that Anna would have donated her kidneys to her sister Kate. So Kate receives both kidneys, and the book goes foward 10 years where Kate is still alive and has been in remission since the donation. I heard a lot of people didn't want to see the movie at all because they knew the ending was changed... and I don't blame them at all.
Ok, now to the "Meh" List!!!
#1 The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown- Compared to Angels and Demons, Ron Howard did a lot better turning this book into film. It flowed very well, you were able to follow the movie with ease (just like you could in the book), and there was no major omission of characters. I understand why some scenes were lightly touched, especially the ones with the ritualistic sex. Even though the readers were fine with it, many probably would have felt uncomfortable with visuals. They would have lost some of their audience. Oh well... I wouldn't have minded.
#2 The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling- My favorite books!!! They are not in the best list for one major reason: a lot of fat had to be trimmed to get them adapted to film. Each movie averages about 2 1/2 hours. Some kids (even some adults) can't stand to sit through lengthy films. If all of these movies were dead on accurate to the books, we would have seen them converted into a miniseries. I still wish that Peeves the Poltergeist would have made the movies... you just gotta have someone constantly wrecking havoc on the students for their own personal amusement!!!
Finally... the ones that pleased me in their adaptations... in reverse order :-)
#4 Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice- This book was a very heavy read for me. It took me a while to read it and I caught myself nodding off a lot in the process. Once I finished the book, I realized that the movie was very accurate. Anne Rice definitely has a talent with description, sometimes in a long-winded kind of way. But that's ok in the literary world, since you want the reader to get a detailed picture. This is one of the few times where if you don't necessarily want to read it, I would say that you were fine just watching the movie. But I would recommend reading the other books in the Vampire Chronicles. I have only read one other book, and that is The Vampire Lestat. Much more interesting than Interview and a lot more fun!
#3 The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks- This was just really easy to adapt, I mean, it's a love story! The book focuses primarily on the reunion of Noah and Allie, but in true form of movies, they have to expand the other parts to get a complete, beautiful story for their audience. Any woman out there will tell you that this is one of the best chick flicks out there, and a heartwarming book. I would have to agree. This book/movie also hits me on a personal level, since when I look at the relationship between Noah and Allie, all I see are my Grandma and Grandpa Savory. When you can get a story to relate to you or to people close to you, it just makes it more beautiful.
#2 Twilight, New Moon by Stephanie Meyer- *Sigh* Yes, I just went there... the Twilight Saga. And I admit they did a damn good job in adapting the books. I know a lot of it had to do with the hardcore fan base. They were not going to settle for any derivatives and fought hard for it (believe me I read the random articles saying so). I wish that the Harry Potter fans were more hardcore like the "Twihards," so the Harry Potter movies would be on the Best List. For the record, I'm still not the typical female who is obsessed with these books/movies. My curiosity of the saga was fulfilled when I read the books... that's it. My heart is still with True Blood and Interview with the Vampire (REAL vampires).
#1 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events- I watched the movie before I read all 13 books. With that said, the personality of the movie was DEAD ON to the books. Realizing this made me feel like I was a kid again, just the awe and the excitement of a really great story and seeing that your imagination is in sync with what you see on the screen. What I am sad about is that they only made one movie (based on the first three books). I wanted more! At least I have all the books sitting on my shelf... and my very creative imagination.
Wow... this blog was a lot longer than I had anticipated. I was going to add videos and pictures, but I think my extensive amount of words is plenty :-)
I may do another one of these blogs.... there are a few books sitting on my shelf that have been made into movies. I just have to watch the movies so I can compare/contrast them!
Last night, I really got into the Halloween mood. It was clouding up outside, the temps were dropping, and I popped in a horror movie. Today, I was going to go outside and decorate the front of the house with Halloween stuff, but it's been raining all morning (and part of the afternoon). So instead, I decided to come up with several of the movies and specials that I try to watch each year to keep myself in the Halloween mood for the rest of the month. Maybe I can get a few others to get bitten by the "Halloween spirit," hehe.
Michael Jackson's Thriller
You can't have a proper Halloween without Thriller. Seriously. Words cannot even come close to the love and bond I have with this song and video. I listen to it all year round just for it's pure awesomeness. Oh, and you have to love Vincent Price's rap. Bravo for MJ for getting him involved in this song... it wouldn't be the same without him.
Garfield Halloween
As a kid, this was the scariest Halloween program ever. Even today, I still get a little bit of a chill when watching it. You can't get programs like this nowadays (believe me, I know... I am a parent after all). This is why I feel blessed to be a child of the 80's.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Wow... a movie you can watch at Halloween and at Christmas (not to mention one of the few Tim Burton films WITHOUT Johnny Depp). I just love the beauty of this film; it mesmerizes me every time I see it. I do catch myself humming or singing the songs from time to time (and recently fell in love with the Fall Out Boy version of "What's This"). I also had the opportunity to meet Ken Page (the man who voiced the Oogie Boogie Man) when going to college in St. Louis. He was an alumnus of Fontbonne and came back to direct Godspell that fall. Very cool guy.
Beetlejuice
Ok, I know. Another Tim Burton film. But come on! It's an awesome one... one that I catch myself watching every time it's on television. I can't look at minature models of towns without referring to this film, lol. I honestly wish Tim Burton would go back to the late 80's/ early 90's and realize that his films had a lot more quality back then, and then get back there (except that Big Fish and Sweeney Todd were excellent recent films of his). Oh, sorry I got the Banana Boat song stuck in your head...
Roseanne: Halloween Edition
A couple birthdays ago, my Mom gave me a Roseanne DVD with all of the Halloween episodes. I love it! This is what you call a creative family! Watching these always inspire me to go all out when decorating for Halloween. Whenever I become a homeowner, I will have my dining room and living room completely decked out for the entire month of October. I also try to "think outside the box" with costumes like they do. I can never get a good enough idea, but one of these days I will.
Casper
I still remember sitting in the movie theater watching this for the first time. I wanted to live in a house like that (and would probably jump at the opportunity even today). I was a preteen then, and Devon Sawa was one of my first celebrity crushes. The dancing scene still makes me smile. You also have to appreciate the Ghostbuster's cameo in the beginning :-)
It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Ah, the Peanuts gang. You cant have a holiday without them having a special. This one isn't my favorite Peanut's special but still enjoyable for the season. Poor Charlie Brown, he got a lot of rocks in his bag. And seriously... who has rock lying around for kids??? Strange people....
Everybody (Backstreet's Back)
This one should not be a suprise to anyone that's known me since I was in junior high. The Backstreet Boys were my boys back then... and seeing this for the first time was one of the most exciting things for me as a teen. I can still do (almost) all the dance moves in the video, hehe. *As I am typing this, I am putting my copy of the CD single in my DVD player to blast loudly*
I know there are some of you reading this wondering "Where are all the slasher flicks and horror movies? There are none on here!" That list I am saving for another rainy day....
What makes good movies and tv shows is a combination of things: story, characters, and a connection to the audience. As a female, I tend to like certain movies that are not the best, but connect with me in a very emotional way. There are moments where I literally am brought to tears. Some are based on the loss of a character, some are when two people finally make that ultimate commitment to one another, or when someone truly gets something they deserve. Here are my tearjerker moments.
Harry's Ultimate Sacrifice in Armageddon:
Yea, the speech he said to Grace didn't really affect me, but it got me in the "teary mode." So by the time he gets flashbacks of Grace as a kid, I was there. This was also the first time I cried at a movie on a date (yes he cried too).
Monica and Chandler get Engaged on Friends:
Ok, I really wanted to post the actual proposal clip, but due to copywright/ embedding issues, I couldn't. But the whole concept of Monica realizing what Chandler was doing and surpising him with the apartment full of candles was just sooo awesome. Even though she couldn't go through with it and Chandler did the proposing... it was just perfect and romantic as hell!
Denny's Death on Grey's Anatomy:
Denny and Izzie... so close to true happiness. This exact scene is what I picture when Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" is playing. What gets me the most about this is what Izzie was saying before Alex picks her up off the bed. Even though they didn't know each other long, the feelings were strong. And to my Grey's fans, we saw how long it took for her to recover from this.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition:
There have been SEVERAL episodes that get me teared up when they get to the part where the house is revealed to the families. I sometimes have to avoid this show just because of that.
Big tells Carrie She's the One in Paris:
Yes, it was highly predictable that Big and Carrie would end up together, but when Big finally says "Carrie, you're the one," I was losing it. And then again less than a minute later when Carrie reunites with the girls in their "spot."
Proposal/Wedding from A Walk to Remember:
This one is a new development when it comes to the crying. I have seen this movie dozens of times but when I watched it about a month ago, I was having to rub my eyes. Funny how certain things that happen in your personal life can affect how you react to a movie...
Relizing John Doe is George on Grey's Anatomy:
As soon as Meredith said "007" I did one of those "eyes get really wide and my hand covers my mouth" moves before the tears came. And kept coming until the credits rolled. NO!!!! Not George. This one still gives me that chill every time I watch the clip.
The End of Toy Story 3:
Obviously I don't have video for this one because it's still in theaters! I don't want to spoil the ending for those who haven't seen it yet, but the last several minutes had tears running down my cheeks.
And here's a list of movies where I came close to crying (or would have if I didn't know the ending beforehand)
-Marley and Me, when Marley is put to sleep (knew the ending)
-Titanic, when Rose realizes Jack was dead (I know... shocking. I didn't cry)
-The Holiday, when Amanda decides to run back to Graham after already heading to the airport
-William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, when Romeo realizes Juliet is alive after he took the poison
-The Green Mile, when John Coffey is executed (knew the ending)
-Stepmom, when Isabel and Jackie have that talk toward the end of the film
So... if anyone ever thought that I am a robot when watching movies.. I have proved you wrong! Now, what movies make you get weepy???
Ok, I admit it.... I'm boy crazy. Always have been.
At any given time, I have a crush on at least 2-3 guys. But in the world of fictional characters... dozens. Characters from books I read, movies I watch, and from tv shows. It's easier to crush on the fictional ones, since you see how they interact with others from an outsider's standpoint... not to mention that a lot of those characters are written to be appealing.
You ready to see who gets my heart all a flutter???
Oh, Ferris.... I have loved you since I was 4 or 5 years old! You are fearless, ruthless, confident, and know how to think outside the box! You are an expert with technology, especially when hacking into the school's computer and faking your illness with your stereo system. You are extremely popular but you know who your true friends are and rely on them for help. You also share many good philosophies to others. Like you said "Life moves pretty fast. If you dont stop and look around once in a while, you may miss it."
Yes, I know he dies.. BUT... IT'S, DENNY DUQUETTE!!! He's extremely flirtatious and funny, despite the fact that he's scared of hospitals. If I worked in the medical field and met a guy like this, I would probably fall for him too. I would enjoy playing board games with him to pass the time. Every time I hear "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol, I feel my heart tug a little... not kidding.
Gee... I have a crush on another movie geek. Who would have thought? ;-) I was upset when Randy was killed in Scream 2 and was overjoyed at his brief, unexpected appearance in Scream 3. Randy, myself, a pile of movies, and cuddling on a couch... I'm good!!!
Holden Mc Neil is extremely passionate about his work and of life. He also wasn't afraid to express that he fell for Alyssa. Yes, he got her. When her sexual past came out in the open, he struggled with it but was willing to overlook it, even try to expand his sexual boundaries for her. Someone who is basically willing to do anything to keep the woman he loves is highly attractive to me. Holden... you are a great man!
I love a guy with a great sense of humor... and Chandler definately has that! His one liners are just too awesome that I find myself quoting them from time to time. He also has a good heart that's seen too many bad relationships... all he needed was to find the right one.
Oh, Aiden. Sweet, caring, kindhearted. You would make any girl happy. You are a romantic and didn't just want to jump in the sack... very admirable trait. You also see the beauty of nature, whether it was a piece of furniture you created or spending time at your home out in the country. You enjoyed the simple things in life, even in the biggest city in America.
The love letters, restoring the house, random dancing in the street... all of it just makes me melt. Noah Calhoun is an all around wonderful man. He actually reminds me of my Grandpa Savory soooo much. Noah and Allie had complete love and trust for one another and spent their lives expressing that to the fullest. If I found someone like Noah, I wouldn't want to let go.
Wow... after writing this, my head is up in the clouds. LOL
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine was a genius! When life will throw many things at you that you cant control, you have to find a way to bring a few giggles in the mix of things. Laughter is a great mood booster, especially on those average, mediocre days where nothing really exciting happens. You go to bed thinking that your day was above par. Your fellow movie geek has decided to share her 12 favorite comedies that always make me smile (even laugh out loud after viewing it many, many times).
Knocked Up:
I love this movie so much because I can relate to it, except that when I got knocked up, I had been with the guy for a few months. Judd Apatow was a genius for casting this amazing group of actors for this movie. Without that combination, I don't think it would have worked as well as it did comedically. When Alison and Ben are at their first appointment, the doctor examines Alison's vaga-jay and said "Well, you really do look like your sister." That line made me laugh so hard that I think I finally stopped when Ben and Pete are on their Vegas adventure. This also makes me wonder if Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann Google their daughters ailments as well (and yes, that was both of thier kids in the film).
Office Space:
What isn't funny about this movie??? TPS Reports, Milton, pieces of flair, and "O" faces. It's full of great one liners, which I have found myself in the middle of a quote war numerous times. I also have my own personal stash of flair, although I think I have more than 37 pieces, lol. I was going to be a Chotcky's employee for Halloween this year, but I was overruled by a better costume idea.
The Hangover:
Another movie full of one liners! What would we do without Alan?? Or Mr. Chow? Or the fact that the drug dealer accidently gave them roofies? We would get a boring Bachelor party with only alcohol and strippers... and that would have been very sad indeed.
Big Daddy:
This is my favorite Adam Sandler flick. It made me laugh and it almost made me cry (like when they take Julian away from Sonny, also Sonny's speech in court). It also makes me want to eat at Hooters every time I watch it. Oh, and make a trip to Toronto someday. Plus, it has Steve Buscemi in it (totally love him, hehe)
Clerks II:
I cant have a favorite comedies list without some mandatory Kevin Smith! Even though the first one was awesome, I thought this one was a lot funnier. Transformers vs. Gobots, Star Wars vs. LOTR, cameos by Ben Affleck and Jason Lee, and the shit that Randall gets himself into (Hello dumbass, Kelly is a gender neutral name). Rosario Dawson, I have always loved your work and I was very pleased with you jumping into the Smith bandwagon! Bravo chica!!!
Dumb and Dumber:
I first watched this when I was 12. It still makes me laugh my ass off, so much that I cant take Jeff Daniels seriously when watching Pleasantville. I do recommend getting the unrated version of this movie... extra scenes and extended ones! Oh, and Harry's bathroom scene.... I can't even think of it without laughing!
Waiting...:
Never F*ck with people who handle your food. As someone who works in the restaurant industry, I can tell you that there are customers like that out there. With that said, I have NEVER gone further than bitching about a customer to coworkers... no extra "gravy" on their plates! If you have worked in a restaurant or fast food place before, you just have to appreciate this movie!
Forgetting Sarah Marshall:
Did I ever mention that I am in love with Jason Segel? This movie did it for me. The whole breakup scene/aftermath was just so... real. The little things Peter did to make Sarah smile ("I've got a suprise for you... *slapping penis noise), the way he cried over the tupperware she bought for his cereal (I cried over a guy because I saw a Star Wars toy commerical once), and how he just had to get away to move on... that's as real as it gets. Add Russell Brand and you've got a hilarious breakup movie.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me:
Yea Baby!!! Gotta love the first one, but The Spy Who Shagged Me gave us Mini Me, Fat Bastard, Rob Lowe as a younger Number 2, and Felicity! The banters between Dr. Evil and Scott crack me up all the time. And I am a whore for color, and this movie just brings out color by the truckload. Fun Fact: all the material for the costumes came from some shop here in Kansas City... I remember watching the news story about it!
Elf:
MUST. SEE. CHRISTMAS. MOVIE. I don't care if you hate Will Ferrell, this one can be your exception. Great story! It will melt your heart and make you have many fits of laughter! Zooey Deschanel was amazing in this, but what ISNT she good in??? UH, nothing!
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back:
I have a soft spot for movies that pay homage to other movies... and Kevin Smith did me proud, 10 times over! Not only did he incorporate all his movies, but he got a lot of the Miramax/Dimension films to share a role with this movie. And cameos galore!!! A note to Jay... stop asking me to f*ck you. Not going to happen. You have Justice, you know, when she's released from prison.
American Pie:
Ah, memories of high school. NO, I didn't screw baked goods. But I did learn some really good things from this movie, especially about watching your beer at a party, band camp's lessons in sex ed, and that you could become a sex legend by sleeping with someone's mom.
Now that you guys are done laughing... I am going to watch one of these movies. Maybe two, lol
