I'll Have What She's Having

It's a sad day for fans of film, chick flicks, witty musings and the pairing of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks- Nora Ephron passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with leukemia.  She was incredibly talented and inspired so many great filmmakers and writers- including this (not so great) blog.


It was this article about romantic comedies that inspired me to write about movies in the first place.  This scene that still makes me tear up no matter how many times I watch it. And this movie, my very favorite of all time, that encouraged me to see my best guy friend in a different light and, as Harry and Sally say "and then we fell in love."


This winter, I counted down my favorite Nora movies each Tuesday.


Tuesdays With Nora


When Harry Met Sally


Sleepless in Seattle


Julie and Julia


You've Got Mail


Dear Nora, thanks for the laughs and the inspiration and the love stories.  You will be missed.


"Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim."- Nora Ephron  1941- 2012

That's My Boy Review

If I could say something positive about That's My Boy it would be that the movie never tries to be anything other than a really, really stupid vehicle for Adam Sandler's outdated form of comedy.  No actual scenes of father and son bonding, no romance, just pure gross out (and occasionally funny) jokes.  I guess it's pretty bad when you have to praise a movie for such low ambition.  Still, it kept my attention and I wanted to find out what happened next.

You know what I would really like to happen next?  For Adam Sandler to make a good movie again.

That's My Boy , rated "R," comedy, starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, and Leighton Meester "C-"

Summer Soundtrack

I know I've told you this before, but I'm a very seasonal person.  This includes food, movies, activities and obviously music.  There's something about summer that mandates you listen to great country music.  Fall is for new pop music that keeps me awake as I travel for work, winter is for classic Christmas songs and romantic Michael Buble tunes, spring is for club beats that pump you up to party when the weather's warm and summer is for wistful songs about loving life, going barefoot on the beach, and kissing goodnight on the front porch.  I am 100% that this Gloriana hit would have been my very favorite song when I was 15 years old.

And here's a few more of my favorite summertime songs . . .

Because I write a blog dedicated to chick flicks it should come as no surprise that I'm a big fan of popular music.  I'm not one to complain that a band I used to love has sold out by appearing on MTV and promoting their music on the radio.  In fact, most songs I love about 6 months after they've received  some airplay.  Anyone heard that new song, Call Me Maybe?

Just kidding.  But because I usually never hear about good music until the band has been mainstream for at least a year I have to tell you that I practically discovered Ellie Goulding.  You know Ellie Goulding whose song Lights is the number 6 song on ITunes downloads right now? 

Well when I heard Ms. Goulding performed at the royal wedding I obviously needed to know everything about her.  Her songs are some of the best workout tunes out there and I made everyone I know listen to "Lights" on repeat in May of 2011.  Now that it's getting all sorts of radio play over a year later I'm like "ugh, what a sell out."  Okay not really, but you know Kate's probably like

What Makes Me Cry: Speeches at the Tony Awards

So last Saturday night I attempted to catch up on a week's worth of tv after being on vacation.  I can only imagine this is what it's like to work for a show like The Soup. The highlights were several fantastic moments from the Tonys ( I only watched the first 30 minutes live.)  Considering my affection for awards show speeches I think I've found my new favorite place to find them.  I suppose it makes sense that the talented actors who perform live each week would be the best at extemporaneous speeches.


First, Hugh Jackman accepting a surprise award for his charity efforts while his show ran on Broadway.  The blonde is his wife.  Is Hugh Jackman the greatest guy ever or what?!

Next, these clips from the year in plays.  I totally want to see One Man Two Guvnors and End of the Rainbow looks so tragic and good, especially now that I consider myself to be an expert on Judy Garland.

 

 I totally have a crush on James Corden after watching this wisecracking, voicecracking speech.

 

And an even bigger crush on Steve Kazee from Once. Holy crap.

Okay who wants to go to NYC with me to see a new play every night?

Movie Quote of the Day

"I always wanted to marry a man like Tom Hanks!"

- Andie Anderson, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

I was reminded of this after catching the last 20 minutes of Cast Away at the beach this week.  It's an exhausting movie, but is this part not the most romantic scene in movie history??


 


Unlike Chuck Noland, I am sad to leave the sun and sand behind as I return from vacation.  But just as tells Kelly, " You have to go home."

Rock of Ages Review

Based on a hit Broadway show, starring a talented and diverse cast, featuring hit rock songs from the 80's- Rock of Ages was my most anticipated movie event of the summer.  And just as your favorite band hitting the wrong notes in concert can burst your starstruck bubble, I left the theater feeling more than a little disappointed.


I'm not saying I didn't smile, or squeal over Sherrie Christian's adorable 80's fashion, or feel like applauding on occasion.  Tom Cruise (sorry, Suri) and Catherine Zeta Jones are especially ambitious in their roles.  But I don't understand how director Adam Shankman and phenomenal choreographer Mia Michaels couldn't manage to to create more exciting performances.  Most of the time the lead characters mope around singing ballads to themselves- think Glee's Lea Michele at her most annoying.  The two bright spots in choreography- ironically set in a church and a strip club- give us an idea of what could have been.


Like its predecessor on stage, Rock of Ages the movie doesn't take itself very seriously.  Most of the dialogue is tongue in cheek and the plot, like a rock god's hair, is overblown and absurd.  I didn't come looking for something serious, but I wanted to feel something.  I cried during High School Musical 2 for heaven's sake!  During the best moments of Rock of Ages I occasionally giggled.  I guess that's not a bad thing, but that's not rock and roll.


Rock of Ages , rated "PG-13," musical, starring Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russel Brand, Catherine Zeta Jones, etc "C+"

Are You Calling My Bluff?

2012 has been a big year for Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey.  Kate, settling in to life in London with her fiancee and new baby boy, landed the Ann Taylor campaign for summer, showcasing these gorgeous pics that have sent me into the store during recent trips to the mall.

And as for Matthew, he finally married his lady love and baby mama last weekend!  Alright alright alright!

This got me thinking about one of the best chick flicks out there.  How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days came out nearly 10 years ago!  I mean it when I say they just don't make 'em like this anymore.

10 Reasons I adore How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

1.  The style, obviously.  From Andie's sophisticated work clothes to her summer dresses, this movie defines chick flick chic. 

And this practically iconic yellow dress. 

If I curated a museum of romantic comedy styles (wouldn't that be fun?!) this dress ( and the Isadora diamond of course!) would be my star exhibit.


2. Matthew McConaughey made an ad executive sexy and swoonworthy long before Don Draper. You just know when Benjamin Berry pulls up to work on his motorcycle, vaguely sexually harasses his two coworkers, and strips off his tee to button up a dress shirt.  You just know that he's a bad boy you're going to love in spite of it all.

3. This was the first movie I saw Kate in and I just think she is enchanting as Andie Anderson.  She's cool, confident, ambitious- can we be friends?

4. It seems like chick flicks these days primarily are centered around weddings and babies. That's all fine, but isn't it refreshing to revisit a  romantic farce where the lead characters are ruthless to get ahead in their careers- yet still fall for each other? 

5. That's why the turning point for Ben and Andie, their visit with his family in Long Island, is so important.  They have to let down their guard, they laugh and tease, for the first time in these 10 days, they aren't pretending.

6. And it brings us to one of the sweetest, and most surprising love scenes out there.  Complete with one of my very favorite songs, seeing Ben and Andie smooch their way into the shower is somehow hot AND heartwarming.

7. Besides a shirtless Matthew McConaughey, this is a chick flick that guys LOVE.  Which made it the perfect date movie and the now perfect movie to convince your boyfriend to "watch" as he naps on a Sunday afternoon.

8. How to Lose a Guy is laugh out loud funny and provides us with a few of my favorite quotes.

"Nobody likes a Mr. Sniffles!"  " I hate Mr. Sniffles."  "Blow! White- healthy boy!"

"Mary had a little lamb, little lamb . . . you have to take it away before I gag!" 

"Does Princess Sofia want to come out and play?  Little, big, little, big . . . I don't know we will find out!"

9. From Kathryn Hahn's hilarious performance as a desperate and needy ex girlfriend, to Andie's outrageous antics as she tries to "lose" Ben, this movie is ripe with cliches on how to become a crazy ex girlfriend.  I think every girl watches this and says "Omg I once had a friend who acted like that girl!" while internally lamenting " Omg I once acted like that girl!"  Ben says it best when he asks "Where's the sexy, cool, fun, smart, beautiful Andie that I knew? The one that wanted to be a serious journalist? You're up, you're down, 
you're here, you're there, you're like a frickin' one woman circus."  Can we blame PMS?

10. Watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is 100% worth it if only for the scene when Ben arrives to take Andie to the diamond ball and sees her in the all dressed up.  He takes a deep breath, hand over his heart and sighs "You're  . . . beautiful."

Am I going to watch this movie again as soon as this post publishes?  You bet I am.