5 Essentials For A Good Chick Flick

About a month ago I went to see a movie with a friend, it was The Ugly Truth. I didn't know much about this film, other than that it was a battle of the sexes of sorts and had Katherine Heigl in it. For some reason, I went into the theater with the thought that it was a chick flick.

I was wrong.

At least I should say that it did not embody what I think of as chick flick characteristics. The subject matter was quite adult in nature, the language was vulgar, and there was nothing romantic about it. And this got me thinking - what makes a good chick flick? Here are my conclusions:

1. The Setting

The Father of the Bride house ... yes, I will take one of these please!

If I am going to spend 90 to 120 minutes watching a movie, I feel that my senses should be dazzled. A foreign country, a cozy apartment, or an antique filled old house makes me want to stay in a scene. In fact, I will often buy a movie just to study the surroundings and steal ideas for my own decorating. Some of my favorite environments include Meg Ryan's Upper West Side apartment in You've Got Mail; Kate Winslet's English cottage in The Holiday; Diane Keaton's spacious beach house in the Hamptons in Something's Gotta Give; and then there's my dream house, Steve Martin's home on Maple Drive in The Father of the Bride ... just to name a few.


2. Engaging Love Interest

Mark Darcy likes Bridget Jones ... just as she is.

I personally feel that the point of a good chick flick is a romance of some sort. I enjoy wondering if the heroine and her man will ever get together. Perhaps there is something keeping them apart such as pride, commitment, a job, or missed opportunities. I also love being pulled into the love story by the man of the film. I like my men a little quirky, intellectual, and that possess that "je ne sais quoi" quality that makes me unexpectedly favor them. Colin Firth accomplished this for me three times, in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice (come on ladies, you know what I'm talking about!), as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary, and yet again as Jamie in Love Actually. Hmm, maybe I just like Colin Firth. I also found myself won over by Jack Black in The Holiday, and as mentioned before, I loved James Stewart in The Shop Around the Corner. And there was just something dreamy about Josh Lucas in Sweet Home Alabama.

Believe me, I could go on ... but I won't.


3. Endearing Main Character

Every woman should have some element of loveliness. Perhaps it is what she does for a living, the way she relates to others, or an idiosyncrasy or character flaw that makes her so darn adorable. I like my heroines to be funny, smart, and to be confident but not arrogant. I found it impossible not to like Sandra Bullock in While You Were Sleeping especially because she carried her passport around in her purse just in case she suddenly needed to leave the country. Eating a morning pastry in an evening gown like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's was brilliant. And Bridget Jones's appallingly bad public speaking made her so endearing. I may not necessarily admire or look up to the women in my favorite flicks, but there is always something that I appreciate about them.


4. Keepin' It Clean

When I watch a chick flick, I don't want to be overwhelmed with the F-word over and over. I want to be pleasantly entertained and don't want to think too hard, have to look away, or listen to potty mouth. Some sexual references are expected, but nothing turns me off more than to hear a lady be vulgar.


5. Inspiring Style

I confess that I have "borrowed" ideas from some of my favorite films. I enjoy seeing what is being worn on the streets of New York in autumn, or on the beaches of Cannes. I find inspiration for hairstyles, home decor and fashion all the time from my favorite movies. Here are some examples:

1. Julia & Julia made me want to cook more, entertain more, and set a lovely table.
2. Marisa Tomei's simple color palette and elegant style from Only You is inspiring; especially her short, dark hair.
3. I actually have a dress that is reminiscent of Meg Ryan's gray dress in You've Got Mail.
4. I have had my hair cut like Reese Witherspoon's in Sweet Home Alabama. I also have a top very similar to this adorable black tank.
5. Under the Tuscan Sun had the most stunning images of the homes in Italy and flower boxes were everywhere to be seen. I now have flower boxes on my house.
6. Kate Hudson's dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days made me fall in love with the color yellow.

So, that's my two cents. I don't think I am necessarily a connoisseur of chick flicks, but I have watched many. What are your favorites?

It's Just A Little Crush

It's just a little one. No big deal really. I mean, my husband shouldn't be jealous or anything like that.

I have a little crush on James Stewart.

When I say James Stewart, I mean from way back in the 1930s and 1940s. I was watching The Shop Around the Corner just the other day (which was much later re-made into my favorite movie, You've Got Mail) and I discovered how charming he was. He was tall, dashing and looked great in a suit. Plus I like his expressive face. So Cary Grant may have gotten a lot of buzz for being a hunk, but in my opinion James Stewart is where it's at!

Mmmm ... dreamy!

Paris, Je T'aime!

When my husband is away, I see that as my opportunity to see as many chick flicks, old movies, or foreign films as I can. In the recent weeks, he got to go on an all boys camping trip while I got to catch up on my choice of entertainment.

Not one for going out to the nearest video store (we don't have one very close to our house anyway) I checked out what "Instant Play" movies Netflix had to offer. One caught my eye immediately! Perhaps it was the French title. Perhaps it was the word Paris. Perhaps it was the silhouette of the Tour d'Eiffel that made me swoon; in any case, I pressed "play" with great anticipation. And so began the film, "Paris, Je T'aime".

The premise of the film is it is a collection of stories of love, from the City of Love. It is actually 18 short films lasting only about 5 minutes each. Every film takes place in a different part of Paris, focusing on a love relationship of some kind, and each film is directed by a different director. I love this idea! Famous directors like Alexander Payne (Sideways), Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), and the Coen Brothers (No Country for Old Men) all contributed, and I recognized more than a handful of the actors.

Some of the stories didn't have much of an impact on me, but others made me laugh or cry. Some made my heart break. Some made my eyes roll. Some left me with a feeling of joy. If you like something different and even a little artsy, I highly recommend this movie.

NOTE: there is some swearing, but for some reason the foul language seems less foul when spoken in French!

The one draw back to this movie is that it only made me desire to visit Paris even more! Not every story was happy or beautiful and I saw many unpleasant sides to the "City of Love", but I am firm my belief that the French capital is a special place. One that I am determined to see before I leave this Earth.

5 Movies That Transport Me

Right now it is snowing. Just as I am thinking that I was glad that the rain washed away the mountains of snow in my yard, it starts snowing again. I like the snow, but in limited quantities and it makes me yearn for warmer climates and exotic places.

Since I don't get to travel much, I use movies as a means for escape. They transport me away from my house, my town and sometimes even my country. For 100 minutes I am in traveling Europe, shopping in New York or staying in an incredible beach house in the Hamptons.

French Kiss

Ah, Paris. Never been there but I imagine it to be somewhat fabulous. I love to follow Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline on their journey through the streets of Paris, the vineyard rich countryside of France and on down to the beautiful Cannes. I love to walk along the rows of vines and take in the view of the green hills, or lay on the sandy beaches of the French Riviera. If only I had the time to work on my pout and drink Evian.

Only You

The storyline is a little different than French Kiss, but the journey is very similar only it takes place in Italy. How I long to sit in the impressive lobby at the Hotel Danieli in Venice. Or stay at the charming Pencione (family owned boarding house) in Rome where I can sit in the courtyard and sip a cappuccino. And how I dream of enjoying a glass of fine red wine in a hillside restaurant in Positano. I wish I was Marisa Tomei in this film. Not only did she get to do all of these wonderful things, but she looked gorgeous with her short hair and simply elegant wardrobe.

Something's Gotta Give

Have you ever seen a house or an apartment that you love so much you long to just move in? That's how I feel about Diane Keaton's house in Something's Gotta Give. Her home is the perfect beach house! It sits high on a bluff, overlooking the Atlantic. Her bedroom has huge windows that let in a gorgeous view while she writes her plays and listens to French music. And the kitchen?! Let's just say it is perfection. I just want to whip up something gourmet whenever I see it.

Under the Tuscan Sun

I cannot even imagine suddenly buying a villa in Tuscany. To just move to a place I've never been before and fix up an 300 year old house is too much of a risk for me. But I love to see Diane Lane go from the crowded streets of San Fransico to the quaint countryside of Cortona, Italy. I am inspired by her surroundings, the olive groves, the fields of poppies and fading pink paint on her bedroom wall. Once again I travel to coastal town of Positano and take in the beauty of the hillside. È così bello!

You've Got Mail

I have seen this movie countless times. It is a comfort to me when I am sick, or snuggled up on the couch. It makes me want to drink tea, read Jane Austen and redecorate my house. It makes New York seem like a fantasy land with the sidewalk cafes, street fairs, children's bookstores and cozy apartments. I love Meg Ryan's apartment more than words can express (however, I seriously doubt that she could afford such a place on the upper West Side of Manhattan on her own). Her bed looks like a fluffy cloud of comfort. I want to make a cup of soup in her tiny kitchen and curl up with a good book. I covet her bedroom curtains. It's like this movie has 152 insights to my soul!

I realize that all of these movie are chick flicks. I'm okay with that because they are movies that I usually watch alone (as they are not my husband's cup of tea). I don't have to share them with anyone else. And after I am done traveling the world, I always come back to the best place on Earth ... home.

It's Okay to Be Funky, and It's Okay to Love

I am a firm believer that God has a sense of humor. I mean, look at a Shar Pei puppy! They are the goofiest looking things and God created them! If He doesn't take himself too seriously all the time, why should we?

That brings me to a movie that I found to be well worth the 93 minutes of its duration. In fact, I don't think I have laughed this hard in years! Sons of Provo is a film I wholeheartedly recommend. Imagine: Provo, Utah. An LDS boy band called Everclean. Mocumentory style. If you like The Office you will thoroughly enjoy this! This film pokes fun at the Mormon culture and religion, but in a goodnatured way, after all, it is an LDS production. There is no swearing, no violence, no sex ... but a lot of laughs!

Everclean strives to be the 'N Sync of LDS church goers. They work with a ballet teacher to learn how to bust out "wicked moves". They travel around the state of Utah and perform such hits as Dang,Fetch,Oh My Heck, Nourish and Strengthen and my personal favorite, Diddly Wack Mack Mormon Daddy. Sure they live up to the stereotypes, but it's a spoof and they have a sense of humor about it. They remind us that "It's okay to be funky, and it's okay to love".

Here are the lyrics to their song, Everclean:

Everclean
Cleaner than Listerine
Mellower than Dramamine
Not even close to obscene
We sing songs Sweeter than sugar tongs
Hopin’ we can right some wrongs
Bringin’ love to the throngs

I will boogie for my wages
With that rock and roll of ages
We’re a spiritchal sensation and a triple combination
We’ll be lovin’ one another I said word unto your brother
Sons of Provo, this is who we are. Cause we are.

Chorus

Separate the tares from the wheat
Just play that funky Mormon beat
Move my legs inside these pants and watch this crazy Mormon prance
I’ll convert you with precision I’m a Mormon on a mission
Sons of Provo, listen to us roar

Chorus

When upon life’s billows, I can’t figure things out
With my crazy Mormon posse, we’ll sing and we’ll shout! Yeah!
Everclean Baby, you can be my queen
If you’re over seventeen I won’t treat you mean
Don’t be a punk
Put your shoulder to the funk
I’ll be livin’ like a monk
And I’ll be lookin’ like a hunk

Everclean Better than pork and beans
Handsomer than Charlie Sheen
A lean mean singin’ machine
We’ll be here
Climbin’ like a mountaineer
‘Til the end of time that’s clear
And we would never drink a beer



Now come on ... that's funny! Put in on your Netflix queue, and get ready to enjoy the funk!

Funny Farm

Fall brings out all kinds of instincts in me. I tend to want to nest, to bake, and to do craft projects. I love to be snuggled up in a blanket and sipping tea while visiting with loved ones or watching television. Every year around this time I always crave a certain movie to watch that makes me feel homey: Funny Farm with Chevy Chase.

I can't really explain why I desire to watch it every year, it's not particularly remarkable. It's about a sports writer from Manhattan who, along with his wife, buy a house in the country so he can write Great American Novel and they can start a family. Naturally, being a Chevy Chase movie things go terribly wrong - think National Lampoon's Vacation movies - and they discover the hardships of living in the small town of Red Bud. I am not a country girl, I am not a city girl either; but this movie makes me feel cozy. I love their little house, I love the property the house sits on, I love the gazebo in the middle of town. Yup, I am a sucker for that sort of thing: an idyllic existence. It makes me want to run a quaint inn in Vermont or something. Or at least stay in one.

This year I became somewhat fixated on trying to find this movie on DVD and buying it so I could watch it whenever I want. Boy was I glad that I found a new copy for $5.99 at Sam Goody; I didn't want to hash out twenty bucks for something filmed in 1988! I am pleased to say that I have already watched the movie while sitting on the couch, sipping hot tea and crocheting scarves.

In a month and a half I imagine I will be doing the same thing, but to a different movie with Chevy Chase: Christmas Vacation. A holiday classic!

God Grew Tired of Us

When I watch a movie it is usually for escape, entertainment, or just to see what all of the hype is about. The movies I have seen lately have not been very impressive: Poseidon was ridiculous, 27 Dresses was forgettable, and Balls of Fury was practically unwatchable. However, last night I watched a film that was absolutely gripping, educational and happened to be a National Geographic documentary. God Grew Tired of Us was the best thing I have seen in a very long time.

Can you imagine fleeing through the desert of your war-torn country of Sudan as a young boy, only to end up in a camp for refugees in Kenya? Can you imagine the incredible sense of responsibility you might have if you were chosen to move to America to get a job and learn to be self-sufficient? This 2006 film helps the viewer to learn the struggle, the culture, and the discoveries of the "Lost Boys of Sudan". What was so striking is how the viewer can see America through the eyes of these young men. The first time they experience airline food. The first time they see a redheaded person. Their first trip to a grocery store. It actually made me a little embarrassed by all of the material things we have in this country. There are so many things we take for granted.

These young men value so much. They value their culture, their families (many have had loved ones killed or lost during the war), community, hard work, and their faith in the Lord. They ask why people in America are so unfriendly. They ask what Santa Clause and Christmas trees have to do with the birth of Jesus. They ask why Americans work so much that they don't have time to spend with their families. They are grateful for their jobs flipping burgers at McDonald's or packing gaskets in a factory. It really puts things in perspective.

I realize that I have NO reason to complain about my life. It has truly been good.

It's All in My Head ... Right?

Tell me, why do I insist on torturing myself? My husband has been gone since Sunday on a business trip, so it is up to me to provide a secure and pleasant environment for my children and for myself. So, why in heaven's name would I allow myself to get sucked into watching a movie on TV about spiders? Arachnophobia. Why, why would I watch such a thing considering I severely dislike bugs, spiders in particular ... and grasshoppers, but that's another story.

I don't watch much TV, especially in the summer. I have been doing a great job of keeping myself busy to pass the time until my husband gets home. So I am completely puzzled as to why I would not immediately push the off button but instead watch in suspense, unable to turn away from the disgusting, creepy crawlers. All day long I have had the feeling that bugs are crawling on me. In the car I scared my daughter as I screamed, pulling at my hair because I was sure that a spider was moving around on my head. Last night as I was taking the garbage out, I saw a huge arachnid on my driveway. After that movie I am now convinced that it is a Venezuelan killer spider that has set out to breed and come after me. Or is it all in my head? Man, I hope so!