I seem to be date-free for tomorrow night – harrumph – so am thinking I’ll swing by Hollywood Video and see what’s up.
Last weekend I saw “Shattered Glass” (liked it a lot), “Mona Lisa Smile” (not as bad as I feared, but I liked it less than my suitor did), and “School of Rock” (kind of dumb, but cute and funny).
The last recommendation from a fellow doper was cartooniverse’s “Mystery Men,” which I enjoyed.
Of recent releases, I kind of want to see the David Spade flick (“Dickie Roberts Child Star”? is that it?), but I don’t necessarily need to see a recent release.
My favorite genre is, of course, musicals – but I also like comedies. Sci-fi not so much, though I like parodies like “Mystery Men” or “Galaxy Quest.” Lacking sufficient testosterone, I’m not too into action – though one of my suitors ran “XXX” for me a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t hate it. Nothing scary, but dramas or mysteries are fine.
Zoolander is a very funny movie, but no one would ever accuse it of being intelligent.
It’s going to be tough to find, but if you haven’t seen Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, you owe it to yourself to track it down. It’s a sci-fi film from the late 1920’s (no talking), and it’s good enough to still be worth seeing today. Find it.
ultrafilter, I have no problems with “dumb” in a comedy, so it’s looking like a double feature of “Pirates” and “Zoolander” (hm, “men in ruffled shirts” theme developing here?) – unless someone comes along with a better idea.
I have seen “Metropolis,” but it was a couple of decades ago, when I was in college. I’m guessing Hollywood Video won’t have it – but my local library might. I’ll keep an eye out.
Thanks for your suggestions, everyone – keep 'em coming! (There’s a minuscule possibility that I may have at least one more dateless Saturday night between now and my death…)
My parents were in town last weekend, and we rented Pieces of April. It was fantastic (and includes a well-earned Academy Award nominee performance for Best Supporting Actress). I highly recommend it.
Have you seen Frida? It’s about Frida Kahlo (understandably), starring Salma Hayek. It’s really . . . ack, the only word I can come up with is “good”, but it was more than good. I like it so much, than when I try to tell someone how good it is, all I can do is use the inflection of my voice to get it across. “It was sooo gooood. I looooved it.” Of course, my apellido in Spanish class was Kahlo, so I was already happy to watch anything about her, even if it was LIES. Which this movie isn’t.
It’s a great movie just to see – to look at. They do a great job of incorporating her art into the movie itself. And there’s some crazy Mexican drinking songs in it, if you want music in your movies.
On the Town (1949), Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin are three sailors on weekend leave in New York, New York, “a wonderful town”. Taxi drver Betty Garrett, the late great Ann Miller, and Vera-Ellen are the three women they meet. Songs by Leonard Bernstein, directed by Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain) and Gene Kelly. The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), Writer-director Jacques Demy’s tribute to the Hollywood musical, with Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac as twin sisters looking for love. Music by Michel Legrand. Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), Julie Andrews is a 1920s flapper in the big city. With James Fox, Mary Tyler Moore, and a particularly campy Carol Channing. Finian’s Rainbow (1968), Fred Astaire as a mysterious Irishman who arrives with his beautiful daughter (pop star Petula Clark) in a Southern town. Songs include “Look to the Rainbow” and “If This Isn’t Love”. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Sweet Charity (1968), with Shirley MacLaine as the hooker with the heart of gold. Songs include “Hey Big Spender” and “If They Could See Me Now”. Directed by Bob Fosse (Cabaret). Godspell (1973), A modern-day Jesus teaches a group of followers, with New York City as their vast playground. An Indian summer of '60s flower power. Songs include “Day By Day”.
On the Town Own it. Hell, I own Take Me Out to the Ball Game. :rolleyes:
The Young Girls of Rochefort Never even heard of it – sounds well worth looking for. (jots note to self)
Thoroughly Modern Millie Not to date myself, but I saw it when it came out – !!! Saw it again a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. The running gag about the elevator is very cute.
Finian’s Rainbow Never seen it, believe it or not – despite the fact that I worship at Mr. Astaire’s altar. Perhaps because? He’s pretty damn old at that point…
Sweet Charity Doesn’t do it for me. Shirley McLaine gets on my nerves.
Godspell Saw it on stage – in Ford’s Theater in DC, of all the bizarre places.
Thanks for the recommendations, Wallloon – I assume you know some of my faves, like Neptune’s Daughter and Ken Russell’s version of The Boy Friend?
Did you see 8 Women, btw? what did you think?
And lillalette, I’m not ignoring you – thanks for the tip, but I don’t think today will be the day for that.
I second The Young Girls of Rochefort, provided you like movies where people burst into song at regular intervals. Saw it in the theatre two years ago; it was good fun. If you haven’t seen it yet, I would recommend The umbrellas of Cherbourgh, which preceded it and is even better.
8 Women is actually a movie much in the same style, except that instead of a light-hearted romance it has a whodunnit as backstory. I didn’t find that story very convincing, but seeing so many famous french actresses together, singing and dancing, was enough to give me a good time. (rereading the thread I notice you probably already saw it)
Let’s see, non-grim films in my dvd collection include:
Pleasantville
American Beauty
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Snatch (might be considered grim, but in a damn funny way)
Shakespeare in Love
Spinal Tap
SLC Punk
Any Given Sunday
High Fidelity
Contact
I recommend any of these if you haven’t seen them.
