# What movie should I rent? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897 "2004-04-02T14:33:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/1 "2004-04-02T14:33:42Z")
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. So, guys – pick a movie for me! ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/2 "2004-04-02T14:42:59Z")
Have you seen any of these movies? Pirates of the Caribbean Seabiscuit Bend It Like Beckham X-Men and X-Men 2 The Hours Traffic Those are some of the movies I’ve really liked. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/3 "2004-04-02T14:50:49Z")
Pirates of the Caribbean – yeah, on the list. thanks for reminding me. Bend it Like Beckham – saw it and loved it. Traffic – too grim. I forgot to mention, I don’t do “grim.” 😃 My sister hated “The Hours,” and I’m willing to take her word on it. I’ll check out the others – thanks! ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/4 "2004-04-02T15:54:00Z")
If you haven’t seen Pirates, I think you have found your movie for the night. It’s definitely good. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/5 "2004-04-02T16:12:35Z")
I’ll third _Pirates of the Caribbean_. It was much better than I expected it to be. And Orland Bloom is a cutie. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/6 "2004-04-02T16:14:05Z")
Zoolander is very funny ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/7 "2004-04-02T17:16:14Z")
_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. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/8 "2004-04-02T17:22:46Z")
**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…) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/9 "2004-04-02T17:24:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/10 "2004-04-02T17:25:42Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > **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. Hey, I never said I didn’t like it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/11 "2004-04-02T18:02:14Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/12 "2004-04-02T18:20:24Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > My favorite genre is, of course, musicals – but I also like comedies. **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”. All are available on DVD. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/13 "2004-04-03T15:08:38Z")
**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. Thanks, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/14 "2004-04-03T15:22:57Z")
Stephanie Zacharek reviews _The Young Girls of Rochefort_ in _Salon_: [_The Colors of Love_](http://dir.salon.com/ent/movies/reviews/1998/09/18reviewd.html?CP=SAL&DN=110). ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/15 "2004-04-03T15:41:43Z")
Thanks, **Walloon** – it sounds wonderful, I went ahead and ordered a copy. Merci! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/16 "2004-04-03T16:24:09Z")
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) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/17 "2004-04-03T16:33:07Z")
I recommend **Billy Elliot**. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/45deac/32.png) [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/18 "2004-04-03T16:55:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/19 "2004-04-03T23:38:26Z")
Five of my all time favorites that I would recommend to anyone… [Arsenic and Old Lace](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0036613/) [Brazil](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/) [Fresh](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0109842/) [The Stunt Man](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0081568/) [The Three Musketeers](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0072281/) (1973) ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897/20 "2004-04-04T00:00:06Z")
If you can hunt it down, _Silent Movie_ by Mel Brooks is hilarious. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-movie-should-i-rent/237897.md?page=2)