I’m not fond of the term “chick flicks,” but a couple of months ago, SamuraiFrog stole someone’s list called The Ten Chick Flick Guys Love But Refuse to Admit Watching. I haven’t done a list for a while, and it’s been a busy time. Like Frog, I don’t deny liking what I like, even if it’s not “cool” to enjoy certain things in popular culture.
Here’s the list with my comments:
Mean Girls
This is a “chick flick”? I saw it in the cinema and found this Tina Fey-penned film to be painfully true, and probably could watch again. I think I feel bad about Lindsay Lohan’s personal downfall in a way I don’t feel about, say, some reality star’s excesses, because Lohan showed real talent here, in Freaky Friday and even in The Parent Trap. She was also good in a limited role in A Prairie Home Companion after her troubles had begun.
The Proposal
Didn’t see it. Wanted to, actually, and maybe I’ll rent it. I like the notion of the power imbalance between the characters played by Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, and I hear Betty White’s a hoot.
The Notebook
Never saw it. My initial inclination was that I didn’t have any real desire to do so. However, Jaquandor, who also did this list, seemed fond of it. Hmm.
Bridget Jones’ Diary
I liked this movie quite a bit in the cinema, though not enough to see it again. Loathed its sequel; the IMBD says there’s Bridget Jones’ Baby in production, which I probably WON’T see. I saw a lot of Renee Zellweger films for a while, then nothing until 2009’s My One and Only.
Titanic
I described it here as a kitchen sink movie, with SOMETHING to appeal to everyone. If you didn’t care for the love story, and I didn’t very much, you could appreciate the scale of the disaster or the portrayal of class differences. Both Frog and Jaquandor complained that bashing Titanic has been poseur style rubbish.
Sweet Home Alabama
I did see it in the movie in the cinema. It has left zero lasting impression on me, which is not a good sign.
Never Been Kissed
Didn’t see it. Was vaguely interested in catching it because of the baseball angle, and if I happen to be watching TV and it happens to be on, maybe I’ll see it someday.
Legally Blonde
I liked this movie, which I saw in the theater, more than I expected to. Have caught a few scenes on TV subsequently, and it seems to hold up.
Love Actually
I liked most of this movie, but I loved the end, with God Only Knows playing. Haven’t seen this since I first viewed it in the cinema, and probably should rewatch it.
13 Going On 30
I actually planned to see this in the cinema and just didn’t. Frog’s endorsement makes me want to rent it. I’m a big Mark Ruffalo fan.
So I saw six out of ten and found something worthwhile in five of them.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and RETURN TO ME and IN HER SHOES rank very very high in my book (and w/r/t to the last movie I am not a Cameron Diaz fan at all and still loved it). I’m surprised that one of them didn’t crack this list. MEAN GIRLS is outstanding. It’s probably not a true blue chick flick but I’ll throw it out there anyway that I thought SUNSHINE CLEANING was outstanding too.
“The Notebook” was a shameless tearjerker, and I liked it! Of course I love James Garner, another Romance he was great in was “Murphy’s Romance” , with Sally Field. “Hey Murphy, want to stay for dinner?” ” Only if you invite me for breakfast. Too.”
I liked Sunshine Cleaning though I’m not sure I’d consider it a chick flick either. Always thought I should watch Murphy’s Romance; I always loved Garner.
About your list, Roger, I’m such a “chick,” I cry at the trailers for some movies. But NEVER bother with “The Notebook” or anything that’s based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. I saw the Diane Lane/Richard Gere one (thank God, free from the library) and I thought I would die or turn diabetic. YUCK. Strictly for the boids.
Always loved “Love, Actually,” even though Lex hates it (he’s usually good with chick flicks – loved Jennifer Garner in 13 going on 30, etc.). Now my taste has been affirmed: It was recently cited as one of the new “Christmas Classics”! (Bill Nighy and his guitar, oh Lord…)
Now, my faves are, in no particular order, “Murphy’s Romance” (the last James Garner movie where he was truly handsome and “do-able” for my money, and I have ALWAYS had a crush on him), “Far and Away” (despite Tom Cruise, although he was OK in it, I can’t stand him. Nicole Kidman blew me away), “While You Were Sleeping” (see comment on James Garner… ooooh, Bill Pullman! And Sandra Bullock at her darned cutest.), “Casablanca” (need I say more?), “The Devil Wears Prada” (we always say, “That’s all” dismissively when we’re kidding around), “Mamma Mia!” (Meryl singing. Even Pierce Brosnan couldn’t ruin it for me), “Bridget Jones’ Diary” (but no other B.Jones movies, thank you. Renee was great and OMG Colin Firth, yummy)!!
I don’t count “Titanic” as a chick flick, only because it’s an incredible movie with amazing effects and a loving tribute to the original ship, as well as a heartbreaking record of her sinking. I skip the love story, mostly, as it’s “Whatever” to me, although Winslet’s American accent is flawless and Billy Zane is the perfect oily villian – almost expected him to say, “Nyah-ha-ha” a la Snidley Whiplash from the old cartoons). Riley begged me to see it when she was about 9 – ALL her friends had seen it (which somewhat disgusted me, frankly). So I told her if she would read “A Night To Remember” and describe t he tragedy to me (so she wouldn’t be shocked), I’d take her and tell her when to close her eyes (the steamy car scene). She came away saying, “What was all the Jack and Rose stuff, and why did they leave out the best story, about the old couple who climbed into bed and decided to drown together instead of separating?”
NOW you know why she was Valedictorian! Sometime I’ll tell you her review of “The Passion” as seen through the demented eyes of Mel Gibson; you’ll die laughing. Amy
I’ve seen most of them on your list. The Notebook makes me cry every time. Love The Devil Wears Prada, but I love everything Meryl Streep does. We just watched Trouble with the Curve with Clint Eastwood. I’d class this as a stealth chick flick. But Entrepreneur liked it anyway!