May 04, 2005
Movie Mix N' Match
I started in on this meme yesterday, only to have my initial noodlings obliterated by Steve-O of the Many Thumbs. So I thought I'd give my thoughts their own post here.
I have two basic problems with this little exercise. One is that I really don't see that many movies compared to most people. The other is that I'm not exactly sure whether some of my movie choices count as chick flicks or not. Somebody or other (I forget who, now) hosted a debate/discussion about that not too long ago. I'll just say in advance that the line between art movie and chick flick gets a bit blurry sometimes, and if I cross it here and there, I apologize.
Anyway, where were we? Ah yes. Here we go:
List #1: "Guy" movies that I, a guy, do not like:
You can toss whole bins of films into this category. First is the bin of actors whom I particularly dislike: Chuck Norris, Claud Van Damme, Vin Diesal, Steven Segal (except, as Steve-O notes, Executive Decision, which is really a Kurt Russell vehicle) and Sylvester Stallone. I'll also second Steve-O's disdain for the Louis Gossett Jr./Ralph Machio axis. I let Burt Reynolds off on the grounds that he started out as a parody of himself and never changed.
What else? I dislike most cop movies, including (duck and cover!) the Dirty Harry and Death Wish series.
The first two Die Hard movies (although I thoroughly enjoy the third).
Certain Mel Gibson movies:
Mad Max and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (but Road Warrior is a classic)
The Patriot
Braveheart
List #2: "Chick flicks" that I, a guy, like:
Bridget Jones' Diary
Clueless
Steel Magnolias (actually, I never saw the movie, only a stage version)
Like Water For Chocolate
A Room With A View
The Joy Luck Club
Four Weddings and a Funeral (does this count?)
List #3: Movies that I, as a hardened, cynical, unfeeling, soulless person tend to break down in tears while watching:
-The Wizard of Oz (when Dorothy says goodbye, especially to the Scarecrow)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Kirk's funeral oration for Spock)
-Independence Day (when the President's wife dies)
-Armageddon (Shut up!)
-The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (the Baron's funeral procession scene)
-Ray (lots of places)
UPDATE: Tee Bee has her picks and asks some legit questions: I didn't really know what to do with Kevin Costner or Tom Cruise, either. In general, I loathe Costner, except that Bull Durham is, of course, the greatest sports movie ever made. And I watch Waterworld and The Postman out of pure horrified fascination.
UPDATE DEUX: Speaking of Cruise, Owlish notes a possible category for combined sports/chick movies like Jerry McGuire : Spork Films.
YIPS from Steve: Our old pal Tee-Bee over at the Mid-west culture blog has got her list up.
YIPS! back from Robbo: We have got to get ourselves a copy editor.
YIPS from Steve: D'Oh!
Did you link Cathy's list with Hope Floats as one of her tear jerkers?
Posted by Robert at May 4, 2005 08:29 AMAs to List #3: I just watched 'Ray' the other night. The scene that got me was when he, as a child gone blind, had fallen and hurt himself and was calling for his mother, but she, standing right there, tears streaming down her face, would not move to help him. Very powerful -- the young woman who played his mother is a fine actress. She would also whup the daylights out of any of the nitwit parents on Supernanny.
Another great scene is in 'October Sky,' when the kid's father comes around at the end to help fire the rocket, and the contrail can be seen from miles around, by the guys at the coal mine and by the sick teacher in her hospital bed. It's a very good movie, and I'd recommend it if you haven't seen it.
As to List #1: I'm pretty much in agreement with you, except for Braveheart. And as for List #2, I haven't seen most of them. Joy Luck was pretty good, to give Oliver Stone his due, but Four Weddings was disappointing, because of the Andie McDowell factor: Wouldn't Kristin Scott Thomas have been the more primo catch? What is it with Andie McDowell as object of obsession (see 'St Elmo's Fire, 'Groundhog Day')?
Posted by: Mark C N Sullivan at May 4, 2005 10:21 AM
That's it! Wrath of Khan! When Scotty plays Amazing Grace - after Spock's brave final speech and Kirk's teary coming-to-grips with his inability to fool all of the universe all of the time - I cry.
I like Four Weddings, watch it every time it's on, and it is indeed a chick flick. (don't know why I like this movie so much except for the dialogue and wit, 'cause the Andy McDowell-Hugh Grant thing is painful to watch at times, though perfect roles for the two)
And don't tell John, but I know he cries like a baby when Punxetawny Pete and Bill Murray go over the cliff in a firey ball of death. Tell him it's only a movie.
Posted by: tee bee at May 4, 2005 10:33 AMMark - It's that Southern drawl as much as anything else. If she had a strong Joisey or Lon-GUY-land accent, for example, I don't think I'd find her nearly as attractive.
Posted by: Robert the LB at May 4, 2005 12:42 PMDuuuude. Do I usually spell my name with a "C"?
Hmmmmmmm?
(Sorry. Big, BIIIIIG, absolutely freakin' huge pet peeve.)
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with Hope Floats. It's a good movie.
Posted by: Kathy at May 4, 2005 01:16 PMI'm a 54 year old grandmother who loves Sci Fi (even Star Wars), usually enjoys a good action movie (I'll watch anything with Ahhhnold in it) and couldn't be dragged kicking or screaming to a chick flick (unless maybe Mel Gibson is in it)
Posted by: Terry LaForest Lynch at May 4, 2005 06:51 PMAnd don't tell John, but I know he cries like a baby when Punxetawny Pete and Bill Murray go over the cliff in a firey ball of death.
*sniff* I promised myself I wouldn't do this today, darn it!
Posted by: John from WuzzaDem at May 4, 2005 08:36 PM
