romantics anonymous

the year: 2010

the genre: comedy

the cast: Benoit Poelvoorde (Jean-Rene Vandenhugde); Isabelle Carre (Angelique Delange); Lorella Cravotta (Magda); Lise Lametrie (Suzanne); Swann Arlaud (Antoine); Pierre Niney (Ludo)

the plot: Angélique is a gifted chocolate-maker whose uncontrollable shyness prevents her from acknowledging her talents. Struggling chocolatier Jean-René, who also suffers from a similar case of awkward bashfulness that threatens to drown his company, (in a misunderstanding) hires Angelique as his new sales associate. Realizing she’s attracted to her boss, Angelique decides to anonymously develop a new line of chocolates to save the company. With the future of the business hanging in the balance, Angélique and Jean-René must overcome their limitations and confess their sweet affections for one another in this delectable comedy.

don't miss: the ruffled tuxedo shirt. (schnork-giggle!)

also don't miss: the slowest car chase in movie history.  (At least that's what the director calls it.) 

extra bonus points: if you can name the song that Angelique sings to herself when she needs a little courage.  (The choreography is pretty dead on.)

also don't miss: the web-con with the hermit from the mountains.

listen for (or read, if you don't speak French): "I am a volcano!"

it came from beneath the sea

Ok.  I realize that one of these things is not like the others, but I'll just say that this is a great movie to watch while doing laundry/ironing.  :)

the year: 1955

the genre: sci-fi

the cast:  Kenneth Tobey (Cmdr. Pete Mathews); Faith Domergue (Prof. Lesley Joyce); Donald Curtis (Dr. John Carter)

the plot: A Giant Octopus (yes - it should be capitalized!), whose feeding habits have been affected by radiation from H-Bomb tests, rises from the Mindanao Deep to terrorize the California Coast.

don't miss:  the intense drama.  Oh, the humanity! 

listen for:  "From her beginnings on a Navy drawing board, through the months of secret field experiments out on the Western desert, then through the desperate search for new metals with the properties she needed, she was designed to be the nation's greatest weapon of the seas - the atom-powered submarine. Her engines were to be a miracle of speed and power, her sides strong enough to withstand any blow, her armament and fire power of greater force than the worst enemy she might encounter. The mind of man had thought of everything - *except that which was beyond his comprehension!*"  (dom, dom DOM!!!)

extra bonus points: if you can name the film that was double billed with this one by Columbia Pictures.

did you know: because the budget was so low, Ray Harryhausen saved money by building his octopus model with six rather than the correct eight tentacles. He tried to pose the creature so this lack of the right number of arms wasn't apparent.

 

just wright

the year: 2010

the genre: rom-com

the cast:  Queen Latifah (Leslie Wright); Common (Scotty McKnight); Paula Patton (Morgan Alexander); James Pickens, Jr. (Lloyd Wright); Phylicia Rashad (Ella McKnight)

don't miss: Phylicia Rashad as Scott McKnight's mom.  Another great character!

listen for: some great piano jazz!

extra bonus points: if you can name the singer who makes a cameo as a Nets fan cheering courtside when McKnight is injured.

 

man on a ledge

the year: 2012

the genre: suspense

the cast: Sam Worthington (Nick Cassidy); Elizabeth Banks (Lydia Mercer); Ed Harris (David Englander); Jamie Bell (Joey Cassidy); Edward Burns (Jack Dougherty)

the plot: As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion...

don't miss: Jack Dougherty - I think he's my favorite character.

did you know: All of the wide shots of the actors on the ledge were real. Restraining cables were either hidden from camera view or edited out in post.

 

listen for: Yes. Mr. Walker. Room 2105, South Tower. Great view. We also have a larger unit available on the east side, I can offer you at the same price.
No, I think I'll stick with the view.

also listen for: First, cut the red wire.
Red wire? They're all red wires!
Babe, pick the reddest one.

extra bonus points: if you know how Nick stops Englander from getting away.

good deeds

the year: 2012

the genre: drama

the cast: Tyler Perry (Wesley Deeds); Thandie Newton (Lindsey Wakefield); Gabrielle Union (Natalie); Eddie Cibrian (John); Brian White (Walter Deeds); Phylicia Rashad (Wilimena Deeds)

the plot: Businessman Wesley Deeds is jolted out of his scripted life when he meets Lindsey, a single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building.

listen for: "I'm not mean. Just like you're not, disconnected, cold, stiff, and uptight."

I like that the characters in this movie are real.  No one is made out to be the "bad guy" - these are just people doing the best they can with what they have.  It's kind of refreshing! 

don't miss: Wesley's transformation.

also listen for: "I was told where to stand and how to dress, how to cut my hair, and what I would be doing for the rest of my life from the time I was five years old. And right now, I seem to be on track. Who's track I don't really know."

extra bonus points: if you can name Tyler Perry's most famous character (hint: she does not appear in this movie).

mirror, mirror

the year: 2012

the genre: comedy

the cast: Julia Roberts (The Queen); Lily Collins (Snow White); Armie Hammer (Prince Alcott); Nathan Lane (Brighton)

the plot: An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.

don't miss: the Bollywood finale.

 

listen for:  Brighton's eulogy for Snow White.

extra bonus points: if you can name *these* seven dwarves. 

 

and don't miss: the fantastic costumes.  Wow!

also listen for: "Love is passing the potatoes!"

also don't miss: the Queen's beauty regimens.