miss congeniality

the year: 2000

the genre: comedy


the cast: Sandra Bullock (Gracie Hart); Michael Caine (Victor Melling); Benjamin Bratt (Eric Matthews); Candice Bergen (Kathy Morningside); William Shatner (Stan Fields)


the plot: When a serial killer indicates that his next target is the Miss United States beauty pageant, the FBI decides that they must enter an undercover agent as a participant in the contest. A search uncovers no suitable candidate other than a bumbling female agent. The pageant managers are aghast at Gracie joining the pageant, but arrange a top handler to come give her a quick makeover, with the expected outstanding results. Now if she can just catch the killer...



don't miss: Michael Caine as Victor. He knows his pageant stuff!



listen for: "Miss Rhode Island, please describe your idea of a perfect date." "That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."



did you know: Cheryl "Rhode Island's" answer to the question "What is your idea of a perfect date?" was actually used as an answer in a real beauty pageant.



extra bonus points: if you know what's special about the dress Gracie wears post-makeover while "Mustang Sally" is playing in the background.

the lake house

the year: 2006

the genre: drama


the cast: Keanu Reeves (Alex Wyler); Sandra Bullock (Kate Forster); Christopher Plummer (Simon Wyler); Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Henry Wyler); Dylan Walsh (Morgan)


the plot: A lonely doctor who once occupied an unusual lakeside home begins exchanging letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late.


count: how many children Alex tells Kate he has.


listen for: "He must write one hell of a letter."


did you know: director Alejandro Agresti made a brief cameo as the man using breath spray on the train, beside Sandra Bullock.


extra bonus points: if you know why the dog was named Jack.


also listen for: "Oh, we have a comedian! What, did you eat clown for breakfast?"


did you also know: the actual house did not exist and was built for the movie, then dismantled. In using Google Earth to see the house, enter 41.7142, -87.8901 in the window on the Fly To tab. This will take you to the center of the lake. Zoom to the clearing on the eastern shore. Then select April 29, 2005 as the date.

two weeks notice

the year: 2002

the genre: comedy


the cast: Sandra Bullock (Lucy Kelson); Hugh Grant (George Wade); Alicia Witt (June Carver)


the plot: Lucy Kelson is chief counsel for Wade Corporation, one of New York City's top commercial real estate developers. She's a brilliant lawyer with a sharp, strategic mind. She also has an ulcer and doesn't get much sleep. It's not the job that's getting to her - it's her millionaire boss, George Wade. Handsome, charming and undeniably self-absorbed, he treats her more like a nanny than a Harvard Law grad and can barely choose a tie without her help. Now, after one year of calling the shots-on everything from his clothes to his divorce settlements - Lucy Kelson is calling it quits.


don't miss: Tony's advice to George about women.



listen for: "You called everyone but Slurpee Heaven." "That is not true. I did call Slurpee Heaven. They didn't want you. Heard you had attitude. Said you weren't "Slurpee" material."



did you know: the house George's brother lives is actually one of Donald Trump's homes. Trump lent his Westchester home to the production and filmed a cameo for the film.


also listen for: "No offense, but I think it's immoral for one person to acquire that much wealth. How do you sleep at night?" "Well, I have a machine that simulates the sound of the ocean."



extra bonus points: if you know what the grammatically correct movie title would be.



count: how many Number 7's Lucy orders from Mr. Wong during the course of the film.



watch for: George's first attempt at speech writing.

while you were sleeping

the year: 1995

the genre: comedy


the cast: Sandra Bullock (Lucy Moderatz); Bill Pullman (Jack Callaghan); Peter Gallagher (Peter Callaghan); Peter Boyle (Ox Callaghan); Jack Warden (Saul); Glynis Johns (Elsie)


the plot: Lonely Chicago "L" ticket seller Lucy has fallen in love with a commuter who passes her booth every day. On Christmas Day, the handsome commuter (named Peter) is mugged and falls onto the rails. Lucy saves his life and Peter's family is mistaken into thinking Lucy is Peter's fiancee. Peter's brother, Jack, is skeptical, but very much attacted to Lucy. What will happen when Peter wakes up?



don't miss: Joe, Jr. - he's got Ice Capades tickets.



listen for: "These potatoes are so creamy. Mary mashed them."



did you know: The original screenplay was about a woman in a coma and a man pretending to be her fiancé. Many studio executives thought this to be too predatory until someone suggested reversing the roles.


extra bonus points: if you know why Sandra Bullock said she could relate to the role of Lucy.



count: how many times Cesar Romero comes up in dinnertime conversation.



watch for: Jason Bernard as Lucy's boss, Jerry. You may also recognize him as the judge in Liar, Liar.


also listen for: "Listen, Lucy, when I told my mother I was getting married to my wife, her intestines exploded. You tell them the truth now, you may as well shoot Grandma."


The trailer AND my favorite scene: