Sydney White (2007)

Cutie Amanda Bynes stars in this dorky interpretation of a classic fairy tale set on college campus. During pledge week, Sydney White (Bynes) plans to join the Kappa Sisterhood, the same sorority of her (now deceased) mother. Sydney, an All-American tomboy doesn't fit in the clique and soon finds herself on the outside. Disenchanted with the whole thing, Sydney takes up with a group of nerds in the 'Vortex'-- a dilapidated and cottage-like refuge for outcasts. With the support of her seven dorks, Sydney leads a student revolution against Greek row and get her prince.

The cast are a good looking bunch of fresh-faces. Matt Long (Ghost Rider) is Tyler Prince, Sara Paxton is the wicked sorority witch, but it's the imagining of of the seven dwarfs that is laughter-inducing. They are stereotypical gaming, comic book-reading, larpers. Lenny (Jack Carpenter) is our uber-allergic to the world, Sneezy. Jeremy (Adam Hendershott) copes with life through his doggie hand puppet Skoozer. (Bashful) Embele (Donte Bonner) as Sleepy, is the Nigerian exchange student who hasn't adapted to the time change. Gurkin (Danny Strong) is quintessential Grumpy-- just in a anti-establishment way. George (Arnie Pantoja) is still a (Dopey) junior Tiger scout, but nothing gets to this naive doofus. Terrence (Jeremy Long) is Doc-- in a statistical/science-extreme sort of way. Spanky (Samm Levine) imagines Happy as a poster-child for Ritalin.

Sydney White is more harmless fare from the adorable Amanda Bynes-- I just can't help myself. She gets away with so much. Her proclivity to rely on physical comedy and that eye-roll can be annoying, but she's just so darn cute.
The film does feel contrived at times-- easily excusable in my book when there's so much more to offer. The Star Wars and LOTR references are ridiculous! The references to the fairy tale are non-stop. We have a 'Hot or Not' list and a poison apple computer virus, plus a shout-out to the Grimm Brothers (authors of the original tale). Oh, and I didn't mention John Schneider (Bo Duke) plays dad?!

Ultimately, Sydney White is a sweet movie that deserves a modicum of respect thanks to a positive message and happily ever after.

An Affair to Remember (1957)

During a cruise from Europe to New York, international playboy Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) meets the stunning Terry McKay. The former night-club singer is travelling back into the arms of her monied boyfriend. Playboy Nickie is returning to his wealthy fiance. The two spend every last moment together, knowing full well that duty, not love, will send them back to New York. In the last minutes of their time together, the couple decide to meet at the Empire State Building six months later to determine if what they feel is true.

A grueling six months later, Nickie waits on the 102nd floor. Down below a hurried Terry is struck by a car and unable to meet him. Confined to a wheelchair, Terry refuses to contact Nickie unsure of what he might think. A chance meeting between the two, months later, re-ignites memories of the affair.

What a beautiful film! You don't find love stories like An Affair to Remember anymore. Much of the charm, I think, lies in the age of the film. Cary Grant {doesn't do much for me}, but as Nickie, is the consummate playboy charmed by the self-confident Terry. Deborah Kerr is amazing! Women of that time carried a mystique about them. The chemistry found between this two is spine-tingling. The softness of her words, the gentleness of his caress-- it's beautiful!

There are two brilliant scenes here from director Leo McCarey that sum the film up like nothing else: the reflection of the Empire State Building in Terry's window and Nickie's realization of the painting-- both are tear-wrenching!! Story-telling doesn't get any better.

In this day and age, it's difficult not to deem movies from this time period as 'too sentimental' or 'corny'. True romantics will find a timeless plot in An Affair to Remember that is all too deserving of the 'classic' moniker.

Masterpiece Theatre: Sense & Sensibility (2008)

The final adaption in the Austen series brings mixed feelings. While I adore the story of the once privileged Dashwood sisters, sensible Elinor (Hattie Morahan) and romantic Marianne (Charity Wakefield), this version lacked in a few areas. Marianne charms two suitors, stoic Col. Brandon (David Morrissey) and cad John Willoughby (Dominic Cooper). Elinor seeks a simpler life and engages in a puzzling courtship with aspiring clergyman Edward Ferrars (Dan Stevens). The ups and downs are love in the 19th Century will resonate with romantics of all ages.

This BBC production is par for the course; it's beautiful. The cottages are charming, the English countryside idyllic and the sprawling manors lavish.
It's unfortunate that writer Andrew Davies interprets Austen's novel as a two part and bloated mini-series. Davies conjures larger than life characters for the supporting roles that irritate. The Dashwood sisters are surrounded by incompetence that just annoys. The entire Ferrars family, the Dashwood cousins-- they are all present, but so over the top in form it detracts from an otherwise solid film.

The beloved story of Sense and Sensibility is here amid the fallacy of character. It's much to easy to compare this adaptation with 1995's Emma Thompson and Kate Winslett production {my favorite}. Davies' modern adaption is sensual and romantic. I just wish he would have as much time relishing in the 'happily ever after' as he did the misery of love abandoned.

Fight Club (1999)

Fight Club is one of those mind f*ck movies much like The Sixth Sense. You can easily find a spoiler on any number of sites. I won't bother here. Once seen, pleasure is derived from watching others watch Fight Club. I conducted this experiment again today. My subject: my father.

As Tyler Durdin, Brad Pitt is everything you want to be. He says the things you think, does the thing you {want} to do, carries himself the way you would {if you didn't think you'd get laughed at hysterically... Tyler is everyone who ever held a thankless job. He is the yang to corporate American worker's yin.

Every aspect of the movie speaks to the viewer. The narrative of Ed Norton's corporate drone, his existence could be a mirror to any of ours and then in steps Durdin. His flashy existential philosophy for the everyman is eye-opening. Dialogue, score, visuals-- it all plays to that crucial moment of self-realization.

Back to the experiment. So, I hoodwinked my father into viewing by saying it's about suburban white males and the elusive world of underground fighting. With a promise of no-holds bar violence, he was in. As the film played, going for the revelation and wham! His eyes go big, his mouth wide... what the?!

It was great. His reaction was perfect. He then begins to analyze scenes, recalling details that should have clued him in, talking things out. It is a good night.

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Wes Anderson's films are a must-see in my book, but it takes a special mind to enjoy them. He creates amazing places, explores odd and flawed themes in an unusual manner that you don't get from today's film-makers.

After the death of their father, Peter, Francis and Jack Whittman (Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman, respectively) board the Darjeeling Limited in an attempt to reconnect after years of distance. Sibling rivalry is taken to new heights as the brothers, led by Francis, explore their emotions or lack thereof on the cross-Indian train.

Anderson's unique stamp is all over The Darjeeling Limited. The settings, both on and off the train, are alive with people and things. Vibrant and quirky, the film is fun to look at even when the story lulls.

Anderson alums, Wilson and Schwartzman, fall right into their roles playing depressed, privileged characters. Brody is a natural in Anderson's world. Angelica Huston appears for a brief moment, as does Natalie Portman. Thankfully, Bill Murray gets a shout-out. Yes!

The Darjeeling Limited is a wildly stylized and indulgent film. The odd pacing, depressed characters, carefully detailed environment-- it's all Anderson. The storyline is hit or miss off the train. Francis and his itinerary (courtesy of the misidentified albino, Brandon) is an oddball gag that kills me, as does the Louis Vuitton luggage. On the train and in close quarters is where Anderson and Cast really shine. The verbal and sometime nonsensical sparring between the trio combined with the nauseating color scheme of Indian curry is charming.

Again, like his previous films, The Darjeeling Limited will be polarizing. You either love or hate 'em. This film often feels like an inside joke from Anderson to his fans.

Hotel Chevalier ~ Portman's remarks about the nude scene found here have been the source of many internet searches. Nothing mind-blowing, but it's on the disc, so why not watch it?!