Crazy Rich Asians

Starring: Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong

Year: 2018

If you haven't seen this movie yet, then you must! Put it on your movies-to-watch-list right now! I have to admit, I didn't jump on the CRA bandwagon right away. To me, I was like "meh". Maybe when it comes out on DVD. Not sure why really. But boy was I wrong. It's got the charming, handsome guy, the beautiful girl and the perfect romantic storyline. It's got dazzling sets and spectacular locations - almost making you want to jump on the next plane (well, maybe in a year from now!) and see Singapore for yourself. And honestly, with all the stuff that's going on right now, in our covid-infested world, this movie is exactly what you need. Doctor's orders! Prescription written. Fill it!!

Rachel Chu (Wu) is dating Neil Young (Golding). Rachel was born and raised in New York. Neil, in Singapore. So it's no surprise when Neil is asked to be in his best friend's wedding, that he asks Rachel to join him. Not only as his plus-one, but also to meet his family. What Rachel doesn't know, is that she is about to land in a world of wealth. Crazy rich Asian wealth. And Neil's family is the wealthiest of them all. And once she does land, she discovers, quite quickly, that Neil is Singapore's most wanted and desired eligible bachelor. And if that weren't enough, there's also the mom issue and her very high expectations and plans for her son. Which unfortunately do not include Rachel. Rachel may be Chinese. But she's American Chinese. Brought up in the American culture. Very different than the Chinese culture. And that is not acceptable.

Neil just needs to do a heck of a lot of convincing. Convince Rachel to leave New York, her successful career and her mom, to stay there with him. And convince his mom, to accept Rachel and the fact that he loves her. Neither looking too promising.

Favourite Scenes: #1 The best friend's wedding ceremony #2 When they first arrive in Singapore and are out for dinner with Neil's best friend and fiancee #3 ANY scene with Henry Golding! #4 When Rachel's friend from college, Peik Lin (Awkwafina) and others prep Rachel for the best friend's wedding #5 All the songs the bands sing at the wedding and parties throughout the movie. Not sure why, they just resinated with me. #6 The bak-bak b*tch scene. #7 When Rachel and Neil's mom Eleanor (Yeoh) are playing Mahjong.

Fun Facts: #1 Based on Kevin Kwan's novel - which was based on his own childhood. He was born in Singapore and saw so many unbelievable things (crazy rich people stuff) and then moved to the US and lived a normal life. He gave each of the main characters' the lives he lived. #2 Constance Wu had never been to Singapore before - so Rachel's experience seeing it for the first time was Constance's real first experience too. #3 Filmed mostly in Singapore and some in Malaysia. #4 They used the Sultan of Malaysia's old house for one of the locations. And Peik Lin's closet was actually the Sultan's closet. #5 The film made history with a full Asian cast. #6 This was Henry Golding's first Hollywood movie. He didn't even want the part at first because he didn't think he was good enough for the role. Are you kidding me??!! #7 The bak-bak b*tch scene between Rachel and Piek Lin is all improvised.

Crazy Rich Asians is about a very unique, private society. Everything about it is crazy over-the-top. But in amongst all that wealth, glitz and glamour, is a tender love story. It's heart-warming, romantic and funny. Call me crazy, but I think those are all the ingredients you need for a perfectly enjoyable rom-com. 🍣❤️

Favourite Lines:

*Damn Rachel. He's like the Asian Bachelor.

*Chinese sons think their moms fart Chanel No. 5.

*....she just thinks you're some like undeserving, clueless, gold-digging....trashy, unrefined banana. Yellow on the outside and white on the inside.

*Bak-bak b*itch!

*Sweetie, your skin is so dry, it's hurting my face.

*They spent forty-million on the wedding. Really? That's too much. We're Methodists. Twenty million is our limit.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and movie rolling.

Kate & Leopold

Starring: Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Breckin Meyer, Philip Bosco

Year: 2001

Every once in a while we need a change. Not a drastic change. Just enough of a change to shake things up a bit. And in this case, a change from your typical rom com to a more fantasy-type rom com. One that involves Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman and, well, time travel. Yes! Time-travel. Keep reading.

Kate (Ryan) is a recently single, successful career woman, living with her brother Charlie (Meyer). And living in the 21st century. Leopold (Jackman),also single, is the Duke of Albany and has never worked a day in his life. He's living in the 19th century. What could Kate and Leopold possibly have in common? But more importantly, how could they possibly even meet? Well, enter Kate’s ex-boyfriend Stuart (Schreiber). Stuart is a physicist, who goes back in time and accidentally brings his great-great-grandfather, who happens to be Leopold, through a time portal. Plucking Leopold from 1876 New York City and plunking him into 2001 New York City.

When Kate first meets Leopold (in Stuart’s apartment), she assumes that Leopold is an actor. Playing the role of a Duke. Leopold tries to convince Kate that he is not an actor, that he is real, but she doesn‘t believe him. He’s handsome, charming, polite, respectable. And annoys the crap out of Kate. That is, until she begins to realize that he actually might be telling the truth. And that she might actually be falling for him. And him for her. But how can two people, from two different centuries, even make it work? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie and find out. 😋

Favourite Scenes: #1 Whenever Leopold stands up at the table when Kate does. #2 When he’s her knight-to-the-rescue in the park. #3 Their first date. #4 His apology letter.

Fun Facts: #1 Hugh Jackman took etiquette lessons from a 19th-century etiquette expert for the role. #2 Hugh also took ballroom dance lessons and trained to ride a horse. #3 Albany, New York was named after the then Duke of Albany in 1664. #4 Sandra Bullock was also up for the role of Kate. #5 Viola Davis has a minor role as a police officer. #6 Meg was 39 years old in the movie. Hugh was 32. #7 Hugh Jackman has starred in fifty-seven movies since Kate & Leopold. Sixty-eight in total.

Sure the premise of the movie is a bit hokey, but it’s cute. And yes, it‘s a romantic comedy with time travel, but it’s so much more. It’s about simpler times. Reminding us of simpler times. It’s about taking the time to actually look at things that, in our rushed and busy lives of today, we take for granted. Or most likely, don’t even really see at all. `Everything from the use of a toaster, the magic of television and buildings and bridges that have survived the tests of time. What New Yorkers probably walk by a million times without actually even seeing, Leopold sees for the first time. He notices the charm. Appreciates the beauty. Kate & Leopold is like an old-fashioned love story. Yes, it’s unrealistic. But open your heart, use your imagination and enjoy the world of make-believe. Isn’t that why we watch movies in the first place? I know I do.

Favourite Lines:

* Otis always told me love is a leap. Lamentably, I was never inspired to jump.

* Marriage is the promise of eternal love. As a man of honour, I cannot promise eternally what I’ve never felt momentarily.

* Where I come from, the meal is the result of reflection and study, menus are prepared in advance, timed to perfection.

* Are you suggesting madam that there exists a law compelling a gentleman to lay hold of canine bowel movements? I’m suggesting that you pick the poop up.

* Maybe the reason I was your guy was so I could help you find your guy.

From one movie “buff” to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.

Nights in Rodanthe

Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, James Franco, Viola Davis, Mae Whitman

Year: 2008

When I started my blog, my intention was to only blog about movies that make me happy. Make me laugh. Feel good. Movies that are romantic and funny. Pretty much chick flicks. But after my sister-in-law asked me about Nights in Rodanthe, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Unlike the happy cheery movies I’ve been blogging about, this one is much more serious. Yes, it’s romantic. And it’s got fun bits - not funny, but fun (if that makes sense). But it‘s also sad. And that’s probably why I haven’t blogged about it. Until now.

Adrienne (Lane) is unhappy and feeling lost. She is newly separated, recently lost her father and has a struggling relationship with her teenaged daughter. So when best friend Jean (Davis) asks Adrienne to look after her bed & breakfast, in the small coastal town of Rodanthe, she jumps at the chance. Anything to get away for a bit.

Paul (Gere) is a surgeon. Divorced. And has a non-existent relationship with his adult son (Franco). But what brings him to Rodanthe isn’t any of those things. Unfortunately, Paul has come to Rodanthe to meet with the family of one of his patients. A patient who unexpectedly died during surgery. A quick visit, with no intention on staying at the inn any longer than necessary. That is, until he meets Adrienne.

What starts off as just two lonely, unhappy people seeking comfort and someone to talk to, quickly becomes so much more.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Adrienne and Paul send letters back and forth to one another. #2 When Adrienne decides to clean out Jean’s pantry #3 The horses.

Fun Facts: #1 The bed & breakfast is a real house. It’s actually a vacation rental property in Rodanthe, NC. #2 Diane Lane and Richard Gere played in two other movies together. Unfaithful (2002) and The Cotton Club (1984). #3 Richard Gere is sixteen years older than Diane Lane. He's 59 and she's 43 in the movie. #4 Richard Gere and Christopher Meloni were in Runaway Bride together. #5 Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name.

If you are looking for happy and cheery, this movie might not be for you. But when are we ever really in the mood for sad? It's a Nicholas Sparks story after all!! There's always a sad bit! Think "Walk to Remember"!! So sad but so good! I love Diane Lane. She's such a natural and believable actress. Beautiful too. Richard Gere is great too. Handsome as always. And I love the chemistry between their characters - which is always the deal breaker for me. While the movie is heart-warming and touching, it's also heart-breaking and emotional. Sounds terrible I know, but I do like it. Alot. And I'd watch it again tomorrow if you asked me to.

Favourite Lines:

*...there’s another kind of love...one that gives you the courage to be better than you are, not less than you are.

*When Jack left me, it wasn’t our marriage ending. It was the loss of all the hopes that I had for the future.

*I love you now for what we've already shared. And I love you now in anticipation for all that's to come.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.