Someone Like You

Starring: Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman, Marisa Tomei, Ellen Barkin

Year: 2001

So this was my first time watching this movie. I had no idea what to expect. And I can't say it caught my interest right away. I think it was Jane's (Judd) narrative about cows that lost me a bit at the beginning. After watching the movie in its entirety, I now get it. But honestly, it almost had me turning it off. So if you get that same vibe, don't! Keep watching!! Because honestly, if it weren't for Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman, I just may have. But curiosity got the best of me. And, surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. I'd give it a 6/10. Not top ten. But definitely on the watch-again pile. Hugh Jackman does help. Smile, scruff, six-pack and all. "Sexiest Man Alive"?? Heck ya!

Jane is a production assistant for a talk show, working along side Eddie (Jackman), the cameraman, and Diane (Barkin), the host of the talk show and her boss. Jane is a heartbroken woman who is trying to figure out why she always gets dumped. Is it what happens to all women, she wonders? Or just her? Then she meets Ray (Kinnear), the new producer of the show. It's pretty much love at first sight. Everything is magical and romantic....even as they plan to move in together. It's almost too good to be true. Of course it is! And Jane is dumped and heartbroken once again. And homeless. Eddie, an it's-all-about-me womanizer and commitment phobe, just happens to be having trouble finding a roommate (gee, I wonder why??!!) and asks Jane to move in with him. As much as the idea repulses her, what choice does she have? Plus, it might just make Ray jealous enough to want her back! What Jane doesn't expect, is that the new roomie isn't what she expected at all.

Favourite Scenes: *when Jane shows Eddie her cheerleading moves *when Jane and Eddie are sitting on his kitchen island talking and eating Chinese food *all the heart-to-hearts between Jane and her BFF Liz (Tomei).

Fun Facts: *based on the 1998 novel "Animal Husbandry". *Hugh Jackman practices yoga and meditation to relax. God bless him! *Ashley Judd's mother is Naomi Judd and her half-sister is Wynonna Judd. Both country music singers.

This might not be the movie that is on regular rotation (as many of my faves are), but it is cute. Worth the watch on a cozy afternoon, snuggled on the couch in your comfy clothes. Or late at night, with a bowl of popcorn or chips (anything salty really) in your flannels and wooly blanket. It's got humour. It's got romance. And it's got Hugh Jackman in his undies. Need I say more?? 😍

Favourite Lines:

*You and Ray will live happily ever after with matching volvos and chocolate labs.

*Time wounds all heels.

*You're so easy to talk to, unlike my current cow.

* There are few things sadder in this life than watching someone walk away after they've left you, watching the distance between your bodies expand until there's nothing but empty space and silence.

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

While You Were Sleeping

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Glyns Johns, Jack Warden

Year: 1995

I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I'm sure I've watched it over a hundred times. And even though I can probably recall each line from memory, I never tire of it. I love the storyline. I love the characters. I love the chemistry. I love everything about it!

Lucy (Bullock) is a transit toll-booth worker and although she hates her job, she loves the fact that she gets to see the same gorgeous handsome stranger (Gallagher) pay his token and get on the train every day. She's never met him. Knows nothing about him. But knows she wants to marry him. One day, after paying his toll, the stranger gets mugged, causing him to fall on the tracks and Lucy saves him. Unfortunately, the accident leaves the stranger, Peter Callaghan, in a coma and a misunderstanding leads Peter's family to believe Lucy is his fiancee. It kinda becomes that "be careful what you wish for" scenario. With their warm affection and welcoming embrace, Lucy neglects to tell them the truth. Things get a bit more complicated when Jack (Pullman) shows up. Jack is Peter's younger brother. And although Lucy is "engaged" to Peter, she finds herself falling in love with Jack.

Complicated becomes more complicated. Of course it does! It's a romantic-comedy!! Prior to Peter's accident, Peter proposed to Ashley - unbeknownst to the family. Grandma (Johns) has a heart condition which keeps Lucy from telling the truth. And Lucy is an only child, both parents deceased; living alone with her cat. Being welcomed into this loving family is something she hasn't had for a very long time and she's not sure she wants to give it up.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Lucy is watching the Callaghan family open Christmas gifts. #2 When Lucy and Jack are slipping and sliding on the ice and trying to keep each other up. # 3 Any scene with Grandma. # 4 When Jack is playing cards with Peter in the hospital. #5 When the paperboy is delivering newspapers. #6 When Jack gives Lucy her wedding gift.

Fun Facts: #1 Julia Roberts was first offered the role of Lucy, but turned it down. #2 Although not really a "fun" fact, the boy throwing the newspaper wasn't supposed to fall, and actually broke his wrist while doing the scene. But they kept the scene. 😯#3 The Callaghan's house is real. Every house scene was filmed inside the charming home, which is in La Grange, Illinois. #4 John Travolta's sister plays the nurse who admits Peter into the hospital. #5 John Cusack's father plays Dr. Rubin.

Although this movie takes place at Christmas, don't save it for just Christmas watching. It works any time of year. And if you are as hopelessly romantic as Lucy is, then this movie works any hour, of any day of any month. While You Were Sleeping is romantic, funny, touching with a big dose of charm. No matter how many times I've seen this movie, I fall in love with it all over again. You will too.

Favourite Lines:

*Have you ever fallen in love with someone you haven't even talked to?

*Have you ever been so alone you spend the night confusing a man in a coma?

*I could sleep anywhere. And believe me, she has.

*I don't drink any more. I don't drink any less either.

*I was always proud of you. Never envious. Until now.

*You give up your seat every day in the train. Well, that's not heroic. It is to the person who sits in it.

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

The Rewrite

Starring: Hugh Grant, Marisa Tomei, J. K. Simmons, Chris Elliott, Allison Janney

Year: 2014

Despite Hugh Grant's inappropriate bad bad booboo way back when, I do like him. Yes I do! He's a great actor. Usually playing the same type of character, with that sheepish boyish charm. That crooked grin. And that's okay. Even at the age of fifty-four he's still got it. Well sort of. Okay, maybe not quite as much.

Keith Michaels (Grant) was a successful actor and award-winning screenwriter; winning an Oscar for his screenplay "Paradise Misplaced". He had it all. A wife, money, fame, respect. But that was then. This is now. He is broke, alone and hasn't written a successful screenplay in years. Lucky for him, his agent finds him a position at a university in small-town Binghamton, teaching screenwriting. Leave posh, exciting LA and move to dull, boring small-town Binghamton?? To teach? Well, having no other choice, he does. How hard could it be? He's a screenwriter after all! And an actor! And since he truly believes that writing can't be taught, he figures he can bullsh*t his way through it and nobody would be the wiser. Until he meets Holly (Tomei). Holly is a single mother, working two jobs and attending college. And just so happens to be in his class.

While Keith first intends to do as little as possible, so he can concentrate more on writing his next screenplay, he soon discovers he loves teaching. And begins to connect with his students. All of them. Including Holly. He even finds himself interested in his students' lives; their passions and work. Especially Holly's. It seems, this small-town isn't so dull and boring after all.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Keith shares, with his students, how he came up with his storyline for "Paradise Misplaced" # 2 Any scene with J. K. Simmons (Dr. Lerner, the department head and the father of four daughters - stern and yet so mushy)

Fun Facts: #1 Mark Lawrence (writer) and Hugh Grant have worked together four times. #2 Mark Lawrence attended Binghamton University and met his wife there. #3 The scene in which Keith is watching himself accept an award, is a real life clip from when Hugh Grant won the Golden Globe as Best Actor in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

While this might not be my favourite movie. Not even my favourite Hugh Grant movie. I do like it. It's about second chances. It's about ending up exactly where you should. And for Keith and Holly - Keith was meant to teach at Binghamton University and Holly was meant to be in his class.

Favourite Lines:

*As long as you're alive, you can forgive and be forgiven.

*Dr. Lerner, you must have an opinion on this? Hah! I have a wife and four daughters. I have no opinions.

*In an ideal world, that's what you hope for. Someone you can be yourself with.

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