Sweet Home Alabama

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Candice Bergen, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart

Year: 2002

I'm not the biggest fan of Reese Witherspoon, so this isn't a movie I gravitate to often. But I was in the mood for Josh Lucas' ice blue eyes and cute dimples, the adorable bloodhound; and had an evening to myself, so I thought, what the heck!

And I'm glad I did. Yes, Reese was a titch annoying (I honestly don't know why - she just hasn't really ever been a fave) but I do like the movie. Josh Lucas isn't too hard to take and Patrick Dempsey is an added McDreamy bonus! Throw in the bloodhound Bryant and it's a sweet deal.

Melanie Carmichael (Witherspoon) is a new, up and coming New York clothes designer who ends up, after only an eight month courtship (yikes! is that even a word anymore?) getting engaged to very handsome and very wealthy Andrew Hennings (Dempsey). But, as in every romantic comedy, there is a hiccup. The hiccup - Melanie is still married to Jake Perry (Lucas), her high school sweetheart who refuses to give her a divorce, even though they haven't seen each other for years. Melanie goes back to Alabama determined to get those divorce papers signed, so she can finally move on with her new man and her new life in New York. However, Melanie quickly discovers that you can take the girl out of Alabama but you can't really take Alabama out of the girl.

Two favourite scenes: #1 When Andrew rents out Tiffany's to propose to Melanie and then tells her to pick whichever ring she wants. Sure maybe a little over-the-top but I'd take it.😍#2 When Melanie goes to the pet cemetery and talks to her dog Bear that had passed away while she was gone. I won't lie. I cried.

Fun Facts: #1 Well maybe not so fun, but this was the first movie to be filmed in New York City after 9/11 #2 The coon dog cemetery is a real cemetery in Tuscumbia, Alabama #3 Charlize Theron was originally cast as Melanie Carmichael #4 Witherspoon and Lucas were both in the movie American Psycho (2000) #5 It was the first film ever allowed to film in Tiffany's since Breakfast in Tiffany's in 1961. #6 They mention bologna cake when Melanie announces her engagement. Bologna cake is, apparently, a real thing. It's made up of bologna, cream cheese and horseradish. Yikes! Learn something new every day!

Sweet Home Alabama is sweet, charming, romantic. It's got everything a romantic comedy should have. And even though Reese Witherspoon is not my fave, I do like her with both Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey. Their chemistries work. And that works for me!

Favourite Lines:

*Whatever blows your dress up darlin', you go right ahead and spend your money.

*You can have roots and wings.

*You can't ride two horses with one ass, sugarbean.

*Why don't you go back to your doublewide and fry somethin'.

*You were the first boy I kissed and I want you to be the last.

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

Pretty Woman

Starring: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo, Jason Alexander

Year: 1990

In May 2019, my husband and I flew to LA with friends. First stop on our agenda - Beverly Hills! And Rodeo Drive. My first time. I was so excited. Although I was a bit disappointed to find out that the store that Julia’s character shopped in no longer existed, it was still super exciting to be there.

A Garry Marshall film, Pretty Woman has it all. The beautiful damsel in distress, the handsome prince who rescues her and the happily-ever-after. Pretty much a modern-day Cinderella.

Vivian (Roberts) is a prostitute. Edward (Gere), a billionaire. One night, by chance, they meet on the streets of Beverly Hills. He’s lost and rich. She knows Beverly Hills and needs the cash. It’s a win win. That chance meeting turns into a week long business arrangement; Edward hiring Vivian to keep him company day and night. He’s quiet, well mannered, smart and has loads of money. She is loud, has no manners, not too sure of herself and has zero money. Never in a million years would you put the two together. And never in a million years would Edward have ever guessed he would fall in love with her.

Fun Facts: #1 The producers originally had Meg Ryan in mind to play Vivian. #2 Al Pacino, Christopher Reeve and Denzel Washington were considered for the role of Edward. #3 Julie Roberts was twenty-one. Richard Gere forty-one. Can I say "eww"?? - and yet somehow it worked. #4 When Edward snaps the jewellery box shut, it isn't planned. Gere decided to do it as a joke. Robert's laugh was so natural, they kept the scene. #5 It's not Julia Roberts on the poster for the film. Her head was photoshopped onto another woman's body.

Sadly romantic comedies are a rare breed these days. Ones where you swoon over the love interest, fall in love with the characters, laugh out loud and find yourself still smiling as the credits roll. Luckily we can go back to classics like Pretty Woman. It's romantic, it's funny, it's heart-warming and has characters you will easily fall in love with. A must watch! If you don't - Big Mistake! Big. Huge. 😉

Favourite Lines:

*Big Mistake! Big. Huge.

*It must be difficult to let go of something so beautiful.

*People put you down enough, you start to believe it.

*I would have stayed for two thousand. I would have paid four.

*Fifty bucks grandpa. For seventy-five, the wife can watch.

*In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.

*I‘m gonna treat you so nice, you’re never gonna let me go.

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

Ever After

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Dougray Scott, Angelica Huston, Melanie Lynskey, Megan Dodds

Year: 1998

I remember as a little girl, my Opa (grandfather) used to always read me stories by The Brothers Grimm. They were in German, but that didn't make me love them any less. I remember sitting on his lap, or laying in bed, being totally enthralled in the stories. One especially. "Aschenputtel". English translation - Cinderella.

Who doesn't love the enchanting story of Cinderella? The wicked step-mother, the cruel step-sisters, the masked ball, the glass slipper, the prince, the happily-ever-after. We all know the story. We all grew up with the story. And even though we know the beginning, middle and end, we never seem to tire of it.

This movie version (as much as I love the Disney version), is no exception. While there are no pumpkins, no cute talking mice, or even any bippity boppity boos, I love how this story is told and how you truly believe that, once upon a time, there was a little cinder girl. An eight year old little girl that loved her father very much. But after her father dies suddenly, she is left to live with her cold stepmother (Huston) and her two spoiled step-sisters (Lynskey & Dodds). And even though her name was Danielle, she became better known as Cinderella - family maid, rather than daughter. Ten years later, a feisty Danielle finds herself picking apples in the orchard, when she notices a thief stealing one of their horses. She immediately throws apples at him and knocks him off his horse. She quickly discovers that this isn't your ordinary thief. It's Prince Henry (Scott). Over the course of the days to follow, Cinderella and Prince Henry have numerous encounters. And Prince Henry takes a shining to her. Develops a crush. Is intrigued by her. The only itsy bitsy problem is that Prince Henry believes he is pursuing a countess. Not a servant. Then there's a ball, a beautiful gown, glass slipper. Well, you know how the story goes....

Fun Facts: #1 Jude Law was originally offered the role of Prince Henry but he declined. #2 While filming took place in many locations in France, the main location used was the Chateau de Hautefort. #3 Drew Barrymore was twenty-three years old when she filmed Ever After. Dougray Scott thirty-three.

Ever After is a romantic, enchanting, charming tale. A modern-day version of the classic fairytale we all grew up with and loved. Barrymore and Scott have great chemistry (which is always a game changer for me), the costumes are gorgeous, the castles and scenery (all in France) magnificent and breathtaking, the soundtrack lovely. In my opinion, a pretty perfect package for a pretty perfect movie.

Favourite Lines:

*I am sorry. My mouth has run away with me again.

*How can anyone love a pebble in their shoe?

*You have more conviction in a single memory than I have in my entire being.

*You have everything you want, but still life holds no joy.

*Prince Henry suffers from an arranged marriage, signore....among other things.

*I would rather die a thousand deaths than to see my mother's dress on that spoiled selfish cow! *Choose your words wisely, madam. For they may be your last.

*What bothers you more, step mother? That I am common or that I am competition?

*Of course not mother. I'm only here for the food.

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