27 Dresses

Starring: Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Judy Greer, Edward Burns, Malin Akerman

Year: 2008

You know how you have a certain friend, that no matter how long it's been since you've been together or even talked, you just comfortably begin where you've left off? Where it just feels right? I kinda feel that way about this movie. It's been a while since I've watched this movie, but the moment it started, it felt right. I knew it was a good choice.

Jane (Heigl) is a hopeless romantic. Every Sunday she reads the wedding announcements in the Sunday paper. And not only does she imagine all the weddings described in them; she also dreamily imagines the man who writes them. She's been a bridesmaid in twenty-seven weddings. Acts like a wedding-planner for most of them, and yet, has no love of her own. She imagines a romantic life with her boss George (Burns), but imagination can only get her so far. Especially if said boss has no clue. And best friend and co-worker Casey (Greer) regularly snaps (and even slaps) her back into real life.

Oh but the plot thickens! Jane introduces her little sister Tess (Akerman) to George and they, wait for it, fall in love. Jane is heartbroken. Oh, but it get's worse. They get engaged. Adding insult to injury, the reporter (Marsden) who is writing about the upcoming nuptials happens to be the same guy that writes all the wedding announcements that Jane loves. The only frustrating and disappointing thing about all that, is that she has met this man. And he's cynical. Anti-marriage. How can HE be the same guy that writes those dreamy, romantic announcements that Jane is so obsessed about?

There's a lot more to the story, but you get the jist. It's light and fluffy. Not original. But it's good. It's fun to watch. Especially the "Bennie and the Jets" karaoke scene. Probably one of my favourite scenes in the movie. Heigl is great and Marsden (well besides being adorable - with that big smile, boyish charm and shleppish attire) is a perfect fit. They have great chemistry and you know from the get-go that their characters are way better suited than Heigl and Burns' (who, in my opinion, has a very annoying voice. Is it just me? It's just too squeaky).

Fun Facts: #1 This film was inspired by real-life events. #2 It was originally meant to be a television series. #3 While Heigl was planning her own wedding during the filming of this movie, Akerman actually got married during filming.

While 27 Dresses is light and fluffy, it does show a side that many of us have probably experienced once, twice or, sadly, over and over again. Being the people pleaser. Being the selfless, people pleaser but not appreciated. Being the selfless, people pleaser but shit on anyway. That's Jane in my eyes. So yup, it's got your typical happily-ever-after ending. So what? I'm happy it does. Because everyone deserves their happily-ever-after. Especially those with the biggest and selfless hearts.

Favourite Lines:

*I feel like I just found out my favourite love song was written about a sandwich.

*Love is patient, love is kind. Love is slowly losing your mind.

*You'd rather focus on other people's Kodak moments than make memories of your own.

*If it was the right thing to do, you'd feel better right now.

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

The Switch

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Patrick Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Jeff Goldblum

Year: 2010

WHO doesn't love Jennifer Aniston or Jason Bateman? Put them together and you've got yourself another perfect rom-com couple! It's like Julie Roberts and Richard Gere. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. They are all soooo good together and have such great chemistry. Jennifer and Jason are really close friends in real life too, so without a doubt, the chemistry between them in this film is real, genuine and natural. Believable.

Kassie (Aniston) and Wally (Bateman) are long-time best friends. Both are single. Kassie, in her 30's, decides she wants to have a baby. While Wally objects to this idea, Kassie decides to go ahead and do it anyway, and hires a sperm donor (Wilson). Wally offers his own sperm but Kassie refuses as Wally is a bit neurotic and a lot pessimistic. Or maybe a lot neurotic and a bit pessimistic. Either/or, Kassie thinks it would just be too weird.

Enter Kassie's girlfriend Debbie (Lewis), who hosts an insemination party for Kassie. Not only is the sperm donor Roland (Wilson) invited; he actually makes his deposit into a cup that night as well. Fun party! 😉Meanwhile, a wee-bit-drunk Wally accidentally spills the donation down the drain and decides he better "switch" it with his own. The only problem is, that by the next morning, hungover Wally doesn't remember a thing. Once pregnant, Kassie decides to leave New York and moves back to her childhood hometown, to raise her baby. It's not until seven years later, when Kassie returns back to New York, that Wally finally meets Sebastian. It doesn't take long for Wally to recognize himself (the neuroticism, pessimism and even annoying habits) in Sebastian and flashbacks of the switch come flooding back. Even though the similarities are so obvious to Wally, Kassie doesn't see them at all. And to make matters worse, Kassie is with Roland now. And Roland is about to propose.

Fun Facts: Bateman and Aniston have known each other for over twenty-five years and are so close, that she even attended his Hollywood Walk of Fame on his behalf. They have also been in five movies together. The Break Up (2006), The Switch (2010), Horrible Bosses (2011), Horrible Bosses 2 (2014) and Office Christmas Party (2016). Here's hoping there are more!

The Switch is heart-warming, funny and romantic. It's one of those movies that leaves you feeling happy; and realizing that some hiccups in life are meant to happen. To bring you to the place you were always meant to be.

Favourite Lines:

* Look at us, running around. Always rushed, always late. I guess that's why they call it the human race. *Every once in a while, out of all the randomness, something unexpected happens that pushes us all forward.

*Would you please not Wally this into a situation worse than it already is. Hang on, did you just use my name as a verb?

*You should go home Wally. They are my home Leonard.

*Would you please stop having sex with your food?

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

Yesterday

Starring: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Ed Sheeran, Kate McKinnon

Year: 2019

I was never a big fan of the Beatles growing up. So, truth be told, I wasn't really interested in seeing this movie at all. Because I didn't even own any Beatles albums or even think I knew many of their songs, I figured I wouldn't enjoy it as much as, let's say "Bohemian Rhapsody" (huge Queen fan!). But wow, was I wrong. I loved the movie! Loved the storyline. And not only did I recognize all of the songs, but I actually knew the words and sang along. I love when you have no expectations in a movie and then get hugely, hugely surprised.

"Yesterday" is the story of Jack Malik (Patel) and Ellie (James). Yes, the main premise of the movie is about Jack (a struggling musician trying to make a go of it) but I think the relationship between Jack and Ellie is just as strong of a component to the film. Jack, the struggling musician, and Ellie, his best friend, and manager. Ellie is and always has been, right there beside him. Supporting him. Believing in him. Even when nobody else does, including his own parents. Ellie is Jack's rock. Which Jack knows. What he doesn't know, is that she is also deeply in love with him. One evening, on his way home after one of his gigs at the local pub, there is an unexplained blackout across the entire globe, lasting only a mere few moments. But in those few moments, not only is Jack in an accident; but also any memory of the Beatles is erased in everyone worldwide. Everyone, except Jack. Once Jack realizes nobody knows who the Beatles are, he begins to sing and sell the songs as his own. Soon he is no longer a struggling musician, but rather an over-night sensation. And while he definitely gets everything he has every wished for, and possibly more; he also begins to realize that with stardom and fame also come sacrifice and loss. He just needs to decide which would make him happier. And which life he needs to let go of.

Fun Facts: #1 This is Himesh Patel's first film! What a start! #2 Within two months, Patel learned to play the piano and guitar. #3 Patel sings all the songs himself and all songs are recorded live (not prerecorded in a studio). If he's singing outside at a table with friends, he is actually singing outside at a table with friends. All of his performances are genuine and real. #4 Patel is in pretty much every scene. #5 When Jack is performing at Wembley Stadium, he is actually performing to Ed Sheeran's audience (during an Ed Sheeran concert). #6 It's another Richard Curtis film!!

This movie is funny, heart-warming and up-lifting. If you're a huge Beatles fan, there is no way you won't love it. If you're not a Beatles fan, the music will still have you tapping your toes and humming along. Either way. It's impossible to hate. And so very, very possible to want to watch over and over again.

Favourite Lines:

*The world is full of miracles. Like what? Benedict Cumberbatch becoming a sex symbol.

*Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four? I'll think about it. Why sixty-four?

*Is this the best you can look?

*You're not very attractive. No. You're out of shape. Yes. You are skinny, yet somehow round. Uh-huh.

*Have you had a happy life? Very. But not successful? I just said very happy. That means successful.

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