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Archives for : Romantic Comedy

Single During the Holidays? Here are the Top 5 Films to get you through the Season

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : December 6, 2013
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Category: Movie Reviews, Special Features

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It’s cuddle season!  And that means everywhere you look couples are constantly holding each other.  Whether it’s at a family gathering or Christmas shopping at the mall; they are everywhere.

The holidays can be rough on anyone for many reasons.  But, being single during a time that is better spent with a significant other can be a bummer.  Luckily, my go to medicine (Movies) will always put situations like these into a much better perspective.

These 5 films will help singles get through the holiday season; each for completely different reasons.

5. Shopgirl

So, I can hurt now, or hurt later

For the Moving On:  Shopgirl shows how heart breaking a strictly sexual relationship can be when one person starts to want more.  No, it isn’t like Friends with Benefits.  This film is dark, deep, and emotional; and has some comic relief thanks to Jason Schwartzman.  After situations like these, one can feel hopeless to find someone that they “think” they can feel that strongly for again.  Shopgirl will show you just how possible it is to move on.  And how whatever you thought you felt for the wrong one, is nothing in comparison to the feelings you will feel for the right one.

4. Loser

You think you could turn it down just a skosh?

For the Nice Guys: This film gives hope for both, the good guys and girls.  Paul Tannek (Jason Biggs) is one of the sweetest and most genuine characters I have ever seen in a film.  Selfless, non-confrontational, and the perfect example of how the nice ones may not get a “happy ending” as quick as others.  But eventually someone will see the good in you, and appreciate it when you least expect it.

3. Swimfan

Don’t tell her you love her!

For the Psycho: Hopefully none of us have acted quite as insane a Madison Bell (Erika Christensen) did over someone that wasn’t interested in her.   I know this is an odd choice, but if you are the type that is desperate to like anyone (like the first person that’s nice to you).  Then maybe this film will make you rethink that non-existent relationship you are about to form in your head.  Or maybe one of your last relationships was with that “stage 5 clinger” that texts you and ends up having a texting convo with themselves…Either way, Swimfan will make you feel relieved to not be dealing with any form of a psychotic relationship.  (For a little gender reversal of this story-line, I also recommend FEAR.  And for the original try Fatal Attraction)

2. 500 Days of Summer

The feeling I never felt with you

For the Realist: Anyone who dated someone that used the “I’m just not looking for a relationship right now” line must know by now that it was complete bullsh**.  You know; you have probably used that line too.  “I’m not looking for a relationship” means I’m not looking for a relationship with YOU.  This film just proves the theory that when you meet the right person, you both just know.  If something is holding you guys back from committing as a couple, you are probably not meant to be.  500 Days of Summer portrays a realistic story about dating and breaking up.  After watching this film, you might be less controlling of your feelings, or stop expecting certain qualities in a partner.  When it happens, it just happens naturally.

1. About Time

All the time traveling in the world can’t make someone love you

For the Regrets:  At first sight, this film seems like it is going to be a mushy love story that will want to make you gag.  But it is not!  It is SO much more than that.  This movie is about appreciating the love in our lives; from our family, our friends, even our random acquaintances.  Now don’t get me wrong, there is an incredibly charming relationship in the film.  But this relationship didn’t come about until after multiple tries by a man who can travel back in time (still a great movie, I swear).  The important lesson learned is not to wish for second chances, but to treat each moment like it’s your last.  Take the chance by letting someone know how you feel before it’s too late.  And if they aren’t interested, at least you tried and you won’t have any regrets!

 

Movie Review: Diana Is A Cheesy Romantic Comedy Without A Happy Ending

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : October 31, 2013
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Category: Movie Reviews

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First off, Diana is not as bad as some critics have made it out to be. I mean I did see The Counselor last week so I’m still more scarred from that disaster. The idea of seeing the way Diana lived the last two year of her life was a good one, however the script in which they told her story for it, was not.

The film begins on that tragic Paris night, at the Ritz Hotel. As Diana (Naomi Watts), her lover at the time, Dodi Fayed, and a small security detail enter the elevator to leave after dinner. We watch through a security camera as they go down the elevator in silence. We know what is about to happen next but we don’t see it. Instead the movie rewinds two years before her death. Princess Diana is separated from Charles and living in Kensington Palace.

While visiting a friend in the hospital she encounters, Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews), to whom she gets an immediate attraction too. “The most beautiful thing she has seen,” to put it in her own words. He seems to have barely noticed her, making Diana want him more. Sound like a Rom-Com yet? Thus begins the infamous secret love affair with the Pakistani heart surgeon. From that point on we have an almost cliché romantic comedy, filled with break ups and makes up. Diana is portrayed more like a desperate teenager who will stop at nothing (even stalker procedures) to get the man she wants. And like she says in the film, “I’m a princess and I always get what I want.” Yes, she actually said that, but sadly that was not the corniest line.

Like any good rom-com, when the couple breaks up for good, the girl must breakdown. Time to party, meet a new guy, and make sure it is all photographed so your ex can get jealous.

It is too bad the film was focusing primarily on her love story with Khan. The best parts of the movie are when we get to see Diana do all her charitable work. Including the actions she took to support the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

On a good note, Naomi Watts did a great job. She looked so much like Diana. Watts wears a prosthetic nose, and works eagerly to capture Diana’s modest expressions and body language. And she nails it! It is just too bad she could not have been given a more powerful script. As for Naveen Andrews, he might have done better if the real Hasnat would have been involved in the making of this film. Instead, he seemed more confused about how he should feel about her in this movie than I did.

Diana has its entertaining moments and could be a guilty pleasure for some, but it might not have been the best way to bring back the memory of Princess Di.

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sensuality and smoking.

Diana hits theaters November 1st.

Diana Movie Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com

Movie Review: “Baggage Claim” is a Flight you can Afford to Miss

Posted by :Susan Kamyab On : September 27, 2013
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Category: Movie Reviews

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During awards season, the majority of films I’m watching are intense dramas or dark comedies. So I appreciate getting to take a break with a fun romantic comedy that requires little or no thought. Unfortunately Paula Patton’s new film, Baggage Claim, makes too many uneventful stops and one predictable destination.

Paula Patton plays Montana Moore, a bubbly flight attendant who still hasn’t met Mr.Right. After Montana’s younger sister (Lauren London) gets engaged, she starts to feel the need to find a husband of her own. With her mother (Jenifer Lewis), who has already been married five times, constantly pressuring to find a man and become a real “lady,” Montana sets out for mission “put a ring on it.”  With the help of her co-workers, she embarks on a thirty day challenge to find her future fiancée within the batch of past exes who happen to all be taking flights on her airline.

The acting in this film is mediocre. At times it was hard to remember that Patton was the same actress who played Ms. Rain in Precious. Though Montana is a likeable character, she is also a bit of an irritating one. You like her because she is beautiful and sweet, but her desperation to find a husband comes off ungenuine by her over expressive facial expressions and lack of emotion during her “saddest” times in the film. Jenifer Lewis does a good job as the over dramatic mother who worries her daughter will never get married. I’ve just seen this character so many times before, and they always end with the same resolution that can be a bore to watch. Surprisingly enough, the characters who did make me laugh were Montana’s best friends and fellow flight attendants, Sam (Adam Brody) and Gail (Jill Scott). Scott and Brody make an entertaining duo with some hilarious one-liners. Sadly, these two have more chemistry together than Patton does with any of her suitors, and that’s with Adam Brody playing a homosexual in the film. 

To say Baggage Claim is a cliche romantic comedy is an understatement. This film is so predictable that you can figure out how it is going to end within the first five minutes. That being said, it is still a cute film with a relevantly good message. “The magic isn’t in the getting married, it’s in the staying married.”  With the rush to get married these days and the soon after divorces, it is nice to see a film express how important it is to know and love yourself first before sharing your life with someone else. But other than that message and some cheap laughs, you are left feeling a little underwhelmed with the film.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some language.

Baggage Claim makes it’s landing in theaters today…

If you are in the mood for a more realistic romantic comedy, I recommend Enough Said. Starring the late, James Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The film is currently playing in select theaters, but its worth whatever drive you have to take to see. It’s an original story with lots of laughs and an incredibly, charming James Gandolfini.