Movies

Movies aren’t really my go having long given up on the pap which modern Hollywood deems entertainment. This is not to say the movie industry never produces decent fare, it’s just that I’m particularly hard to please and these days prefer documentaries. Call me a non-fiction sort of bloke.

Actually, why don’t they make movies like the black and white classics shown after midnight on ABC TV? Whilst I admit to often falling asleep I still love them as they’re generally uplifting, have redemptive storylines and don't mess with your senses.

Recently whilst carrying film critic Michael Idato I inquired of a decent movie to see with my girlfriend. If there’s one pursuit sure to find favour with the better half it's a trip to the movies, and a real bonus is to also enjoy the film.

Michael recommended Inglorious Bastards by Quentin Tarantino. Okay, anything by that joker is a challenge, to say the least, and not what I’d call easy entertainment. Indeed, it took me half a dozen viewings of Pulp Fiction, with English subtitles, to get my head around that crazy flick.

Which brings me to a real annoyance – why don’t filmmakers direct actors to enunciate, or otherwise provide viewers with subtitles? Thank God for Asian pirate copies.

This week I carried Margaret Pomeranz of At the Movies and I asked her to recommend a nice romantic movie that I could see with my girlfriend next week. At first Margaret struggled to suggest something romantic, citing a current dearth of that genre.

Finally she offered, “Well, there’s the latest vampire series, Twilight. It’s not that good but it is romantic.” This really got me laughing and I told her that at my age there was no way I’m going to see a romantic vampire movie. Driving off I wondered if she was just pulling my leg.

However I later learnt that my girlfriend has actually read and enjoyed some of the Twilight books (she's got daughters). Then, as an afterthought, mentioned it’s a chick flick. Pass.

So here’s a question - are there any nice romantic movies currently on show? I don’t want anything that’s too heavy, has a message, is political or violent or crass; or a morbid, moody, low light mumble-fest; or an ear-splitting audio assault...actually, bugger it, I’ve got a better idea.

We’ll go see the stage musical, Mama Mia. Apparently it’s a nice show.

(reference: Margaret reviews the first Twilight flick)

Comments

[Craig]

My girlfriend and I saw "The Time Travellers Wife" last night, and I'd definitely recommend it as a romantic couples movie.

Don't worry, it's very light on the time travel (basically no discussion of science at all) and heavy on the romance.

[LaLa]

My boyfriend took me to see (500) Days of Summer, we both enjoyed it. Was a little offbeat, quirky, sweet and the imagery was visually appealing. I also liked that it reversed the usual male/female roles... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1022603/

[Big Pete]

while I doubt they are still being shown in theatres. Two movies I would highly recommend would be "Black Book" and "Let the Right One in". Both are foreign-language films and are made with intelligent adults in mind. instead of the rubbish that Hollywood seems to dish out most of the time.

[PQ]

Sorry Adrian can't help you.
I rate movies by the body count, number of explosions and amount of gunfire.

I will, however, never forgive Clint Eastwood for "The Bridges of Madison County".

[Peter Deane]

If you want to impress your lady, Adrian, "The Twilight" movies are going to the the way to go. My wilfe has read all the books in the series and when she finished she remarked "It's a real pity I've finished reading all the books, as I now really miss the characters".

With such a comment, they might be on to something with the series. And you can at least let me know if it is worth venturing to see :-)

[adrian]

Some good suggestions here, thanks folks.

PQ, understand, though I read the Bridges book and much better than film. From memory, a true story. Couldn't help but laugh at Eastwood's character in Gran Torino with that cigar chewing growl at your reminding him of the soppiness.

Peter, I may end up seeing Twilight yet, one never knows in these matters. At best, though, it'll be a DVD.

[Peter Deane]

Adrian: I remember now! Go see Julia/Julie if it's still playing. It's about blogging AND cooking, so the two of you are going to love it. I saw it a few weeks ago with the other half and it wasn't too bad at all. A BIT of a love story, some history, lots of humour and Merryl Streep is always worth watching. I wonder if it's still on at all?

[Movies]

I don't know you want to be of late, but 'Definitely, Maybe' is a romantic one worth watching.

[Aleksey]

You need to dig the www.imdb.com and overnet a lot to get really good things.
But they really exist.
To watch them at the cinema you need to buy the cinema.