Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Lucky Sevens

My friend Holly is what I would like to call, a master in disguise. She has so many things going for her, and has to be one of the most unique people I know, which is why I think we click-clack-clock and share the friendship we do. She has an incredible taste in everything from movies to music to clothing, and anyone who knows her can vouch that my broad description is dead on. She has forever tried to get me to sit and watch many of these and I simply do not have the patience or attention span to watch anything that isn't a cult favorite, has beautiful boys, especially Leo, or revolves around music/skateboarding/murders/ghosts. I asked her to take on the task of telling me her top seven movies and why she thinks they're supafab. If you are human and believe in all things holy and good, I suggest you watch every one of these movies . . .


This is one of the hardest lists I have had to make, for there are hundreds of movies, in every genre, that appeal to me. Also, everyone has different tastes; for example, Sarah is only really interested in thrillers, boys (usually) like anything with Will Ferrell and shys away from dramas -- and I tend to gear towards pointless movies about life. Nevertheless, I’m trying to hit every category to appeal to moviegoers worldwide in this selection of 7 movies I feel everyone should see.

1. Breakfast Club: I first saw this movie when I was in 12, and even then, I knew it would be one of my favorites. John Hughes is an amazing director, and his movies characterize a teenage generation. What makes this movie stand out over his others, however, is the portrayal of every school stereotype. There is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal in every high school, and one Saturday, in one school, one person from each of these stereotypes came together to serve an all day detention. Hughes brings together humor, drama, and even dabbles a little bit of suspense (hallway scene anyone?) into the mix, and this broad range of characters gives everyone someone they can relate to from their high school days, and the stresses that came along with it.

2. Amelie: Amelie is a movie entirely in French (don’t worry, there are subtitles in whatever language you desire) about a young waitress. Amelie is a shy girl who doesn’t have much going on in her life, and one day decides to change people’s lives for the better. She does little things for her neighbors and co-workers without them knowing her intentions; soon, she realizes that she should focus on her own life. Full of twists and turns—and a soundtrack full of instrumentals that make you feel you’re at a Paris café—this movie will leave you in love with Amelie, as well as the actress Audrey Tatou.

3. Fargo: A Coen brothers movie, Fargo is titled after the city in North Dakota. Frances McDormand is the main actress in this dark comedy, which is about a homicide that has taken place in the dead of winter. Along with the main conflict, there are many sub-plots that all weave themselves into one another, and that all work out by the end of the movie. Although I am in love with the story line, my favorite part about the film is the accents, which are purely Midwest—full of phrases such “dontcha knooou” and “yaaaah” that cause me to reminisce of my Minnesota days.

4. Zoolander: Although I normally find mainstream comedies something to roll my eyes over rather than to keel over from laughing, Zoolander is full of subtle jokes that took me multiple watches to catch on to. Ben Stiller plays Derek Zoolander, a male model who’s career is almost to an end. Along with Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, Stiller pokes fun at the modeling world without it being overkill. Zoolander’s cluelessness reminds me of more than one person in my school, which makes it all the more amusing. And—don’t judge—I have more than once given the “blue steel” look, whether in pictures, to friends, or to myself. Tehe.

5. Princess Bride: While you are reading this, please don’t judge the movie from the title, for it is so much more than that. An 80’s movie that takes place in Medieval Times, the main characters are Princess Buttercup, and her true love Wesley. Although a “fairy tale,” The Princess Bride is full of “danger,” comedy, true love, overly fake settings and props, and anyone that has seen the movie will know, full of those damn ROUS. And from here comes the beloved quote, “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”

6. The Royal Tenenbaums: Sporting a renowned cast such as Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, and Luke and Owen Wilson (and narrated by Alec Baldwin), the plot is about a family that has 3 exceptionally talented adopted children. Extremely successful in their youth, these children have all become failures in their adult life, and have isolated themselves from the rest of their family. To get his family back together, the father, Royal, pretends to be mortally sick. This strange, but not too strange, movie will keep you on your toes, always wanting to know more.

7. The Departed: Haha, I bet you thought I would go through this entire list without one mention of Leo. Guess again, suckers. The Departed is a perfect example of what a gangsta movie should be about, with Marky Mark in the cast to throw in some sarcastic lines to Billy (our beloved Leo’s character). A movie about spies, or “rats” as Jack Nicolson calls them, stress, and betrayal, the surprise twist at the end will cause your mouths to drop about 3 feet.

These are only 7 of many, many magnificent movies that I could recommend. Sadly, there is only so much space—and-time that is allowed. I hope that you one day choose see a movie on here, and that you enjoy it as much as I do.



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4 comments:

  1. one day, cheeks, you'll watch these movies

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  2. Let's hope cause then I'm not a complete hypocrite

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  3. I actually lovvveeee Amelie. But that probably doesn't surprise you. im disgustingly predictable.

    ReplyDelete