Guilty Pleasures

As soon as anyone discovers I'm a film nerd, they instantly ask "What's your favourite movie?" This is a near impossible question for me to answer. I usually go into a long-winded response about why it is such a difficult decision for me. I have heaps of favourite movies, but more importantly, I have heaps of categories to classify all of these movies. I have my favourite comedy films, horror films, classic films, chick flicks, tearjerkers. Then there are the films I like for whatever personal, biased reason, and films I like because I am a film student.

Last night I went and saw the latest romcom (get over it - I use terms like romcom) No Strings Attached. It has instantly gone onto my guilty pleasure list. The films on this list are movies I'm embarrassed to admit to loving; movies that can't really be classified as serious art. They are the films I can't resist when I see them on television even though I've seen them a million times. They are the films that pick me up after a rough day. These films are like old pals. A very good friend once told me, "don't be afraid of the things you like" - and this post is about that sentiment. I am no longer living in fear. I am ready to tell the world about the awful movies that I think are just plain awesome. 

How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) 

For some reason, this movie cracks me up. After a slew of pathetic Kate Hudson movies (Fool's Gold, My Best Friend's Girl, Bride Wars, Raising Helen) - this movie reminds me of everything I loved about her in Almost Famous. She is charming, cute, bubbly, and lights up a scene. As for Matthew McConaughey - he is a little less obnoxious and sweaty than usual, and I'm okay with that. The two leads have believable chemistry, and by the end, I'm really just rooting for them to live happily ever after already. 

Look Who's Talking (1989)

For me, this is the quintessential lazy Sunday movie. It is probably lingering in my mind because I just re-watched this a few weekends ago. It is one of those movies that I've watched a million times on TV since I was a little kid. When I was a kid, the novelty of a talking baby was hilarious to me. Since then, my comedic tastes have matured, but I still get a kick out of it. I love the camp, cheap gags, and 80s hair. And just for the record, Kirstie Alley was such a bombshell! 

Beaches (1988)

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I absolutely adore Bette Midler. And by adore, I mean I am obsessed with her. I've always loved her, but when I saw this movie at thirteen, it really kick started my love affair with the Divine Miss M. Let's be honest, it is the ultimate chick flick. I have seen this movie probably more times than any other movie. There are just days in life when I really need a Beaches fix. I make all of my friends watch it - of course none of them understand, but that is why this movie is on such a list! Also, Beaches has my favourite terrible movie line: "Hilary, what's yodeling got to do with it?!" If that isn't guilty pleasure gold, I'm not sure what is. 

Adventures in Babysitting (1987)

This is one of those movies that I end up watching every time I catch it on TV. I love the crazy characters Elisabeth Shue and company encounter throughout their pilgrimage. As implausible and outrageous and silly as the entire premise is, I can't help but get sucked into the awkward teen years it personifies. I laugh every time Cris's friend loses her glasses and calls panicked from a pay phone - and ends up mistaking a rat for a kitten. Hilarious!

Uptown Girls (2003)

Who doesn't love a precocious little kid? There's been tons of them in movies, from Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon to McCauley Culkin in everything. One of my favourites, though, is Dakota Fanning. She took everyone by storm in her debut in I Am Sam.. and since then, she's been winning over my heart as a quick witted, jaded tween. Of course, those days have past, but I like to fondly remember them once in awhile by watching this cutesy flick. By the way, I am totally down with any movie that has a cheesy diegetic music video about Sheets of Egyptian Cotton. 

Serendipity (2001)

Plain and simple, John Cusack has been the perfect guy since Lloyd Dobbler in Say Anything. Why are there not more John Cusack characters in the world? Honourable mention goes to Molly Shannon for being hilarious, as always. 

The Craft (1996)

During the mid 90s, teen witches were all the rage. This movie revels in its awfulness and I love every second of it. I have watched this movie on TBS many an evening and I still enjoy it to no end. How many of you legitimately tried "light as a feather, stiff as a board" after watching this? Everyone? Totally. 

Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999)

Who hasn't fantasized about getting revenge on that one mean, jerk of a teacher? Teaching Mrs. Tingle is about exactly that. It is great to see Helen Mirren letting loose and playing such a lousy role, but bringing tons of gusto into it. She plays cunning and manipulative so damn well! I can't help but watch this movie a few times a year. It is just an unadulterated, ridiculous good time. 

Honourable mentions: White Oleander, Crossroads, Elizabethtown, Stir of Echoes, Hearts in Atlantis, Now and Then, Death Becomes Her, Meet the Fockers, Jawbreaker. 

This category will probably call for another blog post in the near future, but for now, I am satisfied with my list. All of this being said, I hope I have inspired you guys to pull out those dusty DVDs, grab your nonjudgmental friends and watch a few of your own guilty pleasures. 

The Golden Globes 2011

Today is Blue Monday - apparently the saddest day of the year. I can attest to this only because I am suffering from a Post-Globes low. The Golden Globes being over is just a realization that I still have over a month to wait for the Oscars. That being said, I can nurse my depression by reliving last night's festivities through a blog post.

I am sick of hearing everyone complain that The Golden Globes are a joke. Of course they are a joke. Everyone knows they are a joke. You don't watch The Globes for acknowledgment of serious art. And I'm okay with that. The Globes are a night for awkward presenters, drunken speeches, and ridiculous nominations. It isn't as legit as the SAGs, as artsy as the ISAs, or as serious as the Oscars, but that's why The Globes are so much fun!

After a year without red carpet action, I am celeb-hungry and love every second of the fashion hits and misses. These are my picks for best and worst dressed.

Best:

Angelina Jolie

The colour is amazing on her! She looks so old Hollywood glam and I love every inch of it. She doesn't need to show off tons of skin to be oh-so-sexy.

Anne Hathaway

This is more glamorous than I have ever seen Anne Hathaway look! I love the glitz of this dress. She seems to be loving life and that makes me happy. 

Eva Longoria

She is perfect. This is so elegant. Putting anatomy and likeliness aside, I want to have her babies. 

Worst: 

Michelle Williams

You are so cute and talented. Why would you do this to yourself? WHY?

Christina Aguilera

Albeit I hate her and am extremely biased.. but what was she thinking? This has zero class. I am super grossed out by this entire look. 

Halle Berry

This is a nightie, not a dress you wear to an award show! An ugly nightie at that. We know you have a hot bod, you don't have to show us every inch of it. And those shoes? So cheesy. 

I had two major fashion surprises last night. The first being Emma Stone: 

I love the dress - simple and classic. The colour is peach perfect on her. And who knew she was such a bombshell? I love when the smart, funny girls clean up to look like this! She gives me hope. 

My other surprise was Helen Mirren: 

Usually, she is such a GILF. Can I use that term? Either way, she is a stunning woman - charismatic and glowing. However this look does not do it for me! The dress fits strangely and the neckline is awful. And the hair and make-up just don't do her beauty justice. I was disappointed. 

Now onto the awards.

I know there is a lot of backlash for Glee and cast winning a lot of the major awards, but I am happy for them. The thing with Glee is they are all so happy for the success of the show. There isn't an ounce of jaded Hollywood-ness to them and that is extremely endearing. Was there a better moment last night than Chris Colfer winning his first award? It was darling! I loved Lea Michele crying in the audience during his speech. It melted my little black heart. Jane Lynch winning makes me ecstatic because I have been a fan of hers for years. I am so glad she is finally being recognized for her comedic genius. It is long overdue. I was, of course, rooting for Modern Family to win Best Comedy Series because overall it is a much better show, but if Glee is the alternative, I can't complain. 

I was happy with all of the major acting awards. I didn't have much investment in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories. However, I love Melissa Leo being recognized because she is phenomenal in everything she does. I'm glad we got to see a crazy Christian Bale speech. For the record, I am so relieved and thrilled and elated that Natalie Portman won Best Actress. I knew it was coming, but there's always that second of doubt before the winner is announced. I have loved her since her early days in movies like Anywhere But Here with Susan Sarandon. She is so adorable and oozes with talent. I was thrilled at Colin Firth's win. It is making up for his loss to Jeff Bridges last year (don't get me wrong, Bridges deserved it). His speech was cute, mentioning how his wife can get him through any age as long as they are together. Awwww, Colin! I like to dream that is speaking to me.. no big deal. 

While I don't necessarily enjoy The Big Bang Theory.. (I KNOW, leave me alone already), it was fun to see Jim Parsons, the nerd of all nerds win. It was even more fun to see Kaley Cuoco's reaction. That made me warm and fuzzy inside. She was possibly more excited than he was. I actually like seeing how co-stars react more than the actual winners. Those moments are some of the only genuine moments in Hollywood. Another genuine moment of the night was the audience giving Michael Douglas a standing ovation. I liked his quick witted "There must be an easier way to get a standing ovation!" - it was a really good moment for me. 

I truly think Darren Aronofsky got robbed last night. Was The Social Network really that great? I think it deserved Best Screenplay.. but beyond that? Eh. I want a movie that makes me feel something; a movie that makes me think. The Social Network was just a solid, straightforward film. I'll be interested to see how it fares at the Oscars. It is a really tight race right now. That being said, I think Aronofsky 100% deserved Best Director. And where were the Coen Brothers in that list? What a sham. I know I said the Globes are a joke and I am okay with that... but there were people and films left out that I can't ignore. Why was Easy A not nominated instead of The Tourist, Burlesque, Alice in Wonderland, or Red? I also think The Town and True Grit were worthy of nominations somewhere. 

I loved Ricky Gervais last night. He goes too far and I love every line crossing, shameless joke. It is Ricky Gervais - people must know what they are getting by now. So everyone should just relax about it. I loved his jokes about The Tourist - "3D was big this year.. everything except for the characters in The Tourist" - I mean, come on, that's clever! I liked his jab at Tim Allen - even if it was an easy shot. I liked the "Sex and the City 2 didn't get nominated.. not even for special effects for the airbrushing of that poster!" "Ashton Kutcher's dad - Bruce Willis!" I'll be honest, a lot of it really cracked me up. 

All in all, I thought it was a pretty good evening. Nothing too outrageous, but it wasn't a snooze fest either. The evening was a little more calm for me because Meryl Streep wasn't presenting or nominated. That means I could kick back and relax more than I usually do. It was a nice break for the both of us, I'm sure! 

Until the Oscars 2011!