I’m participating in August Movie Madness over at Daily Mish Mash, so if you like discussing movies click on over and check out the other participants!
As I’ve mentioned before I love movies (DUH) but am not a fan of the traditional girly movie. I prefer those of the action and horror genre. (And of course married the rare man that does NOT in fact care for movies like that, gravitating instead to thinky epic-type films and things with subtitles. But I digress.) Anyway, there are several chick flicks that are not only NonSoccerMom-approved, I own several of them on DVD. Spoiler disclaimer: As always, I try to avoid spoilers in my movie reviews. However, there may be things that you may consider a spoiler that I wouldn’t so proceed with caution.
Notting Hill - I love everything about this movie! Hugh Grant is adorably bumbling, Julia Roberts is beautiful as always, and Rhys Ifans is hilarious (if disgusting) as Grant’s flatmate. A sweet story with a fabulous soundtrack. Highly, highly recommend.
The Princess Bride – A classic, previously reviewed on my list of all-time faves. There is absolutely nothing negative I can say about this one, and I just can’t praise it enough. LOVE.
Steel Magnolias – This one makes me cry every time, but it is so good!! In my opinion, Dolly Parton steals the show. She’s so cute! I try and catch this every holiday season when it is aired on cable.
The Princess Diaries – Julie Andrews is stunning (of course), and Anne Hathaway does a cute reluctant princess. I think I like this one so much because it is exactly the kind of thing I wanted to happen to ME as a child! I want to be a long-lost princess of an imaginary European country!
The American President – Excellent. A nice romance with plenty of dry humor thrown in. There are a few parts a little too political for me, I get lost in all the technical details of presidential elections. (My husband is shaking his head and sighing as he reads this, I guarantee it.) It isn’t much, though, and the rest of the movie more than makes up for it.
Dirty Dancing – Another classic. My husband HATES this movie (I don’t really understand why, just because he feels he “should” as far as I can tell) but I love it! The dancing is terrific, Patrick Swayze is awesome and the 50′s music is fun. I was pretty young when it came out and didn’t really understand the full story until I was a little bit older (what was going on with Penny, etc.), plus my mom always made me leave the room during the one major love scene, but I’ve enjoyed this flick since I was a kid.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants – N makes fun of me for liking this one, but as I keep telling him, THE PANTS ARE NOT THE POINT. It is a heartwarming movie about friendship, family, and growing up. I think all four of the stars do a great job, and I particularly love Alexis Bledel. Overall, it is just a great girlfriend movie.
When Harry Met Sally – This movie is hilarious. I was resistant to watching it at first but my college roommate insisted. It was definitely worth it! A great friendship movie with some romance on the side. Plenty of awesomely funny parts, including the infamous deli scene.
Please note that none of these are hard-core romances. I haven’t seen The Notebook (I KNOW! Sorry, Jen.) or Pride and Prejudice, or even Casablanca. Watching movies that I assume will be sappy tearjerkers is not my policy. That’s just how I roll.
What is your favorite non-sappy chick flick?
I love When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride. I also like 50 First Dates and The Wedding Singer.
Yeah, I gotta agree with Princess Bride and Dirty Dancing.
My fav though is probably Married to the Mob. I know, it’s cheesy as all get out, but I love Matthew Modine and Michelle Pfieffer in this movie. It’s so much fun.
You should read The Notebook before seeing the movie. It is a super tearjearker, but really worth it! Even Joe liked it!
I have seen (and liked) all of the movies listed except for Traveling Pants. I too, prefer action movies, although I must say that as a teenager, I really liked First Knight and also Robin Hood (with Kevin Costner).
Yes, I guess our movie tastes are really different. Although, I must say that I LOVED Notting Hill and When Harry Met Sally. These are both such wonderful movies! Now, the others, I’m not too crazy about (esp Princess Bride, I know this is a favorite for many, but I just couldn’t get past the trolls and giants and other hobbit like creatures).
If you can watch Steel Magnolias over and over again knowing it is a tear jerker then you must make it a point of watching the Notebook. It really isn’t that sad. Yes the ending is a tearjerker, but it is only the very end. You aren’t crying the whole movie or anything like that. The book was good, so you may want to read that first, but I actually liked the movie better. Did you like Titanic? Please don’t even tell me you haven’t seen Titanic. Everyone has seen Titanic. Anyway, if you liked Titanic even a little bit then you will probably like the Notebook. I just find the love stories and chemistry between the actors similar.
Thanks for participating in the carnival!
I have indeed seen Titanic, and yes, I liked it and even cried at the end.
Thanks for dropping by. That’s a great list. I have never seen The Princess Bride. Can you believe it? Yes, Jen is right about the Notebook. It is incredible chemistry.
I agree, you do need to see the NOTEBOOk! I love that movie and could watch it a million times.
HANDS DOWN “Love Actually” is the most wonderful romantic comedy EVER. I KNOW you would like this one because it has Hugh Grant. And also Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Kiera Knightly, etc etc. Probably my all time favorite movie. Makes me happy everytime I see it.
Also LOVE “While You Were Sleeping”. Sandra Bullock is so funny as a single woman with a dead end job, living with her cat…..Behold my future…
As a man…I have a hard time understanding the term, ‘non-sappy chick flick.’ Isn’t this any oxymoron?
I do have to say ‘Love Actually’ is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies ever.
A few of my favorite chick flicks (and movies that I actually OWN copies of…) are “13 going on 30″, “Return to Me” and “The Other Sister” – This movie in particular is one of my all-time favorites, yet it seems to have been swept under the radar somehow. It is very funny and sweet and has a fantastic cast! If you haven’t seen it, you are missing out for sure
I am not generally a chick flick lover or hater per se. I tend towards comedy more. So any chick movie with enough laughs is fine with me. Steel Magnolias still makes me cry too. And dammit I know when it’s coming!
You’re welcome for When Harry Met Sally, by the way. I assume you were referring to me since I’m the only one that launches into WHMS quotes at random intervals.
Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley was just OK. The final scene was romatic as hell, and that’s about it.
The Notebook is REQUIRED VIEWING for people with ovaries. DO IT NOW.
For me, the most romantic movie that makes me mushy is Shakespeare in Love. It’s also quite funny if you’re paying attention.