Some of these will be repeats from Angela's List because she picked a few of the best! Here goes.
1. The Adventures of Pete and Pete: What the hell was with this show?
I absolutely positively loved this show. In fact, this is a show I think I STILL love. It was totally strange: little Pete's tattoo of Petunia (that no one knows how it got there), the mom with the metal plate in her head, and Artie, the strongest man in the world. It had some really bizarre guest stars (the B-52's, Michael Stipe and Iggy Pop), and wonderfully whimsical plot lines involving staying up all night playing flashlight tag, searching for Mr. Tastee and little Pete getting a presidential marshmallow stuck up his nose.
2. Salute Your Shorts: We Hold You In Our Hearts
I watched this repeatedly. I think I knew every episode by heart. Angela is right, I DID have a crush on Pinsky, but he came later after Michael mysteriously left the show. This show taught me that faking sick to eat ice cream all day is a bad idea, to check your pockets for holes before you fill them with change, and that giraffe's have "big BLACK tongues."
ains It All: Before Carrie Bradshaw
3. Clarissa Explains It All: Before Carrie Bradshaw
Carrie in her teens would be a lot like Clarissa. Check out those outfits!
4. Rocko's Modern Life: This show was depressing
Yet it was my favorite of the Nicktoons. Rocko always seemed to be a little sad and stressed out by what was going on around him. My favorite moment to this day is when he maxes out his credit card at the mall buying all sorts of ridiculous shit. What pushes the limit of the card over the edge is when he discovers a 'sad crying clown in an iron lung' and muses that he'd always wanted one. That clown pretty much sums up everything that happened to poor Rocko.
5. Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Yes.
Some of the stories were lame and some were terrifying. I particularly remember having the pants scared off of me during the one with the little girl trapped in the mirror. She writes backwards all over the walls and generally looked creepy. I always thought this was a really good concept for a show: kids telling scary stories. There was a somewhat disturbing ritual to the gathering around the campfire and preparing to tell the stories. God bless you, SNICK.
6. You Can't Do That On Television: I don't know.
This is the show that made Nickelodeon. They still slime people to this day AND introduced us to Alanis Morissette.
7. Welcome, Freshman: The Merv-u-mentary
The thing that sticks out most about this show that, once again, I watched ad nauseum, is Merv's awful attempt at hard-hitting journalism, uncovering scandal around the school. I also really liked that the kids would sit around and chat in an area of the school that looked much more like a mall.
8. Fifteen: Canadian melodrama!
I feel sorry for kids who did not get to partake of the glory that was Fifteen. The kids in this show were handling WAY more shit than most people should including body issues and teen alcoholism. When Ryan Reynolds first starting showing up in movies, I said to myself "Hey, didn't he play annoying Billy on Fifteen?" Yes. He did.
9. Finders Keepers: Tearin' Up the Joint
My favorite of the Nick game shows. Just run through this huge house that's filled with garbage and find some tiny piece of crap, or a large tag that will win you a prize. GO!
10. Special Delivery: This Answer is A Cop Out
Special Delivery showed you something random. Sometimes it was animated Grimm's Fairy Tales, sometimes it was a classic cartoon. I loved it mostly for the times I got to see The Electric Grandmother. You got to pick her out and build her, what she looked like, what she did for fun. This movie was always kind of creepy and sad and I loved loved loved it.
A few more comments: I watched Nick endlessly as a child, even shows that I didn't care for. I can't count the hours I spent watching Wild n Crazy kids, but I usually hated it. I also really loved Nick in the Afternoon because I thought Stick Stickley was adorable and hilarious. Oh Nickelodeon, you will never be as good again but bless you for trying.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My List is Better Than Your List: Top 10 "Classic" Nickelodeon Shows
to start, my parameters:
all shows selected should debut before 1995.
it's okay if episodes continue after that, but really the late 80s/early 90s were the golden years. animated shows are a-ok.
and now, my list:
1) Clarissa Explains It All: Early 90s Style Queen & Budding Feminist.
this is *probably* my all time favorite show from my childhood. i love everything about it: her zany parents, the sibling rivalry with ferguson, her hip best friend sam, and even clarissa's sometimes questionable outfit choices.
in fact, i definitely drew a lot of fashion inspiration from clarissa. i (sadly) rocked too many vests+leggings (called stretch pants back then!) combos with coordinating scrunchies in early elementary school.
but besides the groundbreaking (in my opinion) fashions, Clarissa Explains It All really opened the floodgates of "teen centric" series to follow in which the teenage main characters drive not only the action but usually solve problems without the help of their parents who are often peripheral to major plot lines.
so without Clarissa Explains It All, we probably wouldn't have: 90210, My So-Called Life, Dawson's Creek, Gossip Girl, etc.
2) Today's Special: Department Store Magic & Hi jinks
you may not remember this show, but i certainly do! (it's definitely a close runner up to clarissa).
the premise:
in the children's department of a major department store, each night when Jodie arrives for work, she carries a mannequin (Jeff) upstairs, where Muffy (a mouse puppet) says the magic words "hocus pocus alimagocus!" this brings Jeff to life, and hilarity ensues.
the show plays on the "fish out of water" theme as Jeff the mannequin often doesn't know about basic, everyday objects and occurences. as such, much of the plot revolves around Jodie teaching Jeff which gives the show it's educational bent. also, much to do is made about Jeff's magical hat (the source of his power) and the consequences of taking it off (becoming a mannequin again).
for some reason, mannequins coming to life was a very popular trend of the 1980s (see also: mannequin & its cavalcade of stars --sidebar: i totally forgot james spader was in it!).
i think i really liked this show because of the magical hat & the knock-off muppet puppets. and although it would be scary, a part of me always wanted to be left in a department store after hours because i believed some fun hi jinks would ensue.
special shout out to this awesome fansite of the show.
3) The World of David the Gnome: Gnome Love!
i just remember having very warm, fond memories of this cartoon.
david & his wife, lisa, were always friendly and helping the woodland community. plus, they had the most bad-ass form of transportation: swift the fox.
some fast facts i've just learned/remembered:
1) the heavy pro-environmental & animal stance. naturally, the plots revolve heavily around the gnome habitat of the forest. however, i never remembered how "tree-huggy" the show was until i re-watched some clips on you tube. some good lessons to be learned!
2) as learned from wikipedia: the show was originally a spanish language series that was then dubbed for the US.
3) tom bosley voiced david!!
4) christopher plummer narrated!!
5) harvey & bob weinstein were producers!?
4) Family Double Dare: OCD Game Show Host+Messy Substances=TV Gold
now, i chose the "family" addition over the original for the following reasons:
a) i always enjoyed watching the semi-awkward tensions within the families. the family dynamic made it far more entertaining than just kids getting messy. because who wouldn't want to see a slightly large, midwestern housewife spiral down a slide into a giant banana split and get stuck in a sticky mess?!
b) i always secretly wanted my family to go on the show. but as anyone who knows my family, this would be an utter disaster. imagine: uber competitive "indoor" kids (my brother & i) who excel at answering trivia but would panic at the physical challenges with parents who are also not athletically inclined & would not enjoy getting slimed.
however, it would probably provide for great TV. i can imagine the episode now. although, my family would probably get kicked off the show for cursing and/or fighting.
5) Salute Your Shorts: My Only Experience with Summer Camp
i always wanted to go to summer camp because of Salute Your Shorts. the campers always seemed to be having fun with various activities, schemes, or pranks (usually targeted at the bumbling camp counselor Ug).
however, i'm pretty sure that camp life was not as *glamorous* as portrayed on the show.
plus, i totally had a crush on Pinsky.
6) Noozles: Magical Koalas!!!
i can only say this show was bat shit crazy! and i loved every minute of it.
my fondest memories of it as a child were the giant eucalyptus tree that sandy's grandmother had that provided sustenance for blinky & pinky (the koalas). i vaguely remember the tree having magical powers but i could have just imagined that.
and after reading some background, i now know why it was totally bat shit crazy---it came from JAPAN (land of the rising weirdos).
the wikipedia page provides a pretty thorough synposis.
7) Get the Picture: Because I like Trivia & Visual Games
i always liked this game show because of the variety of "power surge: knowledge activities" & the belief that i would have totally rocked on this nick game show.
being a big nerd fan of picture match-ups, memorizing stuff, and figuring out "which of these things in not like the other," i would have really enjoyed being on this show (except for the awful jumpsuits contestants wore).
other reasons this show was awesome:
1) it launched the hosting (and subsequent acting) career of mike o'malley.
2) incredible production value (read: very cheesy, early 90s).
3) the lame producers later totally switched the rules around because they were too cheap.
the show is essentially the same as Salute Your Shorts only with slightly older teenagers who spend their summers working at a dude ranch. and again, i really wanted to visit a dude ranch because of this show.
but who didn't love Mr Ernst?!
or the dreamy Ted?!
props to Nickelodeon for:
1) launching Christine Taylor's career
2) having a Native American character, Danny Lightfoot.
all shows selected should debut before 1995.
it's okay if episodes continue after that, but really the late 80s/early 90s were the golden years. animated shows are a-ok.
and now, my list:
1) Clarissa Explains It All: Early 90s Style Queen & Budding Feminist.
this is *probably* my all time favorite show from my childhood. i love everything about it: her zany parents, the sibling rivalry with ferguson, her hip best friend sam, and even clarissa's sometimes questionable outfit choices.
in fact, i definitely drew a lot of fashion inspiration from clarissa. i (sadly) rocked too many vests+leggings (called stretch pants back then!) combos with coordinating scrunchies in early elementary school.
but besides the groundbreaking (in my opinion) fashions, Clarissa Explains It All really opened the floodgates of "teen centric" series to follow in which the teenage main characters drive not only the action but usually solve problems without the help of their parents who are often peripheral to major plot lines.
so without Clarissa Explains It All, we probably wouldn't have: 90210, My So-Called Life, Dawson's Creek, Gossip Girl, etc.
2) Today's Special: Department Store Magic & Hi jinks
you may not remember this show, but i certainly do! (it's definitely a close runner up to clarissa).
the premise:
in the children's department of a major department store, each night when Jodie arrives for work, she carries a mannequin (Jeff) upstairs, where Muffy (a mouse puppet) says the magic words "hocus pocus alimagocus!" this brings Jeff to life, and hilarity ensues.
the show plays on the "fish out of water" theme as Jeff the mannequin often doesn't know about basic, everyday objects and occurences. as such, much of the plot revolves around Jodie teaching Jeff which gives the show it's educational bent. also, much to do is made about Jeff's magical hat (the source of his power) and the consequences of taking it off (becoming a mannequin again).
for some reason, mannequins coming to life was a very popular trend of the 1980s (see also: mannequin & its cavalcade of stars --sidebar: i totally forgot james spader was in it!).
i think i really liked this show because of the magical hat & the knock-off muppet puppets. and although it would be scary, a part of me always wanted to be left in a department store after hours because i believed some fun hi jinks would ensue.
special shout out to this awesome fansite of the show.
3) The World of David the Gnome: Gnome Love!
i just remember having very warm, fond memories of this cartoon.
david & his wife, lisa, were always friendly and helping the woodland community. plus, they had the most bad-ass form of transportation: swift the fox.
some fast facts i've just learned/remembered:
1) the heavy pro-environmental & animal stance. naturally, the plots revolve heavily around the gnome habitat of the forest. however, i never remembered how "tree-huggy" the show was until i re-watched some clips on you tube. some good lessons to be learned!
2) as learned from wikipedia: the show was originally a spanish language series that was then dubbed for the US.
3) tom bosley voiced david!!
4) christopher plummer narrated!!
5) harvey & bob weinstein were producers!?
4) Family Double Dare: OCD Game Show Host+Messy Substances=TV Gold
now, i chose the "family" addition over the original for the following reasons:
a) i always enjoyed watching the semi-awkward tensions within the families. the family dynamic made it far more entertaining than just kids getting messy. because who wouldn't want to see a slightly large, midwestern housewife spiral down a slide into a giant banana split and get stuck in a sticky mess?!
b) i always secretly wanted my family to go on the show. but as anyone who knows my family, this would be an utter disaster. imagine: uber competitive "indoor" kids (my brother & i) who excel at answering trivia but would panic at the physical challenges with parents who are also not athletically inclined & would not enjoy getting slimed.
however, it would probably provide for great TV. i can imagine the episode now. although, my family would probably get kicked off the show for cursing and/or fighting.
5) Salute Your Shorts: My Only Experience with Summer Camp
i always wanted to go to summer camp because of Salute Your Shorts. the campers always seemed to be having fun with various activities, schemes, or pranks (usually targeted at the bumbling camp counselor Ug).
however, i'm pretty sure that camp life was not as *glamorous* as portrayed on the show.
plus, i totally had a crush on Pinsky.
6) Noozles: Magical Koalas!!!
i can only say this show was bat shit crazy! and i loved every minute of it.
my fondest memories of it as a child were the giant eucalyptus tree that sandy's grandmother had that provided sustenance for blinky & pinky (the koalas). i vaguely remember the tree having magical powers but i could have just imagined that.
and after reading some background, i now know why it was totally bat shit crazy---it came from JAPAN (land of the rising weirdos).
the wikipedia page provides a pretty thorough synposis.
7) Get the Picture: Because I like Trivia & Visual Games
i always liked this game show because of the variety of "power surge: knowledge activities" & the belief that i would have totally rocked on this nick game show.
being a big nerd fan of picture match-ups, memorizing stuff, and figuring out "which of these things in not like the other," i would have really enjoyed being on this show (except for the awful jumpsuits contestants wore).
other reasons this show was awesome:
1) it launched the hosting (and subsequent acting) career of mike o'malley.
2) incredible production value (read: very cheesy, early 90s).
3) the lame producers later totally switched the rules around because they were too cheap.
8) Legends of the Hidden Temple: Testing Your Mind, Strength, & Ability to Not Crap Yourself
seriously, when those temple guards pop out---it's terrifying!
can you imagine the participant waivers parents probably had to sign for their kids to go on the show? "we do not assume any responsibility for any injury--physical, mental, or emotional--which occurs to your child either during or after their appearance on our television program."
but what kid didn't want to be a: Red Jaguar, Blue Barracuda, Green Monkey, Orange Iguana, Purple Parrots and Silver Snakes?!
9) Roundhouse: Because When Life Gets Me So Down...
a precursor to All That, i really liked Roundhouse because of its mix of comedy, singing, and dancing. the musical numbers are certainly what i remember the most.
also, looking back through old clips on you tube, the musical numbers definitely have a very Rent-esque quality. maybe it's just the fact that 20-somethings are singing marginally evocative songs in an industrial, early 90s setting. i highly doubt that Jonathan Larson was watching SNICK while Rent. it's probably just a coincidence of both being products of the early 90s.
but doesn't the Roundhouse song "Time" feel a little like some watered down Rent (even though it aired before the musical)?
10) Hey Dude: Summers at the Bar None Dude Ranch
the show is essentially the same as Salute Your Shorts only with slightly older teenagers who spend their summers working at a dude ranch. and again, i really wanted to visit a dude ranch because of this show.
but who didn't love Mr Ernst?!
or the dreamy Ted?!
props to Nickelodeon for:
1) launching Christine Taylor's career
2) having a Native American character, Danny Lightfoot.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
My List Is Better Than Your List: Who's Next?
Angela posted second, so I say it's her turn to pick a topic and post a list first. Thus, our order shall be established.
To recap:
The romantic movie moments topic was a success, in my opinion. First, I think all of our choices were very different. There was only one overlap (The Notebook) and we picked very different scenes. And frankly, there isn't one choice on anyone's part that I can make an argument against. However, there were two films on Angela's list I've never seen: Manhattan and Sabrina, so I can't say for sure, but I trust her judgment.
Batter up, Angela!
To recap:
The romantic movie moments topic was a success, in my opinion. First, I think all of our choices were very different. There was only one overlap (The Notebook) and we picked very different scenes. And frankly, there isn't one choice on anyone's part that I can make an argument against. However, there were two films on Angela's list I've never seen: Manhattan and Sabrina, so I can't say for sure, but I trust her judgment.
Batter up, Angela!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
My List Is Better Than Your List Trinity: Top Ten Romantic Movie Moments by L.P.
Argh, this category was tough for me...
1. The Notebook: "What happens if a car comes?" "We die."
I believe this is the real moment very early on—maybe not when Allie falls in love with Noah—but when she thinks it's possible she could. After explaining to him how busy (read: repressed and planned) her life is, Noah asks her what she does for herself, and of course, she's reluctant to answer. That's when The Goz takes her into the street to lie in the middle of the road and watch the traffic lights change color, something he and his father used to do (a meditative Zen-like experience, it seems). Nervously, Allie follows, confessing that painting is the thing she does for herself. They share the silence, lying next to one another perfectly still, and watch the lights as if gazing up at the stars. It's a quiet, beautiful moment, and everything after that is really wonderful.
2. Brokeback Mountain: "You may be a sinner, but I ain't yet had the opportunity."
It's honestly rough to pick one moment from this love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name story, and while the quote is just before "the tent scene" (the one that made Mark Wahlberg say "nuh-uh" and shake his head real fast cuz he was all "creeped out" when he was offered a role in BbM), let me share three mini moment-lettes: Ennis weeps in an alley after they come down from the mountain and Jack leaves; their cuddling in bed together after reuniting; Ennis breathing in every inch of Jack's smell off of that shirt.
3. WALL-E: "Directive."
Again, WALL-E and EVE's interactions are generally very cute throughout, but the cash-money moment is at the end when EVE takes WALL-E's hand, they "kiss" and WALL-E's memories are restored. It's like a Prince Charming / Sleeping Beauty moment, but with super sweet adorably awesome robots.
4. Titanic: "Are you nervous?"
Nothing culminates Jack and Rose's whirlwind affair like that steamy car scene. Leo is so tender, but you know Kate's getting the business (or at least future-Oscar-award-winning-actress acting like she is) when that hand gets the window fog all handprinty and smeary.
Runner up moment: Jack drawing Rose naked. Again, tender, artistic, and in complete contrast to Douchy Zane.
Second runner up moment: Yes, I'm sorry. Pretending to soar across the ocean at the front of the ship. It's just that good.
5. Harold and Maude: "So I'll always know where it is."
As Harold and Maude are leaving the fair, Harold pulls out a stamped coin from his pocket. Giving it to Maude, she looks at it, and remarks that it's the nicest gift she's had in years. Stunningly, she then chucks it into the water nearby (thus the quote above). The moment is romantic in a kind of existential way: things are meaningless except for the attachments we place on them, and people are strangers unless we take the time to honestly know and love them by loving life. In that one brave gesture, Maude teaches Harold that love is not something that should be neatly molded by force, carefully guarded, and then stored away, but something that should be wide, open, shared, and visible all around you.
6. Love Actually: 'Will it make him better?"
Probably the hardest moment to defend as "romantic," but the quiet heartbreak is enough to justify it for me. Laura Linney's character finally gets a chance to be with the man for whom she has quietly pined away for years. Her brother, mentally ill and institutionalized, constantly interrupts her life, calling her at any hour of the day to come and comfort him; as a result, she gets used to putting her emotions on hold. Confronted with the choice of pursuing her happiness and honoring her obligations to family, she makes a painful choice—the romance is obviously not in her love for her brother, but rather in her quiet, agonizing struggle as she leaves the man she loves.
7. Moulin Rouge!: "Come What May"
When Satine (Nicole Kidman) sings the "secret song" to Christian (Ewan McGregor) just before she dies, their duet still makes me choke up a little.
8. Cruel Intentions: "Colorblind"
Otherwise known as the escalator scene, when Reese Witherspoon's Annette, in a mad dash to leave everything behind, sees Ryan Phillipe's Sebastian waiting for her at the top, all blue-shirty, brooding, and gorgeous.
And then:
Annette: "I'm impressed."
Sebastian: "Well, I'm in love."
[They kiss, camera swirling around them and the busy, crowded station.]
Me: *swoon*
9. Punch-Drunk Love: "I'm lookin' at your face and I just wanna smash it. I just wanna fuckin' smash it with a sledgehammer and squeeze it. You're so pretty."
Perhaps the most off-beat but pitch-perfect moment on the list, as emotionally repressed Barry (Adam Sandler) confesses his love to the tender Lena (Emily Watson). There's something about this scene that conjures so many conflicting emotions; it's passionate, it's weird, but it's also so wildly sincere.
10. Lars and the Real Girl: “None of this is easy—for any of us—but we do it—oh! We do it for you!”
(Goz sandwich!) Lars becomes angry when his sister-in-law tries to take Bianca (his doll girlfriend) to a town meeting (as Bianca, oddly, has become a very popular civic figure); his sister-in-law explains that because Lars loves her, Bianca is in turn beloved by the town through his example. It's really the first time we see Lars so emotional and so genuinely in love with Bianca that he gets agitated and jealous. It's beautiful and heartwrenching at the same time.
There. Finally.
1. The Notebook: "What happens if a car comes?" "We die."
I believe this is the real moment very early on—maybe not when Allie falls in love with Noah—but when she thinks it's possible she could. After explaining to him how busy (read: repressed and planned) her life is, Noah asks her what she does for herself, and of course, she's reluctant to answer. That's when The Goz takes her into the street to lie in the middle of the road and watch the traffic lights change color, something he and his father used to do (a meditative Zen-like experience, it seems). Nervously, Allie follows, confessing that painting is the thing she does for herself. They share the silence, lying next to one another perfectly still, and watch the lights as if gazing up at the stars. It's a quiet, beautiful moment, and everything after that is really wonderful.
2. Brokeback Mountain: "You may be a sinner, but I ain't yet had the opportunity."
It's honestly rough to pick one moment from this love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name story, and while the quote is just before "the tent scene" (the one that made Mark Wahlberg say "nuh-uh" and shake his head real fast cuz he was all "creeped out" when he was offered a role in BbM), let me share three mini moment-lettes: Ennis weeps in an alley after they come down from the mountain and Jack leaves; their cuddling in bed together after reuniting; Ennis breathing in every inch of Jack's smell off of that shirt.
3. WALL-E: "Directive."
Again, WALL-E and EVE's interactions are generally very cute throughout, but the cash-money moment is at the end when EVE takes WALL-E's hand, they "kiss" and WALL-E's memories are restored. It's like a Prince Charming / Sleeping Beauty moment, but with super sweet adorably awesome robots.
4. Titanic: "Are you nervous?"
Nothing culminates Jack and Rose's whirlwind affair like that steamy car scene. Leo is so tender, but you know Kate's getting the business (or at least future-Oscar-award-winning-actress acting like she is) when that hand gets the window fog all handprinty and smeary.
Runner up moment: Jack drawing Rose naked. Again, tender, artistic, and in complete contrast to Douchy Zane.
Second runner up moment: Yes, I'm sorry. Pretending to soar across the ocean at the front of the ship. It's just that good.
5. Harold and Maude: "So I'll always know where it is."
As Harold and Maude are leaving the fair, Harold pulls out a stamped coin from his pocket. Giving it to Maude, she looks at it, and remarks that it's the nicest gift she's had in years. Stunningly, she then chucks it into the water nearby (thus the quote above). The moment is romantic in a kind of existential way: things are meaningless except for the attachments we place on them, and people are strangers unless we take the time to honestly know and love them by loving life. In that one brave gesture, Maude teaches Harold that love is not something that should be neatly molded by force, carefully guarded, and then stored away, but something that should be wide, open, shared, and visible all around you.
6. Love Actually: 'Will it make him better?"
Probably the hardest moment to defend as "romantic," but the quiet heartbreak is enough to justify it for me. Laura Linney's character finally gets a chance to be with the man for whom she has quietly pined away for years. Her brother, mentally ill and institutionalized, constantly interrupts her life, calling her at any hour of the day to come and comfort him; as a result, she gets used to putting her emotions on hold. Confronted with the choice of pursuing her happiness and honoring her obligations to family, she makes a painful choice—the romance is obviously not in her love for her brother, but rather in her quiet, agonizing struggle as she leaves the man she loves.
7. Moulin Rouge!: "Come What May"
When Satine (Nicole Kidman) sings the "secret song" to Christian (Ewan McGregor) just before she dies, their duet still makes me choke up a little.
8. Cruel Intentions: "Colorblind"
Otherwise known as the escalator scene, when Reese Witherspoon's Annette, in a mad dash to leave everything behind, sees Ryan Phillipe's Sebastian waiting for her at the top, all blue-shirty, brooding, and gorgeous.
And then:
Annette: "I'm impressed."
Sebastian: "Well, I'm in love."
[They kiss, camera swirling around them and the busy, crowded station.]
Me: *swoon*
9. Punch-Drunk Love: "I'm lookin' at your face and I just wanna smash it. I just wanna fuckin' smash it with a sledgehammer and squeeze it. You're so pretty."
Perhaps the most off-beat but pitch-perfect moment on the list, as emotionally repressed Barry (Adam Sandler) confesses his love to the tender Lena (Emily Watson). There's something about this scene that conjures so many conflicting emotions; it's passionate, it's weird, but it's also so wildly sincere.
10. Lars and the Real Girl: “None of this is easy—for any of us—but we do it—oh! We do it for you!”
(Goz sandwich!) Lars becomes angry when his sister-in-law tries to take Bianca (his doll girlfriend) to a town meeting (as Bianca, oddly, has become a very popular civic figure); his sister-in-law explains that because Lars loves her, Bianca is in turn beloved by the town through his example. It's really the first time we see Lars so emotional and so genuinely in love with Bianca that he gets agitated and jealous. It's beautiful and heartwrenching at the same time.
There. Finally.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
My List Is Better Than Your List Part Deux: Top Ten Romantic Movie Moments by Angela
1. Great Expectations: All Romantic Things Happen in the Rain
although the story is liberally manipulated from the original dickens' novel, the movie really wins my heart over as one of my favorite romantic/sexy movies of all time.
the chemistry between ethan hawke & gywneth paltrow is great which makes it hard to pick the most romantic moment, but here it is:
hawke's finn interrupts paltrow's estella while at dinner. he bursts into the restaurant & asks her to slow dance (in front of her fiance) in the middle of a quiet nyc bistro. the heat between them as they dance is intense, leading them to dance their way out of the restaurant and into the rain storm outside. they passionately kiss and then run away to finn's loft where they make love. after which, estella says "i do love the way you dance."
***runner up moment: finn's passionate plea outside estella's nyc mansion after his sold out art show. key line: "don't you understand, that everything I do, I do it for you. anything, that might be special in me, is you."
swoon.
2. Pretty in Pink: Team Blane
perfectly cliche (wrong side of the tracks romance). perfectly 80s (soundtrack, costumes, j.hughes).
from the molly ringwald trilogy, this is always my pick. mostly because i totally developed a crush on andrew mccarthy as blane. yes, jon cryer is brilliant as duckie and his otis redding tribute to andie is very sweet.
but i'm team blane all the way. mostly because of his beautiful speech at the end of the movie:
"you said you couldn't be with someone who didn't believe in you. well I believed in you. you just didn't believe in me. i love you... always."
andie races after blane & they kiss (in the mist).
3. Atonement: Libraries are Hot.
so are secret love notes. green dresses. and james mcavoy.
the scene is well known. cecilia & robbie sneak away to the library & have quick, hot sex against some books. the misinterpretation of this scene by cecilia's younger sister briony sets the rest of the plot into motion.
equally romantic/heartbreaking is cecilia's final plea to robbie as he is (mistakenly) arrested:
"i love you. come back. come back to me."
4. Before Sunset: Waltz
a sequel that is perhaps better than the first. it is more realistic, perhaps because it is less idealistic, but still builds a great sense of tension between these two "what might have been" lovers.
the ending is quite good because nothing is entirely resolved and the viewer is left to wonder: did jesse miss his flight (probably) and did jesse & celine actually end up together (let's hope).
but these parting questions don't really matter. the whole movie is one entire flirtation. a courtship dance. a hope to build something based on one magical night in the past.
but one that is done so easily that i want to instantaneously walk the streets of paris.
the most romantic moment for me is celine singing her waltz. as much as jesse's novel is a love letter to celine about their romance that could have been, celine's song (played only for jesse) is far more personal. and as it is well placed at the end of the film, the viewer finally realizes that yes, celine has been thinking about jesse after all these years.
serious girl crush on julie delpy & her singing.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You: Sweet Serenade
teen comedy at its perfection. yes, it possesses the typical plot devices of the genre: underage partying, a horrible bet/deal gone wrong, social group friction.
but the performances are well acted. julie stiles & heath ledger are immensely enjoyable and believable in their performances.
swoon worthy moment: patrick verona (heath ledger) serenading kat stratford (julie stiles).
totally unrealistic. but totally perfect.
***runner up moment: kat's poem.
6. Reality Bites: You, Me, and Five Bucks
although the story is liberally manipulated from the original dickens' novel, the movie really wins my heart over as one of my favorite romantic/sexy movies of all time.
the chemistry between ethan hawke & gywneth paltrow is great which makes it hard to pick the most romantic moment, but here it is:
hawke's finn interrupts paltrow's estella while at dinner. he bursts into the restaurant & asks her to slow dance (in front of her fiance) in the middle of a quiet nyc bistro. the heat between them as they dance is intense, leading them to dance their way out of the restaurant and into the rain storm outside. they passionately kiss and then run away to finn's loft where they make love. after which, estella says "i do love the way you dance."
***runner up moment: finn's passionate plea outside estella's nyc mansion after his sold out art show. key line: "don't you understand, that everything I do, I do it for you. anything, that might be special in me, is you."
swoon.
2. Pretty in Pink: Team Blane
perfectly cliche (wrong side of the tracks romance). perfectly 80s (soundtrack, costumes, j.hughes).
from the molly ringwald trilogy, this is always my pick. mostly because i totally developed a crush on andrew mccarthy as blane. yes, jon cryer is brilliant as duckie and his otis redding tribute to andie is very sweet.
but i'm team blane all the way. mostly because of his beautiful speech at the end of the movie:
"you said you couldn't be with someone who didn't believe in you. well I believed in you. you just didn't believe in me. i love you... always."
andie races after blane & they kiss (in the mist).
3. Atonement: Libraries are Hot.
so are secret love notes. green dresses. and james mcavoy.
the scene is well known. cecilia & robbie sneak away to the library & have quick, hot sex against some books. the misinterpretation of this scene by cecilia's younger sister briony sets the rest of the plot into motion.
equally romantic/heartbreaking is cecilia's final plea to robbie as he is (mistakenly) arrested:
"i love you. come back. come back to me."
4. Before Sunset: Waltz
a sequel that is perhaps better than the first. it is more realistic, perhaps because it is less idealistic, but still builds a great sense of tension between these two "what might have been" lovers.
the ending is quite good because nothing is entirely resolved and the viewer is left to wonder: did jesse miss his flight (probably) and did jesse & celine actually end up together (let's hope).
but these parting questions don't really matter. the whole movie is one entire flirtation. a courtship dance. a hope to build something based on one magical night in the past.
but one that is done so easily that i want to instantaneously walk the streets of paris.
the most romantic moment for me is celine singing her waltz. as much as jesse's novel is a love letter to celine about their romance that could have been, celine's song (played only for jesse) is far more personal. and as it is well placed at the end of the film, the viewer finally realizes that yes, celine has been thinking about jesse after all these years.
serious girl crush on julie delpy & her singing.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You: Sweet Serenade
teen comedy at its perfection. yes, it possesses the typical plot devices of the genre: underage partying, a horrible bet/deal gone wrong, social group friction.
but the performances are well acted. julie stiles & heath ledger are immensely enjoyable and believable in their performances.
swoon worthy moment: patrick verona (heath ledger) serenading kat stratford (julie stiles).
totally unrealistic. but totally perfect.
***runner up moment: kat's poem.
6. Reality Bites: You, Me, and Five Bucks
full disclosure: i have an unnatural affection for this movie. i'm willing to admit that it is not a great cinematic achievement. however, it instills a complete irrational love in my heart. and even though i was probably only a pre-teen when i first saw it, i desperately wished i was a gen X-er. so, this movie somehow had to make it on the list.
the romantic moment for me: after being fired from her awful job (working for the villianous "good morning grant"), troy takes lelaina for a pep talk walk where he recounts his far worse employment history. the two dear friends chat, smoke, and drink coffee. both realize that all they really need is each other's company (you, me & five bucks). the romantic-friend moment quickly shifts into a desire for something more (at least on troy's part) as he leans in for a kiss.
this moment rings honestly true as the two "friends" nagivate the grey area of friendship or something more throughout the rest of the movie.
7. Manhattan: NYC Love Letter
i do not have a nyc obsession like some people. but woody allen's opus to manhattan makes me fall in love with the city every time.
the black & white. the music. every shot of a different landmark or bustling street. it captures the romance of a city that has captured the hearts of so many.
the opening sequence is classic. just watch & enjoy.
8. Sabrina (1954): The Magical Audrey Hepburn
a classic ugly duckling transformation story. hepburn's sabrina fairchild transforms from the plain chauffeur's daughter into a cosmopolitan lady. she finally catches the eye of wealthy playboy david larabee (played by swoon worthy william holden).
her entrance in a gorgeous givenchy gown captures every man's heart, including david's. and while they dance, one is willing to believe that he might actually cast aside his playboy ways for sabrina. the whole movie is classic romance at its best.
9. Never Been Kissed: Completely Awkward is Completely Endearing
a totally cheesy comedy that's made supremely enjoyable because of drew barrymore's earnestness. and yes, more movie cliches are at play here with the hidden identity plot line causing much complication for the budding romance between teacher and "student." but as smarmy as it could have come off, barrymore and michael vartan really make it work.
the final kiss on the baseball field is over the top, but perfect. plus, who hasn't had a crush on a teacher?
10. Jerry Maguire: I Don't Care If It's Super Cheesy
i don't care that this scene is cliched, over-quoted, or constantly spoofed. it makes me cry everytime. and i don't even care that tom cruise is now crazy-pants & renee zellweger has dropped off the face of the earth.
"you complete me" is simply perfect.
Monday, June 8, 2009
My List Is Better Than Your List: Top Ten Romantic Movie Moments by Amanda
1. Say Anything...: In Your Eyes
The moment that Lloyd Dobler holds his boom box up to Diane Court's window, blasting Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes is THE most romantic scene in any movie. Ever. His simplicity and earnestness makes you fall in love with him immediately, if you hadn't already. There is no grand kiss at the end of this scene. In fact, his gesture goes unrequited for some time. The beauty is in the fact that he does this at all. Mr. Dobler still remains untarnished as a perfect specimen of what women want
2. Sixteen Candles: Me?
After the trainwreck of a time Samantha Baker has during the course of this film, topped with her bitch of a sister's abysmal wedding, Samantha is more than deserving of watching all those cars pull away to reveal Jake standing there against his sweet red car. I think Judd Apatow has taken a page from John Hughes: secretly creating well developed thoughtful characters and hiding them amidst comedy, raunch, and schlock.
3. The Notebook: Kissing in the Rain.
Frankly, the entirety of The Notebook is romantic, from minute one. But it's easy to pinpoint the most swoon-worthy moment. The years of pent up love and lust all come to a head after a boat trip in the rain. Sexy and romantic. The best combination.
4. Sense and Sensibility: My Heart Is, And Always Will Be, Yours.
When Elinor finally realizes that Edward isn't married and is indeed in love with her....forget it. Bawling like a baby.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Joel and Clementine say "Okay".
I've only met one person (gct) who doesn't think this scene means giving it another go. This is another movie that I consider the entirety of to be romantic, but this very end scene, this acceptance of what has passed and what will be, is romantic in the truest sense of the word: Even if it ends badly, it's worth it.
6. The Royal Tenenbaums: Secretly In Love
I may be the only person who thinks this movie is romantic. The tent scene is one of the most honest and heart-wrenching scenes Wes Anderson has created, allowing two characters who cannot, with good conscience, express their love to express it. In a movie filled with awkwardness, from the characters to the dialogue to the setting, the moment that Margot and Richie finally kiss is totally unawkward. It is perfect and passionate and set to a soundtrack of The Rolling Stones' "She Smiled Sweetly" and "Ruby Tuesday".
7. Chasing Amy: You Are The Epitome...
Most Kevin Smith fans don't care for this film. I, on the other hand, love it. If I had the time and energy to type out Holden's entire confession of love to Alyssa, I would because it is obviously true of someone in Mr. Smith's life. I think what most of my favorite romantic movie moments have in common is honesty, and Holden's speech is clearly right out of Kevin's own heart. The scene gets better when, after Alyssa bitches him out, she runs back to him in the rain and kisses him. Hardcore.
8. Good Will Hunting: Seeing About A Girl
Another scene where the romance is not in the actual follow-through, but in the idea of the follow-through. We never see him arrive at Skylar's door, but we can all imagine the moment when he does.
9. Lost In Translation: What The Hell Does He Tell Her?
A great movie mystery: the unknown whisper at the end of the film. It doesn't matter if the words were romantic, supportive, or just friendly, because the romance in this film lies in what was unspoken between the main characters.
10. Twilight: I Want To Try Something
Edward and Bella's first and only kiss in this film is totally swoon-worthy. Romantic. Sexy. Forbidden.
Okay. Angela and L.P, it's your turn.
The moment that Lloyd Dobler holds his boom box up to Diane Court's window, blasting Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes is THE most romantic scene in any movie. Ever. His simplicity and earnestness makes you fall in love with him immediately, if you hadn't already. There is no grand kiss at the end of this scene. In fact, his gesture goes unrequited for some time. The beauty is in the fact that he does this at all. Mr. Dobler still remains untarnished as a perfect specimen of what women want
2. Sixteen Candles: Me?
After the trainwreck of a time Samantha Baker has during the course of this film, topped with her bitch of a sister's abysmal wedding, Samantha is more than deserving of watching all those cars pull away to reveal Jake standing there against his sweet red car. I think Judd Apatow has taken a page from John Hughes: secretly creating well developed thoughtful characters and hiding them amidst comedy, raunch, and schlock.
3. The Notebook: Kissing in the Rain.
Frankly, the entirety of The Notebook is romantic, from minute one. But it's easy to pinpoint the most swoon-worthy moment. The years of pent up love and lust all come to a head after a boat trip in the rain. Sexy and romantic. The best combination.
4. Sense and Sensibility: My Heart Is, And Always Will Be, Yours.
When Elinor finally realizes that Edward isn't married and is indeed in love with her....forget it. Bawling like a baby.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Joel and Clementine say "Okay".
I've only met one person (gct) who doesn't think this scene means giving it another go. This is another movie that I consider the entirety of to be romantic, but this very end scene, this acceptance of what has passed and what will be, is romantic in the truest sense of the word: Even if it ends badly, it's worth it.
6. The Royal Tenenbaums: Secretly In Love
I may be the only person who thinks this movie is romantic. The tent scene is one of the most honest and heart-wrenching scenes Wes Anderson has created, allowing two characters who cannot, with good conscience, express their love to express it. In a movie filled with awkwardness, from the characters to the dialogue to the setting, the moment that Margot and Richie finally kiss is totally unawkward. It is perfect and passionate and set to a soundtrack of The Rolling Stones' "She Smiled Sweetly" and "Ruby Tuesday".
7. Chasing Amy: You Are The Epitome...
Most Kevin Smith fans don't care for this film. I, on the other hand, love it. If I had the time and energy to type out Holden's entire confession of love to Alyssa, I would because it is obviously true of someone in Mr. Smith's life. I think what most of my favorite romantic movie moments have in common is honesty, and Holden's speech is clearly right out of Kevin's own heart. The scene gets better when, after Alyssa bitches him out, she runs back to him in the rain and kisses him. Hardcore.
8. Good Will Hunting: Seeing About A Girl
Another scene where the romance is not in the actual follow-through, but in the idea of the follow-through. We never see him arrive at Skylar's door, but we can all imagine the moment when he does.
9. Lost In Translation: What The Hell Does He Tell Her?
A great movie mystery: the unknown whisper at the end of the film. It doesn't matter if the words were romantic, supportive, or just friendly, because the romance in this film lies in what was unspoken between the main characters.
10. Twilight: I Want To Try Something
Edward and Bella's first and only kiss in this film is totally swoon-worthy. Romantic. Sexy. Forbidden.
Okay. Angela and L.P, it's your turn.
My List Is Better Than Your List
The Rules:
Each author of this blog will take turns choosing a topic for a "Top Ten" list. When a topic is selected, each author will post their list and subsequently, riveting and informed pop culture analysis shall ensue. Unless specified, the topics are up to the other authors' interpretation.
Let the games begin.
Each author of this blog will take turns choosing a topic for a "Top Ten" list. When a topic is selected, each author will post their list and subsequently, riveting and informed pop culture analysis shall ensue. Unless specified, the topics are up to the other authors' interpretation.
Let the games begin.
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