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Leslie C. Halpern's BlogPosted by Leslie C. Halpern According to the Associated Press, on Christmas night 29-year-old James Joseph Cialella of Philadelphia, shot a man inside a Regal Cinemas auditorium because the man’s family was too noisy. Police said that Cialella told the family to be quiet, threw popcorn at the man’s son, then confronted them. When the father stood, Cialella reportedly shot him with a .380-caliber handgun. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, playing at the time, quickly turned into “The Curious Case of Movie Mayhem.” Some moviegoers believe that their individual film-going experience takes precedence over everyone else’s enjoyment, while others merely use the darkness as an excuse for obnoxious behavior. Both men exhibited a selfishness that predominates today: Watching movies at the cinema is a community experience. That means, you have to endure some occasional talking, chair kicking, popcorn munching, and shushing. It also means that you should strive not to be the person (or family) contributing to the mayhem with your own talking, kicking, munching, or shushing. To help keep movie theater violence restricted to on-screen depictions instead of off-screen re-enactments, I offer these suggestions for mutual tolerance:
And if you can’t behave, then stay home!
Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Combining the emotional effects of 9/11 portrayed in Mike Binder’s film Reign Over Me and the physical effects portrayed in Michael Moore’s Sicko and Heidi Dehncke-Fisher’s Dust to Dust: The Health Effects of 9/11, John Citara describes how his life changed forever on September 11, 2001. After witnessing the destruction of the World Trade Center on television, he left home in Pennsylvania to volunteer as a first responder at Ground Zero.
A former teacher of disabled children and construction worker, he helped amid the chaos including search and rescue. Like other volunteers, he wore a white cloth mask designed to protect him from household dust, but not against toxic chemicals burning in the ruins. Since then, he’s been coughing up blood, vomiting foreign particles, and living in constant pain. Unable to work or obtain adequate healthcare, this single father of a toddler struggles to get a diagnosis and treatment that will save his life. For years, filmmaker Brian Johnson was interested in health effects on 9/11 first responders. Licensed mental health counselor Judith Rubinger recognized the importance of sharing Citara’s story with the public, and introduced the two men. Shooting in Florida, Johnson completed principal photography on the documentary in November, and plans to finish in spring 2009. Assisted by Full Sail University film students Art Brainard and Craig Bethel, Johnson and Citara hope to accomplish several goals through this currently untitled film:
Let’s hope this compelling human drama has a happy ending.
Posted by Leslie C. Halpern It’s universally agreed that actor Will Smith (and his ears) should portray Barack Obama whenever the movie version of his historic candidacy and presidency comes to the big screen. However, the director of this film is not a foregone conclusion. Filmmakers probably began fundraising, lobbying, and campaigning for the position of presidential filmmaker before the election results were even official.
Let’s review some of these potential directorial candidates and theorize what their two-minute elevator pitches might sound like:
Get those elevator pitches ready! Posted by Leslie C. Halpern In June 2008, 302 IMAX theaters operated in 40 countries. Using the IMAX Digital projection system, these theaters exhibit digitally re-mastered Hollywood movies and original documentaries in IMAX and IMAX 3D. This process transforms conventional motion pictures into super-sized immersive images.
Upcoming Hollywood movies to be released in this format include: Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa (November 2008); The Day the Earth Stood Still (December 2008); Monsters vs. Aliens (March 2009); Watchmen (March 2009); Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (May 2009); Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June 2009); Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 2009); How to Train Your Dragon (March 2010); and Shrek Goes Forth (May 2010).
As the Romantic Films/Comedies feature writer for Suite 101.com, I noticed that no romantic comedies made the list. That’s probably wise. Watching IMAX-sized animals, aliens, dragons, and wizards is one thing. Watching 53-feet high by 72 feet-wide romantic kisses and other intimacies is something else altogether.
Here are eight otherwise enjoyable recent romantic comedies that (because of drug use, graphic nudity, ill-fitting clothing, gross-out comedy, and/or other raunchy behavior that is already larger than life) should never be digitally re-mastered into the IMAX format. Please. Good Luck Chuck (2007)
Knocked Up (2007)
Mr. Woodcock (2007)
Superbad (2007)
The Heartbreak Kid (2007)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
Wedding Crashers (2005)
You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (2008)
Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Recently, a New York judge ruled that a man attempting to sue a movie theater because he needed dental repairs totaling $1,250 U.S. from eating unpopped popcorn kernels didn’t have a legitimate case. In this Associated Press story, the Manhattan Civil Court judge ruled that the man could not reasonably expect every kernel to be popped in the box that he purchased at the theater.
It’s a shame that he broke a tooth, but realistically, everyone should know that attempting to pry open the duds at the bottom of the popcorn box is asking for trouble. Popcorn is such a problematic food that most orthodontists prohibit their patients from eating it the entire time they’re wearing braces. Thankfully this case was thrown out of court. If the man had won, we could expect a barrage of similar cases, with newspaper headlines like the following:
The facts about movie food are quite simple: These are treats, often unhealthy and always overpriced, designed to enhance the movie-going experience. Like everything else associated with entertainment, moviegoers need to eat, drink, and watch at their own risk.
Posted by Leslie C. Halpern September provides flashback films from the 1980s and DVDs of recent theatrical releases. Here are my favorites this month. Romantic DVD Top Picks
Also recommended: Married Life (September 2), Made of Honor (Two-Disc Special Edition, September 16), An American in Paris (September 16). Comedy DVD Top Picks
Also recommended: Kabluey (September 16), Ultimate Comedy Collection: Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin (September 30). Action/Suspense DVD Top Picks
Also heartily recommended: The documentary Young @ Heart (September 16), a touching look at rock-star seniors. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern I took ballet classes as a child and then later had some ballroom dancing instructions as an adult. I can’t say that dancing ever added any romance to my life. Just look at the movies, though. A solo dance usually catches a lover’s eye, and a shared dance becomes a prelude to a committed relationship. Would Deb (Tina Majorino) ever have hooked up with the ill-mannered Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) if he hadn’t danced on stage to get his friend elected? Or would chunky high schooler Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) in Hairspray have earned status, a new admirer, or a spot on a television show if she couldn’t move to the music so well? Probably not. Sharing a dance brings even more romantic success for cinematic hoofers. Disguised as The Mask, Stanley (Jim Carrey) literally sweeps Tina (Cameron Diaz) off her feet. In Dirty Dancing, Baby (Jennifer Grey) repeatedly dances with Johnny (Patrick Swayze) in order to perfect a routine, with each practice session becoming more and more romantic. When John (Harrison Ford) sneaks an intimate dance with Amish widow Rachel (Kelly McGillis) in the barn in the film Witness, it confirms their mutual attraction. Although an energetic or exotic dance may entice lovers in the movies, there’s nothing like a tango for handling the more dangerous situations. In True Lies and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, free style dancing, the waltz, or a tame bear hug couldn’t have conveyed the intrigue needed for those delicious verbal jousting scenes. Shall We Dance? Although in real life, you may choose to sit this one out because of foot pain or inadequate skills, romantic leads need to keep on dancing. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern The new Luke Wilson film Henry Poole is Here could have been called “Henry Almighty” because of the many similarities between this film and the Evan Almighty/Bruce Almighty combo. Although all three movies focus on a spiritual decline in the central characters, Henry, Evan, and Bruce also suffer from romantic woes brought on by their lack of faith. In Henry Poole is Here, Wilson stars as a disillusioned man who withdraws from the world only to find that people named Dawn and Patience won’t leave him alone. Aided in finding a new home by a chipper real estate agent (Cheryl Hines), the house turns into a holy shrine when undeniable miracles emanate from a water stain resembling Jesus Christ. In Evan Almighty (2007), Steve Carrell stars as a newly elected congressman who promises to change the world. With the help of another chipper real estate agent (Molly Shannon as “Eve”), he moves into a new home, but has trouble adjusting. Evan loses faith in his abilities to make positive changes, and his family loses faith in him as a husband and father. When God appears and demands that Evan build an ark, his spirituality is further tested. In Bruce Almighty (2003), Jim Carrey stars as a man unhappy with his ordinary job, ordinary relationship with his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston as “Grace”), and ordinary life. After losing his job, cursing God, and jeopardizing his relationship with Grace, he begins a spiritual rebirth after meeting God and being given omnipotent power (on a trial basis, of course). All three films present disgruntled men whose loss of faith affects everything in their lives, most notably their ability to love. When divine intervention gives them new hope for life, they also renew their hope for romance. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern The good news is there’s plenty of comedy on this month’s new DVD selections. The bad news is that it’s mainly seasons of television series, rather than comedy movies. Top Comedy Picks For Movie Fans The Three Stooges Collection (Vol. 3: 1940-1942)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (2-Disc Collector’s Edition) + Digital Copy
Top Comedy Picks For Television Fans
In September, there will be a return of classic romantic comedy films released on DVD, so we hopeless romantics will have to be patient until then. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art recently opened “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” an exhibit devoted to the clothing of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Iron Man. With more comic book heroes flying off the pages and onto movie and television screens lately, super-powered protectors have enjoyed a resurgence in pop culture status. It’s important to make a good impression while fighting crime. The Incredible Hulk doesn’t win fans with the rags he wears. But the costumes may be even more important when courting romantic interests. Credit the ladies (Lois Lane [Superman], Mary Jane Watson [Spider-Man], Rachel Dawes [Batman], Tina Carlyle [The Mask], Roxanne Simpson [Ghost Rider], etc.) with having good taste in clothes as well as men. The unisex look works well for The Fantastic Four, but that’s an exception to the rule. Generally the superheroes are men who wear form-fitting clothes (like Superman’s infamous blue tights) that enhance their appearance and don’t impede their abilities to fight crime. That’s the thing about superheroes: Their super powers work no matter what they’re wearing. Batman, however, stands alone. Not the campy television Batman, but the cooler Batman movie series initiated by director Tim Burton in 1989 that evolved over the years into director Christopher Nolan’s well-clad Dark Knight of 2008. Lacking any real super powers, other than an exceptionally bad attitude and super amounts of money, his costume and car come equipped with high-tech weaponry, fun mechanical gadgets, and lots of tough-guy style. His clothes actually make him super. His identity-concealing black leather outfit simultaneously intimidates villains while attracting ladies. Batman dresses for success. There’s something about a well-cut black suit over a lean, muscled body that distinctly says “superhero.” Just ask The Men in Black. It’s the last suit they’ll ever wear. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Could this on-screen romantic couple be the next Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks (Joe Versus the Volcano [1990], Sleepless in Seattle [1993], You’ve Got Mail [1998]) or Julia Roberts and Richard Gere (Pretty Woman [1990], Runaway Bride [1999])? What about the next Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase? I have to say no. The original romantic comedy thriller Foul Play (1978), written and directed by Colin Higgins (screenwriter for Harold and Maude), stars Hawn (Kate’s mother) as a shy divorced librarian and Chase as a wisecracking San Francisco police detective. The film combines the considerable comedic talents of both actors, who re-teamed in 1980 for the romantic comedy Seems Like Old Times. The pair not only looks cute together, but their comedy styles mesh well, making Foul Play thrilling and amusing, and Seems Like Old Times laugh-out-loud funny as we follow the antics of the crazy mismatched divorced couple. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey first co-starred together in the cute romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) and then again for the critically panned Fool’s Gold (2008). Although the team ignites a few sparks in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the cringe-inducing adventure film Fool’s Gold should have been their final effort together. Kate’s impish grin and magnetic charm mirror Hawn’s likeable onscreen persona, and McConaughey excels in physical roles where he can take off his shirt and flex his muscles. His lazy drawl and smooth moves seem particularly ill suited to the role of Chase’s Tony Carlson, the fast-talking, bumbling West Coast cop in Foul Play. I’d enjoy seeing Hudson and McConaughey paired with other co-stars in different films, but together they lack the chemistry of date movie stars of earlier generations. I won’t be rushing out to watch the remake. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern According to “Intelligence Report” in Parade Magazine (July 6, 2008), until recently, adjusted for inflation, movie ticket prices at the cinema cost less than they did in 1977 when the initial Star Wars, Annie Hall, and Airport 77 hit theaters. Ticket prices have been subsidized by concession stand sales, which keep the cost of admission under control. The article quotes economist Ricard Gil of the University of California as saying that now the high price of corn is eating into those profits, and theaters likely will increase prices to make up the difference. At the same time that ticket prices are rising, theater attendance is dropping. Factors may include high prices at the theater, the increasing cost of gasoline, easy availability of DVD rentals and purchases, and high-tech home theater systems. Actually, snuggling together at home with some hot chocolate and fresh microwave popcorn while watching romantic dramas and romantic comedies on DVD might be the perfect prescription for rekindling an ailing romance. On the other hand, some movies must be watched on the big screen…with a crowd…and with some movie theater munchies. Comedies just aren’t as funny without a crowd laughing. Thrillers don’t carry the same weight unless the audience gasps in unison. And children’s movies? Sometimes you need to experience an auditorium filled with the screams of other people’s children to fully appreciate your own. I’m in favor of saving money through DVD rentals and purchases (of pre-viewed recent films or discounted older films) whenever possible until the prices become more reasonable at the cinema. And when it comes to romantic films, watching at home might be the best solution even in a thriving economy. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern If you’re looking for a romantic comedy, there’s Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (released July 1) another installment in Perry’s consistent franchise. This one includes drama, comedy, and romance surrounding a poor, single mother (Angela Bassett) trying to raise her children in a healthy environment. For comedy titles, you have a choice of Drillbit Taylor (July 1), Superhero Movie (July 8), and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (July 29), although none of the three come highly recommended. Best Bet for July DVD This month’s best bet for romance and comedy on DVD also includes special effects, action-adventure, and a little horror (all great for inspiring hand-holding during the movie): The Mummy: 2-Disc Deluxe Edition (July 8).
July releases include more mummies (and vampires) with The Mummy Special Edition – Universal Legacy Series (1932) [released July 8], from 2004, Van Helsing: 2-Disc Collector’s Edition (July 8), also directed by The Mummy’s Stephen Sommers, and from 1931 Vampyr: Criterion Collection (July 22). Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Striving to earn his place in the Guinness Book of World Records by beating the previous record of 117 hours of non-stop movie watching, Ashish Sharma of Mathura, India, recently spent 120 hours watching 48 Bollywood films. Rules stipulate that each movie must be at least 90 minutes long and that participants can rest only 10 minutes between movies. That’s five days of non-stop Hindi cinema, and although Sharma claims to love the movies, any genre would get tiresome after awhile. So what kind of movies would you watch during a marathon, assuming you were limited to just one genre? As much as I love romantic dramas, the last thing I want to do is get burned out on love. What about five straight days of suspense, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action/adventure, or animation? Although Guinness requires that a doctor be present the entire time, I’m not sure my heart could take all that excitement. Maybe try 120 hours of foreign films with subtitles, eye-opening documentaries, or highbrow art films? I’m not sure my mind could take it. So whether old silent black-and-white comedies or silly spoofs from the 1960s through the 1980s or gross-out comedies from the 1990s and today, my marathon movie genre pick would be comedies. Mixing in a little romance, action, or mystery is fine, as long as the overall effect is comedic. Although other genres rely on formulas that become predictable after you’ve seen a few, comedies have no such restrictions. Running gags, jokes, physical humor, irony, puns, hyperbole, satire, sarcasm – the list of ways to bring on laughs is nearly endless. Even though many comedic ploys fall short of belly laughs, 120 hours of a few intermittent chuckles sounds like a good deal to me. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Actors, filmmakers, critics, and others voted on movies that included 50 nominees per genre. Previous years have awarded “Top 10” status to comedies and love stories, but this year “romantic comedies” took up the slack. The 2008 AFI romantic comedy winners: 1. City Lights (1931) Charles Chaplin as a little tramp who falls in love with a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill). 2. Annie Hall (1977) Diane Keaton as a goofy singer who falls for a neurotic comedy writer (Woody Allen). 3. The Philadelphia Story (1940) Cary Grant and James Stewart plot to ruin Katharine Hepburn’s wedding plans. 4. It Happened One Night (1934) Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable in the story of a runaway heiress who meets a reporter hungry for a story. 5. Roman Holiday (1953) Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the story of runaway princess who meets a reporter hungry for a story (in Rome). 6. When Harry Met Sally (1989) Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal as two opposites who keep attracting each other over many years. 7. Adam’s Rib (1949) Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as husband and wife lawyers who oppose each other in a court case. 8. Moonstruck (1987) Cher and Nicolas Cage in the story of a superstitious widow and a wolf-like man who fall in love. 9. Harold and Maude (1971) An aging Ruth Gordon meets the adolescent Bud Cort at a funeral and romantic sparks ignite. 10. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) Meg Ryan hears lonely widower Tom Hanks on a radio call-in show. Do you have better choices for the Top 10 Romantic Comedies? Let us know. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern These DVDs (especially collector’s editions of older films) usually contain special features such as director commentary, deleted scenes, and featurettes on the making of the film. The following are my top three comedy picks for this month. Comedies City Slickers (Collector’s Edition)
Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show
Be Kind, Rewind
Additional DVD Releases More new comedies: Mama’s Boy (Jon Heder as a son who refuses to grow up and move out); Semi-Pro (Will Ferrell as a semi-professional basketball team owner in 1970s Flint, Michigan); Witless Protection (Larry the Cable Guy as a goofy small-town deputy who dreams of being an FBI agent). Romantic comedies: Fool’s Gold (Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in a silly romantic comedy adventure); Definitely, Maybe (Ryan Reynolds tells his 10-year-old daughter about his past loves in this romantic comedy); and Bonneville (Jessica Lange, Joan Allen, and Kathy Bates embark on an eye-opening road trip). Posted by Leslie C. Halpern The Three Stooges. Three Amigos. Three Men and a Baby. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Even the four Marx Brothers reduced their comedy team to three. Three seems to be the magic number for comedy teams. In the classic movie Airplane! (1980), Captain Oveur and co-pilots Roger Murdock and Victor Basta sit around the cockpit misunderstanding directions from the control tower. Confusion about the words “over,” “roger,” and “vector” wouldn’t have been as funny with just two crew members, and might have lost its humor had the cockpit been filled with four or more pilots. Take note that the directors of Airplane! come in a set of three: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. One of my favorite movies, the romantic comedy The Princess Bride successfully incorporates the love triangle (Westley, Princess Buttercup, and Prince Humperdinck) and the comedy triangle (Vizzini the schemer, Inigo the swordsman, and Fezzik the giant). These three would-be criminals play off the others’ physical and intellectual attributes for laughs. Tiny Vizzini pushes around the giant; slow-witted Fezzik sometimes outsmarts Vizzini; physically adept Inigo allows Vizzini to plan his assaults; and despite his aggressiveness, Inigo reveals a gentle sweetness toward Fezzik. These relationships between the three characters provide the perfect balance for relationship dynamics. Films from every genre take advantage of the chemistry of the comedy triangle: Mad Money (three novice women bank robbers), Superbad (three high school boys on an adventure), and the Harry Potter series (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) are among them. Of course, many exceptions exist to the rule of three, but the comedy triangle creates a delicate balancing act where no one character stays at the top for long because competing strengths from the other two constantly threaten to upset the triangle. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Mary loves Steve, who also loves her but is engaged to marry Fran, who loves Steve and highly respects her wedding planner Mary, who feels a similar loyalty to Fran. This plot from The Wedding Planner reveals a tangled relationship that is typical in a romantic comedy. Two people falling in love with no obstacles lacks the essential drama and sexual tension needed to fully engage an audience. By including a third person in a love triangle, romantic dramas and comedies increase the excitement without overly complicating the plot. On the other hand, adding four or more characters may work great in screwball comedies that play for laughs rather than romance, but complicate situations to the point of taking away from the romantic elements. Did you find it “romantic” or “comic” when Mary had four would-be suitors in There’s Something About Mary? For me, three’s the limit for romantic tension and four is the inevitable introduction of comedy. Countless romantic movies from recent years have employed the love triangle: Made of Honor, Across the Universe, Blades of Glory, Dan in Real Life, Juno, License to Wed, The Ex, and The Princess Bride to name a few. Unless one romantic lead has an obstacle to overcome (such as commitment phobia, different socioeconomic status, bad reputation, etc.) and the other has an ardent admirer (a fiancé, ex-lover, close friend, or other threatening love interest), the romantic relationship becomes too easy to achieve and too easy for audiences to dismiss. Next week: The Chemistry of Comedy Triangles Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Last week I attended a media preview at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. I experienced the theme park’s newest movie/TV-related attractions, including Toy Story Mania (a midway game ride), Disney’s Block Party Bash (a street parade), Disney's Amercian Idol Attraction, and Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian (an upcoming soundstage attraction). What’s the allure of adapting movies into other forms? Why do so many films wind up as theme park attractions (Terminator 2: 3D), clothing lines (Napoleon Dynamite), Broadway shows (The Lion King), collectible toys (Star Wars), and thousands of other marketable products? Take Disney’s Block Party Bash. This parade showcases characters from Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., A Bug’s Life, and The Incredibles. Dance and music segments highlight the characters, yet impart none of the story. With more than 114 energetic performers, a medley of upbeat songs, and vibrant costumes and floats, the experience feels like saturating yourself in the bold colors and frenetic energy of an animated cartoon. The romantic comedy film The Wedding Singer (starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) recently became a Broadway musical. The stage show uses original songs to convey much of the plot (to compensate for the condensed story). The film adapts well to the stage because through music, characters, and costumes, audiences experience this love story in a 1980’s frame of mind regardless of stylistic changes. Even as I write this, a cardboard standee of Johnny Depp (as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean [ironically, a movie based on a Disney theme park ride]) glares at me. When I see him, I’m instantly transported to a different time and place filled with magic and romance. Whatever form a movie takes – from multi-million dollar attractions to $5.00 lunch boxes – its true magic is the ability to evoke emotions. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern In a deal between Lionsgate, Omnilab Media, and QED International, filming begins today in Louisiana on the biopic W., based on the love, faith, and politics of America’s 43rd president. Set for theatrical release on October 17, 2008 to coincide with fall elections, W stars Josh Brolin as George W. Bush and Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush. Oliver Stone (World Trade Center, Wall Street) said in a statement: “The impact of George W. Bush’s presidency will be felt for many years to come. Despite a meteoric, almost illogical rise to power, and a tremendous influence on the world, we don’t really know much about Mr. Bush beyond the controlled images we’ve been allowed to see on TV.” But I wonder what W. would be like with a different director?
With Stone at the helm, however, we’ll have to wait and see how much romance and comedy make the final cut. Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Three of my top four picks are re-releases of much earlier films, with only P.S. I Love You having recently played at the theaters. So if you missed them the first time around, here’s your second chance. Romantic Dramas The Bridges of Madison County: Deluxe Edition
P.S. I Love You
Comedies If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium
Serial Mom (Collector’s Edition)
If you watch one from the first group followed by one from the second, you can still get your fill of "romantic comedy." Posted by Leslie C. Halpern Directed by Rob Reiner, written by William Goldman, and starring Cary Elwes (Westley), Robin Wright (Buttercup), and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo), this fairy tale portrays a beautiful maiden (Wright) and handsome servant (Elwes) who love each other, but are kept apart by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, including societal class, physical distance, villains, and even death. The delicious writing, perfect direction, and inspired acting have made this cult classic endure for more than 20 years. How curious that some of today’s comedies fail to be funny and some romances fail to have chemistry between the leads when The Princess Bride manages to do both so well? There’s also the sweet nature of The Princess Bride to consider. Few PG-rated love stories or comedy films get made anymore. Yet without blatant sexuality or course language, this film expresses the passionate nature of the couple’s relationship and humorous dialogue/situations. Compare The Princess Bride to today’s romantic comedy films, many of which have been quite successful at the box office and on subsequent DVD sales (indicating a huge market for gross-out humor). Take away the raunch factor in movies such as Superbad, Good Luck Chuck, Mr. Woodcock, Blades of Glory, and The Heartbreak Kid, and then ask yourself “Would they still be funny?” After many dozens of viewings, I still get goose bumps when Westley whispers, “As you wish.” I still feel sick when The Albino tortures Westley in The Pit of Despair. I still thrill to the beauty of Goldman’s dialogue. I still laugh at Inigo’s sword-fighting antics. And after all this time, I still feel disappointed that a sequel to this film never made it to the screen. |
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