Short Review: It’s a Über-chick flick and I really enjoyed it. Don’t worry, when I was done watching I killed a bear with a knife, mangled things with a chainsaw and left the toilet seat up all night to recalibrate my masculinity.


This is a well-built film. Oh, it’s a chick flick supreme, but ultimately it is a darn good movie. The piece is about Andy, a smart but naive young woman from Ohio, who finds herself assisting a cruel fashion magazine editor in New York City. Basically this is the mother lode of chick flicks. There are clothes, boy trouble, girly politics and more clothes.

Sex In The City and Entourage director David Frankel deserves great credit for his work. The movie is sharply paced providing some great moments. Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna (27 Dresses) do a fantastic job of making the elite world of fashion accessible and interesting. They smartly know that the casual haughtiness of the citizens of that world is not only annoying, but also seen as undeserved by the average person. Actually, the haughtiness is undeserved regardless of how it is seen. Frankel and company offer enough explanations of why fashion is taken so seriously by so many that it gives a pass to what could have been the film’s biggest hurdle – getting people to care.

Much has been written about Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Runway magazine’s editor Miranda Priestly. Miranda is a cold, dismissive woman and Streep obviously enjoyed the role. She commands her scenes managing the role with an overbearing presence. She comes across as a snootier version of Cruella De Vil. Beyond Streep’s great performance, I think lead Anne Hathaway deserves more credit for the success of the film. As Julia Robert's heir apparent, Hathaway has now shown she is capable of extending enough charm and ability to handle a large role. She doesn’t throw down an Oscar worthy performance, but she threads the piece nicely and provides a sympathetic lead against Streep’s stronger character.

The only serious flaw in the film is that it doesn’t know what to do when not concentrating on Streep and Hathaway. Mostly in the first third of the film, Andy (Hathaway) hangs with her “normal” friends that have been inserted into the piece so we can see her roots. These friends are likable enough and their brief scenes do the job, but the scenes are inserted just the same. On the other end of the film, Andy gets embroiled in a needless sex romp with Christian (Simon Baker), an elite guy who’s supposed to represent her new life. Christian is also inserted in the film to fill a hole in the plot. These scenes, while not disastrous, do feel like distractions from the main event. They feed Andy’s growing discomfort with joining the ranks of the fashion hierarchy so they do have a purpose. The transformation of the character of Andy from Ohio girl to fashion fancy pants is so complete that by the time she has to decide if she should stay with the fashion hierarchy or go back to shopping at The Gap, it seems stupid for her to turn back. She’s sacrificed everything, gained a great deal, and her old life seems troubled and petty. Granted, the fashion world is the sham, but it is sold in the film as being better than hanging with the grunts of the world.

I didn’t want to like this movie. I have a natural aversion to both fashion and chick flicks. This movie overpowered my disdain. This is a good movie. The performances are wonderful, the writing is great, and the direction is thoughtful. I highly recommend this film.



Related Reviews:
Meryl Streep movies
The Deer Hunter (1978)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Screen It!
Fresh Film Reviews

Labels: Adrian Grenier, Anne Hathaway, chick flick, film, Meryl Streep, movie review, Stanley Tucci

A smart update to the classic Shop Around the Corner. Unlike the original, this film sports an attractive and talented lead female. Tom Hanks stars as Joe Fox, the owner of a corporate book store that has moved into a Seattle neighborhood, and threatens the livelihood of local bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly, portrayed by Meg Ryan. Hanks and Ryan make for a great screen couple and have fantastic chemistry. Their joint charisma combined with Nora Ephron’s fun script makes for a wonderfully enjoyable movie. One of the three great Meg Ryan chick flicks (When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle are the others) this film displays her charms to full effect. She is perfectly cast in this film and couldn’t find a better counterpart than Hanks. This is one of those films that, even if you’re a guy who hates chick flicks, you’ll still find yourself hoping the two will get together. Coming from a bitter curmudgeon like me, that’s saying something.


Related Reviews:
Tom Hanks movies
Big (1988)
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Anchorage Press
Hollywood Jesus

Labels: chick flick, film, Meg Ryan, movie review, Tom Hanks

One of the better “chick flicks” ever made. Supported by good performances from Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, this self-adaptation from Fannie Flagg works well on screen. The one huge flaw in the piece is the ending. The final resolution is horrific – absolutely horrific. It’s played as being humorous but it is despicable. Forgiving the final moments (if that’s possible) there is many of positive elements to the movie and it will satisfy most audiences.


Related Reviews:
Chick flicks
13 Going on 30 (2004)
The Notebook (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
ReelViews
Spirituality & Practice

Labels: adaptation, chick flick, Cicely Tyson, film, Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates, movie review

Short Review: It’s a Über-chick flick and I really enjoyed it. Don’t worry, when I was done watching I killed a bear with a knife, mangled things with a chainsaw and left the toilet seat up all night to recalibrate my masculinity.


This is a well-built film. Oh, it’s a chick flick supreme, but ultimately it is a darn good movie. The piece is about Andy, a smart but naive young woman from Ohio, who finds herself assisting a cruel fashion magazine editor in New York City. Basically this is the mother lode of chick flicks. There are clothes, boy trouble, girly politics and more clothes.

Sex In The City and Entourage director David Frankel deserves great credit for his work. The movie is sharply paced providing some great moments. Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna (27 Dresses) do a fantastic job of making the elite world of fashion accessible and interesting. They smartly know that the casual haughtiness of the citizens of that world is not only annoying, but also seen as undeserved by the average person. Actually, the haughtiness is undeserved regardless of how it is seen. Frankel and company offer enough explanations of why fashion is taken so seriously by so many that it gives a pass to what could have been the film’s biggest hurdle – getting people to care.

Much has been written about Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Runway magazine’s editor Miranda Priestly. Miranda is a cold, dismissive woman and Streep obviously enjoyed the role. She commands her scenes managing the role with an overbearing presence. She comes across as a snootier version of Cruella Deville. Beyond Streep’s great performance, I think lead Anne Hathaway deserves more credit for the success of the film. As Julia Robert's heir apparent, Hathaway has now shown she is capable of extending enough charm and ability to handle a large role. She doesn’t throw down an Oscar worthy performance, but she threads the piece nicely and provides a sympathetic lead against Streep’s stronger character.

The only serious flaw in the film is that it doesn’t know what to do when not concentrating on Streep and Hathaway. Mostly in the first third of the film, Andy (Hathaway) hangs with her “normal” friends that have been inserted into the piece so we can see her roots. These friends are likable enough and their brief scenes do the job, but the scenes are inserted just the same. On the other end of the film, Andy gets embroiled in a needless sex romp with Christian (Simon Baker), an elite guy who’s supposed to represent her new life. Christian is also inserted in the film to fill a hole in the plot. These scenes, while not disastrous, do feel like distractions from the main event. They feed Andy’s growing discomfort with joining the ranks of the fashion hierarchy so they do have a purpose. The transformation of the character of Andy from Ohio girl to fashion fancy pants is so complete that by the time she has to decide if she should stay with the fashion hierarchy or go back to shopping at The Gap, it seems stupid for her to turn back. She’s sacrificed everything, gained a great deal, and her old life seems troubled and petty. Granted, the fashion world is the sham, but it is sold in the film as being better than hanging with the grunts of the world.

I didn’t want to like this movie. I have a natural aversion to both fashion and chick flicks. This movie overpowered my disdain. This is a good movie. The performances are wonderful, the writing is great, and the direction is thoughtful. I highly recommend this film.


Related Reviews:
Another Meryl Streep movie
The Deer Hunter (1978)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Screen It!
Fresh Film Reviews

Labels: Adrian Grenier, Anne Hathaway, chick flick, film, Meryl Streep, movie review, Stanley Tucci

Its Valentine’s Day, otherwise known as national “Kick Single People In The Privates Because Life Ain’t Hard Enough, Now I Have To Sit Through Insufferable Conversations About What Other People Are Doing Or Having Done For Them And Feigning Interest Because I Already Know I'm Going Home Alone And Eating A Half Cooked Hot Pocket Over The Sink Instead Of Enjoying The Warm Embrace Of Someone Who Loves Me. Honestly, A Whole Day For This? Why Not A Day Called “I Don’t Have Anyone Weighing Me Down And I Can Do What I Want When I Want Day?" That Would Stick It To Those Snotty Married Types - The Jerks. No, We Have This Day With All Of The Flowers And The Chocolates And Those Stupid Pajamagram Commercials - Don't Even Get Me Started On Those Stupid Vermont Teddy Bears, I Mean Honestly, What Kind of Mouth-Breathing Moron Buys a Grown Woman A Stupid Teddy Bear? That's The Best You Can Do? A $80 Stuffed Doll? Day.”

Personally, for my long-suffering wife, I’ve decided to give her what she’s been asking for all of these years. Today, I will be shutting my yammering mouth and getting out of here. I’m not sure how to wrap it but I know she’ll appreciate it.

For those of you looking to spend some quality time with the one you love in front of the television and not actually interacting, here are some suggestions to some great movies to share.




This is for those of you guys with ladies who enjoy actual good movies. This is the second best film ever made and gets that distinction for good reason. A great tragic romance drives this brilliant work and Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were never better. Don’t rent, buy this one today.



A great romantic story, a very good romantic film. If she insists on watching a movie she likes, make this your pick. Ladies, this one will be painless for your man. He has enough hassles in his life without having to sit through yet another half-baked chick flick. Let him off easy and enjoy this well made film. You'll be crying by the end, its guaranteed.




Not a favorite of mine, but popular with just about everyone else. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan make a great on screen couple in this Nora Ephron directed movie. Light and fun, this is a solid pick.


Even if you've seen it before, it is worth seeing again. Very insightful and clever, this film about friendship and love is a great comedy. If you've never seen this film, you should track it down. Billy Crystal is at the top of his game and very comfortable in his role as Harry who eventually falls for Sally, played to perfection by Meg Ryan.

Labels: chick flick, comedy, romantic movie