"Another wedding invitation. And a list. Lovely."

Four Weddings and a Funeral

1994; UK; 117 min.

Director: Mike Newell

Screenplay: Richard Curtis

Music: various artists

Cast:

Charles - Hugh Grant

Tom - James Fleet

Gareth - Simon Callow

Matthew - John Hannah

Fiona - Kristin Scott Thomas

David - David Bower

Scarlett - Charlotte Coleman

Carrie - Andie MacDowell

I took out a bunch of movies from the library because I knew that I would have a lot of free time on my hands this vacation (I just had my wisdom teeth taken out.). So, that explains my current intense blogging trend. I decided to take out this particular film because I love Hugh Grant. One of my favorite films is definitely "Music and Lyrics," which stars Grant as a retired pop star. While Hugh Grant did a great job acting in this film, the film itself was absolutely awful. I was totally disappointed that Grant took part in this train wreck of a film.

The plot was interesting - I guess... Obviously, the plot was about four weddings and a funeral. It was clever how the weddings built on each other. For example, a couple who meets at the first wedding (SPOILER ALERT) is the couple getting married at the second wedding. However, no witty banter or clever moments could save this film. The romantic relationship between Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie MacDowell) was completely unbelievable and unrealistic. They had only met once and then they fell in love. They knew nothing about each other whatsoever. This particular "love at first sight" wasn't even romantic - it was just plain weird. The characters had no connection and didn't build on their relationship after meeting each other. Andie MacDowell's character barely had any lines in the whole film. After the film ended, the audience is still confused (or at least I was) as to which characters are in relationships with others. The best part of this film was casting Hugh Grant. Other than Grant, I couldn't wait for this film to be over. There was absolutely no thought put into this film and I would not recommend it to anyone.

iRate: 1/5 weddings

(*NOTE: That rating is only above zero because of Hugh Grant!)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYV_mV3BckA

"You'd rather focus on other people's Kodak moments than make memories of your own!"

27 Dresses

2008; USA; 111 min.

Director: Anne Fletcher

Screenplay: Aline Brosh McKenna

Music: various artists

Cast:

Jane - Katherine Heigl

Young Tess - Charli Barcena

Kevin - James Marsden

Tess - Malin Akerman

Young Jane - Peyton List

Casey - Judy Greer

Pedro - David Castro

George - Edward Burns

This is the ABSOLUTE EPITOME OF AN AMAZING ROMANTIC COMEDY! This might be my favorite one of all time. This film is perfect! This wasn't the first time that I have watched "27 Dresses," and it definitely won't be the last. I LOVE "27 Dresses"! Where do I begin?! The plot is adorable. "27 Dresses" is the story of Jane (Katherine Heigl), who is "always the bridesmaid, never the bride." The beginning of the film explains how Jane has always loved weddings, and she is actually working as a wedding planner. The first scenes are from two weddings that Jane is juggling in the same night - an American wedding and an Indian wedding. When Jane gets knocked out trying to catch the bouquet, Kevin (James Marsden), a complete stranger, comes to the rescue. (SPOILER ALERT) When Jane's long time crush (and her boss), George (Edward Burns) ends up falling for her sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), Jane loses it. Due to Jane's nature of being a "people pleaser," she is taken along on Tess' wedding planning journey. Jane begins to develop a relationship with Kevin, despite the fact that their relationship is rocky in the beginning. The twists and turns in the film evoke emotions in the viewers. Jane is everyone's friend - and has a collection of 27 bridesmaid dresses to prove it! She really is a big mush - she collects these wedding announcement articles written in the New York Journal by this guy Malcolm. Little does she know, Kevin turns out to be writing under a pseudonym - Malcolm. When secrets are exposed, Jane's relationship with Kevin and Tess' relationship with George are questioned. The film has a fabulous ending - "Casablanca" could learn a lesson or two from "27 Dresses"!!! Here are two of my favorite scenes:

This scene is towards the beginning of the film, when Jane literally begins to fall for Kevin (although she really is bothered by him at first). After an intense bouquet throwing scene where Jane is trampled, Kevin helps her and brings her home. The whole night he has been watching her go between the two weddings, however this is the first time in the film that he actually talks to her.

This scene is when Kevin discovers all of Jane's bridesmaid dresses. Afterwards, she proceeds to try them on for him, in an attempt to prove that they aren't that ugly after all. Kevin is taking pictures throughout this scene as the two have a little "photo shoot."

I can't praise this film enough! There are so many wonderful qualities that make this a success. The acting is great, the dresses are interesting, the music is perfect, the scenery is beautiful, and the screenplay is quite funny. James Marsden is incredibly gorgeous as well! I would highly recommend this to anyone (obviously!). I am certainly going to buy this on DVD and watch it over and over again. 

iRate: 5/5 dresses

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi598868249/

"Hey! How's the weather in England? / I'm in Scotland."

Made of Honor
2008; USA; 101 min.

Director: Paul Weiland
Screenplay: Adam Sztykiel, Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont
Music: Rupert Gregson-Williams

Cast:
Thomas 'Tom' Bailey - Patrick Dempsey
Hannah - Michelle Monaghan
Colin McMurray - Kevin McKidd
Felix - Kadeem Hardison
Dennis - Chris Messina
Gary - Richmond Arquette
Melissa - Busy Philipps
Stephanie - Whitney Cummings
Hilary - Emily Nelson
Joan - Kathleen Quinlan
Grandma Pearl - Selma Stern
Thomas Bailey, Sr. - Sydney Pollack

Before I start blogging, let me just say that, yes, this IS another romantic comedy. When I started watching "Made of Honor," actually before I even removed it from the box, I was positive that it would be added to the list of my favorite movies (not that that list is such a hard list to get onto in the first place...). The plot, while extremely predicatable, was cute and funny. Tom (Patrick Dempsey) is a womanizer who has been best friends with Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) ever since he climbed in her bed by mistake in college. Years later, when Hannah goes to Scotland on business, she meets Colin (Kevin McKidd), and comes back engaged. It is then when Tom finally realizes that he wants to get married and settle down as well. When Hannah asks Tom to be her "maid of honor" (also known, apparently, as a "MOH"), he realizes that maybe (SPOILER ALERT) he should be standing somewhere else on the altar, like beside Hannah.

I enjoyed the New York City scenery that the film had to offer. The quick pace mirrored the pace of Tom's life, such as the romance between Hannah and Colin, which happened so quickly. Another aspect of the movie that I liked was the connection between the beginning of the movie and the end. The two events brought the plot full circle, and provided for a sweet and funny moment. Overall, I would recommend this film. While it's not the best that I have seen, it's a funny, light-hearted romantic comedy (yay!) and Patrick Dempsey isn't bad looking either.

iRate: 3/5 bridal showers
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVpvkMmjK4