Fall in Film: Showcasing Its Beauty

Have you noticed that it's been getting darker earlier? No, the world's not ending. It's fall.

That means shorter days, colder nights, crunchy leaves, apple cider, warm wool blankets.

Film has a nice way of reminding us how beautiful this season can be. Here are some movies that will get you in the fall season.

Good Will Hunting (1997)

My favorite scene to look at has to be the most popular one- when Robin Williams tells Matt Damon how much of an idiot he is while they sit in front of a gorgeous fall lake.

The Village (2004)

Even though I hate M. Night Shyamalan for ruining every ending of every movie he makes, he does know how to make a pretty looking film. "Village" will give you the creeps of the fall scene but also the beauty of the woods.

Stepmom (1998)

Fall acts almost as a catalyst to the story of "Stepmom." It's a time of change and transition -- just as the Harrison family is going through big changes.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Oh Captain, My Captain!

Rudy (1993)

Football in the Fall

Hocus Pocus (1993)

(Totally want Allison's cape/coat)

Halloween is Here!

Far from Heaven (2002)

(Even the clothes are pretty!)

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

In Review: "She's Funny that Way"

The dog and I had the place to ourselves last weekend so I decided to take a scroll through the On Demand options to see what I could find. And then I found this little indie film with Jennifer Aniston, Imogen Poots ("That Awkward Moment"), Owen Wilson, Rhys Ifans ("Notting Hill"), and Kathryn Hahn ("We're the Millers"). It was advertised as a little romantic comedy. It seemed promising enough so I pressed "Rent". It turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable and something I knew I had to share.

The Story

Arnold, a Hollywood screenwriter, is married to Delta, an actress. They are putting on a play together with Delta and their mutual friend Seth playing the starring roles and Arnold directing. When we meet Arnold, he is calling for a prostitute, a call girl, if you want to talk in Audrey-Hepburn lingo. Her name is Glow or actually, Izzy. Izzy lives with her parents and longs to be an actress. Arnold says that if she promises never to be a call girl again, he will give her a ridiculous amount of money (I want to say $300,000, or something like that).

On a side note, we also have Josh, the playwright of our little play, who is currently dating Jane who is taking over her mother's therapy patients while she is in rehab.

I'm just gonna leave you at that, and tell you it's a rom-com so you know something crazy has to happen.

The Stars

I am continually surprised by this Imogen Poots, and saddened by her unfortunate name. She totally outshone Zac Efron in "That Awkward Moment" as the love interest. Here she is once again contagiously likable and believable as a romantic with an unfailing dream. I hope to see more things from her- maybe even a drama?

On the other side, Jennifer Aniston plays such an unlikeable character that you have to love her for it. She's definitely moved away from the Rachel from "Friends" persona with this film and "Horrible Bosses" and "Horrible Bosses 2". Since she may never get an Oscar (though she should have for last year's "Cake"), due to the politics of the Academy, I say, do you're own thing Jen!

The Message

Nothing ever happens the way you think it will, but everything that does happen was meant to be. That is Izzy/Isabella/Glow's motto. And really it's the truth. Life just kind of happens along the way.

Overall

I have really missed the romantic comedy. The real honest-to-goodness-mixed-up-silly-lovable romantic comedy. I'm thinking "It Happened One Night" (1934) and "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), where it was all about mistaken identity or if someone would just say what they feel the problem would all be solved. There's gag like when one person goes in a door while another comes out and they just miss each other by 2 seconds. Almost like the Scooby-Doo doors. The comedy was all about the situation that about grossing anyone out or going overboard with the sex. It was a movie you could watch with your grandma and not feel any awkwardness. That's the classic rom-com. Not that the new age rom-coms are bad, but there's just something about the original format.

This movie is a classic rom-com. It even has the helpless dreamer, but in this case, it's not so much a man she is chasing after as a career and a place in the spotlight. Which in turn, makes it a modern take on the romantic comedy and instead of ending the movie with a true love's kiss, it's ended with a bow on the stage of her dreams.

I was so happy to run into this movie in a classic rom-com meet cute way. I'd recommend this for anyone who needs a laugh at life or a boost in their inner dreamer.

Like other rom-coms, it won't win any awards or stop the presses with its massive sales, but it was perfect for what it was meant to be.

4 out of 4 Doors Opening

Hollywood's Couples: From Spencer and Katherine to Tom and Meg

Back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, stars were paired together and starred in multiple movies together. It was really for economic reasons-- the studio "owned" two actors and to make a quick buck they would put a pair that the audience loved in a bunch of movies together. Kind of like with what they do with sequels nowadays.

Now, we get two actors who just work well together- they have chemistry as the biz likes to say. From this, we get a dream couple who audiences fall in love with the same way they did during the Golden Age.

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart star in this week's new movie "American Ultra". Perviously, we have seen them in "Adventureland" (2009). In honor of this new release, here are a few of your favorite movie couples and the movies they starred in together.

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan

"Sleepless in Seattle" (1993)- They meet via a radio talk show.
"You've Got Mail" (1998)- They meet via email.
"Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990)- They meet via a suicidal vacation trip.
"Ithaca" (Dec. 2015)- They're in it together- we don't actually know for sure what their relationship is.

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

"The Wedding Singer" (1998)-- Easy to sit through and was a musical
"50 First Dates" (2004)-- Could last until the last 30 minutes
"Blended" (2014)-- Couldn't last 15 minutes

Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson

"Fool's Gold" (2008)-- She wants him for his money.
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2003)-- She wants him for a story.

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

"Pretty Woman" (1990)-- He runs away from her.
"Runaway Bride" (1999)-- She runs away from him.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (2005)-- They're married and fall back in love.
"By the Sea" (2015)-- They're married and fall out of love.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet

"Titanic" (1997)-- They're not married and they're blissfully happy.
"Revolutionary Road" (2008)-- They're married and they're incredibly unhappy.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone

"Crazy, Stupid Love" (2011)-- She's a little shy. And at first, with someone else.
"Gangster Squad" (2013)-- She's definitely not shy. And at first, with someone else.

Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams

"Wedding Crashers" (2005)-- They fall in love at a wedding.
"Midnight in Paris" (2011)-- They fall out of love after their wedding.

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence

"Silver Linings Playbook"(2012)-- They're both crazy.
"American Hustle" (2013)-- They're both crazy.
"Serena" (2014)-- She goes a little crazy.
"Joy" (2015)-- They look pretty sane. (We don't know yet)

Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

"The Lake House" (2006)-- Fantasy romance.
"Speed" (1997)-- Romance that happens in thriller/action.

Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey

"Keeper of the Flame" (1942)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Woman of the Year" (1942)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Without Love" (1945)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"The Sea of Grass" (1947)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"State of the Union" (1948)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Adam's Rib" (1949)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Pat and Mike" (1952)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Desk Set" (1957)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967)-- She's stubborn, but he gets to her.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

"To Have and Have Not" (1944)-- She's mysterious and he's tough.
"The Big Sleep" (1946)-- She's mysterious and he's tough.
"Dark Passage" (1947)-- She's mysterious and he's tough.
"Key Largo" (1948)-- She's mysterious and he's tough.

Back to School Movie List

If the calendar hasn't reminded you, the TV commercials certainly have... it's Back-to-School Season! A time of the year when you buy notebooks, pens, erasers, binders, new clothes, new shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes and all of the things we hope will bring us a happy new year of learning. Or for parents, back to the regular schedule, which may be more or less stressful depending on your child's schedule.

In honor of this holiday season, I have compiled a list of movies to get you excited about a new year of school or (in my case) miss the confining and liberating walls of an education.

Enjoy!

Billy Madison (1995)

Although Adam Sandler is on my "Least Favorite Actors" list, this movie is pretty funny. Who doesn't love to see 5th graders beat a grown adult at math problems? There's a whole show about it! It may also make you feel better when you feel like an idiot on the first day of school.

Legally Blonde (2001)

I have to admit, I wasn't all on board with this film the first time I saw it. A movie about the pretty girl getting brains and a guy? Leave some for the brainy and not so attractive girls! But after seeing the musical, I appreciate this film much more and feel bad for this girl who believes that this jerk is worth something.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone(2001)

Sadly, we can't all get an acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But we can all watch the first movie of the tale of the Boy Who Lived.

Matilda (1996)

Be very glad that you don't go to a school like Crunchem Hall run by Principal Agatha Trunchbull. And have to gorge yourself with cake or get put into the Chokey.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

High school is hard. And having to spend your Saturday in detention with a Brain, an Athlete, a Nutcase, a Princess and a Criminal can get interesting.

The School of Rock (2003)

Having Jack Black as your teacher would be one way to have a rockin' school year! Look out for the musical version.

Freaky Friday (2003)

I know it's a remake and it has the not-so-great actress Lindsay Lohan.... BUT Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome! And she totally rocks the teenager-stuck-in-her-mother's-body thing. And mom going to school supposed to be a teenager- well, I think all teenagers wish that could happen.

Fame (2009)

It breaks my heart that this movie didn't revive the "famed" 1980 movie and TV series. But I think it had the potential- it included some of the original material, new modern material, and all of the heart and heartbreak that came with the original series and film.

Dead Poets Society (1984)

I didn't watch this movie until I was in college, but I wish I would've watched it earlier. Not only does it speak to the power of literature but the power of a great teacher.

Election (1999)

Did you ever run for a student election? I don't think anyone's was this crazy. This is Reese Witherspoon at her very best as the controlling OCD student who will stop at nothing to win. (Maybe Elle Woods should have taken some advice from Tracy Flick)

An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000)

Going to college is supposed to be a time when you move away from home and learn to live on your own, but not for Max Goof, Goofy's son. Goofy finds out that he has to go back to college so he decides to kill two birds with one stone by spending more time with his son and going back to school. This movie instilled my love of disco music and extreme sports.

Did I miss any of your favorite back to school movies? Leave me a comment and tell me what I missed.

Happy Back-to-School!

In Review: "Trainwreck"

Out of nowhere comes Amy Schumer. Anyone remember her from 8 months ago? I don't. But then she brings us this brilliant movie that turns the dating world on its head and high-fives all feminists. It was a thing of beauty.

Someone did their marketing really well-- they got me to know who this girl was, enjoy her a little, get me in a theater seat to watch this indie movie I would have never seen, and totally fall in love with it.

The Story

Amy (played by Amy Schumer) likes to party and likes men... likes to sleep with men. She has a crummy job where she works at a womanizing men's magazine run by a down-talking pain-in-the-butt (played by Tilda Swinton). She has a sister (played by Bri Larson) who is married and has an adopted son and continues to warn her of the perils of her ways. She has a father (played by Colin Quinn) who doesn't believe in monogamy, and thoroughly educated his girls at an early age.

Amy is assigned to do a story about Aaron, a sports doctor who is going to do this intensive surgery to fix this oh-so-important athlete's knee. Hating the basic concept of sports, Amy goes in with a closed mind but ends up with what she believes to be a hook-up. Turns out this crazy guy actually likes her and wants to date her. Oh the horror.

Amy learns a lot about herself and about love through this relationship, as any girl would in a romantic comedy. But only Amy Schumer can do it this way. It's a role-reversal romantic comedy that now makes me gag whenever I watch an actual romantic comedy.

The Stars

Where did this girl come from? I had literally never heard of her before this movie started being talked about. And then all of the sudden that's all anyone is talking about is this crazy feminist comic. Now she's got her own TV show which has so many fantastic skits and she is on every magazine cover (scandalous and otherwise) that you can't walk 10 feet without running into this girl. And she is awesome. Not only did she star in this movie but she also wrote it. You know, because she could. And someone let her.

Bill Hader is good as an awkward doctor who has totally fallen for this girl. It's nice to see him in something different, but I much prefer his other comedic work.

The Message

The romantic comedies want you to believe that a girl's life doesn't start until she meets the right guy. They want you to believe that she is not the person she is meant to be until she finds that special someone. That's why she has to get makeovers of all kinds because as she is now is not good enough for Mr. Perfect. And when our girl finds Mr. Right, her life will forever be perfect.

This is all false. This has nothing to do with real life, as Amy tells us. No guy can change a girl- only a girl can change who she is. No one will force her to change. And when you do happen to find that person who makes you feel like $1 million, you won't always be perfectly happy. And you're relationship will not automatically and always be 100% perfect. Because there's this thing called life. And life gets messy and people in life are messy so you have to fight and work hard to keep that relationship.

It is really not until Amy realizes that she is hurting herself and the people around her that she walks away from her life of booze and men. She already was in a relationship with the right guy, and it didn't magically solve anything. They had to work at it and have fights and long night talks and get really frustrated. And still their lives and relationship were not perfect. Because that's real life. Not some romantic comedy.

Overall

The comedy she does is unlike any other I have seen. She's not the skinniest or the prettiest star out there, but that's not her joke. Yeah she really did party and sleep around when she was younger, but that's not her joke. Her joke is about this idea we have created about love. The idea that women are the ones who want to save sex for some magic later date, that men are the ones who ask the girl out, that women are the ones who cry and eat ice cream after a breakup-- I could go on and on.

Not only does Amy tackle the idea of love, but she also looks at sexism in the workplace, body image issues, and the poor state of nursing homes. One of my favorite scenes is when the magazine staff has a meeting where only the male reporters get to pitch their ideas and only the male reporters get a say in what they write. I love another scene where Amy lists off what she didn't eat today. And finally, the references to how ridiculously expensive it is to take care of your aging parent.

But the movie wasn't perfect. It was over 2 hours long and several scenes could have been cut for either being not that funny or just dragging the moving action down. I also didn't like the ending very much. It felt a lot like what I would see in every other romantic comedy, and I kept waiting for something different to happen. Maybe even some bluppers would have satisfied my need to laugh a little at the end.

But overall, this movie is for all the romantics and all of the realists. It's for anyone who has gotten their heart broken and had to start over. It's for anyone who has fallen in love with Amy Schumer since her recent explosion of fame.

3 out of 4 Amy Schumers