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Hello there, it's Thursday Movie Picks's time, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.
Wow, I can't believe it's July already! These six months have flown by, just like summer vacations always do. And the characters of my three picks wish their vacations would never end.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Jesse, an American tourist, and Celine, a French student, meet by chance on the train from Budapest to Vienna. They develop a connection and decides to spend the day together in Vienna. Sadly this will be their only day together and they already know it. This is one of my favourite romances ever. It's another of Linklater's plotless movies that delight with some fascinating ordinary conservations, unforgettable characters and great leads.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Baby is spending the summer at a resort with her family and she falls in love Johnny, the camp's dance instructor. I'm not crazy about this film, but it's kinda fun. It has some good music and some memorable dancing. Seriously, that last dancing scene is breathtaking. And Patrick Swayze is a charmer.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Four best friends spend their first summer apart from one another and find a way to stay connected passing around a pair of jeans that fits each of their bodies perfectly. During my teenage years, this film was on television every single summer. And I watched it every single time. It's a cheesy teen chick flick but I loved it because I was a cheesy teen. Not sure how I'd feel about it now.
I love that the Sisterhood girls all stayed good friends in RL. That makes me so happy. I still have yet to see the Before trilogy.
ReplyDeleteDo yourself a favor and watch it :)
DeleteDirty Dancing is schmaltzy and ridiculous but also highly enjoyable in its goofy way, and Jerry Orbach is very good as Baby's father.
ReplyDeleteI hated Before Sunrise, I'm not a fan of either one of the leads and I've come to realize I don't like Linklater's directorial style-I DETESTED Boyhood. I wouldn't go near either of the sequels with a ten foot pole.
I haven't seen Sisterhood, it just never appealed to me but my niece loved it.
My first is a trifle dopey but has beautiful scenery and a light tone, my other two are simple escapist fare.
My Life in Ruins (2009)-Stranded in Athens teacher Georgia (Nia Vardalos) takes a job as a tour guide which she hates and isn’t very good at hiding it. Every group seems just like the last-a goofy couple, a frat boy, a sullen teen, a feuding couple, divorcées looking for a mate, and the funny guy who really isn’t. Mostly tourists on summer vacation and mostly Americans they’re historied out by the time she gets them and most just want to shop. Her latest group looks like it will be business as usual but as unexpected events transpire what starts out so badly slowly turns into a life changing pleasure. Genial romantic comedy filled with stunning views of Greece.
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)-It’s summer vacation so Frankie & Annette along with Bonehead and the whole gang hit the beach and battle Eric Von Zipper and his gearheads to save the kidnapped singing star Sugar Kane (Linda Evans) with the help of mermaid Lorelei (hey it’s a beach party movie go with it). The ultimate AIP summer flick where all the typical elements gelled into the best of the series with the catchiest theme song.
Gidget (1959)-17 year old Frances Lawrence (Sandra Dee) goes to the beach one day on her summer vacation with her girlfriends. While they are sunning she decides to take a swim and promptly gets bumped on the head by surfboarder Moondoggie (James Darren). Intrigued by both the sport and the boy she buys a second hand board with her birthday money and is soon hitting the waves with Moondoggie and his gang of buddies lead by slightly older beach bum The Kahuna (Cliff Robertson) who dub her Gidget (a contraction of Girl and Midget). From then on it’s pretty much sun, fun and hitting the curl until the film takes a darkish turn when Kahuna, who’s been traveling around the world chasing the perfect wave, faces an existential life crisis but that doesn’t stop Gidget and Moondoggie from falling in love. Enormously successful film with a very appealing Sandra Dee followed by several sequels and a short lived TV show that introduced Sally Field to the world.
I'm sorry to hear that, Linklater is one of my favourite directors.
DeleteI love dancing but I am not one for Dirty Dancing even though Patrick Swayze was good. He really was meant to a star in the 30's, 40's and 50's when musicals were the big thing. Anyone named Baby needs a good slap. I haven't watch before Sunrise or the other 2 even though I love Europe especially Vienna. I have only seen part of Travelling Pants and should give it a go one day
ReplyDeleteI agree both on Swayze and Baby.
DeleteBefore Sunrise is such a magical movie as is the follow up but I never saw the last one
ReplyDeleteThe last one is great too. It explores the more mature relationship between Jesse and Celine very well.
DeleteI've not watched the Before movies, yet. Someday soon. I think. Linklater doesn't usually do it for me so I'm a bit apprehensive about them. Pretty sure I've seen every part of Dirty Dancing. I've just never sat and watched it from beginning to end. My daughter has been bugging me to since she loves it so at some point I'll give it a real go. Just never bothered with your last pick.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, I think you're not going to love the Before trilogy. If I were you though, I'd still give it a try.
DeleteI picked Dirty Dancing too :) I had forgotten about The Sisterhood, good choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteDirty Dancing has grown on me in recnt years but it will always be a cheesy film. But I don't mind watching it, especially if a drinking game is involved.
ReplyDeleteNot a chick flick gal so sisterhood was avoided. I do still want to see the Linklater trio of sunset/sunrise films.
A Dirty Dancing drinking game you say? That's be interesting.
DeleteI think Before Sunrise is the one I like least out of the Before series...only because the other two are so much more superior.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Sisterhood movie around 2006..thought it was the dumbest thing ever, in terms of concept...a pair of jeans that fit all of them and be the thing that strengthens their friendship or whatever...I don't really remember how the actual movie was.
I don't know. I love all the movies of the Before series and I'd feel guilty to say which one I like least. Each one of them as its own thing, so they all have something special that makes them stand out.
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