Category: Romance

100 Word Review – Romancing The Stone (1984)

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With promotional images like this, what’s not to love?

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Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas star in this romantic action adventure about a novelist (Turner) who sets off to rescue her sister from Columbian smugglers. On the way she encounters a soldier-of-fortune (Douglas) and becomes embroiled in an adventure she could never have imagined.

I’ll admit to being rather sceptical going in to this, but it is actually brilliant. Think Indiana Jones, but with more romance and a three dimensional female lead. Why all adventure films aren’t like this one, I don’t know. A wonderful escapist film, and it’s on Netflix.

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100 Word Review – Safety Not Guaranteed

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Wanted: Somebody to go back in time with me. This is not a joke… You’ll get paid after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.

In 1997, this actually appeared in the classifieds section of an American magazine.

Three journalists (Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni) attempt to find out the truth about Kenneth (Mark Duplass), the recluse who placed it.

There are wonderful characters, so prepare to be moved. Don’t expect explosions. It’s very human, with a grounded level of action and adventure, and a dash of deadpan humour. 

100 Word Review – Easy A (2010)

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More than your average teen Rom Com. 

Olive (Emma Stone) is a clean-cut student who, in an attempt to save her gay friend Brandon (Dan Byrd) from endless bullying, fakes losing her virginity at a party. But no-one can manipulate the High School rumour mill for ever and get away with it.

There are some seriously sized head-nods to classic John Hughes movies and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlett Letter (Easy “A”, get it?) plays its part. If Emma Stone wasn’t enough, the supporting cast’s fantastic; Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Amanda Bynes, Penn Badgley, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell.

Funny, romantic and empowering.

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100 Word Review – Penelope (2006)

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Born with a pig snout and pig ears because of an ancient curse on her family, Penelope (Christina Ricci) must hide from the world until she can finally be accepted by one “of her own kind”.

The cast is baffling; James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Richard E. Grant, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage and Nick Frost to name a few. The accents are beyond confusing. Some are British, some American, no logic applies.

This is a fairytale, but not in the traditional sense. It’s about mothers and daughters. It’s about appearances and curses and self-confidence. It is weird and it is wonderful.

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100 Word Review – A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

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Peter’s (Daid Niven) bomber is going down over the Channel. He makes radio contact with June (Kim Hunter), and American service woman and passes on his dying words.

But when his designated angelic guide gets lost in the fog, he wakes up near June’s house. So he finds himself caught up in a celestial legal battle for his life, literally.

Niven and Hunter are utterly compelling and completely heartbreaking in this classic Powell and Pressburger feature. Full of theological debate and logic, every detail has been clearly thought-through to create a film that is … heavenly.

More than your average romance.

100 Word Review – Her (2013)

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Set in the not-too-distant future, Joaquín Pheonix plays Theodore, a man who becomes romantically involved in his operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).

This is an example of Spike Jonze at his absolute best, combining the romantic whimsy of his adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are (2009) with the psychological intrigue of Being John Malkovich (1999).

Pheonix does a sterling performance as the lonely writer whose desperation for human contact in a world of screens and computers can be empathised with on a global scale.

This film is perfect for any romantics out there, whether or not they like Sci Fi.

100 Word Review – Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

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This is my favourite Studio Ghibli feature.

Set in a steampunk world in the midst of war, we follow Sofi as she’s cursed by the Witch of the Waste and finds herself caught up with the mighty sorcerer, Howl.

There is a dubbed version, with the vocal styling of Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall and Billy Crystal. They do a fantastic job, but the best way to watch it is in the original Japanese.

As with all Hayao Miyazaki’s animation, it is beautiful and perfectly compliments this fantastical story.

Don’t dismiss this as a children’s film; it is so much more.

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100 Word Review – District 9 (2009)

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To me, this is the perfect movie. Socio-political commentary? Check. Set in an alternate universe? Check. Aliens? Documentary-style camera work? Check. Familial ties broken by an unforeseeable disaster? Check. Endearing hero? Check. Romantic love? Check. Action movie style special effects? Check. It even has exploding cows. Seriously, what more could you ask for in Sci Fi film?

Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, 28 years after an alien spaceship appeared over the city, its inhabitants, “Prawns”, are now considered refugees and are living in slums segregated from the rest of the city. This, Neill Blomkamp’s phenomenal first feature, is an absolute must-see.

100 Word Review – In Your Eyes (2014)

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Currently available on Netflix, this charming indie Sci Fi Romance comes from the pen of Joss Whedon (Firefly, Buffy, Avengers). Directed by Brian Hill and starring two relative unknowns, Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl-David, you can expect the nuanced, heartfelt, witty and engrossing story that Whedon is so well known for.

Two strangers from separate corners of the states are connected by a telepathic link that allows them to see life through the other’s eyes and experience their strongest emotions. The result is a mind-bending insight into the disparity between the way we view ourselves and how we are perceived.

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100 Word Review – The Princess Bride (1987)

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Based on the wonderful, unmissable and inconceivable book by William Goldman (screenwriter of Butch Cassidy, Marathon Man and Misery), we follow Buttercup (Robin Wright) in a fairytale like no other.

In love with a farm boy (Cary Elwes), engaged to an evil prince (Chris Sarandon), Buttercup encounters friendly giants, vengeful spaniards and confusing Sicillians on her quest for true love.

This film is a masterpiece of romance, adventure and wit. I defy anyone to watch this film and not enjoy themselves. Just so long as they remember to watch out for the R.O.U.S in the Fire Swamp and the Albino…