1998

Cast- Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Christine Taylor

Robbie Hart is a wedding singer, a good one, but still a wedding singer and on his wedding day his bride-to-be decides that it isn’t enough for her.  Robbie is depressed but finds purpose in helping Julia plan her wedding to Glen, a less than impressive fiance.

Why I love it- It is no secret that I love all things 80’s, so this ode to the 80’s is an obvious fit for me.  I held off seeing it, however, due to its lead.  I am not a fan of Adam Sandler movies (I did love him on Saturday Night Live), so I was surprised that I totally fell for him as the wedding singer.  He had a vulnerability and normalcy in this movie that I hadn’t seen from him before.  And if you add the always charming Drew Barrymore, well you have the basis for a good flick.

It hit the over the top 80’s vibe just right, with the pop culture references, the music and wardrobe.  Just look at the poster and Adam Sandler’s permed hair!  It took me back to my high school days (a little) and life before cell phones and texting when a cd player was the hot new thing.

I never would have thought I would buy into Adam Sandler as a romantic lead, but what can I say?  His song to Julia at the end is one that I sing to my hubby 😉  And it’s funny.  It’s a sweet romantic comedy.

Fun Fact- In a recent Entertainment Weekly poll of favorite wedding movies The Wedding Singer tied for second with Wedding Crashers.  Father of the Bride was #1.

1987

Cast- Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach

Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is visiting Kellerman’s resort in the Catskills with her family before she heads off to college in the fall.  Always the good girl who wants to make the world a better place she is struck by the lust bug when she sees sexy Johnny Castle doing the dirty dance.  She helps his childhood friend and by doing that is able to be close to Johnny.  As a dance instructor at the resort the older Johnny knows he shouldn’t get involved with Baby, but some things are just meant to be.

Why I love it- Where to start?  Thanks to Netflix streaming I was able to watch this for free this week and was amazed that I could have forgotten how good it was.  I always think of it as one of the core 1980’s movies of my teen years, but watching it again after so many years made me fall in love with this romance all over again. 

Let’s start with Baby.  I think any teenage girl will see at least some part of themself in Baby.  She is awkward, insecure, and at 17 wants to grown up already.  She also exudes this idealism and goodness that appeals to me.  She made Johnny want to be a better person and isn’t that what we all want our significant others to think?  Jennifer Grey somehow pulls off a 17 year old to perfection, although she was 27 at the time.

Next is Johnny, who, let’s face it, is the romantic bad boy that we all secretly hoped we could snag and keep when we were teens.  We would be the only one who saw the real man inside, the good person he was (okay, maybe I’m projecting here).  Somehow this older guy who had ‘had many women’ fell under Baby’s spell and still managed to maintain his rough edges. I mean, c’mon, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” made every girl fall in love.  I loved Patrick Swayze in this role.

So, it was a love story, but it was also about being your best self and not judging other people.  And the soundtrack is one that takes me back every time.  I always gets a little teary at the last song ‘Time of Your Life’ and this week was no different.  Don’t ask me why.  As for the dancing, it was like watching Dancing with the Stars, only less sparkly and with more heat. 

The story, the acting, the music, the dancing all make this a great movie and one that I should watch more that every ten years or so.  There were so many clips to choose from, but I went with Patrick Swayze singing She’s Like the Wind with clips from the movie.  He was so talented.

1988

Cast- Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino

Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Original Screenplay, Best Director

Charlie Babbitt is a selfish car dealer who needs money fast.  When his estranged father dies he heads back to Ohio for the reading of the will.  Only Charlie wasn’t left with any money.  When he discovers the wealth was left to someone else he tracks them down.  What he finds is an autistic brother he never knew about.  Still miffed about the money he kidnaps him and the two begin a cross-country journey that won’t leave either one of them the same.

Why I love it- The two powerhouse performances stand out in this beautiful story of redemption.  Hoffman may have won the Oscar for his superb acting, but Cruise was also impressive.  These two made an already sharp script shine.  Hoffman is heartbreaking and heartwarming as Raymond and Cruise’s Charlie has such a transformation that it leaves you rooting for him when you hated him two hours before.  I liked watching Charlie come to understand Raymond and with that came the love of a brother he never knew he needed. 

This was autism before everyone knew what autism was.  It is a look at the love and value an autistic person has, when often those things are overlooked.  You can’t help but fall in love with Raymond.  There is such a beauty and humor in this film that it makes it hard to forget.  I loved when Raymond made his first joke.  What could have been a depressing movie came to life with a sharp wit and great writing. 

My Favorite 100 Movie List

2009

Cast- Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson

Margaret Tate is a powerful book editor in New York City and Andrew Paxton is her beaten down executive assistant of three years.  When Margaret is told she’ll be deported back to Canada because she didn’t take care of her visa she forces Andrew to marry her so she can stay in the country and keep her job.  They head to Sitka, Alaska to tell his family and the threat of the immigration officer follows them.

Why I love it – This is not the best romantic comedy ever made, but there are so many things I love about it.  I loved the interaction and chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.  The love/hate back and forth was fun and I could watch those two all day.  They are a great pair and I’d like to see them together again.  I also loved Betty White.  As Gammy she stole the scenes she was in and this was the beginning of her resurgence back into the spotlight, where she rightfully belongs.  The rest of the cast was great and I’ll give a shout out to Ramone, Sitka’s caterer, exotic dancer, and general store clerk.  Every town should have one 🙂

The movie is more funny than romantic and it works.  And we got to see both leads naked, not something every movie has the guts to do.  Thank you, Ryan!  It was supposed to take place in Alaska, but it was mainly filmed in Massachusetts and it was beautiful.  Makes me want to vacation there.  There is nothing new in the plot, but it’s the acting, humor, and the leads that make this a guilty pleasure for me.