Summer Chick Flick Netflix Picks
Ok Netflix, you win. After appearing on my “you might like”, “top picks for Lauren”, “more like this” lists, I finally beat the heat by snuggling up in bed and wasting, I mean (cough), enriching my Sunday afternoons with an intense click flick extravaganza over the past couple of months. The titles all somewhat sound the same, and the plots are predictable (they are chick flicks, after all), but I finished each of them with feeling better than I had watched them for different reasons. I am not a critic, mind you (you’ll see), just your average Netflix binge watcher. But here are my thoughts about the films with hopes that you will enjoy them too. So you too can say, “Get out, friends and family. It’s Netflix time.”
(Disclaimers: Coming from a mother of four, none of these movies are suitable for little eyes, in my opinion. Also they would be bored stiff. For the machomen of the house, nothing of significance blows up, and Vin Diesel appears in absolutely none of these movies. It’s worth it to watch anyway!)
In Your Eyes
A guy and a girl who live on opposite sides of the USA are psychically linked since childhood, being able to inhabit the other’s mind and body at times of their choosing and intense stress. Assuming the foreign “presence” as a sign of insanity, it was fun to see them get to actually know each other once they realized they were linked to an actual person. As a Joss Whedon fan, I had no idea that he had written and executive produced this film until the credits started to roll. There was a very Buffy-esque moment at the end of the film where he made you wait for the other person to show up, hinting that maybe they were crazy all along and the movie has just been messing with you (thanks Joss), but all ends well (sortof. Unless you’re the husband to the female main character. Then it sucks to be you.). I would recommend not thinking about the plot too hard because it’s too easy to punch holes in it, but it’s easy enough to just sit and enjoy.
You’re Not You
If you ever doubted Hilary Swank’s acting prowess, get thee to a couch to watch this movie stat. Oh. My. Gosh. I know she probably has better movies, but the plots all seemed too painful for me (Escapism, please?). Truthfully I didn’t know anything about the plot before I started watching this movie, but I was hooked into it right away. So the plot: A lady is diagnosed and suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, hires a young college student who knows nothing about caring for sick people, it’s Houston based, and did I mention that it’s completely worth watching for Hilary Swank? The title indicates the relationship the two women develop over the course of the film and what they contribute to each other’s lives. It’s a tear jerker without trying too hard to be, I think.
Take Me Home
Things ever get so hard in your life that you just kindof want to not deal with it all? Maybe hop in the first cab you see and embark on a trans-country road trip with a complete stranger? So, probably not in real life, but this movie is great for those that wish they could. It’s well written, the music is right, and it’s entertainingly understated. Give this one a try. (Plus the main characters are maarrieeedd in real life! isn’t that sweet?)
Take Care
A woman gets hit by a car breaking her arm and leg. She lives on the upper floors of her apartment building that has no elevator (of course), and refuses to stay with her sister. Sister lives out of the city and seems like a negative sort anyway who is not overjoyed to help her infirm sister. Friends are too busy. Neighbor spends the entire movie trying NOT to get involved (kindof entertaingly. Also, he’s the same actor as the lead in “In Your Eyes!”). What’s a girl to do? Call her ex boyfriend and force him into taking care of her, of course!
Tonight You’re Mine
(Bonus! This one you have to rent via DVD or another non-Netflix devicey-thing. Bummer, but worth it.)
Remember that time you wanted to make a career out of music? This movie helps remind you, as it was shot live during Scotland’s music festival T in the Park. Even though the acting was marginal and the dialogue so fuzzy I had to turn on subtitles, the surroundings were authentic. Dirty. Drunk. One love. All the other good things you expect from attending music festivals.
So the plot: two musicians from different bands get in a fight in the beginning of the movie. A festival worker witnesses this and handcuffs the two together, sortof as a rock-and-roll version of the “Get Along Shirt.” They stay hooked to one another throughout the day, even having to go on stage with each other while the other performs. As you may predict from looking at the cover photo, they get rather close over the course of the festival. You know what’s going to happen! Watch it anyway!
By Lauren Gummelt, National Marketing Manager for Lincoln Property Company
