Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Join us on our adventures through the world of cinema - all you have to do is pick three movies that fit the week's theme and write a bit about them!
Happy Summer, everyone!
I don't know about where you are, but here in NYC, Mother Nature has definitely made it clear that we are in Summer - it's been hot and sticky and altogether uncomfortable most days recently. Remind me again why so many people LOVE Summer?
Oh right. Summer means Summer Vacation. Even for those of us who are no longer in school and don't have kids in school (or work in a school ourselves), vacation really is synonymous with the Summer season. Me, I stopped taking a vacation in Summer as soon as I graduated from college - partly because I couldn't really afford it and partly to avoid all the crowds (seriously, wait until a couple of weeks into September and it's SO much nicer). Thankfully, this week we're just picking movies with a Summer Vacation theme, not actually fighting the hordes of people also on their vacation. Staycation, anyone? These will keep you very good company.
Dirty Dancing (Emile Ardolino, 1987) It is the summer of 1963, and Baby (real name: Florence - you decide which is worse) cannot wait to get out of this luxurious Catskills resort her parents have brought her and her sister to, and instead be at Mount Holyoke College so she can prepare to join the Peace Corps. But all that changes when she gets snuck into one of the staff parties and meets Johnny Castle, the resort's dance instructor and resident hot piece. Many dance lessons (and "dance lessons") later, Baby becomes pretty good at it, but forces conspire against our age-inappropriate lovers - until the climactic moment, which is by now so ingrained in the cultural consciousness that you probably know it even if you haven't seen the movie. As for the movie itself? It's perfectly charming, and totally predictable... and it WORKS, thanks in no small part to the undeniable chemistry between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze as the leads. It may be cheese, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.
The Way Way Back (Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, 2013) 14 year-old Duncan is terminally shy, and not at all interested in spending a summer with his mom and her new boyfriend at his beach house. But one day, he ends up at the Water Wizz water park and meets the owner Owen, who sees a kid in desperate need of a confidence boost. So he hires him to do odd jobs around the park (and I do mean "odd"), where the staff love him like the kid brother some of them may never have had. And, slowly but surely, Duncan matures and gains confidence in himself. Another charmer, this one has a terrific supporting cast (Sam Rockwell is great as Owen, Toni Collette is still the best movie mom even if she deserves MUCH better parts, and Allison Janney steals the show as always as the drunk next door) that elevates the movie from cute nostalgia exercise to a funny, moving portrait of adolescence.
Les vacances de M. Hulot (Jacques Tati, 1953) I save the best for last, because this is just the best. Jacques Tati is the master of the sight gag, and all of his films are chock full of them. But this is his sweetest, a love letter to the seaside summer vacationers that flocked to the southern coast of France - and those who waited on them hand and foot. It's sometimes very subtle comedy, but always worthy of a chuckle, and more often worthy of guffaws. It is one of my first All-Time Favorites, and it still fills me with the same warm feeling every time I watch it.
I've seen Firty Dancing...finally about a year ago and all I wanted to do was slap Baby. I think I would still go with Florence but ughhhhh. I just am not one for this flick because of that chick. Now I have to see your other 2 for sure and have marked them down. Actually the last one is already marked down from earlier times
I haven't seen Dirty Dancing in years. I was really disappointed with The Way Way Back though, even though Rockwell was great in it. I haven't seen your 3rd pick.
Your right that Dirty Dancing is cheesy but wholesome cheese that goes down easy. I'll watch snippets of it if I stumble across it on TV even now. My sister was a huge fan and must have seen it in the theatre a dozen times.
I liked but didn't love The Way, Way Back but you can't beat that cast. Sam Rockwell has his own funky charm.
I wasn't enraptured with Mr. Hulot's Holiday but I think it was one of those cases where it had been praised to the skies before I saw it so my expectations were too high. I found it pleasant and little more.
I'm with you about taking vacations a bit out of season, September and October really are the best times, but that's not what were looking at here so my trio all take place during the prime season.
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 can totally see that happening with M. Hulot's Holiday - it's VERY low-key, a pleasant amble along the beach as opposed to a fast-paced jetski ride.
I haven't seen any of your picks, although I've seen clips from Beach Blanket Bingo. I think. All the Frankie and Annette movies blur together. I like Nia Vardalos, but My Life in Ruins looked even more low-rent and obvious than My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which I enjoyed but mostly for the supporting cast (Andrea Martin and Lainie Kazan!), who I don't recall being in this one.
Never gave Dirty Dancing a proper viewing, but I've seen it all through the years in bits and pieces. Fun, but certainly cheesy. Haven't seen your other two.
I hear you man, the heat is insane here in London too. Its unusually hot here reaching a wopping 32 degrees in recent weeks. Also, yes Sept is far better time to escape. The Way Way Back was better than I thought it would be, loved Sam Rockwell and wanted to punch Steve Carrell. Oh Dirt Dancing, can't escape this.
I've seen Firty Dancing...finally about a year ago and all I wanted to do was slap Baby. I think I would still go with Florence but ughhhhh. I just am not one for this flick because of that chick. Now I have to see your other 2 for sure and have marked them down. Actually the last one is already marked down from earlier times
ReplyDeleteLOL I know. I find Jennifer Grey totally charming, but Baby is kind of annoying.
DeleteI haven't seen Dirty Dancing in years. I was really disappointed with The Way Way Back though, even though Rockwell was great in it. I haven't seen your 3rd pick.
ReplyDeleteAw, how come? I didn't LOVE Way Way Back but it was so charming and I loved the cast.
DeleteYour right that Dirty Dancing is cheesy but wholesome cheese that goes down easy. I'll watch snippets of it if I stumble across it on TV even now. My sister was a huge fan and must have seen it in the theatre a dozen times.
ReplyDeleteI liked but didn't love The Way, Way Back but you can't beat that cast. Sam Rockwell has his own funky charm.
I wasn't enraptured with Mr. Hulot's Holiday but I think it was one of those cases where it had been praised to the skies before I saw it so my expectations were too high. I found it pleasant and little more.
I'm with you about taking vacations a bit out of season, September and October really are the best times, but that's not what were looking at here so my trio all take place during the prime season.
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 can totally see that happening with M. Hulot's Holiday - it's VERY low-key, a pleasant amble along the beach as opposed to a fast-paced jetski ride.
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks, although I've seen clips from Beach Blanket Bingo. I think. All the Frankie and Annette movies blur together. I like Nia Vardalos, but My Life in Ruins looked even more low-rent and obvious than My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which I enjoyed but mostly for the supporting cast (Andrea Martin and Lainie Kazan!), who I don't recall being in this one.
Never gave Dirty Dancing a proper viewing, but I've seen it all through the years in bits and pieces. Fun, but certainly cheesy. Haven't seen your other two.
ReplyDeleteYeah, for a long time I had seen nearly all of Dirty Dancing but never the whole thing. Finally watched a few years ago and was thoroughly charmed.
DeleteI picked Dirty Dancing too :) Your other choices look good.
ReplyDeleteThey are! I figured Dirty Dancing would be a popular one.
DeleteI picked Dirty Dancing too. Not a great movie but I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteExactly. And there's something to be said for being so easily entertaining.
DeleteI hear you man, the heat is insane here in London too. Its unusually hot here reaching a wopping 32 degrees in recent weeks. Also, yes Sept is far better time to escape. The Way Way Back was better than I thought it would be, loved Sam Rockwell and wanted to punch Steve Carrell. Oh Dirt Dancing, can't escape this.
ReplyDelete