Think you've picked out the perfect Valentine's flick Think again
I just about died last year when my boyfriend picked out Monty Python and the Holy Grail for our movie date on Valentine's Day. While Monty Python has its strangely funny moments, it is strangely disturbing on some levels, and I don't quite find it to be an appropriate viewing experience for couples hoping to share some quality, romantic alone time.Even for Valentine's Day, some guys of the shoot-'em-up persuasion may find a true chick flick a little bit hard to swallow. They shouldn't have to spend their lives in fear of February 14, however, since there are quite a few movies besides über-girly ones, including The Notebook or The Wedding Planner, that more action-adventure guys might be able to handle . or even enjoy.
Playing on the cultural stereotype of girls liking chick flicks and guys liking action - though this is certainly not the absolute rule - some chick flicks that guys might enjoy fall into three categories: "Universal Favorites," "Ridiculously Quirky Comedies" and "Gorgeous Guys With Guns."
"Universal Favorites" films are classic movies that everyone - boys, girls, mothers, fathers and even the pet dog - will enjoy. The Devil Wears Prada and Mean Girls both offer stories of the social interactions also known as psychological cat fights. In The Devil Wears Prada, Andy Sachs (Rachel Getting Married's Anne Hathaway) engages in psychological warfare with her high-couture boss, Miranda Priestly (Doubt's Meryl Streep), in an attempt to conquer the fashion world. In Mean Girls, Cady Heron (A Prairie Home Companion's Lindsay Lohan) and Regina George (The Lucky Ones' Rachel McAdams) battle for supremacy in the wild world of high school. Others in this category include Love, Actually, About a Boy, Jerry Maguire and Casablanca.
"Ridiculously Quirky Comedies" play on inane, hilarious sequences - both physical and verbal - that emphasize humor with a romantic side story. These comedies include films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, in which Toula Portokalos ("Team Knight Rider"'s Nia Vardalos) navigates the craziness of her Greek family while planning her wedding to a non-Greek man, a no-no from her family's point of view. 50 First Dates is a film that emphasizes its slapstick humor through the repeated idiotic attempts of Henry Roth (Bedtime Stories' Adam Sandler) to get the attention of Lucy Whitmore (He's Just Not That Into You's Drew Barrymore), a space cadet with short-term memory loss, who forgets Henry after each time she meets him. Others in this category are Wedding Crashers, Mr. Deeds and What Women Want.
"Gorgeous Guys With Guns" plays into the gender-based stereotype regarding films. These movies appeal to guys' adventurous sides while simultaneously presenting very attractive male leads. The Princess Bride is the classic example, with farmhand-turned-pirate Westley (Georgia Rule's Cary Elwes) fighting for the honor of his lovely princess, Buttercup (Beowulf's Robin Wright Penn). Classic lines such as the romantic "As you wish" or the more manly "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die" originated in this '80s fantasy film. More recently, Ocean's Eleven is an intellectual, action-packed thriller that features the eye-catching George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and others to add up to 11 male leads.
If you'd rather have a night out and see a film in theaters, the newly-released movie He's Just Not That Into You is a good bet for a comedic look at dating that all viewers will enjoy.
Tomorrow on Valentine's Day, avoid the stress of picking the wrong film and find a happy balance in a movie that both of you will enjoy. I promise, there is certainly an achievable balance between Monty Python and The Wedding Planner.
Jackie Ammons is a Brown College junior.
More from The Rice Thresher
Scott Abell named football head coach
Rice football has hired Scott Abell as the program’s 20th head coach, according to an announcement from director of athletics Tommy McClelland, who led a national search to fill the position.
Local Foods launches in newly renovated Brochstein space
Local Foods Market opened at Brochstein Pavilion Nov. 19, replacing comfort food concept Little Kitchen HTX. The opening, previously scheduled for the end of September, also features interior renovations to Brochstein. Local Foods is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Scan, swipe — sorry
Students may need to swipe their Rice IDs through scanners before entering future public parties, said dean of undergraduates Bridget Gorman. This possible policy change is not finalized, but in discussion among student activities and crisis management teams.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.