The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

I Want to See That Movie!

Confession time. I like ABBA music. I like the bouncy disco beat, and the harmony, and the lyrics that make me smile – or even cry a few times. And I like to sing along with their songs while driving in my car. Alone. (I wouldn’t subject my family to my warbling.)

So, naturally, I have to see MAMA MIA!

I love Meryl Streep. Also Pierce Brosnin and Colin Firth (Ohhhh, Mr. Darcy!) But they’re not the main reason I’m going. It’s to feel happy. ABBA music makes me feel happy. Musicals make me feel happy. (Sales of my book also make me happy, but that’s another topic.)

The other day on The Today Show the hosts were discussing how some big name movie stars have failed to draw audiences to their movies this season, and it got me to wondering why, if those actors were such box office draws, people didn’t make the effort to see them. Which made me analyze my own reasons for going to the movies. And I came to the conclusion that it’s not about the actors. It’s about the story — or music, in the case of MAMA MIA!, CHICAGO, etc.

I’ve seen some great independent movies this past year that had no big name actors in them. In fact, I hadn’t heard of most of the actors, and after watching the movies, I wondered why. Surely they had as much, if not more, talent than many top actors. For instance, there’s LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. I’d heard of Ryan Gosling, of course, but had never seen him. Or the other actors in the movie. But I have to say, it was one of the better movies I’ve seen this year. (I rented it, btw.)

Do you think maybe we are over-saturated with information about the big name actors, so they’ve ceased to be novelties? I mean, when Clark Gable starred in a movie, everyone went to see him because that’s the only place he could be seen.

Why do you go to a movie? Is it for the movie itself, or for the actors in it? Or both?

Kate

15 Responses to “I Want to See That Movie!”

These days I go to see a movie for the story.
I rent a movie to see a favorite actor or actress.

by annette on July 20th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I do, too, Annette. Or I rent one I’m not sure I’ll like.

As a postscript, I saw MAMA MIA! yesterday and was just blown out of the waters by Meryl Streep’s performance. The movie was so much fun, and the Greek island scenery was breathtaking. And everyone in that theater left smiling.

I’d go see it again in a heartbeat — especially with Colin Firth in it. Be still my heart. (He was GORGEOUS. )

by Kate Collins on July 20th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I’ll go to a movie if I know the story and like it (such as Lord of the Rings), if I’ve captivated by the trailer, or if it’s a sequel to a movie I enjoyed (The Dark Knight, for example). My move taste is wider than my taste in books. I’ll see most genres except for blatant horror or slapstick comedies. I too want to see Mamma Mia. I think Colin Firth is dreamy! I saw a t-shirt that read I LUV Darcy and thought it was perfect for gals like us.

by jb stanley on July 21st, 2008 at 7:12 am
I Luv Darcy, too!

Haven’t been to the movies in forever, but do have LARS sitting on the kitchen counter waiting to be watched. Need to find the time!

by Heather on July 21st, 2008 at 7:54 am
I went to see Mamma Mia the day it opened (rare event!) because my twenty-something daughter wanted to, but I loved it! Meryl Streep is an amazing woman–she can laugh at herself (rare), and she can sing and act at the same time (also rare). I haven’t laughed so hard at a movie in a long time.

Which I think is the point: the movie-viewing public these days is looking for escapism (just as they did during the Depression). They want to spend two hours watching hundreds of people singing and dancing, or watching entire cities blow up–anything that takes them away from the problems of their real life.

Besides–the air conditioning is free!

by Sheila Connolly on July 21st, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’ll admit, it’s a bit of both. Dear Frankie I went to see because it looked sweet.

Now, 300, I went to see that for pure beefcake reasons.

by Marissa on July 21st, 2008 at 11:37 am
Speaking of Mr. Darcy, I just finished a fun, well-written chick-lit book by Alexandra Potter called, “Me and Mr. Darcy.” If you’re in the mood for something light and fun, and you’ve had Darcy fantasies, I’d recommend it.

Sheila, did you notice people in the audience at the theater almost dancing in their seats during Mama Mia! ? And did you stay through the credits to see the surprise performances at the end? Weren’t they a riot?

by Kate Collins on July 21st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I just watched Becoming Jane. I was totally drawn into the story. I loved the real Mr. Darcy. No wonder she didn’t marry after that.

I want to see Mama Mia. I think its been a long time since we’ve had a great musical in the Paint your Wagon catagory.

And, I tend to see movies because of the story. I don’t follow actors much since we tried to have a Nicolas Cage collection and we bought Last Kiss. He’s so unpredictable in his movies, I never know if I’m going to love them or not.

by Lynn on July 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 am
Lynn, would you recommend BECOMING JANE?

by Kate Collins on July 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
A funny movie that I recommend is “Death at a Funeral.” It’s been out on DVD for a while now. It starts out a little weird, but hang with it…my husband and I laughed and laughed.

by Linda on July 22nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Linda, I’ll put that movie in my Netflix queue. Thanks for the recommendation. In this economy, everyone needs plenty of laughs.

by Kate Collins on July 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Great Kate! I hope you like it. It is “british” and I am not much into british films, but I really thought this one was funny.

by Linda on July 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I also go to the movies for the story. Not the actors. And I love to see new, no-name up and coming actors.

And, I too, highly recommend BECOMING JANE. I love it. (I also loved the original PBS series of P&P). Ahhhhhhh. . .no one will ever out-smolder Colin Firth as Mr. Firth. I adore it to this day.

by Maggie on July 23rd, 2008 at 1:34 am
I would recommend Becoming Jane. I held off watching it but when I did I was totally drawn in to the story. I love the scenery as well. I’m a sucker for chemistry stories and Becoming Jane didn’t disappoint me.

by Lynn on July 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
Two movies to add to my Netflix queue! We’ve been getting a lot of the indie movies lately, especially the British ones. The acting is always top-notch.

As for P & P with Colin Firth, I watched the entire set over 4 nights my husband was out of town. I WALLOWED in Mr. Darcy-ness. It was heaven.

by Kate Collins on July 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am

I Want to See That Movie!

15 Responses to “I Want to See That Movie!”

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