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Chick flicks have gotten quite a bad rap from both men and women, yet we females can't help but flock to the theater when we see a Nicholas Sparks
A chick flick is the slang term to define any film that targets women. There are thousands of these out there and they span across several genres; however, the two most popular categories are dramas and romantic comedies. Dramas can lay on the melodrama pretty thick, yet even so will often fail to tap into our emotions. Rom-coms, on the other hand, tend to be wildly unrealistic and not very amusing, and they have the bad habit of stereotyping women. A good chick flick needs to have a happy medium between the sentimentality and the sappiness. Like any great movie, it needs an original plot with identifiable characters. I'll be the first to admit that while I do enjoy those happy endings, my ideal formula will show me something unexpected or portray a love story from a different perspective.
There are quite a few actors who have been typecast into these movies, including Meg Ryan,,,,,.
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Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn if you like this movie or not! Scarlett can deal with all the hardships of the Civil War, but is completely unable to admit her feelings for Rhett. If you miss this one, I question your devotion to the chick flick canon. |
Sure, it fits the genre, but it also happens to be one of the greatest movies of all time. That doesn't happen too often. A cynical expatriate meets his former lover in Casablanca during WWII. It may not be your favorite today and maybe not tomorrow, but it will be soon and for the rest of your life. |
And I said "What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?" She said, "I think I remember the film. And as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it." And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got." Thank you Deep Blue Something |
Go back in time when movies were well written, acted, and directed. Enjoy the comedy of Clark Gable who plays a reporter looking for a story. Of course he wasn't expecting to fall for the girl he's writing the story about! Dun dun dun! |
Laura and Alex have more than just a brief encounter when they meet at a cafe one afternoon. Laura is a bored housewife who soon finds herself falling in love. Will the pair let their affair continue or will she remain faithful to her husband? |
| Not Too Old, Not Too New, Just Right | ||||
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Oh, the age old question: can men and women be just friends? Well, apparently not. Harry and Sally try to remain best pals over the years, but pesky love has to get in the way. I'll have what she's having...a turkey on rye, with extra spicy mustard please. |
"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Quite a good summary of this movie. We follow the lives of this circle of friends down in Louisiana. The movie blends comedy and drama as we watch these women's lives unfold. |
This certainly isn't your typical love story. It's not every day a rich businessman falls for an uncouth prostitute. Probably a little unrealistic and creepy, but watch as this crude, scantily dressed escort quickly turns into the belle of the ball. |
What woman can resist Patrick Swayze in his prime? Alas, he is killed by a mugger...but his ghost lives on to warn his former girlfriend of further crime. The only problem is that Whoopi Goldberg is the only one who can hear him. A little creeptacular? Definitely. But it still gets these tears flowing. |
Despite my personal loathing for this movie, every other girl on the planet loves it. One evening Sam calls into a radio show and pours his heart about his late wife. Cue vast amount of love letters pouring in to meet him, including one from an engaged Annie Reed. I prefer these two in You've Got Mail |
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Nobody puts Baby in a corner. Yeah, you tell 'em, Johnny! Frances goes upstate with her family on vacation; it isn't long before she falls in love with the dance instructor and causes a rift in her family. At least watch it for a super hunky Swayze dancing around. |
Poor Hugh Grant is never able to find love: always a groomsman, never a groom. At wedding numero uno he falls in love with Carrie; however, fate is determined to keep these two love birds apart. Will they meet up again at wedding number 2, 3, or 4? Hmm...maybe at the funeral.... |
Show me this movie! Jerry is a successful sports agent who one day has an epiphany about his job and where his life is headed. Unfortunately, it leads to him losing his job, but he does find love--that counts for something. He even had her at "hello." |
It only takes about a day for these two to fall hard, but who's counting? I guess it's all that fresh sea air and the whole opposites always attract law. A forbidden love affair, a giant ship, and one big iceberg--this film was king of the year back in '97. |
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It doesn't get any more serious than this. Sophie struggles with her past experiences in a Nazi concentration camp and tries to cope with her unstable and abusive lover. Quite possibly one of the darkest chick flicks you will ever watch, and an extremely emotional movie in general. |
You just can't go wrong with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson. Follow the relationship of a mother and daughter searching for love and acceptance from each other. It's one of my mother's favorites and probably your mom's too! Check out the sequel The Evening Star |
This was the chick flick back in 1996. I don't think any man went willingly to see this movie, and maybe for good reason. Almâsy is a badly burned pilot, and through flashbacks, we see his life of love, betrayal, and politics during WWII. |
This movie is also known as Friends Forever, so you can probably guess what it's about. Follow the journey of these two friends as they deal with love, relationships, and each other! Next time you see your BFF, let her know she is the wind beneath your wings. *Tear* |
Another chick flick that's actually been recognized as one of the best movies of the nineties. While Francesca's family is away at a state fair, she meets and falls in love with a photographer passing through town. She writes down the experiences in her diary, which her children discover after her death years later. |
| Feel Good Movies | ||||
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I don't know why, but I just love this movie. Maybe it's because Madonna wasn't half bad in it or because it was before Rosie O'Donnell got overbearing. Most likely because it's a delightful movie about two sisters playing in the first women's professional baseball league. And don't forget Tom Hanks' famous "There's no crying in baseball!" line. |
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Screams ultimate campy chick flick but it's just too good not to enjoy. Everyone gets wanting to attend the ten-year high school reunion and wow his or her classmates with a tale of inventing Post-Its |
Loved by ladies, but I think guys can actually admit to watching and liking this one. A T-Bird in love with a square?! As if! Grab your Pink Ladies' jacket and sing of those wonderful summer nights. Despite its anti-feminist view of changing for someone else, the music is too catchy to pass up. |
Okay, like oh my God, this was totally one of the most important movies of the nineties! Okay, maybe not, but it was Alicia Silverstone's most memorable role and it still makes me laugh. Follow the confusing life of a rich teen from Beverly Hills. Next to Mean Girls, it has the best quotes ever. And may I remind you that it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty! |
It's Cady's first time in public school and she's about to understand the full complexity of being around so many other teen girls. Enjoy a sober Lindsay Lohan back when she made some decent movies. |
| Not Your Traditional Love Story | ||||
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A simple road trip turns awry when Louise kills a man who tries to rape Thelma. Looks like we're going to Mexico, gals! This film has one of the most famous cliff-hanger endings. Hold on tight. |
Three old chums are reunited after their friend commits suicide because her husband left her for a younger woman. We soon find out they are all in the same boat. Now insert a hilarious plot for revenge against their ex-husbands. |
Brad Pitt plays Death, who takes on a human form to take Anthony Hopkins to the "other side." However, Death meets Hopkins' enchanting daughter and soon finds himself having a grand old time here on Earth. |
Based on the book of the same name, this film portrays the lives of Chinese-American women and their first-generation mothers. The film and book are praised for presenting a sensitive portrayal of the culture. |
Chris and Annie are happily married, but after the deaths of their two children, Annie becomes unstable. After he dies in an accident, she commits suicide. Chris must then make a disturbing journey from Heaven to Hell to be with his wife again. |
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Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess, is a quirky Brit struggling to cope with work, her love life, and her weight. Despite falling for her boss, she can't help thinking about the uptight Mr. Darcy--she used to run around naked in his paddling pool as a child. |
Warning: chick flick overload! This actually has eight different stories rolled into one feature. Falling in and out of love, grieving a failed relationship, having sex with people who aren't your partner, this has it all. No matter where you look, some form of love is all around. *Insert awww here* |
Nicholas Sparks has this uncanny ability to make every girl weep after reading his books. A total stereotype of young romance, but the way it is presented is just beautiful and touching. Social differences may separate them, but love knows no boundaries. |
This indie hit it huge at the box office. Not only was it just plain funny, it was so simple: a normal guy falls in love with a normal girl, but they have to deal with her crazy Greek family. It wasn't sappy, it wasn't melodramatic. It felt real. It reminded me of Christmas every year with my large, and very loud, Italian family. |
I don't think you possibly could have squeeze any more estrogen into this. It was the ultimate chick TV show and now it's on the big screen. Join your favorite gals for more fashion, more shoes, and more sex, of course. |
| Because I Believe My Opinion Matters Too | ||||
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Kate flies to France to win back her former fiance but runs into the not-so-charming thief Kevin Kline. If the beautiful French setting doesn't win you over, Kline's humor and French accent will. Odd pairings are hit or miss--it's not a bull's-eye, but it's close enough. |
So what would a real-life Cinderella story be like? Drew Barrymore may not have a fairy godmother, but she gets a little help from Leonardo da Vinci, and she certainly doesn't need rescuing. She's strong-willed and smart--and a much better role model than other fairy-tale characters. |
Maybe it's my love for Diane Lane or the adorableness that is John Cusack, but I just love this movie. In an age of online dating, this romance isn't too far-fetched. Cusack is as quirky as ever and Lane is just so darn lovable. If you're looking for a steamier option though, check out Lane in Unfaithful |
Holly is a young, grief-stricken widow who begins to receive letters from her late husband. Her friends and family are worried it's tying her to the past; however, the letters are an attempt for Holly to move on and enjoy her life. It's a clever little story, but just make sure those tissues are still nearby. |
Who knew chocolate was so sinful? A single mother and her daughter open up a chocolate shop in a conservative French town and the townsfolk are quite a bit skeptical about her. Simple plot, much deeper meaning. Absolutely fell in love with it. |
