I would dub this a holiday movie review because most of what I watched was related to this time of year! Perhaps the only good Christmas movies I know got watched, but I’m warning you that the number is low. There are also some sad films in the mix, because everything happy probably always has a little bit of sadness, too.
Just Friends – I mean, do I even really need to explain why I watch this movie every year since its release in 2005? I shouldn’t, but I will. This is early Ryan Reynolds comedy, paired with an equally hilarious ensemble, including Anna Faris, Chris Klein, Chris Marquette, and Julie Hagerty. The ultimate friend-zone to love interest movie with fat suits, stun guns, and a totally destroyed Christmas display along the way. My sister and I laugh from start to finish every time we watch this, and after 15 years it’s about time for you to watch this, too!
The Night Before – Perhaps my favorite Christmas movies are raunchy comedies, because this one follows close behind Just Friends in terms of most-viewed. A trio of friends have been celebrating Christmas Eve together ever since Ethan’s parents died in a car crash 15 years ago. On their last outing some crazy hijinks ensue, aided by a lot of drugs and a lot of detours before getting to the infamous Nutcracker Ball. Hilarious at every turn. Seth Rogan in a Catholic church is my personal favorite scene.
Holiday in Handcuffs – Melissa Joan Hart just posted the other day that she’s watched this for the first time since it aired back in 2007 and it blows my mind that’s she’s both never seen it and that that much time has passed! Ugh! Anyways, this film follows Trudy, who’s life is sort of in shambles. In a last-ditch effort to come across as put together by her family, she kidnaps a man a diner who eventually goes along with playing her boyfriend. Hart and Mario Lopez are just so dang perfect in this, and there is a very healthy doses of comedy peppered throughout. Also an annual viewing by me and my sister.
The Family Stone – It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this dram-rom-com holiday film, and for good reason. At the time I thought all of the characters were prickly, and it really was a bit sad! Nobody wants to watch something sad at the holidays! I will say, upon my second viewing I really enjoyed it a lot more. Luke Wilson’s character was goofy and Rachel McAdams was the perfect amount of bratty. While I liked the ensemble, nothing makes Sarah Jessica Parker’s Meredith any easier to swallow. She is extremely awkward for about 99 percent of the film, but it’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always – Similar in plot to Unpregnant, this film follows Autumn as she travels from Pennsylvania to New York with her cousin to get an abortion. Unlike Unpregnant, this is a straight drama, and it’s more technical in nature to what the journey to get and abortion and the procedure itself would be like. Star turns by everyone in the cast that really make the film feel grounded.
Final Portrait – This film was a portrayal of real-life, prominent Swiss artist, Alberto Giacometti and one of his closest friends, James Lord. Alberto is a passionate and chaotic artist and asks that his friend be the subject of what ends up being his final painted portrait. The dialogue is fresh and fun, but it was also nice to see the relationship between these two vastly different men unfold. Love Armie Hammer, so it was really only a matter of time before I watched this.
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl – Ugh, talk about a mix of emotions! Cathartic in a way, I suppose. I mean the story is basically the title. One of Greg’s old friends, Rachel, has leukemia, and his parents urge him to go spend time with her. At first they are both reluctant, but when Greg brings his friend Earl into the mix, the trio start making films of well-known films. All is fun and games until Rachel’s illness takes a turn for the worst, and by then, the trio’s relationship is also damaged. I can spoil this for you and tell you it’s not a happy ending, but it’s a heart-warming tale nonetheless.