Twisted Musings

When my uncle asked me to compile my list of the Top Ten Chick Flicks for his blog, I jumped at the chance.  Sure, part of that jumping was due to the fact that this is my big début as a guest-blogger, but the majority of the jumping was because I consider myself quite the chick flick expert.  I don’t pretend to have seen them all, but to give you an idea on the level of my adoration for these movies I was once lectured by a well meaning friend who worriedly advised me that if I didn’t expand my movie repertoire to include films outside of the chick flick genre, I would end up an old maid.  I laughed, and acted against her idea by promptly buying more chick flicks to add to my collection.

So you see, the fact that I must be doomed to live life as an old maid because of my choice in movies is to your advantage!  I have seen many, and narrowing them down to the top ten is incredibly difficult.  In my opinion, an excellent chick flick that’s worthy of watching multiple times includes first and foremost, an empowered woman.  I’m personally not after the classic boy meets girl, gets married, has children, and then finds her identity story that is so overdone…I’m wanting girl meets boy but has her own life outside of said boy.  Maybe she even saves herself and then the boy comes along.  But, let’s be honest, I do want some eye candy so a sexy man is a must-have (and for all men who are roped into watching chick flicks with their girlfriends or wives are lucky too because all of these movies have super beautiful femmes for the leading lady).

So without further ado, here are my top ten chick flicks of all time:

-Gone With the Wind: “Frankly my dear…” And with those words spills out one of the most memorable movie lines of all time.  Let’s face it; parts of this movie are completely outdated and outlandish, but one can easily overlook them in favor of the wonderful costumes and the perfection of Scarlett and Rhett.  I will never understand Scarlett’s obsession with the silly Ashley whenever she had Rhett.  Every time I watch I wish that things would end up differently but I enjoy having the knowledge that Scarlett is resilient and strong and no matter what happens, she will never go hungry again.

-The Holiday: Two words:  Jude Law.  Be still my beating heart.  Besides the obvious, this movie has it all: foreign accents, cute men, humor, sadness, beautiful scenery, exceptional music.  Seriously though, it’s a cute movie that makes you want to do a home exchange with someone in another country in hopes of finding a little adventure and some romance of your very own.

-Pride and Prejudice:  In the Pride and Prejudice fan club there is a longstanding debate: Matthew McFayden or Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy?  Of course the knee-jerk reaction for most girls is to shout from the rooftops “Colin!”  Then I watched the BBC version, was bored to tears, and decided that Matthew McFayden is Mr. Darcy through and through.  Do yourself a favor and watch the 2005 release with him and Kiera Knightly.  It leaves me breathless every time I watch, and is hands down my favorite film of all time.

-Under the Tuscan Sun:  Adore this movie.  Once again, beautiful imagery and music.  I love how Frances, played by the gorgeous Diane Lane, was able to start over again instead of just making do with the cards she was dealt.  Helps us to remember that even the bad things that happen can sometimes be the best things that happen to us; it all just depends on what you make of it.  Plus, I must call out Lindsey Duncan’s portrayal of the eccentric Katherine; she makes me want to don a big, elaborate hat and live life to the fullest.

-Pretty Woman:  Of course no click flick list is complete without the holy grail of chick flicks, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.  Although this movie is undoubtedly from the 90’s, it’s still, and will forevermore be, a true classic.  Be honest – even though you own it, every time it is on TV you still stop and watch it.  You can never see this movie too many times.

-Sabrina:  Confession time; I simply cannot decide if I like the classic version with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and William Holden or the modern version with Harrison Ford, Greg Kinnear, and Julia Ormond better.  I suppose if I am true to my heart, my loyalties lie with the remake, which never happens.  If it means anything to you, my grandmother agrees – and what grandmother prefers the new to the old?  You must watch both and form your own opinion. 

-Breakfast at Tiffany’s:  Anything with Audrey Hepburn makes my heart skip a beat, and let’s face it; the opening scene where Moon River plays and Audrey in her timeless glamour takes the bite of pastry from the white bag in front of Tiffany’s while wearing the elegant long black dress and upswept hair?  What woman wouldn’t want to be her?  I love her fragility and the fact that she is who she is, through and through.  Exceptional.  

-Something’s Gotta Give:  Ok, maybe I like it because it’s set on the beach and she is writing about Paris, but it’s just one of those movies that makes you feel good and makes you laugh.  A lot.  The house in the film is to die for and I cannot help but drool every time I watch.

-My Big Fat Greek Wedding:  Come on, who doesn’t love Toula’s transformation from a girl totally unsure of herself to a woman who defies her family’s expectations and does life her own way?  It’s hilarious, sweet, and touching….and I’m always inspired to buy a little Windex as the credits roll.

-Ever After:  Perhaps I am completely enamored with this movie because of my love for the movie Cinderella, but nonetheless, it is still an amazing movie.  It is touted as the “real story” of Cinderella with Drew Barrymore, Angelica Houston, and Dougray Scott.  I believe this to be one of the most underrated movies of all time, and has had a very special place in my heart since the first time I saw it. 

Honorable mentions go to Miss Congeniality, Hope Floats and While You Were Sleeping, and the new release, The Proposal (Sandra Bullock fan alert!)

Kylie Grethen lives in Birmingham with her darling Pomeranian, Bailey Cinderella where she collects books, loves to write, do yoga, and is obsessed with all things leopard print, pink, and French.  You can visit her at www.theoohlalalifestyle.com