Valentine’s Special Movie Reviews: Review Girl’s Top 5 Favorite Romantic Movies of All-time!

Valentine's Day Special Post @ The Review Girl

There were so many movies in my list of favorites that it was hard to decide which one should I leave and which should I pick and on which position. After some hard decisions, I chose these five movies, based on their romance quotient, and the ability to keep me glued to the seat providing me thorough entertainment. I have seen these movies hundreds of times as they leave me feeling energized and high-spirited. So, here are my top 5 picks!

Dirty Dancing (1987)

I am an 80’s child and this iconic movie gripped my senses since I saw it the first time, more importantly that was my first lesson in adult relationships empowered by lust and love.  Such a nostalgic feeling attached to it!
The role of Jeniffer Grey (Baby) as a freshman who learns to do some “dirty boogie” with a handsome much-older guy, is utterly addictive and holds limitless charm. Though stereotypical, this movie possesses this cult status for making dirty boogie a winner at every dance party! Who can forget the evergreen song, "Time of my life"?

This movie gets its classic appeal due to the sensual dance moves which became the signature style of 80’s. The female audience could not resist the hunk Patrick Swayze (well, that includes me too!). It just serves all the romance and passion to get a stamp for being a “guilty pleasure”. For all these reasons and for churning out the best soundtracks ever, this movie sits on No.1 position in my all-time favourite collection of movies, a must-watch on Valentine’s Day!

An Officer and A Gentleman (1982)

Unlike Patrick’s role of a sensitive dude in “Dirty Dancing”, this film showcases a hero who is tough and a little cold around the heart (well, not exactly stone-hearted!). Our dashing hero Richard Gere (Zack Mayo), falls in love with a spunky and seductive girl but finds himself torn between his duties as a cadet and a lover. He finally learns to come out of his shell and becomes an absolute “gentleman” as well as an excellent cadet. If you are a die-hard Richard Gere fan (like I am!), this movie should sit on your shelf forever, for this reason alone.

Besides delicious Richard, the concept of army life so well-portrayed, with the tussle between professional and love life, is a treat to watch. The acting by all the cast is brilliant and I just never get tired of seeing it again and again. It has got so many memorable scenes but the best is when Richard picks the girl in his arms, it is just so irresistibly sweet and sexy at the same time.  The sexual scenes are choreographed artistically and do not gross me out.

For me, this movie rates high because of its compelling and involving tale, delicately handled by the director, complemented beautifully by superb performances from its actors. Gaining No.2 spot on my list, this classic film is a must-watch for romantics who like to see some authentic action and adventure too.

When Harry met Sally (1989)

This movie presents the ultimate dilemma, can men and women be just “good friends”? What starts as a platonic relationship between friends of opposite genders, does it “always” lead to “more”? Why I love this movie? Because when I watched it the first time, I was facing this problem too (I guess, we all do, at some point in our life!). Well, this is not the only reason I selected this film as No.3 for my Top 5 chart. I love the way the story unfolds, in bits and pieces and the natural flow of dialogues. I love the girl-next-door charm and spontaneous acting of Meg Ryan. Just can’t stop laughing on that scene when she executes “fake orgasm” sitting in a restaurant. Hilarious!

Billy Crystal’s acting as Harry is flawless! I love how average looking, just another guy on the block, the hero is. Something that I can relate to! I love the igniting chemistry between the hero and heroine, it does not start with animal sex but has something more deep and meaningful to it! This lends the movie its authenticity, its originality and makes it stand-out among other romantic movies of that time. Watch this movie, if you love someone whole-heartedly with all his/her flaws and annoying habits!

Jerry Maguire (1996)

One of the best roles played by Tom Cruise (Oh! His infectious smile!), this movie shows how Jerry, a successful agent has a major falling down. In that time of struggle, there is no one with him, except his secret admirer, Dorothy (played by Renee Zellweger). Why don’t we get to see such original and real characters in movies, anymore? The strength of this movie lies in ordinary people placed in ordinary situations and making the best out of the worst.

This movie made me laugh out loud when there were scenes between Cuba (arrogant football player) and Tom (as an agent trying to make him see his potential). Though the movie focuses mainly on Jerry’s career, it does not ignore the feelings of a woman who is longing for a partner that could love her unconditionally and pamper her. I think besides Tom, Renee shines in her role delivering outstanding performance. I cried like a baby when Tom and Renee meet at the end. Simply adorable! Here is my most loved scene from the movie, makes me cry every time!

Oh! And how can I forget the cute bond of father and son between Renee’s little son and Tom. Just watch this movie if you have missed it somehow! It rates high on cuteness quotient and is filled with memorable scenes. You won’t regret it!

P.S. I Love You (2007)

This movie made me believe in the eternal nature of “true love”. It made me see how “death” is not the end of everything, it could lead to a new beginning too. A young widow receives surprise letters from her dead husband telling her to move on with her life without him. With a strong plot, this movie utilizes its actors’ potential to the fullest and tests them. Surprisingly, Hilary Swank as Holly (widower) does not overplays or underplays the role, just the perfect amount of grace and sadness, occasional smile here and there. I did not notice Gerard Butler before this movie (now I do! A yummy feast for the eyes!). He definitely makes an effort to keep up with the mature acting of Hilary and does not disappoint.

Among contemporary romantic films, this movie remains my favourite and deserves to be on the No.5 position, because of its fresh approach to the subject of undying love. Caution: get ready for a lot of tears!
But for now, enjoy this ultimate sweet love song from the movie!

So, these are my all-time favorite romantic movies. I see them every Valentine’s Day with my hubby. Well, it may sound crazy but it has developed into a kind of ritual to watch these one by one (romantic movies marathon!) curled up in sofa with a bag of tissues handy. Do tell me are any of these movies, your favorites too? What are you watching this Valentine’s Day?

Movie Review: Fast Five

Movie: Fast Five (2011)

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Thriller, Crime, Mystery & Suspense

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Vin Diesel Paul Walker Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Jordana Brewster

The latest installment of “The Fast and The Furious” franchise packs the best of the bunch to deliver fastest, slick, louder than ever before action packed thriller. Director, Justin Lin keeps it straight-forward with good and bad guys chasing each other in the backdrop of shanty streets of Rio, with the blend of high-levels of testosterone and speedy collisions thrown in for good measure.

Pretty much like previous films of this franchise, the plot revolves around former cop, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) who teams up with ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) again, to pull off another heist. But this time, they face the fury of hulking agent Hobbs (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) who makes every possible attempt to hunt them down. For added suspense, we have a corrupt businessman (the so-called villain) in Rio, who wants them dead.

The movie kicks off with the dramatic prison break and we see them on the run to dodge the federal agents. To gain freedom once and for all, they decide to confront the said villain and get his “easy money”. In order to execute this secret assignment, they start assembling their trusted team of street-racers. It goes without saying that the plan involves clever manoeuvring of more fast and more powerful cars.

Do you love “over-the-top” hard-core action? Are you a fan of “The Fast and The Furious” franchise? Do you drool over shiny, muscular, seriously tattooed “The Rock”? Then, this movie is a must-watch for you! With cheesy dialogues, mind numbingly stupid action that defies all physical explanations, lack of originality in plot and loads of slam-bang popcorn munching action, this film not only manages to keep the audience glued to its seats but also provides hell lot of fun and entertainment. In spite of its crappy craft, the action sequences look spectacular on screen and delivers what it promises, 2 hours of family fun! So stop counting and complaining about the logistics, just fasten your seat belt and get ready for this fastest ever “joy” ride!

I would have enjoyed more car-racing scenes, but nevertheless, one action sequence after another, from shootouts to fist fights is engaging enough to stay in the cinema while munching buttered popcorns and a giant can of coke. Fast 5 proudly shows off the bad-ass attitude, lots of cursing, bikini-clad sexy girls, glossy cars, full-on speed and violence in the most intense fashion as compared to its previous installments. It is definitely not a letdown for the fans of this franchise. My favourite scene would be the clash which results in a nasty fight between Vin Diesel and Rock, brilliantly executed by both actors!

That being said, I still find the first movie, The Fast and The Furious (2001) as the best work of this fuming, adrenaline pumping street-racing series. The inclination of Fast 5 seemed more towards Ocean’s Eleven style cunning heist plotting than on mad car-racing, so the genuine flavour and charm was a bit missing from this sequel. The fact that this movie has grossed millions in its opening week and is still going strong after one whole month, there is no slowing down this drive! I would not reveal the ending for those who have not seen it yet, but from the shots when the credits start rolling, it is a clear-cut possibility that there is another installment coming in future which is absolutely great news for its fans! 

Review Girl Rating: 8.5/10

Movie Review: Rio (2011)

Movie: Rio (2011)

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

Rated: G

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg Anne Hathaway Jamie Foxx Jemaine Clement Leslie Mann

Brazilian director Carlos Saldanha and Blue Sky Studios combine again after the hit series Ice Age in this latest animated adventure film, which focuses on the adventures of domesticated Macaw named Blu, who gets the taste of the wild and learns to fly like a free bird. 

Much comfortable living in wintry Minnesota in his cage with his best friend and bookstore owner Linda (Leslie Mann), Blu’s life gets quite complicated when he is moved to the exotic land of Rio to mate with his female counterpart, Jewel (Anne Hathaway). Being a bird who does not know how to fly, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) seeks the help of a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking city birds along with the street-smart and beautiful Jewel, to cross all odds and discover the meaning of freedom and flying. The adventure starts when Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of animal smugglers and a scary and evil cockatoo, Nigel (Jemaine Clement) follows them to assist the smugglers. There begins a chase that never seems to end as the people in Rio prepare for the biggest carnival. Nerdy macaw, Blue will have to conquer his fears and learn to fly if he has to attract the free-spirited Jewel and survive in Rio.

As much as this kid flick is a visual delight, it falls short in narration and screenplay. Rio becomes a splash of colours, lacking in a genuine storyline and boring characters with some awkward jokes and an endless chase which drags the second half of the movie at a snail’s pace. It comes out as more of a spectacular travelogue in 3D than an entertaining, full of fun, action-packed, wholesome animation for adults and children alike. While the visual palette is charming and lush to the core and leaves spellbound, there is less effort thrown in the actual story.

There is a hang-gliding sequence where Blu and Jewel piggy-back on a glider as it soars past the Christ, the Redeemer statue and over the city, which is stunning in its diversity of visuals thrown in to make you realize that animation technology and 3D effects can make an uninteresting movie look spectacular. The music of the film has some good tracks but nothing too memorable.

The only part I enjoyed truly was when the monkeys come on the screen with their rap and dance and some “monkey business”. What I really disliked was the scene when Blue and Jewel glider is coming down and bumps everyone on the beach including the bum of a lady in a bikini. The bum-lady (her face is not shown) gets kicked by the ball on her bum and the whole scene looks extremely inappropriate for a kids movie as well as sloppy, because the scene was not required and turned out to be disgusting for many (I could gauge it from the way parents started making remarks in the cinema while watching it).

The first half of the movie is fast paced and keeps you engaged, but once the chase begins, it gets monotonous and stops making any sense. There is not much good quality romance or comedy like you see in Disney movies, but the heavy dose of dull adventure which will work for kids aged between 3-10 years. It cannot be enjoyed equally by adults and the concept of family flick goes down the drain. If you have nothing better to do on a weekend and want to have some popcorns and drink while sitting comfy in the cinema, go for it. Otherwise, wait for “Gnomeo and Juliet” DVD release and till then, take your kids for some bowling fun!

Review Girl Rating: 6/10

Movie Review: Tangled

Movie: Tangled 

Genre: Animation, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Rated: PG

Starring: Mandy Moore Zachary Levi Donna Murphy


Classic fairytale takes a fresh turn in Disney’s 50th animation film, Tangled, as directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno tell the adventurous tale of Rapunzel, long-haired beauty with magical locks, who frees herself from the clutches of evil witch, with the help of handsome thief, Flynn Rider.

Tangled is a roller-coaster ride of fun, adventure, comedy and romance. The film is about Rapunzel who has lived her whole life in a mysterious tower with a friendly chameleon, Pascal and her evil mother. She possesses long flowing golden hair, but is unaware of the secret of her mother which is hidden under her tangled hair. On her 18th birthday, she wishes to leave the tower to see the floating lights which appear on her birthday every year. As her mother refuses to let her fulfil her wish, she leaves the tower along with the “most-wanted” yet charming thug, Flynn, to discover the truth about her life. Together, they pass through many dangers with the help of a feisty horse, Maximus and kind hoodlums on this nail-biting, action-packed expedition of their lives.

It is a journey of self-discovery of a submissive girl who turns into a self-assured and confident princess. Rapunzel’s character shares many similarities with previous favourite heroines, Pocahontas(1996) and Anastasia(1997). All of them present determined heroines who are willing to take risks to find their own true potential and undergo a transformation from subdued to self-aware and strong individuals. Yet, all of them hold stark differences as well which make them unique and remarkable. Though, Rapunzel is definitely a lovable character, my all-time favourite animation film heroine still remains Anastasia!

Disney is known for adapting classic fairy tales such as Cindrella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Aladdin and The Princess and the Frog (2009). What I really like about Tangled, is that in spite of putting a modern twist, it improves the tale and does not spoil its old charm, perfectly fitting for today’s generation. My most memorable scene would be where Flynn and Rapunzel are sitting in a boat and the whole sky is filled with floating lights. The scene simply sticks in the mind because of its extremely striking 3D visuals, which take you in a dream world, full of romance and passion.

Tangled promises impressive musical score given by Alan Menken (who wrote the songs for Aladdin and many other classic Disney films) but I won’t rate it as good as the songs of Aladdin or Anastasia which take me back to my childhood days. The astounding 3D effects are certainly one of the reasons you should watch this and be mesmerized. I would recommend that you get the 3D boxed set if you are a sucker for Disney romance tales like I am!

Tangled hits Blu-ray, DVD, and 3-D Blu-ray March 29, 2011


Review Girl Rating: 9/10