Chick Flick Guide

Hi my name is Kate Startup. I work at Blockbuster Video and am probably the only employee who doesn't like films. Shocking, I know! But I'm going to give all you anti film types the latest on what you should be watching and what you shouldn't.

Thursday 12 March 2009

Devil Wears Prada



Hell in Heels





Devil Wears Prada is very similar to Ugly Betty  and I love it! The star, Anne Hathaway, is also in The Princess Diaries and she always plays the same type of character where she goes on some type of transformation. My type of film!! 

Anne starts as a geeky girl, an aspiring journalist, who has no idea about fashion but lands a job at a huge magazine as the editor's assistant. She's thrown in the deep end and has to deal with her bosses extreme demands. I love the bitchiness between the others girls but this doesn't sway Hathaway's confidence. Her determination and perseverance is admirable and I love characters in films where you can aspire to them. It's all just very believable.  She is dating the gorgeous Adrian Grenier and you can see their relationship begin to fall apart throughout the film. It shows that appearance means so much more than whether you're hard working or not. 

Anyway, Hathaway's character lands a promotion to go to Paris Fashion Week, she breaks up with her boyfriend and all her real friends have ditched her because she is working so hard. A very gorgeous designer Christian Thompson whisks her off her feet but she finds out that he is going to replace her boss and her attempts to solve the situation fails every time. Its so obvious what she has to do in order to be successful in her career. When she eventually throws her mobile in the fountain she doesn't want to be part of the fashion world again. It's sad when she meets her with her boyfriend again, he took a promotion and is moving away. The ending is lovely as she's gone on this huge journey but eventually finds what she wants and is happy.

It's got everything, great leading lady, gorgeous bit of eye candy and the amazing feel good factor!! It comes highly recommended!! 

Wednesday 11 March 2009

P.S I Love You






I've read this book and I loved it. Now when I say read it I mean cried at it, recommended it to a friend, talked about it and then read it again for luck. Now I'm always skeptical about watching films that have been adapted from books but I'd heard great things about it from friends so I gave it a shot.

The story follows a young couple,Holly (Hilary Swank)and Gerry (Gerard Butler) and tragically Gerry dies suddenly from a brain tumor. In order to help his wife get over his death he writes her several letters telling her how to get over him and move her life on. Each letter sends her on a new venture and that crucial path of self-discovery.

Now I wear my heart on my sleeve and it worried me that the film hadn't moved me to tears even though it's such a tragic story. There were a few touching moments but nothing how I imagined. The whole thing just seemed to be lacking something crucial, something that the author Cecelia Ahern just managed to capture.

I know I didn't like this film because it didn't match my own expectations from the book and the characters were all wrong and the whole thing just was dragged out in the wrong way. I didn't even make it to the end of the film. Watch only if you've got nothing else to do!!

I'd fully recommend the book though and not to be totally cynical check out the film and let me know what you think!!

Thursday 5 March 2009

Crossroads

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I remember when this film came out and Britney was totally slated for not stopping to sign autographs for fans at her premiere, I don’t remember a single thing about the actual film. This film just screams chick flick even from the title, but what else was to be expected from (pre-crazy) Britney Spears.

The story is of 3 childhood friends being reunited and rediscovering their friendship as they take a road trip to LA. When they first set out they have no plan but plenty of dreams and each wrapped up in their own problems. The girls take a ride with the very hot Ben (Anson Mount) in his convertible and throughout their trip they gain experiences that change them forever. I won't spoil the rest of the story because I think you should see it! 

I was a bit worried that Britney and Anson were voted the Best Onscreen Couple in 2002 as they aren't amazing plus Britney's acting isn't always great. But there is some great plugging on her track I'm Not A Girl. I'm a closet Britney fan, even now, so I just can't slate it as much as I should!

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But the film deals with loads of teenage issues of insecurity and self discovery as well as rape and abortion. It's probably aimed at a younger audience but who cares when it's really cheesy with a soppy ending!!