Movies to watch if you haven’t already part - I
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I have spoken on some of these films, but others are my hidden gems I am sharing with you all. (Well, I am not saying they are a secret just that I don’t tell just ANYONE about them!)
Uptown Girls- I love Brittany Murphy so Uptown Girls may seem biased, but it is such a feel good film. You watch a socialite hit rock bottom, go through the highs and lows of dating a rock star and manage being a nanny to a child who appears to have it all. The film just celebrated its 19th anniversary, and I feel this is such a fun film to watch for any mood as a way to perk the heart up.
Pretty Woman – I am late to game but this film plays right into one of my favorite niches. The rich playboy falling or someone out of his usual circle. Sign me up every time. I know the OG ending was dark, but they didn’t end the film that way so I love it the way it is. My heart fluttered when Edward stands up for Vivian. *Swoon*
West Side Story – This is Romeo and Juliet, but the setting of the 1960s in NYC has me and takes me! I never saw the new version, I personally don’t care to. I am not a big fan of remakes, reworks, reimagines, redoes… you get my point. I’ll never forget scrambling to memorize Anita and Maria’s lines in a musical theater book when had in high school. This is a show where I truly would try to be both if I could.
Romeo + Juliet – The OG, I actually did enjoy the 1968 version, but you already know as a Leo girl, we are talking about the 1996 Baz Luhrmann film. The juxtaposition of the Shakespearian English with modern Cali is *Chef’s Kiss*. I never actually saw this film until college, but there’s something so hauntingly beautiful about Baz’s work that makes this film seem endlessly modern, and the only way to watch Romeo and Juliet.
The Great Gatsby – Another Leo film? Color me shocked. This film is an adaptation of the book by Scott F. Fitzgerald, but unlike the predecessor we do not talk about, this film is a great mix of staying to the source while fitting the era it is in. I have wanted to live in Jay Gatz’s world ever since, minus the ending… of course. (No spoilers!) I like parties. Period.
The Heiress- One of my old Hollywood gems. I did a challenge this year where I watched roughly 20 old films and left reviews on my Podcasts IG stories. The ending of this film leaves me satisfied and heartbroken. Oscar-Winner Olivia De Havilland is a star as she portrays an heiress in love, or so we think.
Pillow talk- Another film I discovered in my OH Film challenge. I usually do not like romance but this… is art. I love Golden age films because they still seem modern and relevant despite coming from the 50s and 60s. Rock Hudson and Doris Day’s comedic timing is light hearted and charming. I felt SO good after watching it for the first time.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes- I watched this film when I was 14 (TEN years ago!) It is just so good. Marilyn and Jane are two fun best friends who later find out Lorelai (Monroe) is being watched by a P.I. at the hire of her future Father-In-Law. The film gives us the iconic “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” and an ode to women’s friendships. It is one of my absolute favorite Marilyn Monroe films
Hamilton- I discovered the musical in 2016 and I remember in my freshman year of undergrad someone trying to watch a bootleg performance in their dorm (spoiler- it was all black and hard to hear, of course). I accepted I would never see the original cast perform the show, that was until Disney+ blessed us with a taping of Hamilton in both acts. Is it like seeing the show live? Well, no.. But it is close enough and an economical option.
Have you seen any of these films? Hopefully I have inspired your next movie night! :)