A Night at the Movies

A few months ago, Kingdom Bloggers wrote about finding God in the movies. At that time, I wrote with a Christian perspective in view of what Hollywood is creating and although I cannot separate myself from a Christian worldview, this morning I’m writing from a perspective of pleasure – my favourite movies.

I love to laugh and it’s a no-brainer comedies are my favourite movie genre. I enjoy many movies for different reasons but my go-to movies – ones I’d watch again and again are comedies – mockumentaries, to be specific.

Best In Show – It was directed in 2000 by Christopher Guest and has a slew of comedic actors. It is said of Christopher Guest’s movies there is no script (only a plot line) and the actors have a creative license to ad-lib and fill in the story as the movie continues. The effect is absolutely hilarious.

The movie chronicles 5 dog owners and show handlers from their homes to the Mayflower Dog show. Each character is developed, from the owners to the dog show judges and to the earnest hotelier where the guests and their owners stay for the duration of the show.

I also like the fact it was filmed in Vancouver and when Meg & Hamilton Swan tell the story of how they met –in a Starbucks but not actually the same Starbucks made me laugh so hard I was near tears. They were referring to 2 Starbucks stores that were kitty corner to each other on Vancouver’s busiest and most famous shopping street – Robson Street.

Drop Dead Gorgeous – This movie came out in 1999 and although I am a huge fan, the majority of people have never heard, not seen this gem of a comedy. The cast is a list of many of Hollywood’s leading ladies, from Ellen Barkin, Allison Janney, Denise Richards, Kirsty Alley, Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy and [then unknown] Amy Adams.

Similar to Best In Show, the movie chronicles the contestants in a small town beauty pageant. There is an element of Toddlers & Tiaras before that show was a brainchild of TLC, especially played so well by Kirsty Alley – a mother reliving her beauty pageant dreams through her daughter, Denise Richards.

I’ve seen each of these movies more than dozen times, perhaps more. If you haven’t seen them, do yourself a favour and find a copy, grab some popcorn and get ready for an ab workout.