charlesquinn_1999 Reviews

Can't Buy Me Love (1987)

Tastes Better than "American Pie"

[7/10 · 8 February 2002]

Whaaaaat?! No nudity? No graphic sex scenes? Limited profanity? And great acting? Doesn't sound like a good teen flick by today's standards...but "Love" is. The relationship "pops" between main characters Ronald and Cindy. Cindy--a beautiful, yet mature young woman--popular, but with genuine character and a desire for true love. Ronald--a likewise intelligent teen, naive that he has won the heart of his dream girl, who gets blinded by fame. The relationship--actually, the movie--provides some valuable lessons on friendship and the costs of gaining our wildest dreams.

Along with "The Breakfast Club," "Say Anything," and "The Sure Thing," this is one of the best teen films of the 80's.

Groundhog Day (1993)

A Bill Murray Classic

[9/10 · 19 January 2002]

Hilarious! A classic for the Bill Murray fan. Andie MacDowell is subtly sexy as always. What I appreciate most about this unique film is that it realistically addresses a question all of us have asked ourselves before..."What would I have done differently if I could do it again?" (I wouldn't have raised my voice at my senior prom date--a stunningly attractive girl--because she didn't wait until I opened the car door for her. We didn't know each other well to begin with and it ruined the evening.) We see through Murray the transformation of a man from self-centered to sharing, cold-hearted to caring, as he re-lives the same day over and over and over again. My favorite scene involved a dinner date with Murray's film love interest, Andie MacDowell. As they dine across from one another, discussing their interests, hopes and dreams, Andie highlights her love for European classics (or something similarly mundane). Murray's character, in classic alpha-male form, bursts out laughing like "that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life." Andie is visibly hurt. Cut to the next scene--same dinner, same conversation. Andie--"I love European classics." Murray - meditating on the profundity of Andie's statement, quotes a poem from that period...in French! Andie--"I didn't know you had such an appreciation for those works." Murray--"Oui" (French for yes) Score 10 pts. for Murray in Andie's book. For one day, we get to see someone live a regret-free, no holds barred, do want you want to, anything goes day. Yesterday's mistake becomes today's victory! I (obviously) haven't seen the film in awhile, but I recall little profanity and no nudity or violence, making it (somewhat) kid appropriate. One of my favorite comedies of all time.