Too many Cooks

Rachael Leigh Cook, that is.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of her. In fact, in 2018, I was wondering where she was now. 

Luckily, my wish to see her on-screen more often was granted. She's been very visible on Netflix, both for her old films and new releases. 

Her most recent one is a travel rom-com aptly titled: "A Tourist's Guide to Love."

Yup, just like in "She's All That," she can still carry that quirky-girl personality with a rom-com touch.

Can't wait what she'll be cooking up next.

Ticket within a Ticket

Call this an inception moment.

My airline ticket from CX going to HKG came with another ticket! It's a ticket to a film that I've always wanted to watch, featuring one of my all-time fave actresses - Julia Roberts!

"Ticket to Paradise" is a rom-com that's been on my radar since the trailer dropped. Unfortunately, they didn't show it here in MNL, mainly due to the fact that most theatres were closed. 

So, when it appeared on the entertainment console, I immediately pulled it up and watched it.

Gosh, Julia hasn't lost her touch when it comes to rom-coms!

In the right place

Of course, I had to watch "Your Place or Mine" the day it started streaming on Netflix.

It's a nice, uncomplicated and easy-to-watch Valentine's film. The fact that the main characters are a bit older, with "old people concerns" make this film relatable. And yes, Reese Witherspoon hasn't lost her timing and charm in rom-coms.

Yup, the film has its heart in the right place.

Reese’s Piece

Fact: Reese Witherspoon is great with romantic comedies.

She’s just a joy to watch! With her bubbly personality and great timing, she can carry a rom-com with ease. Problem is, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her in one.

Thankfully (said in her high pitch Elle Woods voice) that’ll change this February 10.

She’s coming out in a new Netflix rom-com!

Make it February 10 now, please! I so want to see this piece of film,

Isn't it romantic?

The first time this song was introduced to me, it was last year when we were doing our commercial for YumYum. Since the story was a cute, fun and wholesome love story, we wanted a soundtrack that was equally cute, fun and wholesome.

As our discussion progressed, the song "Romantic Sunday" was floated as a possible peg. This song is a Korean ditty which is part of the OST of the hit drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."

While the song was indeed catchy and an ear worm. But after the TVC was completed, I didn't think of the song that much.

Last week, Ate Lissa and I were talking about K-dramas, and she mentioned "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" again because it's one of her all-time faves. Out of curiosity, I tried watching an episode on Netflix.

That was a "eureka" moment! Now, it's easy to understand why Ate likes this show a lot. And now, hearing the song in the context of the program, I have a better appreciation of the song.

It really is romantic. (And today is a Sunday, so it all works out.)

Christmas curveball

Because it's never too early to post about Christmas.

This isn't about Christmas gifts or Christmas wrappers, though. Not to say those aren't already being taken cared of.

This is about the Neflix film, "Last Christmas."

When the prompt popped out that the last day of streaming of this film was on June 15, I decided to finally watch it. I've been seeing this on the list of choices for months, but never got around to watching it.

Based on the trailer, it seems like a straightforward rom-com. After all, it features the cute and funny Emilia Clarke, a subtly hilarious Michelle Yeoh and "Crazy, Rich, Asians" resident heart throb, Henry Golding.

But as the film progressed, it became clearer and clearer that this film wasn't as simple. As the plot progressed, it was starting to be clear that there was more to the story. 

Then, the climax. Curveball!!!

Of course, I won't spoil any of that. But let's just say that this Christmas rom-com is way different from "The Holiday" and "Love, Actually." Also, having seen this film and "Me Before You," there's a pattern forming with Emilia's leading men.

I'll definitely watch this again before June 15.

Me & EU

The past days, I've been playing flims on Netflix while working. Call it multi-tasking, but it's fun to turn your head to a nice film as a breaker from reading emails and doing layouts.

Yesterday and today, the movies that were playing were oldies but goodies. They were comedies from the mid-2000s, and they were very fun and feel-good films.

Aside from those factors, there was also a thread that connected these 2 films. They were both set in EU countries.

The first, "The Prince & Me" from 2004. This is about a Danish Prince who studies in Wisconsin to try and find "wild college girls from Wisconsin." But what he found was love. (More cheese, please!)

Bonus: this stars one of my all-time fave actresses - Julia Stiles! More on her later!

The second, "Wild Child" from 2008. Basically, it's the story of an American Girl who's exiled to a British boarding school, and this is where she learns more about herself.

Watching these 2 films, it makes me smile when I think about how uncomplicated yet compelling movies are back then.

Now, I have to look for more films of the same genre during the same time frame. Methinks that EU streak must continue.

Royals

Nope, this isn't about the Lorde song. Though I do like that song a lot.

This is about a Netflix film that was recently dropped.

"The Royal Treatment" is a simple, straight forward, formulaic rom-com. And as rom-coms go, simple, straight forward and formulaic is the right way to go.

It's an age-old tale of a Prince falling in love with a commoner. But this combination of a headstrong New York hairdresser and a prince from a faraway land who has no "voice" in his kingdom feels a bit different because of some teeny-tiny plot embellishments.

Watching it once made me smile. And most likely, I'll be watching this again when I have spare time.

It’s All That!

When they announced the gender-swapping reboot of "She's All That," one thing was certain. It was a must-watch film for me.

I'm a fan of the original film. It's an iconic rom-com which was well-acted and had a lot of memorable moments. 

Who can forget the "Kiss Me" song playing as the newly made-over Laney appeared from the stairs after Anna Paquin did her magic.

With all these fuzzy-wuzzy memories about the film, the weekend was well-spent watching "He's All That." And re-watching the ending a few times the same day.

The reboot is as wonderfully made as the original. But of course, this was now updated to the trappings of the present time. Now, there are angles on being influencers, live streaming, on-line presence and approval, LGBTQIA+ representation, and the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones - something that wasn't there in the original film.

But there were also very familiar story facets that they retained. Like the "Prom King and Queen" angle, and the "Dance off" that's part and parcel of teen films of that era.

And what made this film even cooler was the appearance of 2 of the original cast members of "She's All That," In different and updated roles, or course.

The original film's headliner, Rachael Leigh Cook who played Laney Boggs, was back as the Mom of the lead character, Padgett. This is the answer to my question 3 years ago.

Then, there's Matthew Lillard who played Brock Hudson in the original film, now back playing Principal Bosch.

Needless to say, this film is going to be on my "Netflix Repeat" list. Heck, I've already re-watched the ending 3 times already.

Yup, this film is all that.

Love it!

It's Valentine's Day. 

As expected, people are crowding flower shops, bakeshops and candy stores. When I passed by SM Megamall for lunch, it was easy to see how brisk business was for Holland Tulips and other shops in the vicinity.

Since we're on the subject of love, here's a Valentine's-appropriate-rave.

I'm SO loving Disney's "Paperman."

"Paperman" is an animated short film about two strangers who had a chance encounter on a train station -- all thanks to a piece of paper. What follows is a light, dramatic and comedic narrative which had me enthralled from start to finish.

As the animated short came to an end, there was a well-spring of feel-good-feelings. The same feeling I get after watching an awesome rom-com.

This film is so wonderfully and beautifully done, I'm not surprised that it received an Oscar Nomination for Best Animated Short.

I'm sure the Oscar voters will love this film as much as I did.