Stranger than Fiction
This is my favorite Will Ferrell movie of all time. It’s a shame he hasn’t dabbled back to these kinds of movies since. An author famous for killing off her characters is writing about a bland man named Harold Crick. It turns out, Harold Crick is an actual person, and fantasy and reality weave together as the author dictates Harold’s actions. It’s wonderful, and the cast is amazing.
Ruby Sparks
Threading similar storylines with Stranger Than Fiction, Ruby Sparks has an author write about Ruby – and she materializes in front of him! A figment of his imagination has come to life and he sees how far he can go before his reality comes crashing towards him. I did like this movie, Paul Dano was fantastic.
Stuck in Love
This movie is about a family of authors and how they navigate through life and their careers. It definitely has its charms, and it’s a light flick that’s very much enjoyable.
I've only seen Stranger Than Fiction and you are right about it. Fantastic film, and Ferrell needs to do more indie-type/less outrageous stuff.
ReplyDeleteI hope he seeks out these types of roles, they're different from his usual fare. Comedic actors are also taking on dramatic roles, why can't he?
DeleteI also chose Stranger Than Fiction and Ruby Sparks! Love those two films. I haven't seen Stuck in Love.
ReplyDeleteStuck in Love is the only Lily Collins movie I like so far, it's not bad.
DeleteLoving how many people chose Stranger than fiction, such a great movie!
ReplyDeleteStranger than Fiction is pretty popular this week!
DeleteI'm astounded at how popular Stranger than Fiction is today. I liked it well enough when I saw it in the theatre, I'm not much of a Ferrell fan but he was okay in this and I loved Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman, but haven't given it another thought until today.
ReplyDeleteI watched Stuck in Love mostly for Greg Kinnear and he was good in the film. Again I liked the movie but haven't revisited since.
Where I seem to deviate is in regards to Ruby Sparks. I detested the characters and the film. Someone had recommended to me so I went in with high hopes but I had to struggle just to finish it. Oh well every film isn't for everybody.
This is a genre that I'll always give a shot so there was a plethora to choose from but I had three that are particular favorites so putting a list together was a breeze.
Swimming Pool (2003)-Writer Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is blocked working on her new detective novel so her publisher suggests she get out of London to refresh herself and lends her his home in the French countryside. On arrival she luxuriates in the sunshine and solitude but that is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of the publisher’s wild child daughter Julie (Ludivine Sagnier). After a rocky beginning the two form a bond, one that is challenged by a serious turn of events. Strange, moody and captivating with a brilliant Charlotte Rampling performance.
Wonder Boys (2000)-Shaggy dog college professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) drifts through his days in a pot induced haze avoiding the various crisis that are swirling just below the surface of his life. He’s a noted author suffering from a strange sort of writer’s block-he can’t seem to end the follow up novel to his first hot book, his third wife has just left him, his mistress, the college chancellor (Frances McDormand), is married to the chair of Grady’s department and has just discovered she’s pregnant by Grady, his editor is in town hounding him for a completed manuscript and he has a new odd wonder boy writer James Leer (Tobey Maguire) in his class stirring memories of when Grady was the hot young kid on the block. Oh and the department chair’s dead dog, accidently shot by James Leer, is in the trunk of Grady’s car! Somewhat shambling film is kept centered by Michael Douglas in perhaps his best ever performance.
In a Lonely Place (1950)-Hot headed screenwriter Dixon Steele (Humphrey Bogart) is considering adapting a novel he knows is trash. Rather than reading it he invites a hat check girl at his favorite watering hole to his apartment to tell him the story. After she leaves she’s murdered and Dix is suspected, however his neighbor Laurel (Gloria Grahame) is able to provide him with an alibi. Only nodding acquaintances previously they strike up a friendship which rapidly turns serious and they plan to marry. Everything seems rosy until Dix’s violent outbursts start to create doubt in Laurel’s mind. Both Bogart and Grahame are just great. Brooding nihilistic Nicholas Ray directed film is an essential noir.
I haven't heard of Swimming Pool but both that and In a Lonely Place sounds intriguing. I don't remember much from Wonder Boys, might have to revisit that one.
DeleteI haven't seen any of these but they seem quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to watch them some time!
DeleteI love Stranger Than Fiction. Liked Ruby Sparks enough. Dano is always good. Haven't seen the other.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a bad Dano performance, although my favorite performance of his was in Little Miss Sunshine.
DeleteStranger Than Fiction is really popular today and Ruby Sparks is a close second. I haven't heard of the 3rd one but I have marked down the first 2 to see
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the movies!
DeleteStuck in Love is such a great little gem! I would have added Paper Man to my list and Something's Gotta Give.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched Paper Man, that's the one with Ryan Reynolds, right?
DeleteSome popular picks here! Haven;t seen Stuck in Love but a family of authors sounds good!
ReplyDeleteStranger than Fiction and Ruby Sparks are popular this week. Stuck in Love is simple but good!
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