The Decade Picspam: Guilty Pleasures (Film)
To me, there's a fairly loose definition of guilty pleasure. These aren't necessarily 'bad' movies or anything. They're just movies that have their flaws and that I wouldn't put on a Top/Favorites of the decade list, but are fun to watch when you're having a shitty day.
Love Actually (2003)
Directed by Richard Curits
Starring every famous British actor plus Billy Bob Thorton
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 63%
Personal Rating: 7.5/10
I debated whether I'd really consider this a guilty pleasure because while it has its share of problems, it's actually a very well-made and acted movie. However, it is still a fairly conventional romantic comedy in many ways. Not all the storylines were interesting; some of them were really quite a drag. I think the movie would've benefited a lot had it been cut down in length and to fewer characters. But it's overall an enjoyable, funny and sweet Holiday movie.
Troy (2004)
Directed by Wolfgang Peterson
Starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Diane Kruger, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 55%
Personal Rating: 6/10
This will be the only non-girly movie on this list. Yes, it's cheesy and Brad Pitt talks kinda funny but it's got a pretty cool cast and some nice action scenes. Orlando Bloom can't act but that's okay cause he's playing Paris. All I know is, I was totally in love with Eric Bana as Hector in this movie.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
Directed by Ken Kwapis
Starring America Ferrara, Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 77%
Personal Rating: 7/10
I love movies about sisterhood and best friends, and this one came out just at the right time when I was about the age of these characters. It's so rare to see teenagers portrayed with any sort of dignity on screen these days and it was nice to see characters who seemed like real people. The movie gets a little over-melodramatic at times but it's definitely a great one to see with the girlfriends.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Directed by Sofia Coppola
Starring Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schartzman, Steve Coogan, Judy Davis
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 54%
Personal Rating: 6.5/10
Sofia Coppola is a very talented filmmaker so it seems odd that this movie is what I'd consider a guilty pleasure. While this movie has gorgeous sets and costumes, it was kind of vapid and boring for the most part. Instead of painting a three-dimensional portrait of the famous queen, the film kind of reaffirms a lot of the nasty rumors about her and spends a lot time showing how much money the woman spent. And I felt Kirsten Dunst was a bit of a miscast. She's not an actress that steps easily into period roles and her manner of speaking stood out. But I could still watch this movie over and over again just for the lovely aesthetics and awesome soundtrack.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Directed by David Frankel
Starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
Personal Rating: 8/10
This may be the ultimate chick flick. Who doesn't want to have a job where you get a bunch of free designer clothes? Of course, on the down side, you have to be Miranda Priestly's bitch. Without Meryl Streep's icy performance as the boss from hell, this movie would've been fairly average but Streep and Emily Blunt made their characters so enjoyable to watch.
Sex and the City (2008)
Directed by Michael Patrick King
Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 50%
Personal Rating: 7/10
Sex and the City is one of my favorite shows of all time so it's no surprise that I'd totally go for the movie. It's pretty obvious what works on a TV show doesn't always work in a movie, and this one certainly suffers a bit from the medium transfer. But like I said, I love my movies about sisterhood and these four women have always been there for each other (and they've always avoided petty drama and love triangles).
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 53%
Personal Rating: 6.5/10
I love musicals and I don't care if they're super cheesy like this one. And honestly, Mamma Mia! is a campy stage musical as well. Pierce Brosnan singing was little odd, but the ABBA songs are catchy, the Greek setting is lovely and the mother/daughter dynamic is sweet.
The Duchess (2008)
Directed by Saul Dibb
Starring Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Rampling
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 61%
Personal Rating: 7/10
This was basically a retread of Marie Antoinette. The story is common and familiar even if it's based on a real person, but the costumes are beautiful and Keira Knightley certainly steps into these period roles with ease. Ralph Fiennes was actually quite good in his role as the womanizing husband. While Marie Antoinette was at times too quiet, The Duchess occassionally becomes overly melodramatic with plenty of tears and a loud sweeping score.
Other Previous Picspams:
Tom and Summer, (500) Days of Summer HERE
Spock and Uhura, Star Trek HERE
Victoria and Albert, The Young Victoria HERE
Carl and Ellie, Up HERE
Memorable Dress in Film HERE
The Cast of Rob Marshall's 'Nine' HERE
Grey's Anatomy: Derek-Meredith-Addison Triangle HERE
Inglourious Basterds: The Dresses of Operation Kino HERE
Inglourious Basterds: Christoph Waltz as Col. Landa HERE
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Fashion HERE
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg HERE
My Personal Oscar Ballot (as of November 2009) HERE
Cruel Intentions vs. Dangerous Liaisons Comparison HERE
The 2007 Oscars in FYC Ads HERE
Cast My Life HERE
Other Decade Picspams:
My Top 15 Films of the Decade
The Decade: Best of the Franchises