Miss Congeniality (2000)

Definitely a showstopper of a film that established the acting abilities of Sandra Bullock and propelled her career to a new high among the fans of rom-coms. Intelligent comedy is the suit this film follows and you will find yourself immersed in it from the first moment.

Grace Hart (Sandra Bullock) has been a tom-boy ever since she could remember. Now working as a federal agent for the FBI, she wonders whether her work is really her top priority. With a recent fiasco at work, her self-esteem plummets to an all time low and she's wondering what she can do to redeem herself and hopefully start off with a clean slate. Luckily for her, an opportunity presents itself but it doesn't exactly suit her profile. A top-listed criminal is expected to strike at the upcoming Miss America pageant and Grace is their only chance to get the inside scoop. Unfortunately she looks nothing like a beauty queen and it's going to take a real professional to turn her even remotely close to the epitome of beauty. After an intensive makeover from one of the best pageant coaches in the industry by the name of Victor "Vic" Melling (Michael Caine), she not only looks exquisite and utterly gorgeous, but also begins to come out of her element day by day. Mingling with the other contestants and getting to know their individual backgrounds helps to open her mind up and clears her misconceptions about the typical beauty queen which she thought she knew like the back of her hand. Getting caught up in the situation along the way, Grace finds herself enjoying her experience more and more but doesn't let herself forget the sole purpose of her participation at this event. Troubled by the presence of her overbearingly demanding coach, partner, and entire team, will Grace step up to reclaim her dignity at the conclusion of the arrest or will she succumb to her despair over her past and continue life like before?

May I just say that the acting of all the star players was close to perfect and Candice Bergen really stood out as the chairman (or woman) of the pageant -- or as her character would emphasize, scholarship program. She really nailed the psychotic mindset of her character and had some previous experience as a beauty queen to contribute to her role as well. Michael Caine is witty and charismatic as always and brings that much more joy to the picture with his words of wisdom. The presentation of the pageant was absolutely well done with the inclusion of all the glitz and glamour as well as the set design. My favorite scene in the film would have to be at the conclusion of the makeover, when the weary beauticians have finally accomplished their mission and are treading out of the hangar with their masterpiece. Like astronauts who made it back from the great beyond, strolling out in slow motion to some rock and roll. But the real spectacle is harbored at the core of this film with the help of the plot and its memorable characters.

This film is tipping over the edge with important messages for women all around the world. Bullock's character Grace goes from being a highly strung klutz to a sophisticated, well-behaved and stylish woman while at the same time retaining the intelligence she has accumulated throughout her life. Most women who value their minds and focus their life on educating themselves think that being pretty rots your brain because you have it so easy in life but this film turns that theory around and presents pageant contestants with college degrees and jobs just like Grace herself has. Women don't need to be afraid to look good in order to be an intellectual and it certainly helps to look presentable while working at a job. Just ask yourself, if you looked like a mess everyday, you think you'd be better off with people treating you like a mess? It's one thing to be defiant against the conventional ways of society, but it's another to deny yourself happiness while doing it. In a matter of a week Grace has transformed herself into a model citizen with class and spunk all in tow but it wasn't like she didn't have any motivation to push herself to the limit. This may have been just another assignment, but it not only exposed her to what a woman should feel like inside and out, it gave her the opportunity to teach some of the other women how to have fun and be a well-rounded individual with the abilities to stand up for herself. You could say they exchanged favors, but Grace altered her life forever with the presence of all the ladies who befriended her, as well as her co-workers and makeover artist/pageant coach Vic, who taught her patience and poise not just for the pageant, but for life too.

Beauty is not superficial and a person who takes care of their body and mind is the one who will succeed in life. Light-hearted comedy and romance bloom on the screen as Sandra Bullock plays the role of the ugly duckling while teaching women in the audience a few useful safety maneuvers which are sure to be handy against some salacious dogs and shady assailants. Definitely a chick flick to go see with some girlfriends so feel free to express your girl power once the film concludes.

The Ramen Girl (2008)

A delightful tale of self-discovery and the journey you take to find happiness and self-worth in a world where you may feel stranded at times. An international collaboration between America and Japan gives us insight into the many cultural aspects and values of the Japanese people, that will hopefully inspire in all of us, a sense of respect and a new perspective towards this beautiful culture as well as many others.

Abby (Brittany Murphy) has recently arrived in Tokyo to be with her boyfriend, Ethan, who is traveling there for business purposes. They meet up and spend a romantic night together, but the next morning, Ethan tells her that he has to go to a neighboring city in Japan for another business endeavor. Wanting to go with him, he admits that their relationship is hanging on a thread and he isn't sure whether it's really worth it to continue spending time together. Dumbfounded and devastated by such a notion, Abby naively hopes that Ethan will come back soon and will realize the mistake he made. With her faith slowly fading, she notices a restaurant across the street from her apartment and wonders into it although it seems to be closed. Wimpering and wet, she confides in the owner and his wife everything that has happened to her since her arrival. Losing direction in life, she views her life in retrospect and wonders what she's going to do with it now that she doesn't have anyone to lean on. Not understanding anything Abby says, the couple feed her a bowl of Ramen soup and it immediately lifts her spirits. Curious as to the effect that the soup had on her, she comes back the next night when the restaurant is still open, and witnesses the warm and comforting atmosphere that the restaurant usually accommodates. She is served another bowl of ramen and then helps out the wife of the owner to serve the other customers since her foot is hurt. And then it hits her.... she wants to learn how to cook ramen soup and bring that feeling of warmth and comfort to others the same way she experienced it when she had her first taste. She asks the head cook and owner of the restaurant to teach her how to do it, but little does she know of the things she will have to do and the methods that the chef will implement upon her. Not to mention the language barrier that separates them. I will leave you wondering what will happen from there, but just know that by the end you will be inspired and refreshed by the choices Abby makes and how she changes the lives around her as well.

I for one, really enjoyed this film and how it was shot in such a remote and sometimes oblivious place to most of Americans. The director, Robert Allan Ackerman, did a very good job capturing the views and essence of Japan and its intimate feeling of mutualism between all those who are either visitors or citizens. The kindness and closeness that is exhibited between all of the characters is beautiful and so unlike how Americans choose to lead their lives. We treasure the money and belongings we have, but the Japanese are more concerned about being able to bestow their wisdom and skills onto the younger generation. Otherwise, the movie's driven solely on the plot and the acting job of the featured actors. My only downside about this film was the unnecessary character, Gretchen the hostess. I felt as though the character painted the Japanese culture in a negative light, for example, her alluding to the men being violent alcoholics who are always looking to fool around with a woman like her. I also felt that the plotline could've easily been carried out without her presence, although they probably kept her in just to let the American viewer feel more acquainted with the foreign atmosphere as a result of another American being in the picture. Other than that, the film is a really inspiring story, and is very uplifting if you had a bad day or are struggling with a task at hand.

The film speaks out more to those viewers who are also in a midlife crisis just like Abby, and who need a fresh new start in life. It's great to be able to show that you can achieve your dreams if you are persistent and tenacious towards your goals, even if you have worked toward something that you were ultimately unhappy with. There is always time to change and evolve as a person and be content with your life no matter what age you are. Despair is never an option and we all must work toward our individual happiness one day at a time. It also illustrates the change that Abby went through after being the "hollaback" girl who followed her boyfriend around, to a confident independent woman set to conquer the challenge that she's handed to herself even when tempted to leave with her new boyfriend. Realizing that her life is worth more than living for someone else, Abby has learned to be happy in her new circumstance despite the loss of love in her life. She still however decides to make others happy by making ramen soup and making those who felt her pain, realize that life is a continuous road of sharp twists and turns that will turn out alright as long as they stay positive and appreciate those around them and what the things they do possess, including life experience and a platform to cling to in their journey for wholeness.

But enough about that, because I hope you do catch this surprisingly cozy and intimate flick that speaks volumes about life although it's widely unheard of by most moviegoers. I was curious myself to see if the ramen soup in my pantry could work the wonders that it worked in the film. A fusion of both worlds is integrated into a unified whole and it's a great accomplishment from both the countries that took part. Bonsai!

Bedazzled (2000)

Captivating, titillating and an absolutely eye-opening ride of a man's journey to find happiness with some help from a "hot as hell" accomplice. Brendan Fraser is a one man show and Liz Hurley provides the eye candy that comes along with an impressive performance as the eloquently devious myth we call "The Devil".

Elliot Richards (Brendan Fraser) is a wimpy, dorky worker at a company in San Francisco. Derided by most of his co-workers and spending his off time alone in front of the television, he wishes he could go out with one of his co-workers by the name of Allison. What he doesn't know is that "The Devil" (Elizabeth Hurley) is right on his tail, and is willing to make a deal with him for his own benefit. She manipulates him by her magical powers to make anything in the world become a reality for Elliot. Knowing that Elliot has a soft spot and would like to turn his life around, she offers him a contract to perform seven wishes on his command if after those seven wishes, he will give up his soul to her. Delirious and desperate, Elliot accepts the offer and his wish is her command. Little does he know of the devil's underhanded ways of turning wishes against him and as Elliot grows more frustrated with each subsequent wish, the more he questions whether this whole experience is really worth his time when he could be doing much more meaningful things with his life. More headstrong and wise than before, Elliot wants to terminate his contract but the Devil is still the Devil by all means, and is she really willing to lose an extra soul on her cumulative list with the kind of reputation and connotations she has gained over the years? Does the devil know the meaning of mercy?

This is definitely a lighthearted feel good romantic comedy that makes you laugh out loud and admire the work of the actors presented on screen. Not only did Brendan Fraser have to perform his role as Elliot, but he also had to devote his abilities to the many other personalities which he wished he would become. I think that people don't give him enough credit for that and it really does stretch his acting abilities despite the labels many people have put on him. Elizabeth Hurley was of course showstopping in her role as the baddest and naughtiest legend out there. From the way she delivered her witty and articulate dialogue, to the way she made the audience melt in envy of her figure and sultry looks, Elizabeth Hurley was the perfect actress to play this role. The special effects were a little bit corny though and the make-up work done on Brendan Fraser for his various character changes made him look, at times, repulsive and bizarre; but I suppose it was done to match the kind of person he wanted to be, despite that strange feeling that nobody would ever want to be with any of those characters, especially Allison.

This film is a typical "be careful what you wish for" tale that questions what most people want to have in their lives compared to what really makes them happy. There is a difference between wants and needs which is taught even in an economics class. Elliot's character is a hopeless romantic, who assumes that the only way he can be happy is with Allison, and thinks that the Devil can grant him his wish without any kind of catches or underhanded tricks from her side. But he completely forgot with who he's dealing with and was hypnotized by the sheer opportunity to make his dreams come true. Lucky for him, he decided to give away his last wish for Allison and so his soul was saved, but you have to give credit to the Devil for making Elliot go through all those unsuccessful attempts of wooing Allison and making him see the light and seeing that you have to "go with the flow" for something to happen and not wait for a piano to fall from the sky. In the end, he became a much more confident and wholesome person with a bit more substance and wisdom to his character and personality. This also draws out the question of the many misconceptions we have toward people with a bad reputation or a stain on their past. Although the devil is perceived to be the source of all evil on Earth, she has taught Elliot a valuable lesson that will last him a lifetime and at the same time, obliterating the notion that all those who are perceived to be a burden to society don't deserve a chance to prove themselves worthy of a place among the rest of us. We need to give each other a chance no matter what unfavorable events we took part in and only then will the goodness in all of us be seen and bloom for all the world to see.

Bedazzled may not be a very recognized film among most movie-goers but it definitely stands out as a funny, intelligent and satirical look at society and what most of us want in our lives based on what ideals society has imposed on us in the past and present. When you want to be taught a lesson, why not get the Devil in Elizabeth Hurley's body to do the dirty work and direct you to the path that would let you see things from a new perspective and appreciate what you already have in life. There is always room for improvement but don't let the things you wish you had, blind you from what you do have in the here and now.

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

From the makers of some of the funniest and heartfelt films of all time, is a story of two boneheads looking to make it to the winner's circle against all odds. Due to their foolish demeanor and low intelligence levels, they get caught up in some amusing situations which will surely crack you up in a matter of seconds.

Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) is a limo driver. He is on his way to drive a wealthy woman to the airport. Sparks start flying in Lloyd's head and he has developed an immediate attraction to the woman by the name of Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly). He sees her leaving a briefcase in the terminal and sprints to give it back to her, but what he doesn't know is that the briefcase carries a stash of money needed to free one of Mary's relatives from a kidnapper. The two thugs hired for the job are dumbfounded when Lloyd scurries to take away the briefcase with him and follow him back to his apartment. Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) grooms dogs for a living and gets into some trouble of his own during the day as well. With both the guys fired from their jobs, they contemplate on their current situation and how they're supposed to start their pet shop business and pay rent when they have no more funds left. Lloyd, however, convinces Harry to go on a roadtrip to Aspen, Colorado to find Mary and not only give her back the briefcase but hopefully live the sweet life as well after all that they've been through. The buddies get going on their roadtrip but not without a few laughs and hilarious situations along the way. The thugs are still right on their tails but they're totally oblivious and focused on the task at hand: getting to Aspen. Will Lloyd get a chance to deliver the one-two punch when arriving in Aspen or will Harry step up and take the initiative for him? All's well that ends well, right?

My first reaction to seeing this film was the relentless pain that my stomach endured during the film. It's really that funny! From the dialogue to the setting and appearance of the two main characters, it's enough to make even the sourest person gleeful. The overall production of the film doesn't seem overworked and the film rides entirely on the shoulders of the actors and how they deliver their interpretation of these unforgettable characters to the viewers. Some effects were in order but they don't seem to overshadow the work of the actors and the overall plotline whatsoever, making the film that much more genuine and credible in the eyes of the viewer. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels became breakthrough stars in this film, and I could see by the spark in their eyes how dedicated and devoted they were to executing every detail to the peak of perfection. People may not know this, but it's a lot more difficult to act in comedies, I think, as opposed to drama because not only do you have to transform yourself into the person you are playing and make it authentic, but you also have to figure out the approach and technique that you are taking to perform the comedic sequences, and both these actors have done a phenomenal job with this aspect of acting in a comedy.

The symbolic message that this film sends is of course the parallels that Lloyd and Harry have with most of America. Of course most of us aren't as daft and unintelligent as the two characters portrayed in the film, but our goals aren't that different. We are all under the illusion of wanting to live the American Dream and that's just what Lloyd and Harry set out to do. We all want the expensive cars and the designer clothing while living the sweet life of being able to vacation in spots like Aspen, but the truth is that our financial or society status doesn't allow it. There are many different notion of what a good life should be for each person but what they don't want to hear is that they have to work hard for the chance to get there, and that kind of attitude and commitment has to come at an early age if you want to have a chance at winning the prize. Americans, when overlooked by foreigners, have gained a character of being brash and impulsive when an idea comes into their mind. This kind of mindset is like a fork in the road; it could set off a chain reaction that leads to success or it could be a short-lived venture that only seems great while you're in the moment, but definitely not in the long-term. Blinded by our vision of Hollywood stars, mansions and the glamorous lives a few fortunate people lead, people who immigrate and who are also born and raised in the USA don't realize that it is all very superficial and happiness doesn't lie in the status of being famous and abundantly wealthy, but rather being happy in your personal life and finding an occupation that you are really passionate about while wanting to improve your skills and gain experience in that field, is what should be on every person's priority list. On the other hand it's also about friendship and being able to forgive and forget all the unfortunate situations that you have been caught up in. Although Lloyd and Harry didn't catch their big break, in the end -- due to their slow wits -- they still have each other, and that bond is worth more to them than anything.

Overall, it's a legendary film that will definitely stand the test of time and also one which presents a lot of interesting concepts about our society and the wants of every regular American lone ranger in this stupendous land which offers a bounty of opportunities to those who want it and need it the most. By the way, see if you can guess which of the two is dumb and which one is dumber. I think Lloyd is dumber than Harry but it will be interesting to see your point of view on this continuous debate.

Charade (1963)

A mind-boggling suspense thriller with hints of mystery, comedy and romance all mixed in to give you one of the most exciting films featuring the Hollywood starlet Audrey Hepburn alongside old Hollywood's leading man, Cary Grant. Charade takes unexpected turns and keeps your mind on its toes while you're not able to turn your eyes away from the screen's leading duo and the events that unfold during their unfortunate predicament and developing relationship.

Regina "Reggie" Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) thought she knew everything about her husband, but when he is found dead and the police uncover his many secret identities, Regina is pushed to the brink of suspicion. She finds that everything in her apartment has been sold by her husband but cannot find the reason behind his motives. At the funeral of her husband, Reggie encounters three men who seem to all have a history with her husband and is frightened by their presence once she gets invited to the U.S. Embassy, where a man called Mr. Bartholomew (Walter Matthau) who works for the CIA, shows her a picture of the three rascals with her husband during WWII. She finds out that the four of them stole government money that they were supposed to deliver to the French Resistance, but instead buried it and got ambushed by the Germans. They had an extra accomplice Carson Dyle, who helped them execute this plan but he was shot by the Germans and left to die by the other four. Reggie's husband then double-crossed them all and dug up the money for himself and used it for his own benefit without his wife ever knowing of his past. In the midst of things she meets a man called Peter Joshua (Cary Grant) who offers to help her find the money her husband has stolen but the threesome are already ahead of them and start to stalk Reggie, every now and then menacing her to find the money for her own safety as well as Peter's. Things are not as they seem and Reggie has to be prepared for every instance of change in this game where bewilderment and surprises are not only inevitable but mandatory. Getting to the bottom of this will take risk and loss, but you'll never guess who the real culprit is by the end of it all.

Almost Hitchcock-ian in feel, from the gloomy sets to the frightening murder scenes, it's definitely one of the most memorable suspense thrillers from the old Hollywood classics. Audrey Hepburn's wardrobe is to die for and she is just as ravishing and intriguing as her signature character from Breakfast at Tiffany's with maybe a bit more intellect but with just as much charisma. Although in one of his last film roles, Cary Grant doesn't disappoint in the role of the suave male protagonist. Notable for his gentle nature towards his female co-stars, this role is no exception and he is the perfect leading man, displaying all the favorable qualities that women dream of. All the other actors left a strong impression on me by the way they played each character with such depth and distinctness. The characters weave a heavy web around the audience and it's not until the very end that you find out who each of them is. This is what makes this film a true classic and one that can be watched many times over especially with some accompanying humor on the side.

The theme of the movie would probably have to be one's identity -- hence the title -- and revenge. The character who turns out to be the main killer in the end has been bottling up all of his anger towards the others and has finally set off the catalyst which would bring all the others together so he could finish them off one by one. Cary Grant's character also doesn't turn out to be who he says he is, but then again, you can expect the unexpected from a movie with such a title. Audrey's character is the one caught in the middle of a crime which sets off a chain reaction that sends her head swerving and her instincts on the alert. Down the rabbit hole, her trust towards those around her is tested in the most relentless of ways and I think that all people are sometimes deceived by those surrounding them whether they are the ones who are closest to them or those who they work with, bankers, shop owners and even the people who represent themselves as the authority on our lives. We all wear masks to hide the hideous creatures we sometimes tend to be and the habits or the experiences that mark our lives forever. All humans have an intuition to display prudence in the eyes of those who we wish to impress or in some cases mislead, but sometimes we do it unknowingly without feeling we are at fault. We all make mistakes and some of those mistakes turn our lives around for better or worse and we need to be able to admit them to someone we truly trust and know inside-and-out while at the same time have an ability to forgive ourselves, learn from our mistakes and move on in life to reach the goals we have set forth from the beginning. Those mistakes can ultimately guide future generations to not make the same mistakes that you did and making the world a better place; all you have to do is look at the situation from all sides and from many different perspectives, and everything will be alright.

Pretty deep, huh? Well, I guess that would be all from me, so if you didn't see this movie yet, you have to go see it. It really is an engaging experience that will set your brain cells boiling to figure out who is who, while admiring the chemistry between the two main actors and the priceless dialogue in between. Also, take the time to admire the memorable opening titles. Mesmerizing.