I’ll just say it- I love a good romance movie and we don’t get that many satisfying ones these days. Most are either of the 50 Shades/Unforgettable variety or the Nicholas Sparksian mold. It is with this in mind that I share with you my positive response to the recent teen romance- Everything, Everything. My niece loved the book and while I haven’t read it yet I intend to because I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.
A movie like this depends largely on the chemistry of the lead couple and the believability of their journey together. In Everything, Everything Amandla Stenberg stars as Maddy a young girl with an autoimmune disease that forces to stay inside her house all the time. One day she meets through the window her next door neighbor Olly played by Nick Robinson and they become friends.
The film is very clever with how it stages their initial interactions. Of course, it is texts and emails but it feels intimate and real and the two actors have terrific chemistry. Director Stella Meghie did a great job staging the interactions in an authentic way and the screenplay avoids too much melodrama.
I kept waiting for the story to go off the rails with an evil person thwarting young love or a dramatic cancer diagnosis but it was more subtle than that. I am sure some critics will say it is predictable and cheesy but I think it could have gone way more off the rails many times. It worked for me.
The only real flaw I had with it was one character gets off the hook a little too easily but that wasn’t a huge problem. I also appreciate that them being a mixed race couple wasn’t brought up once. They were just teens in love, as it should be.
There isn’t much else to say except I really liked it. Great chemistry, well shot and the emotional manipulation feels very gentle for this kind of movie. I think if women go with their girlfriends they will have a great time. My friend who went with me had a great time also so it’s not just me.
Overall Grade- B+
As far as content there is one scene of sensuality but it is pretty tame.
Only have a sec tonight but wanted to share with you all my review of the latest Nicholas Sparks’ movie adaptation- The Choice.
You can probably tell from my expression in the thumbnail I strongly recommend you not make the choice to see The Choice. I liked last year’s Longest Ride and gave it a B-. I thought they had good chemistry and the story wasn’t half bad. But this is just awful. Terrible acting, writing, and chemistry between the leads.
The strangest thing in my eyes was the cakey, odd make-up and sullen lighting. That’s something these types of movies usually nail.
Instead of seeing The Choice, make the choice to find Brooklyn instead. Now that is a great romance!
Tonight I am going to see Song of the Sea at the theater but I thought I might give you some romantic inspiration Disney-style. There have been many great couples in Disney but which one’s are the best for Valentines Day?
Here we go!
12. Nightmare Before Christmas-
Got to pick something different but the love story between Jack and Sally is actually quite sweet. Gives us hope that even the strangest of us have a match.
I don’t give enough Bambi love on the blog. It really is beautiful. The instant love trope would be brought out so many times by Disney but this was the first and it introduced us to being twitterpated long before twitter!
I think the only Disney Canon with a proposal in it? Help me out if I’m wrong. Bernard tries over and over again to propose to always be thwarted. I love how Bianca has such faith in Bernard even with the rugged Jake around.
Hoping your prince will come? Why not watch Snow White sing about it? Have a little hope on Valentines if you are currently single. When the Prince sings One Song it is one of the more underrated Disney musical moments.
Tarzan and Jane have lovely chemistry together as they try and understand each other’s world view. Hey and maybe it will help you ladies think twice about those ape-men in your life 😉
The whole movie is basically a guy trying to impress a girl who has sworn off men. Perfect for Valentines Day! We also get a magic carpet ride, A Whole New World and one of the best Disney kisses.
I feel like you almost have to put Cinderella on a list like this. I mean it’s Cinderella finding her Prince Charming…but I actually think it’s more about a woman getting rescued from an unhappy life. But it is a beautiful princess falling instantly in love with her Prince and getting married at the end. Can’t go wrong with that.
Another underrated Disney song-
Pretty much these next 5 are equally loved by me so they are ties for first place!
Disney’s stab at a romantic comedy and it is great. The banter between Flynn and Rapunzel is so well written . They have great chemistry and we see them grow together the entire movie. When they get to the lanterns it is such a lovely moment.
Probably includes the most iconic Disney romantic moment and the scene that made spaghetti synonymous with a hot date. It is such a sweet and gentle movie that will make even the most grumpy person smile. I dare you not to smile!
3. WALL-E
Another one I think you might have to be made of stone to not appreciate. Wall-e simply loves Eva. It’s as simple as that. He will do anything for her and it is sweet and innocent and completely lovely. As Hello Dolly tells us in the movie ” it only took a moment
To be loved a whole life long”
Tale as old as time, tune as old as song. Bitter sweet and strange finding you can change. Learning you were wrong. Certain as the sun rising in the east…Beauty and the Beast. Yep. It’s the time when one heart understood another despite him having a ‘hideous’ appearance. We all hope someone will see our heart and love us flaws and all. No movie exemplifies that hope better than Beauty and the Beast.
1. Up
Usually if people ask I tell them Up is my favorite movie. It’s certainly in the top 3. It’s a movie I could watch once a week for the rest of my life and never get sick of. What it does in the first 10 minutes is my favorite moment of film ever. To show a whole life of a couple is something that always makes me tear up and I’ve seen the movie a lot. But what moves me even more is how Ellie remains a palatable force in the movie. Carl talks to her and you feel her presence. When I first saw Up it was like a hug from my Grandpa who I miss dearly. It reminded me that he is close by and rooting for me.
This is how much I love Up. I had this cake made for my housewarming/birthday party when I moved into my house.
If you want to go live action either of the Parent Trap movies are excellent choices with great chemistry from the leads. Why not have a party and watch both!
What are your favorite Disney romances? What did I miss?
I’ll just say it- I love a good romance movie and we don’t get that many satisfying ones these days. Most are either of the 50 Shades/Unforgettable variety or the Nicholas Sparksian mold. It is with this in mind that I share with you my positive response to the recent teen romance- Everything, Everything. My niece loved the book and while I haven’t read it yet I intend to because I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.
I kept waiting for the story to go off the rails with an evil person thwarting young love or a dramatic cancer diagnosis but it was more subtle than that. I am sure some critics will say it is predictable and cheesy but I think it could have gone way more off the rails many times. It worked for me.
