Chick Flicks For Men
16 Comments Published by Alex February 7th, 2007 in Movies, Romance. Share This
It’s so easy to write off the latest romantic comedy as insipid overemotional tripe that only women would want to see. What a cliché, somehow I’m convinced that men’s sensitive sides invariably get underrated. All week I’ve kept hearing about how men are, in fact, more romantic than women. Some proof can be found in box office stubs.
In my household, I’m the one who usually wants to see the chick flicks, whereas Xtine wants to see the horror movies. For example, she was dying to see the latest Texas Chainsaw flick, and I’m kind of over the series; she had no interest in seeing “My Super Ex Girlfriend”, but I’m an Uma Thurman fan and for me it had to be seen on the big screen. (It was a turkey, but I loved it.)
I accept that ours may be an atypical pairing in a lot of ways. But I’m still pretty sure that guys in general aren’t necessarily predisposed against seeing love stories. Particularly after said guys have lost in love a few times; our tender underbellies become more and more susceptible to emotional manipulation with every heartbreak.
I suspect that the truth behind men’s reluctance to see chick flicks is that the good ones actually do move us, occasionally to tears, and men generally hate getting caught while showing any signs of being wussy.
Fess up, there have got to be a few of you out there ballsy enough to admit that you actually like at least one or two typical chick flicks. I dare you to post a response detailing one and why you liked it.
I am in the same boat as you. I like all types of movies, but especially indie and foreign movies. They can be any genre, including love stories. My wife on the other hand loves horror movies, which I can’t stand. I think most of the horror stories coming out have already been told before. I like seeing something more original. Anyways, one movie that could be seen as a chick flick that is one of my favorite movies ever is Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain to the francophiles). This movie always makes me a little giddy… From the music to the look and feel of the movie to the actress (Audrey Tautou). It’s just a great movie and I’m not afraid to admit it…
I admit to owning ‘Serendipity’ on DVD, how can you not like this movie? chick flick or not, Piven and Cusack are awesome together and you gotta love kate Beckinsdale. I make no apologies for owning this DVD.
I’m not a huge fan of the chick flicks. Neither is my girl friend for the most part. We get along with the film viewing pretty much the same. Horror movies are one of her favourites, I love action/adventure and comedy.
Sorta nice to have this combination.
I do have three chick flicks in my dvd wallet from my last relationship. She actually gives me hell about them :p
I will see anything with Mandy Moore or Ann Hathaway in it due to the nice, ehem, scenery. Drew Barrymore flicks, i.e. 50 First Dates, ain’t too bad most of the time either.
Love Actually is quite good, despite the presence of some questionable actors. It’s got some great lines (”Look out America! Here comes Colin Frissel, and he’s got a big knobbbb!”). Emma Thompson puts on a great performance, and Bill Nighy is hilarious. Watch for nudity from Laura Linney, a cameo by Claudia Schiffer, and general hotness from some other female characters.
I’ve maintained for years that Grosse Pointe Blank is the ultimate date movie. John Cusack plays a hit-man (”professional killer”) who, at the urging of his secretary (Joan Cusack) attends his 10-year high-school reunion and reignites an old flame (Minnie Driver). Unfortunately, he’s also taken a job while he’s there AND has to deal with his professional nemesis (an absolutely hilarious Dan Aykroyd). Hank Azaria and Jeremy Piven play tertiary characters.
Guys love it for the guns n’ killin’ n’ stuff. Chicks love the romantic chemistry and humor. Frankly, I’m surprised more people haven’t seen it.
First, is her name really Xtine? Like, with the letter “X” and stuff….?
Second, is The Princess Bride considered a chick flick?
LadyHawke, a great flick sword and sorcery flick with a decent love story.
Pete:
1. No, it’s actually Christine, but she’s spelled it like Xmas for a long, long time now.
2. I think the beauty of The Princess Bride is that it’s a kid’s movie for grownups, appealing to pretty much anyone.
I know something you don’t. I am not left handed!
I’m rather partial to Sidewalks of New York, a mock documentary about the sex/love lives of 6 NYers and how they’re intertwined. All of my female friends dig, the guys tend to think its boring at best. Heather Graham is as vapid as usual, but there are some solid performances from Ed Burns, Rosario Dawson, and David Krumholtz.
Be forewarned: if you watch it with a partner, relationship is a given.
One of my favs is The notebook, good story, good sappy parts, and turns my wife on like none other…. like foreplay on a DVD
I like Annie Hall, which beat out Star Wars for best picture in ‘77. Since it’s 30 years old, many people haven’t even seen it, unlike say Love Actually. I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to mention, though, that they wind up just being friends in the end, for what it’s worth.
i’m usually the first dude to admit i like a good chick flick. im surprised no one has mentioned gems like Forget Paris and When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. That late 80s early 90s period of sappy love stories usually hits the spot with me. i’ll also have to agree that Love Actually is a great flick; definitely has an amazing cast. there’s something satsifying about a positive love story with a generally upbeat plot and quirky characters that can put me in a cheery mood.
“The Princess Bride” is a great chick flick. It’s funny as hell.
I cry at all movies, *sniffle*.
“Walking and Talking” and “Mr. Jealousy” are two excellent romantic comedies that would probably qualify as chick flicks. They work because of excellent acting, hilarious writing, and non-sentimental direction.
Sorry this comment is so late. I have an incredible Google Reader backlog.
“100 Girls” is a pseudo-chick flick that I like. Boobs, sex, crude jokes, it has all the things I like. Has a chick flick storyline for the girls, too.