Quick thoughts about A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

1. Kevin Kline gives me life.

2. Why were the 80s full of so many weird crime-comedies?

3. I find this film strangely validating of my crush on (youngish) John Cleese.

4. Even a 10 second cameo of Stephen Fry elevates a movie.

5. Jamie Lee Curtis is a surprisingly a versatile actress.

6. I miss tightly scripted comedies.

7. Michael Palin does a pretty good stutter.

8. This was neither more funny or less funny than I thought it would be.

9. Otto hitting on Ken was the scene that made me laugh the most.

BOOP.

What are your favorite moments?

Nostalgic for Jennifer Lopez

I think it's to forget that Jennifer Lopez and her music were pervasive in the late 90s/early 2000s. At least for me, but lately I've been hearing her music everywhere, and I know every word, and I don't even hate these songs. None of them are mindblowingly well written or even particularly well sung, but they are earwormingly competent, and sometimes that's enough.

Here are 5 of her catchiest songs:

1. "If You Had My Love" (1999)


Yay, voyeurism?

2. "Waiting for Tonight" (1999)


Jennifer Lopez is really pretty, y'all.

3. "Love Don't Cost A Thing" (2000)


I will always associate this song with a terrible jazz routine at dance camp. Also, LOL cornrows.

4. "I'm Real" featuring Ja Rule (2001)


The combination of velour and Ja Rule makes me feel really old right now.

5. "Jenny From the Block" (2002)


Remember Bennifer Part 1?

Origin Stories: Thinkin' About Ya

"Thinkin' About Ya" by Timex Social Club (1986)
The original, credited to producer Jay King.



"Why You Treat Me So Bad" by Club Nouveau (1986)
When the beat kicks in, you know it's business time. (Watch the video on YouTube, or also listen to the full version here.) This is usually the version of the melody sampled.


"Rumors" by Father Dom featuring Timex Social Club (1995)
Could this song sound more 1995?



"Can't Trust a Man" by Mia X featuring Sugar T (1995)
This song is pretty badass and awesome. Listen here.

"I Got 5 On It" by Luniz featuring Michael Marshall (1995)
Obviously.



"Satisfy You" Puff Daddy featuring R. Kelly (1999)
Had no idea this existed. It's not good. (Listen here.)

"I'm Gonna Be Alright" by Jennifer Lopez (2001)
So this song apparently exists, too. (Listen here.)

"Untouchable" by DMX and a thousand other people (2003)
It's a more subtle sampling of the baseline. As an aside, whatever happened to DMX? (Listen here.)

"Only U" by Ashanti (2004)
Pretty much only the beginning. (Found here.)

THIS IS THE REMIX!

"How Can I Get Over You" by Taral Hicks featuring LL Cool J (1997)
I'm loving every minute of this remix. Who else misses 90s R&B?



"Irresistible" by Jessica Simpson (So So Def remix featuring Lil Bow Wow) (2002)
Oh, well I like this song now. Seriously listen. It's strangely awesome

Can you tell I've been shotgunning Community lately?

This song makes an appearance in season 3 several times, mostly through humming.



Thanks, Michael Haggins, for this smooth groove. It's now replacing "Call Me Maybe" as my default-stuck-in-head song.

Troy Barnes GIF party! (co-starring Abed, obvs)

Cutest.

I wish I was this happy on my birthday every year.

Baby Boomer Santa!

Troy and Abed looking cheesy!

Awesome.

I find myself doing thumbs up like this even though I'm pretty sure no one gets why I'm thumbs-upping like a dork.

50 Favorite Romances: Wrap-up

Well, kids, we made it. I listed out my 50 Favorite Romances. Did I miss any of your favorites? Have I included too many you hated? Check out the master list below: 

1. Much Ado About Nothing (1993) 
2. It Happened One Night (1934) 
3. When Harry Met Sally... (1989) 
4. A Room With a View (1985) 
5. Persuasion (1995) 
6. Gone With the Wind (1939) 
7. Two for the Road (1967) 
8. While You Were Sleeping (1995) 
9. The Princess Bride (1987) 
10. Philadelphia Story (1940) 
11. The Remains of the Day (1993) 
12. Penelope (2006) 
13. A Man and a Woman (1966) 
14. Mostly Martha (2001) 
15. A Walk in the Clouds (1995) 
16. My Man Godfrey (1936) 
17. The Sound of Music (1965) 
18. Casablanca (1942) 
19. Charade (1963) 
20. Monsoon Wedding (2001) 
21. In the Mood for Love (2000) 
22. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) 
23. Say Anything (1989) 
24. Love Story (1970) 
25. The New World (2005) 

Just a bonus picture from Anastasia. The restrained affection is glorious, as is Yul Brynner's bald head.

26. (500) Days of Summer (2009) 
27. Vibes (1988) 
28. The Last Station (2009) 
29. Splendor in the Grass (1961) 
30. What’s Up, Doc? (1972) 
31. Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) 
32. Shakespeare in Love (1998) 
33. Brief Encounter (1945) 
34. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 
35. Roman Holiday (1953) 
36. Love, Actually (2003) 
37. Strictly Ballroom (1992) 
38. The Painted Veil (2006) 
39. Corrina, Corrina (1994) 
40. Anastasia (1956) 
41. Moulin Rouge (2001) 
42. Sabrina (1995) 
43. The Village (2004) 
44. Moonstruck (1987) 
45. Forget Paris (1995) 
46. Amelie (2001) 
47. Firelight (1997) 
48. The Wedding Singer (1998) 
49. The Goodbye Girl (1977) 
50. The Way We Were (1973) 

Break it down by decade, you say? OF COURSE I'M GOING TO DO THAT. Number of films per decade:
1930s: 3
1940s: 3
1950s: 2
1960s: 5
1970s: 5
1980s: 6
1990s: 12
2000s: 14

I'm a little embarrassed that so many of them are recent, although it makes sense: I was born in the late 80s, so of course the 90s and early 2000s are going to be loaded with films I grew up with and shaped my taste in romance. At least I've got a couple per decade since the existence of talkie movies. 

Out of curiosity, I also decided to find out how if there were any popular years for me:

Years with 2 films chosen:
1987
1989
1993
1998
2004
2006
2009

Years with 5 films chosen:
1995
2001

I think we all already knew 1995 was probably the best year ever for movies including Persuasion, While You Were Sleeping, A Walk in the Clouds, Sabrina, and Forget Paris making my personal cut. But I'm surprised 2001 was that prolific. Turns out 3 were foreign films (Monsoon Wedding, Mostly Martha, and Amelie) in addition to Moulin Rouge! and Bridget Jones's Diary.

So anyway, those are my thoughts. It is finished.