You've Got Mail

You've Got Mail

Warner Bros.

December 13, 1998

Romcom
DVD
C

I saw this at the time, a time when I saw a lot of romcoms.  It offended me as a lifelong book-person.  Still, when it came along alphabetically in this project, I wondered what I would think of it now, a quarter century later, especially since I softened on Meg Ryan after watching When Harry Met Sally... a few months ago.

And, well, there are times when it's deliciously dated, from its concept to its OMG cast.  The soundtrack is generally solid, typically for Nora Ephron (who directed, and co-wrote with sister Delia).  New York City looks pretty and ridiculously clean.  But this movie still offends me as a book-person, because nothing about the bookstores is or ever was realistic.  (Don't get me started on its misunderstanding of Pride and Prejudice!) And of course there's the whole Tom Hanks amiably gaslighting poor Meg thing.  Still, I watched it to the end (again) and can't go below a C.

(And, yes, I've seen The Shop Around the Corner, which is over-rated but less offensive, if I recall correctly.)

When Harry Met Sally...

When Harry Met Sally...

Castle Rock Entertainment

July 21, 1989
Romcom
DVD
B-

So here's the thing.  I saw this movie once or twice before, not at the time, because at twenty-one I was a little young for it.  I always thought it was over-rated but not terrible, and just seeing the trailers made me mildly dislike Meg Ryan for decades.  So I didn't exactly go into this with high hopes.

But it's actually pretty good, sweet and mildly funny.  I can't relate to it, I don't think I've ever related to it*, but it's definitely interesting in an anthropological sense, very much of its time.  And it's much better than at least 90% of the romcoms out there, especially ones I've attempted for this project.  And, yeah, I'll finally start cutting Meg Ryan some slack.

Nora Ephron wrote (with a lot of input), and Rob Reiner directed.

*I relate to Going the Distance hard, even if I'm not actually like any of the people in it.

Sleepless in Seattle

Sleepless in Seattle

TriStar

June 25, 1993

Romcom

DVD
D+

This is at least the third time I've attempted to watch this movie over the years.  Oh well, at least it was nice to see David Hyde Pierce in a supporting role.  (This time I tuned out before most of the recognizable faces showed up.)  Nora Ephron directed and co-wrote.

Serious Moonlight

Serious Moonlight

Magnolia Pictures

December 4, 2009

Horror

DVD
D-

Meg Ryan hopes for a Stockholm Syndrome reconciliation with Timothy Hutton.  Cheryl Hines directed.

My Mom's New Boyfriend

My Mom's New Boyfriend

Sony etc.

April 30, 2008

Comedy
DVD
C-

Considering I don't like Meg Ryan, this isn't as bad as it could be.  George Gallo wrote and directed.

Kate & Leopold

Kate & Leopold

Miramax

December 25, 2001

Sci-Fi, Romcom

DVD
D+

Another romcom where I dislike Meg Ryan, only this one has time travel.  James Mangold directed and co-wrote.

I.Q.

I.Q.

Paramount

December 25, 1994

Historical Comedy
DVD
C-

I guess this is innocuous enough but I wasn't drawn in and I did feel Matthau was miscast as Einstein.  Fred Schepisi directed.

The Doors

The Doors
TriStar
March 1, 1991
Historical Drama, Musical
DVD
C-

Like the student film that Morrison makes, this is a bit pretentious, although, yes, Kilmer makes a pretty Jim M.  Oliver Stone directed and co-wrote.

City of Angels

City of Angels
Warner Bros.
April 10, 1998
Fantasy
DVD
D-

Remake of Wings of Desire, which I've never seen, but it was creepy seeing Cage as an angel put his hands on everyone's shoulders and read their minds.  (This is the fourth Cage movie I've rejected so far by the way.)  And then it turns into a medical drama!  Brad Silberling directed.