Tonight, the live telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards will be viewed by tens of millions around the world. Many will be watching at home, and others will make it an evening to remember by throwing or attending parties just for the pure fun of it. Here in Ottawa, The Mayfair Theatre will be broadcasting the ceremony on the big screen for their members, and serving drinks to benefit non-profit theatre company Negative Theatre. 
While I do love to look at all the glamourous gowns sported by Hollywood starlets, I sometimes find watching live just a touch too unpredictable to be comfortable. Instead, the inevitable trips, slip-ups, and flops make me cringe with embarrassment, and I usually end up leaving the room and waiting for these memorable moments to pass. Mostly, I’m interested in who wins, what movies I still need to see, and yes – who were the best dressed, but these can easily be summarized in just a few short paragraphs in the next day’s newspaper.
So, while I remain undecided about my approach to tonight’s Academy Awards ceremony, I do think today’s top-ten list of my favourite film genres is ‘apropos’…no?
Here we go, in no particular order:
1. Quirky dysfunctional family movies. Take Little Miss Sunshine, Running with Scissors, and the classic Royal Tenenbaums for example. There is something juicy yet comforting about other peoples family foibles, especially when they sometimes seem strangely familiar.
2. Cheese-ball romantic comedies (preferably taking place in high-school or at the Whitehouse or both). Ok. I confess, I’m talking about Chasing Liberty and First Daughter here, but you get the idea. Add outrageously implausible romances The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, and Monster-in-Law to this list, and it would appear that J.Lo in a starring role is also a key contributing factor.
3. Movies about movies, musicals, and theatre productions. You know the ones – Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending, State and Main or The Producers, for instance. I loved Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Nine too.
4. Shameless slapstick movies, made mostly for kids. Daddy Daycare comes to mind, as does Christmastime favourite Home Alone. I can’t help it. I laugh when people fall down (only if they don’t get hurt). Sorry.
5. Capers & Cons (preferably involving glamourous international jewel or art thefts). The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Renee Russo is at the top of my list in this genre, since it was so elegant and the costumes kicked ass, but there are many others worthy of watching too. The Italian Job, any of the Oceans movies, or even my dad’s favourite Dirty Rotten Scoundrels are sure to please if you’re looking to live vicariously for awhile.
6. Mockumentaries: This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind have to be among the funniest. Admittedly, these often star many of the same actors, but what the hell – I always know I’ll be in for a laugh.
7. Political comedies: Recent release In the Loop had me rolling on the floor. See this movie, and then decide if the political staffers you know would find it equally as funny. Dave with Kevin Kline was sweet and satisfying, as were Man of the Year and Swing Vote.
9. Epic intergalactic battles between good vs. evil: Star Wars (all of them), Star Trek (most of them) and yes – Avatar. Need I say more?!
10. Loose Literary Fun: Baz Lurman’s Romeo & Juliet was a wild ride, Shakespeare in Love was delightful, and ensemble piece Six Degrees of Separation while not based on a book, makes many a literary reference.
The general trend for me is clear. This girlaboutOtown appears to be most entertained when she leaves laughing or has a silly grin stretched across her face.
What about you? What film genres do you favour?









Sun, Mar 7, 2010
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