Five Fun Quirky Films

As you all know, I love quirky stuff. Including movies!

The weirder it is, the better.

I especially respect film makers who are willing to take a risk and break out of the generic mold...even if it means the movie won't experience huge blockbuster status.

Here are some of my favorite quirky films, including some horror/sci fi in the honorable mention category.

STRICTLY BALLROOM

This 1992 Baz Luhrmann film has all of my favorite things wrapped up with a bow. Quirky kooky Australian humor, wacky characters, an adorably sweet romance, fabulous soundtrack, and spine-tingling dance scenes. The costumes, the music, the whole ballroom dance vibe is the perfect backdrop for a bizarre Australian movie with one of the greatest happy endings ever.

Ever.

Watch it!

MOONRISE KINGDOM

Wes Anderson is all about quirk. Just the stunning visual component of his films is a good enough reason to watch. The colors, the composition. Swoony goodness! But it's the bittersweet characters, all struggling in their own way, that draw you in and make you hope for a happy ending. This is another crazy love story with a superb ending that will satisfy any romance lover.

Bonus: Bruce Willis!

WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

This 1971 film based on the Roald Dahl book is pure gold. It captures the whimsy and wackiness of the original story, and casting Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka is one of the greatest casting decisions in the history of film. (And I'm not even going to discuss Johnny Depp. Just...no) Everything about this movie is perfection...the crazy story, the fantastic characters, the Oompa Loompas, the music, the SPECTACULAR scenery. This film is brilliant in every way. A+ QUIRK!

Also, so many quotes! "The suspense is terrible...I hope it'll last." Hee hee!

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY

2013 film with Ben Stiller. There is a sweetness to this quirky movie that I adore. Walter Mitty's life is so miserable he spends most of his time fantasizing in a dream world instead of dealing with the tedium of his real life. What happens when this poor schmo finally gets the courage to break out of his shell? So many wonderful things! Great music, kooky scenarios--including a hilarious scene with a shark that made me snort laugh--and a sweet romance. 

Bonus: Gorgeous Icelandic scenery, which inspired our family trip to Iceland.

Whenever I need a dose of happy, I watch this one again. It's a keeper!

BEST IN SHOW

If you love dogs, and you love dog shows, and you love comedy, then BEST IN SHOW is your quirky selection! This is the perfect setting for a bunch of nutso characters obsessed with their pets and this canine competition. It includes laugh-out-loud humor and hilarious performances by Christopher Guest and his comedy group. Clever, snarky, and snort-laugh fun.

Bonus: Eugene Levy

Looking for more quirky options? If you like horror, I would recommend TREMORS, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, and SLITHER. If you enjoy sci fi parodies, try SPACE BALLS and GALAXY QUEST.

I also recently watched and loved THE SHAPE OF WATER, a creepy quirky fantasy.

Some oldies-but-goodies include GROUNDHOG DAY, FARGO, FANTASTIC MR. FOX, RAISING ARIZONA.

Do you have any favorite quirky films? Let me know!

Have a quirky day!

xoxoxo

Penny/Nina

Strictly Romance

Evidently, August is Celebrate Romance Month! (It's also National Catfish Month, National Eye Exam Month, and my personal favorite...Water Quality Month).

Back to romance!

I recently watched one of my all-time favorite movies again (for the 10,000th time)...STRICTLY BALLROOM. And it made me realize that all of my favorite things about romance are packed into this one, quirky, kooky, adorable Australian film.

For those of you who have never seen it (OH MY GOD! HURRY UP AND WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!), STRICTLY BALLROOM is a 1992 film about a risk-taking ballroom dancer. The characters are colorful. The ballroom dance outfits are outrageous. The music is catchy. And...well, here's my list of why this movie is #1 for most romantic in my personal stash!

A DOZEN REASONS WHY STRICTLY BALLROOM 

KICKS ROMANCE ASS

by Penelope

1. The hero has moves. As in, dance moves. SEX-AY!

2. There is an ugly duckling-to-Cinderella-transformation story. Swoon!

3. There is a grumpy, underhanded villain. With a super bad toupee!

4. There are plenty of dramatic black moments.

5. There is fantastic, quirky humor.

6. There are hilarious secondary characters, including Scott's sweet father, insane mother, 

various and assorted ballroom dancers, and some cute kids, too!

7. The setting is perfect. From the cramped practice studio, to the enormous ballroom, 

to Fran's quaint home. They all perfectly complement each scene.

8. The heroine is overlooked and underestimated by everyone. 

But she has an iron will and determination that sparkle. 

As well as a sweet vulnerability that make the viewer cheer for her happy ending.

9. The hero is a cocky, swaggering know-it-all at the beginning of the film. 

But he gets taken down a peg or two by this geeky girl. And her dad. 

And suddenly...he gets it. The big picture. 

Not just about the dance. But about...the love. And romance!

10. The music kicks ass.

11. The dance kicks ass.

12. The scene at the end of the movie where Scott slides along the floor right next to Fran, 

then stands up, staring at her with the most intense, incredible look on his face, 

kicks romance ass like there is no tomorrow.

Clip Time! WATCH THIS!
(I recommend watching the whole clip, but the stand up-hot look is at 2:03.
HOLY HOTNESS, BATMAN!)

All of the things that make this movie pure gold are the same things I look for in a romance novel. Character transformation, setting that comes to life, secondary characters who add wonderful texture to the story. Humor that makes me laugh out loud. 

And sweet, vulnerable, optimistic love. Love that makes characters willing to take chances. 

Love that shows two people they are stronger together than they are alone.

VIVA ROMANCE!

 

For more posts about why romance kicks ass, check out the CELEBRATE ROMANCE website. 

All your favorite authors are there chatting about LOVE, baby!

Also, Laura Florand's post is up today. Check it out!

Love is in the air,

Penny

Strictly Romance

One of the greatest, quirkiest, most romantic films ever....Strictly Ballroom.

Sigh. Swoon. Sigh. Swoon.

This film has got it all...hilarious humor, true romance, great music. It's in my Top 5 List (w/ Moonstruck, Aliens 2, Willy Wonka-the original, and Jaws).

This scene is one of the greatest final movie scenes ever. LOVE IT! Enjoy.

Hope you have a romantic Saturday. Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for The Martini Club...Judith Arnold will be here talking strawberry daiquiris and funny bar scenes.

Penelope