Go Get Yourselves Loved.

A Movie Review on “HappyThankYouMorePlease” written and directed by Josh Radnor. 

HappyThankYouMorePlease Film Poster | www.webmallindia.com

I am a big fan of Josh Radnor.  Like many other though, I only know Radnor from his role, Ted Mosby of the Emmy-award-winning sitcom How I Met Your Mother.  Yes, he’s that hopeless romantic guy who believes in the existence of that one true soul mate; the one who’ve been telling his two kids the story of how he met his wife for like two years now.  With such a role that he portrays real well, I cannot help but wonder why he was not in the business of making himself known through a line-up of romantic comedies. I mean, look at Jason Segel.  He’s got Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I Love You, Man.

It was not until last week, when I movie-trailer surfed on YouTube for the Sundance Film Festival nominees when I found this.  Yes, I got overexcited at the prospect of watching Josh Radnor in an actual film.  Not just a film, as it happens, because he’s also the one who wrote and directed it.  Now there’s a struggling artist worthy of my adoration! Oh-ha-ha!

According to Wikipedia, HappyThankYouMorePlease won “Audience Award” at the 26th Sundance Film Festival.

Watch the trailer here:

HappyThankYouMorePlease Film Poster | www.fdmovie.com

Two words that would describe this indie film would be balanced and real (minus the “kidnapping-but-not-minding-so-much” theme).  It tells the story about interwoven relationships such as :

- Sam (Radnor) and Rasheen (Algieri);
- Sam and Mississippi (Mara);
- Annie (Akerman) and Sam #2 (Hale); and
- Mary Catherine (Kazan) and boyfriend, Charlie (Schreiber).

On his way to meet a publisher (or probably an agent that could represent him), Sam met Rasheen, an African-American kid who was left at the train by his family.  Foster family, as it happens.  He took the child with him and meant to bring him to the police station or social service office but as soon as he got to know the child, the idea of giving the him up just wasn’t as promising as before.

Rasheen and Sam | www.gmanreviews.com

Mississippi is a waitress during the day, a singer at a cabaret at night. And I tell you right now, KATE MARA HAS AN AMAZING VOICE! If you don’t believe me, then see (and hear) for yourself :>

Sam saw Mississipi walking on the street and was instantly interested, leading to a three-night stand proposal.  Now, whatever happened to my Ted Mosby? Hahaha!

Mississippi and Sam | www.popstrike.com

There’s also Annie, Sam’s bestfriend who has Alopecia areata and Sam #2, her co-worker, who is just so besotted with her.  According to MedScape Reference (www.emedicine.medscape.com), alopecia areata is a nonscarring type or hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area.

Sam #2 likes taking pictures of Annie, irritating her bigtime.  He has this subtle creepy stalker look with puppy-dog-eyes, but he happens to be really sweet.  Like everytime he says something, your initial reaction would always be “AWWWW.”  One of my favorite lines of him was when he said that he takes pictures not because he loves or understands photography per se, but because, and I quote, “When I see something I like looking at, I get to keeping looking at it.”

Annie’s Photos taken By Sam #2 | www.damadia.com

Lastly, the live-in couple Mary Catherine and Charlie.  Charlie wants to move to Los Angeles for greener pastures.  Mary wants to stay in New York.  Then Mary learned she’s preggers and now, it’s okay that they move to Los Angeles while Charlie thinks it’s okay to stay in New York.  Oh c’mon!

Charlie and Mary Catherine | www.thetopline.wordpress.com

WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE MOVIE :

It is just not the type of movie that makes you crave for more drama, or more romantic scenes or whatever.  You just sit, watch, and well, let the story unfold.  Boring, at some point, yes.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE MOVIE :

1.  The actors, especially Michael Algieri, who played Rasheen.  It was amazing how his character and acting skills just blended so well with the adult actors.  Unlike the usually whiny kids in movies, Algieri did great in portraying a kid who is indifferent–though not really because he grew up in a foster home–to his surroundings.

2.  Kate Mara’s lovely voice! And the soundtrack, most from Jaymay. AWESOME!!! ”Never Be Daunted” is my favorite!

“What are you so afraid of?

Why are you feeling scared?

What’s the worst that’s gonna happen?”

3.  The screenplay.  Who would have thought that Josh Radnor had it in him?! Yes, there’s the usual struggling writer who can’t seem to get his works published as the main protagonist, but I think what sets this apart is that the pacing was not off.  Like it was not just about Sam and Rasheen or Sam being a commitment-phobe.  I guess, apart from the, erm, quite many times that the camera would zoom in on Radnor, all the stories were delivered well and equal.

And of course, THE DIALOGUES! The quotable quotes we can’t get enough of! I have to say that Annie and Sam #2′s lines are the best and most memorable.  Followed by that of Mary Catherine and Charlie.  And sad to say, the last rank is for Sam and Rasheen–which was basically when Rasheen said that Sam is his best friend.  Aww, that was just so sweet!

Oh well, I don’t want to spoil the story for you so much, so I’ll just quote my favorite.  This one is from Annie.

“Sadness be gone! Let’s be people who deserved to be loved! Who are worthy, cause we are worthy! We really are.”

P.S.  I think Malin Akerman is still pretty, even hairless.

Oh you, Tucker!

A Review on “This Heart of Mine” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This Heart of Mine Book Cover | www.harpercollinscatalogs.com

And so my hunt for my NFL-athlete lover starts…

This Heart of Mine is a story of unrequited love, friendship, and a love finally returned.

An author of children’s book titled Daphne the Bunny, Molly Somerville had her eyes on Kevin Tucker for so long, but he does not even notice her, let alone know her name.

A daredevil, Kevin is currently Chicago Stars’ most valuable player and has expressed intentions of being the team coach once he retires.

It was due to one of his thrilling escapades that he was suspended and spending detention at the Calebow’s vacation house.  Molly, on the other hand, was again on the verge of doing something crazy that she decided to have a little retreat at…yes, you guessed right! At the Calebow’s vacation house, too.

To sum up their reunion, it all started with Kevin thinking Molly was a burglar and ended up with Molly getting pregnant.  There was the marriage too.  And the miscarriage.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE STORY:

The title, again.  This Heart of Mine gives off this very serious sense of drama that makes you think that this book was written by Jodi Picoult or Marian Keyes instead of Susan Elizabeth Phillips who is known for her funny and quirky heroines.

Apart from the title, I like everything.  Hahaha!  I know, I know.  I have spent the last hour browsing the book hoping I would read something that will suddenly turn off the charm that the Phillips’ books had cast on me, but nada.  My smile just keeps getting broader as I once again read about Kevin and Molly.  KMN.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE STORY:

Molly and Kevin—especially Kevin.  Need I say more?  Well, yes actually.  I don’t want you to think that I’ve become such a shallow reader (though I did question myself that too).

I applaud how Ms Phillips develops each of her characters, not just the leads.  In this book, however, I was glad to see that despite the significance of the supporting characters like the Calebows on Molly’s side, and Lilly Sherman on Kevin’s, their roles did not at all sidestep the budding story between the main characters.  They were just that—supporting characters.

What sets Molly and Kevin’s story apart from other chick literature is that they were not an instant couple.  They had resented each other; they reconciled and became friends, and became just like that for a while, before they realized that they were soul mates and are meant to be each other’s company in old age and forever.  I love how Ms Phillips took the time to develop the characters of Molly and Kevin.

Molly was a writer who struggles between making the changes in her book that her editor told her to do so and having her book published as it is.  Meanwhile, Kevin has considered football his priority for most of his life and he intends it to be that way until he retires. Ms. Phillips did an amazing job showing who Molly and Kevin were as individuals, and who they were together.

FAVORITE PARTS IN THE BOOK:

3rd:   When Molly could not help but “touch” Kevin in his sleep.  They had made love while Kevin was half-sleeping; Kevin was thinking he was making love with an ex-girlfriend.  Then when he realized that he was indeed making love with someone and it was not his ex-girlfriend, he opened his eyes to see Molly who said she was sleepwalking. Sleepwalking! Ha!

2nd:   Molly wore the red bikini that Kevin bought her to the ocean.  When she saw Kevin from afar looking lonely, she decided to spice things up and pretended she was drowning; Kevin, of course, went to save her.  But as he did, the bottom part of her string bikini came undone and was left at the bottom of the ocean while Kevin was dragging her to the shore.

1st:   Molly pretended to be unimpressed with Kevin’s marriage proposal, mostly because her idea of a romantic gesture would be something that involves life-saving.  So they rode a boat to the lake when suddenly, Kevin tied Molly and pushed her to the lake then jumped in to save her.  Romantically crazy! Or just pure crazy, actually! Hahaha!

It is a wonder where Ms Phillips gets all her crazy romantic ideas, but I just hope that she never rans out of humor for her stories and her fall-in-lovable characters.  Kevin Tucker has just set the standards higher.  LOL.

The More You Hate, The More You Love

A Review on “What I Did For Love” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

What I Did For Love Book Cover | www.ebookee.org

Georgie and Bram (short for Bramwell) are two Hollywood icons best known for their role in a TV Sitcom “Skip and Scooter” that aired for eight years and was cancelled due to Bram’s unhealthy actions—a sex tape topping the list.

Now, eight years after their show has been cancelled…

Georgie, who remained to be America’s sweetheart, is recently divorced. Her husband, famous action star Lance Marks, left her for Jade, a bombshell  known for her charitable works. Think Jen Aniston—Brad Pitt—Angelina Jolie.  This made Georgie an object of pity–which she hates more than anything else.

Bram is now a renewed man–has stopped smoking and drinking, got rid of his troublemaker friends, and has finished schooling.  Only, he does not let people know he is a changed man—most especially Georgie—which I find ironic because he has had his eye on a major role in a screenplay titled “Tree House” which he bought from a former girlfriend but could not let the movie be produced because no one would back him up if he insists on taking the major role.

Bram hates Georgie for having a good reputation and Georgie hates Bram for being a jerk.  Weird enough, they call it hate, but everybody else calls it chemistry.

THEN THEY GOT MARRIED.  IN VEGAS. Imagine the chaos…and the impossible love that will grow from their pretending to be a happily married couple.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE STORY:

1.  The title.  It masks the fun that is the entire story. The title made the story seem so deep like one of the characters is suffering from an acute illness and is about to die at the end.  So not happening!

2.  Lance Marks, Georgie’s ex-husband.  HE IS SHALLOW LIKE YEAH. With Georgie’s strong personality—and ironically low-self-esteem—it was difficult to fathom how she could have fallen for a guy like Lance.  Just saying, Ms Phillips.

3.  Trev’s character development.  Trev was one of Georgie’s best friends offscreen and onscreen; he played as Georgie’s best friend in Skip and Scooter. He was also Bram’s trusted friend.  So how come he was not at the real wedding?

4.  That pathetic scene where Bram was drowning and he suddenly realized he was in love with Georgie too.  Bram is so selfish that he has become numb to human emotion.  But seriously, a life-and-death scene?

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE STORY:

1.  The love-hate relationship between Georgie and Bram.  Their hate for each other goes way back to their tween years.  Then they got married and pretended to be a happy couple.  They hold hands, they hug, they kiss—all for publicity’s sake.  Then came that time when holding hands, hugging, and kissing do not feel as phoney as before.

It has the enough mix of wisecracks and sarcasm that will make you laugh-out-loud and feel all lovey-dovey at the same time.  I can’t help but wish I also had a hot male archnemesis.  Yes, I know.  Be careful what you wish for!

2.  The name “Bram”.  Because it is different.  In case you have not noticed (well, you really would not if you have not read that much chick literature), male protagonists are usually named “Luke” or “Jack.”  Bram was definitely a breath of fresh air.

3.  The Jen-Brad-Angelina triangle metaphor.  Like in real life, I prefer Georgie over Jade–always Jen Aniston over Angelina Jolie! Hahaha!  Not that I wish for Lance to stay with Georgie.  NEVER.  Bram won my heart from the moment he was described to have an amazing upper body. Dayum!

4.  The supporting characters.  Paul (Georgie’s father and manager) and Laura (her agent), and Chaz (Bram’s housekeeper) and Aaron (Georgie’s tech-savvy nerd personal assistant).

Being a manager to Georgie is the only way Paul knows how to be a good father.  Laura’s only class-A client is Georgie and she knows so well why Paul chose her as Georgie’s agent–because only her could be pushed around into following his orders and demands.  That was until Georgie fired both of them and they fell in love with each other.

Chaz, Bram’s sort-of-assistant, likes to clean up all the mess she sees.  When Georgie moved-in, Aaron, Georgie’s assistant, became a part of that mess.  Aaron is your typical nerd-next-door.  Chaz made him eat healthy food and dress well.  She thinks of him as a little brother–or so she thought.

Paul and Laura, and Aaron and Chaz.  I love how their characters are not entirely defined by their relationship with Georgie and Bram.  Oh, and I love that each of them is an unlikely couple too.  Just like Georgie and Bram.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips | www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

This is the first time I have a read a book by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  Apart from Trev, I like how she delved into each of the characters’ past.  She made it easier for her readers to know where each was coming from.  I also like how Ms Phillips was able to make the entire story not just romantic and sexy despite the odd couples.  It has depth in that it tackles second chances.  A second chance at love.  A second chance at a career.  A second chance at a family.

In my opinion, Bram, among all the characters excelled most in his story of second chance.  And no, it is not because he totally transformed from being skin and bones—but still hot—to a total hunk.  I love how determined he was to make it right this time, even though he meant to use Georgie for that to happen.  It was deceitful, yes.  But it was not like he has always been successful in his attempts.  He learned his lesson.  And he learned it well.

All in all, What I Did For Love is very much a comfortable read. I would not be able to say that this is Ms. Phillips’ best book because this is her first that I have read.  But I have read a lot of chick literature to know that this is better than most.  Job well done, Ms. Phillips!

Other works by Susan Elizabeth Phillips are “Dream A Little Dream,” “Be Good,” and “First Lady” to name a few.