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Chick flick–apalooza: "Traveling Pants 2" and "Bonneville"Ah, the chick flick. Much maligned. Often contrived. And, every now and then, downright satisfying. To be perfectly honest, I like a good chick flick — emphasis on good, of course. For me, the appeal is built right into the name. Chick: Well, I am one, and I like them. Flick: Well, movies; who doesn’t love movies? Two upcoming releases seek to find just the right chocolate-and-peanut-butter formula that results in the good kind of chick flick we all love to watch on lazy Sunday afternoons when we should be paying bills or regrouting the tub.
Both also fall into what is usually my favorite of the chick flick subgenres: the female bonding movie. Sure, romantic comedies are the more popular subgenre, but you just get more estrogen for your buck with bonding pictures. The films are Bonneville (opening Feb. 29 limited and March 21 wide) and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (opening Aug. 8). Bonneville, which stars 50-somethings Jessica Lange, Joan Allen, Kathy Bates and Christine Baranski, centers on a cross-country road trip taken by three friends when one of their husbands dies. The trip is done in — you guessed it — a big old convertible Pontiac Bonneville.
Is anyone else getting a decidedly Thelma & Louise feel from that photo? I just hope it doesn’t end the same way. Though, from the trailer, it looks like the ladies have their automotive high jinks in the Utah salt flats, not the Grand Canyon. Woo-hoo for Kathy landing Tom Skerritt’s character. By the way, did you know he’ll turn 75 this year? Whoa. And speaking of fun with ages, does anyone else think it’s silly that Jessica, who is 59, is playing the stepmother of Christine, who is 56? Well, I guess it could have been worse; she could have played her birth mother.
While Bonneville is aimed at the 50-plus crowd, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is aimed squarely at the teen and 20-something set. The film is based on Ann Brashares’ bestselling follow-up, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood. Stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Amber Tamblyn are all back for more adventures with the miraculous one-size-fits-all jeans. Interestingly, when the original was released in 2005, it was Alexis (Gilmore Girls) and Amber (Joan of Arcadia) with the hit TV shows. Now, as the sequel rolls around, it’s America (Ugly Betty) and Blake (Gossip Girl) who have all the buzz.
Despite the age inappropriateness, I liked the original. It was sweet and had enough talent to largely keep it from being saccharine. The sequel picks up the next summer. Is it just me, or are there a lot more boys this time around? Oh, thank heavens: It has the requisite “let’s all dance around with each other” scene that lets us all know that the bonding has begun. Now if only one of them would sing into a hairbrush. Still, you cannot deny the cuteness of America’s pratfalls. It simply can’t be done.
Well, what do you think? Do either of these look like they’ll rise to the ranks of the good, Sunday-afternoon-worthy chick flicks? Or are you holding out for this year’s big mama of chick flicks opening in October, the remake of The Women? Now those are some females worth bonding with.
Submitted by on February 15, 2008 - 6:00pm. |
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Yuck
I don't agree, the first Sisterhood movie was awful. Although I have left my teenage years behind me a wee while ago, I love a well crafted teen flick, Bring it On, 10 Things I hate About you, American Pie, these are some great flicks no matter how old you are. Sisterhood was so exceptionally dull and lifeless I won't be repeating the same mistake again for the sequel.
None of these movies excite me, a cast of female big names generally leads to a huge bore fest (think Evening, The Hours etc etc) I'll spend this year hanging out for The Dark Knight , Iron Man and Indiana Jones thanks!
i disagree
I have been waiting for the second sisterhood movie im 19 and i saw the first with 2 of my best friends and plan on seeing the sequel with the same people when we get a apartment together for the summer and i totally have huge crushes on all those girls
I agree!
Thelma and Louise X 1.5
So, yeah... they (the actors, or anyone else involved) have to have been thinking... gee, it's just like that other movie, except someone has to sit in the back. And, oh, the trucker is nice in this one and we're nice back too. Which is too bad, the part in T&L where they blow his truck to kingdom come is probably my favorite scene. Both look semi-fun... but both probably consigned to netflix, not the theatre. Unless, you know, some cute girl crops up in my life and just has to go see it in theatres.
So Excited!!!
I'm so excited for sisterhood of the traveling pants 2. I loved the first one, and am absolutely in love with America Ferrera. They should make her character a lesbian. Just my opinion.
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i heard that
Mmm pants
Interestingly, when the original was released in 2005, it was Alexis (Gilmore Girls) and Amber (Joan of Arcadia) with the hit TV shows. Now, as the sequel rolls around, it’s America (Ugly Betty) and Blake (Gossip Girl) who have all the buzz.
Yay, I'm glad I'm not the only who noticed that. I'm all excited to see this one. I read the first book in 7 hours and loved it. I swear when I watched the movie I tried so hard not to cry but I end up bawling like a 2 year old who had just seen Mickey Mouse for the first time.
I will Definitely Go See It
Just because I have a crush on blake lively and think America Is looking pretty damn cute!!!! I thought the 1st one was okay. Im glad this time there're all together.
I am beyond excited for a
interesting sisterhood 2 tidbit
although this is The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2 it is actually a combination of books 2, 3, and 4 of the series. i would have to say that since so much was changed from the 1st book into the first movie that it would have been difficult to maintain the continuing story from just the second book to this second movie.
Initially TPTB weren't going to make a sequel (though it was an option in the girls contracts) but once Ugly Betty exploded onto the scene they decided to capitalize on America Ferrara's popularity and do the sequel, having Blake in it now with her Gossip Girls fame is just a bonus for them.
Don't get me wrong my ass will totally be in the theater when this movie comes out, (i've only read these books and Harry Potter) i just hope they pick the good stuff on the page to put on the screen.
argh
In-be-tween-er.
Bonnevile
These women are all terrific. I can't wait to see it. It's great that they're making a flic for us chicks over 50!
OMG
It's amazing!!
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