I’m not gonna lie; part of why I wanted to see this movie is that it had my name in it. I didn’t read much, if anything about it, aside from seeing the poster, so I will tell you right off what I didn’t know until the film started: this is not really a chick flick, at least, in the sense of feel-good, “Sex and the City”-style romance. It’s dark and intense, and will make you cry…unless you have a heart of stone. But the humor here is highlighted by the otherwise intense drama (aka, a dramedy). It is a chick flick in that it centers around two sisters, whose bond is intense, combative, and holds lots of longtime hurt.

My weekend ended on a depressing note last night because I went to see “The Duchess.” While the costumes and scenery were certainly amazing, the story put me in a very gloomy mood—and made me thank my lucky stars I didn’t live in the 18th century, when women were second-class citizens valued only for their ability to give birth to boys.

Starring Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, Jason Biggs, Alec Baldwin
While the film “My Best Friend’s Girl” could be easily classified as a typical rom-com judging by the misleading commercials and cheesy poster, its filth factor actually pushes it into the “gross humor” category. And that is what made me love it even more. I cracked up the whole time, but I will forewarn you—Dane Cook haters should not pay the $11 bucks to see this film.

Starring Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem
Written and Directed by Woody Allen

Woody Allen is a hit or miss type of genius – critics loved Annie Hall and Match Point, but hated Cassandra’s Dream and Melinda and Melinda.  His movies either blow your mind or make you feel like you’ve blown 12 bucks at the theater.  That being said, I’m a total Woody Allen neophyte, which is strange considering I’m a neurotic native New Yorker.  To be honest, at first, there was nothing drawing me to Vicky Cristina Barcelona – I’m not particularly into the actors, didn’t think there was an exciting storyline, etcetera.  But the hype got the better of me, so I decided to pop my Woody Allen cherry after all.

When I went to the theater last night to see the second installment of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I expected the movie to warm my heart and make me wish I was young again, with a close group of attractive friends. I thought it would be cute. I thought it would be cheesy. I did not think that there would be hot guys taking their shirts off.

The Dark Knight
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, & Gary Oldman
Directed by Christopher Nolan

Before walking in the theater (and for the record, I bought my ticket four days in advance because it was obvious every showing the opening weekend was going to sell-out) I already knew The Dark Knight was going to be my favorite movie that I’ve seen in awhile. And I told everyone I knew. Which is why it’s a good thing it did turn out to be as amazing as I expected, because I HATE having to lie in order to save face. Unlike a lot of movies that are way overhyped and don’t live up to our expections, cough, Sex and the City, cough, The Dark Knight, and especially Heath Ledger, was everything I hoped and more. I left really psyched and also really pissed off that Heath was dead and wouldn’t be back for the third in the new series of darker Batman movies, while idiot trolls like Brooke Hogan still walk around flapping their gums. Sigh. Not fair. Anyway, if you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want a second spoiled, don’t read on.

Wanted
Starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Common
I was very excited to see Wanted because it stars two of my most favorite sexual beings ever: James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie. I dragged our usual “We See Chick Flicks” scribe, Lesley, out to see the movie on Friday night and needless to say, I was a bit worried at first that she would never speak to me again. The first 10 minutes are intensely violent and bloody, but after that, the part of your brain that makes you gag when you see a bullet enter a skull in slow motion starts to deaden a little, and the rest of the movie is pretty easy to watch. Unless of course you don’t like knives…

Summer blockbusters like Hancock (gag!) and The Dark Knight (okay, I’ll see that one) have left little room for my beloved chick flicks, with nary a Dermot Mulroney film or Nora Ephron script in sight. But if you’re really jonesing for some schmaltz and chivalry, these DVD releases should get you through the lonely summer months until the sure to be joyously corny My Best Friend’s Girl comes out in September.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Starring Jason Segel, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell
Okay, ladies this is a very special addition of “We See Chick Flicks”. Both because I loved, loved, loved this movie and for the PENIS factor. Yup, you’ve probably heard about it, and maybe some of you have already seen it, but this movie is very, how shall I put it, frontally loaded. And we’re not talking a little peek, we’re talking the WHOLE pecker (and might we add, the 6-foot-something actor shows his…height). We’re talking full view, slightly hard schlong. Most movies who deign to show the whole male form, wimp out with a little glimpse of the turtle head, but Jason worked hard (pun intended) to show us his full potential. While getting fully hard would have warranted an X-rating, he got right up to that point, a point which we will refer to as “getting long” [Meaty!—Editor], and let me tell you, he’s got nothing to be ashamed of. Now. Moving on.

One movie The Frisky will not be reviewing in our “We See Chick Flicks” column? Made Of Honor. Why? Because you’ve already seen it. It was released in 1997, under a different title, My Best Friend’s Wedding, and it starred Julia Roberts, not Patrick Dempsey. It was a terrible movie. Pretty sure this new version is going to be just as bad.

21
Starring Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess
Based on the book by Ben Mezrich
The Lowdown: Okay, so I am not sure if 21 totally qualifies as a “chick flick,” but it’s got most of the variables: Kate Bosworth + hot up-and-comer Jim Sturgess + one somewhat tame, but still sexy love scene=good enough for me. Based on the true story and best-selling book, Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich, 21 is about six MIT students who are led by their professor (Kevin Spacey) to become experts in card counting. Through the use of fun disguises, fake ID’s and fancy hand signals, they manage to take the Vegas casinos for millions.

The Other Boleyn Girl
Starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana
Based on the book by Philippa Gregory
The Lowdown: Based on the bestselling historical fiction/chick-lit novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Sister is the story of two sisters who bed and wed Henry VIII (a brooding Eric Bana), in an effort to secure their family’s social rank and fortune. There’s Anne (Natalie Portman), the older, wilder and modern-ahead-her-time sister, and there’s Mary (Scarlett), A.K.A “The Other Sister,” who is more servile and caring. Mary’s nurturing, sweet nature eventually lures the King in and the two have a passionate, but brief love affair that results in a son.

DEFINITELY, MAYBE
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher
The Lowdown: Ryan Reynolds stars as a recently separated father, who gets suckered into telling his daughter (Little Miss Sunshine‘s Abigail Breslin) the twisted tale of how he met her mother in the form of a bedtime story. “Gag!” may be your first reaction, but give it a chance. As Reynolds tells his love story, he changes names and some facts and Breslin (and hence, the audience) must try to figure out who her mother is like a big ol’ love puzzle. There’s Emily (Elizabeth Banks), his blond Wisconsin college sweetheart, Summer (Rachel Weisz), the sexy, intellectual brunette, and April (Isla Fisher), the redheaded free spirit. Now, Reynolds is hot, we all know it, and usually quite entertaining, but his usual quit-witted charm is absent as he tries to tackle the role of responsible “father” figure. He is utterly flat and dull throughout most of the film (but still nice to look at), therefore letting the ladies shine—and they do, especially the always-intriguing Weisz and the almost too-cute Fisher. Now as much as you must be dying to find out who Reynolds’ ends up with (and who lil’ Breslin’s mommy is), I beseech you to save your $12.50, and wait for the DVD, the results will still be the same.
The Verdict: Don’t even think of bringing your man to this ultimate chick-flick. He will certainly end up vomiting in his popcorn bucket, or resenting you for at least a week. Men have no place in that theater! Save it for a rainy-day girl-fest with your sappiest friend. [Definitely, Maybe]