OK...I really suck at this week's theme probably because I just never cared for this. Knowing that I would rather be sitting on hot coals getting my teeth drilled than going to my High School reunion might be one reason. The other is that I just don't know many films with this theme that I have seen. I am still dealing with my illness so I have been slow here on blogland. Anyhoo, this is hosted by Wandering Through The Shelves so you can head over and see what the others have picked. Alas I am picking 2 that i have seen and one that I haven't because that's just the way it goes. You can let me know if the last one is even worth it to see.
1. PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED-1986
I have not seen this film since it came out so I am a bit rusty on this movie but I do remember enjoying it. It stars Kathleen Turner as Peggy, disenchanted with her marriage and separated from her husband, going to her High School reunion. Once there, after being made Homecoming Queen she faints and wakes up to 1960 and reliving her last few days of high school just before she got knocked up by her now and future husband played by Nicholas Cage. I recall it being sweet, fun and intelligent.
2. GROSS POINTE BLANK-1997
I can take John Cusack most times and this is one of those times. He plays a hitman who decides to go to his high school reunion since it comes at a time he needs to lay low. Even though all his former classmates ask him what he does and he tells the truth, they, naturally, don't believe him. He meets up with his former high school flame and, let's say, things get complicated. It's fun in a dark way which I like.
3. ROMY AND MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION-1997
I have not seen this film so I am really bending the rules here but I am going to ask you (if you have seen this film) what you think of it. It's about 2 friends who stayed friends after High School going back to their reunion and, believing they didn't amount to much, decide to make up a huge story about how successful they are. When it first came out in the theatres, I thought it looked quite stupid but maybe I am wrong. What are your thoughts.
What films have you come up with?
BONUS...
TV SHOW-FRASIER'S CURSE
I love Frasier and find this was one of the wittiest shows ever. This, I have seen!
Gross Point Blank was the first one that came to my mind. Funny movie.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty funny and it was the first thing to pop into my head too.
DeleteGood picks! Love Peggy Sue, Kathleen Turner rocks it in the lead and the supporting cast all play their roles just right. Nicolas Cage got a lot of guff for that high pitched voice he affected but it works for the character. This came at a time when he was still trying to do good interesting work, that time sadly has passed long ago. Love that Coppola used four veterans as Peggy Sue's family and provided Leon Ames with such a nice grace note to close out his career with.
ReplyDeleteI didn't hate Grosse Point Blank but I hold no particular affection for it either. Cusack hadn't slipped into his annoying phase yet and was rather good. Ironically Barbara Harris-an actress that I adore-played the mother in both Peggy Sue and this and this is apparently her cinematic swan song.
I figured that Romy & Michelle would be all over today. I put off watching it for years for reasons similar to yours but when I finally got around to it I thought it was harmless enough. It's very lightweight but saved by the two lead performers who never mock their characters but try to show them as flawed, not terribly bright woman who are who they are.
When I read the theme for the week I didn't think it would be tough and my first two came easily but then I hit a wall. I watched something I thought would work expressly but lordy it was terrible and then remembered a documentary that used for my third.
Lifeguard (1976)-Lifeguard Rick Carlson (Sam Elliott) loves his work and his laid back Southern California life. But when he attends his 15 year high school reunion he starts to feel he is stuck in a rut. Restarting a romance with his school sweetheart Cathy (Anne Archer), now a divorced mother of a young son, he becomes even more confused about his future.
Prodigal Sons (2008)-Fascinating documentary by Kimberly Reed who returns home for her high school reunion to an uncertain reception…when she left town years earlier she was a man. Looks equally at her interaction with her former classmates and her estranged family, her adopted brother, who has been permanently disabled in a car accident, has a surprise of his own-his birth mother was the daughter of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth! At times very sad but always interesting.
Spring Reunion (1957)-Returning to his hometown to sell his house one-time “Most Likely to Succeed” footloose wanderer Fred Davis (Dana Andrews) has no intention of attending his upcoming 15th year reunion until he runs into successful but lonely real estate agent and the “Most Popular Girl” Maggie Brewster (Betty Hutton), his former girlfriend. As they take tentative steps towards each other their different perspectives might ruin their chance for happiness before they are even sure they have one. Subdued meditation on failed dreams was the troubled Hutton’s last feature film as well as one time silent movie queen Laura La Plante’s final bow, she plays Betty’s mother.
Dishonorable Mention- Back in the Day (2014)-Moderately successful actor Jim Owens (Michael Rosenbaum) returns to Indiana for a high-school reunion. During the course of the time he’s home he acts like an idiot and so do most of his friends doing stupid and outlandish things. I watched this specifically because it seemingly fit this week’s theme so well but it was so moronic I had to list it with a caution and look for another actually good movie.
Sorry to hear your still recovering from being sick, sometimes these things do linger.
I haven't seen any of these films and I'm trying to see Sam Elliott as a lifeguard. I would like to see that documentary and that movie with Dana Andrews.
DeleteActually Sam Elliott fits the role well and the film was a considerable success when it was out, moving both Anne Archer and his careers forward quite well. I'm sure that the fact that he spends a great deal of the film's running time in a speedo didn't hurt.
DeleteThe Betty Hutton/Dana Andrews film is minor but worth checking out. It was Betty's first film in five years and as I said her last. She'd been blackballed when she walked out on her Paramount contract because the studio wouldn't let her newest husband direct her next feature. The marriage fell apart and her career never recovered. Sad, a very talented woman.
You might find her autobiography interesting, it's called Backstage You Can Have. She had a VERY unconventional upbringing and was often her own worst enemy but a fascinating career.
I'd love to see Sam Elliott in a speedo...hubba, hubba:) I have read about Betty Hutton and know she was supposed to be difficult but also had some issues but I would love to read this book. I have marked it down and will be on the look out...thanks!
DeleteAnd I haven't seen any of these. But I wanna watch the one with Cusack.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one
DeleteI didn't want to see Romy and Michelle when it came out because I thought it looked quite lame from the clips. I saw it several years later and truly enjoyed it. It was not at all like I thought it would be. Very satisfying.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know so I will mark it on my list to see
DeleteI struggled this week because I haven't seen any of the movies considered HS Reunion classics, including these. I've got a lot to watch.
ReplyDeleteThis was a struggle for me as well.
DeleteGrosse point blank was great. I've seen all three. I remember Cage being annoying as heck in Peggy Sue Got Married. That accent, blah.
ReplyDeleteCage is almost always annoying. There are some films I can't take him better in and this is one of them
DeleteI've seen R and M's and Gross Pointe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you though. High school reunions aren't my thing.
Anyway, hope you feel better soon.
Thanks...slowly getting there.
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI am terribly sorry to learn that you still aren't feeling 100%. You are a sweetheart for coming to see me at SDMM regardless.
I saw Peggy Sue Got Married two or three times and enjoyed it, especially the doo-wop musical numbers. I remember Grosse Point Blank but I don't think I ever watched it. Jeremy Piven, shown in that clip, was hot in the late 90s. I seem to be one of the few people who remember him starring in the TV series Cupid with Paula Marshall in 1998-99. I avoided the Romy and Michele movie. Based on the sneak previews and trailers I saw at the time, the characters seemed shallow and unlikable rather than funny.
A 1998 TV movie about a 10 year reunion immediately came to mind when I noticed the theme of your post. Since You've Been Gone starred David Schwimmer of Friends (and The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story) and Teri Hatcher of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. I saw it back then and enjoyed it.
Thank you, dear friend BB. Please get well. I'll be thinking about you!
Thank you, as always, for your kind words. I am slowly getting better so hopefully I will be 100% by next weekend. The movie you picked I have not seen but it sounds like a nice one. This theme was hard for me. I do remember him in Cupid...I thought I was the only one who watched that show.
DeleteI can't believe I have seen all the movies listed here today. I think that is a first for me. :) Great to take a trip down memory lane. Love John Cusack movies.
ReplyDelete~Jess
I'm glad you have seen these especially since this was a hard week for me
DeleteFrasier's the only show I've seen among these, Birgit. Sigh. But so much fun reading your post and the comments below! Hope you are feeling fine now! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love Frasier! I'm so glad you visited and I'm slowly getting better
DeleteSaw the first two. Take care of yourself and get better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly on the mend...wish it would totally leave
DeleteNicholas Cage in Peggy Sue Got Married was painful to watch. Otherwise it was a good movie. I liked the Romy and Michele movie; it was satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind Cage in this film but usually he is so annoying isn't he?
DeleteGrosse Pointe Blank was the first movie to come to my mind, too. Loved it. I haven't seen Peggy Sue in years. Never saw Romy & Michelle as it looked stupid (and a bit too on point for me at that point in my life).
ReplyDeleteGlad you saw the same 2 films I chose here. I haven't seen R & M because they reminded me of some bimbettes plus it just looked stupid but I might give it a try now
DeleteI haven't seen these, but maybe its because I, like you, avoid high school reunions like the plaque. Really, when people say high school was the best 4 years of their lives, makes me want to gag.
ReplyDeleteThat illness of yours must really like you; I hope you can shake it soon!
betty
I'm with you about gagging over that sentence and then think their lives must be so very sad. It also confirms why I would never want to associate with them
DeleteYeah, I wouldn't have been able to think of even a single one. Nor have I seen any of the ones you listed. Count me in on the hot coals and dental work instead of a high school reunion. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you about Frasier, though. I still watch that show on a regular basis. Love the wit.
Hope you feel better soon!
High school sucks for a reason and never would want to go back. I love Frasier and watch it all the time.
DeleteNot seen any of the films - but as soon as I saw your title I thought of Frasier. So glad you included it. Love Frasier - and Niles and Daphne and Martin and Ros. Still watch them more regularly the any current tv show.
ReplyDeleteI watch Frasier and MASH all the time and love those shows. They are so intelligent
DeleteNot seen any of these movies. I also used to love Frasier although I haven't watched them for a long time. One of our favourites was the Jack Russell.
ReplyDeleteI loved it when he would just stare at Frasier or the time he was so depressed because he lost his Barbie doll
DeleteI haven't seen any of these. This week was pretty tough for me too. I just don't care for reunions.
ReplyDeleteReunions make me think of lifting finger nails...why would we ever do that unless we like torture.
DeleteExcellent picks! I still need to watch the rest of Peggy Sue but I'm almost 3 for 3
ReplyDeleteThanks! This was so tough for me this week
DeleteGross Pointe Blank was very enjoyable, Romy and Michelle somewhat less so (I can remember only a couple of good bits), and for some reason, I didn't like Peggy Sue Got Married too much. Maybe it was the screwy ending.
ReplyDeleteGlad you actually saw all 3. I might try Romy & Michele. I liked Peggy Sue and thought it was quite unique
DeleteI've seen all of these and my favorite is Romy and Michelle. I thought this was such a fun movie and it was very funny as well. I don't remember much of the first two films but Romy & Michelle I've seen several times and I have a fondness for it.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
This is good to know. I will give this movie a chance:)
DeleteI've seen all three and my favourite is Grosse Point Blank. Romy & Michelle was light, fluffy fun. You would probably enjoy it, Birgit. There were some funny bits. I loved Frasier too, but don't remember that scene. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI will watch Romy & Michele because most people like it. I love Frasier...its just so funny
DeleteI think high school reunions are fun...although I've only been to my 10 year and it was a blast: it was a two night affair: Friday was the beer blast (wings and beer at a local bar) and Saturday was the formal. It was so much fun that I've wanted to attend all the others that have happened over the years but just haven't been able to get to them.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite reunion movie is a college reunion: The Big Chill. That movie I can watch over and over again. It's such a classic. Have you seen it?
I didn't see Grosse Point Blank but definitely want to. Sounds interesting...
Hope you're feeling better!!
Michele at Angels Bark
I'm glad you have fond memories and a great time. My high school time was mostly quite negative due to the severe bullying. I have not seen The Big Chill and was expecting people to have chosen it but no one has.
DeleteThe Best of Times and Beautiful Girls come to mind.
ReplyDeleteI love Grosse Point Blank. His line about killing the president of Paraguay with a fork is one of my all-time favorites.
I haven't seen the first 2 you mentioned and that quote is a funny one.
DeletePeggy sue is the only one I've seen. I recall liking it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good movie
DeleteFRASIER!! ROFL!! His facial expressions were a riot! I think Frazier and Friends were the best sit-coms ever. We get Friends repeats here, but never Frasier. Thanks for the vid!!
ReplyDeleteI've seen all three movies, but the only I'd re-watch would be Grosse Pointe Blank. I love that kind of black humor, and the movie really made me laugh.
Frasier is great...so funny and I also love Friends....it still cracks me up when Rachel made that dessert.
DeleteMy 40th (good Lord) reunion is this October.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll hear more about it.
Wow....40 years! I hope I do hear more about it
DeleteMy 40th (good Lord) reunion is this October.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll hear more about it.
Birgit, I know for certain I've seen the first two movies, but the third I'm not sure. Peggy Sue Got Married is a delightfully, funny movie. Wouldn't it be grand to go back in time knowing what you know now? It would be hard to not change one's future self. Good review. Thanks for sharing these old flicks. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteI'm inclined to say that Romey and Michelle's High School Reunion was quite stupid but not the worst movie I've ever seen. I say this because I remember having seen it but I don't remember anything about it. It was that memorable.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday weekend, Birgit!
I only know the first one - Peggy Sue Got Married. I loved Kathleen Turner in it and disliked Nicholas Cage!
ReplyDeleteSusan at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
I really enjoyed Peggy Sue Got Married.
ReplyDeleteAre you healthy now?
Hey, thanks for these great ideas for movie marathons. I always search on Google what movies to watch but these ones are really good picks.
ReplyDeleteI saw Peggy Sue Got Married on Netflix, but haven't seen the others. Loved the Frasier clip. I'm one of that show's fans forever.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think I'll be queuing up to go my highschool reunion.
ReplyDeleteRomy and Michelle...it's decent, you won't really get anything out of watching it. It's fun but you're not missing out.
Great picks! All favorite comedies of mine.
ReplyDeleteGrosse Pointe Blank is a classic. (And so is the soundtrack!) I also like the TV movie Since You've Been Gone.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Frasier... it must be one of the funniest shows ever. Every character is so perfectly written, developed and acted... doesn't feel like their acting at all.
ReplyDeletex Asha