Burnerblog

I was just looking through some archives and came across this post where I mentioned how much I loved this movie. I never did update the blog to reflect that I had, in fact, purchased this movie. I think I’ll watch it again tomorrow.

Another favorite of mine, Music and Lyrics is another movie I’ve written about here and purchased recently. I watched this movie again with Kenny and Elaine and Lawrence just last week, and I have to say it’s just as good (if not better) each successive time I watch it.

On second thought, I agree with Boobka. I think everyone’s seen it and heard about the High School Nudiecal by now, so I’ll just change the content and say thanks for the smile.

I mentioned in an earlier post my “strong like” for the movie “Music and Lyrics.” Well, it’s not enough that I want to buy the DVD, but I went ahead and got the soundtrack on iTunes, and guess what? I REALLY LIKE IT. What’s worse is that I actually like the songs that Haley Bennett sings (Buddha’s Delight, Entering Bootytown, and Slam). I think that my brain is finally melting from all this memorization and work on the play.

I don’t know what it is about the songs (aforementioned), as they are very pop-ish; perhaps it’s because they’re a parody of pop music, somehow my brain has accepted it as humor and has therefore allowed me to like them. I don’t know. Maybe it’s the Oscar Wilde-like wordplay of the lyrics to “Entering Bootytown:”

You’ve tried every trick in the book
To get that boy to look
And still the road is dark and dim

If love’s just not on his map
It could be right in his lap
And still it won’t get through to him

Wise up, girl
Boys only pay attention when they see the sign that says

CHORUS:
Entering Bootytown
So shake that booty now
‘Cause your booty is the way into his heart
Girl, don’t you realise
One detour at your thighs
Is a right turn that can break his world apart

You’ve been here with him before
But he just closes the door
And says, “We’re better off as friends.”
Tonight he’d better beware
There’s somethin’ hot in the air
Your wait is coming to an end

No rules now
Gonna use every weapon till he knows he’s crossed that line.
And he is…

Three of my favorite things: music, lyrics, and Drew Barrymore. As my wife noted while we watched this movie, she seems to be getting better with age. I’ve always liked her quirky nature in all her films (obviously some of her showing through) as it’s endearing to me. This film, while I knew didn’t do too well in theaters, was actually a nice film to watch with the wife. Truth be told, I’d have watched it by myself, but watching it with her was a bonus. It’s nice to share movies like that with her.

Anyway, for a kid of the 80’s and a true music buff, the premise of the movie is hilarious: former 80’s Wham-like performer now considered a ‘has-been’ is given a second chance to revitalize his career if he can write a song in four days for a Brittney Spears-like character. He finds his lyricist-partner in a quirky plant waterer (yes, that’s her way into the story) with a secret. The ensuing story is sweet, funny, and sometimes a bit flatly acted by Hugh Grant, but Barrymore gives it her all and shines. Sure, it’s not “Never Been Kissed” or her two Adam Sandler films, but she does a great job of making us believe that she really is that character. Most importantly as a viewer, you fall for her in the way you’re supposed to fall for the femme fatale.

I’d say there are probably two Stevie crying moments in the film (but then again, he cries at the sight of a Wienerschnitzel), but well worth watching as a date flick or if you want to impress the wife. There’s enough to keep us guys entertained as well… trust me.

Overall, I’d give this one *** 1/2.