Welcome to the 90s, Mr. Banks!

I realize I did not experience as much of the 90s as many of you, but I’d like to think I sorta make up for lost time by loving its movies. I’m a bit of a rom-com snob, and the 90s gave us some of the greats. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere charmed us with their chemistry at both the beginning and end of the decade. The camera loved Meg Ryan, her versatile locks, and her set pajamas. Even Diane Keaton and Steve Martin made us all cry the sweetest tears. These films showcased good old-fashioned flirting and romance. You’ve Got Mail proved it was after my own heart when it effortlessly combined Tom Hanks, New York City, flowers, and mail. If it weren’t for Pretty Woman, I would not know the Prince song “Kiss” (I just stopped writing for a good minute so I could jam to that song). Notting Hill made me fall in love with Hugh Grant way more than Music and Lyrics did. And oh, that scene in Sleepless in Seattle where Rita Wilson is gushing over An Affair to Remember is so true and so me.

           

It feels like they don’t make movies like these anymore. Truly witty love stories that don’t happen all at once. They prompt happy tears and *gasp* even involve loving families, sometimes. Now it’s about “friends with benefits” or the stupid best friend who makes inappropriate jokes. What happened? Oh well, we will always have the 90s.  

Some of my very favorites:

Notting Hill (1999)

Pretty Woman (1990)

Father of the Bride (1991)

Runaway Bride (1999)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

IMDb

That’s Internet Movie Database. AKA the most loved app on my phone. If you don’t have this app, give it a whirl and see what you’ve been missing! I take full responsibility for your new addiction. It’s worth it. You can look up a movie, documentary, TV show, actor, director, producer, soundtrack…you name it. In searching for a person, IMDb will show you their entire career’s work in various roles in film, theater, or production. It’s like Facebook stalking a celebrity. This comes in handy when you’re watching a movie or show and think, “how old is he now, anyway?” or, “isn’t she the mom in xyz?”

I don’t exaggerate when I say I use this app (almost) every day of my life. When I go see a movie in theaters (which is only on Tuesdays, when it’s $5), I look it up on IMDb directly after and read all the trivia. I look up TV shows and Netflix movies I watch, trailers I see. Maybe that’s sad? …Nope, I don’t care.

Things I've learned through IMDb recently:

• ·         Jack O’Connell (star of Unbroken) and I have the same birthday.
• ·         The cast of “Friends”, near the end of the show, earned $1 million each, per episode, and one cast member never made more than another.
• ·         Aquamarine came out in 2006.
• ·         Julia Roberts made $15 million for Notting Hill, the same amount her character made for her last film, as she announces during a dinner scene.
• ·         The part in Pretty Woman where Richard Gere shuts the necklace case on Julia Roberts’ hand was improvised.
• ·         Chris Pine was really embarrassed about singing in front of the cast for Into the Woods, and said he held back in rehearsals because of it.
• ·         Reese Witherspoon is under 5’ 2”.
• ·         Damian Lewis, who plays Major Winters in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, is BRITISH! 

There is so much (superfluous) information just waiting for us! You think you’re a real fan of [insert actor’s name]? Go read their quotes and trivia on IMDb, then call yourself a genuine creep, a true supporter. Enjoy all the useless facts, and have fun impressing your friends with your uncanny familiarity with shows and celebrities.