With Matthew McConaughey back on the big screen this weekend, we check out the must-see films for his latest rom-com “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”.
With a title that sounds like it might revolve around Matthew McConaughey and a closet full of dead ex girlfriends, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is in fact his latest rom-com offering. McConaughey is a freewheeling libertine who is haunted by the spirits of girlfriends of the present, past, and beyond at his brother’s wedding, awakening long-lost feelings for his first love. Yes Charles Dickens is going rom-com this weekend in a reimaginging of the classic tale. But what films should you see in advanced? Check it:
Mean Girls
Plot
Lindsay Lohan plays Cady, a 15-year-old girl who has spent most of her life in Africa, where she was home-schooled by her zoologist parents. When her family relocates to the United States, Cady finds herself attending a high school in suburban Illinois, where she gets a crash course in the various sub-strata of the student body: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the stoners, the “cool” kids, and so on.
The Link:
Director Mark Waters first venture into the realm of the chick flick and ultimately his best film to date. Having him on board for this can only be a good thing!
Dazed and Confused
Plot
Set on the last day of the academic year, Dazed and Confused follows the random activities of a sprawling group of Texas high schoolers as they celebrate the arrival of summer, their paths variously intersecting at a freshmen hazing, a local pool parlour and finally at a keg party.
The Link:
The first and last film we truly loved Matthew McConaughey in. See it to nostalgically remember his potential and as a cautionary tale for all you budding actors out there – one rom-com per annum, after that and you’ll never escape them!
Groundhog Day
Plot
Bill Murray plays Phil, a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off; he is bitter, appallingly self-centered, and treats his co-workers with contempt, especially his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot). That is until he gets caught in a loop, repeating Groundhog Day over and over, unable to escape. The more he relives it, the more he’s forced to look at other people’s lives, and something unusual happens: he begins to care. Awww…
The Link
It’s a tentative plot link that brings Groundhog Day to our list – but still, who DOESN’T want to watch Bill Murray? With sharp writing, comedic performances and that all round warm feeling we all know and love of American cinema, Groundhog Day should be everyday!
A Muppets Christmas Carol
Plot
Michael Caine, surrounded by legions of fuzzy, felt puppets, plays it straight as the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who could care less about Christmas and the joy the season brings. Working for the skinflint is his faithful employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), who begs Scrooge for a day off for Christmas. Scrooge reluctantly agrees and goes home on Christmas Eve filled with bile at the holiday merrymakers. But then he is visited by the sprits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and Scrooge, after revisiting his sorrowful past, hate-filled present, and doomed future, turns over a new leaf and becomes the most generous and celebratory person in town.
The Link
Sure tis NOT the season but the Muppets can warm the heart of the coldest soul, even Scrooges! Brian Henson, the son of Muppet founder Jim Henson, took over directing duties after the untimely death of his father, offering up what is perhaps the best contemporary reimagining of the Charles Dickens tale to date.
The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is in Irish cinemas from Friday May 1st.