Movie and Music Reviews

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Movie Review)

The surprise blockbuster film of 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding won over the hearts of movie viewers everywhere with its light-hearted comedic sequences and interesting characters. Written by Nia Vardalos (who also stars in the lead role), My Big Fat Greek Wedding - which was originally intended for the stage - garnered the talented writer an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. A feel-good, family-oriented film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one film movie buffs everywhere won't want to miss...

Living in Chicago, Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) is a thirty-year-old single woman working in her family's restaurant, Dancing Zorba's. In dire need of a makeover and hoping for a life beyond the restaurant, Toula and her mother conspire to convince Toula's father Gus (Michael Constantine) that she should take some computer classes. Gus demands it (believing it's his idea), but his first wish for Toula is that she will marry a good Greek man.

Seeking a new life of career advancement, Toula again enlists her mother's aid in convincing her father that she should go to work at her Aunt Voula's (Andrea Martin) travel agency. In addition to her new career, Toula gets a total makeover to go with her new life. But things take an unexpected twist when, while working at the travel agency, Toula catches the eye of a local high school English teacher, Ian Miller (John Corbett). The two begin dating, and they fall in love. Only one problem, though... Ian isn't Greek!

When Gus finds out that his daughter has been secretly dating a non-Greek, he's furious. But when Ian and Toula decide to get married, Gus must learn to accept his new son-in-law-to-be. Ian must learn to accept Toula's big family, and Toula must learn to accept herself...

Nia Vardalos exhibits her true out-of-this-world talent when she performs not only as the writer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but also as the lead character Toula. Playing her part to perfection, Vardalos creates an onscreen chemistry with John Corbett which is simply magical. The couple comes across as realistic and fun, yet not overly clichd and melodramatic in their pronouncements to one another. The result is that My Big Fat Greek Wedding becomes a true celebration of happiness for two individuals (one the audience feels privy to).

Overall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a smash success - as a comedy, a romantic comedy, and a clash of cultures comedy. Vardalos's uncanny portrayal of an American Greek family where half the relatives are named Nick or Maria is hilarious. And the blending of two people and two families into one despite the differences between them is an uplifting and inspiring story that can't help but merit a smile. Nia Vardalos is charming as the sweet and innocent Toula, and her writing is beyond compare - that's why My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a definite must-see film you can't afford to miss...

Overboard (Movie Review)

Somewhat of a cult comedy classic, Overboard features the comedic talents of true-life married couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell on full display. With an unusual plot, but a tried and true romantic device, Overboard remains an interesting and entertaining movie. If you like watching movies for fun, and not for symbolism or to find something that 'speaks' to you, then Overboard will fit in nicely with your plans...

Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) is a spoiled and arrogant elitist who basks in the pampered lifestyle her wealth affords her. Taking a sabbatical on her yacht, she hires a carpenter, Dean Proffitt (Kurt Russell), to build her a customized closet on the oversized boat. But when Dean and Joanna get into argument over the cost of the transaction, she gets angry, refuses to pay, and sets sail for the big blue. However, when Joanna falls overboard at sea, she injures her head and washes ashore with amnesia...

Still steaming from their earlier encounter, Dean finds Joanna and quickly realizes what has happened. Out of a sense of revenge (or vigilante justice), he tells Joanna that she's his wife - and the mother of his four children, Charlie (Jared Rushton), Joey (Jeffrey Wiseman), Travis (Brian Price), and Greg (Jamie Wild). In exchange for being stiffed earlier, Dean works Joanna silly in order to make up for his monetary loss. Eventually, though, Joanna discovers her true identity - but things aren't so simple when she realizes that she's now in love with Dean...

Hilarious and fun in a family-oriented way, Overboard is one of those films you either love or hate. If you're into dramas and reality-based plots, Overboard isn't for you. Like the Seinfeld pilot Jerry and George create (where a judge sentences a man to be Jerry's butler), Overboard has a similar plot about a carpenter who gets stiffed for the money he's owed, so he unilaterally 'sentences' the woman to be his wife (butler in this case). In short, it's a bit loony. But in this instance it works.

With standout comedic performances by Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Edward Herrmann, and various others, Overboard is a memorable and light-hearted romantic comedy you won't want to miss. Most of the humor derives from the circumstances (plus people's emotional inclination to want to see rich snobs get what's coming to them). Regardless of what aspects a viewer most prefers, Overboard has a little bit of something for everybody, and that's probably why it's built such a large following. Due to the fact that it's a really funny movie and quite a few people count it among their favorites, Overboard ranks as a definite must-see film...