Before giant ensemble rom-coms were a thing, there was Love Actually. The British import succeeded in warming our collective hearts with intertwining tales of love, loss, and holiday spirit. In celebration of the season, we're calling out our favorite quotes from the film. Check ours out below, and let us know what yours are in the comments!
January Jones stars in new release Unknown this weekend, and though most people now think of her as Betty Draper from Mad Men, I'll always remember her as one of the sexy American girls in Love Actually. She has a bit part as Jeannie, the fantasy fulfillment object of Colin (Kris Marshall, who now stars in Fox sitcom Traffic Light). Another fun fact? Her Unknown costar Liam Neeson also stars in Love Actually. Enjoy!
I couldn't help but let out a groan yesterday when I heard the news that Lionsgate is in the process of adapting pregnancy guide What to Expect When You're Expecting into a romantic comedy. The film will follow seven couples as they prep for parenthood, and I'm willing to bet the the majority of those onscreen parents-to-be will be big budget actors.
It's no secret that the ensemble romantic comedy is getting more popular every year — we had He's Just Not That Into You, and Valentine's Day will hit theaters in a few weeks. I'm kind of divided on the whole genre, though I'll always have a soft spot for Love Actually. Where do you stand — love 'em or leave 'em?
I'm not ashamed to admit that Love Actually is one of my favorite holiday movies — take a quiz on my other faves here! The star-studded cast, the London setting, the music, the comedy, the romantic love, the brotherly love, the unrequited love . . . there are too many things to love about Love Actually. But, no surprise, one of my favorite elements is the film's sets. There's lots to learn from the chick flick's décor. Let's take a look!
What's Your Favorite Storyline in Love Actually? A recent Love Actually-based Buzz Brainteaser prompted a few of you to share in the comments which of the movie's many storylines are your favorites. So, I figured it was time for a poll.
I'm having a hard time deciding, personally.
A recent Love Actually-based Buzz Brainteaser prompted a few of you to share in the comments which of the movie's many storylines are your favorites. So, I figured it was time for a poll.
I'm having a hard time deciding, personally. I cry each and every time (every time!) Aurelia says "Just in cases," and who can resist Colin Firth? But the storyline with Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman's characters gets me right in the feelings, too. I also love Laura Linney's character, Sarah, and I may or may not have a habit of fast-forwarding to the scene that features a shirtless Karl (Rodrigo Santoro).
So many to choose from! Which is your favorite?
When Mark appears at Juliet's door in Love Actually, he tells Juliet to say there are "carol singers" at the door and he plays music on his portable stereo to simulate these "carol singers." What song plays on the stereo while Mark makes his presentation to Juliet?
For the last post on the Friday before Christmas, it seems only fitting to go out with a rockin' and heartwarming video clip from Love Actually. This is one of my top five favorite scenes from the film, when Joanna sings "All I Want for Christmas Is You," and she points to Sam . . . before pointing to everyone else! Sigh. This movie just gets me right in the feelings.
I hope you like this part of the movie, too. To end your week with some holiday spirit from Love Actually, read more
While on the topic of Children of Men, which comes out on DVD today, I thought I'd pay homage to an actor I love: Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Luke. Though his character is technically a bad guy, Ejiofor's speech toward the end — delivered between rounds of bullets he aimlessly sprays out a window — makes me soften toward Luke, thinking maybe he's just trying to survive like everyone else.
There is something friendly and trustworthy about the British actor, who I first noticed in Love Actually as Peter, the husband of Keira Knightley's character. But it was when I saw Kinky Boots that I really fell in love. In the quirky comedy, Ejiofor plays drag queen Lola, who co-creates a line of supportive yet fabulous drag queen footwear. For more on why I love Ejiofor, read more
I recently came across this list of the top 10 opening title sequences in movies, compiled by laboratory101.com. Granted, many of them are truly awesome: I have a particular fondness for the opening scenes of Snatch. Yet, I couldn't help noticing that they are basically all crime, horror, or gangster movies: Casino, Dawn of the Dead, Fight Club, Seven, etc. It got me thinking: Aren't there good opening sequences to movies that aren't violent?
Here are some of my picks for really well-done or entertaining opening sequences. What others can you think of?
Love Actually
I know I’ve said this before, but the footage of real people greeting each other at the airport is as heartwarming as a Kodak commercial, and even more so because it’s real.
Drop Dead Gorgeous
One of my all-time favorite films, Drop Dead Gorgeous opens with the promotional video for the Sarah Rose Cosmetics American Teen Princess Pageant, featuring "last year's host," Adam West. I particularly enjoy the programmed robot voice inserting "beautiful Mount Rose, Minnesota" to personalize the video.
To see the next three, read more
