Escape the heat (and humidity) this July by having a *Date Night* with some of our *Top* picks for the action rom-com genre. This list blends a *Bounty* of high speed chases, fight sequences, and *Mystery* with love stories and cheesy romance. There is something here for everyone, and as the saying goes, one person's trash is another's *Treasure.* Don't be a *Fool* and *Miss* out on these movies - *Get Smart* and join us on the highway to the danger zone, hopeful romantics!
Get Smart
Criterion on Demand, Netflix
Get Smart is the 2008 film adaptation of the classic 1960s Mel Brooks Spy/Comedy TV series of the same name. The film stars Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart, Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, and Dwayne Johnson as Agent 23. It is hit and miss with its comedy. Sometimes it appeals to the idiot within me with lines like “well that is a sucker punch to the gonads” and causes me to die of laughter. Other times the film’s jokes seem to be poorly conceived or overstay their welcome. The film’s romance is fun and engaging but does not carry the same weight as the romance that a more purposeful romcom might. Its action sequences are fun, but they seem a bit derivative and often don’t go as far as they could to achieve the awe-inspiring effect that a truly great action sequence has. Overall, Get Smart is a comedy with a relatively compelling romance and jokes that can be hilarious, but don’t always land. If you are looking for an easygoing comedy to fill an afternoon with, Get Smart wouldn’t be a bad pick, as long as you can overlook the inconsistency of the film’s quality.
- Gabe
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Criterion on Demand, Prime Video
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were the IT couple of Hollywood, and perhaps one of the messiest in terms of the publicity that their relationship has garnered over the years. Their divorce proceedings are still going on until this day, and what better film to watch to return to the start of their romantic heyday than Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)? An action-packed star vehicle, they play John, a construction executive, and Jane, a consultant in tech support, (conventional, almost trite names) whose marriage has taken the appearance of being banal, structured, and without passion (foreshadowing much?). Outwardly, their lives are simple and commonplace to keep up appearances and to blend in with the milieu of the upper middle class, but internally, in their own personal lives, the two are both undercover assassins, unbeknownst to one another. What then follows, and what essentially reinvigorates their marriage, is when both become conscious of their undercover work, and when each is assigned to kill the other by their respective firms. The film approaches an incredibly sensitive and serious topic, domestic violence, and reworks it in a comedic way that includes sophisticated firearms and disturbing imagery of physical assault. Although the confrontation at their home is comedic, negative emotions arise (for me at least) for domestic abuse is not comical and additionally, Mr. And Mrs. Smith criticizes and portrays marriage as something less than desirable. From a less damning point of view, film reflects society and its problems not only through genre, but as an artistic medium; it distances the viewer from a reality that he or she is going through and represents that reality through fantasy (imagery) and narrative (comical, fantastical, romantic) where psychic tensions can be released, and solutions found. Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is the film that commenced Brad and Angelina’s romance, but it also grotesquely mirrors what their relationship would become and what kinds of narratives would be presented in tabloid magazines and in the wider discourse of popular culture. It is a harmless, comical romance film, but there are aspects of it that makes one think more critically about relationships, stardom, and the tension between public and private spheres of life.
- Monica
The Bounty Hunter
Netflix
This action filled romantic comedy stars Jennifer Aniston who plays Nicole, a reporter hungry for the truth behind a suicide story and ex-wife to bounty hunter Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), who’s next task is to bring Nicole to jail. The film offers a refreshing narrative style by surprising viewers with a quick scene of a future event that leaves us questioning how our leads got there. And the journey to this scene and beyond is only entertaining if you love snide remarks, the bickering between two people meant to be together, and slapstick comedy. Although I do have to admit that a few of the jokes were dragged out too much for my taste. Rather than the typical “boy meets girl” trope, our leads have a history we learn about throughout the film, so we get to enjoy all this lovely tension between them as exes. As for the action aspect, the film gives us all the goodness of car chases, club fights, and shootouts as the feuding past lovers collide once again.
- Thalia
This Means War
Criterion on Demand, Disney+
If a partner or friend of yours doesn’t like romantic comedies as much as you do, have no fear. This Means War (2012) is the perfect blend of action and romance for the both of you. The film follows two spy friends as they try to win over the heart of a simple product-testing executive. Although FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) start off with a pact to not break up their brotherly friendship, things quickly go off the rails as they try to outdo each other and impress Lauren (Reece Witherspoon). The action never feels out of place, and the shenanigans that the two male leads get up to is sure to get a lot of laughs from any audience member. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a fun, fast-paced watch with friends or loved ones that may not have the same film interests.
-Stacy
Date Night
Criterion on Demand
Date Night stars Tina Fey and Steve Carrell as our two leads, a boring married couple from New Jersey with two demon children (seriously, they make the kids SO unlikeable), who get swept up into an action filled adventure. When they plan a night out in the city in order to spark some much needed romantic change into their relationship, they end up getting mistaken for another couple after stealing their dinner reservation — and of course, hilarity ensues. This film has a surprisingly stacked cast, with huge actors playing bit roles. Literally every new scene has a recognizable face. I especially enjoyed Nick Kroll and Olivia Munn as the two incredibly pretentious restaurant workers. Future Wonder Woman Gal Gadot has unfortunately been denoted to her “hot foreign girl” type cast in this one, which is a shame to see. Overall, this movie is a fun mindless action comedy and works mainly because our two leads are so likeable, and the Where’s Waldo casting choices that continuously grip your interest. This movie walked so Game Night could run. No, seriously, if you aren’t sure about this one, or if you’ve seen it and you want to watch something similar but executed 10x better, watch Game Night.
- Holly
Murder Mystery
Netflix
Watching this movie, it is clear that there is only one winner here, and it is not you and it is not me. No, the only person who this film benefits is Adam Sandler. Nevermind the murder, the real mystery is how Adam Sandler keeps getting paid to go on vacation with a camera crew, never even bothering to go into hair and makeup - truly just walking onto set - and clocking out every day with another million in the bank. And when he suggests that Jennifer Aniston, a woman whose hair has its own Wikipedia column, is his romantic equal, the execs clap enthusiastically and agree that she is his exact match. They shake with anticipation, eager to pour money into another film, critically-panned yet defyingly tolerated by audiences (not unlike a Taco Bell meal). And you can’t even be mad! You would do that same thing if Netflix repeatedly farted out 100 million dollars for you to perform classic hijinks circa. 2000. Forget Jeff Bezos (ugh, if only we all could), Adam Sandler should be every bro’s picture of success.
- Macy
Miss Congeniality
Criterion on Demand
Hollywood has had its fair share of films that include a “makeover,” or transformation sequence where a banal, usually unkempt, tomboy, bookish woman undergoes a physical and psychic metamorphosis and emerges as a beautiful, confident, glamour girl with beauty and brains. There are Now Voyager, (1942) My Fair Lady, (1962) Grease, (1978) Princess Diaries, (2001) Maid in Manhattan, (2002) and countless others that weave into their narratives the process of “correcting” a woman’s behavior and appearance. The films mentioned above are all great ones, but an ambivalence remains regarding the presentation of desirable modes of femininity versus the undesirable. Miss Congeniality is no different, but the film makes up for this “correction” with Sandra Bullock’s comedic ability and relatability. Bullock plays Grace Hart, a special agent for the FBI whose mission is to alleviate a threat and potential harm that could arise at the 75th annual Miss United States beauty pageant. Prior to her “makeover” she is “one of the boys” partaking in physically demanding assignments that involve taking down mobsters – she is not “glamorous,” and that is more than okay. Her love interest, Eric, who is also an FBI agent, does not seem to be fully interested in her until after her transformation, but, despite this questionable plot detail, the film is enjoyable because their chemistry just works. Grace Hart is not portrayed in a clichéd manner like the other beauty pageant contestants because she has depth, and her unique skill is that she has badass self-defense techniques! While troublesome in some areas, Miss Congeniality is a romantic comedy that will surely make you laugh and make you wish you could infiltrate one of America’s more dodgy institutions where unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards run rampant.
- Monica
Fool’s Gold
Criterion on Demand, Prime Video
Fool’s Gold (2008) quickly establishes its mood with the joyful vacation-esque music that plays over a casual explosion and sinking of a boat. Finn, played by Matthew McConaughey, is a reckless treasure hunter who refuses to let his relationship with Tess, played by Kate Hudson, die despite the recent divorce. Tess works as a stewardess on a yacht, and similar to her ex, is a history buff. This film also stars Donald Sutherland, who is a University of Toronto alumnus (double major in engineering and drama, so have faith in your degree!) Filmed in the Caribbean and Australia, it is a romcom perfect for the summer time as it is full of island vibes that make you want to run to the beach. And you know you’re in for some great chemistry (hello How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days! - and yes there are references to it). This chemistry makes even the smallest moments between the lead characters pull you in, eager to see the romance continue. The action in the movie isn’t just the standard punches and gunshots, but also has a touch of sword fights and underwater excitement. I also found that the comedy wasn’t too overwhelming. Yes, there was the “dumb character” trope for the majority of the film, but Hudson’s sass made it more enjoyable to watch. And I think we all need to learn from Hudson’s pick-me-up talk in the bathroom mirror moment.
- Thalia
Mr. Right
Prime Video
What would you do if you found out that the perfect guy you just met is a hitman? That is the question Martha (Anna Kendrick) faces, in Mr. Right (2015), a few days after she catches her ex-boyfriend cheating on her. Martha never quite fit in in the world that surrounded her. That is until she meets her Mystery Man (Francis, played by Sam Rockwell) and discovers a kindred soul. Martha tries to connect with a man she barely knows while both of their lives are threatened. The romance took a back seat to the comedy and action of the film, and it focuses more on spectacle than on developing the plot, characters or romance. However Kendrick and Rockwell bounce off each other very well and make their (sometimes overly absurd) characters enjoyable to watch.
- Stacy
Top Gun
Netflix
Top Gun (1986), an iconic 80s movie, is not necessarily iconic for its romance but for its action, which is understandable considering that Top Gun features some of the most exhilarating action sequences ever put to film. These action sequences take place in the context of TOPGUN, a naval flight school reserved for the navy’s best pilots. It is here that most of the movie’s romance takes place. There is the heterosexual romance between Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Charlie (Kelly McGillis), and the homosexual romance between Maverick and Iceman (Val Kilmer), suggested to us by the film’s obsession with showing us these two men shirtless together, among other things. Maverick and Iceman are rivals at TOPGUN, both vying to be the best pilot in the school; Charlie is their civilian instructor. The romance between Maverick and Charlie is fine, although it isn’t incredibly complex, and the idea of a romance between Maverick and Iceman is an interesting one, but it is unfortunately not truly explored in the film, resulting in more of a bromance (and not a particularly compelling bromance at that) rather than a real romantic narrative. Overall, the story and the romance aren’t terribly interesting, nor are they terribly terrible. But none of that matters because when you watch Top Gun, you don’t watch it for the story or for the romance, you watch it for the explosions, and the kick-ass flying sequences. So, if you’re looking for exciting action, Top Gun’s got you covered. But if you’re looking for a well-developed romance, you won’t find it here.
- Gabe
National Treasure
Disney+
National Treasure is, as the name suggests, very much a treasure and a classic. The movie alone is quite fun and keeps audiences engaged by diving into, rewriting, and bringing American history into the present. I’d argue this may be peak Nicolas Cage, as he plays a brilliant and occasionally pretentious scientific outcast, Ben Franklin Gates, who chases his family’s legacy across centuries of American history and states. Per this month’s theme, National Treasure lives up to its name, with chases, explosions, dives, an implausible heist, and more; one cannot argue its action-packed quality. However, it wouldn’t be on our list if it weren’t for its excellent representation of the enemies-to-lovers trope, with Ben and Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), a fellow history lover and record-keeper. National Treasure builds this romance sweetly, as Abigail, with all her curiosity, cannot help but fall into Ben’s adventure and Ben cannot help but want to protect and impress. The audience watches fervently as they argue, their faces nearing, punctuated with a chemistry you can’t deny. National Treasure has likely been seen by just about everyone, but it is definitely worth a rewatch.
- Alexa
Agent Cody Banks
Prime Video
Let’s head down memory lane with this film that made us all want to be spies and kick butt at school. Frankie Muniz (remember Malcolm in the Middle?) plays the titular character who is tasked with getting invited to Natalie Connors’ (Hilary Duff) 16th birthday party. There, he’ll use the skills he picked up in CIA summer camp to find information about Duff's scientist dad who got involved with the wrong people. While the storyline may be quite predictable, it nevertheless remains entertaining for its feel-good kind of vibe and the nostalgia factor that draws you in. It is not the most intellectually stimulating film, but there are some cool (which I thought were way cooler when I was a kid) and dramatic fight scenes, a cute and awkward romance, and as an early 2000s movie, there are outdated and cheesy lines that only add to the comedy.
- Thalia
Comments