crazy about me - but boy how he conceals it

A couple of surprise winners, a big favorite, and a "not offensive." That's a win, overall.

Fisherman's Friends (2019) - "A cynical London music executive hears a singing group of ten Cornish fisherman while on a stag weekend and believes that they can achieve a top ten hit. The difficult part is convincing them he's right and getting them to sign up."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it was on my Recommended list, and I love James Purefoy
IMDB: 7.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 69% Audience: 72%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "You never know a man till you find out what his legs is made of at sea."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Chris Foggin

my notes: I liked this very much! It is a quiet, charming, tender movie, with moments of real emotion and growth. It's also really funny.
overall:  recommended

Libeled Lady (1936) - "When a major newspaper accuses wealthy socialite Connie Allenbury (Myrna Loy) of being a home-wrecker, and she files a multi-million-dollar libel lawsuit, the publication's frazzled head editor, Warren Haggerty (Spencer Tracy), must find a way to turn the tables on her. Soon Haggerty's harried fiancée, Gladys Benton (Jean Harlow), and his dashing friend Bill Chandler (William Powell) are in on a scheme that aims to discredit Connie, with amusing and unexpected results."

source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: it's Loy and Powell, at it again, with the bonuses of Harlow and Tracy
IMDB: 7.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 86% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "'I thought that was rather clever of me.'

    'Yes, I thought you thought so.'"

MPAA rating: Passed (TV-G)

directed by: Jack Conway

my notes: a good one. Powell is hilarious, more of a genius with physical comedy than his Thin Man persona implies. Harlow is—as always—gorgeous, snappy, and alluring. Loy's Connie doesn't have much to work with, and comes off a bit stiff and unlikable, but she's undeniably glamorous. Tracy's Haggerty is a minor role with no room to shine. Still, it's well worth seeing.
Academy Award nominee: Best Picture (lost to The Great Ziegfeld)
overall:  recommended

Strictly Ballroom (1992) - "A top ballroom dancer pairs with a plain, left-footed local girl when his maverick style earns him the disdain of his more conventionally-minded colleagues. Together, the team gives it their all and makes dreams of the National Championship title come true."
source: I own the DVD - my third copy, since the other two were mysteriously disappeared from my collection by friends who loved it, too - which is, inexplicably, in Korean. (The box, not the disc itself.)
I watched it because: I've been wanting to show it to the BFF
IMDB: 7.2/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 88% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 9/10

notable quote: "'What do I want? I'll tell you what I want! I want Ken Railings to walk in here right now, and say "Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with YOU!"'

    [the door flies open. It's Ken] 'Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with you.'

    'That was unexpected.'"

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Baz Luhrmann

my notes: one of my favorites of all time. I always cry, always laugh out loud, and always leave it feeling content and happy.

Awards: 

• 1992 Cannes Film Festival–won Best Foreign Film

• 1992 Australian Film Institute–won 8, nominated for 5 more

• 1993 BAFTA–won 3, nominated for 5 more

• 1994 Golden Globes–nominee for Best Picture, Comedy or Musical
overall:  most highly recommended

About a Boy (2002) - "A comedy-drama starring Hugh Grant as Will, a rich, child-free and irresponsible Londoner in his thirties who, in search of available women, invents an imaginary son and starts attending single parent meetings. As a result of one of his liaisons, he meets Marcus, an odd 12-year-old boy with problems at school. Gradually, Will and Marcus become friends, and as Will teaches Marcus how to be a cool kid, Marcus helps Will to finally grow up."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it was recommended, and I'd seen it before so I knew I would not dislike it
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 93% Audience: 55%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "I wanna be with her more, I wanna be with her all the time, and I wanna tell her things I don't even tell you or mum. And I don't want her to have another boyfriend. I suppose if I could have all those things, I wouldn't really mind if I touched her or not."

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz

my notes: it's a sweet movie. I am coming to detest Toni Collette and the preciously quirky, damaged roles she plays, and I'm none too fond of Rachel Weisz (she's the ubiquitous actress, everywhere—the Helen Hunt of her generation)...but the rest of the cast is fine. An innocuous way to spend a couple of hours.
Academy Award nominee: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (lost to The Pianist)
overall:  recommended

[the title quotation is from The Libeled Lady]