Movie #368 - Connie & Carla

Connie and Carla
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Michael Lembeck
Starring: Nia Vardalos, Toni Collette, David Duchovny, Stephen Spinella, Alec Mapa, Ian Gomez

Two would-be stars accidentally witness a crime and have to go on the run.  They wind up in a bar performing show tunes as drag queens... and that's when things get complicated.

Genius premise - possibly the most inventive from writer Nia Vardalos, who also co-stars in this musical comedy.  Toni Collette is her unwavering sidekick and, when dressed in drag, bears a striking resemblance to Liza Minelli.  I never noticed that before. Huh.

So, yes, I love this one.  It's full of fun songs and fabulous drag queens. And it really looks like they had a blast making this one.  Well done all around and highly underrated. More people need to see this one.

Movie #289 - I Hate Valentine's Day

I Hate Valentine's Day
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Nia Vardalos
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Judah Friedlander, Rachel Dratch

This movie reunites the couple from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which is cute but might hurt the film overall.  The story's not as good - though it does have its moments - and you're immediately comparing the two films together.  There's also something not quite right about Nia Vardalos's performance here.  Her acting just isn't as good and can be a bit cheesy at times.  Like she's overdoing it.  Perhaps this results from her role directing herself.  Hmm.

Don't get me wrong. I like this movie and it's unusual approach to a classic rom-com scenario.  Girl doesn't want romance, goes out of her way to avoid it.  Guy thinks that's great.  But all of a sudden, it's not great.  It's fun, witty, and filled with missed connections - something I love to watch.  I mean, come on, if the love interests don't work for it... where's the fun? Where's the payoff?   This movie has good payoff, but it's certainly not Vardalos's best work.