Chick Flicks for Smart Women
The best movies & TV out there that a discerning woman would want. Comlex tales of love, vulnerability & great sex. Not one of them shallow or empty. It's all here: romantic, sexy, demure, glamorous & quirky.
Some drama, some comedy & some campy :)
All are top notch 10's for me; well written & acted, with a strong female narrative or emotional thread because that is so important.
Included are historical notes so you can track the times and places.
Movies = historic, Gothic, fantasy, modern.
TV = historic, comedy, coming of age, modern.
Documentaries = film, sex, LGBTQ, fashion, dance.
Some drama, some comedy & some campy :)
All are top notch 10's for me; well written & acted, with a strong female narrative or emotional thread because that is so important.
Included are historical notes so you can track the times and places.
Movies = historic, Gothic, fantasy, modern.
TV = historic, comedy, coming of age, modern.
Documentaries = film, sex, LGBTQ, fashion, dance.
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- DirectorCatherine BreillatStarsAsia ArgentoFu'ad Aït AattouRoxane MesquidaSecrets, rumors and betrayals surround the upcoming marriage between a young dissolute man and virtuous woman of the French aristocracy.1830's France (worth the subtitles!!!) A raw, sexy love story from a time of arranged marriages and strict codes of conduct. One Spanish courtesan breaks all the rules with her passion and spirit. She is adored for it. Deeply romantic, incredibly written, beautiful, historic.
- DirectorJoe WrightStarsPeter DinklageHaley BennettKelvin Harrison Jr.Too self-conscious to woo Roxanne himself, wordsmith Cyrano de Bergerac helps young Christian nab her heart through love letters.1640 Paris France. Oh...my...god...what a terrific movie. The light is mystical, sets incredible, acting amazing, even the songs are good. It mesmerized me and made me cry. Peter Dinklage was great in this role. Everyone knows the story is about inner beauty. It also was about war. The Thirty Years' War 1618-1648 was an international conflict taking place in northern Europe from 1618 to 1648. The war was fought between Catholics and Protestants and also drew in the national armies of France, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, and the Habsburg dynasty that ruled the Holy Roman Empire. One of the longest brutal wars in history with over 8 million casualties from battle, famine and disease.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJames FrancoSophia MylesRufus SewellAn affair between the second in line to Britain's throne and the princess of the feuding Irish spells doom for the young lovers.1560's England & Ireland Medieval legend. Wonderful, romantic, tragic and soulful. Well written and acted. Rufus Sewell is marvelous as usual.
History: Set in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, Lord Marke of Cornwall plans to unite Britain – Celts, Picts, Angles, Saxons and Jutes – against Irish domination. 9 years later star crossed lovers lord Markes ward Tristan and princess Isolde are thrown together during war between kings. Isolde is to be the peace offering as a bride, but sadly not to Tristan... - DirectorMarshall HerskovitzStarsCatherine McCormackRufus SewellOliver PlattA Venetian courtesan becomes a hero to her city, but later becomes the target of an inquisition by the Church for witchcraft.1583 Venice. The true story of the woman Veronica Franco, a Venetian courtesan who lived from 1546-1591. She was a poet, who used looks, wit and seduction to defy the conventions of 16th century Venice.
Smart, romantic, historic. Well written and acted. - DirectorMira NairStarsNaveen AndrewsSarita ChoudhuryIndira VarmaTwo female friends become sexual rivals at maturity.1500's India. A densely atmospheric portrayal of the impact of sexual and emotional obsession. Told from the perspective of Maya, from innocent serving girl of the princess, to accomplished dancer. All hell breaks loose at the princesses wedding. Maya is banished and becomes a famous courtesan after love wounds her heart. Deeply romantic, lavish, raw and beautiful! Well written and acted.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsClive OwenStephen DillaneKeira KnightleyA demystified take on the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.Late 5th - 6th century legend. Arthur led Britain against Saxon invaders during Roman occupancy. Great plot, not what you'd expect. Less fantasy more history. Funny moments, gorgeous, romantic, intelligent. Well written and acted.
WIKI: The 5th century is the time period from 401 (CDI) through 500.It saw the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, which came to an end in 476 AD (approx 1,500 years ago). - DirectorRoland JofféStarsGérard DepardieuUma ThurmanTim RothVatel is the cook of Prince Condé. When the prince invites Louis XIV to hunt, he has to give lavish banquets in order to fall in his favor. But when Vatel falls in love with the king's mistress, love and duty come into conflict.1661 Paris.
Vatel, master of grand parties, served Louis XIV's superintendent, in the context of the Franco-Dutch War. A financially struggling Louis, Grand Condé is visited by King Louis XIV for three days of festivities at the Château de Chantilly. Subtitles! But so worth it! Glamorous, romantic, sweet and sad. - DirectorGérard CorbiauStarsStefano DionisiEnrico Lo VersoElsa ZylbersteinThe story of castrato opera singer Carlo Broschi, who enthralled 18th-century European audiences under his stage name Farinelli.1705 –1782 Naples, Italy. Farinelli, celebrated Italian castrato singer of the 18th century.
Subtitles, but worth it!!! Glamorous, romantic, historic. Well written and acted.
History:
castrato were male soprano or contralto voice of great range, flexibility, and power, produced as a result of castration before puberty. The castrato voice was introduced in the 1500's, when women were banned from church choirs and the stage. It reached its greatest prominence in 17th- and 18th-century opera (1600's-1700's).
The practice of castration, illegal and inhumane, produced an adult voice of extraordinary power attributable to the greater lung capacity and physical bulk of the adult male. The unique tone quality of the voice, coupled with the ability of the intensively trained singers to execute extremely difficult florid vocal passages, made the castrati the rage of opera audiences and contributed to the spread of Italian opera. In 18th-century opera the majority of male singers were castrati. The most famous of the Italian castrati was Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli. - DirectorShekhar KapurStarsCate BlanchettLiz GilesRod CulbertsonThe early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.1558-1603 England, Queen Elizebeth.
An intense, compelling and romantic drama. Beautiful, heroic, sad. Well written and acted. - DirectorMilos FormanStarsF. Murray AbrahamTom HulceElizabeth BerridgeThe life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart's talent and claimed to have murdered him.Late 1700's Vienna, Austria. The life and times of a spoiled music prodigy who withdrew into a life of drink and debt. Finally succumbing to deep superstition about his own death. Beautiful, sexy, funny and tragic. This is an amazing film.
- DirectorTanya WexlerStarsMaggie GyllenhaalHugh DancyJonathan PryceThe truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.1880's England. Very, very witty comedy-drama about a true, yet startling part of sexual history. Romantic, funny, sweet. Well written and acted.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsEmma ThompsonKate WinsletJames FleetRich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the title opposites.1792 England. Gorgeous, deeply romantic, very well written & acted. Wonderful sets and setting. Historic fiction.
- DirectorBharat NalluriStarsFrances McDormandAmy AdamsCiarán HindsGuinevere Pettigrew, a middle-aged London governess, finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse.1939 England. Wonderful!!! Funny, romantic, sweet. Well written and acted.
- DirectorJames IvoryStarsJames WilbyRupert GravesHugh GrantTwo English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society, Clive gives up Maurice and marries. While staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice discovers romance in the arms of the gamekeeper Alec.1909 England. Bohemian Era upper-crust love story about the existential crisis of a man's love for men and the perils of being gay in Edwardian society. This is a lush and emotional movie. The acting is wonderful, settings gorgeous and story delicious. Hugh Grant is convincingly gay.
- DirectorBrian HelgelandStarsHeath LedgerMark AddyRufus SewellAfter his master dies, a peasant squire, fueled by his desire for food and glory, creates a new identity for himself as a knight.1360 Medieval England Fantasy. Set in French cities and London. Very witty, very funny, romantic. Well written and acted! Fantasy-history
- DirectorMark PalanskyStarsChristina RicciJames McAvoyReese WitherspoonA modern romantic tale about a young aristocratic heiress born under a curse that can only be broken when she finds true love with "one who will accept her as one of their own."2006 London, England. Wonderful in every way. Witty, romantic, funny
- DirectorChristophe GansStarsVincent CasselLéa SeydouxAndré DussollierAn unexpected romance blooms after the the youngest daughter of a merchant who has fallen on hard times offers herself to the mysterious beast to which her father has become indebted.1700's France. French sub tittles!!! Gorgeous, romantic.
- DirectorKinka UsherStarsBen StillerJaneane GarofaloWilliam H. MacyA group of inept amateur superheroes must try to save the day when a supervillain threatens to destroy a major superhero and the city.1990'S Fantasy City USA. Quirky, wickedly smart, ironic, funny indie comedy. Phenomenal performance from Janeane Garofalo, Tom Waits, Paul Reubens & Louise Lasser.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsTom CruiseMia SaraTim CurryA young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves.Fantasy Gem! Tim Curry as the devil! Tom Cruise & Mia Sara (both teenagers). Great costumes, sound track by Tangerine Dream, Jon Anderson of Yes and Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music. Won Cinematographers Award for Best Cinematography in 1985, nominated for multiple awards: Academy Award for Best Makeup; Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Saturn Award for Best Makeup; BAFTA Awards for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup Artist, Best Special Visual Effects; DVD Exclusive Awards; and Young Artist Awards.
- DirectorJamie BabbitStarsNatasha LyonneClea DuVallMichelle WilliamsA naive teenager is sent to rehab camp when her straitlaced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian.1990's CA USA. CAMPY, LGBTQ, quirky, hilarious, well written and acted.
- DirectorAnthony AbramsAdam Larson BroderStarsChristina RicciHank HarrisBrenda BlethynA sorority girl finds her life falling apart after she develops romantic feelings for a mentally-challenged man.2000's Southern Carolina USA. Odd, quirky comedy, existential, ironic. Well written and acted.
- DirectorMary HarronStarsGretchen MolLili TaylorChris BauerThe life of Bettie Page, a 1950s pin-up model and one of the first sex icons in America, who became the target of a Senate investigation because of her risqué bondage photos.1950's USA. New York Great movie. Sexy historic pop culture icon! Well written and acted.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.1970's Las Angeles USA. This is a very smart film, about a really interesting time in history. It successfully juxtaposes 'free love' against women's identity' during the 1970's. It is also a great coming of age story. Lovely, funny, romantic and sweet.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.2003 New York USA. Ironic, romantic, well written and acted. Not your typical love story. A man's reflection on romance.
- DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsJack NicholsonHelen HuntGreg KinnearA single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.1997 New York. Romantic odd ball movie. Excellent writing and acting.