Confessions of a Shopaholic and Confetti

Confessions of a Shopaholic is recent addition to my collection. It's the film adaption of a very popular book series by Sophie Kinsella. I've read a couple of them, but not all, and I've read a couple of her other books too. She writes very easy-to-read chic-lit books. The kind that you sit down and read in one sitting (in fact I did that once when we were staying in Foxton for NYE). The movie version was made last year and like most movie versions it strays from the storyline in the book.

Becky Bloomwood is a writer, trying to climb her way to the top of the magazine world, but she finds herself taking a job at finance magazine in the process. Not to worry, she uses her obsession of shopping to help her find her feet in this world. To help her find her way out from all her financial-shopping-induced problems is her best friend and the fear of the IRS agent chasing her.

Isla Fisher is the star of this movie. She's a stunning, short, firey redhead that has come along way from her days on Australian soap 'Home and Away'. She does a fantastic job of playing the bimboish Becky that always seems to get by by the skin of her teeth. Isla is supported by a legends Joan Cusack and John Goodman as her parents, along with Hugh Dancy as her boss/love interest and Krysten Ritter as her best friend. All these supporting actors help to pull the weak script together into an enjoyable movie.

As with most movie adaptions of books I find that the book is much better. I couldn't help but feel that this movie lacked a bit of substance and that's not just from knowing the book series. The stray from the book storyline can be forgiven - only because it's that's what happens with most movie adaptions these days and it becomes the 'norm'. But even so, this movie missed the point somewhere along the line.

Nevertheless it was one of those movies that is easy to watch and probably for the most part rather enjoyable. Don't make your fella watch it unless you have some good brownie points built up from watching Conan. He won't be happy as it's your typical chick flick with shopping a total no-go zone for him. Meanwhile, gather the girls around, a big tub of popcorn and enjoy it with those that will appreciate it!

Confetti is a quirky little British movie that I found - I'm not sure that it was ever out at the movies?! I may be wrong. It's one of those movies that looks kinda dumb by the cover and blurb on the back, but it's so funny to watch and a little bit different from the movies being made today that you enjoy it that much more.

Confetti Magazine is a popular wedding magazine that is holding a competition for the most Unique Wedding of the year. Three couples are chosen - the Tennis couple, the Musicals couple and the Nudist couple. They are given the help of two fabulously camp wedding planners and strict guidelines by the magazine to organise their wedding.

This movie is done in the style of a mockumentry which is what makes it so fresh and fun to watch. We follow along with all the characters as well as catch some of the 'behind the scenes' action. It's a fantastic way to tie all the various characters and action together to form a cohesive movie.

Confetti is British and has some good, currently popular British stars; Comedian Jimmy Carr and Martin Freeman (most famous for playing Tim in The Office, but also star of the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and Love Actually, and recently named to star as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit). Jessica Hynes (starred as 'Jessica Stevenson', and also known for her roles in Son of Rambow and Shaun of the Dead) also stars as well as actors I'm not familiar with - Stephen Mangan, Meredith MacNiell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Jason Watkins and Vincent Franklin.

Each of the couples is hilarious in their own right. The Tennis couple are hungry to win and will stop at nothing to get the top prize. But what's with the enourmous nostrils she has?! The Musical couple are sweet but don't have a musical bone in their body. The Nudist couple are, well, nude. Yes, there are willies and boobs flying all over the place. And they want to be naked at their wedding which everyone agrees with, except the magazine. Eek. But the best part of this movie is the very camp and delightful wedding planners. They are so sweet and get caught up in the middle of all the couples and the magazine. They really steal the whole show.

This movie was one that my movie project partner JP wasn't really to overly interested in watching, but then really enjoyed it when we did (except perhaps the willies being out). It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but don't dismiss it without giving it a shot. It's funny - promise. Watch it!