I Love Films about Movies!

My favorite movie of all time is Singin’ in the Rain, a wonderful musical about silent movies changing to “the talkies.” Behind-the-scenes shenanigans, studio politics, self-absorbed stars, frustrated directors and ambitious screenwriters make terrific fodder for cinematic treatment, and I definitely enjoy seeing these situations and characters depicted on screen. Here are a few of my other favorite flicks about movies:

America’s Sweethearts. Everything about Hollywood gets lampooned in this amusing romantic comedy starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Cusack as a famous movie couple who can’t get along in real life.

Chump Change. Pursuing showbiz fame has never been filmed more hilariously than in this clever mockumentary written by, directed and starring Stephen Burrows

Lost in La Mancha. This remarkable chronicle of the catastrophes that sunk Terry Gilliam’s ambitious Don Quixote production held me spellbound from beginning to end.

Made-Up. In Tony Shalhoub’s impressive directorial debut film, some very confused and funny camera crew members attempt to understand what’s going on with the people they’re filming.

The Majestic. Jim Carrey’s laid-back performance as a studio yes-man and writer of B-movies who becomes a man of integrity is a joy to watch in this sentimental, nostalgic drama.

Shadow of the Vampire. Willem Dafoe goes triumphantly over the top as a real vampire hired to play an actor portraying a vampire in the classic silent horror movie, Nosferatu.

S1MONE. The illusions of Hollywood receive good-natured spoofing in this provocative film about a director (Al Pacino) who finds the perfect actress. The only problem? She’s an image coming from an electrical socket, and he must keep that a secret.

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! While poking fun at the cult of movie stardom, this entertaining romantic comedy also celebrates the importance of true love and the value of friendship.

I think most of these films deserve more than one viewing. As megastar Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) put it so eloquently in Singin’ in the Rain, “If we bring a little joy into yer humdrum lives, it makes us feel as though our hard work ain’t been in vain fer nuthin’.”