Flashback Fridays: 90s Chick Flicks

For those of you who don't know, this blog's creation stems from a fantastic course I am taking at the University of Maryland. It's called ENGL 488B: Writing for the Blogosphere. In class, we occasionally receive challenges. This week's challenge is to respond to someone else's post/incorporate it into our own blog.


I've decided to tackle the subject of "Chick Flicks" as inspired by my fellow classmate's blog, Ezra Won't Shut Up. Ezra informed me that her favorite chick flick of her childhood was When Harry Met Sally. That's definitely a classic, but let's take a look at some great ones from the 90s.


Ezra begins by claiming, "We like to think chick flicks are about love in its ideal state, that they are about the best case scenario. I would actually argue that they are snapshots of female fantasy." I completely agree. Chick flicks somehow manage to tap into the inner minds of women. In fact, Sleepless in Seattle completely plays into that as an important part of its plot. The main character, Annie, dreams of finding a love like the classic old-time chick flick movie, An Affair to Remember. It's a chick flick within a chick flick! Chick-flick-ception. I think people fell in love with this movie because it showed a woman aspiring to achieve that chick flick female fantasy, and then, of course, in true chick flick fashion, she totally did.

So much love. So much passion. So much estrogen.
Photo Credit: NY Daily News

The chick flick romance is basically what every woman wants. Ezra argues: 


"Now, I can’t speak for all women (actually, I totally can, and you can’t do anything about it!), but I’m guessing most of you daydream as much as my friends and I do about the perfect guy [or girl] falling madly in love with us and getting married/moving in together and living together in the perfect blend of lighthearted jesting, cute shared traditions, and fiery passion." 

"She walked off of the street, into his life,
and she stole his heart." Wow. Ok.
Photo Credit: Movie Posters.com

If you say you don't, you're lying. Everyone has their own little "female fantasy." For some, it's that perfect bliss of happily Ever After. However, what happens after that ever after? Reality sets in. The rest of Ezra's post analyzes the newest chick flick, The Vow, and how we sometimes lose sight of reality when we escape into the world of the movies. 


I think it's safe to say many escaped into the reality of some more 90s chick flicks. For instance, Pretty Woman. I looked up a list of The Top 10 Chick Flicks of the 90s. Sure enough, Pretty Woman was number one. 


Pretty Woman is supposed to be the "cinderella story" of the 90s. Girl is prostitute. Prostitue meets wealthy business man. Prostitue begins affair with wealthy business man. They fall in love. Uh oh. Prostitute is almost sexually assaulted by George Costanza. Wealthy Business man comes to her rescue. They live happily after...until she becomes a Runaway Bride...or something like that. You get the point. Highly unrealistic, but everyone loves it. 


We all love it because we also love to put ourselves into those situations. Ezra believes that an important part of chick flicks is that they are  "Vague slots for us to emotionally slide our personality into." Case in point: The Bodygaurd. Come on, who hasn't belted out the lyrics to this movie's iconic song "I Will Always Love You" in front of a mirror? You haven't? Well fear not. Get your belting voice ready, it's karaoke time:

Ok, moving on. Every decade has its great, tear jerking, chick flicks. Why? Because that's What Women Want. Yes, they're often unrealistic, but that's the formula that works. Women buy tickets and buy into the fantasy. 


Some chick flicks are so successful that they get to be re-released. In one month or so, Titanic will be back on the big screen...and this time in 3-D. I am not ashamed to admit that you will find me in line, most likely dragging my boyfriend along with me. (Sorry not sorry Dear!)  Will buy into that movie once again and I will eat it up. I will eat it up like the pint of Ben & Jerry's that often accompanies most chick flick watching sprees. 

"Where Are They Now?" Wednesdays: The Spice Girls

I remember when the Spice Girls burst on to the scene. It was probably some time around 1996 or 1997. From the moment I first heard the lyrics to their most popular hit," Wannabe", I was hooked. I'm not ashamed to admit I still know all the words. Sing along with me: Yoooo I'll tell ya what I want what I really want: 

Shortly after its release, this song took over the charts. It's safe to say that the Spice Girls became a second wave of the British Invasion. Not only that, but they became the face of the "girl power" attitude of the 90s, a term often linked with third-wave feminism.

I remember getting not one, but two, Spice Girls barbie dolls at my sixth birthday party held at Skateland. I received Baby Spice and Sporty Spice. Much like Disney Princesses, everyone had their favorite Spice Girl. I think it's safe to say that Baby Spice was the favorite of most girls, but I always liked Sporty Spice. I was hardly athletic, unless you count Ballet and the occasional outdoor kickball game, but I liked her attitude. Plus she was brunette. I guess I'm just always drawn to Brunettes and/or was forced to play as them at Recess? (See all commentary on Belle). Posh was just too prissy for me.

I think one of the best legacies left by the Spice Girls is their movie. Who can forget the classic film that is Spice World? It has everything: an alien invasion, great songs, and Alan Cumming. Who could ask for anything more?

But enough reminiscing, let's find out what the girls are up to today!

Photo Credit: FanPop.com

Emma Bunton (AKA Baby Spice): After the group split up, Emma released a few of her own solo albums.  While these have been relatively unknown in the US, they did have some success across the pond in the UK. She's also done a bit of acting on the BBC equivalent of Dancing with the Stars. It seems Baby Spice is now Mommy Spice since she gave birth to her first son back in 1997.

Mel B (AKA Scary Spice): Mel B used her acting chops from the film to make her way to the stage. In 2002, she starred in a London production of the empowering show, The Vagina Monologues.  Emma wasn't the only one to give ballroom dancing a try. Mel recently appeared on Dancing with the Stars here in the states, and did fairly well. She also gave the broadway stage a try when she briefly played the role of Mimi in Rent for a few months back in 2004.  Mel is also the mother of two daughters.

Gerri Haliwell (AKA Ginger Spice): In 1998, Geri left the group in order to pursue her own solo career. That didn't work out too well. She did however have success with a line of Yoga videos and an autobiography. She now serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. She also became a mother in 2006.

Melanie Chisholm (AKA Sporty Spice): Unsurprisingly, Melanie also attempted to make a solo name for herself when the group split up. She achieved moderate success in the UK. She has dedicated most of her focus to music and touring and has not (yet) made the leap back into acting. She is the only one of the group who doesn't have a child. You can find out more on her snazzy personal website.

Victoria Beckham (AKA Posh Spice): Last, and most certainly not least is Victoria. Victoria has maintained high profile life in the limelight after marrying soccer (or football) star David Beckham. (Just look at that body)  They quickly married and had kids, so Victoria didn't branch out into her own solo career, yet she has found the most success. Like Geri, she published an autobiography. Actually, make that two. She also has her own fashion line.

If all this nostalgia has made you miss these girls, fear not, they're reuniting! It's been announced that they will be performing in London for the Queen's Jubilee. Can someone get me a ticket to london please?!