Calendar Girls
Mr. Cranky's rating:
It seems to me that if you live in a small town in Ireland or England or Wales or Scotland, you're old or fat or ugly, and you've done something in the past decade that involves taking your clothes off, you've got unbelievably high odds of getting your story turned into a small, pointless, Hollywood feel-good movie of the month.
It seems to me that if you live in a small town in Ireland or England or Wales or Scotland, and you're old or fat or ugly, and you've done something in the past decade that involves taking your clothes off, you've got unbelievably high odds of getting your story turned into a small, pointless, Hollywood feel-good movie of the month. Actually, if your little adventure meets all of the previously cited criteria AND you also formed a band in the process, I've got Hollywood producers lined up to put their faces in very close proximity to your genitals!
In the case of this story, Chris (Helen Mirren) and her best friend Annie (Julie Walters) belong to a women's group in their small town and they're sick and tired of all the really boring speakers who present at their meetings. Then Annie's husband, John (John Alderton), gets cancer and dies, leaving Chris and Annie looking for a way to raise money to put a new sofa in the local hospital as a kind of memorial.
So naturally, they do what any 50-year-old, small-town women would do, they get a bunch of their friends together and make a nude calendar. Obviously, since this is based on a true story, if the calendar hadn't been a hit, this never would have been made into a movie, so it's no surprise that the rather boring calendar starts selling like crazy. What is surprising is that the movie drags on beyond the point where the women point fingers at the townsfolk who shook their fingers and their moral indignation at them before the money started rolling in.
Really, when it boils right down to it, this movie focuses on the three words no movie ever should: naked old people.
Was it really that bad?
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Are ya ready for a thumping, Gungirl??? MR_MUCUS
I Love, I Love, I Love My Little Calendar Girl Coaster
SAG nominations: Scorsese_fan
Hey, X-MAN santofive
*This* is just *wrong*. Wulfgar
What are your musical tastes? ** POLL ** church
Tragedy Idiotopinion
going to meet andy serkis mia_wallace
Pics from Slothrop & skilly wedding. PhuqYew
Buy the Beastie Boys' record label, Grand Royal. Throwing_Muses
"Eraser Head" yours thoughts? Idiotopinion
12 years and counting. Throwing_Muses
Is X-MAN gay? Theodoric
Is Fred Flintstone gay? Idiotopinion
Top 30 grossing filmsof 2003 X-MAN
I've been thinking more about missile defense X-MAN
CFL, I been trying to watch "pi" X-MAN
I'm Back (for intermittent enjoyment, anyway) Bobo
Bush invites himself where he's not wanted convenor
Serious gay sex poll for you wimps . . . Hairhead
No serious Mars Mission threads? daz
Anyone realize the futility of doing anything artistic right now... Slothrop
Judge orders convicted drunk driver to carry photo of victim Theodoric
I rather like the judges idea, photo of the dead guy.... daz
In Washington DC they will probably make it a crime... Dan_in_Cincinnati
As usual, Dan misses the forest for the trees... Slothrop
No Slothrop Dan_in_Cincinnati
Hey Dan, watch this... Slothrop
Just one fucking problem, Dan . . . Hairhead
Ugh, cell phones. Becky_Sharp
OK, Slothrop. Xur
Simulpost. Xur
OK try this then Dan_in_Cincinnati
Nope Becky_Sharp
The real solution. gnosticdogma
Thanks Becky that would have been my argument... Slothrop
I have another solution gnostic... Slothrop
May I split your focus, Becky??? Bobo
"They won't touch sex-while-driving." Becky_Sharp
Much more than the traffic would be tied-up! Bobo
Personally... skilly
I dunno X-MAN
I think it's too easy to get a driver's license in this country Ken_Kaminski
I agree with Ken on that... Slothrop
No X-MAN
Wow, another well-thoughtout rebuttal from X-MAN... Slothrop
Actually there is a fairly simple test Dan_in_Cincinnati
Dan... Slothrop
Same as it has been for the last 100 years Dan_in_Cincinnati
Coincidentally, Dan, I was just rear-ended by a cell-phone talking driver.. TheGodmother
You probably deserved it X-MAN
Oh, and you were driving your SUV X-MAN
I agree with Skilly and Ken. HomeSkillet
ex-man speaks so authoritatively about cell phones. Throwing_Muses
I probably hate drivers yakkiing on cell phones ... Dan_in_Cincinnati
Uh... last_angry_man
What's the issue? gnosticdogma
Proof it's all too easy to get your license... jessica-renee
"That's not a knife....*this* is a knife!" Theodoric
Early Oscar race...for 2004 Scorsese_fan
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Howard Dean and Jimmy Carter Spanky
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more slanted and racist illegal alien sites mia_wallace
Go Rush Limbaugh <nt> X-MAN
Happy/Merry (insert festive occasion here), Coaster! Theodoric
Now that Bush is about to free the slaves Spanky
Send Bush to the moon. Idiotopinion
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Lord of the Rings question <no spoilers> HomeSkillet
Skilly X-MAN
just saw "hearts in atlantis" mia_wallace
Rash Lardbutt X-MAN
Israel builds massive fucking concrete wall. Xur
Helen Mirren is like 58 and topless in this show X-MAN
So, were you lying then, or are you lying now, Mr. Bush? convenor
How many gay things do you do? Dan_in_Cincinnati
Gay for women... I guess... jessica-renee
Mostly physical stuff... ModernRonin
Let's see.... Emperorseth
How many gay things do I do (besides posting here)? Theodoric
My cats can kick any foofoo dog's ass! daz
Some gay stuff I do Ken_Kaminski
You forgot a couple, Dan. Xur
I don't date women Aron
Oops! Just did another gay thing. Dan_in_Cincinnati
No, no Dan Becky_Sharp
That whole role is so Lezzie Dan_in_Cincinnati
If you do... Becky_Sharp
This thread is gayer than John Doe. Jerk-in-the-Box
We haven't heard from Nick-the-cuticle-knife yet Dan_in_Cincinnati
No a single goddamn thing.... Slothrop
The gayest thing Skilly ever did... Dan_in_Cincinnati
Lying fäggotses... skilly
Uh oh. I simulposted with Dan... skilly
It wasn't me, but... Becky_Sharp
I hope his poetry is better than his singing... Xur
Re: How many gay things do you do? X-MAN
Re: How many gay things do you do?. X-MAN
ummmmmm... whack_chick
Actually, Aron. gnosticdogma
Re: How many gay things do you do? HomeSkillet
The real reason I started this thread. Dan_in_Cincinnati
This thread is fucking gay X-MAN
Yes, it is... skilly
Another indicator that you might be gay... Xur
The Deaner's not gay. Deaner
The Deaner is gayer than fuck X-MAN
XXXIE sure worries about other people's orientation a lot Theodoric
Aw, Xie, I know you love me. jessica-renee
Girls being tomboyish... Dan_in_Cincinnati
Can you blame him, Theo? skilly
Yes, that's true Theodoric
Ah ha, ha, ha, ha. A fucking ha. PhuqYew
Completely forgot about the female best friend factor... Aron
Something up your ass, Dan? Nick-The-Knife
I think Dan just likes his men swarthy, Nick. PhuqYew
It's your beautiful hair Nick Dan_in_Cincinnati
Dan Becky_Sharp
Anyway, you people don't know from gay. Becky_Sharp
I forgot about the gayest thing I do Ken_Kaminski
Nick always has something up his ass X-grundle-MAN
The Hair Dye is called "Nu-Pore" Dan_in_Cincinnati
Jesus Christ, you wimps . . my answers here, poll up top! Hairhead
"You eat my food, you eat my dick." Becky_Sharp
Ah, Becks . . . I wasn't *quite* that piggy . . . . Hairhead
Well, okay. Becky_Sharp
Re: Nick always has something up his ass Nick-The-Knife
The one great question Dan_in_Cincinnati
I just can't believe that is true, Dan X-grundle-MAN
Speaking of Christian Bale -- "The Machinist" Scorsese_fan
Now Here's My Idea of Effective Film Making Coaster
The new "Dawn of the Dead" trailer kicks leagues of ass Aron
Oscar qualifiers for various categories Aron
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I'm published! Scorsese_fan
"The Polar Express" -- not animated? Scorsese_fan
John Hurt hates "Lost in Translation" Scorsese_fan
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The Darkness?!?!?! whack_chick
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Beer Is A Gateway Drug! PhuqYew
Quit bashing Bush, you clowns. Xur
ACLU backing Rush's right to privacy. Theodoric
Uber. Darkest_Ever_ Darker_John_Doe
Screw you guys..... MR_MUCUS
Survivor All-Stars cast announced... M_H
Saw LA punk band The Distillers last night. Throwing_Muses
No good directing in the "top" films this year? Scorsese_fan
Weekend trivia Becky_Sharp
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Global warming update. gnosticdogma
Global warming. Pshaw! Becky_Sharp
And check your math, Mucus. Becky_Sharp
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Yeah, what slothrop said Theodoric
And don't chide MUCUS, Becky... Slothrop
Oh, no you didn't. Becky_Sharp
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Ugh. Becky_Sharp
When the apocalypse comes... Slothrop
Hey, what about me? Emperorseth
Yeah, Seth! X-Ray Vision for everybody! Theodoric
I'm betting on the apes taking over. Idiotopinion
The animals deserve to die, anyway MR_MUCUS
Does anyone remember "A Boy and His Dog". Idiotopinion
One acronym piece of advice for overheated future. PhuqYew
A Boy and His Dog Coaster
Wrong again, Slothrop Becky_Sharp
Global warming update X-MAN
And overpopulation X-MAN
I did think this study was funny, though X-MAN
Does anyone make worse films than "Ashley Judd"? Scorsese_fan
How is Nicole Kidman second among box office generators? Aron
Box office thoughts Scorsese_fan
Anyone else seen the "Secret Window" trailer? Scorsese_fan
"Big Fish" review Scorsese_fan
Another Bushism Bush_Sucks
Interesting all-time adjusted box office list entries Aron
Corollary to Hairhead's poll -- rank the Lord of the Rings movies Aron
Hey, Muses. Theodoric
Odd enough this piece was signed Mr. Crank Gorilla_Warfare
Regarding Donnie Darko (spoilers? but then again, all of you have seen this The_Innocent_Bystander
Tonight's SIMPSONS Beast
help me make the basic horror movie list!!! Haido
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Monster. HomeSkillet
Actors that you look for? the_demon
Vice City Question the_demon
Life NiceMarmot
Well I could sleep forever Theodoric
Got an Apple iPod? Throwing_Muses
And a query: Is "The Order" with Heath Ledger any good? Drew_Atreides
So i went to the "North American International Auto Show" in Detroit Drew_Atreides
Saturday nite poll! Cajunman
Best. Football. Game. Ever. the_demon
uhhh.. this would be my part of the universe: mendo
Holy Crap I fixed It Terminal_Boredom
NUDE PHOTOS!!!!! daz
Pod People Idiotopinion
Maniac-Cop's 2003 Movie List Maniac-Cop
The House of Sand and Fog. <SPOILER-FREE> HomeSkillet
Intelligent scary movies Viscount_Omega
Crankylanders of pre 2001. WE MUST NOT ALLOW THE 2001+ people to takeover John_Doe
Clark : "No more terror attacks" Tiamat-41
Belatedly, my Top 10 movies of 2003. Throwing_Muses
Has anyone here seen "Shoah"? Xur
Uber, minus John Doe, prepares for clubbing tonight Uber
Florida Xur
Oh my God. "the 'Boohbah' FAQ List" Mad-Ness_Monster
Question about 21 grams. Prince_Mongo
NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round convenor
So now Yankees want to secede! MR_MUCUS
Movies that stand a strong chance of being overlooked by the Oscars Aron
"The Apprentice" is a hit, no surprise... Scorsese_fan
Stad down to Yellow Alert! daz
Thanks for the help on the films in prison article Scorsese_fan
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2003's Generally Horrible Popular Music POLL! Mad-Ness_Monster
What about Melissa Leo in "21 Grams"? Scorsese_fan
Mr. Cranky readers in publishing industry?? Mr_Cranky
Now that we've had a chance to digest all three movies -- a LOTR poll! Hairhead
The bump & dump Scorsese_fan
Congressman want FCC to ban words... daz
This is not a political statement. YageVines
Anyone heard anything about "In God's Hands"? Theodoric
So i've got season 4 of Babylon 5 on DVD Drew_Atreides
"Swinging the Dead" by Devildriver from the Freddy vs. Jason Soundtrack ASFalcon13
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Convenor I liked the comic strip :D Tiamat-41
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Tim Robbins isn't crazy in "Mystic River" Scorsese_fan
Patrick Swayze Scorsese_fan
more on illegal 'criminals' mia_wallace
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Liar liar, pants on fire -- lottery "winner" admits she's a loser Aron
Let's give "worst2003.html" a last hurrah Aron
Calender Girls Gone Wild MR_MUCUS
Best films without distributors Scorsese_fan
Has anyone in Crankyland seen these films? Scorsese_fan
Project Greenlight 3 announced... Scorsese_fan
forums 1/2 archivist
Maybe I'll write this screenplay... Scorsese_fan
firsties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0b1knob
Bottomsies! daz
I'll try to spice it up a bit for ya, Daz ASFalcon13
I thought you left X-grundle-MAN
Nope, I'll be here until next Monday ASFalcon13
Pardon me, Mr. Falcon, but... X-grundle-MAN
Then address your posts, XgM ASFalcon13
Yeah, that's right YageVines
Assfalcon X-grundle-MAN
That's too bad XgM... ASFalcon13
Actually, Assfalcon X-grundle-MAN
Actually -troll-
Just Because I can Terminal_Boredom
I'm not really as pointless and stupid... ASFalcon13
No, Assfalcon, you are pointless and stupid... X-grundle-MAN
Hey!! Becky_Sharp
<very quietly, very peacefully, daz
Spank 'em all you want... Becky_Sharp
Sure you don't mean... daz
Oh daz, mein liebchen Becky_Sharp
They aren't yours church
Even if not rusty, daz
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