Oh, Hai! Sandra Bullock…

I don’t know if I’m just out of the loop or what, but I can’t remember the last time there were so many romantic comedies about to come out. Not only are there lots, but our favorite leading ladies are getting back into the action, as well. Maybe it’s the economy, or the war(s), or even just the weather, but nothing entices Hollywood to make light, feel-good, tooth-rotting, sickeningly sweet, romantic-comedy fare like a nation teetering on the brink of IMPENDING DOOM!!

When I think of modern Romantic Comedies, I think of actresses. The men in these movies are props, after all. I think of Meg Ryan, Drew Barrymore, JLo, Renee Zellweger, and of course, Sandra Bullock, or as I refer to her, Sandy B. Many other actresses have made some great turns as romantic leads, but these are the five that I think define the genre. (Runners-up would probably include Kate Hudson, Reese Witherspoon, Julia Stiles, and Cameron Diaz, and if we were giving out Honorable Mentions, I would have to include Debra Messing for The Wedding Date, and that chick from The Cutting Edge).

I can’t explain why I love these movies so much, especially those from Sandy B.’s portfolio, because, for the most part, they are TERRIBLE! But they are also endearing, and funny, and damn it all, they’re entertaining.

Sandy B. has been absent from the Rom-Com racket for quite some time, probably in an attempt to salvage her reputation as a serious actress, for which I cannot spite her. Her last appearance in a rom-com was opposite Hugh Grant in Two Weeks Notice in 2002 (TOTAL FAVORITE!). Since then, she has mostly dabbled in dramas and suspense thrillers, which all did OK, but I don’t think any of them could be called breakthroughs.

Aside: if you’re following along with me in her IMDB profile, you may notice a certain movie filmed between Two Weeks Notice and the present day entitled Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and you may also argue that this film could be classified as a romantic comedy, and you would be totally right. However, I think it practical and prudent to pretend that that movie NEVER HAPPENED because it is an ABOMINATION!

Ahem… fast forward to NOW and Sandy B. has not one, but two, rom-coms slated for release in early 2009, starting with one called All About Steve, which comes out in March.

First things first: I HATE HER HAIR!! But aside from that, this looks really cute. I think Sandy B. is at her best when she’s playing a misfit, and this character looks adequately kooky. The lead guy and the title’s namesake is Bradley Cooper, and other than seeing him pop up in the occasional TV show, I don’t know him all that well. More importantly, though, this trailer reminds me of the great comedic delivery and top-notch physical comedy Sandy B. is capable of when given good material.

Next up, and releasing in June (not that far off if you think about it), is The Proposal.

Ok, how about some pros and cons:

Pro: RYAN REYNOLDS!! That man… gah! It’s very hard to find men who are equally appealing in a suit as they are shirtless, and very helpfully, Hollywood has found one for us. THANK YOU!

Con: Sandy B. plays a female executive who is a bitch. How utterly original.

Pro: I will say Sandy’s hair is much better here.

Con: The premise is kind of out there. In what world would a boss threaten to fire an employee if he/she doesn’t marry him/her so that he/she could weasel out of an immigration issue? I mean, I suppose it could happen, but if I were in Ryan’s place, I’d just call my lawyer and sue for harassment and conspiracy. There’s nothing hard about it.

Pro: Betty Frikkin’ White

So, yes, I’m excited about both of these movies. I was afraid that Sandra Bullock had turned her nose up at romantic comedies, so I’m excited to see her back in her strongest suit. I don’t have a whole lot of hope that either of these movies will be amazing, but Sandy B. has a way of being great even if the material is flat.