Volume CXXXIII, Number 12 December 7, 2001 f

The ultimate battle: chick flicks vs. guy movies
MONICA GUZMAN
COLUMNIST

Guys, you don't have to pretend anymore. We know it's all an act. We get home from the movie theater, and you begin the false ranting. You call it a chick flick, and you roll your eyes. Then, a streak of stereotypical adjectives comes out of your mouth: mushy, over-romantic, melodramatic, corny, sappy. This is followed by statements of escalating disgust, "That was horrible," then "What a huge waste of my time," and for a big finish, "I'm going to go back to my dorm and watch Big Lebowski to recover."

Recover from what? From the fact that the movie may have just softened you up? I've seen many a movie in my day, and yes, I have been responsible for "dragging" some of you males out there to chick flicks. I've witnessed the truth-the moist eyes, the emotional looks you try to hide- yes, indeed I dare say that some of you guys actually enjoy chick flicks.

Then the movie's over. The credits roll and you realize that you actually may have liked some of it. So first thing you do when you get home is watch Big Lebowski or Animal House or Dude, Where's My Car? or some other overly-quotable guy movie. After that, you emerge fully cleansed of the sappiness of the chick flick and can continue with your normal lives.

Why deny it, I ask? Chick flicks in general aren't that bad- sure, many of them are truly horrible, as most movies of any genre are- but others are pretty darn good and emotionally satisfying.

So guys, how about this: give the chick flicks the respect they deserve, and meanwhile, I'll continue to search for a reason why a dripping-drool movie like Animal House is "great," as you say. Deal?

I didn't think so. Of course, I'm never going to find any such reasons why crap like Animal House is so revered and worshipped, and you are never going to stop rolling your eyes at the mere mention of the words "chick flick." You know what? Maybe it's better that way-let the movie battles continue.