What DVD to buy for a woman?

[thrillme]

Background...I really can't come up with a good idea of what to get my sister-in-law. I really can't afford much this year (I have a big bill coming up in January for my son's braces). Last year I gave one of my cousins a "Movie Night Basket" and they seemed to really like it.

I'm thinking of a movie basket (an older movie, with jiffy pop, candy, bottled coke) but hers and my tastes are TOTALLY on the opposite ends of the globe. I'm more of Will Smith and "I Robot" smash 'em dash 'em sorta girl...

She likes Meryl Streep (I'm really not a Meryl Streep fan), Grease (50's style musicals) etc. I "think" she already has Grease so I'm trying to come up another movie...some thoughts are "Pretty Woman", "Princess Bride", Devil Wears Prada", "Sleepless in Seattle", "Hairspray"...I really don't know...

I know "I" like Pretty Woman and Princess Bride...But I've not seen Meryl Streep's Devil Wears Prada or Bridges of Madison County (neither interest me...no Monsters or Aliens), I've seen a little of Sleepless.. it's OK...and I really never cared for Hairspray at all but this is not MY gift...I'm trying to think like her.

Anybody out there think of movies along this line that are pretty good? Preferably something fairly old that you'd gladly watch over and over again.

[offwego]

If she likes Meryl Streep what about out of africa with Robert Redford?

[SBETigg]

The Devil Wears Prada was okay, Streep was the best part of it. Out of Africa might be a good choice, or the French Lieutenant's Woman, classic Streep. Also, the Princess Bride is fantastic, a classic and one that many women enjoy and can watch again and again. I would go with Princess Bride. I love A Room with a View, but there is some male frolicking in the nude and that might be an issue. South Pacific is usually a hit with musical fans.

[mickey&missy]

If she likes girlie and old how about something like Breakfast at Tiffanys? or if she likes musicals how about West Side Story?

[disneydeb]

How about a gift certificate to BLOCKBUSTER and let her choose her own movies?

[mrsgaribaldi]

Arsenic and Old Lace I've been watching this week over and over. Another is Gypsy with Natalie Wood.
I like disneydeb's idea of a gift certificate. How about a Best Buy gift card? I know some people think a gift certificate is not a real gift but I would like it, it's better than having to bring a gift back.

[poeticeclipse]

I know you can give a Netflix subscription as a gift!

Okay, coming from someone who doesn't like the typical chick flick and also someone who loves musicals... I will tell you that Hairspray is seriously amazing and isn't just for musical lovers (or 12 year old girls). My husband who is a new musical lover adors Hairspray and walks around singing the songs and trying to do the mashed potato (adorable) !!

Devil Wears Prada is another one of my (and my husbands) guilty pleasures. The Princess Bride is adorable as is Pretty Woman. But, if you wanna go with an off the cuff movie... try getting on CBS's online store. If it's not CBS then it's ABC. It's a tv movie called "Shake, Rattle, and Roll." It's a two part and I think you can get it in DVD or VHS. It's set in the 50's and is just pure perfection. Also, if she's into movie biographies, check out The Buddy Holly Story, Great Balls of Fire, and La Bamba.

Oh yeah! And I second Breakfast at Tiffany's!

[TheDuckRocks]

If she loves Grease I think Hairspray would be the one to pick. I also think a Netflix membership would be awesome.

[Jared]

If you're willing to order a DVD online, I strongly suggest buying "Once." It's a little Irish musical that's impossible not to love. Search for the theatrical trailer and take a look. I guarantee your sister-in-law will adore this film.

The DVD comes out on Dec. 18, but Amazon guarantees you will have it before Christmas if you purchase soon.

[diz_girl]

The 'movie night in a basket' is a great idea. I might do that as a teacher's gift at my son's day care.

As for movies, "The Princess Bride" is a great choice. I LOOOOOVE 'A Room With a View", it's one of my all-time favorites - very romantic. Another favorite of mine is "Before Sunrise" and its sequel "Before Sunset". I own both. "Before Sunset" may feel a little Gen X, so it may not be age appropriate for her if she's over 40 or so. It's got Ethan Hawke in it, so if she likes him then this is the movie to get. As for "Once", I haven't seen it but I've heard great things about it and it's on my Netflix queue.

If you're not sure which movie, you could still do a movie night in a basket, but just include a Blockbuster gift card instead of a movie. Although it's not as personal than including a movie, you give her the freedom of renting or buying any movie that she wants.

[thrillme]

Some really cool ideas. I hadn't thought about "Out of Africa" but that one sounds really good...I know I LOVED "Gypsy" with Nat Wood I wonder if it's on DVD? My parents would enjoy that one too...

Gift cards are just not the answer for her. She likes stuff that's more "put together". She really doesn't like driving any farther than her nearest grocery store so she'd be likely to give the card off to her son.

It sounds like Princess Bride is quite a winner for a lot of people...I know "I" really like that one and "Knights Tale".

Those are some GREAT ideas to look for.

[pink]

Hairspray was a great musical-movie and The Devil Wears Prada is one of my favorite movies. If she likes Meryl Streep then she will probally love The Devils Wear Prada.

I like the Netflix idea too!

[ChipnDaleGal]

The Devil Wears Prada is a great choice for a Streep fan, as she was awesome in that. I can't say enough good things about Hairspray, if she likes musicals. Sweet story, wonderful music and a magical cast!

[murphy1]

Well, these are some of mine:

When Harry Met Sally
Sleepless in Seattle
Indiana Jones (every poor guy I dated was held to his standard LOL)
Beaches (with tissues)
Only You
Four Weddings and a Funeral
I also like older movies by Hitchcock

[snowflakegirl]

There are some really good ideas out there... I agree with Out of Africa or The Devil Wears Prada. They're both great for Meryl fans.

If you're looking for something a little older, I agree with whoever suggested Breakfast at Tiffany's (but then I'm a sucker for ANYTHING with Audrey Hepburn)... You might also think about Sabrina (the original).

And When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favorite movies. DH and I watch it every year on New Year's Eve and every Valentine's Day.

Just a few suggestions and my
I love the idea of a movie night basket, and DH and I actually did one for his brother and sister-in-law last year. They loved it! So I'm sure it will be a big hit once you put it together. Good luck.

[BriarRose0708]

I definately echo votes fro The Princess Bride! I also would suggest Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and Under the Tuscan Sun.

A lesser known recent Meryl Streep movie is 'Evening." It's a tear jerker! It's based on the novel by Susan Minton and has Toni Collette, Claire Daines, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson and Streep's daughter in it. "A Prairie Home Companion" was also excellent, and Streep sings in it! "Music and Lyrics" with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant was very good, too.

For older romantic-type movies my favorite is "The Clock," with Judy Garland (her only non-musical MGM film) but I am unsure if it is available on DVD. There's also Kiss Me Kate, Singing in the Rain, and Anchors Aweigh!

[Jen0610]

If she is a fan of Meryl, her are some of hers that I liked:

Death Becomes Her - comedy
The River Wild - suspense
Silkwood - drama
The French Lieutenants Woman - drama

And as far as The Princess Bride goes, unless you know she likes that type of humor, I would pass. I guess I am one of a very few who do not love this movie. For me is just ok. DH and the kids can quote lines, but I just roll my eyes.

[LibertyTreeGal]

Death Becomes Her is probably one that Meryl and Goldie and Bruce would all love to forget!

Nonestly, I think that for the price of a movie, getting a one month subscription to netflix is an awesome idea!!! We have it and we love the variety. You can even download movies online and see things you can't really find anywhere else.

Oh, but for me, I would purchase a Jane Austen flick. If you like Meryl, you'll probably like movies like Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility..... but not Emma, that one was just okay. Or a katherine Hepburn flick like Bringing Up Baby with Cary Grant -- hilarious. OR, everyone likes Some Like it Hot -- Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. It always comes out #1 on the lists of best comedies of all time. It's a pure riot.

[TheMartellFamily]

I think one movie that is one of the best when it comes to Movie's for women is "Steel Magnolia's" I love it. It does not have Meryl streep in it but is has a great cast. this one is top of my list.

[Davyjones]

"Out of Africa" is a great film. It's my wife's favorite!

How about "Love Actually" or "While You Were Sleeping"? Always good!