This kind of theme is so exciting! Probably because I simply like the body switch concept, and it delivers a lot of laughs when it is a comedy. So here are my three, most of them funny picks for this week.
1. AVATAR (2009)
James Cameron’s fantasy movie is going to have a lot of sequels, and it doesn’t really bother me. I’m one of those people, who actually really enjoyed Avatar. It’s cheap way to distract me from the plot with pretty visuals, works every time. Movie’s body switch aspect is Jake’s (Sam Worthington) entering an avatar of a Pandora’s native. It’s a good film but even though it will have a sequel I’m excited for, I have no idea where the story is heading.
2. JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017)
As far as reboots go, they usually don’t work. But despite the bad rep, and the unsuccessful box office results, Welcome to the Jungle was a success! It’s because it didn’t take itself too seriously, it stayed true to the original, and it had a good script! And it has re-watchability! Body switch aspect is the teenagers ending up in the video game avatars, and one of the switches is pure gold (hint-hint Jack Black hint-hint)!
3. FREAKY FRIDAY (2003)
The best body switch movie I could think of is the remake of Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. It’s a double body switch, with mother and daughter switching their bodies after a wish. It delivers two very good performances, but Curtis shines a bit brighter as a teenager stuck in her mother’s body. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this movie, and I’d watch it again and again.
THIS SERIES IS CREATED BY WANDERING THROUGH THE SHELVES
1
I was probably one of the last people on Earth to see Avatar in the theatre. The technology was impressive but I didn’t really love the movie. The sequels will come and go without me.
It took me many years to see the first Jumanji and while it was fine I have no desire to see the new one.
I’m partial to the original Freaky Friday with Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster but this remake has its charms and I agree Curtis gives the stronger performance.
I like this type of film as well and since there have been many throughout the years I poked around for some of an older vintage.
Turnabout (1940)-Well-to-do Tim Willows (John Hubbard) is the main operator of his advertising company Manning, Willows, and Claire. His wife Sally (Carole Landis) stays at home and oversees their social life. When together they bicker constantly that the other has it much easier than they do. One day in the heat of an argument they wish they could switch places with each other in the presence of Mr. Ram, an Indian idol they have received as a gift. When they wake up the next morning they have indeed switched places and bodies with each other. Chaos ensues. Sprightly comedy with good performances and a twist ending.
Goodbye Charlie (1964)-Hollywood screenwriter and womanizing reprobate Charlie Sorrel is shot by film producer Sir Leopold Sartori (Walter Matthau) when he catches him with his wife on Sartori’s yacht and falls into the drink. Shortly afterwards Bruce Minton III (Pat Boone) comes to the aid of a dazed woman (Debbie Reynolds-at the height of her blonde beauty) wandering on a beach. She doesn’t remember much other than directions to Charlie’s residence. The next morning, it all comes back to her: she is Charlie…but in female form. Needing help she convinces her only friend, George Tracy (Tony Curtis), of her identity. Having changed sex, but not his ways the new Charlie now going by Virginia decides to take advantage of the situation, with Tracy’s reluctant help. Directed by Vincente Minnelli with a super cast including a young Ellen Burstyn when she was still billed as Ellen McRae. Remade in the 90’s as Switch with Ellen Barkin and Jimmy Smits.
Vice Versa (1988)-While on a buying trip in Thailand for his department store Marshall Seymour (Judge Reinhold) has a cursed Buddhist skull slipped into his shipment by a pair of thieves (Swoosie Kurtz & David Proval). When he returns to the States he finds that he has to take care of his estranged son Charlie (Fred Savage) when his divorced wife goes away for a few days. One morning in the middle of an argument Marshall finds the skull and while both he and Charlie are holding it they wish they had the other’s life and voilà they get there wish. As both first luxuriate and then begin to understand the frustrations the other puts up with the thieves are in hot pursuit trying to get the artifact back. Frantic farce makes good use of Reinhold’s gift for physical comedy.
It’s a shame but I know Avatar is not everyone’s cup of tea so I’ve accepted it. I just like it because it’s a guilty pleasure movie for me that never fails to entertain me.
Great picks! Avatar is my favourite of the three but Jumanji was so fun (I was not expecting it) and Freaky Friday, which I haven’t seen in years, was enjoyable.
Ooh, well Jumanji was a surprise because I thought it would be very bad, but it ended up being good. So I like it more because it surprised me. 🙂