I’ve been a loyal watcher of Real Housewives of New York City for three seasons now. After watching part two of the three part reunion , (Really Bravo? Why not just have a giant three hour block—why drag this thing out in parts? I’d prefer a marathon over this…) I asked myself, “What if Housewives was a movie? Who could play the part of each housewife?”

Jill Zarin: Gina Gershon

Though some might argue Jill doesn’t have the Gina-looks, I disagree. She is fashion forward and savvy in her own Jewish way. I thought of Gina for this part, inspired by her role in Curb Your Enthusiasm as a Hasidic dry cleaner. I think she would be able to tackle Jill’s accent perfectly.

Bethenny Frankel: Angelina Jolie

I had to pick a fantastic actress for my favorite housewife. Bethenny was an outcast for much of the beginning of the show, as she was younger than the other women and the only not-really-a-housewife. But her character is much more complicated than this, as she’s a calculated business woman. Angelina would be able to provide strength and sass in this role, especially as she transitions into REAL housewife-ism and motherhood.

Alex McCord: Téa Leoni

Alex has a kind of understated beauty and understated personality. This is why many viewers have been reeling this season, when Alex has finally lost her temper. Tea Leoni would be able to make this transition nicely.

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I’m a stereotypical girl in my love of Lifetime movies, and, of course, my Recasts partner in crime Dennis groans when he enters the room and sees the tiny Lifetime logo on the bottom right corner of the television.. But what exactly is a Lifetime Movie? In its purest definition, it would be a movie that shows on Lifetime. According to UrbanDictionary.com, a Lifetime movie is “Misandristic propaganda potboiler films aimed at teaching women that all men are abusive rapists. The protagonist usually is a female who wishes to escape from her drunken husband or a young adult who is kidnapped and raped. There are many different lifetime movies, but all have a the same plot.” (The grammar stickler in me wants to point out that Misandristic isn’t technically a word, but that’s beside the point.) This definition is one worth noting, as it rings true in many cases.

But I think there is an unidentifiable quality in Lifetime movies that breaks past the stereotypes and sometimes simple plots to create a fun viewing experience for both women AND men. I also would like to inform you non-regular Lifetime viewers that Lifetime is branching out to include many movies that weren’t made for TV. For example, I caught Reservation Road the other week, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connolly. This fantastic 2007 film was written and directed by Terry George, whose name you might recall from his work on Hotel Rwanda (which you all know was highly acclaimed). To help get you started as you begin your journey towards Lifetime-movie love, I’ve compiled a list of my top ten favorite Lifetime movies.

#10 The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer

This is one of the first Lifetime movies I remember seeing. Based on the true story of Ira Einhorn who killed his girlfriend then fled the country, Naomi Watts provides a memorable performance as Holly Maddux.

#9 Gone in the Night

Kevin Dillon and Shannon Doherty play the Dowaliby parents, who experience their worst nightmare when their daughter disappears from her bedroom in the middle of the night. As the parents are accused of murdering their own daughter, the investigation fails to keep its course towards finding the real killer. Ed Asner is also a nice surprise.

#8 She’s Too Young

A new favorite of mine. I didn’t switch the channel when I realized Alexis Dziena (who I knew and hated from Entourage) was playing the lead. A high school girl contracts a sexually transmitted disease. The discussion of STDs as a true epidemic, even in the supposed-to-be-perfect middle class realm, is actually insightful.

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