Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Romantic movies that I don't hate, a Valentines Day Special

In honor of Valentines day or Singles Awareness Day as I like to call it, I felt it necessary to do a post about some romantic movies that are actually good, and still tolerable to sensible people who hate romantic movies. Of course I had to throw in a few suggestions for those of us who aren't too keen on the Holiday.

Before I begin my list of choices I have a few suggestions. When choosing a movie for rental or general viewing on Valentines day try to keep a few things in mind.

1. Ladies be aware that this day is about love not just about you, don't force your boyfriend to watch some chick flick, it's his day too try to make some sort of compromise in terms of what you will be watching.

2. If you are single do not allow yourself to rent anything that was originally written by Nicholas Sparks (he wrote the origional books for A Walk To Remember, The Notebook, and Nights in Rodanthe) or similarly tear jerking movies. There is nothing worse then sobbing uncontrollably because of a movie, alone in your room on Valentines day.

3. If you are single remember that romance isn't the only typse of love. Invite the single friends or family members that you may have over for a night of drinking, bitching, and movies.

Classic Romantic Suggestions

If you want something traditional and good to watch then this category is for you. I Won't even bother describing these movies if you haven't seen them yet this is an excellent chance to do so.

"Casablanca", "Princess Bride", and the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice"

For the Hipsters in love

If you like your romance with a healthy doseage of irony and awkwardness these are the movies for you. They are in no way over emotional (at least where love is concerned)and have a very cool sense of humor to them. If you are a guy who can handle indie films then you can handle these films

"Buffalo 66"

What can I say I love Vincent Gallo in this movie. It's a very quirky love story about a guy who is a real loser, but for all it's darker moments the movie is still able to be charming and funny. You also get to see a young Christina Ricci before Hollywood made her slim down to nothing.

"Henry Fool"

Ok, so Henry Fool is more of an indie comedy then a romance. However it does feature the single worst marriage proposal in all of recorded history, and for that reason alone it makes my list.

Romantic Comedies that don't suck

This one is self explanitory, and these movies should all be decent enough for men to sit through them without being ion too much discomfort.

"Romancing the Stone"

A romance novelist gets stuck in Columbia with a rugged soldier of fortune, hilarity and adventure ensues. I know it sounds like something a bit cliche but the movie has enough humor, and adventure elements to keep anyone's interest. It stars Kathleen Turner and Micheal Douglas back when both of them were still hot.

"I.Q."

The movie is essentially based on the idea ... What if Albert Einstein was your wingman? It's adorable, maybe not as guy safe but it's a very clever for a romantic comedy. It stars the late great Walter Matthau as Einstein along with Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins

"Benny And Joon"

Falling in love has to be considerably harder when your a little different, or crazy as the case may be. Johnny Depp is unbelievably charming as a young man obsessed with Buster Keaton, and Joon is well ... a little insane. It's a really cute love story that is actually well written, well thought out, and has some great character development.

"Say anything"

Oh you didn't think I could do a lit like this without mentioning something from John Cusack. It's a classic 80's teen romance. A guy with a great heart but no great ambitions goes after a very smart girl with an overprotective father.

"Gentleman Prefer Blondes"

This is an ideal movie for single women to watch, or dudes that love musicals, you know whatever. It's just a fun classic musical, sure it's a little cheesy but that's all part of the fun. There is some romance, but what makes this a great movie is the humor. Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell go out on a cruise ship ... and the men's Olympic team just happens to be there. Ok so not too much happens with the Olympic athletes, Marilyn Monroes character goes for an old dude with a diamond mine (Diamonds are a girls best friend) and Jane Russels character ends up falling for a PI hired to keep an eye on Monroe's character. It's hilarious and the songs are damn catchy.

Valentines Day Movies for Guys

"True Romance"

Don't let the name scare you away this movie was written by Quentin Tarentino, and really isn't that all you need to know. A man falls in love with a hooker, he kills her pimp, and as you may imagine trouble and hilarity ensue. This movie is filled with cameos from a lot of tremendous actors Christian Slater is the lead but you also have appearances by Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Samuel L Jackson, Christopher Walken, and James Gandolfini.

"Brotherhood of the Wolf"

It has all the elements of typical chick flick warning signs. It's French, it's a period piece, there is a romance. However there are also werewolves, lot's of violence, gore, and Monica Bellucci as a kick ass hooker. Somehow the movie still works and is awesome.

The Anti-Valentines Day Movies

Nothing says Anti-Valentines day like truly twisted horror films that are loosely based around love. Be it someone who is looking for love, a couple that wreaks havoc and destruction wherever they go, or the classic revenge film; it's hard to get less romantic then any of these films. So while the rest of the world is thinking about love, you can be horribly disturbed by any of the following films.

"May"

A disturbing psychological horror film based around a girl who is so awkward that none of her relationships work out, so she starts making herself the perfect partner ... mostly out of the people who rejected her.

"Natural Born Killer"

At the very center of this story there is a couple that is deeply in love with each other, they just happen to be serial killers. Really demented and messed up serial killers.

"Teeth"

Do not watch this if you are male. It's about a girl who has very sharp teeth in a very private area, I'll give you one guess about what ends up happening. It's a good movie to watch if you are extremely pissed off at men.

1 comment:

Grammar Girl! said...

Dude, "Teeth" is the ultimate Valentine's Day movie! And I pitched it to Kyle and he loves the idea, too (he's such a strange fellow). He says he perceives it as a comedy.