VALENTINE’S DAY FILMS FOR EVERYONE

As everyone with a calendar knows, February 14th is Valentine’s Day.  It’s also a day of new film releases.  So if you want to celebrate cinematically, you’ll have several choices.  You can play it safe with Safe Haven, the latest Nicholas Sparks love story without spark.  Or you can go the counterprogramming way with A Good Day to Die Hard, which will set some hearts aflutter, my explosion-loving wife’s to name but one.

Just as love is a many splendored thing, so too are love movies.  No matter what your heart’s desire, there’s a film out there for you, and I’m not just talking about Ghost or Casablanca.  Here are some home video recommendations for everyone.

 

For the hopeless romantic.

For him, (500) Days of Summer (2009).  For her, Amélie (2001).  Watch both back to back to see the similarities between Tom Hansen and Amélie Poulain.  And then be thankful they never hooked up because the universe would implode.

 

For the scorned ex-lover.

1987’s Fatal Attraction is the go-to flick in this category, so I’ll instead go with the oft-ignored, much-maligned Indecent Proposal (1993).  Whether it’s Glenn Close obsessing over Michael Douglas or Woody Harrelson over Demi Moore, the director is the same — Adrian Lyne, you dirty ol’ perv.

Robert Redford as… The Billionaire.

 

For the recently married.

Barefoot in the Park (1967).  Question: What man wouldn’t want to be late for work due to his bride’s libido in the form of Barbarella-era Jane Fonda wearing nothing but Robert Redford’s dress shirt?  Answer: A gay man.

“Jane, two of my films made this list! Isn’t that swell?”
“Take off your pants.”

 

For the recently divorced.

Do you really want to watch a heartfelt film after going through a heartbreaking divorce?  Sign up with Match.com instead (It’s OK to look).

 

For the we-fight-like-savages-so-we-must-really-love-each-other couple.

Any rom com starring Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock, Doris Day, etc.  Take your pick.  My pick — 2005’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith, if only for the shot of Angelina Jolie wearing nothing but boots and Brad Pitt’s dress shirt.  Jane would be proud.

“I think we left the oven on.”

 

For the other woman.

The Other Woman (2009) starring Natalie Portman.  Full disclosure: I haven’t seen this film and have no idea what it’s about, but the title fits.

 

For the first love.

You’re in Love, Charlie Brown (1967).  The fourth installment in the blockbuster Peanuts franchise offers a poignant portrayal of a boy’s first love and every misadventure that entails.  Also, the shot of the Little Red-Haired Girl wearing nothing but Charlie’s zig zag shirt would make Jane and Angie proud.

 

That’s it.  That’s the list.  I hope you and your significant other take a chance on one of these titles like you took a chance on one another.  Happy Valentine’s Day to all, or, in the ever romantic words of John McClane… “Yippee ki yay mother@#$%er!”

 

 

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