Films You Can Watch on Valentine's Day That Won't Make You Vomit

I don't hate Valentine's Day.  That's too strong of a term.  I just don't care for it.  Restaurants are overpriced, and people feel obligated to do cute things for a significant other.  It feels forced to me.  But what I dislike most is the incredulous amount of RomComs that come out every year with the same plots, no wit, and no semblance of realistic love (at least, not in my opinion - but what do I know).  So, here are five movies I have picked for a great way to kick back on V-Day and not have to endure Katherine Heigl:

1.  TRUE ROMANCE (Dir. Tony Scott, 1993) - Remember when I just said most romance films aren't realistic? Well this one isn't either, but with a script written by Quentin Tarantino, direction by Tony Scott, and a cast that includes Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, James Gandolfini and Brad Pitt, IT DOESN'T MATTER.  So unknowingly getting set up with a prostitute, falling in love, stealing cocaine from a pimp and selling it to Hollywood bigwigs may not be your everyday scenario, but this getting-to-know-each-other scene in the diner is what I love about relationships:

Also, I absolutely love the score by Hans Zimmer.  It's an ode to Terrence Malick's BADLANDS (1973), which is another film you can see on Valentine's Day, if you like couples that go on killing sprees.


2.  SIXTEEN CANDLES (Dir. John Hughes, 1984) - I don't have a problem with the starry-eyed girl who's in love with the popular senior as long as it's done right.  And John Hughes is a master of teen RomCom (and adolescence in film in general, obviously).  But some of the best scenes are The Geek's (Anthony Michael Hall) failed attempts at getting Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald):

And Joan Cusack.  God bless Joan Cusack.


3.  CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER (Dir. Lee Toland Krieger, 2012) - This movie is excellent for many reasons.  Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote a heartbreakingly beautiful screenplay about the complexities of relationships.  The soundtrack is also amazing, but I don't expect the daughter of Quincy Jones to let subpar music near her work, so it's not surprising.  This clip is hilarious:

Although not everyone is living with their ex-spouse in a roommate situation, the film exposes real problems in relationships.  Not everything is clear and 'solvable.' There's no fluff and glitter here, so if that's the kind of V-Day film you're looking for, try elsewhere.  But you'd be missing out.

4.  IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (Dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2000) - This isn't just a great romance movie.  This is a masterpiece by renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai.  This film explores love that could have been and perhaps still could be, with excellent use of color, masterfully composed shots, and just listen to the score in this scene: 

5.  AARON LOVES ANGELA (Dir. Gordon Parks Jr, 1975) - Many people haven't seen this film.  It surely wasn't Gordon Parks Jr.'s most popular work (Once you make SUPERFLY, how can you really top it?), but I loved the Romeo and Juliet adaptation set against the backdrop of East and West Harlem, where Angela and Aaron fall in love.  They face opposition from all sides since Angela is Puerto Rican and Aaron is Black.  The gritty 1970s feel always gets me, which is one reason why I love this film.  The other reason? José Feliciano blesses the soundtrack.

Since we have limited attention spans (myself very much included), I ended this list at 5 films, but here are other suggestions that deserve to be mentioned:

AWAY WE GO (Dir. Sam Mendes, 2009) - Maya Rudolph and John Krasinski's relationship? I want that.

ENOUGH SAID (Dir. Nicole Holofcener, 2013) - Many people will now remember this as James Gandolfini's last film, but I just see real-life romantic problems portrayed well on the screen.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (Dir. Leo McCarey, 1957) - I had to throw a classic tear-jerker in there.  I'm not a robot.

JUNO (Dir. Jason Reitman, 2007) - "I need to know that it's possible that two people can stay happy together forever." Me too, Juno.  Me too.

AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION OF HER BEAUTY (Dir. Terence Nance, 2012) - A whole film describing the indescribable beauty of someone (or multiple people) you're in love with.  Stunning work.

SAVE THE LAST DANCE (Dir. Thomas Carter, 2001) - Because WHY NOT!? This movie came out when I was 15 years old, so basically it formed a lot of my misshapen opinions on love.

I love movies 'til the death of me, so I hate when people think there aren't good romance films.  Or when men think they have to suffer through THE NOTEBOOK on holidays like V-Day.  So hopefully this list will help you enjoy the day a little more.  That and chocolate.  Lots. Of. Chocolate.

10 Classic Films for People Who "Don't Like" Classic Film

I've come across many people who do not give films made earlier than the 1970s a chance.  Most consider the pacing to be slow and the subject matter out of date, which I can agree with to an extent.  But there are exceptions, and the following are my go-to suggestions for people who THINK they can't sit through an older film:

1.  The Night of the Hunter (dir. Charles Laughton, 1955) – Robert Mitchum plays one of the most complex villains of classic cinema in this movie; a beautifully shot ode to the resilience of children.  The Night of the Hunter creates nail-biting suspense that will surprise you if you usually think “classic film” is boring.  And Lillian Gish is a badass here.

2.  The Manchurian Candidate (dir. John Frankenheimer, 1962) – This film could be a surprise to many people my generation and younger who have little experience seeing Frank Sinatra’s acting or a fantastically malicious Angela Lansbury.  This story about the aftereffects of POWs upon returning home is riveting.  Watch this version, and you’ll see there was little need for a remake.

3.  The Graduate (dir. Mike Nichols, 1967) – This is probably the most popular movie on this list in terms of mainstream appeal, especially among young adults.  The primary element in this Mike Nichols film is quite resonant today; a college grad with absolutely no plan for the future.  The Graduate helped usher in the New American Cinema, and has been (and always will be) considered a quintessential “cool” film, and has been wildly influential in addition to having one of the most memorable soundtracks, provided by Simon & Garfunkel.

4.  Some Like it Hot (dir. Billy Wilder, 1959) – Although I am not the biggest Marilyn Monroe fan, I don’t think anyone can deny the power of her on-screen presence.  In addition to that, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis make this one of the silliest, but most enjoyable comedies that most people with contemporary tastes would appreciate.

5.  The Women (dir. George Cukor, 1939) – I assume much of the appeal of reality television shows are the cattiness among women, scandal, drama, and the thrill of experiencing it all without having to personally be involved.  You can find all of that in The Women, but it also contains razor sharp dialogue brilliantly performed by a fabulous cast of actresses, and with much greater flair than anything you’ll see on television today.

6.  It Happened One Night (dir. Frank Capra, 1934) - Many people enjoy a good Romantic Comedy.  It Happened One Night sets the standard for this genre.  While most RomComs are instantly discarded as low-brow entertainment made with little intelligence, this film is a joy to watch.  Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, along with the genius of Frank Capra, show us that RomComs with screwball elements can still be great films.

7.  The Best Years of Our Lives (dir. William Wyler, 1946) – This film always makes me feel totally indebted to anyone who is in the armed forces; not just for risking their lives in battle, but for having to deal with the changes war creates in them.  Wyler’s classic touches upon the trauma that veterans (and their families) face when they come home to a place where no one truly understands the terrors of war.

8.  Modern Times (dir. Charlie Chaplin, 1936) – Although this film incorporates sound effects, this is Charlie Chaplin’s last film without spoken dialogue.  This film is laden with symbolism as Chaplin uses its images to consider man’s experience dealing with technological advances, which remarkably only becomes more pertinent with time.  But also, this movie is just incredibly funny.

9.  The Naked City (dir. Jules Dassin, 1948) – This is the movie for anyone who enjoys New York in film.  The gritty backdrop is incorporated as a character in this murder mystery.  It’s like watching a documentary on late 1940s New York City.  My favorite part is the inclusion of each borough.  Most NYC movies tend to forget the outer boroughs, but The Naked City takes the viewer through the complete concrete jungle.

10.  Paris Blues (dir. Martin Ritt, 1961) – Sidney Poitier and Paul Newman play two jazz musicians who live in Paris to escape America’s lack of praise for varied music and races.  There are some great scenes of a budding beat generation, and this movie has entertaining performances in Parisian speakeasies and jazz clubs.

All of these are available either on Netflix instant/DVD, and Paris Blues is even streaming in its entirety on YouTube.  Try them out and tell me your thoughts!  Happy watching ;)