Movies to watch on Valentine's Day
By James Hill III
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and movies are - last I checked - still a popular date idea, as well as just a fun way to spend your time. And whether you're single or taken, there are a lot of potential movies to watch if you're bored…or sharing an embrace…or chowing down on ice cream. I actively decided to stick to more recent films (things most of us have probably seen), though I specifically bring up a few older classics as well.
If You're Single....
(500) Days of Summer: One of my favorite movies of the last decade, (500) Days of Summer is an absolutely hilarious joy to watch. I don't use this word too much, but I adored this movie. If you've seen it, you might wonder why it's in the single category. You are told, up front, that "This is not a love story", and the movie is true to form…though it also proves that, even after heartbreak, there is hope.
From Russia With Love - Men want to be James Bond, women want to be with James Bond, and it has the word "Love" in the title…perfect. Plus, wouldn't this be an awesome single life?
So I Married an Axe Murderer - A 90s Mike Myers romantic comedy/crime film…keep a careful eye on any new mates, they might be a little bit crazy.
Machete - Just enough blood, guts and explosions to make you completely forget about National Singles Awareness Day.
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist, Rebel - Sure, he recently got married, but Playboy founder Hefner has lived quite the bachelor life for most of his 84 years. This is a documentary, by the way, so it's for certain tastes.
If you're In a Relationship...
Casablanca - A complete and utter classic, with one of the best "love story" lines in film history.
If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out on one of the best films ever. Period.
The Notebook - Admittedly, I haven't actually seen this movie…but so far, with only one or two exceptions, every female I've ever met absolutely LOVES this film. So, it's automatically a good idea.
There's Something About Mary - It's a love story alright…just done in a very off-kilter, Farrelly brothers style. And it's awesomely funny…though not necessarily if your significant other doesn't enjoy gross-out humor.
Hitch - Most guys aren't actually against romantic comedies. They're just against bad ones, and sorry ladies, but most of them are very derivative and clichéd. Sure, so are most action movies, but guys are just more willing to sit through a few hundred explosions. Hitch, starring the magnetic Will Smith, is easily one of the better ones.
Titanic - There's a reason Avatar passed this movie to become the most profitable in film history…sure, we all know how it ends, but it's still a perfectly entertaining, popcorn love story.
If It's Complicated...
When Harry Met Sally - They're on…and off…and on…and off. Repeat. Another film classic, with enough insight into relationships that in high school one of my teachers actually screened it in a Marriage and Family class.
Contact James at jhill@scu.edu or at (408) 554-1918.