By: Libby Strong
If you feel like reliving your high school glory days … 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
There’s really nothing to hate about 10 Things I Hate About You, from Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s baby-faced boy-next-door Cameron James to Allison Janney’s outrageous portrayal of guidance counsellor/aspiring erotic romance writer Ms. Perky. Heath Ledger’s chiselled Patrick Verona will fulfill all your bad boy cravings and it even has the original elevated surface dance sequence courtesy of Julia Stiles as Katarina Stratford and The Notorious B.I.G. 10 Things I Hate About You is sure to leave you feeling much more than just “whelmed.”
If you’re having the ultimate girls’ night in … Legally Blonde (2001)
Nothing says girl power like the Bend and Snap. But seriously there’s no better woman than Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) to inspire you to take charge of the world around you and be the boss woman you were born to be. This movie is all about women supporting women so get your girl gang together for a night of rosé and Legally Blonde. After all, Elle Woods would be nothing without Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) and her girl gang behind her.
If you’re feeling a little bit ~spicy~ … Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Sure, Jamie Dornan’s acting is a bit more grey cement block than Mr. Grey, but he’s certainly not hard on the eyes and this movie is nothing if not entertaining. If you’re looking to spice up your Valentine’s Day, consider indulging that guilty pleasure and watching Fifty Shades of Grey. And while you’re at it, why not make it a triple feature? Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed take Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele’s (Dakota Johnson) story far beyond the Red Room on a journey of suspense you don’t want to miss.
If you just need a really good cry … Titanic (1997)
Let’s face it, we all know two people could’ve easily fit on that door. But there is no romance greater than the unlikely love story of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), a poor artist, and Rose (Kate Winslet), a wealthy aristocrat engaged to an even wealthier man. It’s one of those movies where every line and scene are so iconic that when it ends you just want to watch it again. Titanic is guaranteed to leave you emotionally wrecked, probably afraid to ever get on a ship, and also deeply in love with Leonardo DiCaprio.
If you wanna throw it wayyy back … Roman Holiday (1953)
Long before Vanessa Hudgens was struggling to stick to a consistent accent in The Princess Switch, Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann was the original princess just trying to escape and live a regular life. Roman Holiday is one of the most classic romance movies of all time and the black and white shots of the winding cobblestone streets of Rome will transport you to another place and time (and leave you wondering if you ought to invest in a Vespa).
If you honestly just want to eat your bodyweight in chocolate in peace … Pretty Woman (1990)
Pretty Woman is the ultimate movie for the single girl. It’s quite literally got it all: champagne, Richard Gere in a variety of suits, a grand piano, Julia Roberts on a grand piano… You can’t help but fall in love with Vivian Ward’s (Julia Roberts) vivacious smile and approach to life. Not to mention it contains one of the greatest makeover scenes in cinematic history. Not watching Pretty Woman? Big mistake. Big. Huge.
If you like a little action and espionage with your romance … Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
I don’t know about you, but Brangelina’s breakup hit me hard. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, formerly “Brangelina,” met while filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the spark is there from the first gunshot. Mr. and Mrs. Smith has action in all the right places but with enough passion and heat to keep it on trend for a Valentine’s celebration.
If you’re feeling obvious … Valentine’s Day (2010)
It might be a bit of an uncreative choice, but you honestly can’t go wrong with Valentine’s Day. The movie has an all-star cast that boasts not only two of Hollywood’s favourite Jessica’s (Alba and Biel), but also two of our favourite Taylor’s (Lautner and Swift). Valentine’s Day follows the intertwined stories of a myriad of wonderful characters and it’s a movie that’s guaranteed to leave even the biggest Valentine’s hater’s heart feeling full at the end.
If you think Valentine’s Day is a construction of capitalist society and you really couldn’t care less … Shrek
Honestly, I just don’t think you could ever go wrong with Shrek. Really for any occasion, that’ll do, Donkey.
Images obtained from: https://www.tunefind.com/movie/10-things-i-hate-about-you-1999
http://mentalfloss.com/article/66044/15-snappy-facts-about-legally-blonde
https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/12/8025719/fifty-shades-of-grey-review-explained-for-aliens
http://time.com/4738291/titanic-salvaged-locket-backstory/
https://letterboxd.com/film/roman-holiday/
http://mentalfloss.com/article/62303/20-things-you-might-not-know-about-pretty-woman
https://www.thehunt.com/finds/JnbMa6-valentine%2527s-day-2010-cast—google-search
https://www.amctheatres.com/american-film-institute/ten-top-ten/animation/shrek