Here we go again, February 14th, Valentines Day, the day where we make the effort we should be making the other 364 days of the year to make sure that the other half knows how much we love and appreciate them (and their bin taking out abilities). Windows are full of gift ideas which range from dodgy looking mens underwear, to chocolate covered treats and everything in between. If you’re planning on burying your head in the sand instead of joining the queue for overbooked restaurants and cinema showings this year, but have someone special to snuggle up to (or a comfy pillow, works either way), then you should be sorted with Netflix. You can even get into the spirit of things. Put away Making A Murderer for one night and get feeling a little more soft and gooey and warm inside.
Date Movie
Why go for one cheesy romcom when you can go for all of them? Date Movie is what it says on the tin, a send up of all those cliches, all those motifs you see in every single romantic boy meets girl comedy – and it’s got Alyson Hannigan (American Pie, How I Met Your Mother) in it, who I love, so it was definitely on my to-watch list. It’s not exactly Spielberg but it’s got a few good belly laughs and is good for the date that isn’t taking itself too seriously – or for simply laughing at the whole concept of romantic movies in general as it sends up most of the big ones! Perfect for those not quite behind the whole mushy side of Valentines Day.
Legally Blonde
What do you do when your boyfriend dumps you to go find someone smarter? Forget about your fashion qualifications and apply to Harvard Law of course in an effort to win him back. You can’t but love Reese Witherspoon in this, and between a rewatch of this and How To Get Away With Murder I’m dreaming of a law degree myself in the future! A love story with lots of law, learning, feminism and beauty tips to boot – if you haven’t seen it already (where were you?), you need to. While I’d class it as a girly movie, there is a lot of good laughs to keep the boys entertained too this Valentines weekend.
Romeo and Juliet
The most famous love story of all time meets a young Leonardo Di Caprio and a super young looking Claire Danes (This film is 20 years old this year). Using the words of the Bard in a much more modern setting, Baz Luhrmann works his magic. If you’re looking for classic romance this Valentines Day, you can’t ask for much better. A pair of star crossed lovers, and their tale of tragic romance caused by their warring families – we all know how it ends, but it doesn’t take from it at all.
Love, Rosie
Adapted from one of my favourite books, Where Rainbows End (Cecilia Ahern), Love, Rosie is a rather recent film with a lot of lovely moments. What happens when you meet your soulmate in primary school but never quite get the timing right? A ton of life gets in the way, that’s what. They may have made them English instead of Irish, and you will spend half the film shouting at them to cop onto themselves, but it’s a really sweet love story, perfect for Valentines Day!
About Time
What happens when you mix the creator of Love Actually and Notting Hill, with the star of The Notebook? One hell of an emotional ride, that’s what. It’s sincere, it’s beautiful, it’s very high on my list of favourite films. At the age of 21, Tim (played by our own Domhnall Gleeson), finds out that a family trait is time travel (better than the dodgy eyesight that happens in our family anyway) and thus begins a quest to not only find a girlfriend but to make every moment perfect. As the movie goes on though, we learn it isn’t quite that simple… If this doesn’t get you in the feels, Â you’re not watching it right. Perfect for a date night in with the one you love.
Say Anything
The film with one of the most iconic scenes in rom com history. John Cusack’s 1989 classic is a gorgeous love story which should make you smile, but not quite want to get sick from an overly sickly love story – definitely worth a watch.
Those are my picks this Valentines weekend – what are yours? If you’re looking for some more, I also did something similar last year so there may be some more ideas for you there.
What is your favourite date movie? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure:I am a member of the Netflix Stream Team and received a Netflix subscription and an iPad Mini in return for posting Netflix updates and reviews, however, all opinions are my own, and I already had a personal subscription before joining the Stream Team.
