Movies to watch on Valentine’s Day

By: Laura Elaine Uribe

 

When one sees all the rows of chocolates, flowers and cards at the stores this time of the year, it can only mean one thing: Valentine’s Day will soon be here.

 

However, not everyone has the luxury of going out to a fancy restaurant or taking an out-of-town trip to celebrate.

 

So why not stay at home with your special someone, with friends, or alone and watch some good romantic films?

 

So get your popcorn and check out one of these highly recommended films for that so-called “special” day:

 

Bridget Jones’s Diary- So when February 14 comes around will you be a “singleton” like Miss Jones? Whether you are or aren’t, this film will surely meet all of your comedic needs as you watch Bridget Jones tackle the single life, an awkward love triangle and a professional career. Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant all star in this modern romantic comedy classic.

 

Casablanca- This Hollywood classic not only stars the great Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman but also contains one of the greatest film songs of all-time, “As Time Goes By.” Although the story deals with a relationship that has met it’s end, it also offers hope with it’s memorable line, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

 

It Happened One Night- Although this movie was released in 1934, there is no mistake that this is one of the greatest they-met-on-a-trip and dislike-turned-to-love stories. Starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, the script is so well-written that it would still work for today’s audiences.

 

Kate & Leopold- Love can travel through time according to this film set in New York. The story tells about Leopold who manages to travel from the nineteenth century to today’s world and meets Meg Ryan, a career-driven woman. Charming and light-hearted it’s a pleasant film for the daydreamers out there.

 

Love Actually- Okay. It’s not exactly a Valentine’s Day movie since it is more of a Christmas one. But still, this charming British comedy filled with an all-star cast, including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightly, is bound to bring laughs and heart-warming moments through its intertwining storylines that remind us that “love is all around.”

 

My Fair Lady- Legendary actress and style icon Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison star in this film about Eliza Doolittle, a simple flower girl who is part of Europe’s lower class. Professor Henry Higgins, an expert at linguistics decides he is able to move her up the social ladder. Not only will be a student of his change her life and how others perceive Eliza, but it will also change his.

 

Paris J’Taime- Looking to get away for the holiday? This film is put together by many short films directed by some of the world’s most known directors and featuring some of the most known actors, including Elijah Wood and Natalie Portman. All the stories are set in Paris and range in genres like comedy to drama. There’s something for everyone in this film and most definitely, you’ll also fall in love with the city of lights itself.

 

Pillow Talk- Rock Hudson and Doris Day are one of Hollywood’s golden on-screen couples and this film is not only well-written by eye candy to those who enjoy the ’50s era. It was also the inspiration behind Down With Love, that stars Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor.

 

The Wedding Singer- In the need for a little ’80s flashback and some music? Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler shine in this tale about a girl engaged to a not-quite-what-she-imagined man and a wedding singer who has just ended a rocky relationship. This film is one of the best comedies of the’90s.

 

You’ve Got Mail- Starring romantic comedy on-screen pair Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, the story is about two characters who don’t quite get along, fall for each other, although unknowingly knowing who they are really speaking to who, through a chat room. Now that we are in the age of electronics (and also online dating sites), it’s become clear that this movie was clearly ahead of its time.