The Virgin Suicides (1999)

This is the story of the Lisbon sisters; Lux, Cecilia, Bonnie, Therese, and Mary, who reside in Michigan in a nice suburban neighborhood. Four boys who live near them become obsessed with the girls in the summer of 1974. When their youngest sister Cecilia takes her own life, the boys start to collect souvenirs of them as they learn about the girls' lives. When Lux gets in trouble after coming home late one night, she and the other girls are taken out of school and isolated from everything and everybody, except for the four boys whom they secretly contact. Emotionally tragic and haunting film, based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides and wonderfully directed by Sofia Coppola. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Scott Glenn, Danny Devito, A.J. Cook 8/10 Rated R

This Means War (2012)

Tuck and FDR are best friends who work as CIA operatives. Lauren is a product tester trying to deal with her recent break-up and the fact that she runs into her ex and his new fiancee everywhere. Encouraged by her obnoxious friend Trish to start dating again, she suggests online dating and without her permission makes a profile for Lauren on an online dating site. From the dating site Lauren meets Tuck and they hit it off right away, while she just so happens to meet FDR and coincidentally the guys end up falling for the same girl. Typical cliched rom-com, and if it wasn't for the chemistry between Hardy and Pine it would not be worth the viewing. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Angela Bassett 6/10 Rated PG-13

French Kiss (1995)

When Kate finds out that her fiance Charlie has fallen in love with a French Goddess named Juliette, and tells her he's not coming back home, Kate decides to travel all the way to Paris, in spite of her fear of flying to win him back. While on her way there she meets smutty Frenchman Luc Teyssie, a petty thief who smuggles in a stolen diamond necklace and vine cutting so he can use them, and Kate to have his own vineyard. Meg and Kevin have great chemistry in this cute rom-com; and you got to love Kline's hammy French accent. Starring Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton, Jean Reno, Francois Cluzet, Susan Anbeh 7/10 Rated PG-13

Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Cal Weaver and his wife Emily are getting a divorce after twenty-five years of marriage. Shocked and humiliated by this, Cal resorts to drinking in bars and going on and on about his wife cheating on him with another man. Until Cal meets Jacob Palmer, a smooth womanizer who transforms him into a confident ladies man. Meanwhile Cal's son Robbie is smitten with the babysitter Jessica but she's in love with Cal. And Hannah, a young law student who's almost sure her boyfriend is planning to propose to her ends up catching Jacob's eye. A crazy, hilarious screwball movie; the acting is great, the story is realistic and not the typically sweet chick-flick. Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon 7/10 Rated PG-13

 

The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

It is Paris, 1792, during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. A mysterious figure is at large called The Scarlet Pimpernel (named after the red flower used as his insignia) who is helping to  prevent the people of France from being sent to the guillotine. Sir Percy Blakeney is a debonair aristocrat who meets and falls in love with a beautiful theater actress named Marguerite St. Just after he rescues her brother Armand. However Paul Chauvelin, a Frenchman who is also vying for Marguerite, plans to stop The Scarlet Pimpernel, afraid he'll try to restore the monarchy. Anthony Andrews is utterly charming in this interesting television movie, based on the novels The Scarlet Pimpernel and Eldorado by Baroness Orczy. Starring Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, Ian McKellen, James Villiers, Malcolm Jamieson 7/10

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1993)

Sissy Hankshaw was born with abnormally large thumbs and had been hitchhiking since she was a kid. A former model, she travels to New York City to see her friend "The Countess" where she is persuaded to a ranch called the "Rubber Rose" in Oregon, to be featured in an ad for a new feminine hygiene spray. There she meets a bunch of cowgirls and takes a liking to Bonanza Jellybean, their leader. Strangely bizarre film; has some funny moments but is quite awful, and the only memorable performance being by John Hurt. Based on the 1976 Tom Robbins novel. Starring Uma Thurman, Lorraine Bracco, Angie Dickinson, Pat Morita, Keanu Reeves, Rain Phoenix, John Hurt, Crispin Glover, Sean Young, Heather Graham, Roseanne 5/10 Rated R

Splash (1984)

Allen Bauer lives in the city, sells food and is convinced he'll never love again after his wife leaves him. Until he travels to Cape Cod and is rescued by a beautiful woman who happens to be a mermaid. Allen finds himself instantly smitten with her, but doesn't know who she is or where she came from. Meanwhile, a man named Doctor Walter Kornbluth who also has an encounter with her tries to convince everyone that there's a real mermaid in New York City. A wonderfully imaginative romantic comedy; Hanks and Hannah are absolute magic together, and Levy and Candy are hilarious. Starring Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dody Goodman 7/10 Rated PG

I Love You Phillip Morris (2010)

Steven Russell is a seemingly ordinary family man, but who because of an accident decides he's not going to pretend anymore and be who he really is; a gay man. But living life as a extravagant homosexual is an expensive one so Steven decides to become a con man. However the law catches up with him and he is sent to prison for insurance fraud. While in prison he meets and falls smitten with fellow inmate Phillip Morris, and for him Steven tries to change his criminal ways but finds it's not easy. Based on a true story, Jim Carrey is uproariously funny. Starring Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann 7/10 Rated R

Waiting to Exhale (1995)

Waiting to Exhale is the story of four African-American women; Savannah, Bernadine, Robin, and Gloria, all four are friends with different ways of life. Savannah relocates to Phoenix hoping to find Mister Right, Bernadine, newly divorced when her husband leaves her for a white woman, Robin who wants to settle down and not be a mistress, and Gloria, single mother raising her son, his father a homosexual. Genuinely entertaining, mostly because of the four central characters whose lives you can't help but get invested in. Starring Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine, Dennis Haysbert, Michael Beach, Gregory Hines, Donald Faison, Wesley Snipes, Mykelti Williamson 7/10 Rated R

Remember Me (2010)

Tyler Hawkins is a college student living in New York City. After his brother Michael kills himself, Tyler's relationship with his family, most especially his father is tense and awkward. Tyler is rebellious and gets in trouble with the law. Until he meets Ally, who by chance happens to be in one of his classes at school. Ally has also had her share of heartache and grief, her mother being murdered right in front of her when she was a little girl. She just also happens to be the daughter Neil, the same detective that arrested Tyler. So Tyler's friend and roommate Aidan convinces him to use Ally to get back at Neil. However Tyler doesn't plan on falling in love. A profoundly moving story about family, that reminds us to live each moment as if it were our last. Starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie DeRavin, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, Pierce Brosnan 7/10 Rated PG-13

Water for Elephants (2011)

Jacob is a handsome and promising young veterinary student with bright dreams. But when a tragic accident leaves him without any money or a place to live, he decides to leaves school and hop aboard a freight train, which just so happens to be the traveling Benzini Brothers Circus. Not long after he starts to work there with the animals and is drawn to Marlena, a beautiful performer who works with horses and just so happens to be the wife of August, the circus owner and animal trainer. However, when one of the horses can't perform anymore, August brings in a smart elephant named Rosie for the newest act. With their common interest on Rosie, Marlena and Jacob become friends and fall in love, but the romance is threatened by August and his violent temper. A wonderfully moving and romantic story, based on the novel by Sara Gruen. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Hal Holbrook 8/10 Rated PG-13

Closer (2004)

Dan is an obituary writer who meets Alice, a stripper when she's hit by a car. A year later, Dan writes a book about Alice and he's photographed by Anna Cameron, whom he's immediately attracted to. Meanwhile, Dan converses with a dermatologist named Larry Gray in a chat room and pretends he's Anna, saying he wants to meet her, but Larry has no idea he's the victim of a joke. Soon after the opening of Anna's exhibition, Dan confesses that he's having an affair with Anna. At the same time, Anna confesses to Larry that she's been with Dan. Far from a romantic date movie by any means, this is a story of four selfish people who lie, betray, and cheat on each other. All four of the stars in the film are terrific. Based on the 1997 play by Patrick Marber. Starring Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen 7/10 Rated R

Top Ten Romantic Films for Valentine's Day

1. Ghost - 1992

Most Romantic Moment: Swayze and Moore engaging in a little pottery wheel making in the middle of the night, with the Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody playing in the background, would make any couple get in a frisky mood.


2. Pretty Woman - 1990

Most Romantic Moment: Gere, with flowers in his hands, and despite his fear of heights climbs up the fire escape to Roberts, like a Prince to his Sleeping Beauty. How can any woman possibly resist?


3. Dirty Dancing - 1987

Most Romantic Moment:  Despite her father's objections to stay away from him, Grey goes back to see Swayze and impulsively tells him how she feels when she's around him, then asks to dance with him, dirty style.

4. Chocolat - 2000

Most Romantic Moment: After having a party and things quiet down, Binoche and Depp share a beautiful slow dance.


5. City of Angels - 1998

Most Romantic Moment:  When angel Cage hitches a ride to Lake Tahoe to go after Ryan, and she realizes that he has given up eternity to be with her. Now that's love.
 
6. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - 1996

Most Romantic Moment: After taking a love drug, Romeo (DiCaprio) looks over and sees Juliet (Danes) across a fish tank looking back at him, and they both know it's love at first sight.




7. Moonstruck - 1987

Most Romantic Moment:  After telling Cher why she shouldn't marry her fiance, the fiance's brother Cage grabs her and sweeps her up in a passionate kiss.


8. Return to Me -  2000

Most Romantic Moment: After learning Driver has Duchovny's dead wife's heart, he flies after her to Italy to confess his love for her. Even distance can't stop true love.


9. Casablanca - 1942

Most Romantic Moment:  Bogie telling former lover Bergman she better get on the plane with her husband otherwise she'll regret it, and that they'll always have the memories of their time together in Paris. Heartbreaking and romantic at once.


10. Titanic - 1997

Most Romantic Moment:  DiCaprio and Winslet standing on the bow of the ill-fated ship, sunset in the background and share such a breathtaking kiss that would melt any iceberg.

Easy A (2010)

Olive Penderghast is your average high school student who's not too popular and is basically ignored by her fellow classmates. Until she spreads a little rumor that she lost her virginity to a college guy, which spreads like wild fire around school and gains her instant popularity but also a reputation of being a slut. Ironically, she is studying The Scarlet Letter in class, about Hester Prynne who was ostracized when she committed adultery with a man of the church. However Olive made the rumor up, and does a webcast to set the record straight. Laugh out loud funny, Emma Stone is great as the quirky girl who starts to understand about the consequences of her actions. Starring Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Malcolm McDowell, Aly Michalka, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow 7/10 Rated PG-13

Burlesque (2010)

Ali is a small town girl from Iowa working as a waitress who daydreams of being a performer on stage. So she takes a trip to Los Angeles to pursue her dream but doesn't have much luck. Until she discovers and is enthralled by Burlesque, a fancy showgirls nightclub. Tess the owner of the club isn't interested in her at first, so Ali stays there instead waiting tables while longingly dreams of being on the stage. Until when one of the dancers can't perform, Ali begs Tess to let her audition to show her what she can do, and eventually she gives in, wowing not only Tess but the other dancers as well. The music numbers are somewhat entertaining enough to sit through, but the acting, especially by Aguilera is unimpressive in a story that's cliche and a rip-off of other films that've come before it (think Coyote Ugly and Showgirls). Starring Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming, Peter Gallagher, Cam Gigandet, Julianne Hough, Kristen Bell 5/10

Valmont (1989)

When the conniving Madame de Merteuil discovers that her young and naive cousin, Cecil is betrothed to marry her lover The Count Gercourt, a much older man she plans to spoil her cousin's life. So she tells her friend, the handsome playboy Valmont to seduce her and take her virginity. However Cecil confesses that she doesn't want to marry Gercourt, that she's secretly in love with Danceny, her music teacher who has been sending her love letters. Not only that, but Merteuil makes a wager with Valmont to sleep with the already married Madame de Tourvel and destroy her honor, whom he is in love with. And if he does then he gets to have de Merteuil as well. Set in 18th century France, Bening is wickedly evil, while Firth is charming and seductive in this lavish tale of love, deceit and scandal. Starring Colin Firth, Annette Bening, Meg Tilly, Fairuza Balk, Sian Phillips, Jeffrey Jones, Henry Thomas, Vincent Schiavelli 8/10 Rated R

A Summer in Genoa (2008)

After his wife is killed in a tragic car accident, British professor Joe moves for a year with his two daughters Kelly and Mary to Genoa, Italy. While there they meet Barbara, an old friend of Joe's from Harvard. He teaches at the university, while older daughter Kelly gets sexually involved with a young Italian man, younger daughter Mary sees her dead mother from time to time and feels increasingly responsible for her death. Terrific performances in an emotional film; as well as wonderful look at the beautiful Italian landscape. Starring Colin Firth, Catherine Keener, Hope Davis, Willa Holland, Perla Haney-Jardine 7/10

A Good Year (2006)

Max Skinner is a merciless bonds trader who loves to make money and believes that winning isn't everything, it's the only thing. So when he finds out that his uncle Henry, whom he lost touch with has passed away and left him his chateau and vineyard in France, Max thinks that once it's fixed up would be a great place to sell and make a profit from. But when he returns to the beautiful Napa Valley, his memory takes him back to his childhood and the wonderful summers he spent there with Henry. He also meets a beautiful cafe owner Fanny Chenal, and a young girl named Christie Roberts who claims she's Henry's long lost daughter. An enjoyable film with a lovely backdrop of the French countryside. Starring Russell Crowe, Albert Finney, Marion Cotillard, Abbie Cornish, Tom Hollander, Freddie Highmore 7/10

Candy (2006)

Dan is a poet, who falls in love with a beautiful art student named Candy, addicted to one another as much as they are to drugs. They get married and after Candy finds out she's pregnant, they promise to quit and be healthy. But the withdrawal and their need for getting high slowly begins to destroy their love and their lives. They ask their friend Casper, a university professor for cash, as well as pawning possessions, scamming unsuspecting people for their bank accounts and prostituting for money. At times romantic and beautiful but on the complete opposite side it's intense, frightening and heartbreaking. Ledger and Cornish are both fantastic in the roles of two young people in love and addicted to heroin; think of them as kind of like the Sid and Nancy of the modern age. Starring Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish, Geoffrey Rush 7/10

Lisa (1990)

Lisa is fourteen years old, and lives with her single mother Katherine who runs a flower shop. Katherine is overbearing when it comes to her teenage daughter, not letting her date until she's sixteen. So Lisa and her friend Wendy decide to have some fun by finding men's phone numbers from their car licenses and giving them mysterious phone calls. The most recent being with a handsome man named Richard, whom Lisa begins a sexy phone relationship with. But Lisa has no idea that Richard is a serial killer whose been murdering female victims by leaving them a message on their answering machines that he's in their house and going to kill them. Staci Keanan is great as the boy-crazy teen, and D.W. Moffett is convincing as the clean-cut Patrick Bateman-esque businessman whose more than meets the eye. Starring Cheryl Ladd, Jeffrey Tambor, Staci Keanan, D.W. Moffett, Tanya Fenmore 6/10