18 Valentine's Day Flicks that Don't Suck

Whether you're on your own this Valentine's Day or sharing it with someone, there are Valentine's Day flicks for all kinds. Your taste may not be the same as mine - for the most part I veer away from overly romantic films, except for classics of course, but in the spirit of the holiday here are the romantic ones I actually do love.

If you're looking for a movie or two to stay in and watch on Valentine's Day, try one of these:

1.) Say Anything

Say Anything is sort of my generation's Casablanca, I just can't imagine anyone not loving it. If you're not familiar with it, you probably at least have seen the famous scene in which John Cusak holds up the boombox playing "In Your Eyes" outside of Ione Skye's bedroom window.

If you haven't seen it, make a plan to netlix it for Valentine's Day.

2.) Casablanca

You just don't need to say anything more than Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to know that this one is a must see. I never get tired of watching this one.

3.) Chapter Two

This is a great little flick, actually a re-make of a Neil Simon play, starring Marsha Mason (who I believe was married to Neil Simon) and James Caan. If you like New York love stories, this is one for you, and a bonus is it's about a writer.

4.) The Misfits

Clark Gable's last film, also starring Marilyn Monroe. This is just such a beautiful film, cinemagraphically speaking as well as story.

5.)Walk the Line

Yes, a bit dark for Valentine's Day, but what can I say, I like my love dark and twisted. You just don't find a much better true love story than Johnny Cash and June Carter.

6.) Breakfast at Tiffany's

Another one of the classic New York love stories, with a lot of harsh reality to ground it.

7.) Rocky 1

I had to do it. I think this is a great love story - rebellious guy meets shy, quirky girl and falls in love, it's great.

8.) Frankie and Johnny

If you're an Al Pacino fan, this is probably far different than what you're used to seeing of him, but that's part of what makes the movie good. Pacino plays a guy recently released from prison who comes to work as a cook at the same NYC diner that Michelle Pfeiffer is waitressing at. Pacino tries to convince her to give him a chance.

9.) Dr. Zhivago

This film has it all: war, love, tragedy, beauty, and a pretty amazing soundtrack. Dr. Zhivago is about 3 1/2 hours long, so you'll need to plan for this one, but it's so worth it, it's a truly beautiful film.

10.) Love Story

Love Story is one of my all time favorites. Ryan O' Neal and Ally MacGraw become ivy league college sweethearts. See if you recognize Ryan O' Neal's roomate in one of his earlier roles.

11.) Bus Stop

This particular Marilyn Monroe film, I've noticed is not widely well-received; I guess you either love it or hate it. I really love this movie, there's so much sadness and depth to each of the characters. And you can't ask for a quirkier love story than a burlesque dancer getting together with a rodeo bull rider. Give this one a shot, you may like it.

12.) Untamed Hearts

This one is very hokey, but I like it. Marissa Tomei falls in love with the strange loner (Christian Slater). And like Frankie and Johnny, they work together in the same diner.

13.) Before Sunrise

I warn you now that this film has absolutely no action. The entire film is a night long conversation between two people (Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) who meet on a train in Europe and decide to spend 24 hours together in Vienna.

For more about this film, check out my review:

www.associatedcontent.com/article/74594/ethan_hawke_and_julie_delpy_in_before.html

14.) Moonstruck

This one is a classic. I have to watch this film once every couple months. Moonstruck has an all-star cast: Cher, Nicholas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, and more. If you want to watch a movie that will make you laugh on Valentine's Day - this is the one, and it's so quoteable.

15.) High Fidelity

Another salute to John Cusak here. This film is famous for it's "Top Ten" lists.

16.) True Romance

The title is a little deceptive, this film is filled with shoot outs, drug deals, car chases, and everything else you can imagine. True Romance is one of my all time favorites and just about every one in Hollywood makes an appearance in it, including Patricia Arquette, Christian Slater, and Brad Pitt.

17.) The Way We Were

I know a lot of guys have a hard time with this one, so this film may be best for the single ladies who can do a Valentine's Day Girl's Movie Night. There's so much to love about this movie, its got: Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, war, and the blacklist; it's packed with entertainment.

18.) Ice Castles

I think everyone remembers the famous hit song from this movie, "Looking Through The Eyes of Love." If that's all you know about the movie, give it a try, it's a cute little film about an ice skater who gets in an accident and goes blind and overcomes it to continue skating. And of course, it's a Valentine's Day movie, so there's a love story to enjoy.

Well, that's it, those are my 18 picks for Valentine's Day flicks that don't suck.