Ten Romantic Valentine's Day Movies

Ready or not here it comes...St. Valentine's Day. The day to share with the world how in love you are, or aren't. This could be a movie for the girls to bash while getting all dolled up for "single girls only" night, or the movie the old couple watches every year when they get home from the early-bird dinner down the street. There are even romantic movies aimed at a new generation, Disney has given us it's fair share of romantic tales to enjoy. A romantic movie can find its way into our lives all year long, but becomes especially pertinent on February 14^th.

10. Cinderella...Now you may think that this is just on here for young children at their Valentine's party eating conversation hearts, but this is a classic tale of love conquering all. After all we all want that fairy godmother to come and make us the most beautiful girl, or boy, at the ball and to catch the man of our dreams. Glass slippers, dancing and singing mice, and evil step-family members that get taught a lesson, this is indeed a wish coming true.

9. About 50% of all Meg Ryan movies could fall into this slot. She's got When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, City of Angles, Prelude to a Kiss, and many more so you really could roll a die for this slot...My roll is Sleepless in Seattle. This is one of those love stories that I can watch over and over. It is constantly in my Netflix instant queue. It is the tale of a reporter stalking a widow and his son back and forth across the country while already being engaged to a very sneezy man. You will laugh, cry, and wonder how Rosie O'Donnell ever played such a straight woman. Then finally as they all officially meet on the top of the Empire State Building your heart will fill with joy, while a small part of you feels bad for the sneezy guy getting dumped on Valentine's Day in NYC.

8. One person that is almost never immediately associated with love stories is Adam Sandler, and he has quite a few under his belt. His best involves the lovely Drew Barrymore and a hip-hop singing granny (The Wedding Singerin case you didn't know!) and makes us all realize that we will end up with the right person in the end, sometimes we just have to find the wrong person first. The absolute best part is the song on the airplane, it was actually the first dance song at my friend's wedding last year

7. Hairspray (the John Waters version only please!) is another beautiful story of teens defying their parents wishes, but this time is crosses the color barriers of the sixties. Ricki Lake, that's right pre-talk show days she was an actress, does an amazing job as Tracy Turnblad dancing away on "The Corny Collins Show." She becomes and idol to all chunky girls who have dreams of getting the guy because she does it while not a hair coming out of place and winning the title as Miss Auto Show 1963.

6. Another "tale as old as time" that is family-safe but still a delight to all is Beauty and the Beast. Disney does a splendid job showing off the beautiful side and the beastly side of this entire story. We see Belle doing whatever she can to take care of dear old dad even if that includes dealing with all of the Beast's antics and temper tantrums. Then there are all of the household items that come to life to try and make Belle happy and fall in love with the Beast. You can't beat it, and after watching this while the kids eat their candy hearts there is time to still watch something a little above their level.

5. Now obviously my tastes are a little more modern than most Top Ten lists, but this one has become quite the classic these days, Pretty Woman. I mean who doesn't love the hooker with a heart of gold singing in the bathtub that has to fight of the sleezy Jason Alexander from raping her? This movie shows you that good things do happen to good people and that people can always change. Now Julia Roberts is very much like Meg Ryan and has quite the repertoire of love-dovey movies...not feeling this one? Try Notting Hill, My Best Friend's Wedding, Runaway Bride, or Steel Magnolias and have the tissues on hand.

4. Now for those single girls who are going to get too drunk and wear too much make-up,10 Things I Hate About You. Heath Ledger...yummy eye-candy before he was overly stalked by the paparazzi and Julia Stiles...showing off her pre-Save the Last Dance (another good one if you feel marathon-ish) dance moves and her snappy wit. The tone of the movie is young, even though it is based on classic Shakespeare, and to give you a taste here is an excerpt from Kat's (Stiles) sister Bianca and her friend Chastity's take on love:

Bianca: There's a difference between like and love. Because, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.

Chastity: But I love my Skechers.

Bianca: That's because you don't have a Prada backpack.

3. I am obviously a fan of the comedic love story and to stick with that I bring up The Princess Bride. Now this is a movie that you can get your gentleman friend behind. There is blood, giants, sword fights, large aquatic creatures, and still a heart-warming love story. As told by an old grandpa to a sick child the tale of Buttercup and Wesley is one for everyone. "Have fun storming the castle!" as Billy Crystal says.

2. Every time a situation becomes uncomfortable my mom, aunt and I say "These potatoes are so creamy" to relieve the tension a la While You Were Sleeping. This movie is a comedy of errors created by a near death accident and a few uttered words. Lucy pretends she is Peter's fiancé (the almost dead guy) when he is rushed to hospital and ends up entangled with his entire family for the Christmas holidays and ends up falling in love with Jack (the almost dead guys brother). When Peter comes out of his coma a wedding is planned for him and Lucy, but at the last second his real fiancé (and her current husband) arrive at the hospital and Lucy tells the family that she was never engaged to Peter and is now in love with Jack. Are you confused? Watch the movie.

1. Romeo and Juliet. No matter what version you watch, the story is always the same and young love is always beautiful.