Top 10 Movies for Your Valentine's Day

What better way is there to spend Valentine's Day with the one you love? How about renting, or maybe purchasing, a wonderful romantic movie? It certainly does not cost a lot and it's the perfect way to spend time together. What more could you ask for? Now the question remains. What movies are there to see for Valentine's Day? As luck would have it your problem is now solved. Here for your easy reading pleasure are ten of the top Valentine's Day films for the romantic at heart. They range from the timeless classics to the contemporary releases. You'll find both comedies and dramas. One thing is for sure. There's bound to be one film the two of you will readily agree upon. Let's now take a look at the list.

10.) Chocolat (2000)

Just the very name of the movie title may make you crave for some chocolate. It's the story of a chocolatier in a quaint, sleepy French village. Once the main character opens up a chocolaterie she notices a dramatic change in the townspeople. After they taste her unique chocolate concoction "love is in the air." One of the people who stroll into town is a dashing young gypsy who's fallen for the chocolate shop owner. The actor playing the gypsy is none other than Johnny Depp. If you are a Johnny Depp fan, this is a "must see" film for getting in the mood.

9.) Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan pair up in this delightful romantic comedy. Hanks is a widower in Seattle whose son calls into a national talk radio show. He informs the on-air host how his father still misses his wife. This gets the attention of a listener out on the East Coast in Baltimore played by Meg Ryan. The film is inspired heavily from another movie An Affair to Remember which starred Cary Grant. You will be transfixed to see if these two actually pair up after their long distant romance.

8.) The Way We Were (1974)

Set against the backdrop of the waning days of WWII and the post-war is the story of an extreme Marxist Jew, Barbara Streisand, and a wealthy, carefree WASP, Robert Redford, who initially meet in college, but immediately part ways after graduation. By sheer coincidence they meet up again years later and began a very passionate, but oftentimes turbulent relationship that leads to marriage. Her intense political views and his laissez faire attitude clash, especially with McCarthyism and the threat of the Hollywood Blacklist between them. It's a great romantic tale, because of the vast opposites between the two characters who clearly love one another. I highly recommend you watch The Way We Were. Personally, it's one of my favorite movies of all-time.

7.) Dirty Dancing (1987)

If you love a lot of dancing, the movie title alone should be obvious; this is the perfect Valentine's date flick for you. It's about a rebellious teen staying with her parents at a resort in the Catskills Mountains in upstate New York during the early 1960's. Baby, the lead female character, falls for one of the dance instructors, played by the late Patrick Swayze, as they learn to do "dirty dancing" or what's also known as the "Mambo", a Latin dance from Cuba. The dance sequences alone are sultry and the finale number is simply breath-taking. A good time is to be had by all.

6.) Love Actually (2003)

Even though the film is set at Christmas time you literally get into the ten separate stories of each character as they are intertwined with one another. Many of the stories are poignant, sad, funny, heart-breaking, and inspiring. One of its main stars is Hugh Grant, who plays Britain's Prime Minister. His story is a lot of fun to watch. Hugh Grant is certainly not bad on the eyes either. I recently saw Love Actually for the first time and fell in love with it. You might even do the same.

5.) Titanic (1997)

Just about everyone knows of the real tragedy of the massive ship, Titanic, on her maiden voyage crossing the Atlantic Ocean enroute to New York City. It never reached its destination due to hitting an iceberg that resulted with this ocean liner sinking within two hours. However, the fictional story is told in a series of flashbacks from a Titanic survivor who is now a Centenarian, 100 years old. It's of her shipboard romance with an artist, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who is from the steerage section aboard the ship. Rose, the female lead, is from the prestigious First Class. She is betrothed to a wealthy industrialist names Cal, who is abusive, demeaning, and excessively demanding to her. Jack, the artist, is completely the opposite who is nothing but kind, gentle, and compassionate for Rose's welfare. Their love affair blossoms until tragedy intervenes. This is where "true love" is completely tested between Jack and Cal. Titanic takes you back in time and into another world. You almost feel like you are right there with them.

4.) Romeo & Juliet (1996)

Once again here is another story that most everyone is familiar with. It is the most famous of all Shakespeare's works, the tragic tale of Romeo & Juliet. This movie is set in modern times in a MTV music video styled-production. Even though the setting is contemporary the dialogue is in the Old English that was spoken during Shakespeare's time. You have to love that stroke of genius as it works perfectly, thanks to the exceptional cast of talented actors. Leo never looked as good as he does as Romeo. Claire Danes is exquisite as Juliet. If you are looking for high drama in your Valentine's Day film, then this is your film. Why not add a little culture into your evening with some William Shakespeare?

3.) Ghost (1990)

One of the most extraordinary films ever made regarding this type of genre in films. It seems to have it all: romance, drama, suspense, action thriller, and comedy. Ghost stars Patrick Swayze who is murdered in front of his girlfriend, Molly, played by Demi Moore. Apparently it's not time for Sam (Patrick Swayze) to go to the other side. There is some unfinished business he must take care of beforehand. By a set of circumstances Sam is at the storefront of a gypsy fortune teller who milks her clients dry for money. Sam is on to Oda Mae Brown (Whoppi Goldberg), but the two become friends, thanks to her talented gift in hearing voices from spirits. The story is both sad and romantic, yet it is the perfect movie to be entertained by. A movie I love seeing over and over again.

2.) Gone With the Wind (1939)

Without question this film is considered the greatest and most popular film of all time. It's also the prototype of the Hollywood blockbuster, the first film of its kind. Many people are familiar with its pre Civil War, wartime, and post-war settings and the enduring characters of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. Their passionate and turbulent romance endures all of these stages in American history. However, Scarlett pines for Ashley Wilkes, a county beaux, who marries his cousin. This creates further tension for Rhett and Scarlett. You go through Scarlett O' Hara's journey during the war as well as trying to survive it. Gone With the Wind has it all and then some. This is the ultimate in a romance film.

1.) Casablanca (1942)

Some of the most iconic lines have come from this film such as "Here's looking at you, kid" and "Play it" (oftentimes misquoted as "Play it again Sam"), Other quotes like "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship", "Round up the usual suspects" and the most classic one of all "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." are what make this film timeless and relevant today. It's set during World War II in the Moroccan city of Casablanca.

An American expatriate, Rick, played to perfection by Humphrey Bogart, owns a popular upscale café called Rick's Café Americain or just "Rick's" as it is referred to. Rick is reunited under trying circumstances with his ex-lover, played by Ingrid Bergman, while she is with her Resistance leader husband. They are both seeking the coveted and very necessary exit visas to leave Casablanca for the United States they know Rick has secured. This is where the story gets involved with intrigue, passion, and nail-biting suspense. It is a story of love, commitment, and sacrifice. No doubt about it, the best romantic movie of all this Valentine's Day you should be watching.

There you have it, the ten best movies for your Valentine's Day. You can purchase the DVDs at www.amazon.com or rent them at your local video/DVD store. One thing all these movies will do for you is make you laugh, cry, and fall in love all over again.

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.amazon.com/

http://valentines.brainerddispatch.com/movies/index.shtml