Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Single Girls' Guide to Valentine's Day

Today for Stephanie's Group Blog Thursday, we're discussing Valentine's Day plans.

I learned a long time ago that all the complaining and hating in the world wouldn't stop Valentine's Day from coming.

I figured out that making plans to actually do something on February 14 every year is the best way to get through it. I'm not one to hit the clubs and I tend to avoid going out alone to crowded places at crowded times of day. And back in the days when I irrationally lost my mind at any sign of a pink heart or paper Cupid, I refused to go out at all. Now that I'm slowly sliding over to the "indifferent" category, I still don't feel the need to leave the house that night. But I still want to do something.

It seems counterintuitive, perhaps, but I absolutely love watching romantic movies on Valentine's Day. I guess I figured that if I couldn't have a fabulous love story, I could watch someone else's.

And so, sometimes with friends and sometimes alone, it's sort of become a tradition to either cook up or order a delicious dinner, buy myself some chocolate and Dr. Pepper, and spend the evening in front of the television, watching some of my favorite romantic movies. Here are my Top 10:

10. You've Got Mail

I know it's not the greatest movie by most standards, but it's cute and fun and it was great to see Meg Ryan's quirky self back on the screen.

9. 10 Things I Hate About You

O, Heath Ledger. Most of his films were so serious and/or dark. It's nice to have a movie that memorializes the light-hearted side of him. And this adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew is pretty ingenious. Or, at least, the majorly quotable dialogue is.

8. Never Been Kissed

Although I always swear I wouldn't go back to high school for all the money in the world, there are a few things I'd love to do over if I could. And maybe that's why I enjoy watching this so much. That and, well, Michael Vartan's in it.

7. The Wedding Singer

Yes, okay, so I love Drew Barrymore. But she's not the only reason I've watched all (or at least parts) of this one dozens of times. The soundtrack is fantastic, the story delightful, and, heck, I love the 80s. I especially love making fun of the 80s.

6. Sleepless in Seattle

The first movie where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fell in love before they met. And Rosie O'Donnell before she was annoying and insufferable.

5. The Holiday

I know it's also one of my favorite Christmas movies, but it's a really good romantic comedy, too. It's about avoiding love. It's about unrequited love. It's about finding love where you least expect it. And Jude Law is pretty.

4. While You Were Sleeping

Misunderstandings and assumptions have never been funnier.

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Just tell me you didn't try clearing up a zit with Windex. I think most people can relate to this movie on some level. Toula's family is a bit like my dad's side. Ian's is totally like my mom's.

2. French Kiss

This movie was even funnier after I learned to speak french. Meg Ryan (yes, again!) goes to France to find and win back the heart of her fiancé. Instead, she she falls for a stinky jewel thief after everything that possibly could go wrong does. Which is what's so great about it.

1. Pride and Prejudice

The five hour BBC version, thankyouverymuch. It's five hours of awesomeness and Colin Firth. And I'll be organizing a P&P party VERY soon.

Of course, this Valentine's Day, I'll be hanging with my bloggy BFF Jennee in Los Angeles! Can't wait! But...I'm sure we can always work a movie into the plans at some point. Maybe this one:

So...what are your plans for Valentine's Day?


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21 comments:

  1. I would love to see "Valentine's Day" on Valentine's Day. I don't think the fiance will agree, though! One of my all time favorites is a similar movie -- Love, Actually.

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  2. Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy is ever so dreamy. Sigh!

    I love The Wedding Singer. There's nothing complicated or sophisticated about it, but it's simple, joyful and fun. I vote yes.

    I really need to see The Holiday.

    Can't believe you didn't include The Cutting Edge! Come on! It's delicious cheese if there ever was any.

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  3. Even though I'm a super manly dude (check out my Ducks post on Valentine's Day for proof...), I rather liked "Love, Actually."

    That being said, I'd be fine with watching "Valentine's Day" with my wife, but not in the theater. Seems like a good one to watch from the comfort of home when it comes out on DVD/On Demand.

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  4. I used to HATE chick flicks, but then I lived with a roommate who constantly watched them, so I got used to them.

    Right now the romantic movies I like are Lars and the Real Girl, 500 Days of Summer, and When a Man Loves a Woman.

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  5. I'll be spending the day with my mom. It'll be good. Not as fun as last year's facial and massage, but that's okay.

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  6. I will probably just stay at home and watch movies and drink some dr pepper.

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  7. I'd love to see Valentine's Day this weekend, but it's SO not DH's style...I'm thinkin' it's more of a chick flick?

    so maybe we'll rent one of the others...What about Sense and Sensability...i loved that one!

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  8. I want to see Valentine's Day, but I have a feeling that seeing Valentine's Day on Valentine's Day might be a bad idea.

    I really love 10 Things I Hate About You myself. I think it's a highly underrated movie.

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  9. I love Sense and Sensibility...every time I watch it, I cry like a big baby at the end when Elinor finds out Edward didn't get married and she starts sobbing.

    We don't have any plans yet. I told my husband let's skip the gifts this year. haha. I still hold contempt for Valentine's Day a little bit....I remember how much it sucked when I was single.

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  10. You forgot the greatest movie of all time, The Notebook. The swans!!

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  11. I love your plan. I'm in the phase of marriage where curling up with Dr Pepper and chocolate and 5 hours of Colin Firth sounds way better than anything else. I suggested it to Jay and he just rolled his eyes at me. I just we're going out to eat in noisy crowded restaurant instead.

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  12. I want to see Valentine's Day too. But I don't think I can get B to agree to that.

    The cartoon at the top of your post made me giggle. Tonight, B's dad (who I ADORE) was over and I had to run to the grocery store to pick up a couple of prescriptions. He asked, half-jokingly, if I'd pick up a card for his wife. I asked if he was serious, and he hemmed and hawed. I told him that I'd never tell her, and he said, "Oh, okay, yeah! Would ya mind?" Hilarious!

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  13. Some of my favorite movies of all time are on that list...with the notable absence of When Harry Met Sally.

    There's the thing about Valentine's Day (the movie). It looks incredibly cheesy, just like most romantic comedies these days (I don't think there has been a good one since You've Got Mail, but that's just me.) How do they get so many incredibly famous people to play in a movie like this?

    That said, I'm sure I'll see it.

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  14. I thought for sure Love Actually would be on your list! Or, maybe that's on your Christmas list?? I have no idea what romantic comedies are my favorite. I'll have to think about that one. :)

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  15. I love all those movies. I'm over the expectations and commercialization of Valentine's Day. I do love watching my son open up his preschool cards though. Soo cute!!!

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!!!

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  16. These are great movies! Unfortunately my fiance is deployed and I'm on my way so there will be no dates this year, everyday with him has been a Valentine's Day in my house, we shouldn't wait until a designated holiday to show someone how much you care, life is short, do it everyday! Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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  17. Oh, 10 Things I Hate About You... I love it so. I need to get it on dvd. I love all Sandler films, but I love, love, love 50 First Dates.

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  18. Great list! I still haven't seen The Holiday. No big plans here. Just hanging out with the family. Hope you have fun in L.A.

    By the way, I wanted to let you know that I selected this post for my Top 5 Valentine's Day Blog Posts. I loved your movie list so much I had to choose it! Congrats!

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  19. Great great list! I especially like numbers 7 & 9!!!

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  20. I am so glad you included Jane Austen in your list-I'm getting ready to watch the PBS version of Northanger Abbey tonight... And, speaking of your list, you've named just about everyone of my favorites!
    BTW: Coming to you from 2 Wired 2 Tired.

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  21. Whether I've been in a relationship or not, Valentine's was never fun until I was married. I don't think any other level of relationship can withstand the pressure of the day. Unless it's a first or second date and then the pressure doesn't matter. Anyway, we keep it super low key. We went out two days early, he got my flowers, we didn't do gifts, and it all worked out nicely. Just a fun, relaxing day.

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"You know what they say. If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me."

~Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias