Valentine's Day Doesn't Have to be Painful!

So it’s that time of year again. Love is in the air and so are the wallets of most citizens, whether it’s truly out of emotion or out of guilt I’m sure, depends on the individual. What is important about this day is not the flowers, chocolates or diamonds. No, it’s all about the love.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day for me has always been a tradition, even before I had that special someone in my life. Every year I rent, or dig out of my archives, several soppy and romantic films that get my heart pumping. However, my selections tend to be a bit off centre of what the normal average movie going female might enjoy. I’m going to give you some useful suggestions to make your Valentine’s Day a bit more interesting and unconventional this year.

Hearts weren't the only things bleeding...

Shaun of the Dead (2004) stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as British Zombie killing best friends. Why on earth would I pick this film in this category? It’s a RomZomCom of course! That is to say a romantic zombie comedy. Shaun spends most of the film trying to win back and keep alive his girlfriend Liz, all the while fending of flesh eating former humans. It’s funny, sweet and totally unique. The guys, especially if he’s a real man’s man, will totally appreciate this type of selection. The ladies might like it for the comedy and sensitive new age guy that Simon Pegg plays so well. “Loser” has never been cuter.

Pearl Harbor (2001) is based on the true events during World War II that brought America into the fight. It stars “The Chin” Ben Affleck and dreamy Josh Hartnett. The two battle it out with their hearts as well as their planes during this way over the top Michael Bay directed actioner. It’s an epic like Titanic but not as soppy or as well done. I like it because it appeals to both the lovers and the fighters, and it has some amazing stunts and explosions. No one does action much better than Michael Bay. This is a great flick to watch in front of a big television, cuddled up with your sweetie and some home-popped popcorn.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003) is one of the Cohen Brothers lighter films which centers around “A revenge-seeking gold digger who marries a womanizing Beverly Hills lawyer with the intention of making a killing in the divorce” according to IMDB.COM. It definitely puts the bite into Valentine’s Day with its clever dialogue and great chemistry between its leads, George Clooney and a fierce Catherine Zeta-Jones.

He should have gotten the flowers...

Finally for the bitter I suggest Fatal Attraction (1987), the movie that made men all over the world think twice about starting an affair. Michael Douglas plays the randy businessman while Glenn Close plays the psycho bunny cooking lover. This movie still sends chills down my spine and is expertly executed by its leads.

So those are my suggestions for Valentine’s Day. It wouldn’t hurt to pair these films with a nice dinner, candlelight and some cliché chocolates and flowers, just in case.

What's your favourite Valentine's Day flick? Let me know in the comments!