Ah, February! While the onslaught of winter cold continues, we get ever closer to everyone’s favourite consumer holiday: Valentine’s Day. While the pressure is on for couples to organize a memorable date night complete with romance galore, the classic dinner and a movie plan can seem a bit boring. Especially when the expectation is that the movie in question will be something filled with unrealistic depictions of romance and modern-world dating that either make you feel underwhelmed with what you have, or dream that your rather ordinary (but perfectly wonderful) partner could be more like the smoldering Ryan Gosling.
So, instead of the typical Valentine’s Day movies, like The Notebook, or Titanic, I bring to you another list post and the first in our new “5 Best” series. Here is a compilation of off-beat movies to watch on Valentine’s Day night that are still holiday appropriate, but will not have you resisting the urge to roll your eyes every five minutes, and will bring back an exciting flair to the classic, but still adored, dinner and movie date night plans.
- Deadpool (2016)
Firstly, and most obviously, Deadpool. The original trailers, playing with the knowledge that it would be released sometime around Valentine’s Day, deliberately mocked the expectation of some less than appealing teary romance movie to be seen on this rather unfortunate holiday (can you tell that I really do not like Valentine’s Day?). However, this movie is perhaps the furthest thing from the typical romance film. While it does include an underlying romantic plot between the beautiful Morena Baccarin and Ryan Reynolds (and not to mention, a fair amount of nudity), the film’s excessive, and very graphic, violence promise a delightful mix of often vulgar humour with a healthy dose of action. Reynolds’ performance of the Marvel Superhero Wade Wilson is utterly delightful, as he fully embraces the character’s morbid sense of humour and penchant for vulgarity and violence. If you’re looking for some action, but light-hearted, this would be my choice!
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Another action movie and well known as the cause of the drama filled breakup of Brennifer and the formation of the loved Brangelina, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is an energetic story of two spies, played by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie from competing organizations who fall in love, unknowing of either’s position. Opening with a humorously awkward marriage counselling session, the film blends the action of traditional spy stories with the mundane drama of marital life. As if marriage was not hard enough, John and Jane Smith are charged to kill each other once their status as spies is revealed to each other. Wonderfully sexy and hilarious, this is one film that taps into what happens when a couple almost actually kills each other (and not just figuratively as we have all threatened before).
- Scent of a Woman (1992)
Departing from the action genre, this Al Pacino film which earned him his first Academy Award, tells a touching tale of a blind, depressed, impossibly grumpy, retired Lt. Col. Frank Slade and his relationship with a young man, Charlie (played by Chris O’Donnell) who has taken a job described as easy money, to look after Frank over the course of Thanksgiving weekend, while Frank’s niece and her family are away. Of course, what she nor Charlie expect is that Frank intends to spend the weekend in New York City. What develops is an intense friendship, understanding and mentorship between the two men. While no romance is apparent in this film, it is the love mimicking that of father and son between Frank and Charlie that has viewers captivated, and calling out an energetic “Hoo-ah!”, Frank’s catch phrase, throughout the film.
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
While my taste for films tends towards the fantastic or science fiction branch, this Frances McDormand film unquestionably finds itself at the top of my favourites list, and for that reason I could not bear to leave it out. On the brink of World War II, a middle-aged Miss Pettigrew finds herself out of work, home and money. In order to survive, the governess mistakenly steals a lead on a job from her agency and finds herself way out her depth as a social secretary to the spoilt but darling American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse, played by Amy Adams. While it features more romance between Adams’ character and Lee Pace’s, the movie is an expert mix of comedy, period-drama, musical and satisfying consequences for the films’ more irritating characters. I urge everyone to give this one a chance!
- Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
Another one for lovers of more vulgar humour, the absolutely hilarious comedy of two lifelong friends and now roommates who decide to make and star in an adult film in the aim of bringing in some easy money after their electricity is turned off. Rather predictably, throughout the course of the film this brings out an underlying romance between Zack (played by Seth Rogan) and Miri (portrayed by Elizabeth Banks). This unconventional love story is made all the more entertaining by just how unpredictable, and rather un-sexy the making an adult film is.
~ S ~
Photo taken by Usamah Khan.
Find him on instagram @usamahk or www.usamahkhan.com
