In case you have not walked into a pink saturated Walgreens or CVS lately, then you might not be aware that Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. It just might have the reputation of being the one gift giving holiday that makes everyone feel like crap–simultaneously lowering yourself esteem and crushing your expectations. Next to Christmas, of course. You know what combats preconceived disappointment, though? Simplicity. Forget professing your love on highway billboards, fancy restaurant plans, and last minute pharmacy candy and teddy bears. All of that can backfire. And if you are lonely this year and thinking about burying your face in a tub of rocky road as The Notebook plays on a loop, there is hope for you yet. The theatre is calling your name.
About Last Night: This remake of an 80’s Rob Lowe romantic comedy follows a pair of best friends as they try to navigate brief affairs and one night stands turned long term relationships. However, where one goes sour, the other succeeds. In the midst of this raunchy comedy that explores the make or break factor in relationships and dating, Danny and his partner Debbie attempt to make their romantic affair work despite interference from their cynical, annoying and disapproving friends. About Last Night stars Regina Hall (Think Like a Man), stand-up comedian Kevin Hart (Ride Along) and Michael Ealy, a man so impossibly attractive that he makes doves cry and who can also be seen playing an android with heart on FOX’s Almost Human. This choice in movie says: Hey girl, I care just enough about you to not wait until this is out on Netflix. By the way, you’re paying.
Winter’s Tale: I honestly have no idea what this movie is about, but apparently Colin Farrell is an immortal living in New York who likes long walks on the beach and has a slight kleptomaniacal streak. Romantically enough, the last thing he claims to have stolen is the heart of some poor sick heiress. Cue the drooling and tears because, I kid you not, that was the pick up line he used after he broke into her mansion–seriously go watch the trailer. There is some other weird nonsensical and fanatical stuff happening with Russell Crowe in Les Miserables mode but to be honest it all probably makes more sense if you had read the novel. Dealing with life, death and reincarnation, this movie is definitely the one for the hopeless romantic couple and says you are comfortable enough in your masculinity to cry in front of your date.
Endless Love: Like About Last Night, this, too, is a remake of a 1980’s movie. It is also adapted from the Scott Spencer novel of the same name. To summarize, charming bad boy meets sheltered privileged girl, boy has dark secret, overprotective dad pulls out all the stops to keep them apart–but, alas, not even the universe can come between their raging hormones and desires. Here be dragons–or more accurately, stereotypes, cliches, and a plot that looks like it ignored 75% of its source material and went full fanfiction. However, bonus points for the token black friend being the guy who killed that annoyingly arrogant chick in The Hunger Games. It screams Netflix material but if you are willing to pay out of pocket to see Alex Pettyfer’s half naked body, then, by all means.
Alternative Choice: Have neither a strong stomach or tolerance for sappy romantic comedies, dramas, epics or just don’t have a heart in general? You are in luck; drag a couple of you single friends with you to see The Lego Movie. This heart warming, charming and funny adventure about an underdog’s struggle to stop a force bigger than him is sure to fill the void in your spiteful soul this Valentine’s Day. Or, you could see Frozen for, like, the hundredth time (you know who you are).
Zhana Johnson
Features Correspondent