The Gorilla’s Valentine’s Day Roundup
By The Gorilla
The Panda wanted to watch something nice for Valentine’s Day, and she asked me to pick whatever I wanted--as long as it was romantic. I know she likes depressing, indie films where relationships go to ashes, but I detest those. I find the cynicism of “realistic breakups” in movies to be overrated, and way too easy. The problem is that most artists, and especially directors, are wimps, so what they end up portraying on film is their wimpy lives.
No, when I watch a romantic movie, it needs to be about love triumphing, it needs to make me feel good, and energize me. I want love movies that make me happy. They can have a tragic ending, but it needs to be cathartic. I hate movies that just feel like a slow descent into depression: they take my joie de vivre out. I want magic. Magic!
So, because I didn’t have just one, here are ten films perfect for Valentine’s Day.
1. A Moment to Remember (2004)
Love and God-given beauty mean nothing when Mother Nature comes knocking at the door. But God, are Su-jin and Cheoi-su pretty!
2. Tangled (2011)
Rapunzel blackmails Flynn Rider to escort her to see the lanterns. But nobody asked Rapunzel’s crazy mom what she thought about that, and that ain’t good.
3. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Steve Carell gets the “Hitch” treatment from Ryan Gosling. Will our hero get laid and save his marriage? You will only know by watching this great, romantic comedy. Full of heart and humor.
4. Always (2011)
Korean Raging Bull meets Miss Blind Universe. Love blossoms but his dark past is around the corner and it will take more than a couple of well-placed one-two to make it this time.
5. A Chinese Odyssey Part II: Cinderella (1995)
A crazy love story that defies time, plenty of laughter, and a surprisingly philosophical ending from the guy who put Kung Fu into soccer. First watch Part I: Pandora’s Box, though the second one is better.
6. Endless Love (2014)
A perfect picture of what it means to be young and in love. For the first three months.
7. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
The guy who cannot control his anger meets the girl who cannot control her vagina. But if you gotta dance, you gotta dance.
8. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
A crisp, smart script and a charming female lead make this movie a classic. Billy Crystal is great and perfectly casted. But he’s still Billy Crystal…
9. The Graduate (1967)
Mrs. Robinson is trying to seduce the young graduate Benjamin. Now if he could only pork her daughter that would be perfect. Cue Simon & Garfunkel!
10. The Handmaiden (2016)
Sook-hee was sent to swindle Lady Hideko, but she might have bit into more than she could chew.
The Gorilla watches movies, The Gorilla thinks, The Gorilla does reviews. He is very opinionated, which sometimes drives his girlfriend, The Panda, crazy. He also likes alcoholic bananas, back scratches, and long naps in the sun.
