Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman

Valentine’s Day comes every year, but every year the dilemma remains what to do? Skip the expensive night out in London and spend it on the sofa for cheap with a choice from this list of recommended films for Valentine’s Day.

To celebrate the DVD release of Driving Aphrodite this is out on DVD, On Demand and Digital Download from 8th February 2010, courtesy of Warner Home Video join us as we look at 10 of the best Valentine’s themed movies.

1. Pretty Woman

Pretty_woman.jpgLike a pumpkin that transforms into a carriage, some very shrewd casting (and the charisma of Julia Roberts, in particular) morphed this story of a Hollywood whore into a Disneyfied Cinderella story--and a mainstream megahit.

This is the movie that made Roberts a star; the charm of her personality helping tremendously to carry viewers over the rough spots in the script (which was originally a cynical tale about prostitution called 3000--after the amount of money Richard Gere's character pays the prostitute to stay with him for the week).

2. Breakfast At Tiffany's

Based on Truman Capote's novel, Audrey Hepburn's iconic performance as Holly Golightly earned her an Oscar nomination for Breakfast At Tiffany's. Holly is busy charming her way to gifts from wealthy admirers when she meets writer Paul Varjak (a young, handsome George Peppard).

They click immediately, but both of them are financially 'kept' by other people. The two leads both exude charisma in this film which is light on plot, but full of nuance. The glimpses of the real Holly and Paul, visible when their facades momentarily slip, are what gives this film its romantic heart.

3. Moulin Rouge

A dazzling and yet frequently maddening bid to bring the movie musical kicking and screaming into the 21st century, Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge bears no relation to the many previous films set in the famous Parisian nightclub.

There is something genuine brewing between co-stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (as, respectively, a poor writer and his unobtainable object of desire), and their vocal talents are impressive enough to match Luhrmann's orgy of extraordinary sets, costumes, and digital wizardry.

4. Ghost

Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze play a couple in love who move to the big city and . . . okay, so Patrick Swayze is dead for most of the movie. But he refuses to let a little thing like mortality get in his way.

In fact, Swayze's sudden demise only seems to make their love stronger, as he returns from the grave to right a few wrongs and say goodbye to Moore. Who says true love can't last forever?

5. Sleepless In Seattle

A recently engaged woman (Meg Ryan) hears the sad story of a grieving widower (Tom Hanks) on the radio and believes that they're destined to be together.

She's single in New York, he lives in Seattle with a young son, but the cross-country attraction proves irresistible, and pretty soon Meg's on a westbound flight. What happens from there is ... well, you must have been living in a cave to have let this sweet-hearted comedy slip below your pop-cultural radar.

6. Pride & Prejudice

Based on the Jane Austen novel, Pride & Prejudice is a classic tale of love and misunderstanding unfolding in class-conscious England near the close of the 18th century.

Starring Keira Knightley as Lizzie, one of the five Bennet sisters, and Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Darcy, the man aiming to win her heart. Directed by Joe Wright

7. Titanic

James "King of the World" Cameron's magnum opus charmed billions (literally) of moviegoers around the world. Even China's Communist party recommended that their country see it for its commentary on the hubris of capitalism!

It has something for everyone most especially a love story that transcends class, circumstance, and even life not to mention one really big boat. Be forewarned: At a running time of over three hours, this movie is a commitment in itself.

8. Dirty Dancing

While this might be one of my favourite movies of all time (yes, I admit it), and it is beloved among people of my generation, we all have to face up to the fact that though classic, it's full of clichéd, romantic melodrama, complete with that famous lift in the dancing scene at the very end.

"Nobody puts Baby in the corner," says Patrick Swayze, when he pulls Jennifer Grey onto the floor (sigh), and I couldn't let Baby stand neglected on this list either.

9. The Notebook

Also based on a Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, The Notebook is a lot like a modern day Romeo & Juliet story. Allie Hamilton, a properly raised Southern girl is forced to be separated from her first true love, Noah, because he is not up to her family's standards.

Will they forever remain separated though? The chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling is incredible, but it's no surprise since they have dated on and off since the film. Keep in mind that this is the biggest tearjerker on this list!

10. Driving Aphrodite

Nia Vardalos plays Greek-American history professor Georgia, unlucky-in-love and in finding her dream job. Georgia has come to Athens and is working as a tour guide for Pangloss Tours hoping to find an eager audience for her encyclopaedic knowledge of ancient Greece. 

Instead, the travellers who regularly fill Georgia's tours are far more interested in lounging on famous Greek beaches or shopping for tacky souvenirs. Georgia finds the Va Va Voom missing from her life.  Opening her eyes to new possibilities, she realises that true love may be a lot closer than she thinks.

Driving Aphrodite is out on DVD, On Demand and Digital Download from 8th February 2010, courtesy of Warner Home Video


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