My desert island, all-time, top-five favorite V-day movies

Hi there. This is Dottie, guest blogger numero dos for Mr. Harford’s beyond-brilliant web log, and what an honor it is indeed. I’ve been dreaming of this day ever since I was a little girl working on my aunt and uncle’s farm in Kansas…wait… Anyway, it’s a pleasure to be writing for you on this fine, blisteringly cold February morning. In the spirit of the season, I’ve decided to share my favorite Valentine’s day movies with you all so sit back and enjoy the next five minutes of movie reviews from me: romance/romantic comedy connoisseur.

#5) True Romance. This romantic, action-packed thriller has a little bit of something for everyone, the tagline being Stealing, Cheating, Killing. Who said romance is dead? Written by Quentin Tarantino and starring a kick-ass cast, this is the perfect unconventional pick to fulfill the romance requirement while satisfying the more primal, testosterone-brimming hearts of men everywhere.

#4) The Wedding Singer. Here’s a cute romantic comedy with a silly nostalgic atmosphere and an awesome 80’s soundtrack to boot. Adam Sandler is perfect for the role, and even though I don’t usually care for Drew Barrymore the two of them have a great chemistry between them that turns out to be perfect for this kind of movie…a combination that yields both hilarious and heart-warming results, good for a cute, fun but not-too-mushy viewing be you just friends or significant others.

#3) “The Cusack,” particularly Say Anything, Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity (though others such as Serendipity and America’s Sweethearts may also work for some, they fail in comparison). The bottom line: John Cusack, the younger the better, is adored by women and idolized by men, so any number of his quirky romantic comedies is bound to fill the air with sparks and laughter. PS. I love him.

#2) When Harry Met Sally. This is the most realistic romantic comedy I have ever seen, and I love it. On top of being absolutely adorable and incredibly but sensibly romantic, this movie is also hysterical and highly quotable. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are amazing together. Anyone who has ever been in any kind of relationship should have no trouble relating to this light-hearted movie and, therefore, it is something that can be appreciated by men and women alike (DISCLAIMER: unless you’re out of luck in love for whatever reason, in which case don’t watch this movie- it may depress you).

#1) An Affair to Remember. This is romance all the way, no real element of comedy infused, making this film a total chick flick. It’s a classic, an unbelievably well-done classic, but it’s probably not something a girl should make the man in her life sit through…it’s more of a woman’s date-with-herself/girlfriends for a night of self-pampering, vegging out in comfy clothes with a kitty in her lap and a pint of Ben n’ Jerry’s in her hands kind of a pick, but it is my favorite romance film of all time. It stars Cary Grant. Hello?! The man is amazing. As the original Sleepless In Seattle, this remarkable film is sure to get any woman crying…but in a good way.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE!!!