10 Movies To Watch For Valentine's Day
10. Shortcomings
I feel like Shortcomings is a film that went under the radar in 2023. When Ben’s girlfriend Miko goes out of town for an internship Ben tries his best to adjust to the single life. This is a great film about identity crisis within interracial dating and self hatred. Ben is so miserable with his own life that he doesn't realize that he is so unsufferable to be around. We need more Asian romantic stories and this one tackles internalized racism very well.
9. After Everything
Who would have thought that Jeremy Allen White and Maika Monroe would make a great on screen couple? I just recently found out about this film a month ago and when I saw two of my favorite actors in it I automatically said, “yes!” When Elliot (Jeremy Allen White) and Mia (Maika Monroe) fall for each other Elliot confesses to Mia that he is sick with cancer. However, Elliot's illness isn’t the only test of their relationship. As their relationship continues to blossom they find out that maybe they fell in love with each other too fast and for the wrong reason.
8. Set It Up
2018 was when Netflix actually had quality content. I would personally like to dub Zoey Deutch as the “romcom princess” seeing how herself and Reese Witherspoon are bringing the genre back. Two overworked and underpaid assistants come up with a plan to get their bosses off their backs by setting them up with each other. Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch have great chemistry together and if you want to see Glen Powell pre-Top Gun: Maverick then this is a great start.
7. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I know what you're thinking: “this is one of the most film bro movies ever!” Look I never said that I was a Saint, okay? Scott Pilgrim battling seven evil ex's to get the girl he wants sounds like a romance story to me. Yes I am aware that both characters are unlikable but that's kind of the point. With this film it's okay to turn your brain off and have fun.
The ensemble cast is great, it's hilarious, action sequences are fun and it feels like you're reading a comic book.
6. The Wood
Would you believe me if I said that I just recently watched this film for the first time? The Wood was released in one of the best years of film: 1999. It stars Omar Epps, Tye Diggs and Richard T. Jones as three best friends who reminisce about growing up together in Inglewood, California when Roland (Tye Diggs) has second thoughts about getting married. Black people rarely have great coming-of-age stories and this one is not only hilarious but it's a classic as well.
5. Rye Lane
Rye Lane is also another great romcom film that went under the radar in 2023. This ended up in my top 10 by the end of the year and I think more eyes should be on this film. Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah) both spend the day in South London recovering from their break ups looking to discover their belief in romance again. After watching this I need more black romcom’s because these two are so much fun to watch together.
4. Jerry Maguire
Some people might classify this film as a “sports film" but this is technically a romcom. When sports agent Jerry Maguire loses his job and his clients, he decides to run as a independent agent. This movie is filled with so many great quotables and I’m still under the belief that Tom Cruise should have earned an Oscar for this. Jerry teaches Rod how to love football because he's passionate about it and not for the money. Meanwhile, Rod teaches Jerry that it's okay to be in a committed relationship with someone that you care about.
3. Your Monster
I had to ask for this movie twice before Pixelmedia finally sent it to me for an early screening. Laura Franco (played by Melissa Barrera) is heartbroken when her boyfriend Jacob leaves her during her cancer treatment. While she is recovering she discovers a terrifying, yet charming monster hiding in her closet. If you want a modern day beauty and the beast well then look no further than this film.
2. Moonlight
Moonlight is one of my favorite A24 films and say whatever you want but the right movie won Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards. This film is broken down into three chapters about a young black man who is struggling with his sexuality and identity. There is a lot of homophobia in the black community that goes back to the slavery days when white slave owners would argue over who would cut off the male slaves gentiles. I think this film is tells us why sexuality in the black community is way worse because I think that “praying it away” makes people more ashamed and even drives people mentally insane pretending to be something they aren't.
1. Crazy Rich Asians
How this didn't receive a Best Picture and Best Director nom at the 2019 Academy Awards I will never know. Not only do I think this is a great romcom film but I think this is also a great film to watch with family and friends as well. When Rachel (played Constance Wu) accompanies her boyfriend Nick (played by Henry Golding) to his best friends wedding in Singapore she gets more than she bargained for when she discovers the wealth of his family and friends.
What I really love about this film is how they portray Singapore. Anytime they show a foreign country in films they always show the crappy parts of the country and non-intelligent Americans automatically assume that the whole country is dirt poor or dangerous. For once it was nice to get an Asian American film that wasn't on some king-fu bull crap.
