Sunday, March 18, 2007

What Are Your Favorite Romantic Movies?

Somewhere between 48 and 72 hours ago, I ate something bad – something that made me sick. Friday evening my softball game was canceled, so I went to the gym for a good workout. Upon returning home, I felt okay and went to bed. Beginning about 3:00 am Saturday morning, however, it started -- stomach cramps, a low-grade fever and zero energy. Saturday I even fell asleep during one of the March Madness games. Last night, after being a prisoner of the couch and getting tired of all the ballgames I started surfing and ran across the 1999 movie Runaway Bride. Even though I had seen it before, I truly enjoyed it. I guess that consistent with what I do – teach graduate courses in Marriage and Couples Counseling at the university and write contemporary romance novels.

If you tend to enjoy a good romance movie, there are some cool lists on the Internet – for example, 150 Romantic Movies and Top 10 Romantic Movies. One I think is excellent is Top Romance Movies: 76 Romantic Flicks for Guys and Girls (it recommends the “chick-flick” kind that may mostly appeal to women and those that would appeal to men as well, such as The English Patient).

There are some romance movies I truly enjoy and highly recommend (e.g., Casablanca, As Good As It Gets, and When Harry Met Sally). My question for you, however, is:

What are your favorite romance movies?

Bill

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

well...probally the most romantic and beautiful movie i can think of, without breaking into japaneese film, would be Natural born killers (directors cut). before ya jump on me for this go back and watch it from the point of view of a romance, of overcoming socities ideas and searching out true love...its a masterpiece

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hello Anonymous,
No need to apologize... I now exactly what you mean. Sometimes people lazer onto the "other" things. For example, I think the movie, "Indecent Proposal," is an excellent movie and tremendous story about love and love relationships. Yet, so many people have written it off simply because of the infidelity issue. I don't like infidelity, that's for sure, but there is a wonderful story about love and ultimate commitment in the movie - at least that's how I see it.
Thanks!
Bill

DH said...

I like "It's a Wonderful Life". Of course Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorites. The best parts I think was walking her home from the dance and playful back and forth chat and making a wish and throwing the rock at the window and all that was so genuine. And when he shows up at her house and grabs her up into his arms and basically yells at her about NOT falling in love with her and how it won't happen...next scene--wedding bells :) Shall I go on?
The old house and fixing it up, and the honeymoon, an on and on... Well--the movie melts my heart.
Nice topic... DH.

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hello again DH,
Without a doubt and excellent movie. And yes, I too love the way he says just the opposite of what he is meaning. (I typically watch that movie every New Years Eve.)
Thanks,
Bill

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

Pretty Woman will always be a favorite of mine! : )

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorites as well -- I also love the humor in it. And with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, it's gotta be good. Thanks again,
Bill

Mostly Happy Thoughts said...

Love Actually, Bridget Jones, If Only, and Imagine Me & You are three of my favorites. It is my favorite genre of movie.

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hi MHT,
Thanks for the reminder of an excellent movie (Imagine Me & You). The great line in it is, "It's not you leaving that's going to kill me. It's you loving someone more."
Thanks again,
Bill

insideout said...

You got mail and sleepless in Seattle...Tom Hanks being in both is a coincidence. I think they would have been good with any good actor of the time I/O

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hello I/O,
Good question -- when do the actors make a movie better than the story and the storyline? I would agree with you that "You Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle" are excellent movies; nonetheless, both movies do include two incredible actors: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Thanks,
Bill

Andie said...

It's a hard call....Dirty Dancing or Ghost. Dirty Dancing has the good girl falls for bad boy theme that seems to be a classic issue. Ghost because we all dream of lost loves (and especially if someone we love has died) and being able to revisit all the good things we felt in that relationship just one more time. Good topic, Dr. Bill.

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hi Andie,
Thanks for the two suggested excellent movies. With Dirty Dancing, however, the storyline is complimented by excellent music, and talented acting and dancing (especially Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze). Being a Patrick Swayze fan, I also enjoy Ghost, and of "What's her name?"...Demi Moore (sorry, I'm having a sudden rise in blood pressure). Question: do we dream of lost loves as they really were or as we wished they were (or still were)?
The greatest romantic movies, I believe, have it all -- storyline, acting, music, humor, etc.
Thanks agian,
Bill

Cole Reising said...

Hi Bill! I hope you feel better! I don't get much time to watch many movies but the last one I really enjoyed that was a romantic was How to lose a guy in 10 days. I love that kind of humor! :)

Have a great day!

Cole

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hi Cole, thanks for stopping by!
Yes, that is a great movie with a terrific storyline -- and with actors such as Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey it's even better.
I'm on the mend (my workout last night, however, reminded me of the ill-effects of spending two days on the couch -- Ugh!).
Thanks again, Cole,
Bill

Bailey Stewart said...

Little late - but my favorite is While You Were Sleeping.

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hello Bailey,
Never too late for a good idea.
I'm a Sandra Bullock fan to begin with, and I think Bill Pullman was a perfect choice for the hero role.
(I love it at the end when he slides the dime under the turnstile... and the whole family is there).
Thanks for the memory (great movie),
Bill