This is a good week to spend a lot of time inside! There are so many fun things to do indoors: read, spend time with family, pace back and forth, menacingly throw a rubber ball against a wall over and over, type “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” 50,000 times on a typewriter. But when that gets old, there’s always Cinema! Here are some recommendations for romantic movies to watch this week, from the team at Tower Studios!
Rachel Recommends… The Adjustment Bureau – In this 2011 romantic thriller, politician Matt Damon meets a woman (Emily Blunt) by chance only to find out that there are forces beyond his control that won’t allow them to be together. Damon’s character must decide if love is worth to take on Fate and challenge the plan that is already laid out for his life. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have tremendous chemistry, and the suspense will keep you guessing until the very end! Rentable from all major services.
Jeanette Recommends… 50 First Dates – 50 First Dates is one of the most beloved movies from Adam Sandler’s heyday. Sandler is in love with Drew Barrymore, who has short-term memory loss. Every day, he must woo her all over again. It’s funny and happy, but with a realistic ending. The music and characters are great, and Sean Astin has a hilarious role as a bodybuilder. This classic is, in Jeanette’s opinion, the best Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie! Rentable from all major services.
Andrew Recommends… Stardust – Stardust is about a young man’s journey into a magical world to collect a fallen star, as a gift to the woman he wants to marry. Twists and turns abound as our hero gets in over his head. It’s a quirky, fun adventure with a stacked cast: Mark Strong, Ian McKellen, Peter O’Toole, Claire Danes, Ricky Gervais, Michelle Pfeiffer, and a crossdressing Robert DeNiro. The two leads have great chemistry. This is a great romantic movie for any fantasy lover! Rentable from all major services.
Laurie Recommends… Pride and Prejudice – The 2005 version with Keira Knightley, to be exact. One of the best Jane Austen adaptations, Pride and Prejudice of course follows the relationship of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in the picturesque English countryside. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Joe Wright directs with period-accuracy and attention to detail. Knightley and Matthew MacFayden are great together, and look out for the legendary Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet. This is a film for those who, like Laurie, enjoy a more “subtle and emotional” kind of romantic drama! Rentable from all major services.
Stryker Recommends… Minnie and Moskowitz – Minnie is a lonely woman who spends her days at the movies, lamenting that there are no Humphrey Bogarts in real life. Moskowitz is an energetic and unpredictable parking valet with a ponytail and pickup truck. They meet and embark on a chaotic, intense “bad romance” across 1970s Los Angeles. This film features big mood swings, a pair of excellent sunglasses, and rambling madmen with names like “Morgan Morgan” and “Zelmo Swift.” This movie feels like you’ve gone skydiving with a couple who are absolutely wrong for each other. (Fun fact: this is directed by John Cassavetes, whose son Nick Cassavetes would later direct the romance classic The Notebook.) Available for free in full on YouTube.
Brenton Recommends… Clannad – Here’s one for the animation lovers. Clannad is an anime series about a life-changing high school romance! The protagonist’s dedication to his love interest his heartwarming, and the animation still looks contemporary despite being released over a decade ago. More than being just a romance, Clannad is also about friends helping each other to overcome their struggles. As the story progresses, the protagonist, in Brenton’s words, “starts to realize that life is a lot more thrilling than he thought!” If you’re interested in anime or animation in general, or prefer TV episodes over full movies, Clannad might be for you! Streaming on Netflix.
Jessica Recommends… About Time – A young man (Domhnall Gleeson) learns a family secret: the men in his family can travel through time. He uses this power to win the heart of a woman (Rachel McAdams), but then discovers that this power may complicate his life more than he thought. This is a British production with some of the best actors from the other side of the pond, including Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, and Margot Robbie. (We know Margot Robbie is Australian, but Australia is basically Desert England.) Jessica’s review: “It’s a witty and heartfelt romcom with a twist: time travel. The soundtrack is an added bonus! The Luckiest by Ben Folds gets me every time.” Rentable from all major services.
Six movies and a TV show! That’s a whole week’s worth of watching. Once you’re finished with these, you’ll be refreshed and ready to continue walking in a circle in your garage! (Or hopefully your preferred streaming service’s recommended menu will keep you busy!)