Once again, an asinine list elsewhere on the web has caused us to create our own Top 10 in retaliation.
Come on-- Sideways, about a guy cheating on his fiancee, is in the Top 5? And what the hell are Shortbus, Eternal Sunshine, and House of Flying Daggers doing here?
We're huge fans-- especially of Eternal Sunshine-- but we saw it on a date once and the woman immediately returned to her ex-boyfriend-- because it's about forgiving your past and makes you want to return to your ex's. Hell, we knew that the first time we saw it, sans date.
Instead, here's our refined list:
10. Before Sunrise. Infinitely superior to its sequel, Before Sunset, this little charmer will win you points for an original choice, a breezy storyline, and a really emotional ending.
9. The Apartment. You mean you've never seen the Jack Lemmon-Shirley McClaine romance? And you rented Fast and the Furious when they had both checked in at the video store?
8. Casablanca. This is a tricky one, since (SPOILER ALERT) the ending is bittersweet and Ingrid Bergman gets on that plane with the other man. But think about it: it's the idea of watching this movie that counts. Once you tell your date you're popping this one in the DVD player, they're going to smile and relax, since it's pretty clear what you have in mind for the evening...
7. The Philadelphia Story. Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. No more should ever be said.
6. Annie Hall. One of the few perfect films ever made about dating and love.
5. The Graduate. Just try to block out that final image giving you a window into Ben and Elaine's future life. Otherwise, you'll have 'em where you want 'em...
4. The Princess Bride. In the sort of "guilty pleasure" category. Might not want to try this on a guy... unless you know he's a total teddy bear.
3. Doctor Zhivago. One of the great film epics, this doesn't have the hipster cred that most of the above movies carry into today, but it's still an unbearably good movie...
3. Say Anything. Of course.
2. Manhattan. Forget the whole jailbait problem (Woody Allen falls for a 17-year-old smarty pants)-- there's nothing like seeing this on a roof or anywhere outdoors, with a bottle of wine and someone to romance. We particularly fawn over Woody's "chase scene" toward the end-- it's arguably a more romantic moment than the end of Casablanca.
1. Some Like It Hot, which includes the funniest scene, best line, and best ending in movie history. It wouldn't have mattered if it was about the Holocaust-- these factors alone make it a great date movie.
Honorable mentions (and, it should be noted, these are not all ranked by quality, just by universal date-movie-worthiness): Gone With The Wind [weekend away/rainy day-dates only], When Harry Met Sally, Romeo Is Bleeding [if you're twisted], and a million more you should have already figured out... but for the love of God, not Sideways!
See the Times of London's Top 20.
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