As much as we at the Screengrab would like to believe we’re your one-size-fits-all destination for movie news, reviews and ephemera, it has come to our attention that there are other film-related blogs out there that occasionally offer worthwhile content. In the spirit of what the late, lamented Spy magazine called “logrolling in our time,” we hereby launch a new weekly feature dedicated to highlighting all the good stuff we didn’t think of writing ourselves.
It turns out we’re not the only ones getting into the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Over at The House Next Door, Matt Zoller Seitz presents Five Declarations of Love, and like our own favorite romantic moments, they aren’t necessarily the most conventional choices. We’re particularly fond of H.I. McDunnough’s timeless vow upon learning that his beloved Ed’s fiancé has left her: “You tell him I think he's a damn fool, Ed. You tell him I said so: H.I. McDunnough. And if he wants to discuss it,” he continues, pacing in front of the height chart and cupping his 'nads, “he knows where to find me: In the Maricopa County Maxiumum Security Correctional Facility for Men, State Farm Road Number 31, Tempe, Arizona!”
Cinematical, understanding that the love of film is often a solitary pursuit, presents Seven Movies for the Valentine’s Day Loner. Again, some of the choices are offbeat, but we have to agree with their selection of In a Lonely Place as the movie that makes you feel better about your unromantic life. “This is an excellent film and the leads are perfect, but boy can it be depressing. On the other hand, at least you'll feel better that it's not happening to you.”
The Onion AV Club weighs in with “14 romantic comedies with romance- and comedy-killing gimmicks.” Said gimmicks include such timeless troubles of the heart as “I gave up sex for Lent” and “my true love is a mannequin.”
And finally slashfilm alerts us to what will surely be the next great romantic comedy, the 20th Century Fox adaptation of Just Do It: How One Couple Screwed Their Life and Love Back Together, Denver Post writer Doug Brown’s memoir of having sex with his wife for 101 straight days. The tender cockring scene will no doubt make our list next year.