October 16, 2007
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19. Chungking Express We've got to give Quentin Tarantino a little credit for bringing Wong Kar-Wai's third film to the States. And when Tarantino remarks, in his deeply '90s filmed intro to the DVD, that he cried the first time he saw it from the sheer filmic ebullience of the thing, we can't help but agree. Though its parallel stories of heartsick cops are both bittersweet, the picture is filled with a joyful vitality that will put you and your date in the good moods necessary for effective mating. Best scene to make a move: When Faye Wong redecorates the apartment. — PS |
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18. Almost Famous This is easily one of the warmest films ever made, and it somehow manages that without a cloying minute. It's hilarious ("And you can tell Rolling Stone magazine that my last words were... I'm on drugs!"), but also poignant to an almost painful degree, a wounded and heartfelt reminiscence and a tribute to romantic youth. Look at it as a litmus test. If you get choked up (as we do, every damn time) when William runs through the airport waving at Penny's plane, and your date doesn't — or if it's the other way around, heaven forfend — it's simply not meant to be. Otherwise, you're all but guaranteed some post-movie snogging. Best scene to make a move: When everyone sings "Tiny Dancer." — PS |
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17. Dirty Dancing No one puts Baby in the corner, but that's exactly where you and your date should be — in the darkest corner of the theater or couch. Because there is no hotter movie for any woman who's ever been a lonely teenager, or for any man who ever idolized Patrick Swayze (and I think there's something wrong with any man who didn't). Best time to make a move: When they practice lifts in the water. — A. Calhoun |
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16. Back to the Future Why? Just 'cause. Because quasi-flirtatious relationship between Marty and Doc aside, you and your date will quickly fall into mutually relatable '80s nostalgia banter. Pop-culture references! The failsafe antidote to first-date discomfort. Remember that show Salute Your Shorts on Nickelodeon? Remember Til' Tuesday? Remember when we were young and life was simple and exciting instead of awkward and confusing like this first date? There are lots of '80s movies that could aid this collective mental regression, but somehow a movie about time travel seems most appropriate. That, and Lea Thompson's inappropriately sultry sexiness. Best scene to make a move: Just as young George McFly is helping young Lorraine out of the Studebaker after knocking out young Biff. — WD |
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15. The Jerk Date not funny? Have more wine. Still not funny? Pop in The Jerk. There are many Steve Martin films that should be kept at hand in case of a boring-date emergency, but The Jerk uber alles, simply for the fact that it has basically no unfunny moments. I've dated people whom I didn't really like, using Blockbuster nights with movies like The Jerk to prop up an otherwise humorless relationship. In a pinch, this one is fast and effective. Best scene to make a move: When Marie (Bernadette Peters) knocks out the biker chick who's pursuing Navin (Steve Martin). — WD |
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14. The Apartment This delightful Best Picture winner with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, directed by Billy Wilder, is a classy choice if you're not sure where your date's tastes lie. Office underdog C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) has been strong-armed into letting four company managers use his apartment for their illicit romantic encounters, a fortuitous precedent if you, too, are in an apartment and hoping for an encounter. Baxter's neighbors think he's a womanizer; little do they know that he's a just a lonely guy who pines after an elevator operator, Miss Kubelik (MacLaine). Best scene to make a move: After Baxter has received a promotion and Miss Kubelik has agreed to go out with him. Lean over for a kiss, then pull away and say, abashed-Baxter-like, "Sorry, I was just infected by Baxter's excitement." Then kiss again. — SH |
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13. The Graduate |
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12. Cinema Paradiso Movies don't get much more bleedingly romantic than this sweetheart of an Italian film, in which a director recalls his childhood friendship with a movie theater's elderly projectionist. The end of the movie — a montage of classic cinema moments set to a stirring Ennio Morricone score — is such tearjerker the sequence should be sponsored by Kleenex. Best scene to make a move: That brilliant, weepy movie montage. — S. Hepola
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11. Donnie Darko Almost certainly the greatest time-travelling high school romance of all time (unless you prefer #16). Do not allow Donnie Darko 's current hipness, or Jake Gyllenhaal's overexposure, to blind you to the sexiness of this film. Detractors call Donnie the patron saint of sensitive emo types, but that does no justice to his sharp intelligence or capacity for destruction — both key elements of sexiness. Avoid the director's cut, which unforgivably swaps "The Killing Moon" out of the opening credits. Scene to make your move: When "Love Will Tear Us Apart" comes on at the Halloween party. — PS |
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10. Before Sunrise It's like Slacker for hopeless romantics, starring two of the '90s premium hotties having the best date ever, over the course of ninety minutes in Vienna. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's funny, smart, stream-of-consciousness conversation after they meet on a train makes us pine for that serendipitous moment — a date that springs not from personal ads or meat-market trolling or friends who mistakenly think you'd be perfect together, but from being in the right place at the right time. Linklater built a career on showing people having natural, meandering conversations, where awkward silences and pretentious posturing are banished; maybe his sensibilities will rub off on your date. Best scene to make a move: When they fall asleep side by side in the park. — WD |
Commentarium (23 Comments)
City of Angles did it for me back in the day.
The secene were they finaly hook up to Angel
I totally agree with your inclusion of Cinema Paradiso. However, it should be noted that one should see the regular version that showed in the theaters, and NOT the Director's Cut. I repeat - do NOT watch the Director's Cut. It includes 45 minutes of completely unnecessary extra footage that totally ruins an otherwise wonderful movie.
Wow-an affair to remember is not on the list. Amazing.
i'm all about the getaway and, strangely, the elephant man.
New to your site. Interesting and potentially helpful content. Just checked out "The 50 Best Date Movies".
Come on.
You included "Triplets of Belleville" and left out "9 and 1/2 Weeks"? I'm shocked and appalled. The former is practically an abstinence pill and the latter has "sexy time" written all over it. WTF?
Great list, thank you. A few comments, some suggestions.
Ironically, I can't get behind either the quintessential date movie "Annie Hall," or "Manhattan." One is, as you say, a post-mortem. The other too cynical, even after Woody runs back to Mariel. For Woody date movie material, I'd suggest "Sleeper" waaay before these.
You undersold "Edward Scissorhands" as adolescent angst 101. Goodness, it's a metaphor for a type of fated, futile love affair beset by the ugliness of the world. But, yes, maybe too sad, even with the wonderousness of octogenarian Wynona dancing in the snow in the final scene?
I'd add Hitchcock "Vertigo," or maybe better, "North by Northwest." Obvious, perhaps; but you can't top the sex-play dialogue Grant and Marie Saint have over cocktails in the dining car.
Preston Sturges's "The Lady Eve" with Stanwyck and Fonda. Sexual relations as an elaborate con, but Barabara clearly fools herself she's playing top from the bottom, when the reverse is true.
The original "Swept Away," from Wertmuller.
And, respectfully, what's the John Cusack fixation? John hasn't had a real deal role since "The Grifters."
Finally, a little known Burt Reynold's-Dyan Cannon movie, "Shamus," set in New York when both were still hot and could play a straight role (as in not caricatured). This, during Burt's "Deliverance" period. He's a low-rent detective, she's priviledged but frustrated. You must find it if only for the pool table scenes - Burt makes a bed of a billiards table in his crappy Queens studio. Sexy, touching and unsentimental, and a historical look at what was once swinging New York.
the list should include a few more horror flicks, cuz those sure make me grab my sweeties arm. and whats up with all the black and whites? while I like 'em I sure as heck couldnt pay my better half to watch 'em.
Breakfast at Tiffany's?
Amelie?
wtf?
Great list! But I really miss "Serendipity" starring John Cusak and the always so beautiful Kate Beckinsdale.
Did anyone ever see "Personal Best" with Mariel Hemingway. That movie could get you laid
You've got a lot of Hooksexup putting up Triplets, Star wars, and Rear Window. These are movies that need to be enjoyed unimpeded, I know it sounds like a geeky thing to say, but being reduced to background noise is something that should be reserved for real trash, not movies that work hard to entertain. You want a movie to make out by? Get one of the Scary movies since you won't bother with a plot.
True Romance with Slater and Arquette. Action, adventure, and Walken.
Where's "Benny & Joon"?
Are you know mr Donovan?
How about Ghost, that should be number one? Not even top fifty?
I think Lost Boys would make a good date movie. It's funny, it's sexy, it's got a bit of blood and action, and vampires. Best time to make a move would be the love scene between Star and Michael.
What about The Notebook??? Awesome date night movie!
Dear John can do some work, if I do say so myself.
OMG KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI! <3 i hate Hollywood Romance films, Bollywood romance is so much sweeter without all those stupid sex scenes! Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge would of been good on this list too. (has the same actors as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) <3
Odd movie: but I ALWAYS get laid during Clockwork Orange.
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