We all have movies we loathe yet still find ourselves drawn to rewatch around certain times of the year. That’s why for this week’s Hot Takes, I will be creating a list of movies we all love to hate, or hate to love, right in time for Valentine’s Day.
Starting with a classic, heart-breaker and top pick for our single Otters out there, “The Break-Up.” This film stars Jennifer Aniston as Brooke and Vince Vaughn as Gary, an engaged couple who seem to have hit a rut of routine and miscommunication in their relationship. Brooke feels under appreciated and unwanted, while Gary is feeling suffocated and controlled. The film opens with a rabid photodump showing viewers the highlights of this couple before shoving you into the breakup. At first the comedy aspects of this movie take the driver’s seat before the film takes a sharp turn into what feels a little too real, especially for anyone who’s been through a brutal breakup.
Aniston and Vaughn do a wonderful job of elevating this film from the Hallmark, made-for-TV feel, into a deeper, intensely honest film. Their acting went beyond the script, taking advantage of every silence, stare and sigh, really exploring the pain of heartbreak. I will avoid the spoilers but just know this film is for those that need a good yell, followed by a solid cry. Perfect for singles looking to process some hurt this Valentine’s Day.
Let’s move to an entirely different genre that’s less about the heartbreak and all about the horror. For fans of ‘80’s slashers or franchises like “Scream,” then “My Bloody Valentine” (2009) may be the perfect film for you and your horror fanatic besties. This version of the film is a remake of the 1981 rendition, but in my opinion is done a little better, which is rare for a remake. It stars “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles as Tom Hanniger, along with Jaime King as Sarah Palmer and Kerr Smith as Axel Palmer.
The film’s pacing is well done, allowing the mystery within the horror to unravel. It keeps you on your toes and second guessing yourself while also piling on the gore and comedic relief. A solid choice if you have horror fans in your life who like to psychoanalize why they are into movies like this. The perfect fit to plan a Valentine’s get together centered around heartbreak of the bloody variety.
The third pick on this list is Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird.” Starring Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird (Christine), Beanie Feldstein, Timothée Chalamet, Lucas Hedges and Laurie Metcalf. A very untraditional pick to the standard Valentine’s tropes, however I feel it fits in well when thinking of love through the lens of friendships, young romance and tricky family dynamics. With so many quotable lines like, “Don’t you think this is the same thing, love and attention?” or “Some people aren’t built happy, you know?” this film is not afraid to go to introspective places while telling Lady Bird’s coming of age tale. My top pick if you plan to host a galentines night. Be prepared to bake some cookies and let the relatability roll as you embark on this early 2000s’exploration of girlhood and growth.
Last but not least, sorry Twi-hards but this list would be incomplete without the “Twilight” saga. There are two times of year I find myself rewatching, and that’s during “Hoa Hoa Hoa” season (aka the first cold snap of fall) and then again during this season of love. A cult classic that came out just over 17 years ago in the theater and over 20 if you were a fan of the book series first. The perfect low stakes, quotable, series that you simply cannot go wrong with, whether it’s through a self-inflicted binge watch or viewing party with all your friends. Might I suggest making sparkly mocktails? Or plan trivia to play between each film? Maybe make handmade bingo cards referencing iconic lines like, “hold on tight spidermonkey” and “Bella, where the hell have you been loca?”
Regardless of how you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day, I hope one of these picks help you lean into whatever mood you are feeling come the taboo day of love.
Stay tuned for next week where I will be closing out the month of February and this entire season of love with a review of the new adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.”