By Arts & Entertainment Staff
Lucy Oster ’23:
“You’ve Got Mail” (HBO Max)
Journalist, writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron is a master of the romantic comedy. Ephron wrote “When Harry Met Sally,” a movie about two friends realizing they’re in love with one another. But, ew. Friends should just stay friends. “You’ve Got Mail” is a seemingly more compelling tale from Ephron that follows two business rivals falling in love with each other. The movie revolves around the romantic relationship between Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), who owns an independent bookstore in New York City, and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of a bookstore chain. “You’ve Got Mail” has everything one could hope for in a classic rom-com: 1990s dial-up internet, a high-strung Parker Posey and a top notch soundtrack that includes songs like Harry Nilsson’s “The Puppy Song” and The Cranberries’ “Dreams.”
“Poog”
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romance. Arguably, the most important form of love is friendship. “Poog” is ostensibly a podcast about wellness, but, to me, the joy of it boils down to two friends making jokes about anything and everything. Comedians and self defined “untamable intellects” Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak are the hosts of a weekly hour of humor and banter. Personal stand out episodes include “Teeth and Taxes,” which really validates all of the tax anxiety I have, and “Jargon,” an unhinged ode to fun words.
Rose Cohen ’22:
“Love, Rosie” (Hulu)
There are many 2000s films that feature the friends to lovers trope. But German director Christian Ditter’s “Love, Rosie” contains all of the elements that make that kind of storyline cute instead of overwhelmingly cheesy. Relying on a slow burning pace and undeniable chemistry between the two main characters, longtime pals Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Claflin), “Love, Rosie” strikes a successful balance between the hilarious and the sentimental.
Mallory Smith FP ’24:
10 Things I Hate About You (Disney+)
In this 1999 teen comedy, writers Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith give William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew a Y2K update. Katarina “Kat” (Julia Stiles) and Bianca Stratford’s (Larisa Oleynik) father announces that Bianca can’t date until her older sister Kat does. So, new kid Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) convinces Joey (Andrew Keegan), the popular teen who also has a crush on Bianca, to pay Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to ask Kat out. As bad boy Patrick wears down the rebellious Kat, we see the two characters slowly begin to fall for each other. This movie is the perfect snapshot of teen culture of the late ’90s. With a musical number from Heath Ledger, there are so many perfectly cheesy moments that every good rom-com should have.
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Amazon Prime)
Despite its heavy science fiction focused plotline and often cynical outlook on Valentine’s Day, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” perhaps represents the realest of romance movies. Main characters Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) meet and are instantly attracted to one another. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually meeting for the second time — after a tumultuous past relationship that led to each erasing their memories of the other. When this complete erasure of any memories of their relationship is exposed, however, they must deal with the knowledge of their past, while simultaneously falling in love all over again. The characters’ love, as we see, is something instinctual that cannot be changed. For some, the film may simply be worth watching for the opportunity to bask in Kate Winslet’s horrific, yet somehow awe inspiring dye job.
Rowan Bernstein ’22
“Pushing Daisies” (HBO Max)
A charming comedy-drama-fantasy-procedural series from “Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller, the short lived “Pushing Daisies” follows Ned (Lee Pace), a socially awkward piemaker with the mysterious ability to revive the dead with just a touch. But there are some caveats to Ned’s abilities; for example, if he touches someone a second time, they will permanently die. After reviving his childhood sweetheart Charlotte “Chuck” Charles (Anna Friel) in the series premiere, the two must spend the rest of the show’s two seasons navigating a relationship where they can never directly touch one another. Featuring iconic moments like a kiss through plastic wrap, their story is as sugary sweet as it is tragic. Produced by Barry Sonnenfeld, the tone and visuals of the series are like a brighter — yet still morbid — version of his work on projects like Netflix’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” Eccentric characters and costumes, quirky dialogue and an Emmy winning score by Jim Dooley all contribute to the fairytale atmosphere of “Pushing Daisies,” making it a delightfully heartwarming watch for this Valentine’s Day season.
Siona Ahuja ’24
“The Holiday” (Netflix)
Directed by Nancy Meyers and filled with a star-studded cast, “The Holiday” is an indulgent romantic comedy that has a timeless, endearing quality to it. The film revolves around the lives of an English columnist, Iris (Kate Winslet), and Hollywood movie trailer producer Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who are two women who have been having trouble finding love. Hoping to change their romantic lives, the two decide to swap their homes (and lifestyles) for two weeks during the holiday season. What ensues is a heartwarming journey of self discovery, compassion and falling in love. “The Holiday” is a reminder of the different types of love that exist –– between friends, strangers, children and lovers –– and does a great job celebrating them all.
“XO,” Elliott Smith
If “The Holiday” helps me escape into my fantasy romantic land, musician Elliott Smith’s fourth album, “XO,” pulls me out of it. It has a way of elevating me with its acoustic sounds and heavy, brutally honest lyrics. Despite its romantic title, “XO” is not a romance album. I might even consider it to be an anti-Valentine’s album — not in an angry, vengeful pop punk way, but through a warm blanket of piano-backed, double-tracked, breathy vocals that remind me that it is okay to feel lost. On track 3, “Waltz #2 (XO),” Smith sings, “I’m never gonna know you now / but I’m gonna love you anyhow.” This lyric is reminiscent of a love that is distant and impenetrable. When Smith sings, “Cause you laugh and talk / And ’cause you / Make my world rock,” during “Amity,” it is equal parts romantic and carefree. Overall, “XO” is an intimate album that is best enjoyed on a solitary sunset walk. Tears may or may not arise upon listening.
Jendayi Leben-Martin ’24
“Juno” (Hulu)
The idea that love only exists between two romantically involved people is an outdated one. There can be love between a father and his daughter, there can be love between two people who are in love yet unaware of it and there can be the love that a person holds for someone they’ve never met. The coming of age film “Juno” explores these kinds of love.
Named after its protagonist, “Juno” is about a 16 year old girl who gets pregnant and has to make a series of decisions about her future. Though the premise may sound serious, the film is hilarious and colorful, which is unsurprising considering that it includes performances from actors like Elliot Page, Micheal Cera and Jason Bates.
“Still Over It,” Summer Walker
As much as Valentine’s Day is reminiscent of love, hearts and candy for some, it also serves as a bitter reminder of failed relationships for others. If you are someone who buys boxes of chocolate to eat while crying and screaming the lyrics of their favorite breakup songs, “Still Over It” by Summer Walker is for you.
“Still Over It” is the predecessor of Walker’s second album, appropriately named “Over It.” While “Over It” portrays a woman indulging in different crushes, “Still Over It” is about her relationship with one of the crushes and her ensuing doubts about the relationship.