Yeah, I know Valentine’s Day is officially over but I’m still in a hearts and flowers state of mind here, so bear with me. Still feelin’ the Valentine spirit! Love is in the air on almost every channel on tv during February and over the past few days I’ve tried to watch as many gooey, mooshey, make-me-swoon movies as possible. Pure heaven for a romantic gal like me. Nothing does it for me quite like a three hanky movie that makes me laugh, makes me sigh, and gets me geared up to write my OWN romances. These days, since my daughter is off in college, I’m on my own in the romantic movie department. Mr. Regina doesn’t like anything that doesn’t feature exploding heads and lots of ick. That’s okay with me. I can go it solo. I’ll have my romance with popcorn please and a box of tissues on the side.
My favorites are historical romances, especially those based on books by Jane Austen. Who couldn’t love the scene at the end of Sense and Sensibilities where Edward (Hugh Grant) professes his love to Eleanor (Emma Thompson)? I swear, I have watched this one a million times and I cry each time…right along with Eleanor. And who couldn’t love the angst, the passion, the twists and turns of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett with their complicated personalities and mutual craving for that most basic need of all-love? Even Emma, the darling matchmaker who is so busy putting others together that she doesn’t recognize a love that has been right in front of her all along! They are movies that take me to another place, in another time and I can’t get enough of them. I suppose I should mention Gone With the Wind. Yes, it’s a classic and features the best movie kiss of all time…kiss me, Scarlet, kiss me… but, damn it, I can’t. No happy ending and that is a must for me. Maybe that’s why I can’t get into Nicholas Sparks…his books or the movies based on them. They are too heart-wrenching. Yes, I know that real life isn’t hearts and roses. It’s often painful and hard but I sure as hell don’t want painful and hard in my entertainment.
Which brings me to funny.
I’ve decided I want to be Nora Ephron when I grown up. The woman writes and directs some of the funniest stuff ever and I can’t get enough of her, especially when her work features Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, a modern-day version of Tracy and Hepburn. Give me Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail and I’m a happy camper.
So Mr. Regina can keep his blood and guts, I’m fixing snacks and popping The Princess Bride into my dvd player.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Sometimes the blood and guts is okay. I laughed and laughed at Zombieland.
But… I have to say that my fave romance movie is The Wedding Date. And I hate that redhead. I just luuuuurve Dermot Mulroney though. And the character he played was straight out of a romance novel. Rawr.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Yeah…sometimes I can go with blood and guts but not ALL THE TIME. To Mr. Regina that’s LIVING. snicker. Do you remember My Best Friend’s Wedding? That was hysterical. Dermot was a sexy beast in that one and Julia Roberts (AND Cameron Diaz) were a riot!
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 5:19 am
I used to love the blood and guts movies, but now I can’t watch them. I’m a sap for the mushy love stories and romantic comedies.
amber skyze´s last blog ..Happy Valentine’s Day
February 15th, 2010 at 7:17 am
For me it just depends on what kind of mood I am in anyway.
Dianna´s last blog ..What Should I Do?
February 15th, 2010 at 8:33 am
I’m SOMETMES in the mood for blow em up stuff but not usually. Guess I just prefer something warm or funny and warm.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Romance is a wonderful thing. I enjoy, like you, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, but also classic 30s and 40s films.
I like HEA in film, but don’t necessarily require it in my book-reading choices (HFN works OK in books).
I also agree that the Colin Firth / Kiera Knightley Pride & Prejudice is just completely swoonworthy.
I write mostly HEA romance myself. It’s delightful to bring happiness to people I’ve created. LOL.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:13 am
HFN doesn’t usually do it for me. That kind of goes with the Gone With the Wind Thing. I mean, it’s left open and you FEEL that maybe Rhett and Scarlet will get back together but you don’t KNOW. I wanted to know at the end. Ooooh and I love Pride and Prejudice. The new one with Keira Knightly is my favorite and just so well done. That scene near the end when he comes walking across the pasture at dawn with the fog swirling is to die for.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 9:40 am
I LOVE any movie with Meg and Tom opposite each other!! Same with Julia and Richard:)
February 15th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Ohh…favorite romance movie? My favorite of all time is “Now, Voyager” with Bette Davis and Paul Henreid. THE ultimate love story.
Not a physical love affair, but one perfect match, a once-in-a-lifetime connection. A man buys a simple bottle of perfume and lends a shoulder to a woman and … voila … a bond is created that can’t be broken.
And the wonderful line….”…let’s not ask for the moon, when we have the stars.” Ah….
Carol´s last blog ..Eat Your Heart Out, Carrie Bradshaw……
February 15th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Notorious are two of the most romantic movies ever made, I think. Eternal because, come on, if losing someone hurts so much that you want to erase your memories of them and then *fight* to keep those memories, ya know you’re in deep. And Notorious for obvious reasons. Ingrid Bergman damn near kills herself trying to help Cary Grant. They’re both so preoccupied with their duty that they nearly lose each other. ::happy sigh:: So beautiful…
February 15th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Molly, I MISS movies with Tom and Meg. They don’t do them anymore and I wish they’d do more. They are always standards for me though. There’s just something about Tom that makes me smile. Guys like that who are tender and funny are totally swoonworthy.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Oooh yes. Julia and Richard. Aren’t they perfect together? Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I’m not a big fan of romantic movies, which is probably odd considering I write romance. LOL Usually, there has to be some laughs thrown in, like with Baby Mama.
Very pretty blog, btw.
Anne Rainey´s last blog ..Tempting Grace, Vaughn series, book 4
February 15th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I love Now Voyager too. OMG, it’s been a long time since I’ve watched a black and white. Like Casablanca! Another good one. And then there is An Affair to Remember (Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr). That was in color but ooooh.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:15 am
I can’t BELIEVE I haven’t seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but damn it sounds good. Isn’t Jim Carey in that one?
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Hey Anne! I remember you blogging about watching Baby Mama with your girls and I caught it a few days ago. It’s the cutest movie! Of course there is some pretty good romance going on in that one too!
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Yup! It’s him, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Kate Winslet, and Tom (whose last name I can’t remember). Jim Carey really stretches his acting chops in this one.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Two of my favourite romantic movies ~ and I need my HEA’s ’cause otherwise what’s the point ~ are LadyHawke (comedy & romance.. beautiful) and While You Were Sleeping.
But I’m also a huge Jane Austen fan, so movies made from her books? Winners all.
Love the post Regina!
Kathy K´s last blog ..Poll on ebook pricing
February 15th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Ohhhh yesyesyes. I remembered Kate Winslet was in this but Mark Ruffalo? OMG I love him. Reminds me of several other movies he has been in. I loved the one with him and Jennifer Garner. Was it 13 Going on 30? Something like that? If someone remembers, tell me or it’ll drive me nuts.So cute. I also loved him in the movie with Reese Witherspoon. She was a ghost (actually in a coma in the hospital) and he was a widower.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Yeah, Kathy, I love those too and is there anyone prettier than Michelle Pfeiffer? I love her and Ladyhawke was just beautiful and tragic but with the happy ending I love.
I’ll watch anything with Sandra Bullock. While you were Sleeping was the best movie and I’ll watch it anytime it’s on. She was just so lonely and sweet.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I loved both Pride and Prejudices…1949 and Keira’s version, which was closer to the actual book.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Who was in the 1949 version? I swear I can’t remember. I keep thinking Merl Oberon and Lawrence Olivier but no, that was Wuthering Heights. Damn it. I totally GET why Keira Knightly was up for the Oscar for P&P. She was perfect in the role.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Thanks for the compliment on the blog, Anne. I really like the new look I came up with for it. Bright and sexy.
Lex´s last blog ..Auld Lang Syne
February 15th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
But Regina, what about those action movies where the hero saves the heroine and the world. Star Wars! Lots of shoot ‘em ups in that one. Or what about The Terminator–there’s a love story in that one. A lot of action movies have love stories.
And I know you don’t like the tear jerkers, but what about Braveheart. Talk about bloody! But my God, so romantic. And here’s another tearjerker for you. Message in a Bottle. I’m misting up just writing that title.
Great blog, Regina! Love your FAB debut!
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 15th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Damn it, Tess. You are purposed confusing me. LOL. Actually I was thinking about Lord of the Rings this morning. That was very romantic wasn’t it. There ARE action films with romance. There are action movies with just sex and no romance. I just don’t like em too bloody and as for Braveheart? I love that one but can’t watch the last 20 minutes. I refuse. No one kills William Wallace in front of ME.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Ummm. Purposely. You are PURPOSELY confusing me. snicker. Damn, it has been Monday all day.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Oo, I loved Eternal Sunshine too. Last of the Mohicans is incredible when I’m in a historical frame of mind. I finally finally watched The Bishop’s Wife because I’d heard so much about it, and Cary Grant was absolutely perfect as the angel who fell in love. Ahhhh.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Regina–yeah, it was 13 Going on 30. LOVE that movie!! “Matty! It’s Thriller!”
Cate–Cary Grant is perfect in everything he does. ; ) Notorious…The Philadelphia Story…Bringing Up Baby…Arsenic and Old Lace…etc etc
February 15th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
I love all of the Jane Austen movies they’ve made lately and Last of the Mohicans makes my knees weak. Ladyhawke and Romancing the Stone are my two favorite oldie but goodies;-)
February 15th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
hahahahahahaha…Ijust love confusing you. And yes,
Lord of the Rings was incredibly romantic.
Tess MacKall´s last blog ..Hello world!
February 15th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Ooooh. Last of the Mohicans. I think I’m gonna put that soundtrack on my ipod. How inspirational. That was a perfect movie and DDL soooo yummy.
Regina Carlysle´s last blog ..Love is in the Air
February 15th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I like horror but not so much the guts. One of the cutest scenes is in Dance with Me…When old boy is dying off from being soaked by the sprinklers….and he comments on the fact that Vanessa’s man left her when she was pegnant…oh mt dayum!!!
February 16th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Loved Sense and Sensibility!
February 16th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Loved the end of An Officer and A Gentleman when Richard walks into the plant and scoops Debra off her feet and out into the sunset. I get teary everytime.
February 17th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I still love Gone With The Wind. Especially now that I’ve seen the sequel and know they get back together.
I’ve never read or seen Sense and Sensibility but it looks like I need to rush out and get it. Sounds like my kind of story.
I don’t like Nicholas Spark’s stuff, either. Damn, but I want my happy ending! GWTW is an exception in my book.
I love Pride & Prejudice, The Stand, and a number of others.
Ashley Ladd´s last blog ..Procrastination