My Top 10 Valentine's Movie List

If you're already gearing up for Valentine's Day, February 14 would not be complete without watching a marathon of the ultimate romantic movies of all time.  Sure, your partner may only be able to deal with watching one or two films before he maxes out on weepy moments, but if it were up to me, I can spend an entire day kicking back with my favorites.  

Here are 10 films that'll get you in the mood for romance, laughter and plenty of tears...

1.  Sleepless in Seattle - It doesn't matter that I've seen this Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks film at least 50 times. There is nothing that quite compares to watching Annie (Meg Ryan) fall in love with Sam (Hanks), a widower who tries to patch his life back together by moving to Seattle with his son Jonah.  Sure they've never met before, but all it takes is hearing Sam's voice on the "Marcia Fieldstone" show and Annie instantly discovers that Sam is "the one."

2.  When Harry Met Sally - Okay - sure you probably see a pattern here, but I can't help it.  I adore Meg Ryan as Sally - perhaps since my eating habits are exactly the same (dressing on the side at all times) and still find myself laughing uncontrollably at  the infamous fake "O" scene in Katz's deli.  

3.  An Officer and a Gentleman - Get the kleenex handy for this five hanky romantic drama starring Debra Winger and Richard Gere.  I don't know if it's the music that gets me every time ("Up Where We Belong,") or the tragedy that takes place at the end of the film. If you've never seen it, I won't give away the ending, but trust me, this film will have you sobbing.

4.  Pretty Woman - Richard Gere is back again and this time it's as a multi-millionaire who hires Vivian, a prostitute, as a companion while he's away on business.  Of course, Vivian (played by Julia Roberts), gets an incredible makeover (love the "Big mistake" line in that upscale Beverly Hills boutique) and gets Gere to fall in love with her. 

5.  War of the Roses - Sure this technically starts out as a romantic comedy and then turns into a vicious love/hate marriage between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, but something about this dynamic couple always gets me.  My all time favorite scene - when they're both hanging from the chandelier at the end of the film.  

6. Flashdance - Another rich guy falls in love with a girl from the other side of the tracks film which will have you singing the entire album (yes, album, not CD) by the end of the movie.  I love Jennifer Beals as Alex, an iron worker by day and an exotic dancer by night who dreams of making it into Julliard - come on - that could totally happen.

7. Dirty Dancing - That's right girlfriends.  Nobody, and I mean nobody puts "Baby in the corner."  Another classic film that I've watched at least 100 times.  I remember first seeing this film when I was 16 years old and I totally wanted to be Baby.  I even bought cut off denim shorts, wore tops that I could tie in a knot and took dance lessons.  I never did marry a merengue dancer named Johnny but I doubt Baby did either.

8.  Casablanca - If you're in the mood for a classic, then catch Humphrey Bogart and lngrid Bergman in the most romantic film of all time.  Who can forget this classic line:  "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not on it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon and for the rest of your life."  

9.  Titanic - I still remember the first time my husband and I saw this film.  We had no idea we were in for a three-hour experience and that I would be a pile of mush at the end, but nothing can compare to the love story between a poor, handsome stowaway (Leonardo Dicaprio) and a privileged young woman (Kate Winslet) who's about to become engaged to a really obnoxious man.  Just thinking about the end of that film gets me all weepy inside!

10.  Jerry Maguire - No top 10 movie list would be complete without Tom Cruise and this one is by far one of my favorites (aside from "Risky Business" of course).  Cruise stars as a down on his luck sports agent who falls for single mom Dorothy Boyd, played Renee Zelweger.  Two of the best movie lines ever:  "You had me at hello" and the classic, "Show me the money!" 

And here's a bonus movie tip if you're spending Valentine's Day with your family...

11.  Gnomeo and Juliet - Sure, this one may not your top list of Valentine's Day must see's but if it turns out that you can't get a sitter and you're planning to spend Valentine's weekend with your kids, then I say take them to this 3D animated romantic comedy starring James McAvoy and Emily Blunt.