Favorite Romantic Movies Round 3 by Kristin Wallace

Okay, this month I get to review more romantic flicks in honor of Valentine’s Day, which we just celebrated on Friday. 

Be sure to check out my previous roundups if you want.

Volume 1

Volume 2

2020 Romantic Movie Review

While You Were Sleeping

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a lonely single cashier for the L-train who pines after the handsome man she sees taking the platform every day. When he’s attacked and falls onto the tracks, she saves him. At the hospital she gets mistaken for his fiancé and then she begins to fall in love…with her “fiancés” family, especially his brother Jack (Bill Pullman). 

Groundhog Day

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is a cynical weatherman who gets stuck (or cursed) to relive Groundhog Day over and over as he covers the annual Groundhog Day festival in Punxutawney, PA. This is one of the most innovative romantic comedies

I’ve ever seen, with a brilliantly funny performance and a sweet love story as Phil tries to woo the news station’s producer, Rita (Andie McDowell).

13 Going On 30

When a girl (Jenna Rinc) makes a wish to be “Thirty, Flirty and Thriving” on her 13^th birthday, she wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman (Jennifer Garner). She doesn’t remember anything about the intervening years. To help her put the pieces back together, she looks up her childhood friend, Matt (Mark Ruffalo). Turns out Jenna has the life she dreamed of, as an editor for a NY fashion magazine. Or does she? This is totally Jennifer Garner’s movie as she pulls off the feat of acting like a typical teenager, and as she slowly realizes the kind of life she really wanted.

Something’s Gotta Give

Diane Keaton is Erica Barry, a successful playwright and divorcee who seems perfectly happy on her own. Until her 20-something daughter brings home her new boyfriend…who happens to be a much older man (Jack Nicholson), who only dates young women. This is a great story about a “mature” couple finding each other and realizing they were both missing out on a real love.

The Proposal

Sandra Bullock again, only this time she plays Margaret Tate, a tough-as-nails senior editor at a book publisher. Turns out she’s Canadian and is unknowingly in the US illegally. In order to stay and keep her job, she ropes her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds). This story is unique as it’s the woman who has the power in the relationship. At least until Andrew takes Margaret home to meet his family…in Alaska. Hilarious and such great chemistry between the two leads who at first hate each other. A classic “hate turns to love” story.

The Princess Bride

I can’t believe I’ve never included this movie on my list! It’s one of the funniest movies of all time, but at its heart we can never forget that it is also the epic romantic tale of Westley “As you wish” and his beloved Buttercup. I’m sure most of you can quote some of the best lines. The cast is incredible, and every role is perfection. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, do yourself a favor watch it again. 

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. The Christmas in Shellwater Key boxes et will release this winter. If you're not tired of holiday romances, scoop up Christmas in Shellwater Key, a holiday boxed set with three Shellwater Key novellas (Finding You At Christmas, Falling For You At Christmas, and Loving You At Christmas). It's still available on Kindle Unlimited. 

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Favorite Romantic Movies Round 2...by Kristin Wallace

Last year for (post) Valentine’s Day, I wrote about my favorite romantic movies. I had so much fun that I decided to do follow-up with Round 2 of some classic rom-coms.

Crazy Rich Asians

We’ll start with a recent movie. This movie was a hug hit last year and was unique in that is featured an all-Asian cast. American Rachel falls in love with handsome Nick Young, not knowing he is basically royalty back home in Singapore. When she travels to Singapore for his friend’s wedding, she’s introduced to the life of the “crazy” rich. A modern fairy tale where Cinderella is smart and more than capable of standing up to his mother. 

You’ve Got Mail

Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan made the list last year with Sleepless in Seattle. In the story, a children’s book store owner is trying to save her store from the mega-bookstore opening around the corner. The two are also unknowingly talking in an online chat room. She doesn’t know he’s the guy putting her out of business. He doesn’t want to tell her once he finds out. Then he has to make her fall in love with him…the real him. Not the online version. (BTW, the choice of song makes even more sense when you know that You’ve Got Mail is a modern version of an old Judy Garland movie.

Notting Hill

“I’m just a girl, standing in front a boy, asking him to love her.” Only the “girl” is the most famous woman on the planet, played ironically by Julia Roberts. The “boy” is a regular Joe bookstore owner played by Hugh Grant. It’s sort of Cinderella in reverse, which is a nice twist. 

Sweet Home Alabama

An up-and-coming New York fashion designer, played by Reece Witherspoon, has gotten engaged to an amazing man (Patrick Dempsey!) Unfortunately, she never quite got divorced from her first husband. She must return to her Alabama hometown to get the divorce papers signed. But does she still love her childhood sweetheart? You bet she does!

Pretty In Pink

This was the peak of Molly Ringwald fame, not to mention one of the best 80s teen movies. Poor girl Andie is wooed by rich guy, Blane while her quirky best friend, Ducky, pines for her in secret. She sews a pink dress and gets the rich guy (although many secretly thought she should have ended up with Ducky). 

Enchanted

A Disney fairytale with a fun twist. Giselle is a classic Cinderella/Snow White-type girl in the animated world of Andalasia. She’s all set to marry her prince (after knowing him for 1 day). Before the wedding, the groom’s evil stepmother throws her down a well and she ends up in the real world of New York City…where she meets a gorgeous single father (Patrick Dempsey again!) 

So what do you think? Do you have a favorite romantic movie? Share it here!

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. Look for her upcoming release, an all new Palm Cove Tale, SECOND CHANCE HERO next month. 

Favorite Valentine’s Day Flicks by Kristin Wallace

Yes, Valentine’s Day is already over, but my blogging day on RTG happened to fall after the 14th. Still, I had a fun Valentine’s Day-themed idea so I’m running with it. My topic this month is…favorite romantic movies. Come to think of it, these movies can be watched all year long, so they still count.

Pride & Prejudice (any and all versions)

There are many version of this movie. The one you’re most likely to see on TV is the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett and Matthew Macfayden as Mr. Darcy. Some probably still prefer the classic BBC version starring our favorite ever Mr. Darcy, Colin Firth. I do like this newer movie adaptation, though. The chemistry between the two leads is pretty smoldering considering nothing really happens and we never get to see Matthew Macfayden rising out of a pond with a wet shirt clinging to his chest. I really believe his Darcy desires Lizzie, even down to him flexing his hand in reaction after he helps her into a carriage. Plus, it has hands-down the best hero entry in any movie ever, at the end where he strides across the field at dawn to claim his Lizzie.

Here it is in case you've forgotten how perfect this is...

10 Things I Hate About You

A teen movie that works on all fronts, mostly because of great performance of a young Heath Ledger. Julia Stiles is pretty good and I didn’t always like her as an actress. Of course, the story is a take on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew set in a modern high school. It’s Health Ledger’s job to make Julia Stiles fall in love so her younger sister can go out on a date. Here’s the best quote and the reason this movie made the list. “I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme. I hate it, I hate the way you’re always right. I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you didn’t call. But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.” —Kat (Stiles)  THAT’S GOOD WRITING!

When Harry Met Sally

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan come together for one of the best on-screen pairings ever. Harry and Sally meet when they share a ride to New York after college. She believes men and women can’t be friends because of the sex thing. She disagrees. They part, but eventually meet again. They try to be friends…but…well you have to watch to again to see what happens. This is where the classis “I’ll have what she’s having” line came from. It also features the best breakdown ever, when Sally falls apart after breaking up with her boyfriend and realizing “I’m gonna be forty…” in EIGHT YEARS.

Pretty Woman

Is it realistic in the least? No… Is it fun anyway? Yes. Julia Roberts became a star because of this movie and with good reason. Every moment in this movie is pretty perfect, from the aaaammmazng red dress, the revenge shopping on Rodeo Drive, to the end when the princess “rescues him right back.”

Say Anything

An 80s classic. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is in love with the perfect Diane Court (Ione Sky - whatever happened to her?). This made the list because Lloyd brings us the classic ‘holding a boom box over his head while blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” scene. 

Dirty Dancing

If last year’s disastrous attempt at a Dirty Dancing update starring the girl who was once “Little Miss Sunshine” taught us anything it’s that you never mess with the original. Was the original Dirty Dancing the most perfect movie ever? Was the acting amazing? Maybe not, but it had Patrick Swayze and his hips. It also had monster chemistry between him and co-star Jennifer Grey, even though it’s been said they hated each other during the shooting of the movie. It also had the lift in the water…Patrick Swayze dancing…baby carrying a watermelon…Patrick Swayze dancing…that song...and she does the lift...and Patrick Swayze dancing!

 Sleepless In Seattle

If ever there was an onscreen romantic comedy couple that should’ve been a couple in real life (at least in our hearts) it’s Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This movie is a Christmas favorite, but also just a favorite any time. A lonely widower Sam tells a radio talk show how much he misses his deceased wife and every woman in America vows to help him get over his grief. Including Annie from Baltimore. I love, love, love this movie for all time. (Please ignore the translation to whatever language that is at the bottom. This was the only clip of this that I could find.)

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones, who’s in love with her bad boy boss (Hugh Grant), but really belongs with Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth). It’s based on a really funny book, which in turn is based on Pride & Prejudice…hence Mr. Darcy…place by THE Mr. Darcy from the classic BBC version mentioned earlier. It’s funny and sweet and just plain perfect.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

This movie made Hugh Grant a star. It is funny, funny, funny A group of friends attend 4 weddings…and a funeral. In the process Hugh Grant falls in love with American Andie MacDowell. Each wedding is more ridiculous than the last. If you don’t laugh at Mr. Bean officiating a wedding and making a hash of it while uttering phrases like, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Goat” you just might be dead.

Now it's your turn. Do you have a favorite romantic movie? Share your pick here!

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two best selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). Watch for her new series, launching this April, The Heiress Games. Book 1 (Least Likely Heiress) is available for pre-order now on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

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True Love Runs Smooth?

by Diana McCollum

The course of true love never did run smooth ~ William Shakespeare

This statement by William Shakespeare is so true. In songs, especially country western, in theater, in movies, on T.V. and in books, love never runs smoothly. And would we want it to?

Copyright : Vladimir Salman 

I think not. If it ran smoothly, boy would meet girl, and it would be a straight shot to boy and girl live happily ever after. There would be no journey, nothing to root for, we’d probably turn off the TV, walk out of the theater (because it would be a really short play), or throw the book at the wall.

Why would we want to read, listen or watch something like that? We wouldn’t. The more conflict and obstacles our hero and heroine have to overcome the sweeter the reward of their happily ever after for the audience.

Shakespeare in his wisdom new this inherently and used it wisely in his works.

Now if you’re talking REAL life, we probably do want our relationships to run smoothly. But they don’t always, and we learn from each experience, disagreement or argument. I think there would be something WRONG with a relationship where there was no conflict at all. The give and take in a relationship is how we learn to compromise, and gains respect toward our partners.

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Can you think of a movie, TV show or book where the romance was obstacle free?

I love “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Fifty 1^st dates”, “When Harry Met Sally”, and “Enough Said” just to name a few. All these movies had conflict or obstacles to overcome.

What is your favorite love story: movie or book?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!