For the romantic inside everyone

I won’t argue with anyone who calls me a cynic: I seek out patterns, prefer tangible evidence to emotional claims, and generally speaking, am quite scientific in my overall decision making process.

But if you were to strip away the rational, logical layers of my mind, what you’d find is a hopeless romantic*. Yes– I love seeing people saying goodbye in the airport and little old couples who are still crazy about each other after 50 years together. That said, it’s worth mentioning that I have a lower tolerance for cheesy lines and contrived moments than some of my friends, but I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for a well crafted Hollywood love story. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day– a holiday dedicated to the institution of love– I’ve carefully compiled a list of my five favorite movie kisses. On behalf of the romantic that I believe is inside us all, here they are:

5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999): 
No, I’m not kidding. Think about it for a second– paintball, a roll in the hay, and Semisonic– need I say more? Other notable romantic moments in that flick; Heath Ledger singing ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You‘ to Julia Stiles– accompanied by a marching band. Yes.

4. Spiderman (2002):
I know that this particular scene shows up in quite a few “best kiss” lists, but there’s clearly a basis behind its repeat appearances– classics are classics for a reason. The anonymity… the rain.. the upside-downess… you just can’t argue with any part of that.

3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): 
First of all, if you haven’t seen this movie, we’re not speaking until you do. Beside being on my favorites, this is one of the most romantic movies of all time, period. It makes sense then that it’s final scene ends with one of the most romantic kisses of all time. Audrey Hepburn is perfect, George Peppard is perfect, the rain** is perfect, and the cat is, you guessed it, perfect. Enjoy.

2. Slumdog Millionaire (2008): 
I know it seems like a cop out to put such a recent movie on this list, but let me explain. The beauty of this moment is situational; through the movie Jamal and Latika’s love is purely psychological. I feel that Hollywood tends to use physical intimacy to solidify its portrayal of love, so the fact that director  Danny Boyle manages to create such a beautifully convincing love story without so much as a peck on the cheek is amazing to me. The film ends at the simple moment that Jamal and Latika’s lips first touch– I know that I could be wrong, but to me, this sweet, chaste conclusion does more to illustrate the nature of human love than anything else I’ve seen. Note: I couldn’t find a way to embed the whole last, but I’ll tell you right now that the buildup to that last moment makes it 82% better. If you’re feeling sentimental, here it is.

AND my favorite movie kiss of all time is….

[drumroll, please]

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1. Lady and the Tramp (1955): 
I just don’t think it gets better than this– the music, the stars, and accidental nose bump when they unknowingly share the same noodle combine to make what is in my humble opinion, the most romantic movie kiss of all time. And the cherry on top? The fact that the Tramp offers Lady the last meatball. God, it just melts my heart.

*Note: hopeless romantic is just a nice way of saying ridiculous sap.


** I know, I know… rain again, but for some reason inclement weather just does it for me. 

Need a last minute Valentine’s gift?

Sorry, I don’t have an answer. And nor does the lovely Ellen Degeneres. Here’s a quick treat in preparation for my fourth* favorite holiday**– Valentine’s day. That  said, I’ll be alone tomorrow so expect an epic post.

* 5. Fourth of July, 4. Valentine’s day, 3. Thanksgiving, 2. Christmas, 1. My Birthday


** So I realize that ‘holiday’ is sort of a relative term and that Valentine’s day doesn’t really exist outside of America, but I don’t mind that we’ve commercialized it. The way I see it, all the fuss just means that everyone in our fine country has to celebrate love. And I love love. 

Words to live by…

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you”

-Winnie the Pooh

Likes & Dislikes

Things I Like:

• Celebrities* who give their children real names: Personally, I just don’t follow the school of though that allows famous people to name kids things like Blanket or Pilot Inspecktor.
• True love**
• Glee: I love this show so much that I catch myself wishing that they’d just release the DVD instead of making me wait 7 days between episodes. Those bitches.
• Crate & Barrel***

Things I Dislike:

• Canned tuna
• The whole Jon & Kate drama: I just feel bad for the kids and I’d offer to boycott all tabloids that feature them on the cover except for the fact that I just don’t have that kind of self control.
• Horror movies: Horror movies are either so bad that you want to subject yourself to a gruesome death rather than watch them, or scary. I’m sorry but neither option really appeals to me.
• Milk as a beverage****

* Sarah Michelle Gellar recently gave birth to her first, a baby girl called Charlotte Grace. Lovely and normal name, right? Anyway, I thought it was interesting that such an obscure celebrity keeps cropping up in my ‘likes’ column– I featured her a while ago for owning a non-puntable dog. So yeah, kudos to her.

** I got so overwhelmed trying to elaborate on this that I think I have to do a whole entry devoted to true love. So yeah, coming soon.. or something.

*** While Crate & Barrel takes the cake because of their exclusive marimekko designs (see above link/ picture of bedspread for proof), this like also applies to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, and [obviously] IKEA.

****As an accompaniment to cereal? Sure. As a component in yogurt? Great. Pancakes? Awesome. Ice Cream? Yes, please. By itself? Absolutely not. I’m sorry but that’s just fucking disgusting.