Well, Valentine’s Day is coming up this Sunday and we at IndieGala have a great selection of video games and movies for this holliday. Just in case you want to skip the usual route and decide to stay home. Which is honestly a good idea, since there’s still a Pandemic outside, and staying in is your safest bet.
So whether you choose Netflix as your source of entertainment or your PlayStation console we have solutions for both. And yes. Valentine’s Day is usually a day of celebrating love, but we’re doing things differently now. We’re going with a list of a rather peculiar movie that doesn’t usually scream Valentine’s Day (well some of them do actually). It’s a mixed bag and we think you’ll appreciate our „outside the box“ approach.
But first, a thing or two about some games.
Great Selection Of Games For Valentine’s Day
Well, unlike the unusual pick of Valentine’s Day movies, the selection of video games is eclectic here. First and foremost there’s Love Alchemy: A Heart In Winter. An oldie but a goodie of a game. Or if adult-themed games are your fancy we have plenty of those too. Quite a lot actually. And among those, there’s the ever fun Leisure Suit Larry, and his pursuit of love. Or just a good time. And yes, they’re even on sale. Whatever you fancy, we have it here at IndieGala. And all you have to do is click, scroll and take your pick. You won’t be disappointed we promise.
Unusual Picks For Unusual Valentine’s Day?
Well, much like with our Christmas movies list, I’m continuing the trend of unusual movies to put in my post. Indeed, 2021 may not be as bad as 2020 (at least we hope it won’t be), but I’m staying true to my unusual movie theme. And like with the aforementioned Christmas post, I’m also going to include unusual Valentine’s Day movies. Movies that are quirky, weird, or downright unusual in the tone or structure. And yes, some of them are optimistic, because there’s still optimism in all of us. But let’s not beat around the bush.
So, with the unusual theme in mind… Let’s start with the list, shall we?.
Punch Drunk Love
One of my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movies. And a movie that turned Adam Sandler into a respectable actor (albeit for a brief moment). The role of Barry even got him a Golden Globe nomination. And yes, Adam is Barry here. A lonely bachelor who will hook up with Lena (Emily Watson), A co-worker of his sister. But plenty of other things will unravel for Barry as the movie goes on, and he will eventually get himself in a little bit of a pickle. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman is in this movie as well, and so is another PTA frequent collaborator Luis Guzman.
I Love Punch Drunk Love, however, it’s no match to my all time favorite PTA movie. Magnolia. I’m sorry but it is. And even to this day Judd Apatow, Barry Jenkins and Taika Waititi, Owen Wilson and Timothée Chalamet cite it as one of their favorite films.
Fun fact: Paul Thomas Anderson refers to this film as “an arthouse Adam Sandler film”.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jim Carey and Kate Winslet really shine here, don’t they? And yes, this is one of my all-time favorite movies even though it’s about anything but finding lasting love. It’s in fact about falling out of love, and erasing the memories of the partner’s existence. Jim and Kate are Joel and Clementine. Polar opposites who after their break up will try out a new medical procedure of erasing the memory of each other. It’s sad, it’s a fun and a fantastic movie that every fin buff needs to see.
Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo offer great spunk and quirkiness in the supporting roles, and Charlie Kauffman’s script is a true marvel. I adore this movie.
Fun fact: Kate Winslet mentioned to Empire Magazine this was her own favorite performance.
Amelie
Unlike the pessimistic view and cynicism of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie is a ray of sunshine. It’s a bright, warm and optimistic movie when it comes to love. See? I told you there will be bright and bubbly optimistic movies. Oh, and I love Audrey Tautou’s performance in the titular role too. 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Amelie, and I just had to include it on this list.
Not to mention, the beautiful and whimsical depiction of Paris, just adds to the charm of the movie. And yes, Amelie is about Amelie. A young yet lonely woman from Paris who will eventually find joy in making little side-missions to help the people around her. It’s a wonderful movie that needs another viewing, especially on Valentine’s Day.
Fun fact: After the movie, the chairs from the outside of Café Des Deux Moulins were changed to avoid being stolen.
The War of the Roses
Not a very romantic choice, but I warned you that this is a mixed bag of a movie list. And yes, The War of the Roses is probably the oldest movie on this list. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t belong here. Despite the fact that it’s mainly about an acrimonious divorce between a seemingly perfect couple. Directed by Danny DeVito and with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in the lead roles, this is a great movie. And a great black comedy as well. It’s a must-watch movie from the ’80s.
Fun fact: Oliver and Barbara Rose were married for 17 years.
The Lobster
Another black comedy, but with a dash of surrealism in it. This is Yorgos Lanthimos’s dystopian love story, and yes, it belongs here. Because of the weird nature of the story, and because it’s optimistic tone underneath all that weirdness.
Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz star in the lead roles, as two singletons who attempt to form a relationship. Or else they get transformed into an animal in a little over a month. So with borrowed time, they need to hurry up. Indeed, The Lobster is an acquired taste, but once you get the hang of Lanthimos’s style and sense of humor… You’re in good hands here. Another movie that I highly recommend.
Fun fact: The production worked almost entirely with natural light and without makeup. Lighting was only used for some night scenes.
What’s Your Favorite Valentine’s Day Movie?
Let us know in the comment section. What’s your go-to movie for Valentine’s Day? Are you more traditional when it comes to picking movies for this day? Or are you willing to choose something unusual and off-kilter? We’d love to know.
