The 10 Most Romantic Movies For Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air! Well, at least I hope it is in the air! And if it is not, well then I hope one of the movies I have listed below will help things out a little bit! I have to admit, I am a sucker for a good romantic movie. It can be a traditional romance or a romantic comedy; but either way, I tend to leave the theater just a little teary eyed. Before you continue rolling your eyes, allow me to present my own personal selections for the Top 10 Most Romantic Movies!

10) 'Love Affair' & the remakes (sort of) it helped to create 'An Affair to Remember' and 'Sleepless In Seattle' - 'Love Affair' is the classic from director Leo McCarey, who actually remade his own film it into an 'Affair to Remember', a timeless tale of man meets woman, they fall in love, part and agree to reunite 6 months later only to have tragedy and life keep them apart.  Remade with Cary Grant and Deborah Carr and then envisioned by Nora Ephron's 'Sleepless in Seattle' with Tom hanks and Meg Ryan. If you don't get teary eyed up with any of these, you are just a piece of stone! 

 9) 'Say Anything' - Who hasn't thought about lifting a boombox (I miss those) over your head and blaring 'In Your Eyes' to show your potential girlfriend just how you feel?!? Director Cameron Crowe delivers one of the most romantic, romantic comedies in years! John Cusak became a star with this role.

8) 'When Harry Met Sally' - Rob Reiner's classic starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as two friends who are in love but just don't realize it! Written by the queen of romance, Nora Ephron; Meg Ryan will be forever immortalized for her restaurant scene. And if you don't know what I am talking about or have never seen it; rent it tonight!

7) 'Pretty Woman' & 'Notting Hill' - Not really very similar other than they both star Julia Roberts, so they are tied in my mind. 'Pretty Woman' is the now classic tale of love conquering all, even the obvious threats of a STD! 'Notting Hill' is the study of an everyday bookshop owner who happens to fall in love with a mega-star and her trip back to humanity! While I am being a bit sarcastic; the work of Roberts, Hugh Grant and Richard Gere all save both movies from fading into oblivion.

6) 'The Last of the Mohicans' - If only for one of the most romantic lines ever: "I will find you. No matter how long it takes. No matter how far. I will find you." Sensual, lush and thrilling, Director Michael Mann proves he knows how to make a romantic movie! It doesn't hurt when you have Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeline Stowe as your leads!

5) 'West Side Story' - The Oscar winning musical that bought the tale of Romeo and Juliet to awe inspiring life through the eyes of two star crossed lovers separated by prejudice and society. With some of the finest musical performances around, stunning dance sequences and a timeless score; 'West Side Story' immortalized Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer.

4) 'Love Actually' - With over a dozen main characters, 'Love Actually' is quickly becoming a holiday favorite and is the directorial debut of Richard Curtis, the writer behind 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. It's a interwoven tale of several people all weaving their way into each other's hearts over the course of a Christmas day in London. With so much going on, much of it forced, you would think this wouldn't be as good as it really is! That is the power of the irresistible acting and the terrific dialogue. It all rises above the sentimentality to make a terrific movie!

3) 'You've Got Mail' - Another Nora Ephron creation that while mostly fluff, is one of the most pleasant romantic comedies in some time. I dare you not to smile at Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan, who prove once again that their effortless charm and warmth will carry any film! Supported by a terrific soundtrack that just tugs at every heart string, 'You've Got Mail' is a classic for this digital age!

2) 'The Notebook' - Ryan Gosling made every woman wish their husband or boyfriend was someone else. In the film that introduced us to Rachel McAdams, it follows the love story of a couple who meet in the 1940's and struggle to overcome economic as well as social impasses; also featuring the superb James Garner and Gena Rowlands, it is one of the few Nicolas Sparks adapted movies that is worth the price of a box of tissue (that you will need for the end).

1) 'Casablanca' - A woman walks into a bar and requests a tune, the owner chides the pianist for playing "that song", the bar owner and the woman's eyes meet....so starts one of the most beloved, most quoted, most romantic film of all time. Filled with intrigue, rich dialogue, beautifully shot scenes and two of the most memorable characters in Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, each and every scene will leave you breathless. No matter how many times I have seen this film, I fall in love with it again and again.

Now I am well aware that I may have left out your favorite (yes, I did not include 'Titanic', it was just too pandering for me!)! Please feel free to add to the list!