Seton Hall students suggest movies to admire with your Valentine

You and your partner just returned from a romantic evening. 

After your stomach-stuffing Valentine’s date night dinner, you both just want to relax the rest of the night. You decide to put on a movie to end the evening. There’s just one problem: you have no idea what to watch. 

To avoid this conundrum, Seton Hall students share movie recommendations to watch this Valentine’s Day weekend. 

‘A Charlie Brown Valentine’

There are many Charlie Brown films that correspond to different holidays, Valentine’s Day being amongst them. 

Genevieve Noble, a freshman biology major, said that her favorite romance film is “A Charlie Brown Valentine.” 

Noble rewatches it every year because of her love for Snoopy and the movie’s cozy vibe. Snoopy’s voice actor is from her hometown, which she mentioned as being another reason she is connected to the film.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Another film Noble recommended for a Valentine’s Day watch is “Crazy Rich Asians.” 

The film is her go-to romance movie because it does a good job of conveying its message to fall in love with someone for their character. 

Despite that, she said she does not believe that the movie accurately represents her personality or her love life.

‘The Great Gatsby’

Conversely, Aniyah May, a sophomore occupational therapy major, said that her favorite movie is “The Great Gatsby” because it reflects how she loves.

“The way that Gatsby yearns, I feel like that’s how I yearn,” May said. 

She said she also loves the film for its depiction of the romance between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, “and how he threw these grand parties every time, every night, in hopes that she’d come to one of them.”

‘The Notebook’ 

Liandra Taylor, a sophomore occupational therapy major, recommended a classic romance film: “The Notebook.” She noted the cheating and overall messy dynamics between its characters. 

The film begins with an older gentleman reading a love story to a woman in a nursing home about two young lovers, Allie Hamilton, of a rich and affluent background, and Noah Calhoun, a no-good blue-collar young man. 

The pair is separated by Allie’s disapproving family, and Allie almost marries someone new, until she sees a news article headlining a picture of Noah standing in front of the house he promised to build her. 

The reunion creates twists for the couple, as well as the storyteller and the old woman, and the story proves to be more real than it first appears.  

‘The Proposal’

Taylor favors the less-dramatic romance film, “The Proposal,” over “The Notebook.” Being a lighthearted rom-com, she said this film is “more her jam.” 

This movie features a star-studded cast, with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock in a fake-dating plot. Bullock’s character, Margaret Tate, is a powerful book editor on the verge of losing her visa, so she forces her assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her. The pair has to travel to Alaska to meet Paxton’s family and fool a very suspicious immigration agent.

The ploy, once entirely fictitious, quickly fosters real feelings. The film’s fast pace and wit make it an easy watch for students.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’

However, there are also movies that aren’t necessarily romantic, but are childhood throwbacks that some recommend for Valentine’s Day rewatches. 

One film that fits this category, “How to Train Your Dragon,” was recommended by Noble. She said she considers the “How to Train Your Dragon” movies one of her all-time favorite movie franchises. 

Despite not being a romance film, she believes that Hiccup and Astrid’s love for each other encapsulates what Valentine’s Day is all about. 

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

May also brings up “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which chronicles the life of a man who is born elderly, and ages backwards for the rest of his life. 

While there are romantic elements of the movie, the parts that stood out to May were Daisy Fuller’s enduring love for Benjamin. 

“She was still caring for him because, obviously, she had that love for him,” May said.

‘The Wedding Singer’

Brendan Blaesser, a sophomore neuroscience major, finds this film to be both heartwarming and relaxing for couples and singles alike. 

Robbie Hart, played by Adam Sandler, is surrounded by love, working as a wedding singer after he is left at the altar at his own wedding. Heartbroken, he meets Julia, who is currently engaged to a business snob, and finds a new motivation to win her over before she marries the wrong man.

“It’s nice for a chill night,” Blaesser said.

‘When Harry Met Sally’

Michelina Hodgens, a junior visual and sound media major, said that while traditionally a fall movie, “When Harry Met Sally” has an undeniable romantic quality, perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

Harry Burns, played by the late Billy Crystal, and Sally Albright, played by Meg Ryan, are two friends who have navigated 12 years of polarized opinions on whether or not men and women can “just be friends.” The unlikely pair discovers more about themselves and their friendship than they ever thought possible.

Whether you’re into rom-coms,  classics or anti-Valentine’s Day movies, hopefully one can find the perfect film to watch with their partner this Valentine’s Day.

Hasini Gokavarapu is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at hasini.gokavarapu@student.shu.edu

Rhyleigh Russell is the assistant editor for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at rhyleigh.russell@student.shu.edu.