Guess what I've got in the corner of my bedroom, on top of the dresser?
Yep, one of these...
And one of these, too...
Yes, in the bedroom! Why not!
If you can possibly afford it, get you one of those HDTV wide screen televisions. (Not the projector kind- get like a 34" flat screen 16:9 number). They have come way down in price and can be had for well under $1,000! Then get an inexpensive DVD player, hook it all up. Just do it! And put it...not in the living room... ...but in your bedroom!
I know, I know... "But the kids won't get to see it much"...
Well, so what! Get them a 26-incher and stick it in the living room. And then, promise them... when they grow up and get a job, they can have their very own widescreen TV in their bedroom!
In the meantime, turn your bedroom into your own private theater... What a luxury... what a self-indulgent, pleasurable thing to do. You DESERVE it... You work hard for the money... so enjoy it.
MOVIETIME- BEST DATE MOVIES & BEST CHICK FLICKS
This is an easy one... movies are great! We all love 'em...They'll make you laugh...and cry...and think...and put you in the mood. Make them a part of your intimate life together.
A night out, dinner and a movie, is great on occasion... but this is one of our favorite "nights in":
Rent a great DVD
Pop some popcorn & make root beer floats, or
Make a platter (sliced summer sausage, cheese cubes, hot & sweet mustard, pickles, olives, crackers)
Pour some good wine
Cut all the lights & turn off the phone
And settle in for movie time at home!
Now, there's tons of great movies we could have recommended... And whittling the list down caused a bit of bickering among the girls...so we voted, then capped each category at 20 of our favorites....sensual and romantic movies not to be missed...
Even if you've seen some of them already... rent them again... many DVDs are re-releases with added scenes, improved graphics and remastered sound. One of the best... you gotta see "To Have and Have Not" with Bogey & Bacall, on the wide-screen...What a taste treat ! Check out the deco furniture! The stylish hats! An undiscovered nuance with every viewing...
Serious about your flicks? BUY your dvds and start a film library. ***Great gift idea for your guy: slowly collect a bunch of his favorite movies, box 'em up, and present it to him on his birthday! To get you started, go to www.afi.com and click on the Top 100 List (the best of the best to collect). A great starting point.
Have you REALLY gotten into this? For a cool website to help you install a genuine home theater in your bedroom or living room, visit: www.practical-home-theater-guide.com
Alright, alright! Here's the movies...
*Click on the movie title to get "the skinny": stats, reviews, and the best price we could find.
STELLA'S HOT PICKS
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OLD CLASSICS-THE BEST DATE MOVIES (ALWAYS A TREAT WHEN NOTHING'S ON TV)
1. GONE WITH THE WIND-(1939)- Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh-Arguably one of the best movies ever made... everyone needs one in their film library... We will love it forever!
2. AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER-(1957)-Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr- One of our favorites...watch it with him on Valentine's Day. A timeless romantic-comedy classic.
3. AFRICAN QUEEN-(1952)- Bogart & Hepburn- Gets better with each viewing. Hands-down, Stella's all-time favorite movie.
4. CASABLANCA-(1942)- Bogart & Ingrid Bergman- There's a reason why this legendary film has endured---it's perfect! "America's most popular and beloved movie".
5. TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT-(1945)- Bogey & Bacall- The true-life romance between them unfolds before our very eyes in this must-have classic. A more passionate and torrid love affair has not been captured on film!
6. THE BIG SLEEP-(1946)- Bogey & Bacall Together again in this convoluted whodunit; hugely entertaining. All the Bogey flicks are delicious on DVD re-releases, across a wide-screen. You'll discover nuances with every viewing.
7. KEY LARGO-(1948)- Another Bogey & Bacall "must-see". We also love the 100 year old Seminole "Mama" at the beginning.
8. WUTHERING HEIGHTS-(1939)- Lawrence Olivier & Merle Oberon- Unbelievable on the wide-screen, in a darkened room--A moody, tragic masterpiece...
9. TO CATCH A THIEF-(1955)- Cary Grant & Grace Kelly- One of Hitchcock's lighter offerings, it's a suspenseful, enjoyable, highly watchable classic.
10. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S-(1961)- Audrey Hepburn & George Peppard- One of the most romantic love stories on film...always a treat to watch.
11. ROMAN HOLIDAY-(1953)- Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn- Another one of the most romantic movies ever made--also with Audrey Hepburn. Is it a coincidence? Nope!
12. SABRINA-(1954)- Bogey & Audrey Hepburn & William Holden- Yep, Audrey again... She pulls off this delightful romantic comedy with class and style. And pair her up with Bogey? Yummm!
13. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE-(1951)- Marlon Brando & Vivien Leigh- An essential American classic about love, desire, betrayal. Earthy and brutal, a must-see, but not for a lighthearted evening... "Stellaaaa....!"
14. SUNSET BOULEVARD-(1950)- William Holden & Gloria Swanson- A masterpiece...a unique fairy- tale romance...also not for light-hearted viewing... but not to be missed.
16. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY-(1940)- Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, & Jimmy Stewart- A screwball romantic comedy, this witty, sparkling romp by three huge Hollywood talents is to watch over and over again!
17. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT-(1934)- Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert- OLD movie...still as fresh, funny and sexy as it was in 1934 when it swept the Awards... Classy, classy film.
18. HIS GIRL FRIDAY-(1940)- Cary Grant & Rosalind Russell- One of our all-time favorites...fast, funny, Cary at his best.
19.BRIEF ENCOUNTER-(1946)- Trevor Howard & Celia Johnson- Never heard of it? Then you've missed one of the most passionate and romantic stories ever captured on film. Your guy will like it, too, though he might not admit it. Why's it so expensive? I dunno.
20. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-(1947)- James Stewart & Donna Reed- Alright, alright, not exactly a romance... but, it's the most beloved American Christmas film ever. Let it become a Holiday "ritual" in your family, too.
Idea! If you love the movies as much as we do, you might like to get a cool poster of your favorite flick, and hang it on your closet door. Then you can see him from your bed every day! Or better yet, have it framed or laminated by AllPosters, and hang it in your living room or den... an elegantly cool conversation piece!
1. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT-(1983)-Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine & Debra Winger- Nicholson vs. MacLaine (endearingly funny) + Winger's charm + terminal illness= A beautifully acted, clever tear- jerker, destined to become a classic.
2. HOPE FLOATS-(1998)- Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick, Jr.- Simple, unpretentious, and fun to watch. This film provides a pleasant evening's entertainment... plus an eyeful of Hunky Connick!
3. MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE-(1999)- Kevin Costner- Unabashedly romantic film about love lost and found again... predictable but well-done.
4. BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY-(1995)- Clint Eastwood & Meryl Streep- A classic love story; quiet, graceful and beautiful to watch; read the book first.
5. SWEPT FROM THE SEA-(1998)- Vincent Perez- Brooding, bittersweet melodrama set in the 1800's. Bring the Kleenex, and watch it with your girlfriends...
6. THE ENGLISH PATIENT-(1996)- Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche- Exquisite tale of love and loss during WWII...will wrap you up until the end... solid "Chick Flick".
7. UNTAMED HEART-(1993)- Christian Slater A sleeper...sweet, genuine love-tale between two unlikely players...but the chemistry works. A 3-hanky movie.
8. OUT OF AFRICA-(1985)- Robert Redford & Meryl Streep- Redford + Streep + astonishing scenes of Africa + romance = Multi-Oscar winning movie not to be missed.
9. A ROOM WITH A VIEW-(1986)- Maggie Smith- Touching, romantic and funny, this award-winning "art film" is a critically acclaimed "essential movie".
10. TRULY MADLY DEEPLY-(1991)- Juliet Stevenson- Different, intelligent, funny, moving, quirky. Well acted, filmed and directed, one of our favorites! Seems to be out of print, and expensive, but worth looking for.
11. SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE-(1993)- Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan- Outstanding romantic comedy--pure light-hearted entertainment.
12. NOTTING HILL- (1999)- Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts Ordinary guy falls for celebrity girl. Can this work? Light fare for a pleasant evening at home.
13. RETURN TO ME-(2000)- David Duchovny- You'll love this tale of second chance love and happiness. The lovers have something in common...
14. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS-(1995)- Chris O'Donnell- Set in post-WWII Ireland, this sweet and insightful love story is for true romantics...don't forget your hanky!
15. SERENDIPITY- (2001)- John Cusack & Kate Beckingsale. They fall in love after a brief meeting, then abandon the romance to the whims of fate. Starry-eyed romance, warm and fuzzy Chick flick.
16. SOMEWHERE IN TIME-(1980)- Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour- Superman + beautiful woman + haunting music + flaky magical plot = endearing and entertaining cult flick.
17. LOVE STORY-(1970)- Ryan O'Neal & Ali MacGraw- Dated but classic tear-jerker. If you saw it in the 70's, rent it now to bring back those memories...
18. SIX DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS-(1998)- Harrison Ford & Anne Heche- Lighthearted, predictable action-comedy-romance. Great fun to watch, and he'll probably enjoy it, too.
19. MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING-(1997)- Julia Roberts- A classic chick-flick--fast-paced, slick and classy---and pure fun to watch.
20. SHADOWLANDS-(1994)- Anthony Hopkins & Debra Winger- Unlikely pairing works! Sparkling and powerful true story, beautifully filmed. Another rare DVD, but worth looking for.
BEST DATE MOVIES BEST CHICK FLICKS (20 ROMANTIC MOVIES YOUR GUY WILL ACTUALLY SIT THROUGH)
1. TITANIC-(1997)- Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet-Astounding blockbuster epic--a must- see future classic.
2. SWEPT AWAY-(2002)- Madonna- Forget who stars in this one. Just sit back and enjoy a charming love story that will make you laugh out loud!
3. THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR-(1968)- Steve McQueen & Faye Dunaway- A somewhat dated but stylish adventure. Worth re-watching for the erotic chess match between the two lovers.
4. THE HORSE WHISPERER-(1998)- Robert Redford-Beautifully done film about a traumatized family's spiritual journey back to life. If you love horses and romance, this one's for you!
5. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING-(1995)- Sandra Bullock- Enjoyable romantic comedy! An entertaining film that guys will like, too.
6. ANNIE HALL-(1977)- Woody Allen & Dianne Keaton- A classic genre film. Funny, passionate and romantic... and pure Woody...
7. DR ZHIVAGO-(1965)- Omar Sharif & Julie Christie- Bet you haven't seen this in years...rent it and settle back for a delicious (and long) Russian soap opera set in the snow. Awesome on the wide- screen!
8. YOU'VE GOT MAIL- (1998)- Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan--Light comedy-romance about two business owners who hate each other... not realizing that they have "fallen in love" over the Internet
9. AMERICAN BEAUTY-(1999)- Kevin Spacey- A brilliant, thoughty, entertaining piece that will amaze you both.
10. AS GOOD AS IT GETS-(1997)- Jack Nicholson & Helen Hunt- Quirky, witty and delightful. A real treat for men and women alike.
11. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY-(1989)- Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan-Romantic comedy--very funny performances--clever script--thoroughly engaging.
12. FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL-(1994)- Hugh Grant-A sleeper that turned into a classic romantic comedy-delightful!
13. BRAVEHEART-(1995)- Mel Gibson- Alright, not strictly a romance, but included because it's so GOOD... and highly watchable with your Honey...
14. WITNESS-(1985)- Harrison Ford- Top-notch entertainment...a terrific thriller...and what a kiss between the two!
15. THE PRINCESS BRIDE-(1987)- This Oscar-nominated spoof on fairy tales is intelligent and classy. We love and recommend it!
16. ALWAYS-(1989)- Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter & John Goodman- Poignant, bittersweet film. This elegant love story will be enjoyed by your guy, too.
17. THE BIG EASY-(1987)- Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin- Enjoyable crime-caper for the men... Sexy, steamy romance for the women... New Orleans for the atmosphere...
18. 8 SECONDS-(1994)- Luke Perry- True story of rodeo great Lane Frost... highly watchable fare. Tight wranglers and Stetsons for the girls... Sex, booze and fighting for the guys... Oh, yeah, there's a good love story in there, too...
19. MOONSTRUCK-(1987)- Cher & Nicholas Cage-Delicious romantic romp--Italian style... A light-hearted and entertaining "night in".
20. MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING-(2002)- Nia Vardalos- I know you've heard of it... but have you seen it? Ignore the reviews and watch it! Original, fun, moving... a delightful rom-com.
BEST DATE MOVIES & BEST CHICK FLICKS NEW(ER) RELEASES...CHECK 'EM OUT
1. THE NOTEBOOK- James Garner & Gena Rowlands Great love story that spans the years; a sleeper.
2. RUMOR HAS IT-Kevin Costner & Jennifer Anniston Romantic comedy based on a true rumor
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-(1957)-Cary Grant & 
