Amour

• 2012
• Drama
• Romance

This one is a real downer. However, it’s shot beautifully and written brilliantly. The meanings might not be obvious on the first viewing but a second viewing could be overwhelmingly sad. I’d advise to read up on forum discussions, instead.

Rust and Bone

• 2012
• Drama
• Romance

The most random relationship of 2012’s romantic dramas. As far apart as these two are, the script makes them compatible, in some magical way. There were quite a few events outside of the relationship that seemed unnecessary, but it's a good film, just not one that I can strongly recommend.

Hit and Run

• 2012
• Action
• Drama
• Romance

It’s Dax Shepard’s movie about him trying to be a badass and protect his real life girlfriend in this speeding comedy that goes nowhere.

Silver Linings Playbook

• 2012
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is one incredibly neurotic love story, and I enjoyed every bit of it. If you want to view this as a romcom, or some sort of life-affirming drama, it will work as both. The only problem I have with this film is that I can’t figure out what’s better. Jennifer Lawrence’s stellar performance or David O. Russell’s superb directing.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

• 2012
• Drama
• Romance

This is one of the most unrealistic high school dramas I have ever seen. This is also one of the best high school dramas I have ever seen. I actually learned something from this. Then came one line towards the end that I didn’t understand. I looked it up and was moved. I good and deep film, yet, painful.

Les Miserables

• 2012
• Drama
• Music
• Romance

The most beautifully-shot film of 2012 and probably the most moving. Not going to lie here, I kind of lost my shit when Anne Hathaway did her solo. I love this story, I love this movie, but I am so depressed for the characters. Hey, can we give them a sequel and call it, “Less Miserable”.

Pitch Perfect

• 2012
• Comedy
• Music
• Romance

You would have every right to expect a Glee movie. What’s unexpected is that the cast is unique, genuine, weird, and all around funny. A surprisingly fun and funny movie.

The Holiday

• 2006
• Comedy
• Romance

It’s not a typical romcom nor a great one either. If we get more winter holiday films like this, then people will start to hate Christmas. Kind of like how lonely singles hate Valentine’s Day. Also, Jack Black is a love interest in this so proceed with caution.

Ruby Sparks

• 2012
• Comedy
• Fantasy
• Romance

Ruby’s existence might not be real but this is one of the most authentic movies I’ve seen in a while. The range of emotions that the script supplies is many and the performances drive them all home. Not only does Zoe Kazan (Ruby) deliver an absolutely sweet character but she also wrote this. Hat’s off!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

• 2012
• Drama
• Romance
• Sci-fi

The beginning is really funny and then things become somber to damn-near depressing for rest of the film. No charm and no fun.

Safety Not Guaranteed

• 2012
• Comedy
• Romance
• Sci-fi

This is not going to spark up your imagination but it will charm your heart out. It makes you really believe this guy is nuts, or maybe he's not, and that's only one element to the story. There is more and besides being funny, it also presents itself in a thoughtful way.

Moonrise Kingdom

• 2012
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Innocent, enchanting, and aware of itself enough to be funny at all the right moments. Some of Wes Anderson's previous films, minus The Fantastic Mr. Fox, have been more cerebral. Moonrise Kingdom comes more from the heart and it shows it big ways, even with his subtle style. A delight to watch.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

• 2012
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Watching Jennifer Lopez pretending to be a poor person with problems is miserable. This could be used as a strong anti-pregnancy promotion for young teens, instead of the shallow, detached, and pathetically unfunny movie that it is. I have never been more happy to be a single, stupid, and an irresponsible man-child ever in my life, like I did after watching this.

The Five-Year Engagement

• 2012
• Comedy
• Romance

I thought this was going to be your typical romcom but it exceeded that. What’s funny here is not so much the jokes as it is the acting around them. I have a big thing for the “other” characters in comedies and this one has a lot of them. They’re all funny and well-written.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from depression, is single, hates Valentine's Day, and lives with more than three cats – play this movie for them. You can save a life.

Like Crazy

• 2011
• Drama
• Romance

After coming back to The States, I was actually in a serious relationship with an English girl so I can completely relate to this movie. A lot of the scenes are accurate and to that fault, the only thing more difficult to handle than a long distance relationship is watching a movie about it.

This Means War

• 2012
• Action
• Comedy
• Romance

A lot of women are going to like this because two hunks, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, fight over a girl. It's like how we all know Twilight is crap but people love the hell out of it, based only on that premise. If you can suspend reality for two hours then you'll have some mild fun with McG's stupidly, action-packed, juvenile attempt at movie making.

A Dangerous Method

• 2011
• Biography
• Drama
• Romance

Many of us guys have found ourselves in an "insane girlfriend" relationship before. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) on the other hand, started banging his mentally ill patient. Good one, Carl!

A Dangerous Method is philosophical, behaviorally bizarre, and slow. What more could you expect from a film about two famous psychiatrists bantering back and forth about sex and relationships.

Nine

• 2009
• Drama
• Music
• Romance

As a fan of Daniel Day-Lewis (who isn't?), I completely forgot about the existence of this until it popped up on TV. It's a beautiful film but ultimately uneventful and I didn't get the excitement that Chicago had. The story is unimportant, the songs are not memorable, and now I see why I forgot about Nine.

The Rum Diary

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This doesn't have the wild intensity that a Hunter S. Thompson related film should have. It's actually the total opposite – incredibly boring and uneventful.

The Artist

• 2011
• Romance
• Comedy
• Drama

A movie about the evolution of movies written as a love letter to classic movies. It takes all the goodness from the black and white era and creates a unique experience. On top of that, there are superb performances, a cleverly-written script, and one of the cutest dogs in film.

Page Eight

• 2011
• Drama
• Mystery
• Romance

A well-written but boring British drama about politics, spies, and old geezers. The opening is upbeat and Jazzy, which has an opposite tone for the rest of the film. Interesting movie but this isn't something to marvel over and it requires quite a bit of patience.

Friends with Benefits

• 2011
• Comedy
• Romance

I like this because it pokes fun at romcoms but ultimately ends up being just like them too. It did lack some charm but it was never overly cheesy. One of the better romantic comedies of the year.

Midnight in Paris

• 2011
• Comedy
• Fantasy
• Romance

At midnight, in Paris, something happens to Owen Wilson. Time becomes magical but in an intellectual and historical way. There are a lot of characters and they're all amusingly funny, so this is easy to enjoy.

Midnight in Paris could have easily been a snobby film but Woody Allen pulls it off in a way that should be suitable for a ranged crowd. This film can fall under a lot of genres but I just have one thing to say about it. It's delightful.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

The title is literal to the story and it's a good story. Everybody is great in this film and it's more touching than it is funny but when funny happens, it happens well. I was a little concerned at how many characters there are but they pulled it off. You get good insight into everyone's home life, work life, and play life. This is a great movie!

Beginners

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

I totally sank into this movie and even at the bottom, it felt good. This movie is soothingly warm.

Valentine's Day

• 2010
• Comedy
• Romance

This is one of the sappiest and corniest romcoms I have ever seen. The film is as much bullshit as the holiday.

Water for Elephants

• 2011
• Drama
• Romance

This wasn't bad – I enjoyed the story. Robert Pattinson sometimes grins like he has a learning disability but he isn't a horrible actor. However, he is far from good when standing next to Christophe Waltz.

Something Borrowed

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Something shitty.

Larry Crowne

• 2011
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Is this story taking place in some rosy alternate universe? The only way that an old fart could be cool in a community college is if the real Tom Hanks actually went back to a real community college. Everyone's performances are wonderful but the script is so far out of touch. The only people that will like Larry Crowne are people exactly like Larry Crowne. And they don't exist.

Morning Glory

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Rachel McAdams is so annoying in this and Harrison Ford is similar in the first half. Among the weak jokes, over-acting, bad script, and the flurry of pop songs, something is sure to irritate you.

There was also a rap scene in this. My teeth hurt from cringing so hard.

The Tourist

• 2010
• Action
• Drama
• Romance

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie doing flirty stuff and dodging bullets at romantic locations; this should be good!

Shit, it isn’t.

Killers

• 2010
• Action
• Comedy
• Romance

Oh man, this is bad, it's almost as bad as The Bounty Hunter with Gerald Butler and Jennifer Aniston. There are a lot of cringe-worthy scenes and cheesy one-liners. Here's a one-liner for you, "watch something else!"

Secretary

• 2002
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

I like this movie! At first, I thought to myself, "oh great, another artsy movie about people with fetishes." It's actually not like that at all. It's an honest-to-good story about the developing relationship of two people who are polar opposites, bound together by a common weirdness.

And it's kind of sexy. It's OK, admit it. It is.

The Adjustment Bureau

• 2011
• Romance
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

I really dig the pairing of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. I wasn't too crazy about the ending but I can look past that. This is a unique concept that will alter the perspective on your own love life and if a movie can do that, then it's good.

Red Riding Hood

• 2011
• Fantasy
• Horror
• Mystery
• Romance

The only thing that kept me alive during this movie is watching Gary Oldman scream at poor people. Besides that, this is a god-awful, two-hour cologne commercial.

Blue Valentine

• 2010
• Drama
• Romance

Poor people problems.

Hall Pass

• 2011
• Comedy
• Romance

You know the transition where they tell you which day they're on? I want that ringtone. There wasn't a lot of loud laughs and most of the jokes seemed lazy but the concept of older, domesticated husbands trying to get their young-on could be really funny to some girls. I know a few of my married girlfriends would love it. Too bad their husbands wouldn't.

Just Go with It

• 2011
• Comedy
• Romance

Everyone except Adam Sandler is funny in this. He makes himself laugh in the movie more than he'll do for you. The little girl is great, Brooklyn Decker is smoking hot to look at, Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman are their usual awesome selves. Because of everyone but Sandler, this is worth a watch.

Never Let Me Go

• 2010
• Drama
• Romance

The kids in this story live very gloomy lives that are tucked away from society and all they have is each other. When that's all you have, drama is unavoidable, but no amount of turmoil can compare to the fate that they all share. This is a beautifully-sad film, but, I did not cry. Well, maybe a little. There was something in my eye, OK?

Love and Other Drugs

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Some romantic movies are good for dates, others will bring couples closer, and then there are films like this that will entice you to rip off your lover's clothes as soon as you get home.

No Strings Attached

• 2011
• Comedy
• Romance

I do like how it's a raunchy romcom that has the girl chase after the dude but it was boring.

Chocolat

• 2000
• Drama
• Mystery
• Romance

What the hell is wrong with these people – stop feeding chocolate to that dog!

Romeo and Juliet

• 1968
• Drama
• Romance

I saw this movie in a Junior High, Shakespeare class and just fell for it. It really is the greatest love story, ever.

Cyrus

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is one of my personal favorite comedies of 2010. However, if you're not into the mumbling, awkward, type of comedy, it might not be for you. This isn't fall-on-your-ass type of funny, it's conniving.

The Switch

• 2010
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is the stupidest premise for a romcom. I didn't find Jason Bateman's character that convincing as a neurotic person. This lacked a lot of romance and comedy, so what do you have left of this "romcom?" Nothing.

Easy A

• 2010
• Comedy
• Romance

This is a surprisingly funny romcom. You can expect all the shenanigans that come with a high school dramas, like losing your virginity, being an outcast, and gossiping. But, somehow, this movie just does it better.

Going the Distance

• 2010
• Comedy
• Romance

Fair warning, I personally like this movie because I've had long distance relationships more than once. I'll go out on a limb here and say to ignore the reviews, it is a good and funny romcom.

Alfie

• 2004
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

The movie isn't horrible and I thought all the characters did a good job but I think the story of a womanizer who doesn't think about his consequences is old. I was doing laundry and cleaning halfway through this movie, yet, I could still predict what was going to happen next.

Casablanca

• 1942
• Drama
• Romance
• War

I love this movie.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

• 2010
• Action
• Adventure
• Fantasy
• Romance

By no means is this a 'must-see', but it definitely is much more underrated than what everyone (including me) thought. It actually ties in well with the game franchise, magnifying it rather than insulting it. There isn't a deep story but it's well-told and it's a fun movie. Great rental for popcorn movie night.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

• 1982
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

This is the 80's high school version of Kids, and still better than Kids.

DeepStar Six

• 1989
• Action
• Drama
• Horror
• Romance

Remember the part where the guy escaped and his pod went up too fast to pressurize? That was gross!

Boys Don't Cry

• 1999
• Crime
• Drama
• Romance

Do you want to see a real woman act as a real guy trying to fit in with the boys? Hilary Swank's performance is so good, it's scary – in a good way. Wait, I feel weird for saying that. Superb movie with superb performances, but not for the traditional masses.

Paper Heart

• 2009
• Comedy
• Romance
• Drama

What a crappy failure at trying to tell a clever love story. It's just boring and so overly awkward that it will put you to sleep, after you exhaust yourself from cringing. No more Charlene Yi, please, no more.

Gattaca

• 1997
• Drama
• Romance
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

This is a Sci-fi gem from 1997 with an intriguing concept and well-told story. There are also a lot of beautiful shots so don't pass this one up.

Monster

• 2003
• Biography
• Crime
• Drama
• Romance

And this is why Charlize Theron is my favorite actress. There's not much else to say, just watch this phenomenal movie. Please.

TiMER

• 2009
• Comedy
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Romance

I can’t hate this movie but I can’t love it either. The thing that kept me infatuated was the concept. It’s about a timer that counts down to when you’re going meet your true love and it is 100% accurate. Unfortunately, for our leading lady, her timer is blank and then all sorts of typical romcom elements come into play. I’m not totally confident to recommend this one, you’ll just have to the trailer and see if it’s worth your time.

The Burning Plain

• 2008
• Crime
• Drama
• Romance

I love watching movies that I know nothing about. This one is about a love affair that ignites a string of consequences shown with two different story lines, that layer on top of one another. It's slow but once you get pass the first hour, all your questions will be answered in a compelling way.

Youth in Revolt

• 2009
• Comedy
• Drama
• Romance

Funny movie, funny scene.

Mr. Nobody

• 2009
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Romance
• Sci-fi

Mr. Nobody is a very cerebral film. It will make you wonder about the universe all the while showing you beautiful scenes of alternate love. I can't say that I fully understood it, but I like it enough.