20 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch

Romantic Comedies, they're the best of both worlds! Rom coms are like fairy tales for adults. They provide the sophisticated telling of a love story in the complicated world of dating that almost always includes a happily ever after. In a world full of tinder matches, DMs, and eventual ghosting, romance has become an extinct experience even the box office has failed to provide.

Unfortunately, reboots and franchises are the cause as studios have placed their focus upon producing major blockbusters opposed to a couple's meet cute. Even celebrities like Chrissy Teigen have noticed a decline in the once popular genre, "where are all the romcoms? there is a shortage of romcoms and thus a shortage of my happiness." Same, Chrissy! Same.

For some of you hopeless romantics out there, I'm talking to you, Chrissy! I did the honor of composing a list of my favorite romantic comedies that I've come to proudly share with those who crave the story of boy meets girl.

1. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
2. Set It Up (2018)
3. Sierra Burgess is a Loser (2018)
4. Love, Simon (2018)
5. Home Again (2017)
6. Man Up (2015)
7. Sleeping With Other People (2015)
8. About Time (2013)
9. This Means War (2012)
10. Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
11. 500 Days of Summer (2009)
12. It's Complicated (2009)
13. Defitnetly Maybe (2008)
14. 27 Dresses (2008)
15. Made of Honor (2008)
16. Because I Said So (2007)
17. Penelope (2006)
18. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
19. 50 First Dates (2004)
20. The Wedding Singer (1998)

The Neon Demon

Image via IMBD

The Neon Demon is a horror movie consisting of alluring aesthetics and pretty imagery. Tackling the fashion industry and high-end models, this film targets a genre that exposes vanity in the darkest way.

Jesse is an underaged model struggling in LA when her chances of making it big come true. Everyone around her either falls under her spell, greatly fascinated or becomes rapidly jealous at her growing success. Not as naive as she seems, Jesse is no fool to the look her peers attempt to recreate as beauty is presented as an unreachable reality or privilege someone such as herself is lucky to have obtained. Elle Fanning nails the innocent and virginal character whose appearance unleashes a deadly wrath among confused admirers.

Makeup artist, Ruby, befriends the new talent along with model friends, Gigi and Sarah. Watchful and curious, these girls prove to be vultures in disguise. No one’s safe in a shallow world that transforms insecurities into monsters. The closest thing to the fountain of youth, Jesse embodies the magical and immortal qualities of beauty all three girls eventually devour. Literally. The Plastics are nothing to starving models. Cannibalism and necrophilia are to be expected. Things don't only get bloody but extremely disturbing.

The Neon Demon isn’t for everybody. While the cinematography is a dream and excellent score supportive of its transformative moments, it moves forward at a snail’s pace only someone with patience can handle. Nothing truly groundbreaking occurs other than the exaggerated results of absolute beauty. The Neon Demon is visually striking. It’s hard to look away as this film openly indulges in its own theme. This film won’t change your life, but the visuals alone are enough to encourage your viewing. Watch if you wish.

Z for Zacharia

 

           Book Cover via Amazon              

It’s no argument, film adaptations are a common trend among filmmakers. Some succeed while others miss their mark, Z for Zacharia takes the latter. The movie looked promising as it was the trailer that prompted my reading of the novel. Due to this, I was under the impression I’d be reading a startling love story or tragedy. To my great surprise, I was in store for something much greater.

Z for Zacharia by Robert C. O’Brien is an unforgettable and exhilarating novel about the end of the world. Ann is the only survivor of a nuclear war, and for some explainable reason, the only place untouched by deadly radiation is a valley hidden away from the unknown dangers left of the world. When a figure in a suit appears, it leads trusting a stranger who’s allowed one moment of hope ruin their only chance of survival. Providing food and shelter to the man close to death, he suddenly turns on Ann in what becomes a frightening game of hide and seek.

The novel exceeded past my expectations and left me in a state of suspense. The adrenaline rush alone was something I had not thought was possible that I hoped to relive during the movie. Unfortunately, the movie did no such thing as its unrecognizable plot included love triangle only had one thing in common with the book, its title.

Watching the film, you can’t help but understand what the creators of this production were trying to capture. There’s no point denying that love triangles are enjoyable to watch but the problem with them is how often they’re used, their long exposure to audiences eventually bores them. We’ve seen the desirable woman torn between two men and vice versa. After a while, it all begins to look the same. If this is not delivered in an original or unique manner, the story ultimately fails to stand apart from the others we’ve come to see many times before. It’s this that I believe the creators of this movie tried to take advantage of the novel’s post-nuclear war setting. Choosing between the last two men on earth is a fascinating approach but one that failed nonetheless. It just didn’t deliver. The temptation to include a love triangle is understandable but completely unnecessary as there is enough to watch from Hollywood cinema’s long archive of messy romances.

Z for Zachariah is disappointing once compared to the novel. On their own, both might have different things to offer but it’s no contest, the movie is nothing but a missed opportunity at something truly amazing. The film’s ending not only comes up short but just didn’t live up to the suspenseful image created from its trailer.

Her

Image via IMDB

Her is about the predictable and complicated love story between an iOS and its owner, Theodore. Going through a divorce and finding a way to cope, Theodore installs a new operating system to his phone and computer. By doing so, he becomes very close to the artificial intelligence, Samantha, that leads to an unlikely friendship that eventually becomes romantic. Her not only explores the uniqueness of this relationship but truly captures the full complexity that is love.

Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was boundless. He perfectly embodied his character, Theodore, whose permanent state always seemed to be unhappy with a mustache that ironically looked to be a frown. Phoenix’s performance was endearing as it reached the audience concerning dejected situations we’ve faced feeling like utter failures or completely awkward. Scarlett Johansson’s voicing of Samantha gave the iOS system a sincere quality as it was a warm and genuine sensation providing emotional dimension to the frequently used device.

This film touched on personal and relatable issues I believe many are afraid to admit they experience such as this constant state of isolation. There was this universal desire of belonging in the film. Everyone wanted to get rid of the overwhelming sense of loneliness they were experiencing and relive the same moments of love and affection they once had before. Such a delivery highlighted how one in the same we truly are, a person searching for their other half or a convenient substitute till something better arrives.

Her is sentimental and kind as it projects a clear message, love is something not meant to be understood, just simply felt.

Twinsters

Image via Amazon

A French fashion student and Los Angeles actress come to share their extraordinary story of discovering a twin they never knew existed via the internet. Adopted from South Korea and raised in different continents, Samantha and Anais search for answers in this warming documentary, Twinsters.

Samantha receives a Facebook message from a girl who startling looks just like her, with similar birthdays and backgrounds, this is all that’s needed to begin an investigation that seeks the truth. Are these two twins or is everything just purely coincidence?

Where most documentaries have educational intentions or persuasive narrative, this one showcases a touching reunion that makes the audience feel a part of, ultimately provoking a curious wonder at the life-changing surprises the world has in store. Twinsters is sweet and moving, beaming a message of unconditional love and family as both girls make up for lost time through Skyped calls, insides jokes, and visits from across the world. Their quickly formed bond proves time and distance do nothing to negatively impact a relationship that was always supposed to be there. These girls’ closeness and endearing fondness over the other leaves you overwhelmed with joy at how lucky these two are to have found each other.

This unlikely and incredible miracle is not taken for granted as it provides reflection, who is one after all this? How much of one’s origins are unknown and secret? And the most mind bobbling of them all, how differently would have Samantha and Anais’ lives would have been if they were never separated let alone adopted?

Twinsters is profound. Available to stream on Netflix, I strongly suggest this documentary for an evening with loved ones.

Stranger Things

Image via IMDB 

Stranger Things crafts brilliance in this eight-episode series that takes place in the 80s. With its great selection of elements taken from classics such as The Goonies, The Breakfast Club, and Carrie, Stranger Things slams you with nostalgia. From small town where nothing happens, kids riding their bikes trying to save the day to odd girl with special abilities, it's everything that creates this amazing sci-fi show taking advantage of a very iconic and missed era. When a boy goes missing, and a frightening creature appears, everything becomes very X-Files as the local facility nobody knows about does everything in its power to cover up the disappearances taking place.

Stranger Things is phenomenal. Winona Ryder is stellar as the hard working mother quickly made into hysterical parent once her child goes missing. The sheer desperation to find her son and refusal to believe he’s gone feels real than just a mere performance. Ryder’s on-screen son, Jonathan Byers (Charlie Keaton), is the silent type with a strong dedication to finding his brother. With his sharp features and shaggy hair, there’s no denying the close resemblance the actor has to a young Leo and Edward Furlong.

What’s great about this series is its small group of child actors that portray true friendship when searching for their friend with the help of their trusted bikes and walkie talkies. Adding the strange girl with superpowers the boys found in the woods into the mix only further adds to the magic and suspense. And that's exactly what this show is, magic. Each episode introduces itself as a chapter from a book with the type of adventure and anticipation you haven't felt in ages.

Stranger Things is a hit. With the season ending with unanswered questions, prepare yourself for the frustration of having to wait next year to see what happens next. 

Comet

Image via IMBD 

Comet is about the on again, off again relationship between Kimberly (Emmy Rossum) and Dell (Justin Long), the two most fit yet incompatible people ever. Kimberly and Dell’s romance is one that seems to last forever as it's portrayed to be in parallel universes. Almost having his life ended by a car collision, Kimberly saves Dell’s life and thus starts their relationship the night a meteor shower brings them together.

Having watching Comet greatly reminded me of 500 Days of Summer minus the manic pixie dream girl and nostalgic music of The Smiths and The Cure playing. 500 Days of Summer and Comet both have the same similarities of debuting a memorable relationship that (spoiler alert) doesn’t succeed, showcasing monumental flashbacks, undeniable chemistry, and a final goodbye providing little closure to the person who needs it most.

Comet’s cinematography has dreamy and colorful tones that are romantic and depressing all at the same time, with its disruptive and flickering transitions from one point in time to another; it does well support its parallel universe like narrative making it all the more exciting to watch.

Comet is bittersweet and wistful, having you question what other versions of yourself have met someone that’s led them to the same unkind faith life always seems to bring us. If parallel universes exist, where’s the one with happy endings? As you'll see towards the end of this film, Dell feels similar to the unfair world we live.