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Fantasy and science fiction movies for Valentine’s Day? My first thought was that speculative fiction isn’t romantic and not suitable for Valentine’s Day romance. However, it didn’t take much to realize that behind the aliens, and space, and monsters, and wizards, and magic, there is romance. Lots of romance.
So, I’d suggest that for Valentine’s Day, go out for a fancy meal, or cook a romantic candlelit dinner add flowers and chocolate. After eating, slip a DVD on and bask in the love. Or, if you don’t have a honey, treat yourself to some speculative fiction love.
I admit that this list represents my personal bias. There are a lot more options out there. If you have some good ideas, leave a comment and make a suggestion.
Fairy Tales
Drum roll!! The best romantic fantasy:
1) Princess Bride: Wesley and Buttercup
What could be better than true love, a giant, the dread pirate Roberts, sword fights, revenge, a six-fingered man, and of course, Westley and Princess Buttercup? It’s romantic. It’s funny. It’s got some great and memorable dialogue.
2) Ever After: Danielle and Prince Henry
Cinderella as she should be. I love this retelling because Danielle is strong, independent, and saves the prince. He loves her because she’s smart and challenges him. Plus, she inspires him to greatness.
3) Stardust: Tristan and Yvaine
This Neil Gaiman romp is just fun. Tristan crosses the forbidden wall to find the fallen star and bring it to his love. He finds the star and true love. Plus there are the delightful experiences of seeing Robert De Niro cross-dressing and Michelle Pfeiffer slowly falling apart.
4) Beauty and the Beast: Choices
In general, the Grimm and other traditional fairy tales put women in subservient positions, and this one is no different. The beautiful woman is supposed to love the beastly man, tame him, and live happily ever after. But this critique is for another post. If I don’t like this story why did I include it? Because in the Disney version, the Beast gives Belle a LIBRARY! Okay, that won my heart.
Here’s a better version that I do like:
The 1987-90 TV series of Beauty and the Beast updated the tale. And, Vincent reads. He has books everywhere. This story is a better reflection of the 21st century and reality–the reality of how society treats people who are different. There is also a newer series, a remake; however, I haven’t seen it, so I have no judgment. Leave a comment if you have and tell us what you think.
Fantasy
5) Harry Potter: Ron and Hermione
Most of us either read the books and/or watched Harry, Ron, and Hermione grow up in the films. Ron and Hermione fall in love and the rest is history. Okay, before you start yelling about J.K. Rowling retracting Ron and Hermione read the interview. She really didn’t say she should have had Harry marry Hermione. I think her story is more realistic. The news media, as they often do, twisted her words and her interview to sensationalize the story. After all, there are some fans who wanted Harry with Hermione, and like Granny in “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” never got over it.
6) The Time Traveler’s Wife: Henry and Clare
This is one of those bitter-sweet romances. Henry pops in and out of Clare’s life because he has a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, which of course is a little stressful on a marriage.
7) Practical Magic: Sally and Gary
I love this movie because it’s about sisters, but at the film’s heart, it’s about love–family and sister love as well as romantic love. Gillian looks for love in all the wrong places; Sally stumbles on love when she kills Gillian’s abusive boyfriend. It sounds serious, but it’s a fun film.
8) Just Like Heaven: Elizabeth and David
Here’s another lighthearted romp. David rents an apartment and is reasonably happy until Elizabeth arrives. She’s not exactly dead, but she appears to David as a ghost, who won’t leave.
Joss Whedon
I’m a big fan of Joss Whedon, so he gets his own section.
9) Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Buffy and Angel and Buffy and Spike
I guess this would be a marathon for Buffy lovers. Buffy and Angel are the sweet (almost sweet because Angel does get evil), innocent love, while Buffy and Spike are the kinky, crazy, wild love. On the one hand, Angel is brooding, serious, and introspective, and he and Buffy have true love which is doomed to be unrequited. On the other hand, Spike is the bad boy, who often whines and downright pathetic, but he brings out the wild Buffy. Something for everyone. I often prefer Spike over Angel because Spike makes me laugh, and Angel never does.
10) Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow and Tara
Well, I’m still pissed off that Tara died, but I also like Oz and was pissed off when he left and came back to find Willow with Tara. Go figure.
11) Firefly and Serenity: Zoe and Wash
The geeky man with the woman warrior. They go together perfectly. If you want happy ending, don’t watch Serenity, go with Firefly.
Animation
12) Wall-e: Wall-e and Eve
Robot love!! Really what could be better? After all, humans have destroyed the earth. The robots seem smarter. This is a lovely film, especially since there isn’t any dialogue in the first thirty minutes or so.
13) Up: Carl and Ellie
Okay, I’ll admit that it’s only the beginning of the film that has the love story, but, wow, what a love story. According to my daughter, it’s the best love story ever. It is pretty awesome.
Science Fiction
If you want some action adventure, some big-time shooting, and heart-thumping scenes, then science fiction is your best choice. Love is on the run in these stories because there are worlds to be saved, crimes to solve, and things to be blown up.
14) Dr. Who: Dr. Who and Rose
Of all the women, including the River Song, Rose is the one. Sigh. In a strange bizarre way, she gets her man.
15) Fifth Element: Korban and Leeloo
A science fiction delight, this movie is fun. It’s got humor, shooting, really bad guys, and love. Korban is smitten with Leeloo and commissioned to save with world.
16) Blade Runner: Rachel and Decker
Decker is a cop who hates androids. You guessed it. He falls in love with one. What could be simpler and more dangerous? Not much. There are action and violence, and sometimes you aren’t sure if you are cheering for Decker or the androids he kills.
17) Superman: Lois and Clark
There are so many choices. So, just pick your poison and enjoy. I chose the comic book picture because it stands for them all.
18) Starman: Starman and Jenny
This is an oldie but goodie. It’s probably the least violent and has the most humor. A young Jeff Bridges makes the perfect alien arrived on earth; he takes the form of Jenny’s dead husband. She’s more than a little surprised to find her dead husband in her living room. She winds up helping Starman get to his rendezvous place.
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