Valentine's Day

How Many Big Names Can You Count?

Valentine’s Day is a romantic story line about - Oh but wait before I get started with that, has anyone seen Letters to Juliet yet? I hear it’s amazing, since of course it’s about letter writing - Which actually reminds me of this time in high school when - Oh but speaking of high school, my daughter’s school is almost out for the summer - Ooo, I really need some new summer clothes, especially since - Yikes, is Memorial Day coming up already?! Wow, the summer holidays are starting already - Didn’t we just finish the winter holidays? Speaking of winter holidays, have you guys seen Valentine’s Day yet? Well let me just tell you about it…

Annoyed?

Confused?

Bored?

Just because a movie has about 20 big name actors and actresses in it does not mean it’s going to be an A-list movie. Indeed, if a movie needs to over compensate for a tragically attention deficient plot line with this many big actors, the producers should probably rethink the whole deal right there and the viewers should rethink paying for the rental.
Okay, so I’m being a little harsh but I had higher hopes for this one. I love Jennifer Garner (after her stellar performances in the series Alias she can do no wrong for me) and I will admit that there were some funny moments here and there. Enough funny moments to put this on your list of movies to watch after all the good ones are gone from the rental store.

Motherly Advice: Filtering goes a long way with this one. In fact the list of filtered topics just goes on and on, even though the sensual content filter is not available for this one (the best sensual content filter for this would be to not rent it). With my filter settings on medium there was still some sex talk and implied premarital, extramarital and no-marital plans in sight at all, sex. One of the characters is an adult phone entertainer and while most of those uncomfortable phone conversations were taken out, you still know what she’s doing for a living. Personally, even with filtering, I wouldn’t feel comfortable watching this movie with my teenagers (although I don’t have any yet).

Danielle' - I'm Sorry? What Were We Talking About?

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity; 125 min; Directed by Garry Marshall

Date Night Activity: Valentine’s Day

“It’s Valentine’s Day. You don’t think you just do!”

How will YOU be celebrating Valentine’s Day, or more importantly WHO will you be celebrating with? In Valentine’s Day, everyone celebrates it differently. Watch multiple characters and how they spend the holiday and learn what you should and shouldn’t do. From school-age love, to dating, breaking up, making up, single life, friendship, family life and long-time love, there’s something for everyone in Valentine’s Day.

For Fun:

*Edison spends the morning creating handmade Valentine cards. Get creative and make a card for your date or other friends and family that you love. You could get crafty and iron on your favorite numbers onto each other’s t-shirts like Felicia did for Willy or you could decorate a frame or other memento to exchange at the end of your date.
*Liz likes poetry and taking pictures. You could make up poems and take pictures of each other, then put them in the frames or with the cards you made.
*Julia, or Miss Fitzpatrick, gives her students a brief history of Valentine’s Day. Look up more information about holiday traditions or take this simple quiz to test your Valentine knowledge.

For Dinner:

*Kara always has an Anti-Valentine’s Day dinner at “The Best Indian Restaurant in L.A.” so you and your date could enjoy some Indian cuisine as well. Find a local eatery with a similar menu and order food to go so you can enjoy dinner and a show from the comfort of your own home and watch Valentine's Day.
*When Julia finds out about Dr. Copelands wife, she poses as their dinner waitress to get back at him. She offers them the special of “Lying, Stinking, Pig” but Mrs. Copeland decides to order the Salmon. You could serve Salmon or let your date choose from a self-made menu that has the same choices.
*For movie snacks, the easiest option is to stock up on Valentine treats. You could have fancy chocolates, which are always popular this time of year, or heart shaped cookies and other candies. If you’re sticking with things they eat in the movie you can have circus peanuts, the kind Kara has when she’s moping at work, individual bags of pretzels like Captain Hazeltine asks for on the plane, or Valentine cookies like Alphonso brings home to his wife and kids.

Going the Extra Mile:

*Reed works with flowers and lots of them. Have a bouquet of flowers for your date, or have one delivered to your sweetheart while you are apart. You could even invite them to Movie Night in the card delivered with the flowers.
*Decorate your home, or where ever you’re having your movie night, with all sorts of Valentine’s Day decorations. Especially if you’re having a group movie night, you could go so far as to label one area Pro-Valentine’s Day and another Anti-Valentine’s Day. In the Pro area, have hearts, cupids, doves and all sorts of red, pink, purple and white decorations. For the Anti, stick to red, black and grey decorations and be sure to have a pi?ata that everyone can take a good hard whack on.
* Felicia opens her door Valentine’s morning to find a giant Teddy Bear. Grab an over-sized stuffed animal for your date and have it waiting on the couch, ready to be seen when you come in for your Movie Night.

Over The Top:

*Schedule another date to watch a movie in the Hollywood Cemetery like Estelle and Edgar do every year. Whether you are a LA local or will be making a special trip there, be sure to pre-order your tickets so you’re sure to have a seat.

LyndiLou - Movie Mom and Casual Supporter of Valentine’s Day… the Holiday & the Movie!

Rated PG-13 for some sexual material and brief partial nudity; 125 min; Directed by Garry Marshall