Valentine’s Day is for love, lovers, and those who love the idea of love. At least, that’s what the local florist, 1-800-FLOWERS, and the most expensive restaurant in your town would have you believe. For some, Valentine’s Day is a reminder of where things went off the rails. A remembrance of the time that you screwed up your courage to tell her you loved her, and she said, “But we’re such good friends. Why spoil that?” Shot to the heart, and she’s to blame! Ah, well, on whatever side of Cupid’s arrow you find yourself these days, there is a movie for you. Gildshire’s Valentine’s weekend movie choices don’t play favorites. It is a safe space for everyone.
“Sonic the Hedgehog,” rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor and, brief mild language.
At first glance, you thought, “Ah, a cartoon,” but you would be mistaken. Sonic is computer-animated, to be sure, but the movie is actually a live-action film. It’s fun and gives Jim Carrey a chance to return to his manic roots. We don’t give it top marks, but it is a worthy expenditure of a couple of hours. It co-stars James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Ben Schwartz as Sonic, and Tika Sumpter as Maddie. Rotten Tomatoes 64, Rotten Tomatoes 3.6.
“Downhill,” rated R for language and some sexual material.
We may not be…No! Actually, we are the right publication to rate this movie because we are unabashed Will Ferrell fans! It may be…No! This is the right movie to come out on Valentine’s Day. Because more people are like these two than not. Ferrell rarely gets it right, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus takes umbrage at his failures. Will they end up together? Probably, because life is made up of flawed men and flawed women. That’s today’s sermon, please leave a contribution in the collection plate. The movie costars Zach Woods as Zach, and Zoë Chao as Rosie. Rotten Tomatoes 49, Gildshire 4.0.
“The Photograph,” rated PG-13 for sexuality and brief strong language.
If you are looking for a more traditional Valentine’s Day movie, this is your choice. After the unexpected death of her mother, a young woman decides to look into Mom’s past. She finds out she may be more like her than she thought or hoped. It stars Issa Rae, as Mae Morton, LaKeith Stanfield, as Michael Block, Lil Rel Howery as Kyle, and Rob Morgan as Isaac Jefferson. Rotten Tomatoes 81, Gildshire 4.0.
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” rated R for some nudity and sexuality.
Your Valentine’s Weekend Movie choices award winner was an easy one. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a classic in the making.
How can you rate a foreign film? If you don’t notice the subtitles, it is a good movie. If it doesn’t need subtitles, it is a great movie. This movie would be worth seeing if the subtitles weren’t even there. It is a modern romance in a period setting and earns the Gildshire Movie of the Fortnight Award. It stars Noémie Merlant as Marianne, Adèle Haenel as Héloïse, Luana Bajrami as Sophie, and Valeria Golino as La Comtesse. Rotten Tomatoes 98, Gildshire 4.6.
Those are your Valentine’s weekend movie choices for 2020. A good cross-section of films for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy the day. Or, if love has defeated you to this point, enjoy the escape. We feel you.
