Hopeless romantics, unite: this year’s Valentine’s Day releases are here. As expected, the sappiness levels are climbing, but whether you love to hate it or hate that you love it, it’s gonna be a good time.
“Winter’s Tale”
Set in a romanticized New York City, the highly-anticipated “Winter’s Tale” covers classic themes of love and destiny in a narrative that spans more than a century of time. Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a petty burglar who falls for the beautiful heiress Beverly Penn, a clever and good-hearted young woman who is slowly and tragically dying. With all the elements of a textbook romance in store (doomed love, candlelit sex scene, striding into the sunset on horseback) Winter’s Tale is your perfect Valentine’s Day tear-jerker. Based on the 1983 novel by Mark Helprin, this upcoming film is a fairy-tale whirlwind of intertwining fate and a love that transcends time.
“Endless Love”
This one’s a little less traditional. Endless Love, a remake of the 1981 film of the same title, may seem like the story of a sweet summer fling, but we can all agree that the trailer resembles more of a horror film than a romance. When the handsome David Elliot (Alex Pettyfer) works his charm on young Jade (Gabriella Wilde), the privileged daughter of Hugh and Anne Butterfield, a passionate (and borderline creepy) love affair develops. But when Jade and David’s relationship develops into an obsession, Jade’s parents will take desperate measures to keep the two apart. Spoiler alert: Rumor has it that some weird sh** happens, involving mental hospitals, arson, and Jade’s mom getting off on watching her daughter and David go at it. It’s twisted, and you’ll probably leave slightly disturbed. But admit it, you kinda wanna see it.
“Romeo and Juliet”
Whether you devoured the play on your own or via Sparknotes in eighth grade English, you can’t hate on Shakespeare’s most revered classic, Romeo and Juliet. It just wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without what’s been called the greatest love story ever told. And for three days starting on – you guessed it – Feb. 14, Fathom Events, Screenvision, and BroadwayHD are partnering together to bring the timeless story to 800 movie screens across the country. Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad star in this broadway production, which was directed by five-time Tony nominee David Leveaux and recorded live this past November. Five theatres in the D.C. area will participate, with shows running Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 pm. Check out the full list of participating theatres before purchasing your tickets online through Fathom Events (ticket prices vary across theatres), and don’t forget to brush up on your Shakespearian (or No Fear Shakespeare – hey, we don’t judge) pre-show.
