apocalypsos | This is mostly azurelunatic's fault.

You know, I just thought you'd all like to know that while getting ideas at IMDb, I learned that in the year it was released, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was the number one movie at the box office. Shame on all of you ~~especially you, Mom, wherever you are~~.

Anyway, in alphabetical order ...

The Top Fifteen Romantic Movies I Cannot Be Expected To Live Without

1. Aladdin -- Back when Aladdin came out on video, I watched it every day. Literally. Quite often, more than once. It was comfortable background noise, and quite frankly I keep meaning to get the DVD for the same reason. It was on, I'd start reciting the dialogue and singing all of the songs word for exact word. Hell, start me off and I could probably still do it. I have no clue why I love this Disney cartoon over all of the other ones in their vast arsenal, and you'd think having Robin Williams as one of the voices would be a downside. But Aladdin is way up on my list of Cartoon Characters I'd Do If It Were Possible (right next to Human!Shrek and Human!Beast) because he was just so sweet.

2. Benny & Joon -- There has to be a Johnny Depp movie on this list. It's a moral imperative. And if I had to pick the Johnny I'd Most Like to Fall For, this would be the one. He cooks! He cleans! He knows movies and acts like a silent film comedian! *swoons*

3. Big Fish -- Here's the thing. It's a romance list, right? Well, a lot of what I love about the movies on this list can be summed up with the question, "Would I fall in love with this guy?" I knew I was going to love this character forever at least a little bit when I walked out the theater and my first reaction was, "Oh, God, I want a guy to give me a field full of daffodils." (And to give you some idea of what a hopeless romantic dope I am, my eyes well up just thinking of that scene. *whimpers*)

4. Chasing Amy -- It's the speech in the car that kills me Every. Bloody. Time.

5. The Cutting Edge -- When I was home a few weeks back and this came on cable, I immediately made excuses to do all of the indoor chores. I am that hooked on this movie. I blame this movie for the fact that every time I see pictures of Chad Michael Murray in "One Tree Hill" ads, I have to stifle a venemous, "Lies! He looks nothing like D.B. Sweeney!" Yes, I know there is something wrong with me.

6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind -- This needs to come out on DVD yesterday. And the best thing about the romance isn't that it's sparkly or pretty or sweet, it's that it's between two fucked-up, weird people in this not-always-perfect relationship. It's real, and it's painful, and it's lovely all at the same time.

7. Forrest Gump -- You have to be in my family to understand why we still like Forrest Gump even after all of the cliches wore thin. We all have this weird fixation on that movie to the point where we went to the local comedy club once as a group and nearly pissed ourselves as a group when the first comedian started a Forrest Gump rant. We know it's cliched, we know it's saccharine, and we don't friggin' care.

8. Four Weddings and a Funeral -- I love Hugh Grant. I'm sorry, but I do. I like him when he's all flustered and goofy and anxious, so that's a big reason why this is my favorite movie of his. (Although About a Boy runs a close second. And ... er ... I own Notting Hill.) Also, out of all the weird cache of friends he's got in every movie, this is my favorite bunch.

9. Ghost -- Okay, once you take the ridiculously stupid and universally mocked clay scene out of the equation, this movie not only benefits from being incredibly sweet, it also makes Demi and Patrick look good to me for one of the few times in both of their careers. Plus, it's got Whoopi Goldberg back when she could still act well. (Ah, The Color Purple, you taunt me so.)

10. It's a Wonderful Life -- Aw, come on! I think it says a lot that I would even think to include in this list when I spent three years in Indiana, PA, which was sickeningly fixated on the fact that Jimmy Stewart grew up there and aren't we just another Bedford Falls? (Answer: No.) But since Jimmy and Donna Reed were cute in this movie, I forgive.

11. Jerry Maguire -- Usually, I do not think Tom Cruise is all that hot. (Although he is better looking now than he was when he was younger, in my opinion. But still, eh.) However, I've got a soft spot for him in this movie, and it doesn't hurt that his romantic interest is Renee Zellweger after a healthy meal. And hey, a side of romantic cuteness in Cuba Gooding Jr. (back before he got annoying and made some of the worst film decisions I've ever seen) and his lovely wife.

12. Pretty Woman -- Most of the time, Richard Gere just looks old to me. But he was actually kinda sexy in this one. And most of the time, Julia Roberts looks pretty normal. Pretty, but kinda average considering it's Hollywood. But I don't think she's ever looked more gorgeous than she did in that red dress going to the opera. And for two people who should never hook up permanently, I still root for them. Sad, I know, but whatever.

13. The Princess Bride -- Yes, this is a kissing movie, kid. And considering it's Cary Elwes back when he was less puffy and more adorable, it's understandable. Whee, swordfights! Whee, overcoming death! Whee, Rodents of Unusual Size!

14. Run Lola Run -- Hey, it counts. There isn't a damn thing Lola does here that isn't to save Manny, big dope that he is, and as twisted and dense as either one of them might be, they're just right for one another.

15. Sense and Sensibility -- I think a lot can be said for any movie that both gives me all kinds of warm, fuzzy romantic feelings, and manages to cram Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Greg Wise into period attire for my amusement.

Also, note to self -- no listening to the "Nightmare on Elm Street" theme at night. You freak yourself out, you dumbass.