directed by Jane Campion (2009)

There’s a reason some people find the state of contemporary romance films dull, trite, and unwatchable, and for the most part, I’m one of those people. But in the hands of master filmmaker Jane Campion (whose best work is still the bloody skinemax-tastic In the Cut), the tired and staid genre is given fresh life with Bright Star.

Quiet energy radiates from the impressive cast: the beautifully fey and almost disturbingly rail thin Ben Whishaw as poet John Keats and the refreshingly non rail thin, spirited and (please forgive me Reese) quite pretty Abbie Cornish as the love of his life, Fanny Brawne. Filling out the cast – to my complete surprise – was Paul Schneider as fellow poet Charles Armitage Brown, whom you might recognize as Mark Brendanawicz from Parks and Recreation.

So many historical films feel like little more than tight-lipped actors in big costumes pontificating in period accents on museum sets, but there’s a lived-in, natural feel to the settings and the incredible clothing (multi buckle flats and three tiered ruffle collars, please make a come back!) of Bright Star. But don’t get me wrong, Campion’s vision of the period is characteristically stylized and visually romanticized. Crisp white curtains billow with spring breezes from every window, exquisitely serene and simple bedrooms look like paintings of dignified restraint, every garden is overgrown with the most sumptuous wildflowers.

Her signature touch elevates the sometimes slow (it’s just way too long) but sometimes heart-twitteringly romantic (couldn’t help but get flushed watching the first kiss) tale of love and heartbreak that’s been told in some way or another a million times (guess who’s going to die? The one that went out in the cold and came back with a cough!).

Click here for the rest of Bright Star

by Juice Newton (1981)

Just call me angel of the morning angel!
Just touch my cheek before you leave me bay-bee!

I dare you to listen to these words and not feel the urge to stand up, with your long hair flowing, and emote dramatically à la Juice Newton. If you don’t feel this urge, I certainly hope you’ll never attend one of my karaoke parties, because you sound like the kind of person that could really bring the mood down.

Of course, the Newton rendition is a classic and strangely one that I remember hearing while in a rib restaurant as a kid… but upon researching the passionate ballad that made cheek-touching sexy, I’ve learned that it’s been sung by some of my favorite ladies including PP Arnold, Olivia Newton John, and Dusty Springfield.

By the way, it’s about being ready for some pre-marital balling.

Click here for the rest of Angel of the Morning

Smooth Voiced Trumpeter

There has never been a better poster child for why not to do drugs than Chet Baker. The man, who once rivaled James Dean in pure handsome/pretty manliness fell hard. Still, the legendary portraits of the once popular crooner and trumpeter show (falsely) the face of an angel, a dream, an ideal.

See this week’s album pick, My Funny Valentine, to hear the amazing voice that accompanies the face.

Click here for the rest of Chet Baker

Lovable Country Darling

It takes a whole lot of love and devotion to stick by your man sometimes, but the adorable (yes, even more adorable than the toothpick that played her in the movie) June Carter had both in spades for her troubled and (if the movie is to be believed) kind of pain-in-the ass husband, Johnny Cash.

A comedian, singer, songwriter, wife and philanthropist (she and Cash helped build a village through the SOS Children’s Villages in Jamaica) June passed away with her family by her side in 2003. The man in black followed months after.

Click here for the rest of June Carter Cash

Chili Pepper Dark Chocolate

Bespoke Chocolates is hidden down the aptly named Extra Place right off of Bleecker. Blink and you’ll miss it – but you won’t want to. While the occasion for which I bought their Chili Pepper Dark Truffles (to share with my fellow Dungeon and Dragons players on the first night of our adventure) may not have been the most romantic, the spicy heat and rich darkness is an ideal gift for Valentine’s Day.

Other equally enticing flavors are available and made fresh daily. The chocolatier, who I believe served me, is as nice as can be and speaks with a lovely British accent… she’s like Tammy Littlenut’s hot older sister from across the pond that makes incredible sweets.

Click here for the rest of Bespoke Chocolates

For Those That Adore Gore

Not everyone is into the flowers, chocolates, hearts, and candies associated with Valentine’s Day – those particularly disinterested in the holiday’s Hallmarkiness might just want to take a page from my friend’s book and host a Bloody Valentines Day Party instead of snuggling by candlelight.

As many of you know, I’ll get into costume at the drop of a (top) hat, since Halloween but comes once a year, so I’m totally looking forward to this party.

from Cooking Light

It seems that 40 Garlic Clove Chicken is a modern day classic: so many of my cooking friends have already made it and recommended it in one form or another. Perhaps it has to do with what a gourmet, straight-out-of-a-restaurant taste you get from relatively little effort. Sure, it takes a bit of time to prep all the cloves (and yes, it truly calls for forty cloves if you make the full recipe) but the results are more than worth it.

I really can’t express how tender and flavorful this is, and with so few ingredients! If you’re enjoying a romantic night in with someone you love, don’t hesitate to make this – after all, if you love each other, who cares if both of you have garlic breath?