How to Pick a Date Night Movie - In

Date nights can be complicated. Restaurants can be awkwardly quiet, while movie theaters are getting more expensive by the day. Prices at theaters are skyrocketing; two tickets and snacks is over $30 for one film for just sitting in the dark and not connecting. While new sources of watching movies on the cheap like, streaming videos and using services like Netflix makes planning date nights cheaper. The only problem is it only makes the decision of what to watch harder.

When relationships get in the comfort zone, films get a little trickier to pick. The couple no longer has to sit in silence in a dark theater wondering what the other is thinking. The couple already knows one another, allowing them to a film with more depth.

Couples receive mixed messages from gender directed magazines, such as the two polar opposites, Playboy and Cosmopolitan. Whereas Playboy directs their readers to watch movies jam-packed with action and sex, like the recent film “Choke,” Cosmopolitan directs their readers for a romantic evening in by watching films like “The Notebook.” It’s astonishing to think that something so simplistic as deciding a film can cause such a commotion leading both parties sleeping alone at night.

How To Pick the Film

1.              Decide what type of date night the evening will entail. Whether you want a nice romantic evening holding one another, or a fun flirty night throwing popcorn at one another. This will help with deciding the genre. Genre is important, watching a Will Ferrell comedy would probably not create a romantic evening like the film “Casablanca.”

2.              A film that can get people to talk to one another allows the relationship to go further and find out about one another. “Early in the relationship it’s great to pick a movie that you both have probably seen so you know what parts are funny and what parts to make comments. It represents more of a shared culture,” said Renee Mitson, 20. “Early on in the relationship you might not really care because you’re not really watching it.”

            Picking a common movie from both parties’ pasts also helps. It brings sentimental memories that can be talked about and shared, creating a closer relationship. “If something [a mention of a past film] came up before hand or something she wanted to see in the past then I’d probably pick that,” said Timothy DeYoung, 32. “Because it’s sentimental, it’s romantic, because it means you remember what that person says, and that’s important.”

3.              When stuck in decision-making, safe films are always a “safe” choice. “I think any film with a super hero is a good date film, like Batman Spiderman, I guess they’re kind of geared towards the masses,” Mitson said. Super hero films are good for many of the masses, it’s filled with action and have undertone romance by saving the damsel in distress.

4.              Always be flexible. A movie that your significant other may like might not always going to be your favorite. However, if it gets them to open up in discussion it is worth it because you’ll learn more about them.

What Type of Night do You Want?

Fun Night In

1.             Genre is everything; it can make or break your night. For a relaxing night comedies can make things simple. Everyone gets a laugh and creates a carefree night. The new film “Date Night” starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell not only is hysterical but mocks the date night as well. There are a few films directed towards the female gender that many men have also enjoyed. Playboy suggests (Cosmo has also approved) “The House Bunny,” starring Anna Faris, and “Mean Girls,” starring Lindsey Lohan.

Romantic Night

2.             Holding one another in a dim lighted room and watching a romantic film can put anyone in the mood. Cosmo has suggested before films like “Titanic,” “10 Things I hate About You,” and “Dirty Dancing.” Though these films do display beautiful relationships Playboy suggests classics like “Bugsy.”  Relationships that happen on the silver screen are nostalgic. The plotline does not always have to be filled with romance it could be an actor that both people in the relationship admire. “A streetcar named desire – its Brando, who can say no to Brando,” DeYoung said.

            Of course films packed with sex scenes can always lead to other things throughout the night. “The Reader” starring Kate Winslet is a top favorite of both Playboy and Cosmo showing a love affair with a teenage boy and how he reads to her during sex.

A Night of Cuddling

3.             There are several types of films that a couple can cuddle up to: horror films and tearjerkers. Horror films create a tense reaction and allow the couple to hold onto one another for a safe feeling. Any slasher film will do, but new favorite tearjerker is the new Disney Pixar film, “Up.” “This latest Pixar wonder starts with a stunningly conceived, emotional gut-punch of an opening sequence - and piles visual stunners atop one another, all the while creating a life-changing relationship story that is unexpectedly funny and moving,” Playboy said.

No longer do couples have to pick the infamous chick flick. “It’s too easy,” said DeYoung. “They’re made to produce an emotional attachment to women. If you want your girlfriend to feel wooed it’s ok to suffer through it. I’d say a chick flick brings a cuddly night and a few laughs.”