Isn't it amazing how an onscreen couple can set our hearts aflutter? We escape through them, perhaps swoon a little as they experience their first kiss, and maybe even shed a few tears when they break up. In 2010, all eyes were on these couples as they showcased their chemistry on the silver screen. Which gets your vote as the best romance of the year?
Don't forget to vote in all of our Best of 2010 polls!
Romantic comedies are the refreshing confections of the movie world — light, airy, and fun (and sometimes just a little bit cheesy). Whether you love them or loathe them, Hollywood cranked out more sweet stories of love with a touch of laughs this year, some a bit better than others. What 2010 romantic comedy is your favorite?
Don't forget to vote on all of my Best of 2010 polls!
It's a happy Tuesday if you're looking for new movie rentals that are as light as freshly-popped popcorn. Check out the new movie releases out today and pump up your DVD player with some Summer 2010 flicks!
A beefed-up, shirtless Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this adventure fantasy as Prince Dastan, a street urchin-turned-royal who embarks on a desert-set escapade after he's framed for murder. Gyllenhaal takes on an accent and smokin-hot love interest (Gemma Arterton), and ultimately, I found the movie entertaining if forgettable. But if that's not the recipe for a rental, I don't know what is. The specials on the DVD include a featurette on the making of the film.
Girl-of-the-moment Amanda Seyfried top lines this romantic flick as Sophie, a starry-eyed idealist who discovers a letter in Verona, Italy (setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet), written years earlier. She then sets out to reunite the woman who wrote it (Vanessa Redgrave) and her long-lost lover. Predictably, sparks fly when the woman's nephew and Sophie fall for each other while he accompanies her on the journey. Though Pop wasn't impressed with the romantic drama, it could still make a cute centerpiece for a girls' night in. DVD extras include commentary with Seyfried and the director, deleted and extended scenes and a making-of featurette.
See one more new release when you read more
It was a fairy-tale weekend for Shrek Forever After, which earned the number one spot at the box office in its opening weekend with an impressive $71.2 million. Following in the monster's footsteps was Iron Man 2, which pulled in $26.6 million, then Robin Hood in the third spot with $18.7 million.
Romantic drama Letters to Juliet secured the number four title with $9.1 million, with Queen Latifah's rom-com Just Wright completing the top five with $4.2 million.
Unfortunately, new release MacGruber missed the top five and came in at six — maybe audiences listened to the poor reviews.
Iron Man 2 saw a big dip in box office revenue this weekend but still remained the weekend's champ, taking in a strong $53 million. Russell Crowe's Robin Hood settled for second place, taking in a respectable $37.1 million. Also making its debut was romantic comedy Letters to Juliet, which came in third with $13.7 million.
The third new film on the list is Queen Latifah's Just Wright, which took fourth place with $8.5 million. How to Train Your Dragon stayed in the top five with $5.1 million.
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
It's a great weekend to catch a movie, but if you're thinking about seeing one of this week's new releases, Letters to Juliet or Robin Hood, maybe you should watch our quick editors' reviews for both movies!
Romantic comedies are often gimmicky and far-fetched, so it's pretty neat that Letters to Juliet, out this weekend, has some real-life love stories behind it — many unrequited, and at least one finally fulfilled.
In the movie, Amanda Seyfried plays Sophie, an American in Verona who joins a group of locals in responding to the letters addressed to Shakespeare's fictional heroine. When Sophie writes back to Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), who left her long-lost love in Italy 50 years before, Claire returns to find him with Sophie's help.
Turns out, the part about the letters is totally true. In the town made famous by Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, these letters arrive by the dozens, often addressed vaguely as "Juliet, Verona, Italy." A self-appointed club who call themselves the "secretaries of Juliet" reply to the notes, many of which are written by teenage girls in the US.
What's even more remarkable is how Redgrave's real-life romance with Franco Nero, who plays her lover in the movie, mirrors the plot of the film. For all the details and a super-cute video, keep reading.
Find our why BuzzSugar says you shouldn't waste your time on Russell Crowe's Robin Hood and can wait for DVD for Amanda Seyfried's Letters to Juliet.
Shia LaBeouf admits he wasn't in the best place when he started filming Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Ryan Phillippe lets a swear word slip out on TV, and Ashley Greene leads the Twilight cast at the Young Hollywood Awards. Plus, our Robin Hood and Letters to Juliet reviews!
Shia LaBeouf admits he wasn't in the best place when he started filming Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Ryan Phillippe lets a swear word slip out on TV, and Ashley Greene leads the Twilight cast at the Young Hollywood Awards. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for all the latest celebrity gossip!
