"Did You Hear About The Morgans?"

... comedy with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker as a couple with marital issues brought to a halt when they witness a murder.  Pulled in to the Witness Protection Program, they are whisked away from New York to Wyoming.  "Big City" meets "Small Town America"....

 

Funny moments and quips with an expected happy outcome.  Liked the supporting roles of Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, and Wilford Brimley.... Safe first date movie!

"Gray Matters"

... Romantic comedy with Heather Graham and Tom Cavanagh as sister and brother Gray and Sam Baldwin.  They share the same loft apartment, they enjoy the same things, and are best friends!  At times, people think they are dating.  Given this, they decide to find dates for one another.  Subsequently, Heather finds Charlie Kelsey played by Bridget Moynahan.  Charlie shares the same likes and dislikes as Gray and Sam and immediately befriends the two.  So much so that Sam and Charlie decide to marry.  But, confusion results during a bachelorette weekend in Vegas when Charlie and Sam have one too many drinks that leads to a passionate kiss between the soon to be bride and the groom's sister!

 

Slow to start, light hearted comedy with an expected happy ending.  Has it moments and should be a safe first date movie. But, would not place it on the "must see" list.  Save it for a rainy day.

"Saint Ralph"

... movie set in 1950's Canada.  Ralph Walker, a high school freshman at St. Magnus Catholic School, is dealing with many complex issues like experimenting with smoking and a preoccupation with the opposite sex.  In trouble one too many times by the school's principal Father Fitzpatrick, Ralph is ordered to join the school's cross country running team.  The storyline looks to follow the normal path until viewers learn that Ralph lives by himself in the family home; has been lying to the school saying he is living with his grandparents, who are already deceased; and telling his widowed hospitalized mother that he is staying with a friend. However, Ralph changes his focus once his mother falls into a coma. Through a chain of circumstances, Ralph believes that winning the Boston Marathon will help his mother to come out of a coma!

 

Safe first date movie, really enjoyed this one!  Was expecting less having rented it on a whim; was extremely pleased the choice turned out to be a winner!

"Bella"

... IFC style movie with Tammy Blanchard, Eduardo Verastegui, and Manny Perez.  Tammy and Eduardo work as a waitress and a cook at Manny's restaurant, respectively.  Manny and Eduardo are brothers and seems the more hot-tempered of the two.  His temper comes to light when Manny fires Tammy for being late one too many times.  Eduardo decides to comfort Tammy when he learns she was late because she is pregnant. Without notices, Eduardo takes the day off and spends the rest of the day with Tammy.  They spend their time together getting to know each other and ultimately make plans for the future.

 

Good movie with an interesting ending and an underlying story that brings the two main characters together.  Safe first date movie!

"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist"

... comedy with Michael Cera and Kat Denning.  Michael plays Nick, a high-school senior from New Jersey.  Kat plays Norah, a friend of Nick's ex-girlfriend. The two meet at a club when Norah pretends that Nick is her boyfriend.  From there, the fun begins as Nick and Norah, share a love of music, hunt for a band scheduled to play somewhere that night, lose Norah's drunk friend Caroline, and then search for her with the help of Nick's gay band mates (Nick plays guitar for a garage band where he is the only straight guy).  Throw in a beat up Yugo car, an obsessive ex-girlfriend, and some decent tunes, then you get a movie that can grow on you. 

 

Safe first date movie, check it out some time!

"Guitar"

... movie about a woman who finds out she has a tumor and only has two months to live.  Soon after finding out about the tumor, she loses her job and is given 4 weeks severance pay.  With little time left to live, she uses her severance pay to rent a penthouse loft and goes on a spending spree using her credit cards to make purchases over the telephone.  One purchase is a guitar that she does not know how to play but is motivated to learn.  Alone at first, she manages to sulk in the "buff" for a while.  However, she soon becomes friends with the girl that deliver pizza and the man that delivers packages of things she ordered.  Yada, yada, yada,... love and sex results with pizza girl, with delivery guy,.... yada, yada, yada,... ménage' trios' ensues,.... yada, yada, yada,... epiphany results.  Won't say more other than she lives!

 

Would hold off on this movie for a first date, main reason are in the "buff" moments.  Else, liked the ending.

"Hamlet 2"

... comedy about a 'less than famous" actor Dana Marschz, played by Steve Coogan.  Dana has placed his acting career on hold and is working as a drama teacher for a High School in Tucson.  Dana writes and produces stage versions of popular movies that are not very good.  Things don't seem to be going his way.  More so, when he is told the Drama Class is cancelled due to budget cuts.  So, to call attention to the Class, he writes an zany original play called Hamlet 2.

 

Funny movie once you get past the profanity and Jesus-references.  Hold off as a first-date movie though, let's not push the profanity and Jesus-references so early in a relationship.  Check it out later some time, you should get a chuckle or two!

"Casablanca"

... Movie Classic with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.  Never watched the movie after so many years.  Decided to rent it at the local video store.  Great movie!  Mark this one as a definite first date movie.  Tough guy Humphrey Bogart runs into an old flame who left him standing alone at the train station.  Ingrid is the old flame with a past that has caught up with her.  Add the brief but important role played by Peter Lorre, a quirky and corrupt French Police Captain with a heart, and Sam the piano player.  What do you have, a timeless movie for romantics!  Check this one out if you never have seen it!

"Beer League"

... comedy with Artie Lange and Ralph Macchio as lifelong buddies who have a passion for softball.  Last in their league, they have a tendency to drink beer and not practice as well as fight with the league's number one team.  First game of the season ends in a fight and jail.  Luckily no one has to do hard time because a deal is struck.  The team that wins the most games between the two gets to stay in the league.  The other must leave and find somewhere else to play.

 

Funny moments and as long as you understand it is a comedy and not in the running for an Oscar, you should be okay.  However, would not consider this a first date movie, especially because of the bachelor party scene.  Better chose another movie!

"Nomad: The Warrior"

... movie that looks back to Mongolia and the tribal conflict between two tribes - the Jungar and Kazakh. Prophecy describes a descendant of Genghis Khan will unite the Kazakh and defeat the Jungar. Oraz the Wise, played by Jason Scott Lee, searches for the child (named Erali) who will fulfill the prophecy, finds the infant, and vows to protect him from the Jungar. As time passes, Oraz recruits boys - to include Erali, from each Kazakh tribe and schools them in the art of war. The two best are Erali and his best friend Mansur. Things appear to on the right path to fulfilling prophecy but both Erali and Mansur fall in love with the same woman!

Wait on this one; it is not a first date movie. For those who don't like subtitles, more reason to skip this movie completely!

"Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief"

.... movie that brings a "Harry Potter"-like genre brought to the big screen.  This time it is based on Greek Mythology, how their Gods fit in modern times, and how their children play into humanity.  Protagonist is Percy, son of Poseidon.  Antagonist is another God's son.  Zeus' Lightning Bolt is stolen. Guess who took it?  If it cannot be found, the Greek Gods will have a war between one another.  See more details in the IMDB link.

 

Consider it a harmless first date movie, if and only if your date enjoys this genre.  Else, stay away.  It can be a tedious 2 hours.  FYI: Stay around for the credit; there is a closing scene that involves Percy's mother, boyfriend, and fridge!

"Meet Bill"

... movie with Aaron Eckhart and Elizabeth Banks.  Aaron plays Bill, and unhappy banker married to bank president's daughter.  Elizabeth Banks is his unfaithful wife Jess.  Bill is constantly eating candy bars and dreaming about owning a donut franchise.  He yearns to breakaway from his father-in-law and the bank.  However, before he can get started, Bill is assigned to a mentoring program that includes a smart-mouthed kid who seems to show up when least expected. Worse yet, his wife has an affair with a local TV personality and even includes videos posted online.  So, Bill, the kid, and the kid's friend played by Jessica Alba are on a mission to win back Bill's wife.

A yawner for this movie viewer.  Hold this one for another time and definitely not for a first date.

"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"

... light-hearted comedy with Frances McDormand and Amy Adams.  Frances is Miss Pettigrew, a down on her luck governess.  Amy Adams is Delysia Lafosse, a singer-actress using her "skills" to win a part in an upcoming movie by a famed producer.  While doing so, Delysia is juggling other men like Nick, a nightclub owner, and Michael, her piano player who really loves her!  Miss Pettigrew somehow lands a job as Delysia's social secretary to make sure Delysia gets the part. Over 24 hours, Miss Pettigrew is also called on to help an unfaithful fashion editor patch things up with her boyfriend, a lingerie designer.

 

Funny moments and a safe first date movie.  But, would not put it on the list as a first choice when picking out a movie with your "potential significant other"!  Go pick a romantic comedy, better yet a tear jerker.

"Sideways"

... movie with Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Sandra Oh, and Virginia Madsen.  Paul is an English Teacher, recent divorce, and aspiring writer - yet to be published.  Thomas is an somewhat famous actor who wants one more fling before his wedding. So, Paul and Thomas plan a trip to California Wine Country to golf, enjoy the scenery, taste the many wines offered by the different vineyards. While on their trip, they meet Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen.  One thing leads to another and things happen - wink, wink, wink....

 

A long movie that has its moments but not a first date movie - a divorced man and a bachelor cheating the week before his wedding does not set the right tone for a first date.  Wait a little before watching this one with your potential "significant other".

 

PS:  Did like a few of the lines in the movie - especially, "Did you drink and dial?"

"The Last Word"

... dark comedy with Wes Bentley, Winona Ryder, and Ray Romano.  Sundance style movie that is slow with a lot of "meanings" built into the storyline.  Wes is a writer hired by suicidal people to write their epitaphs.  Winona is the sister of one of Wes' recently deceased clients.  Ray is a depressed musician who hires Wes.

 

Wes and Winona meet at her brother's funeral.  Wes lies about how he met Winona's brother, and she takes a liking to him.  They eventually start dating, have issues, and then breakup. In parallel, Wes and Ray keep working on Ray's "last words", also have troubles, and then come to an understanding.

 

Complex movie that is not a first date movie.  Would hold on this one.

"Roman Holiday"

... classic movie that stands the test of time.  Stars Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck with Eddie Albert doing a great job in his supporting role.  Audrey is Princess Anne, on a European tour. Gregory is Joe Bradley, a correspondent for the American News Service in Rome, and Eddie is a photographer and friend to Gregory.

 

Audrey frustrated with the formality and obligations as a Princess, runs away for 24 hours.  She meets Gregory, who does not recognize her highness at first, but seizes the opportunity for a news scoop once he discovers who she is.

 

A must see movie. Consider this a first date movie with a storyline that does not need sex or foul language to make you watch it!

"All About Steve"

... comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper with Thomas Haden Church, DJ Qualls, and others.  Sandra plays Mary Horowitz, crossword puzzle creator for the Sacramento Herald.  Bradley Cooper plays Steve, news camera man.  Sandra and Bradley are setup by their parents for a blind date.   Things get hot and heavy before they date gets started, and then quickly sours.

 

Funny moments with a decent ending.  Entertaining move but glad to have waited for DVD.  That said, would not pick this one as a first date movie; wait a little bit longer for the relationship to grow.  And then, have a chuckle or two together.  Decided this based on the movie's funny moments do not overcome the underlying theme - a "freaky woman" stalking someone.

"Love Happens"

... drama with Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. Aaron plays a self-help author Burke Ryan; Jennifer is Eloise, a quirky florist.  While on a trip in Seattle, Aaron chances on Eloise in the hallway of his hotel.  Soon after they agree to dinner which starts out terrible but could eventually grow into something more.  Except, Aaron has failed to come to terms with the death of his wife; he portrays himself as a self-help guru but could use therapy himself; and he is living a façade that will catch with him.

 

Slow start and its deep emotional message are too much for a first date movie recommendation.  However, it is a good movie with a decent ending.  Especially liked the father-in-law played by Martin Sheen and the "Parrot"; they played cameo roles but were important to the movie's message.

"Gamer"

... Action movie with Gerard Butler from "The 300" as a convicted death row inmate with a chance for freedom.  All he has to do is survive 30 games.  That is, survive 30 games where convicts are "human Sims" controlled by people who pay to play (or control) the "human Sims".  Standard good versus bad guy scenario; just throw in the software game developer character into the mix.  Liked the movie because the action made me want to see how the movie played out.  But, would not call this one a first date movie due to the blood and guts violence.

"When In Rome"

... Lighthearted comedy about love and love spells. Beth, played by Kristen Bell, is a young, unlucky in love, professional living in New York. However, on a trip to Rome for her sister's wedding, she meets a love interest.  Or, thought she did.  Angry with love and romance, she decides to take four coins and a poker chip from a fountain of love.  The result... she is aggressively pursued by a five suitors, each pledging their love!

 

A lot of laughs, happy ending, and a safe first date movie.  Enjoyed the cast of stars that you will easily recognize.  Check it out some time!  See IMDB for more details about the movie.