Forget 'The Notebook', 10 Alternative Valentine's Day Movies

Valentine's Day movies don't have to be so formulaic you know. Whether you love it or hate it there's no escaping the fact that most of you are going to have to sit down and watch a bad movie on the most romantic day of the year. If your one of the people who's lucky enough to suggest defying romantic convention and be spared from '_The Noteboo_k' once and for all, then how about opting for one of our more unconventional choices.

Silver Linings Playbook

Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence star in this strangely uplifting tale about two people rebuilding their lives after personal set backs. It's a well known fact that every girl wants to be Jennifer Lawrence's BFF and Bradley Cooper's girlfriend so the pair are a match made in heaven. Don't be put off by the dance contest sub-plot, this is miles away from 'Dirty Dancing' nonsense.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Both Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio star in this quirky early nineties film about small town American life. Depp brings his laid back charm to the title character whilst a young DiCaprio shines as his brother Arnie. An unusual film but Depp and leading lady Juilette Lewis make this a memorable somewhat unconventional love story.

Lost in Translation

In the film that made Scarlett Johansson, a recent college graduate makes an unlikely friend in actor Bill Murray as the two Americans find themselves at a loose end in Tokyo. Though not much happens, the film is an extremely enjoyable look at a chance encounter leading to an unlikely and sadly brief friendship.

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Submarine

The directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, 'Submarine 'is the most offbeat of all coming of age films. It centers on a 15 year old Welsh boy attempting to sort out his own love life as well as his parent’s marriage. Dark, witty and wonderfully sarcastic 'Submarine' works at blending the surreal with the mundane to paint an imaginative picture of small town British life.

As Good As It Gets

Jack Nicholson stars as Melvin Udall, a man who’s unsympathetic even by Nicholson character standards. However his life begins to change when he’s left to take care of his neighbours dog and starts falling for waitress Helen Hunt. Jack gives a classic performance in a film that’s funny and oddly romantic, about a man who’s so bad you actually kind of like him. However that might be just be because it’s Jack.

The Wrestler

Bleached blonde MIckey Rouke may not cut a very romantic image, but this 2008 tale of an ageing professional wrestler is both touching and highly emotive. As Randy the Ram Rhodes, Rourke gives the performance of a lifetime alongisde Marisa Tomei as his love interest stripper and Evan Rachael Wood as his daughter, all underscored by Bruce Springsteen.

Edward Scissorhands

Tim Burton’s touching tale of one girl’s love for the most unconventional man has become a modern classic. Johnny Depp's pale faced leading man makes one of the most sympathetic 'monsters' in screen history. Watching it will remind you just how good Tim Burton is and allow you to watch Johnny Depp in eyemake-up without having to sit through any 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies.

Secretary

Before there was ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, 'Secretary' showed us a kinkier kind of love story. Actually don’t even think about ‘_Fifty Shade_s’, this story, about a girl who enters into a S&M relationship with her boss is one of the most strangely romantic films ever. With stellar performances from Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader there’s a lot more to this film than meets the eye.

Arsenic and Old Lace

If you’re not that concerned with Valentine’s romance and want to laugh instead, then this classic comedy is the way to go. Of all the screwball comedies of the late 30's and early 40's this is undoubtedly the most screwy, as Cary Grant plays a newlywed who finds out a devastating secret about his aunties, leading to mayhem unfolding over one pretty eventful night.

Heathers

If you want a high school teen drama but cant stomach most of them, try this dark late eighties comedy starring Winnona Ryder. Focusing on a group of popular girls all called Heather, murder ensues as Ryders character falls in love with bad boy Christian Slater. Like 'Mean Girls' but a lot more mean 'Heathers' is a dark high school comedy drama worthy of cult status.