Happy Valentine's Day

The DOs and DON'Ts of Romantic Comedies

Some people claim that romantic comedies present an idealized version of love that has no bearing on the real world. But what they don't appreciate is that you can learn a lot about how to navigate through the rough waters of relationships just by watching these movies. Here are ten real lessons in love found on the big screen.

Four Weddings and a Funeral DON'T be afraid to mingle at weddings. While making the scene at a string of weddings with his best pals, lovably bumbling Brit Hugh Grant meets a sweet (but dull) American girl and then proceeds to lose her and get her back repeatedly. Next time you dread buying a gift and suiting up for a wedding, look at the bright side, your bland and beautiful soul mate might be seated at your table!

Say Anything DO make a grand romantic gesture.Sure the trench coat looks a little stalker-ish now but, who can forget John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler the ultimate slacker cutie holding a boom-box (yes, it was the '80s) over his head blasting Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" outside his beloved Diane Court's (Ione Skye) house. That dude was willing to do whatever it took to get his woman back. It was bold, a little bit goofy, and it worked.

When Harry Met Sally DON'T rule out an old friend.In this classic romantic comedy Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal look everywhere for love but with each other. Their friendship is contentious, sometimes sulky, but it's consistent. They are always there for each other (even during her bad perm and shoulder-pads phase). As is always true in this genre, they have to lose each other before they realize what's right under their noses: true love!

Bridget Jones' Diary DON'T date the boss (no matter how cute).No one can blame the hapless Bridget Jones (Renee Zelwegger) for being seduced by Hugh Grant at his most charming. But getting involved with her boss puts Bridget into a series of humiliating incidents. It's only when she takes another look at sweet, Christmas-sweater wearing Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) that she realizes that short skirts in the office is a recipe for disaster, not love.

Hairspray DO go after what you really want.In this singing-dancing retro flick Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonksy) dreams of dancing on TV, racial integration and of course dreamboat Link Larkin (Zac Efron). All sorts of haters tell her she's too chubby for TV or to catch the interest of the high school hunk. Tracy never gets discouraged, she just dances her way into everyone's heart and ends up with the keenest guy in Baltimore.

Hitch DON'T try and outsmart the game.You'd think it'd be easy for Hitch (Will Smith) to find a lady; he is a dating coach after all. But, he's too busy working angles, being smooth, and believing his own hype. Meanwhile his goof-ball protégé Kevin James pretty easily connects with a super-model type. After plenty of mishaps and mis- understandings, Hitch learns that the best way to find love is to drop the attitude and just be real.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding DO try to get along with their family.Is there anything more stressful than meeting and getting along with your significant other's family? Total fish out of water Ian (John Corbett) suffers major culture shock when he and Toula (Nia Vardalos) get engaged and start planning their Greek wedding (which happens to be both big and fat). In this situation it's all about going with the flow, and if your in-laws offer you their favorite food or drink, start with small servings. Because if they serve Ouzo, you'll need to pace yourself.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin DON'T listen to your moronic friends.This raunchy comedy is unexpectedly romantic. Steve Carrell spends much of it under the clueless dating guidance of his work buddies. Between their macho posturing and stoner video game marathons they're hardly good role models. However, when he does his own thing he ends up finally connecting with Catherine Keener the awesomely kooky woman of his dreams.

The Wedding Singer DO look beyond the mulletPoor Robbie (Adam Sandler) is a wedding singer with a gnarly mullet who gets stood up by his bride on their wedding day. But the adorable Julia (Drew Barrymore) is there to console him. Too bad she's engaged to a total '80s-style yuppie jerk. With patience and a little help from Billy Idol, Robbie wins Julia over and she sees that this good guy with a bad hairdo is the man for her.

You've Got Mail DON'T spend so much time on the internet.This 1998 hit was one of the first movies to feature online dating. In it Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks strike up a lively and congenial online relationship. He even counsels her on her real world problems. Of course what neither of them realize in that he is the guy who's shutting down her book shop when they're offline. So if you really want to find love try logging off and venturing into the real world.

Some of my favorite movies right there, I thought this article would be fun to post on my blog, I sure don't mind, because I'm not much for writing... Anyways Happy Valentine's Day!