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Valentine's Day movie recommendations for teens and tweens!
Why should adults have all the fun this Valentine's Day? We show some love to the younger audiences.
A day celebrating love should belong to everybody. But grown-ups have such a strong monopoly over Valentine’s Day, children and teens are mostly kept out of the festivities.
Why not let them appreciate the sweetness of fairy-tale romances on the flat screen while you venture out for that hot date with your partner?
This February 14, whether your kid is a starry-eyed Cinderella fangirl or grosses out about all things lurrrve or 16 going on 17, we’ve got a movie recommendation for them all.
Student of the Year
After successfully establishing ‘Pyaar Dosti Hai’ in his debut blockbuster, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, director Karan Johar channelled his eternal hipster to launch three new faces -- Siddharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan -- in a desi High School Musical.
Even though K Jo’s fantasy campus with its glitzy fashion and swanky actors on the brink of stardom bonding over the usual -- romance and exams, is fare removed from reality, Student of the Year hit the right note with its target audience of teens and tweens.
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Ponyo
Be it My Neighbour Totoro or Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli creator Hayao Miyazaki’s animated offerings are a delight for viewers of all ages, especially little boys and girls who become the centre of focus in most of his stories.
In this reworking of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, filled with glorious hand-drawn animation, five-year-old Sosuke rescues a goldfish and names her Ponyo.
Together they embark on wondrous adventures after she magically transforms into a girl his age.
Best part? Unlike its original source, it ends on a happy note.
Shrek
Irreverent and adorable at once, Shrek is the film to watch over and over again.
Right from its hilarious onslaught of spoofed fairy tale creatures to an unlikely romance between an ogre and Princess (also a donkey and fire-breathing dragon), Shrek underscores true love, friendship and beauty lies in staying in one’s own skin.
Tangled
In its revamped avatar, Disney has made a lot of effort to dump its princess-in-distress model to create a plucky, self-reliant heroine. Be it Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), Merida (Brave), Anna (Frozen) or Tangled’s golden-haired Rapunzel.
Revolving around a lost princess who runs away from home, bumps into a handsome crook along with other oddballs to come-of-age in a fast-paced 3D cartoon that brims with wit, vivacity, colours and enchantment.
Lucas
Falling in love for the first time is a cherished experience in every individual’s history. And David Seltzer’s sensitive portrayal of a geeky Corey Haim’s (as Lucas) condition is most poignant and sweet.
Lucas is in love with the slightly older and gorgeous Margaret. Margaret is attracted to the football-playing hunk Cappie (a young Charlie Sheen) whereas the shy Rina (a super cute Winona Ryder) crushes on Lucas.
Only Lucas isn’t yet another unfortunate quadrangle but a perceptive examination of how tender minds work. Like the legendary critic Roger Ebert observes in his review, 'It is about teenagers who are learning how to be good to each other, to care and not simply to be filled with egotism, lust and selfishness.'
Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge
How does college romance work in the age of social networking?
2011 rom-com Mujhse Fraaandship Karogre investigates, as the title emphasises, without taking itself too seriously.
Thanks to director Nupur Asthana’s breezy treatment and carefree vibe emanating from Saba Azad and Saqib Saleem’s performances, the upshot is a straightforward and very watchable date movie.
Legend
What’s V-Day without a trip down fairy-tale lane?
In Ridley Scott’s grand resume of modern-day classics like Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise lies hidden a surreal fantasy treat featuring unicorns, fairies, elves, warriors, princesses and a ferocious red demon called Darkness.
While Tim Curry is unforgettable as the face of fear, a 20-something Tom Cruise looks every bit the knight in shiny armour.
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown
Charles Schulz’ loveable creations -- Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty and Marcie, in short, the Peanuts gang, has regaled readers for decades. And equally entertaining are the animated movies based on them.
While A Charlie Brown Christmas remains a certified classic, there’s a lot to be chuffed about Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown as well.
Here’s a sampler:
Charlie Brown: Did you see my name on any of those valentines?
Schroeder: No, I haven’t been paying any attention. What’s that briefcase for?
Charlie Brown: Well, in case I get a lot of valentines, I’ll want to have something to carry them in.
Sixteen Candles
Director John Hughes is a master of this genre.
Among countless of his teen classics, there’s Sixteen Candles, which recounts the crazy events of a day in Samantha Baker’s (teen heartthrob and Hughes favourite, Molly Ringwald) life, her sixteenth birthday.
Amidst the disappointment of forgetful parents, batty grandparents, chaotic wedding preparation in the house, a geek in her hot pursuit and her infatuation with the cutest boy in school, Sixteen Candles goes through many a madcap events before reaching is aww-evoking conclusion.
Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke
A far cry from Mahesh Bhatt’s serious fare, Hum Hain Raahi Pyaar Ke captures Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla’s frothy chemistry at its peak.
She’s a runaway bride. He’s a single guardian to three bratty kids.
Together, they bring the house down with mirth, music and merriment.
And as the romance progresses, the kids too go from hopeless to highly exemplary.