Fretting over Valentine’s Day? Don’t think twice about it. February 13th has an even greater holiday to celebrate: Galentine's Day. Celebrate “Galentine’s Day” with these five awesome movies featuring strong female lead characters. That’s what Galentine’s Day is all about: Ladies celebratin’ ladies.
1. Bridesmaids Thinking about kickin’ back with your lady friends and sharing a laugh? Check out Bridesmaids! Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph are absolute gems (no surprise) alongside Melissa McCarthy, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Rose Byrne. (Also gems) The film is impeccable with a great mix of “lets gross out the audience” humor and quality comedic writing. It’s hard not to enjoy “Bridesmaids.” (Plus, Chris O’Dowd is incredibly charming, so that’s a bonus.) For a full synopsis: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridesmaids_2011/
2. Frida How much do you really know about Frida Kahlo? Anything more than her art and unibrow? If not, you should educate yourself and watch Frida. Salma Hayek’s portrayal of Frida Kahlo really engages the audience in Kahlo’s eventful life. Once watching this movie, you won’t look at a Frida Kahlo piece the same. She has an incredible story to tell. For a full synopsis: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/frida/
3. Heathers Best way to celebrate Galentine’s Day? 80’s cult movie. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater are phenomenal in this dark, cynical, high school drama movie. Remember those terrible cliques in high school? Ryder and Slater come up with a way to rid their high school of these awful cliques, taking social politics into their own hands. Ryder is a total knock out and bad a** in this movie. It’s definitely worth the watch. (Even if only for the amazing oversized 80’s blazers.) For a full synopsis: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/heathers/
4. Never Let Me Go Confession Session: sometimes you just need a heartbreaking romantic movie to cry to. “Never Let Me Go” will definitely have your eyes sweatin’. The love triangle between Kathy (Carrie Mulligan), Ruth (Keira Knightley), and Tommy (Andrew Garfield) is heart wrenching and captivating. While the love story will have you glued to the screen, the context of the lives they live will have you questioning what the meaning of life is all about. It’ll have you crying for multiple reasons, so grab yourself some tissues and your favorite comfort snack. Carrie Mulligan and Keira Knightley are spectacular as always, embodying the plights of their characters amidst the broader context of a dystopian future. I am warning you, it is sad. But it is oh so good. For a full synopsis: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/never_let_me_go_2010/ 
5. Amelie Quirky, charming, and delightful. That’s what Amelie is: both the character and the movie. Amelie (Audrey Tautou) a painfully shy, but ultimately charming Parisian woman commits herself to secretly helping the people around her. Although the entire film is in French, you don’t really mind reading the subtitles (unless you know French?) because the film is so well crafted and gorgeous to watch. This will be the antidote to “Never Let Me Go.” It celebrates the whimsy and little things that make life so special. For a full synopsis: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/amelie/reviews/#type=user&page=2
By Alison Kuhn
