ROMANTIC COMEDIES FOR WARMTH THIS WINTER

Romantic comedies... RomComs... a romance with a bit of comedy... a funny love story - we all love them. The feeling you get when the end credits roll is pure bliss. When you don't know whether you should be smiling or crying, ah, I love that feeling. So, as it's getting colder and colder through this (extra frosty) Winter season, I figured it was the perfect time to mention a few of my all-time favourite romantic comedies to give you a little extra warmth this Winter...

From the moment I first discovered actual feelings (watching my first romantic comedy - that is), I was hooked. The idea that someone could live the perfect life and find perfect love was such a sweet, sweet thing to me and, truth be told, I'm a sucker for a happy ending. So, over the years I have managed to accumulate quite a quality list of happiness.

Here is my list of favourite RomComs - new and old(er).

1. Friends With Benefits (2011)

Friends With Benefits is without-a-damn-doubt my favourite movie to have graced this wonderful world. No matter how many times I watch it, the ending still makes me giddy.

Starring Justin Timberlake (as Dylan Harper) and Mila Kunis (as Jamie Rellis), Friends With Benefits is the perfect movie for a lonely night in - or for a movie night with your best pals.

It shows the story of an "emotionally damaged" Jamie and an "emotionally unavailable" Dylan, whom are both single and, as their budding friendship grows, they make a deal over their trusty bible app. They will sleep together, but stay just friends with (as the picture above reads) "no relationships, no emotions, just sex".

I know you can all guess how this may end - it may even seem a little predictable - but it is such a superb watch and it will take you on a roller coaster of emotions (excuse the cliché).

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ RomCom scale: ★★★★★

2. Easy A (2010)

So, Easy A has been around for a little while now and 87% of people on this planet (incredibly inaccurate statistics) have watched it. However, it definitely deserves a title on my favourites list.

Easy A, starring Emma Stone (as Olive Penderghast), is a seemingly light hearted film, but it definitely surrounds some heavier themes throughout.

As a rumour at school surfaces about Olive Penderghast, she has two choices; to deny it or embrace it. Olive chooses the latter, and gains a new reputation as the "school slut", not thinking about the problems it may cause in the long run.

Easy A, a retelling of The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a witty and hilarious film based on teen sexuality and how horrible the 'rumour mill' really is.

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ RomCom scale: ★★★★☆

3. Flipped (2010)

Flipped is a film that I've only recently discovered through the recommendation of a friend - and boy am I grateful. This is such a feel-good movie.

Starring Callum McAuliffe (as Bryce Loski) and Madeline Carroll (as Juli Baker), Flipped is a very sweet, romantic comedy about two eighth graders - Juli Baker and Bryce Loski. From the day Bryce moved across the street from Juli, she was in love, but Bryce had very different feelings about her. Coming from different social groups in school and financial classes on their street, they were both opposites.

Set in the 1960's, this film about young love and fitting in with society, is such a cute one. The fuzzy feelings that it gave me after watching really sealed the deal for me (excuse yet another cliché) - I love this film.

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ RomCom scale: ★★★★★

4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Okay, so I know that I said 87% of people have seen Easy A, but I'm almost certain that that 92% of people (again - very inaccurate) have watched 10 Things I Hate About You at some point in their lives. BUT it just has to be here right now.

Starring Julia Stiles (as Kat Stratford) and Heath Ledger (as Patrick Verona), 10 Things I Hate About You is a must-see. It is based off of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, but is set in the 90's, in the lives of high schoolers - who knew it would work? Well, it does and has produced a humour-filled, very feministic, yet completely lovable movie.

The story is told of Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a new kid at school, who falls for the gorgeous sophmore Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynic). Bianca's father, however, will only let her date when her older, man-hating sister, Kat does. So, naturally, Cameron and Bianca try to get Kat a date - in possibly the worst way imaginable *cringes*.

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ RomCom scale: ★★★★☆

5. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook is much different to the other titles on my list and is really like no other film I have seen. It revolves a lot around mental illnesses and coming to terms with yourself in that situation, which is not often seen in the film industry.

Telling the story of Pat (Bradley Cooper) and Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), Silver Linings Playbook is more than worth a mention among my favourites.

Pat, having just been released from a mental institution, is trying desperately to rekindle his relationship with his ex-wife Nikki, determined to find his silver lining. Things do get more complicated, however, when Pat meets Tiffany (who is also struggling with her mental health) and they form a deal to help him win over Nikki.

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ scale: ★★★★☆

6. Juno (2007)

Ahh, Juno - a classic. How could I make a list of romantic comedies and not add in this little beauty?

Juno tells the story of 16 year-old, tomboy and cynic, Juno Macguff (Ellen Page), who has an unexpected - but totally expected night with her best friend Bleeker (Michael Cera) and ends up totally pregnant. While sitting in the abortion clinic, Juno makes a big decision to instead have the baby for adoptive couple Mark and Vanessa Lorings (Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner). So she goes about her high school life, not quite expecting for the whole experience to get so complicated...

Overall rating on the BEK JORDYN+ RomCom scale: ★★★★☆

So there you have it - my favourite romantic comedies of all time. All perfect for these cold Winter nights. So light your candles (because candle = fire = warm), brew your double shot espressos and turn on one of these flicks - or one of your own favourites. Add a little extra warmth to your night.

Honestly, this list is always growing and could definitely do with some new editions, so what are some of your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!