A look back to 2016 when Wal Ozello crafted this great playlist for the broken hearted!
Read MoreEight Romantic Rock Movies To Watch on Valentine’s Day Instead of La La Land - by Wal Ozello
editor’s Note: Rob Braithwaite and Ricki C. have been doing a great job of reviewing the Oscar noms this year. Check out what they have to say about La La Land. In the meantime, here’s Wal Ozello, our “Holiday Reporter,” with some ideas on Valentine’s Day.
If you haven’t seen La La Land yet, there’s no doubt your loved one is going to drag you to the movie theatre on Valentine’s Day to see this overhyped movie. I hope Emma Stone got paid millions for this one, and received a lifetime pass to Massage Envy because she totally carried this beast on her shoulders. My two cents is to save your money, stay home, snuggle up on the couch and watch one of these amazing romantic rock movies instead. It’s a diverse list and you and your loved one are bound to enjoy at least one of them.
This Cameron Crowe film features the Seattle Grunge music scene so much that it might as well be credited as a cast member. In fact, there’s cameos from Chris Cornell, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains. Featuring Bridget Fonda, Matt Damon and Kyra Sedgwick this movie depicts Gen X’ers looking for love while discovering who they are… infused with the angst of grunge music. Make sure to check out how tough it is to pick up girls in the Seattle in the clip below.
Pair with: Decaf Café Mochas, Hamburgers and Fries
Uploaded by GeryMetal82 on 2011-03-30.
If Soul and Blues is more your thing, then see Alan Parker’s, The Commitments. The twist is the band is a bunch of white working class stiffs from Ireland playing a traditionally black American music form. Egos come into play and so does romance, but of course there’s a big huge music number at the end. Classic scene is watching back-up singers with thick Irish accents try to sing “Ride, Sally Ride.”
Pair with: Guinness and Fish & Chips
Arguably in my Top Five All-Time Romantic Movies, this movie is about a guy who owns a record store and revisits all his past relationships. Starring John Cusack and Jack Black in a supporting role, it’s a little bit of comedy, some angst from unrequited love and a whole lot of music. Don’t blink or you’ll miss out on a slew of cameos, including one from The Boss.
Pair with: Malbec and Rosemary & Garlic crusted Lambchops
The intro to High Fidelity.
This coming-of-age story from Cameron Crowe is more about the lead character getting exposed to life through the eyes of rock n roll than a love story. The romantic edge to the story explains how love isn’t always puppy dogs and fairy tales, especially in the ego and passion filled world of rock n roll. A little darker than La La Land, but more fulfilling. Kate Hudson gives a brilliant performance and the fake band, Stillwater, comes across so real that you’ll be searching for them on Pandora.
Pair with: Budlight and a Pizza
If you’re a child of the '80s and you haven’t seen this movie, then download it immediately and start watching. Next to This Is Spinal Tap, it’s the best rock comedy you’ll ever see and the '80s references come a mile a minute. Adam Sandler plays a wedding singer that falls in love with Drew Barrymore’s character, who’s getting married to another guy. He helps her plan her wedding while all the time trying to figure out a way to profess his love and keep her from becoming “Mrs. Julia Gulia.” Make sure to stick around to the end for Steve Buscemi’s rendition of Spandau Ballet’s True.
Pair with: Cheap champagne and Baked Chicken
Sandler Singing Love Stinks in the Wedding singer. Funny I have a microphone and you dont so you will listen to every damn word i have to say! Sandler at his best - Good Quality Sir one more outburst and i will strangle you with my microphone wire.
If you’re looking for something more on the cheesy side, then go with this one. Tom Hank’s directorial debut is a homage to the '50s one-hit wonders. The romance comes in the form of the band’s drummer falling for the lead singer’s girlfriend, played by Liv Tyler. It’s filled with fun music and a few cameos, include Kevin Pollack as Boss Vic Koss, a local DJ celebrity from Pittsburgh.
Pair with: Iron City and Stew
Yeah, I’m putting this one on the list. Prince is an amazing guitarist and performer. While his acting is a bit lacking and the story line is simplistic, it’s filled with a bunch of great R&B pop rock songs by the man himself. For those of you that love real music that you can dance to, put in your DVD of this and relive your high school days. Make sure you cuddle up next to your loved one on the couch for some extra fun. Here's a particularly hot scene.
Pair with: Chardonnay and Steamed Lobster
If Country is more your thing, and you’ve actually made it this far down on my list, then may I remind you of this gem of a movie. Joaquin Phoenix does such an awesome job in this movie, you believe you’re actually watching Johnny Cash. Likewise, Reese Witherspoon nails it as his soulmate, June Carter. This movie is full of demons (what country story isn’t) but true love conquers. I dare you to watch this proposal scene and tell me you don't want to see the rest of it.
Pair with: BBQ Ribs and Jack Daniels
Uploaded by The Verdict on 2016-10-02.
Valentine's Day Playlist For The Broken Hearted
By Pencilstorm Contributor Wal Ozello
It's Valentine's Day. The day you snuggle up to the one you love, make romantic love, and create lasting blissful memories. You softly turn up the stereo and listen to Journey’s Faithfully, Zeppelin’s Thank You, Eagles' Peaceful Easy Feeling, or Firehouse’s Love of a Lifetime – all depending on your flavor of rock.
But if there’s one thing that rock teaches us is that love is complicated. It’s messy, at times disappointing, and even a lifetime full of love can be littered with a rocky journey. So with that said, I'd like propose an alternate Valentine's Day rock playlist - one for the brokenhearted and one that's more reflective of reality.
For those of you who are longing for more out of your relationship, may I suggest this song from Cheap Trick.
Music video by Cheap Trick performing I Want You To Want Me (Stereo). (C) 1979 SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Looking for something a little more physical? Maybe a bit celebratory about last night’s adventure? Look no further than this classic by AC/DC.
Music video by AC/DC performing You Shook Me All Night Long. (C) 2009 Leidseplein Presse, B.V..
Maybe it's been a little long since your ex left you but you still can't get over her. You seem to be going out of your way to run into her. Others claim you're stalking her. She's put out a restraining order on you. This is probably your theme song.
Music video by The Police performing Every Breath You Take (Black and White Version). (C) 1983 A&M Records Ltd.
Pining over your ex? Even though they've moved on? How about some Scorps.
Official video in HD. Top European hit of 1984 & 1985. Written by Klaus Maine and Rudolf Schenker. From "Love At First Sting". Label: EMI
Maybe you’ve finally come to terms that your relationship wasn’t supposed to be? You were living one big lie.
Song by puddle of mudd . She hates me the uncensored version.Now we can hear the "fucking" words.
This rock classic captures the pains and heartbreaks of love in a way no other does.
One filmed in 1969
Here’s the ultimate Valentine’s Day Rock Anthem. Whether you’re alone today or in a long lasting relationship, I’m sure you’ll at some point in your life you've agreed with this song.
Official video of J. Geils Band performing Love Stinks from the album Love Stinks. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/l4quek Like J. Geils Band on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thejgeilsband Official Website: http://www.jgeilsband.com/
Finally - how about a laugh this Valentine's Day? Here's special version of a hit from the 80's made famous by Bonnie Tyler. Trust me - watch it all the way through.
The Dan Band's hilarious cover of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart", which aired on cable television. Explicit language.
Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 , Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.