Reel love: Some romantic movies from a male-female point of view

Valentine's Day. If you're a woman — one who's in a committed relationship, at least — it's the day you look forward to every year.

If you're a man? Not so much. …

In fact, if you're a guy, the thought of having to spend money on flowers, chocolates and jewelry — and various whatnot — might be enough to make you want to use Cupid's arrows on the little guy for revenge.

But don't fret, even if you're feeling the pinch of the current recession, there are some cost-conscious ways to celebrate the occasion. Might we suggest renting movies as an option?

So, movie critic Jeff Vice and theater critic Erica Hansen offer their views with this he-said/she-said take on romantic movies for Valentine's Day. (There are seven picks apiece, 14 in all):

He suggests: "WALL*E" (2008)/"City Lights" (1931).

Disney/Pixar's Oscar-nominated, computer-generated animated feature was quite possibly last year's most romantic movie — despite the fact that the two main characters are automatons that barely say more than each other's "names" throughout the film.

But their robotic "romance" was very touching.

Or if you're not an animation fan, you could always watch the Charlie Chaplin comedy that inspired it. Subtitled "A Comedy Romance in Pantomime," it's an undeniable classic.

Chaplin's beloved "Little Tramp" character attempts to woo a blind flower girl, played by Virginia Cherrill.

Her thoughts on his suggestion: Ummm … The words "automaton" and "romance" are mutually exclusive — I get turned off just hearing it. Without a passionate, romantic kiss, it can only be considered "cute."

She suggests: The perennial most romantic movie "Gone With the Wind" (1939).

There are few things as great as Rhett planting a kiss on Scarlett. And there's not a woman around who doesn't swoon at the thought of Rhett standing at the bottom of that staircase at the barbecue. Sigh. …

His thoughts on her suggestion: I'm still not sure why it takes Rhett nearly four hours to give Scarlett the dumping she deserves.

He also suggests:

"The African Queen" (1951). Another oldie but a goodie, an adventure romance pairing Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

"Ghost Town" (2008) An overlooked but surprisingly charming, supernatural romance with Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni and Greg Kinnear.