Boycott the bitterness and pressure of V-day
Valentine’s Day, like New Year’s Eve, is a holiday predisposed to disappointment.
We know this because Garry Marshall has made terrible movies about both of these holidays. In the spirit of confession, I’ll admit that I never actually saw “New Year’s Eve,” but Ashton Kutcher was in it, and that told me all I need to know.
Beginning in January each year, I begin to receive unsolicited press releases with titles like “So You’re Pathetic and No One Loves You,” “Grow a Valentine in Your Kitchen Sink” or “Screw Men and Their Candy Hearts.” These go rightfully into the junk folder.
Frankly, I’m a little sick of the day being marketed as one that either involves bitterness and rancor or high expectation and overblown pressure. It’s one day. There’s no reason for anyone to get their heart-print knickers in a twist.
This is not to say that I haven’t participated in both versions of the holiday. I have recollections of black clothing and garlic pizza, circa 1996. I’ve also said these words: “My job is to say that I don’t care about Valentine’s Day, and your job is to ignore what I say.”
Still, some of my fonder Valentine’s memories have nothing to do with having a date, or not having one, or
the person. And the person’s still there. He’s still the boy he grew up next to and loves and wants to take care of.” ‘THE PRINCESS
BRIDE’ “The Princess Bride” is every fairy tale you’ve ever seen in a way you’ve never seen it. A princess falls for a pirate who is actually the smitten farm boy she’d dismissed. There are wizards, giants, enormous rats, eels and princesses. What’s not to love?
“It’s such a great love story,” said Eldridge, “how they reconnect, even though she doesn’t know who he is.”
She said she especially warms to the character played by Fred Savage, a boy listening to the story. “He hates the kissy parts, and he ends up wanting to know more and more about the book. I think it’s a great message about our imagination.”
A recent viewing of the movie with her children demonstrated the appeal of the film to all ages and genders, Eldridge said. Her son cottoned to the pirate element of the tale, while her daughter, age 4, “was like ‘oh, the princess,’ ” she recalled.