Bridal Section

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Valentine's day is this Sunday and of course at 9 p.m. most of you should be watching The X-Files. If you're not a fan or you're looking to celebrate the holiday early (like I am), here are some of my romantic video picks to set the mood.

Casablanca is the ultimate romantic classic and surprisingly, there are a lot of people who have never seen the film. Nothing says more about love than a romantic triangle and World War II. If you are looking for some other classics try Romeo and Juliet, the Franco Zefferelli version or the Leonardo Dicaprio version. It's the same script, just two different styles.

Another example of two movies that have virtually the same story but two completely different looks is An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle. The movies both end all sappy on top of the Empire States Building. If I had my druthers, I would not be on top of that building on the night of Feb. 14. It gets really cold in New York.

Speaking of New York, I would like to plug both Annie Hall and Manhattan, two of Woody Allen's best films. I realize that many people just don't understand or like him or his movies but Annie Hall is the best romantic comedy of all time. You find another one that won an Oscar for Best Picture. Manhattan is also a charmer and both films feature Diane Keaton, an exceptionally gifted actress and comedienne.

Also set in New York City was the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's. This is a great movie and Audrey Hepburn is wonderful as Holly-Go-Lightly. My only problem with this film was Mickey Rooney's stereotypical performance as Holly's Asian neighbor.

Love Story with Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal is a good Valentine's Day movie if only because it gives us the classic line "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Many people beg to differ and it is an instant conversation starter. So is Titanic.

There is plenty to discuss with the film that swept the 1997 Academy Awards. For instance, I saw the movie saying more about Rose's emerging independence rather than discussing love at first sight. It is long but worth it.

My last two picks are my two favorites: Say Anything and Always. Say Anything is a completely accurate portrayal of what love between two different types of people is like after leaving the restraining classes of high school.

As for Always, this was one of many of Spielberg's unnoticed films. It concerns a pilot who dies and returns as a ghost to see the woman he loved. There's more to it than that but, why spoil it? John Goodman, Holly Hunter and Audrey Hepburn star in this remake of an old movie called A Man Called Joe.

There's a good possibility that one, if not most of these films will be on television this weekend. They are all available for rental at your local video store as well. Have a good Valentine's Day and remember: Be Kind and rewind.

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