Chick Flicks We Can Stomach - Dating advice for men : dating tips

Snuggling up on the couch with your honey bunny to watch a movie is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures. But often, what should be one of the easiest ways to spend an evening can take a harsh, unexpected detour to Scrapsville, and it usually all starts at the video store. Finding a movie you both want to see can be tougher than brokering Middle East peace deals. And then, before you can say “Pretty Woman,” you’ve insulted one too many of her choices and she’s not talking to you for the next hour. Sound familiar?

This doesn’t have to happen to you. We’ve compiled a safe list of 10 guy-friendly chick flicks that you can offer up as an olive branch without objecting yourself to too much pain -- another service from the kind souls at AskMen.com.

Number 10

Meet Joe Black (1998)

Brad Pitt, Claire Forlani, Anthony Hopkins

Pretty boy Brad Pitt scared a lot of guys away from this film, but those who got past his coiffed good looks were treated to a strange, moving study of life, death and love. Pitt plays Death, who decides to try his hand at life and see what he’s been missing all these years. He enlists a media baron played by Anthony Hopkins to act as a guide and promptly falls in love with the man’s daughter. Is it a compliment if the Grim Reaper thinks you are attractive? I guess so, if he looks like Brad Pitt.

Why she’ll like it: Deep down, just about every girl is a daddy’s girl. So watch for the waterworks to come out when Hopkins stands up to Death and tells him his love isn’t good enough for his daughter (played by the always underrated Claire Forlani). His speech is moving, eloquent and directed at a man who could kill him with one touch. That takes a lot of balls.

Why you’ll like it: Brad Pitt’s sudden, unexpected and downright brutal death scene early in the movie is almost reason enough to sit through this long melodrama. The fact that it is also a totally unique, well-acted movie is another.

Number 9

Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

Madonna, Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn

A lot of guys have grown up watching Madonna go from vixenish voguing dancer to cougar yummy mummy. But back in her younger days, she was something else! And you get to see her in her prime in this better-than-you’d-expect little ‘80s comedy. The material girl stars as a funky sort of transient who comes into the life of a bored urbanite wife (Rosanna Arquette). Their meeting quickly ends the housewife's boredom, as all sorts of mob antics and mistaken identity hilarity ensues.

Why she’ll like it: It’s not so much just one scene she’ll enjoy; it’s the whole movie. And she’ll enjoy it on an entirely different level than you, taking great pleasure in mocking the classic ‘80s haircuts, clothes and lingo. Just nod and laugh.

Why you’ll like it: It’s not so much the movie you’ll enjoy; it’s more like watching a lithe, young Madonna prancing around in slutty outfits for 104 minutes -- what guy wouldn’t like a film like that?

Number 8

Thelma & Louise (1991)

Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel

There are a lot of reasons to hate this movie, from Brad Pitt’s extended (and shirtless) acting debut to its male-bashing undertones. But Ridley Scott’s (Alien, Blade Runner) quick-paced direction and Academy Award-worthy performances from its two stars (Sarandon and Davis) make this more than just a passable “chick flick;” they make it a downright phenomenal movie-watching experience.

It tells the story of two women on a cross-country road trip who get caught up with the law after they kill a would-be rapist. It’s a tale of justice and honor, and how it can end up making you drive off a cliff.

Why she’ll like it: Take your pick: She’ll either love the instant justice Sarandon and Davis impart on the attempted rapist or she’ll draw much inspiration from their suicidal choice to avoid further persecution from mean, old men. It might not sound too interesting, but she’ll feel so empowered from this stuff you just might see a new, interesting side to her if things get frisky.

Why you’ll like it: It’s sort of a road trip movie, so that means cars! And what a car they drive: It’s a 1966 Thunderbird convertible and it is one hot, little rod. Not only that, but this film is also head and shoulders above most of the other fluffy chick flicks. Pick your poison: car chases and sex scenes or You’ve Got Mail. Enough said.

Number 7

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Keith

It would seem that director Taylor Hackford (Ray, Proof of Life) and his screenwriters set out to make a film that bridges the gender gap and makes for a peaceful night of movie watching for a guy and a girl. He takes a realistic love story for the ladies and mixes in lots of hardcore boot camp action to keep the guys happy. The results are good enough that you shouldn’t resist if she suggests it. You’ll see Richard Gere play an ambitious recruit fast-tracking up the ladder, and Debra Winger as a bored textile worker trying to ride his coattails out of her dead-end town (no offence to Port Townsend, Washington, where the movie was filmed).

Why she’ll like it: It has a long, drawn out, exceedingly realistic love story that plays on the age-old themes of true love, chivalry and spastic facial muscles. In other words, she is going to cry -- a lot. For most girls, that is a good thing.

Why you’ll like it: It’s like Top Gun, only with more drama and less overt homoeroticism.

Number 6

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

This has basically come to epitomize the “chick flick,” meaning most guys would rather shave their mother’s legs than waste a Friday night watching this presumed puff piece. But the fact is it’s a good movie packed with hilarious dialogue. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan play longtime friends who find themselves delving into that age-old “friends with benefits” category. Under the skillful direction of Rob Reiner (Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men), the awkwardness that ensues is priceless comedy. So get over yourself and just watch it. You’ll be glad you did.

Why she’ll like it: When Harry Met Sally is like shoe shopping: Only females truly appreciate its existence. She is basically hardwired to like this movie with its sappy charm, so just sit back and enjoy the humor.

Why you’ll like it: The movie is filled with some really good jokes. This is Billy Crystal at his best and Meg Ryan at her cutest.

Number 5

Serendipity (2001)

Watching any chick flick involves putting up with a fair amount of cheese. This offering boasts the always reliable John Cusack and the easy-on-the-eyes Kate Beckinsale. OK, it also oozes buckets of cheddar, but it’s a small sacrifice for making the girl happy for two hours. It’s good enough that you’ll admit privately to liking it, but will disavow any knowledge in public.

Two lovers meet by chance and declare to go their separate ways to see if fate will reunite them. Perhaps motivated by raising women’s expectations on irrational, romantic behavior, fate does indeed see to it that they meet years later (at the same spot), and they end up falling in love. That’s a bit of a spoiler, but it won’t ruin the movie.

Why she’ll like it: It is kind of like math: One lovable loser + One quirky, misunderstood young girl divided by Time = One weepy girl beside you on the couch who needs to be held.

Why you’ll like it: Get past the cliché schmaltz, accept the cute dialogue and enjoy the steady Cusack performance. Then look at the box and realize it is only 90 minutes long.

Number 4

The Craft (1996)

A lot of girls toyed with the Goth stage in their youth, so this little chick flick appeals to that dark past. In it, hot, teenaged witches duke it out for more and more power with their spells. A new girl in town gets involved with the bad crowd (bad being the aforementioned witches), and from there, it is a supernatural catfight of good versus evil, which makes for a pretty entertaining horror-inspired movie.

Why she’ll like it : No doubt she liked the bitchy teens in Mean Girls. Now it’s time to give the girls with creepy, evil powers a chance.

Why you’ll like it: Did I mention that the girls go to a private school? Can you say uniforms? Yes, it is a horror movie that makes something besides the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Number 3

Blue Crush (2002)

This chick flick is about bikini-clad surfer girls, so she might be a bit suspicious if you suggest it, but in the end, your hormone-driven choice will be justified, as the movie is pretty darn entertaining. Miss "Booty Shorts" and Miss "Bare Midriff" star as surfers who take on riptides, professional quarterbacks, bitchy girls, and all the other usual pitfalls associated with being a surfer. Gorgeous Hawaiian scenery and amazing surf footage make this an entirely entertaining and underrated movie.

Why she’ll like it: Besides the obvious cushy love story stuff, there is a very empowering, girls-rule feel to Blue Crush. If that’s not enough, there are six-pack sporting hunks all over the place. So, there’s a bunch of eye candy for everyone.

Why you’ll like it: Seriously? You have to ask?

Number 2

Mean Girls (2004)

Anyone who has been in high school knows how catty girls can be to each other. So imagine how funny a movie about them would be (especially when it’s written by Saturday Night Live cutie Tina Fey). Throw in a little Lohan for window dressing and it’s the ultimate renter. Our favorite freckled Hollywood starlet leads as a newcomer planted in a socially tense high school. At first she wins the praise of the popular girls (self-named “The Plastics” -- although I would have much preferred “The Silicones”). But, one major social faux pas later, she becomes the target of their extremely mean-spirited spite. This is a bad place to be, unless you are a scheming, precocious teen like Lohan is in this film.

Why she’ll like it: With all the hair pulling, name calling and backstabbing, Mean Girls will remind her of those halcyon days of high school.

Why you’ll like it: It is a smart “teen” movie that is miles better than the rest.

Number 1

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

One of the things that makes any chick flick somewhat watchable is how easy on the eyes the female lead usually is. So how does an uber-chick flick that stars a frumpy, disheveled Renee Zellweger make it on this list? By doing everything right, from little things like editing to the big things like casting. Bridget Jones is a perpetually single, 30-something girl living in London who makes a pledge to improve her life and get a man. She records this in excruciating detail in her diary, hence the film’s title.

Every guy will have to admit that Zellweger oozes irresistible charm as the spunky lead character, and Hugh Grant’s smarmy turn as her misogynistic boss is hilarious.

Why she’ll like it: It’s like a perfect storm of chick flick obsessions: shoes, diaries, torrid affairs, celebrity gossip, and so on. In fact, I believe girls are legally obligated to like this movie.

Why you’ll like it: You might not want to like it, but it will suck you in and make you like it.

wise guys comprise

Anyone can tell you how much compromise it takes to maintain a peaceful relationship. And there is no place this holds truer than the video store. It can’t always be Cops, Guns & Boobs or Dead Soldiers In The End Zone. Eventually, you’ll have sit through something she wants to watch. Now you’ve got 10 suggestions that can make her happy and will keep you from trying to swallow your own tongue out of boredom. Happy viewing.