This document provides movie recommendations and reviews for Valentine's Day, whether for couples celebrating the holiday or for those against it. It recommends "500 Days of Summer" and "Blue Valentine" for those against Valentine's Day, and "Say Anything" and "Obvious Child" for couples. It reviews these movies and others in 1-3 sentences each. It also discusses the anticipation surrounding the release of the movie adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Grey" on Valentine's Day weekend and how various couples and groups plan to see it.

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theallstate.org

2. 2 Valentine’s Day www.theallstate.orgWednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
» By KYLE ROBINSON
StaffWriter
No matter how you feel about
Valentine’s Day, I’m here with more
movie reviews for you.
Whether you’re for or against the
holiday, I’ve picked out some movies
that shouldn’t be missed.
If you find yourself down or
completely against Valentine’s Day this
year, check out “500 Days of Summer”
or “Blue Valentine.”
If you’re the type of couple that
doesn’t like fighting for reservations
at a fancy restaurant and would rather
spend it on the couch, check out “Say
Anything” or “Obvious Child.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey
Deschanel star in “500 Days of Sunner.”
This romantic comedy is about a man
who falls in love with a woman.
Bet you didn’t see that coming.
Well, this movie isn’t as predictable as
the beginning would suggest.
In fact, it states at the beginning of
the movie that it is not a love story and
takes you through the male perspective
of a relationship.
The film is funny, yet honest about
modern day relationships.
My next pick for the anti-Valentine’s
Day category stars someone for all you
women to look at: Ryan Gosling. “Blue
Valentine” also stars Michelle Williams
and tells a story about a relationship
falling apart.
The film jumps around through their
relationship.
You see the ups, as well as the
powerfully acted lows.
Gosling plays a high school dropout
with little ambition in life, while
his wife (Williams) is following her
ambitions for a better life.
This could be what starts to chip
away at their relationship, but the film
is up for interpretation.
For you lovebirds out there, my
first pick is the American classic “Say
Anything.”
“Say Anything” is a late 80s film
from the guy who later gave us “Almost
Famous.”
Starring John Cusack, this movie is
about a high school senior who must
win a girl’s heart before she leaves for a
study abroad in England.
It’s not just a cheesy teen movie like
you would see now; it’s an honest and
rewarding film. “Say Anything” is the
film all romantic comedies strive to be.
For my second love flick, I’m going to
go out on a limb, but hopefully you will
trust me.
“Obvious Child” came out last year
and surprised a lot of critics for its
brilliant script and direction.
“Obvious Child” is the debut of
writer-director Gillian Robespierre and
it’s another amazing “real” film that is
refreshing and worthwhile.
I remember laughing more at this
film than any other last year.
It follows the life of a struggling
stand-up comic who finds herself
pregnant after a drunken one-
night stand and decides to get an
abortion. TAS
NetflixistheanswertoValentine’sDay
Whether you’re single or taken, here is a foolproof way to have a good Valentine’s Day
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3. Katherine,
I can live without you, but without you,
I’ll be miserable at best.
Debbie,
We love you.
-Jordan and Larry
LOVE NOTES
Dear
Lauren,
I like you.
Creative
Writing
Club is
love!
Kaleigh
Goose,
You are
BAE.
Valentine’s Day 3www.theallstate.org Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Valentine’s
Day is for
losers.
I love you, Sondra, with
all my heart! 21 years
and you’re still the love
of my life, my soulmate,
my best friend!
Carly,
Love you
little duck.
Katelyn,
New
Orleans.
Turn up.

4. » ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Brittany Brown wouldn’t miss the
opening of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie for
anything.
She has read and re-read all three books, uses the
app, follows FSOG role play on Twitter and set her
DVR to record trailers for the highly anticipated
Valentine’s weekend release.
But ditching her boyfriend for her gal gang of
superfans was problematic.
“Feb. 14 is actually his birthday. He’ll go out with
his guy friends and I’ll see FSOG with my friends.
Later that evening we’ll all meet up to party. We’ll
celebrate Valentine’s Day on Sunday as a couple,”
said Brown, a 22-year-old public relations
intern in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Three years in the waiting, the opening of
the erotic romance on sweethearts’ weekend
will be a breathless affair for “Fifty” die-
hards everywhere.
Some will have husbands in tow. Some
already have tickets.
And those book groups of mommies
that helped propel the bondage story to
more than 100 million copies
sold?
They’ll be crowding
theaters, too.
Lyss Stern in New York
will be one of them with
50 friends, including some
very expectant ones.
“Hopefully nobody will go into
labor,” she laughed.
Stern, 40, throws mom-centric
social events for a living and
once feted “Fifty” writer EL
James at the height of mania
over the books.
Come Feb. 13, Stern will
be handing out treats to her
buddies when they take the
She’ll include special swee
“There will be some fun t
“It’s the most buzzed-about
long time. It’s a ‘Sex and the
know it’s not going to win a
going to be fun.”
In North Hampton, New
Altman wholeheartedly, com
“My wife and I have been
movie was announced,” said
satellite communications co
or boyfriend will go see this
WILL be a payoff.”
The ticket-buying site Fan
propelled “Fifty Shades” int
time Top 5 for R-rated selec
Several hundred screenin
Some are in unanticipated
Mississippi, and Chattanoo
Jenna Mulford, manager o
cinema in Iowa Falls, Iowa,
hands.
At her Metropolitan Oper
she’ll offer the faith-based “
abstinence outside of marri
She’s sure there will be cro
conversation or two.
Mulford reached out to ch
sure they knew “Old Fashio
numerous queries for “Fifty
“The curiosity is going to
their faith is going to pull th
predicted.
Outscreened and outfinan
Fashioned” held its release t
poking fun along the way in
taglines.
“Love is ... anything but g
Rik Swartzwelder stars in
antiques dealer Clay Walsh,
the religious, not Grey varie
any woman he’s not married
Happy ValeWednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
Anticipation
dominat
FREEIMAGE

5. eir seats in a Manhattan theater.
ets and other, er, stuff.
toys, of course,” she promised.
t film in the mommy world in a
e City’ kind of excitement. We
an Oscar, but we also know it’s
Hampshire, you can count Lou
mpletely voluntarily, in.
n planning this date since the
d the 50-year-old head of a
ompany. “Any half-smart husband
s movie with his wife. There
ndango said pre-sales have
to the 15-year-old company’s all-
ctions.
ngs have already sold out.
d hot spots, including Tupelo,
ga, Tennessee.
of a two-screen independent
will have quite a weekend on her
ra House, which it once was,
“Old Fashioned,” a sweet look at
iage, along with “Fifty Shades.”
ossover, and a lively lobby
hurches in her area to make
oned” was coming while fielding
y.”
o pull them toward one and
hem toward the other,” Mulford
nced, the creators of “Old
to open against “Fifty Shades,”
n trailers that flash cheeky
grey,” reads one.
n “Old Fashioned” as small-town
, a porn king turned Christian (of
ety) who refuses to be alone with
d to, including a free spirit who
rents the apartment above his shop.
He also wrote, directed and co-produced the movie,
booked into about 200 theaters, and helped position it as the
David up against the kinky Goliath on Valentine’s weekend.
“It seemed like a unique time to say let’s have this
discussion,” Swartzwelder said of the sexually disparate
selections. “Who do we want to be?”
As Mulford juggles her church guests and “Fifty” fans,
Universal Pictures has offered “Fifty” blockbuster treatment
with wide release around the world for the holiday.
So, in real life, exactly how large a shadow has been cast
by the books?
According to a new Associated Press-WE tv survey of
1,315 adults, 2 in 10 Americans say they’ve heard “a great
deal” (9 percent) or “quite a bit” (11 percent) about the
books.
Another 44 percent say they’ve heard at least something
about them.
Fifteen percent say they’ve actually read some. Even more
— 22 percent — say they plan to see the movie.
Among those who have heard of the story, nearly 4 in 10
(39 percent) credit the popularity of the trilogy for making
people more adventurous in their sex lives.
Another 3 percent say it’s made people less adventurous,
and 57 percent say there’s been no impact.
And the women take it among fans: Nearly a quarter of
women (24 percent) say they have read some part of the
trilogy, compared with only 4 percent of men.
Number
crunching aside,
Kendra Davis and
her husband are
among those who
nabbed “Fifty”
tickets in advance.
“My husband is not
into ‘Fifty Shades.’
In fact, I’m sure he’ll
be surprised by the
intensity and high level
of intimacy in the film,”
said the 28-year-old Davis, who
works for a nonprofit in the Cleveland area. “Since
it’s Valentine’s Day, I’m sure a lot of women are using this
opportunity for date night and turning up the heat in the
bedroom.”
Maybe not everybody.
Mandy Menaker, 26, and her 32-year-old sister, Jamie
Menaker, are both in relationships, but they’ll be leaving the
menfolk at home.
Valentine’s Day is reserved for their partners but they’re
carrying on a sisterly tradition by heading together to “Fifty
Shades” opening weekend.
“During Valentine’s week we pick out the best ‘worst
movie’ we can find and sneak beer into the theater,” Mandy
explained.
Ben Oduro, 27, a Bronx-raised talent agent, tried the first
book but he didn’t make it through. Yet he’ll be at a theater
— stealthily alone — on opening weekend.
“I just want to see what the fanfare is all about,” he said.
“That book is a no-no in my world. Being a black male and
reading a book where the demographic is more ‘Desperate
Housewives’ or women in general is a ticket to be laughed
at.”
Oscar Mendizabal, 30, an Internet technology specialist
in Los Angeles, is warming up to his “Fifty” movie date with
his wife of nearly 12 years.
They’ll be joined by her brother and his girlfriend.
He’s given up on his plan to sneak into “American Sniper.”
“At the end of the day,” Mendizabal said, “I’m a sucker for
love.” TAS
entine’s Day www.theallstate.org
n for ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’
tes fan-world
,,Any half-smart husband or
boyfriend will go see this
movie with his wife.There
will be a payoff.”
— Lou Altman, husband.

6. Happy Valentine’s Day to the
Theatre and Dance
Department.
#askmeaboutthenewBFA
« CHECK OUT ourValentine’sDaystoriesonlineattheallstate.org
andshareyourValentine’sDayplanswithusonsocialmediausing
#VDay#TAS
Thank you for picking up this special Valentine’s Day edition of
The All State. Special editions are something we do occasionally to
highlight a special holiday or event.
They’re enjoyable and offer extra opportunities for The All State to
connect and interact with students in a fun way.
Specifically in this edition, we wanted to offer all members of the
APSU community a chance to tell someone they care.
We hope you enjoy this special edition, and we want to thank you
for all of your support whether you purchased a Love Note ad, a
Student Publications signature Valentine’s Day card or you simply
picked up the newspaper.
We’d love to hear what you think about the special edition. Tweet
us @TheAllState or tag us on Instagram @TheAllState_APSU.
Be sure to pick up our special President White Inauguration
edition on Wednesday, March 23.
And last, but certainly not least: Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jennifer, Editor-in-Chief
XOXO
Note from the editor

7. Valentine’s Day 7www.theallstate.org Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015
» By SYDNE SCIVALLY
StaffWriter
Each year, more and more students choose to celebrate
Singles Awareness Day rather than Valentine’s Day.
The origin of Valentine’s Day is mysterious, but it
contains traces of both Christian and ancient Roman
traditions.
There are many different stories concerning the origin
of St. Valentine, for whom the holiday is named.
One legend reports Valentine was ordered to be put to
death for performing marriages for young people after
Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men.
Another story suggests Valentine was imprisoned for
breaking Christians out of harsh Roman prisons. While he
was in prison, he sent a letter to a young girl and signed it
“From your Valentine.”
Valentine’s greetings were popular during the Middle
Ages, but written Valentines didn’t begin until after 1400.
The holiday evolved to include flowers, candy and
other facets of the modern Valentine’s Day during the 18
century.
But, the traditional romantic holiday seems to be slowly
fading away from college campuses.
There are a few potential reasons for this: Students feel
the holiday is too much of a financial burden, or some
would rather spend the day hanging out with friends and
studying like normal.
“Valentine’s Day is kind of stupid,” said sophomore
Shayla Curtis. “It’s overpriced, unnecessary and overrated.”
Additionally, it’s more common to see a casual romantic
relationship between students, rather than an intimate,
exclusive bond.
This laid-back approach to dating has resulted in fewer
students caring for the romantic aspect of the holiday.
The customs of Valentine’s Day are giving way to more
unorthodox methods of celebration, namely, Singles
Awareness Day.
People who want to celebrate their unattached status
rather than feeling down about being alone on Valentine’s
Day observe a parody of Valentine’s Day, Singles
Awareness Day on Feb. 15.
Students choose to go to a movie with friends, have a
party or spend the evening pampering them.
Some choose to celebrate this anti-holiday to retaliate
against the retailers who push Valentine’s Day products
each year.
The holiday produces considerable revenue for the
economy: According to the National Retail Federation, in
2014, Valentine’s Day contributed $17.3 billion to the U.S.
economy.
Every person who celebrated Valentine’s Day spent an
average of $116.21.
Cards and candy are the most commonly gifted, but
jewelry gifts are the most expensive by far.
Opposing holidays celebrated on the same day,
Valentine’s Day and Single Awareness Day celebrations are
seen on college campuses everywhere. TAS
MoreandmorestudentscelebrateSingleAwarenessDay
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8. » ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Mark Miller has survived 19 years of
online dating since his 1995 divorce, yet he still has a
smile on his face.
There’s much to hate about the process, the Los
Angeles-based humorist said in a recent interview, but
he refuses to despair as he continues his hunt for true
love.
One thing that does bum him out, though, is how so
much dating advice seems skewed to women.
That’s why he decided to share his quest for ever
after in a collection of essays called “500 Dates,” out
this week from Skyhorse Publishing in time for that
ultimate date night, Valentine’s Day.
Miller, 62, isn’t shy about poking fun at himself.
He describes a dating disaster with accoutrement he
purchased entirely from a 99-cent store.
He’s had sex way too soon after meeting someone,
given up prematurely on relationships, stayed in
relationships beyond their expiration dates and coveted
his neighbor’s wife.
Conversely, one date showed up in her forest ranger
uniform.
Another admitted she was 15 years older than
advertised in her dating profile, and a third made it
clear that she found dating so soul-draining that he was
her last-ditch attempt before she packed it in forever.
It didn’t work out.
A conversation with Mark Miller about finding love
online:
AP: So how many dates are you up to now?
Miller: The 500 in the title is underestimating it. It
would probably be closer to 750 if I was going to be
honest about it. During that time I’ve found maybe
seven fairy tale endings that ranged from seven months
to four years. I’m still looking.
AP: How has happily ever after changed in the 21st
century? You have a chapter where you write: “And
they lived apart happily ever after is the new fairy tale
ending.”
Miller: I think that absence does make the heart
grow fonder in many ways. I’ve spoken to a lot of
people who date regularly and only see each other
once a week. It’s become more special, more datelike to
them. There is such a thing as living together happily
ever after but it doesn’t happen for a lot of people,
especially in this day and age.
AP: Do men suffer from a lack of dating advice?
Miller: I think men are less prone to asking for
that advice. They have more of an I can do it myself,
more of a macho thing going on, whereas women are
more open. If you do a search for dating books you’ll
find most of them are written either by women or for
women. I think there was a void for men in that regard.
AP: What was your worst date?
Miller: When I showed up and the woman didn’t
show up. The next day I called her up and she said she
didn’t feel like it, so she didn’t. That’s the ultimate worst
date, when the woman doesn’t show up, or when she
shows up and she insults you.
AP: Is it fair that men still pay on a first date?
Miller: Well, I don’t resent it. I read something where
a woman cataloged the amount of money she spends
on dates and she had a whole list of things. Getting her
hair done and an outfit and a baby sitter since she was
a single mother. It was a lot more than what a man pays
for dinner. The tradition is so strong for men paying.
AP: You write about how the first date shouldn’t be
about romance. What should it be about?
Miller: The first date should be about connection,
establishing some common ground and making sure
your personalities are in sync. It’s a mistake not to
establish the friendship first.
AP: What’s your best advice for men who are
jumping into the online dating pool for the first time?
Miller: I would say not to get discouraged too
quickly. I’ve spoken to a lot of men who have had
one or two or three bad experiences and as a result it
turned them off to online dating. Develop a sense of
reality and optimism and understand that things not
working out is the norm so it will make you appreciate
it all the more if things do work out. TAS
750 first dates later ...
Dating expert Miller talks disaster dates, advice and happily ever afters
,,And they lived apart
happily ever after is the
new fairy tale ending.”
— Mark Miller, Los-Angeles based humorist
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