In honor of Valentine’s Day, our arts and entertainment staff came up with several of their favorite films that are often associated with the romantic comedy or drama genre.

1. “(500) Days of Summer” (2009)

A review of this Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel-starring gem was one of the first articles I ever wrote for the Chimes way back in my freshman year. I loved its brutal honesty, endless charm and incredible non-linear screenplay then, and its excellent characters and story still strike a chord with me four years later. And who can forget the brilliant use of Hall and Oates’ “You Make My Dreams?”

2. “Love Actually” (2003)

I would have been remiss to not include a film from the great Richard Curtis. I’ve always been a big fan of films with large ensembles, and this look at love at Christmastime features one of the best. Everyone from Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson to “The Walking Dead’s” Andrew Lincoln gives an excellent performance, and Curtis’ hilarious and moving interconnecting stories are told beautifully. And besides, as the film’s opening puts it, “love actually is all around.”

3. “Music and Lyrics” (2007)

This one might be a bit of a surprise, but I’ve always been fascinated by this charming comedy about an ‘80s has-been who tries to resurrect his career with the help of a budding lyricist and a young pop star (think Britney Spears meets Lady Gaga). A hilarious send-up of the music industry, the film’s great songs, director Marc Lawrence’s witty script and stars Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore’s wonderful chemistry help make this a real winner. Not to mention that the cheesy music video that opens the film is just brilliant.

Sierra Savela, Staff Writer

1. “Dirty Dancing” (1987)

This is a classic for a reason. You’ve got romance, amazing dance numbers, a woman who is passionate about world issues being belittled because of her age and Patrick Swayze. It’s a recipe for the perfect romantic drama. Did I mention Patrick Swayze?

2. “Elizabethtown” (2005)

Cameron Crowe wrote and directed this romantic comedy back in 2005. It’s technically a romantic comedy but it’s actually a painfully sad film about a man (Orlando Bloom) losing his career and his father. He falls for a girl (Kirsten Dunst) who makes him a detailed mixtape for his road trip to spread his father’s ashes. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking.

3. “Beginners” (2011)

It’s funny and it’s romantic but what makes this film so great is that it explores romance during hard times. A man (Ewan McGregor) finds out his elderly father (Christopher Plummer) is gay and dying from cancer. The romance takes a subplot but it’s a simple and well-done film — definitely worth watching.

Roselle Paz Landoy, Staff Writer

1. “(500) Days of Summer” (2009)

“It’s not a love story.” The narrator tells us that from the beginning. But it does give an

eye-opening lesson: “Just because [he/she] likes the same bizzaro crap you do, doesn’t mean [he’s/she’s] your soulmate.”

2. “27 Dresses” (2008)

Outrageous dresses and obnoxious, drunk singing of “Benny and the Jets.” Plus, the part where Katherine Heigl’s character embarrasses her sister is pretty hilarious.

3. “The Proposal” (2009)

With the combination of Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds and Betty White, this movie’s pure romantic comedy gold. It’s also quite interesting watching Bullock and Reynolds’ characters fall in love without actually falling in love until the end of the movie.