Monthly picks: A ‘timeless’ film, guide and album for February

As the ice of January melts away, February marks a time of celebrating the particular connections we have now in our lives. Whether or not it’s household, pals or vital others, this month is concentrated on all kinds of affection. To have fun the brand new month, I’ve curated an inventory of leisure, together with a film, guide and album, assured to set the temper for the season.

The theme I’ve determined for this month is “timeless love,” or a love that transcends generations. The theme of affection and romance is one thing I discover overdone, so I started to dig for different kinds of romance that inform a deeper story. A timeless love is the type that’s particularly onerous to interrupt, that lasts in each decade. I really feel every bit on this listing encapsulates this theme, and I hope it brings you a similar enjoyment it gave me.

So pop the popcorn, and seize your bookmarks and earbuds. Here are my film, guide and album suggestions for this February.

Movie of the Month: “Dead Again” (1991)

My ranking: 3.5/5

Kenneth Branagh’s film “Dead Again” isn’t by any means like a basic romance film that individuals watch each Valentine’s Day, however for anybody in search of one thing totally different, this film is certainly price watching. This film is actually a few “timeless” romance however with a twist: It’s a romantic thriller with a enjoyable homicide thriller. With a movie noir vibe however a campy, entertaining plot, this film undoubtedly retains you guessing with its twists.

The film focuses on a mute girl who can not keep in mind who she is or the place she got here from, and a personal investigator, Mike, who tries to assist her. They search assist from a hypnotist, and he or she finally ends up with reminiscences of a pair who have been torn aside by homicide within the Forties. They quickly discover that the 2 of them have an attention-grabbing connection to the previous couple, and chaos ensues from there.

With fantastic performances from Emma Thompson, Robin Williams and Kenneth Branagh, this wild and wacky love story is one you’ve by no means seen earlier than.

Book of the Month: “Our Infinite Fates” by Laura Steven

My ranking: 4/5

In this fantastical love story, the lead characters, Evelyn and Arden, are reincarnated over the centuries and are soul-tied to one another for eternity. There’s just one drawback: Evelyn is all the time murdered earlier than she turns eighteen by Arden himself. Throughout the guide, her aim is to remain alive, discover the one who dooms her in each life and resist falling in love with him.

I liked this guide, not solely as a result of the leads are caught in a literal “timeless” love with each other, but additionally due to the attention-grabbing twist on the traditional love story. The story shifts, telling the present-day narrative of Evelyn whereas additionally going again to her and Arden’s previous lives.

Considering the guide tagline “They’ve loved each other in a thousand lifetimes. They’ve killed each other in every one,” I can assure this learn is ideal for love and fantasy lovers alike.

Album of the Month: “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole

My ranking: 4/5

This lovely album is made up totally of jazz and swing love songs, transporting listeners again to the yr it got here out: 1965. Nat King Cole’s clean voice completely matches the romantic vibe of every tune. It’s undeniably a basic, with songs that also pattern in the present day, equivalent to “L-O-V-E,” “The Girl from Ipanema” and “My Kind of Girl.”

The songs themselves have held up over time, making the album “timeless.”

As listeners get pleasure from candy jazz, Cole’s velvety vocals and romantic messages, they may know this album is ideal to play within the background for any event, particularly in February.