The wait will soon be over for those panting in desperation to see the new Fifty Shades of Grey movie based on the best-selling book of the same name by E. L. James. It comes to theaters on Valentines Day with the attitude that this is what today’s woman wants in a romantic movie – a twisted tale of fantasy and domination. Even many Christian women have read the series while men everywhere are scratching their heads in confusion.

If Fifty Shades isn’t your thing, you’ll be glad to know that you do have some alternatives. One is actually going head to head with Fifty Shades on Valentines Day, but appears to have a theme that is polar opposite. In fact, the latest preview for Old Fashioned actually pokes fun of the darker film.

“This Valentine’s Day,” says the trailer, “leave the door open to two souls who take the time to discover not manipulation but healing.” “Sexy corporate mogul” appears onscreen and a red line strikes through the words. Scenes then contrast the opposing stories: fantasy wealth and a contract to inflict pain  . . . or two down-to-earth, relatable people with failed romances, now finding their way to real love.

The indie film, which has already won a few awards, focuses on a former frat boy who now runs an antique shop in a small midwestern town. A young woman rents the apartment above his shop. He is ultra conservative; she is much more of a free spirit. Both have been hurt from past relationships but somewhere they meet in the middle. It stars Elizabeth Ann Roberts, Rik Swartzwelder and Dorothy Silver.

The odd thing about this promotion is that it is doubtful that the same audience attracted would be attracted to both films. Somewhere between these two films lies another indie film that is now available on DVD. Despite the film’s terrible name, the premise of Christian Mingle: the Movie sounds appealing. A 30-something marketing professional has it all – except a man. She wants a “good guy,” so she posts a profile on the dating website touting the virtues of her faith-filled life, which is basically a sham. Christian Mingle is by Corbin Bernsen and stars Lacey Chalbert and Johnathan Patrick Moore.

A in the Clouds  –  A Walk to Remember  –  Beastly  –  Beauty and the Beast  –  Bed of Roses  –  Better Off Dead  –  Big Business  –  Casablanca  –  Cinderella  –  Clueless  –  Emma  –  Enchanted  –  Ever After: A Cinderella Story  –  Family Man  –  Fireproof  –  Forever Young  –  Groundhog Day  –  It Could Happen to You  –  Lady and the Tramp  –  Ladyhawke  –  Leap Year  –  Maid in Manhattan
Marriage Retreat  –  My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding  –  New in Town  –  No Reservations  –  Notting Hill  –  Ratatouille  –  Return to Me  –  Roxanne  –  Sabrina  –  Sleeping Beauty  –  Sleepless in Seattle
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  –  Tangled  –  Tarzan  –  The African Queen  –  The Apartment
The Hundred Food Journey  –  The Little Mermaid  –  The Love Bug  –  The Princess and the Frog
The Princess Bride  –  The Proposal  –  The Shop Around the Corner  –  The Wedding Singer  –  What’s Up Doc  –  While You Were Sleeping  –  You’ve Got Mail