It’s the time of year for Saint Valentine to get busy, so when you’ve finished buying chocolates, flowers and novelty over sized cards professing love towards your significant other or potential significant other, then take the next logical step and drag your date to the cinema. You are spoiled for choice this year with arthouse, classics and even some nuclear sized mush available to satisfy even the most demanding of courting needs.

The mac is screening several films sure to float your heart shaped romantic balloons into a love filled sky. Valentine’s weekend begins with A Sparkle of Life (dir: Bunji Sotoyama, 2013, cert TBA) a film that shows it’s never too late to fall in love as 77 year old widow Tae ignores almost universal disapproval to find romance. It’s an enchanting film with a heart of gold. The ultimate nineties romcom double act of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks find love in Sleepless in Seattle (dir: Nora Ephron, 1993, cert PG) a film so sweet your teeth will probably rot and fall out before the end, good job the mac doesn’t allow snacks. Disney’s canine loveathon Lady and the Tramp (dir: Clyde Geronimi, 1955, cert U) is handy if you need to drag the kids along on your date. The weekend is rounded off with a screening of Billy Wilder’s absolute classic tale of gangsters, transvestism and love Some Like it Hot (dir: Billy Wilder, 1959, cert 12). Marilyn Monroe has never been better, or hotter, than as innocent dreamer Sugar Kane Kowalczyk. Joe Brown still manages to steal the show though, as Osgood Fielding III with his unyielding obsession for Jack Lemmon’s Daphne. All screenings are £8.

For Valentine’s day itself the mac is laying on something very special. There is a matinee screening of South Pacific (dir: Joshua Logan, 1958, cert U) followed by afternoon tea. Delightful. Three hours of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s finest musical, sandwiches, scones and tea. Keep talkin’ happy talk indeed, this event is £32 for two plus admission fee for the film. The evening is where things really hot up. A screening of the ultimate romcom When Harry Met Sally (dir: Rob Reiner, 1989, cert 15) complemented by a three course meal including anti-pasti style sharer, an Assiette of desserts and tea or coffee with macaroons. To set the appropriate romantic note there will be live piano accompaniment from local musician Piera. This event will cost £50 for two which includes admission to the film. We’ll have what you’re having.

The Mockingbird is running its own loved up season which they’ve entitled Hearts Alive. There are three screenings of When Harry Met Sally (dir: Rob Reiner, 1989, cert 15) and should you choose to eat in The Mockingbird’s tasty restaurant you are positively encouraged to recreate that scene, just close your eyes and imagine you are in Katz’s Deli New York, no one will mind, honest. On the day itself the saccharine girlie classic Dirty Dancing (dir: Emile Ardolino, 1987, cert 12A) will be screened three times and for £29pp you can enjoy a two course meal with a glass of prosecco. They’ve even thought of the cynics amongst you and will be screening an anti-valentine Donnie Darko special. Individual screenings start at £4.95.

Fri 10 Feb to Tue 14 Feb at mac Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH

Sat 11 Feb to Tue 14 Feb at Mockingbird, The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA