The films At Middleton and That Awkward Moment hit theaters this weekend, adding to the limited offerings available to theatergoers in the romantic comedy genre. At Middleton centers around two adults who meet and share a connection during their children’s campus tour at Middleton College.  The two leads are played by Vera Farmiga and Andy Garcia. 

That Awkward Moment stars Zac Efron (High School Musical, Valentine’s Day), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station), and Miles Teller (yesterday’s Sundance Prize winner Whiplash) as three friends encountering the dating world in that awkward moment before it is decided where a relationship should lead. The films add to the offerings in a genre that many have called lackluster and uninspired at worst (Why are Romantic Comedies So Bad?) and described as morphing and evolving at best (The Romantic Comedy is Dying, but Cinematic Romance is Thriving). This spate of recent articles in The Atlantic and Cineaste has discussed the standing, fate, and future of the genre, through critical analysis such as Drinking Buddies: This is How Romcoms Should Work and a wave of spirited discussion on the film Love Actually and its purported merits or lack thereof.

Returning to the actual romantic comedy offerings, we can expect About Last Night, starring Kevin Hart and Michael Ealy, in time for Valentine’s Day. The film will be released on Valentine’s Day 2014.