Only in the Movies

This week, we reflect on an absolute classic: NOTTING HILL (directed by Roger Michell, starring Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts, and written by the man who has written all your favourite British rom coms, Richard Curtis, 1999).

The plot, in a nutshell 🥜: The life of a simple bookshop owner in Notting Hill, London changes dramatically when he meets the most famous film star in the world.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell 🥜: the usual rambunctiousness of our recons occurs as we hilariously recount this classic British film – this time with a special guest, the movie’s biggest fan, Claire (who also happens to be our mother)! We discuss in detail the severe overuse of montages (or ‘music montages’ as Tayla calls them), our unstable Julia Roberts opinions and whether our guest even actually likes the movie at all. Plus, we question the quality of Anna’s films within the film, the audacity of William to own an exclusively-travel bookshop and then complain about business being bad, and whether we would be able to call this a romantic comedy if not for William’s friends, roommate and colleague (or wet rag) Martin. Enjoy!

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

This week, we cover Adam Sandler’s take on a classic 60s* rom com: JUST GO WITH IT (directed by Dennis Dugan, starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker & Nicole Kidman, 2011).

The plot, in a nutshell 🥜: On a weekend trip to Hawaii, a plastic surgeon convinces his loyal assistant to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife in order to cover up a careless lie he told to his much-younger girlfriend – but he ends up only complicating the situation further.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell 🥜: hilarity ensues as Tayla and Tanna candidly discuss the film, down to the last detail, offering all of their entertaining and sometimes unsolicited opinions at the same time.

*Really! I only recently discovered that Just Go with It is a remake of 1969’s Cactus Flower starring Goldie Hawn, Ingrid Bergman and Walter Matthau –give it a watch sometime, we might even cover it on the pod 😉 – Tanna

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

This week’s episode is on complete rom com perfection, an ideal specimen of the genre: HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (directed by Donald Petrie, starring Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, 2003).

The plot, in a nutshell 🥜: Benjamin is challenged by his co-workers to make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. On the other hand, Andie has to write an article on how to lose a man in... You guessed it, also 10 days! Thus, the madness ensues.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell 🥜: talking points on this film include the absolutely stellar performances of the supporting cast, the absolutely stellar live performances of Celine Dion, the hosts’ dream to have a lobster dinner one day and so much more.

Furthermore, earnest inquiries are made such as: where is Andie’s magical meat world as Ben has to choke down barley and soy? Will Tayla ever not melt at a cliche grand gesture? And at what point will the pigeons outside the windowsill completely take over this podcast?

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

In this week’s recon, we cover one of Netflix’s original odes to the teen rom com, THE KISSING BOOTH (directed by Vince Marcello, starring Joey King, Joel Courtney, Jacob Elordi, Molly Ringwald, 2018).

The plot, in a nutshell 🥜: A high school student finds herself face-to-face with her long-term crush when she signs up to run a kissing booth with her bestie at the spring carnival, causing her life to take a complicated and exciting turn.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell 🥜: we have a rather candid discussion about this film, talking over important points such as Tanna's obsession with Molly Ringwald movies, the interesting need for an actual lion tamer in this movie and the importance of the amount of material used to make up a skirt.

Plus, we ask serious life questions like: can new a relationship improve your hair? What the fudge does green taste like? And did Tanna even watch this movie? 🤔

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

This week, we go in deep with the unforgettable and star-studded CRAZY STUPID LOVE (directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, 2011).

The plot, in a nutshell🥜: Cal, a middle-aged man, is heartbroken when his wife asks for a divorce. However, to get over his loss, he starts picking up girls at a bar at the insistence of his new-found friend, Jacob.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell🥜: this time we talk about actually serious topics like the possibly toxic male behaviour in the film, and Tayla and Tanna’s respective beliefs on soulmates. But never fear, we still have hilarious discussions on other important stuff, including the core strength required to perform the Dirty Dancing lift, repulsive Velcro wallets and slutty money. Plus, we ask significant life questions like: why does The Scarlett Letter follow Emma Stone around wherever she goes? Can old-ish dads really be hot? Should Tayla start her own, very detailed podcast? And why does this actually feel like David Lindhagen’s story?

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

In this week’s recon, we cover Julia Roberts’ 80s breakthrough role in MYSTIC PIZZA (directed by Donald Petrie, starring Annabeth Gish, Julia Roberts, Lili Taylor, Vincent D’Onofrio, 1988).

The plot in a nutshell🥜: Sisters Daisy and Kat and their bestie Jojo work at a pizza outlet and face complications in their respective love lives until they find a perfect match.

Our discussion of it in a nutshell🥜: we dissect the film and discuss serious topics like fainting at your own wedding, a hitchhiker’s guide to hitchhiking and the travesty that is cutting the crusts off a sandwich! Plus we ask necessary questions like what is with Lorna's hair? To whom do the barrels of fish belong? And are they actually Portuguese?

Subscribe to us wherever you listen, and if you can, please rate and review the podcast there.

In this week’s recon, we cover yet another classic, this time with a teen twist: CLUELESS (directed by Amy Heckerling, starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy & Paul Rudd, 1995).

The plot, in a nutshell 🥜: Cher is a rich high school student who is learning to cope with adolescence and its problems. She also helps a new student gain popularity and, in the process, discovers her own feelings.

Our discussion of it, in a nutshell 🥜: we examine the movie and debate its most critical topics such as: what to wear to a house party, the trauma of trying to catch the bouquet at a wedding and, most importantly, ARE CHER AND JOSH CROSSING SIBLING LINES? Plus, we ask necessary life questions, including: why do Americans not say the ‘h’ in herbal? What kind of hair dye runs out in one rinse? Which is the superior GPS navigation software? And is Kuwait in the Valley?

If you want to read the articles we talk about at the beginning of the episode, here are the links: