The Graveyard Slot

The Proposal may be a fondly remembered late 2000s classic romcom, but does it deserve the title? This week, we follow the journey of a comedic duo's ruse, and peel back the layers of what does and doesn't work in this trope-filled enemies to lovers, fake dating, marriage of convenience flick. Make sure to check out MedGlobal's Sudan Emergency Appeal at medglobal.org/sudan-emergency-appeal. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

The Clique is (in)famous for its fashion, witty comebacks, and over-the-top tone, making it a hallmark for straight-to-DVD flicks of its time. But could it be a hidden gem overlooked among the likes of Legally Blonde and Mean Girls? This holiday season, we take a trip back to middle school, where the fight for popularity can be brutal, and if you're not in—you're OUT. Stick around until the end of the episode for a special wrap-up segment featuring this year's episodes! Make sure to visit @fundsforgaza and @voluntaryisminaction on Instagram to donate to fundraisers supporting the people of Gaza and Congo. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Most people will agree that Shrek 2 is a great movie, but is it a great sequel or an unnecessary addition to an otherwise complete story? Grab your royal steeds and get red carpet-ready as we head to the kingdom of Far Far Away—where marital problems reign, class divides run rampant, and happily ever after comes at a price. Don't forget to visit eyesonsudan.net, which is helping provide aid in the form of health services, shelter, food, and more in Sudan. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Does Just Like Heaven live up to the spirit of its name, or is it a tired rehashing of the same old formula? While the characters may be haunted by the choices of their past, we're more spooked by the choices this movie makes. Join us in the wake of this Halloween for a truly scary treat: mediocrity, the graveyard where romcoms go to die. Don't forget to visit friendsofthecongo.org to donate to Friends of Congo and learn more about the Free Congo movement. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Legally Blonde has cemented itself as an iconic piece of pop culture, but does it still deserve the honor 20 years on? This week we get into the nitty gritty of the question of women's role in society, expressions of femininity, and if Elle Woods is worthy of her place in the hearts of millions.  Make sure to check out Focus Congo, a non-profit organization working to provide aid for the millions of internally displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can read more about their work and contribute to their efforts at focuscongo.com. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Why is the modern romantic comedy all but obsolete? What makes the genre so difficult to get right? What even counts as a romcom? In this episode, we contemplate these questions as we revisit so-called romcom Friends with Benefits (2011) to see if it's befitting of the romcom name. Make sure to visit visit anera.org to support their efforts in helping refugees and others hurt by conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Who says a comedy can't be depressing? Uptown Girls (2003) certainly pushes the boundaries of the genre. Was it brave for going against expectations, or is there a reason summer releases shouldn't be meditations on grief? Find out in this episode as we revisit the saddest romp of the early noughties! Make sure to visit sapa-usa.org to support the Sudanese American Physicians Association, which is collecting money to provide medical supplies, resources, and humanitarian relief in Sudan. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

In the world of jukebox musicals, Mamma Mia! is a universal favorite. But is it more than it seems on the surface? This week we dive into why this movie musical has wormed its way into the hearts of millions, and if it's worthy of its legendary status.  Remember to check out the PCRF, which provides medical care and humanitarian assistance to children in Palestine. We encourage you to donate at pcrf.net for as little or as much as you're able, with a one time or monthly contribution. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Bratz isn't exactly considered the height of cinematic mastery – but should it be? Its nomination for five Raspberry Awards certainly leaves a sour taste on our tongues. Join us as we meticulously break down this iconic, unapologetic, and ultra-feminine interrogation of society's rules and power structures. Remember to check out Project Watermelon, which works to fundraise for evacuations, deliver life-saving aid, and support Palestinians to resume their lives in the long term. Find more details on Instagram @projectwater.melon. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Twilight may have been panned by critics — and even by this very podcast — but with a change of director, six more shirtless guys, and one fewer blue filter, could this franchise turn it all around and win us over? Join us this week for a special anniversary episode as we look at New Moon through the critical lens it might (not) deserve.  Remember to check out Project Watermelon, which is working to help the people of Gaza by delivering life-saving aid, fundraising for evacuations, and supporting them to resume their lives in the long term. Find them on Instagram @projectwater.melon to find more details and contribute to their efforts. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Ella Enchanted may be remembered as a charming relic of its time, but how does this mid-2000s teen flick compare to other Cinderella adaptations? Could it really be a cut above the rest? Find out in the conclusion to our Cinderella special as well as our final episode of the year! Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Masquerade balls, teen heartthrobs, and Zunes — a perfect recipe for the ultimate late 2000s take on Cinderella. This week, we discuss an adaptation that's for once worthy of the label: Another Cinderella Story. How did this teen flick do a better job than Disney in 2015? Join our journey in uncovering this mind-boggling mystery! Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

If there's one tale that's universally known, it's that of Cinderella, which has stood the test of time and countless adaptations. So how is it that Cinderella (2015) completely missed the point of its own predecessor, the classic 1950 retelling? Join us for a truly garish episode in the spirit of Halloween – featuring a dystopia of hollow platitudes, outdated ideals, and the commodification of nostalgia – as we compare the 1950 and 2015 versions to pinpoint where it all went so terribly wrong. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Treason. Adultery. A ruffled potato sack of a wedding dress. There's no shortage of offences in this lengthy sequel, so it may be unsurprising that it fared so much worse than its predecessor. Is it enough for sequels to revisit the same characters but with a fraction of the charm? Find out in this episode as we discuss The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Gone are the days of East High—at least for the summer. This week, we follow everyone's favorite teen heartthrob Troy Bolton as he navigates the treacherous world of sleazy country clubs and corrupt college admissions.  Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Is Lemonade Mouth really as subversive as it pretends to be? Join us for another DCOM Summer special as we dissect this surprisingly highly-rated movie and question its merits as a supposed mouthpiece for the youth – though be warned, it might just leave a sour taste in your mouth. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

A good summer movie can make or break the season. This month, we kick off DCOM Summer with The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Adored for its association with the TV show, is there anything more to it than pure nostalgia bait? Join us as we traverse Rome alongside Lizzie and her Vespa to find out! Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Marking the release of Barbie (2023), in this episode we wade into a jungle of lost identities, treason, class divide, and – perhaps worst of all – underdeveloped characters and nonsensical plot, all to scrutinize another classic of the franchise: Barbie as the Island Princess. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Was Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses anything more than a golden opportunity to sell 12 slightly different versions of the same doll? Leading up to the release of Barbie (2023), join us for a Barbie Special as we try to figure out how far a movie can go without plot, character development, or anything to say. Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram and Tumblr, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

In a continuation of our previous episode, we return to H2O: Just Add Water! The final season brings a turning of the tides in more ways than one. Join us as we try to navigate these new waters alongside Cleo, Rikki, and… Bella? Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

What could be a better deep dive for Mermay if not the Australian classic, H2O: Just Add Water? Whip up your choice of juice and whip out your fins, and join us as we take a closer look at everyone's favorite mermaids! Please rate and review! Say hi on Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

You might be getting déjà vu, but don't be fooled, because in this special anniversary episode, we're looking at a familiar movie through a very different lens. Come along as we revisit Twilight – the first movie we discussed on the podcast – and examine it as an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's infamous novel. Does it hold up better or does it only get worse with the book to compare? You'll have to listen to find out. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Much like its titular character, Shrek (2001) may not be for everyone, but could there be more to uncover beyond the neverending gags, juvenile jokes, and plentiful memes? Tune in as we examine this cult classic – one layer at a time – to decide if it's more fairytale or farce. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

This week we take a look at the universally celebrated and completely real movie, All Too Well: The Short Film, written and directed by Taylor Swift. Join us in discussing this ten-minute movie with as much scrutiny and introspection as the next feature on the big screen, and enjoy this special episode! Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

How can a sequel so fundamentally misunderstand the intent of its predecessor? While Enchanted (2007) has solidified its place as a timeless classic, Disenchanted (2022) not only shows up uninvited more than a decade later, but also forgets to bring an ounce of the skill, charm, and wit that the original movie showed. This week, we dive back into the world of failed reboots, remakes, and sequels, where nostalgia is leveraged for profit and a good quality story is the last thing on moviemakers' minds. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Since its release in 2001, The Princess Diaries has become as iconic as it is beloved. Then why weren't critics convinced, claiming a lack of originality, humor and heart? Dust off your tiaras and join us as we revisit a place where fairytale meets reality – a world of limos and balls, M&Ms on pizza, and foot-popping kisses – and dissect what about this movie resonated with an entire generation. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

While remembered as the ultimate romcom, Pretty Woman's critical reception at its release was far from stellar. As a Valentine's Day special, we revisit this must-watch classic to see if it's as overrated and hollow as some suggest or if it's another victim of skewed perspective. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001) made history as Barbie's first feature-length film, but can it measure up to the legacy of its source material? In our festive season finale, we settle in to experience the magic of this holiday tale with a twist and see if it's more questionable and confusing than a timeless classic. Stick around until the end of the episode for a special wrap-up segment featuring this year's episodes! Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

General consensus finds that if you've seen one holiday movie, you've seen them all, but does Last Holiday (2006) do enough to break the mold? Join us for a seasonal special as we investigate if this heartwarming tale has real substance to leave you inspired, or if it's another contender in a long line of glossy yet hollow feel-good movies. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

In theory, Ice Princess (2005) sets out to tell an empowering story about daring to follow your dreams, but the reality may be much different. This week, we try to make sense of the movie's mixed messages, contend with a feminist strawman, and live out our figure skating (spectator) dreams. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more. Content warning: passing mention of eating disorders.

Packed with everything from color-changing nail polish to stick-on starfish earrings, Aquamarine (2006) is every girl's mermaid fantasy brought to life. This week, we do our best to see if there's anything beneath the glittery surface of this 2000s teen classic, or if it's as shallow as the waves that brought in Aquamarine herself. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Was Scream (1996) bad enough to warrant the sequels that turn a tongue-in-cheek take on the horror genre into an irredeemable joke? This week, we suffer through a never-ending franchise to figure out if any of the follow-ups are worth that precious spot in your Halloween movie marathon. Spoiler alert: this episode discusses plot points from all the Scream movies, including the 2022 reboot. Content warning: mentions of violence and gore. Please rate and review! Say hi on Twitter and Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Is Jumanji (1995) an underrated classic or proof that modern sequels can outdo the original? Follow along in the latest installment of Halloween Month as we investigate how the 2017 and 2019 remakes compare to their predecessor and delve into the wilderness of unseen threats, deadly animals, and the scariest thing of all – childhood trauma. Content warning: passing mention of parental abuse. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

How did one of the best movies in cinematic history spawn the worst franchise imaginable? This week, we dissect the Jurassic Park franchise and whether the sequels suffer from a fundamental misconception of the themes driving their original work. Join us in kicking off a not-so-spooky Halloween Month at TGS! Content warning: discussions of gore and violence against people and animals. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Was High School Musical the real deal or just a fad? This week, we go back to 2006 and reevaluate if the movie had luck and timing to thank for its success, or if its take on identity and societal pressures is the real heart of this modern classic. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Barbie couldn't be further from her dreamhouse in this intricate web of deceit, double-crossing, and hidden identities. A beautifully constructed story and romp of a musical with intriguing characters, clever writing, and a touch of magic, it surpasses everything you could expect – not just from a Barbie movie, but from any movie. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Everyone knows a girl's trip to France isn't complete without a string of illegal activity, at least according to Monte Carlo (2011). Join us this episode as we're forced to rationalize identity theft, forced captivity, and criminally bad writing with varying degrees of success. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

How does a romcom get romance so wrong? Find out in this episode, where we dissect Letters to Juliet's questionable stance on love, explore what makes its storytelling so poor, and debate the justification of juggling business and pleasure on holiday. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Is Hannah Montana: The Movie really only targeted at screaming pre-teen fans as it's often made out to be? Grab your Hannah Montana lunchboxes and join us as we delve into this pop star's world – the girl, the wig, the looming threat of gentrification. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

Is 17 Again proof that even a solid cast can't overcome bad writing? In this episode, we explore the movie's portrayal of what happens after happily ever after, question the value of yet another body swap movie, and continue on our quest to find the perfect montage (see episode 3). Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

In Confessions of a Shopaholic, Rebecca Bloomwood is hounded by a debt collector, navigates the hellscape of consumerism, and faces the shortcomings of a nepotistic job market. So why are critics under the impression that this tale of addiction is an ode to shopping? Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram @graveyard_slot, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit our website for more.

13 Going on 30 may be a modern classic, but why is it that the movie garnered lukewarm reception during its release? This week we fawn over Jennifer Garner's acting, contend with the heartbreak of broken friendships, and dissect the importance of a satisfying ending. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram @graveyard_slot, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit tgspodcast.com for more.

Why is it that Morning Glory stars some of the most recognizable names in Hollywood, but no one seems to have heard of it? This time, we investigate where the rom in this rom-com went, ponder the writer's love of montages, and try to forget the horror of watching Diane Keaton nearly eating a frog. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram @graveyard_slot, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit tgspodcast.com for more.

Is A Cinderella Story a modern twist on a beloved fairytale or a tired rehashing of the same old story? In this episode, we look back on the portrayal of femininity in the early 2000s, contemplate the integrity of Sam's dad, and hate on Austin, who might be the real villain in this stale fantasy. Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram @graveyard_slot, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit tgspodcast.com for more.

Twilight is infamous for its abundant clichés and meme potential, but does it deserve all the criticism it gets? In our first episode, we speculate on Catherine Hardwicke's vision, question Bella's taste in men, and conclude that Charlie deserved better (2k08). Don't forget to rate and review! Say hi on Twitter & Instagram @graveyard_slot, email us at thegraveyardslot@gmail.com, and visit tgspodcast.com for more.