We Love the Love

Hollywood couldn't figure out how to sell a historical fiction political comedy about teenagers set twenty-five years in the past, but we're big fans of Andrew Fleming's 1999 film Dick and we're here to talk about it! Join in as we discuss teenage celebrity crushes, child stardom, an odd choice for weed storage, and a deep cast of sketch performers. Plus: Why does Nixon White House Counsel John Dean have a "special thanks" in the credits? Why is the New York Times review so fixated on connecting this movie to Monica Lewinsky? And, most importantly, why does this dog look nothing like Checkers?? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Burn After Reading (2008)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Stephen Holden's review in the New York TimesMichael O'Sullivan's review in the Washington Post"Generation X's Tricky Dick" (Washington Post)"Dick Director on the Challenges of Making a Watergate Comedy and Whether it Could be Done Today" (The Hollywood Reporter)"9 Things You Never Really Knew about Dick" (Huffington Post)"Dick at 25: The Watergate Satire's Writer and Director on Putting Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst in Nixon's White House" (IndieWire)"Michelle Williams Bares All for Her Art" (Entertainment Weekly)"Michelle Williams, Naked Angel" (Paper Magazine)"Some Like Her Hot" (2012 GQ cover story on Michelle Williams)"How Did Two Elite Students Fall for the Zizians Cult?" (The Cut)"Stalkers, Disease, and Doubt: A Gymnast's Hard Road Back to the Games" (New York Times piece on Suni Lee's adjustment to fame and adult life)Dear Hollywood - Alyson Stoner's podcast on child acting"Jason Bateman" (Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend)"The Reveal of Emo Kylo Ren's Parentage is Tearing Twitter Apart" (AV Club)"The Story of the Really Weird Night Richard Nixon Hung out with Hippies at the Lincoln Memorial" (Washingtonian Magazine)

Our D.C. Onscreen series takes us to Georgetown as we look at the reincarnation romance of Emile Ardolino's 1989 film Chances Are! Join in as we discuss our favorite afterlife bureaucracies, Yale's draconian library fees, and the performances by Cybill Shepherd, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan O'Neal, and Mary Stuart Masterson. Plus: Why didn't the mobster just kill Louie (Christopher Macdonald)? Has Alex (Downey) ever been to a doctor? How long does Corinne (Shepherd) leave out food for her dead husband? And, most importantly, what should you do with baby teeth? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next episode: Dick (1999)--------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Desson Howe's review in the Washington PostRita Kempley's review in the Washington PostRoger Ebert's 3.5-star reviewJanet Maslin's review in the New York Times"Movie Motors: Four-Wheeled Actors Set the Scene in these D.C. Films" (Washington Post)"Inside Anthony Michael Hall's Relationship with Robert Downey Jr." (The List)

Goldie Hawn grew up in the D.C. area, so it's only right for our D.C. Onscreen series to look at her starring role in 1984's Protocol! Join in as we discuss theme restaurants, a weirdly deep cast, Reagan assassination parody, and the death of Skype. Plus: Who thought any of this Ohtar stuff worked? How did Sunny Davis get shot in the butt? Why does Chris Sarandon totally disappear from the movie? And, most importantly, which quadrant of D.C. does Sunny live in? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Chances Are (1989)---------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Roger Ebert's 2.5-star review"Making of Protocol is a Hit on the Streets" (Washington Post)"Goldie Hawn Surprised by Arab Protests" (UPI)"Goldie Hawn, Wacky Like a Fox" (Washington Post)Read about Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg's failed theme restaurant

We're moving our D.C. Onscreen series into the 1980s with a look at the romance of Joel Schumacher's sophomore feature, D.C. Cab! Join in as we discuss our own D.C. cab experiences, 1980s D.C., the explosive popularity of Mr. T, a movie in search of a plot. Plus: Who is the lead of the movie? Which characters can you actually root for? How did Universal botch the movie's marketing? And how do cabs work anyway? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Protocol (1984)------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"D.C. Cab Offers Wild Ride through Underside of City" (Washington Post)Roger Ebert's two-star reviewD.C. Cab in the AFI Catalog"The A-Team's Mr. T" (People)Remarks by Mayor Marion Barry at the Premiere of D.C. Cab“Damaged goods in the shop window: He's upset America's Hispanics and Koreans, and he's not exactly the toast of Los Angeles. Is Joel Schumacher sorry? Is he hell.” (The Independent)"Taking a Ride with D.C. Cab, a Movie that Captured a Bit of Washington" (Washington Post)"D.C. Cab is a Terrible Movie, but it's Our Terrible Movie" (Washington City Paper)"Kristi Noem's Bag, with Security Badge and $3,000, is Stolen" (New York Times)

We're kicking off our series on DC Onscreen with a look at the romance of Otto Preminger's 1962 Senate drama Advise & Consent! Join in as we discuss the movie's deployment of star Henry Fonda, the tension between Preminger's liberalism and Allen Drury's Pulitzer-winning novel, and the real-life incidents that inspired the story. Plus: What stunt castings did Preminger want (and get) for the movie? How effective is its then-controversial depiction of gay people? And, most importantly, is Gene Tierney's Dolly Harrison the coolest woman we'll see in this series? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: D.C. Cab (1983) - available here via the Internet Archive!-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Bosley Crowther's review of Advise & Consent (New York Times)"Hollywood's Biggest Washington Movie Goofs" (Washingtonian Magazine)"Otto Preminger, 1960-1979 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 7)" (You Must Remember This)"1961: Starring Martin Luther King, Jr. (And Henry Fonda)" (New York Times)"Just How Gay is the Right?" by Frank Rich (New York Times)"Allen Drury and the Washington Novel" (Hoover Institute)"Uniquely Nasty: The Blockbuster Novel that Haunted Gay Washington" (Yahoo News)"The 1959 Novel that Convinced a Young Barney Frank Not to Come Out" (Washington Post)"Trump Allies Pressure GOP Senators to Back Cabinet Picks - Or Else" (Washington Post)"The Week Trump Finally Broke the Senate" (Politico)"Takeaways from Doug Liman's Secret Brett Kavanaugh Documentary" (Washington Post)

We're tackling another listener request as we delve into the very weird world of the 2018 Netflix rom com The Kissing Booth! Join in as we discuss the careers of the Euphoria cast, Netflix's 2018 rom com boom, a Welsh teen's idea of American high school, and the movie's odd but pernicious sexism. Plus: What is Jacob Elordi doing with his voice? How did a kissing booth get approved for a school event? Why does Elle's (Joey King) dad hate Flynn so much? Can a freshman really head to college in June? And, most importantly, how does this school's uniform work? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Advise & Consent (1962)-----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Kate Erbland's D review of The Kissing Booth (IndieWire)"Book Publishing's Latest Success Still Has to Do Her Homework Every Night" (TIME)"The Sixteen Most Influential Teens of 2013" (TIME)"The Kissing Booth: How a Newport Teen Author Inspired Netflix" (BBC News)"Set It Up and the Rise of the Non-Studio Rom-Com" (The Hollywood Reporter)"Inside the Binge Factory" (Vulture)"How Jacob Elordi Became the New King" (GQ)"A Timeline of Snow White and its Many Controversies" (Vulture)

In honor of this year's remake of The Wedding Banquet (now in theaters!), we're taking a look at a more troubled Ang Lee romance: his 2007 adaptation of Eileen Chang's novella Lust, Caution. Join in as we discuss the star performances of Tony Leung and Tang Wei, the various censored versions of the film, Lee's use of sex as a storytelling device, and also Sinners because it's too good to ignore! Plus: Why is the first shot a close-up of a German shepherd? Why don't they ever develop a specific plan to kill Mr. Yee? And could anyone resist trying to date Tang Wei's character? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Kissing Booth (2018) Note: We tried a new recording setup for this episode and some audio is a little funky, but we've worked out the kinks going forward.Key sources and links for this episode:"Focus Won't Sweat NC-17 for Lust" (The Hollywood Reporter)"Ang Lee is Heartbroken by Media Hype of Sex" (China Times Showbiz)"No Sex Scenes in China's Version of Lust, Caution" (CBC)"Lee Admits 'Political Edit' of Film" "Lust, Caution Actress is Banned in China" (Reuters)"Tang Wei's Erotic Sex Scenes Accused of Blaspheming Martyrs" (People (China))"The Dark Side of Your $5 Footling: Business Owners Say it Could Bite Them" (Washington Post)"The End of Hooters" (The Atlantic)

We're diving into one another's heads to explore the romance of Spike Jonze's 1999 genre-defying hit Being John Malkovich! Join in as we discuss the 7 1/2th floor, the script's sparse character descriptions, the movie's exploration of gender and sexuality, and our own experiences with Malkovich. Plus: Does Malkovich ever sleep? How are they retrieving their clients in New Jersey? What's Maxine's job? And, most importantly, why couldn't it be Being Tom Cruise? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Lust, Caution (2007)-----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Rogert Ebert's four-star review"The Fun and Games of Living a Virtual Life" (New York Times)"Being Charlie Kaufman" (Salon)Interview with Catherine Keener and Cameron Diaz (StarTalk)Interview with John Cusack and John Malkovich (StarTalk)John Cusack Interview with Tasha Robinson (The AV Club)"White Lotus Star Aimee Lou Wood, 31, Won't Get Botox. Here's Why" (Evie Magazine on YouTube)

We're taking a look at the start of Tom Cruise's star career by digging into the romance of Paul Brickman's 1983 hit Risky Business, starring Cruise alongside Rebecca De Mornay, who was not in her 90s when this was made. Join in as we discuss the film as a response to Reaganism, expensive hot chocolate, our dads' favorite movies, and "Old Time Rock and Roll." Plus: Why was Brickman's original ending replaced? What's Lana's last name? What's the sexiest public transit system? And, most importantly, what's the deal with that big egg? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Lust, Caution (2007)----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:1983 trailer for Risky Business (YouTube)Roger Ebert's four-star review of Risky Business"At 20, Risky is Still Frisky" (Variety)"My Wild Summer with Tom Cruise: Women, Sean Penn, and the Making of Risky Business" by Curtis Armstrong (The Hollywood Reporter)"1983: MTV Aesthetics, Flashdance, and Risky Business (Erotic 80s Part 6)" (You Must Remember This)"Rebecca De Mornay on Dating Tom Cruise and the Success of Risky Business" (Celebrity Page on YouTube)"Risky Business Director: "Some People Like the Visibility. I Don't" (Salon)"Adam McKay 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' if Wicked was Banned in '3-5 Years' Due to its 'Radical' Storyline" (The Hollywood Reporter)

We're celebrating the start of the baseball season by digging into one of the sport's great movie romances: Ron Shelton's steamy 1988 classic Bull Durham, starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins in a love triangle fans are calling "Challengers for straight people"! Join in as we discuss our own minor league experiences, Kevin Costner's star trajectory, our feelings on various baseball rule changes, and messy kitchen sex. Plus: What happened to the Disney "based on a true story" sports movies? What's the best basketball movie? And can minor-league teams not afford full-size towels? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Risky Business (1983)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Roger Ebert's 3.5-star review of Bull Durham"Running for President is Harder than it Looks: Nats Hold Tryouts for Racing Mascots" (Washington Post)"Teddy Wins First Presidents Race" (Washington Post)"This is a Cry for Help" (Vulture piece on on the final season of Yellowstone)"Shelton Celebrates 20 Years for Bull Durham" (Southern Ledger)"MVP: Kevin Costner" (Entertainment Weekly)"At the Movies: June 10, 1988" (New York Times)"The Bull Durham House - With Southern Charm, 80s Nostalgia, and a Bathtub - is Sold" (The News and Observer)"Tim Robbins: Hall of Fame Violates Freedom" (The Age)"1988: Kevin Costner, Sean Young, No Way Out & Bull Durham (Erotic 80s Part 11)" (You Must Remember This)"Bull Durham: A New Musical Begins Performances" (Playbill)

We're setting sail for love as we look at the romance of Leo McCarey's 1957 melodrama An Affair to Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr! Join in as we discuss our favorite cinematic ships, singing dub star Marni Nixon, and an abundance of children's choirs. Plus: How did Nicky Ferrante get famous? How do we get AFI to update their ranked lists of movies? How is this movie thirty minutes longer than 1939's Love Affair, which allegedly uses the same script? And, most importantly, why can't they just be together??? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Bull Durham (1988)-------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Bosley Crowther's 1957 review in the New York TimesRetakes: Behind the Scenes of 500 Classic Movies by John Eastman (1989)An Affair to Remember in the AFI Catalog"They Missed Their Cruise Ship. That was Only the Beginning" (Curbed)

We're closing the book on our Unfinished Business series by taking a look at the scant romance of Justin Kurzel's 2016 adaptation of the Assassin's Creed video games, starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and a bunch of wasted character actors. Join in as we discuss the way Kurzel adapts the style and structure of the games for film, the punishing seriousness of the tone, and our love of Jeremy Irons. Plus: What was the plan for the sequels? Can you put a baby in the animus? What does anyone actually want in this movie? And, most importantly, is Cats the ultimate video game movie? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: An Affair to Remember (1957)------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Sony Targets Assassin's Creed for Bigscreen" (Variety)"Michael Fassbender to Star in Assassin's Creed" (MTV News)"Fassbender Game for Assassin's Creed" (Variety)"Assassin's Creed: Michael Fassbender Explains Animus Redesign" (ScreenRant)David Ehrlich's B- Review of Assassin's Creed (IndieWire)"The Witcher Author Says Netflix 'Never Listened' to His Ideas" (The Hollywood Reporter)

We're taking a look at male-oriented rom coms with this week's episode on Judd Apatow's 2007 comedy hit Knocked Up! Join in as we discuss comedy drug scenes, the rolling series of scandals that engulfed star Katherine Heigl, our favorite Seth Rogen performances, and the wide-ranging discourse the film inspired. Plus: Why are Apatow movies so long? Why doesn't Allison have her own home? Why did Allison start dating Ben? And, most importantly, how do you get pink eye? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Assassin's Creed (2016)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:2007 New York Times profile of Judd Apatow"Giving the Last Laugh to Life's Losers" (New York Times)"For Apatow, Opportunity Knocks" (USA Today)Dana Stevens's review of Knocked Up at SlateRoss Douthat's response to Stevens in The Atlantic"The Politics of Shmashmortion" by Dana Stevens (Slate)Conversation between Emily Nussbaum and Adam Sternbergh about the film (New York)"Heigl's Anatomy" Vanity Fair cover story"Katherine Heigl Clarifies Knocked Up Remarks" (People)"Star Shuns Emmys, Angering Producers" (New York Times)Daily News piece documenting Rogen and Apatow's response to Heigl"Seth Rogen Talks Feeling 'Betrayed' after Katherine Heigl's Knocked Up Comments" (Hollywood Reporter)Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow discuss their experience with Heigl on Howard Stern in 2009Circuit City allowed people to trade in HD DVD players for blu-ray players

As Paramount's proposed merger with Skydance continues to wend its way past regulators, we're looking back at the beginning of the studio's financial troubles through the lens of the 2017 flop Monster Trucks! Join in as we discuss the film's inception as Paramount's next big franchise, the diverging opinions of studio leadership and director Chris Wedge, and the many ways the studio signaled the audiences and the industry that they'd given up on it long before it came out. Plus: Were the main characters held back in school several times? Is Creech less energy-efficient than a gas engine? Is Burke a landman? What would the planned sequels have been about? And, most importantly, are monster trucks even cool to begin with? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Assassin's Creed (2016)-----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Today Now! Interviews the 5-Year-Old Screenwriter of Fast Five" (The Onion)David Ehrlich's D+ Review of Monster Trucks (IndieWire)"Hear Me Out: Why Monster Trucks Isn't a Bad Movie" by Chris Evangelista (The Guardian) Deadline story announcing the development of Monster TrucksMonster Trucks casting announcements (The Wrap)"Monster Trucks Leads Viacom to Take $115M Write-Down" (The Hollywood Reporter)"Monster Trucks Proves It: Don't Let a 4-Year-Old Develop a Movie" (Wired)

As is tradition, we're taking this week to unpack the romances of all ten Best Picture nominees at next Sunday's Academy Awards! Join in as we discuss The Brutalist's AI controversy, the underserved women of A Complete Unknown, our Conclave theories, the maximalism of The Substance, and more! Plus: Will finally explains his long-hinted-at dislike of Wicked, Marc correctly identifies the year's hottest performance, Dune and Nickel Boys set the gold standard for literary adaptation, and the Best Original Song category continues to be a mess. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Monster Trucks (2017)----------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode: Interview with Anora director Sean Baker on the Prestige Junkie podcast "Inside the Anora House" (IndieWire) "About the Destination: The Brutalist and Israel" (Screen Slate) "The Brutalist's AI Controversy Explained" (Vulture) "Glen Powell Reveals Steven Spielberg's Twisters Note that Changed the Ending" (Collider) Elizabeth Cotten playing "Freight Train" "Emilia Perez's Controversial Camino" (Vulture) Lemme Say This interview with journalist Sarah Hagi on uncovering Emilia Perez star Karla Sofia Gascon's Twitter page "Margaret Qualley was Given Prosthetic Boobs to 'Endow Me with the Rack of a Lifetime' for The Substance" (People)

Our Unfinished Business is taking us back to some classic We Love the Love far, since there's both a half-baked romance and a bizarrely-run high school in Adam Shankman's 2005 Vin Diesel vehicle The Pacifier! Join in as we discuss the babysitting potential of various Vin Diesel characters, the school's dubious disciplinary priorities, the 2005 Teen Choice Awards, and the television oeuvre of Taylor Sheridan. Plus: Who are the bad guys in this movie? Why is Lauren Graham's principal character in on the secret plan? Why does government scientist Tate Donovan keep his work at home? And, most importantly, how many passwords did the mom have to guess before she got the right one? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: It's our 2025 Oscars Extravaganza, where we rate the romances of all ten Best Picture nominees!--------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode: 2015 claim by Vin Diesel on Facebook that Disney was developing a Pacifier sequel IGN writeup of Diesel's online campaign to play Black Bolt in Marvel's canceled Inhumans movie 2002 Variety description of Military Diaries on VH1 Vulture piece on the disqualification for Oscars of Robbie Williams's "original" song from Better Man Kristen Baldwin's review of Landman for EW Alan Sepinwall's review of Landman for Rolling Stone "Is Landman Funny?" from Vulture

We're headed to the theaters for a look at the romance of the brand new DreamWorks Animation filmDog Man, based on the books by Dav Pilkey.Join in as we discuss the state of DreamWorks in the 2020s, our favorite clones, the film's animation style, and theJurassic Worldmovies.Plus: Does Dog Man retain the memories of his past lives? Is there a joke to Sarah Hatoff's name? Does Marc remember the plot ofThe Prestige? And what's wrong with TV these days?Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!Next week:The Pacifier (2005)-------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:2023Cartoon Brew report on DWA's shift away from in-house animationInterview with writer-director Peter Hastings atThe WrapInterview with Peter Hastings at Polygon2025 DWA introWatchDual for free on Hoopla!

We're off to catch 'em all (unless that's a bad thing?) as we unpack the truncated romance of Pokémon the Movie 2000! Join in as we discuss our own Pokémon origin stories, the three elements of creation, the villainous Lawrence III, Ash's bad mom, and this film's impact on American political history. Plus: Which of the film's many bad songs is the worst one? Do Pokémon cards exist in the anime universe? What do the magic balls do? And, most importantly, what's the gayest Pokémon? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Dogman (2025) -------------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Desson Howe's review of the film in the Washington Post Roger Ebert's two-star review of Pokémon: The First Movie Warner Bros. press release announcing their acquisition of the distribution rights to the film 2011 Daily Beast story about Herman Cain's use of "The Power of One" Herman Cain quotes Pokémon the Movie 2000 in his concessions speech 2021 USA Today story on Target temporarily ending sales of Pokémon cards due to fights 538 Politics Podcast on Howard Dean's infamous scream

We're dancing with the devil as we look at the romance between Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley in Harold Ramis's 2000 remake of Bedazzled! Join in as we discuss Hurley's many impressive costumes, the 2000 SAG-AFTRA strike, and the devil's questionable strategy for acquiring souls. Plus: Why is Elliot so unlikeable? How does the Big Mac count as a wish? And what exactly is this film's cosmology? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Pokemon the Movie 2000 (2000) -------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Elizabeth Hurley's many outfits in Bedazzled "There's no underwear in space" from Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking 2000 Guardian story on Elizabeth Hurley's strikebreaking activity Rogert Ebert's two-star review of Bedazzled 2022 Vulture interview with Elizabeth Hurley about the film Woman explains Monster Energy's support of Satan

We're taking a look at one of the most widely panned films of 2019, Steven Knight's misbegotten noir Serenity! Join in as we discuss this reunion of Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey, the yearslong political scandal it caused, the ignominious collapse of Aviron Pictures, and the various games on Plymouth Island. Plus: Why did this movie receive such little marketing? How old are Karen and Baker Dill supposed to be? Did Jeremy Strong go method for his role as The Rules? And, most importantly, what was that kid thinking when he set all of this up? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Bedazzled (2000) --------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Jude Dry's review of Serenity in IndieWire Deadline story about the creation of Aviron Pictures 2020 LA Times story about the fraud cases against Aviron founder William Sadleir 2019 Deadline story about the stars' frustration with the Serenity marketing campaign Rundown of the Serenitygate scandal in Mauritius Accusations of censorship in Mauritius related to Serenitygate Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth's defense in the Serenitygate scandal 2019 study on the impact of video games on stress Watch Garth Merenghi's Darkplace on Youtube

We're taking a look at one of the biggest financial and cultural hits of the early 90s with Chris Columbus's comedy sensation Mrs. Doubtfire! Join in as we discuss Robin Williams's iconic performance, revisiting the film in an era of greater trans visibility, the movie's subversion of obvious narrative routes, and of course Arrested Development's Mrs. Featherbottom. Plus: Was there really an NC-17 cut of the movie? Why would anyone root against Sally Field? Is Pierce Brosnan's Stu just...a good guy? And, most importantly, does Daniel really even want to be with Miranda? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Serenity (2019) --------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: 30th anniversary interview with Chris Columbus at Insider Oral history of the makeover sequence featuring the film's Oscar-winning makeup team Mrs. Doubtfire makeup process video 2021 Vulture interview with Lisa Jakub Full Chuck Jones-directed Pudgy and Grunge short Collected quotes from Robin Williams on potential sequels to various movies including Mrs. Doubtfire Vulture review of the Mrs. Doubtfire musical on Broadway

We're starting 2025 with a look back at our favorite movies of 2024, plus a look at the romance of Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy's feature debut, Big Fat Liar! Join in as we discuss Levy's career, the film debut of Amanda Bynes, the film-within-a-film's rapid production timeline, and Christopher Nolan's upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey. Plus: Was 2024 an especially good year for the Cannes Film Festival? Why is everyone in The Substance so good at medical procedures? Did Lea Seydoux give the year's hottest performance? And, most importantly, is it better to be sequestered in a conclave or trapped in a tennis throuple? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) -------------------------------------------------- Key links and sources for this episode: Spiders Georg "Average Familiarity" from XKCD People don't know what The Odyssey is Roger Ebert's three-star review of Big Fat Liar 2020 Forbes oral history of Big Fat Liar Shawn Levy's pitch for a Big Fat Liar sequel Paul Giamatti's Chinwag podcast Fact-checking Jodi Comer's accent in The Bikeriders

We're finishing out the year with a look at the romance of the 2011 Kevin James comedy Zookeeper! Join in as we discuss celebrity voice roles, gorilla prison, the movie's ever-shifting release date, and a standout performance by Rosario Dawson. Plus: Did this movie kill an elephant? What about a giraffe? Why was Leslie Bibb invited to that wedding? Why wasn't Shane fired for beating animals? And, most importantly, is there any job more revolting than being a zookeeper? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Big Fat Liar (2002) and our 2024 Top Ten lists ------------------------------------------ Key links and sources for this episode: Roger Ebert's three-star review of Zookeeper Hollywood Reporter piece on the bidding war for the Zookeeper spec script EW report on the film's floating release date 2011 report on alleged abuse of animals in Water for Elephants Huffington Post report on animal-rights protests at the Zookeeper premiere 2013 Hollywood Reporter investigation into animal abuse on sets 2022 Indiewire interview with Richard Schiff on his motion-capture performance in God of War Ragnarok

We're here with a Christmas bonus covering the romances of five DreamWorks holiday specials: Shrek the Halls, Merry Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda Holiday, Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury, and Trolls Holiday. Join in as we discuss our favorite non-DreamWorks specials, the 2024 holiday movie slate, and Troll cultural imperialism. Plus: Has Shrek ever heard of Christmas before? Why is the Golden Ladle silver? How are Snoggletog lights powered? And, most importantly, why did the Viking kids start hiding dragon eggs? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Zookeeper (2011)

We're finishing out the holiday season with a look at the disastrous romances of the 2012 Lifetime film Christmas Twister (also known as F6: Twister or as Christams Twister)! Join in as we discuss local news, Ethan (Casper van Dien)'s climate change theories, local news, and a handsy mall Santa. Plus: How long has the family been in Texas? What great wrong did Ethan wreak in Chicago? Why does everyone keep trying to outrun the tornado? And, most importantly, why is everyone dressed for the beach during a Texas winter? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Zookeeper (2011) --------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Watch Christmas Twister on the Internet Archive Rules for the Gary England drinking game (for anyone listening from Oklahoma) 2021 Guardian piece on the trend of animated mockbusters Der Fuehrer's Face: Oscar-winning 1943 Donald Duck short about the miseries of living in Nazi Germany Donald's Decision: 1942 Donald Duck short about the importance of buying war bonds (made for the Canadian government)

We're gathering together this holiday season to talk about the romance of 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Join in as we discuss lip fungus, the film's large cast, our favorite jokes, and its relationship to Home Alone (also written by John Hughes). Plus: How is the movie different from Hughes's short story "Christmas '59"? Why does Clark (Chevy Chase) wait so long to start hanging his Christmas lights? Did the neighbors totally gut their hosue to yuppify it? Why doesn't the family go on vacation? And, most importantly, should Ellen leave Clark over his terrible financial decisions? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas Twister (2012) ---------------------------------------------- Key Sources and Links for this Episode: "Christmas '59" - John Hughes's National Lampoon short story that serves as the basis for the film 1989 New York Times article on the rising costs of Hollywood movies 1998 interview with John Hughes 2015 Chicago magazine oral history of Home Alone, including Chris Columbus's experience on Christmas Vacation 2020 Rolling Stone oral history of Christmas Vacation

Yes, we're doing the Taylor Swift / Travis Kelce fanfic Christmas movie that aired on Lifetime this year. Obviously! Join in as we discuss pop star Christmas albums, Swift-analog Bowyn's selfless activism, a cornucopia of Swift references, and Discount Tire. Plus: How does the movie stack up against this year's slate of made for TV movies (including Netflix's Hot Frosty and Our Little Secret, and Hallmark's Swift-adjacent Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story)? Why does Bowyn make Gonzo wear a Santa suit? Are these brothers supposed to be the greatest players in football history? And, most importantly, should Bowyn or Trap's Lady Raven be our star of the year? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) ----------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Washington Post article on 2024's Swift/Kelce holiday movies Today Show attempt to identify all the Taylor Swift references in the movie USA Today interview with stars Jessica Lord and Laith Wallschlager "'Tis the Season" - December 2023 ESPN promo explaining how the football season is like a Hallmark movie "Falling for Football" - January 2024 Chiefs Hallmark parody about finding love during the playoffs "Straight Male Friend" - SNL sketch starring Bowen Yang and Travis Kelce

We're kicking off the Christmas season with John McTiernan's 1988 action classic Die Hard! Join in as we discuss the film's confused gender politics, Al Powell's troubling redemption, the starmaking of Bruce Willis, and that troublesome watch. Plus: Who did novelist Roderick Thorp envision in the starring role? Why is this party so late on Christmas Eve? What are bearer bonds? And, most importantly, can we be done with the Christmas movie debate on this one? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas in the Spotlight (2024) -------------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: 1988 Chicago Tribune article on Bruce Willis's unusually high salary 1988 LA Times profile of Willis 2018 Variety piece about Jeb Stuart's work adapting the novel 2018 Independent piece on the casting of Bruce Willis

We're wrapping up our month of Moore with a look at the postapocalyptic romance in Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men! Join in as we discuss our favorite near futures, Emanuel Lubezki's cinematography, Theo's passivity, and hippie Michael Caine. Plus: Why doesn't the movie have cool future technology? How does it compare to P.D. James's novel? How'd they film that car chase? And, most importantly, how did the ping pong ball game start? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Die Hard (1988)

Our month with Julianne Moore continues as we look at her Hollywood rom com debut in Chris Columbus's 1995 film Nine Months! Join in as we discuss Columbus's 90s career, a two-scene performance by Robin Williams, the film's tonal whiplash, and our favorite childhood toys. Plus: Why was this movie changed after its preview screenings? Why are Marty (Tom Arnold) and Gail (Joan Cusack) buying so many toys? Why does Sam (Hugh Grant) work with kids? And how could anyone want to get with Sam when he has that terrible earring? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Children of Men (2006) --------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Morning Call interview with Columbus, including the film's handling of Hugh Grant's arrest 2016 SAG-AFTRA career retrospective with Hugh Grant

We're continuing our look at the career of Julianne Moore by looking at her first lead performance, in Todd Haynes's 1995 indie classic Safe! Join in as we discuss cults, color schemes, environmental illness, and milkaholism! Plus: How did Carol and Greg get together? What's Chris's deal? Is Rory the worst kid ever? And why did the New York Times think the movie was set in the future? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Nine Months (1995) ------------------------------------------------ Key sources and links for this episode: Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film by Peter Biskind (2004) BOMB Magazine interview with Haynes in 1995 covering the film's development Filmmaker Magazine interview with Haynes about production Haynes interview with Australian TV during the film's initial release Haynes and Moore talk about the film with Criterion in 2014 Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story on YouTube

ELECTION DAY BONUS!!! We're dropping in on our Julianne Moore-athon with a special look at her Emmy-winning portrayal of Sarah Palin in the 2012 HBO film Game Change! Join in as we discuss our favorite election movies, Palin's post-2008 career, other HBO ripped-from-the-headlines movies, and our memories of the 2008 campaign. Plus: Could an Alaskan become president? How did the real people feel about this movie? Should we be rating romances that are essentially just true? And, most importantly, what is Sarah Palin's hockey team? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Safe (1995) -------------------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin (2010) Bossypants by Tina Fey (2011) “The ‘Palin Effect' in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election” by Jonathan Knuckey, Political Research Quarterly (2012) Alessandra Stanley's 2012 New York Times review of Game Change "Celebrity" ad by John McCain Paris Hilton's response to the McCain "Celebrity" ad Playlist of Tina Fey's Palin sketches on SNL

We're spending this month looking at the career of Julianne Moore, and to kick things off we're looking at her performance in Lisa Cholodenko's 2010 Best Picture nominee The Kids Are All Right! Join in as we discuss our first encounters with Moore, her lack of a conventional star persona, the film's family dynamic with a lesbian couple played by Moore and Annette Bening, and Laser's dumb friend Clay. Plus: Which parent named which kid? Does the movie know about bisexuals? Was Paul (Mark Ruffalo) flirting with Zosia Mamet? And were these the weirdest Golden Globe nominees ever? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Safe (1995) ------------------------------------------ Key sources and links for this episode: Roger Ebert's review of The Kids Are All Right Film Journal International interview with Lisa Cholodenko Chicago Tribune interview with Lisa Cholodenko

We're finishing out the Halloween season with a look at the romance of Gore Verbinski's 2002 horror classic The Ring! Join in as we discuss our introductions to Verbinski, comparisons to the Japanese original, Chris Cooper's cut role, and the horror of recommending movies. Plus: Is Rachel (Naomi Watts) good at her newspaper job? Why does Noah (Martin Henderson) own a copy of Shrek? Who edited the cursed tape? And did the events of this movie just make Samara more powerful? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Kids Are All Right (2010) --------------------------------- Key sources and links for this episode: The Men Who Would Be King: An Almost Epic Tale of Moguls, Movies, and a Company Called DreamWorks by Nicole LaPorte (2010) Martin Scorsese's 2021 Harper's essay on the gift of curation Gore Verbinski's 1995 Budweiser frogs commercial 2002 Entertainment Weekly piece on the casting of Naomi Watts in The Ring

We're taking a look at horror in the 1970s with Nicolas Roeg's 1973 classic Don't Look Now! Join in as we discuss the movie's handling of grief, its (in)famous sex scene, Pino Donaggio's score, and Donald Sutherland's near-death experience onset. Plus: How did they make Venice look so unappealing? Why does Donald Sutherland's hair look like that? How did the movie avoid further censorship? And, most importantly, did they ever catch the killer? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Ring (2002)

We're continuing our spooky season with a look at the romance of Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 classic, Psycho! Join in as we discuss movie hotels, Hitchcock's extensive anti-spoiler campaign, the life of star Anthony Perkins, and that controversial final scene. Plus: How did this movie get past the Hollywood Production Code? How easy is taxidermy? What's Sam's job? And will Sam and Lila get together in the end? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Don't Look Now (1973)

We're kicking off the spooky season with a look at the romance of Alex Garland's 2018 sci-fi horror quest Annihilation! Join in as we discuss Natalie Portman's underrated performance, the movies differences with Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy, the various controversies that came up on the film's release, and, of course, that freaky bear. Plus: Why didn't the movie shoot in the US? Why did the Saturns fail to celebrate it? How did Scott Rudin (of all people?) save the movie? And, most importantly, is Paramount okay? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Psycho (1960)

In honor of his new movie Megalopolis (now in theaters!), we're taking a look at Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 horror romance, Bram Stoker's Dracula. Join in as we discuss our favorite vampires, Keanu's infamous accent work, the movie's incredible costumes, and the most important vampire rules. Plus: Is it possible to make Jonathan Harker interesting? How many voyages does the Demeter go on? What is Renfield's purpose? And, most importantly, why is this story mostly about real estate? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Annihilation (2018)

We're staying up all night as we dig into the romance(?) of Sofia Coppola's 2003 indie hit Lost in Translation! Join in as we discuss the 2003 Oscars, celebrity product endorsements, the film's handling of Japan, and our own weird hotel experiences. Plus: How romantic is this central relationship? What's up with the first shot? Is Giovanni Ribisi playing Spike Jonze? And exactly how famous is Bob supposed to be? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

To herald the release of Transformers One, we're looking back at the fourth entry in the convoluted franchise: 2014's soft reboot Transformers: Age of Extinction! Join in as we discuss the history of the Transformers franchise, Hollywood's attempts to court Chinese audiences, Chekov's football, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and of course Romeo and Juliet laws. Plus: How does Shane's racing league work? Can anyone tell what country Cade Yeager is from, or whether there are any products available there? How has Mahershala Ali's Blade still not been made? And, most importantly, where are all the dinosaurs??? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Lost in Translation (2003)

We're puzzling over a romance that's either completely believable or not at all plausible in Adam McKay's 2006 NASCAR comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Join in as we discuss Will Ferrell's parallel careers for kids and adults, a top-tier Amy Adams performance, the scam of a mid-00s unrated cut, and inevitable comparisons to Vice. Plus: Did France invent the menage a trois? Can anyone explain the Teen Choice Awards? Has Marc ever watched ESPN? And, most importantly, what exactly are the Talladega nights? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

We're taking a look at the romance of the first ever Best Picture winner, William Wellman's 1927 World War I film Wings! Join in as we discuss the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the film's eight-month shoot, the famous nightclub shot, and the importance of a good luck charm. Plus: Why was The Jazz Singer disqualified at the Oscars? What changed between 1927 and the 1928 rerelease? Did the casting of Clara Bow break this movie? And, most importantly, is Herman Schwimpf the greatest American? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

We're traveling back (or maybe forwards?) to 2016 to talk about the nonlinear romance between Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner in Denis Villeneuve's Arrival! Join in as we discuss Villeneuve's career in Hollywood, Adams's quest for an Oscar, the nature of free will, and AMC's current Nicole Kidman video. Plus: How does the film compare to Ted Chiang's short story/novella/novelette? What's going on elsewhere in the world while Louise does her work? Is the canary self-aware? And, most importantly, should you kiss a heptapod (and where?)? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Wings (1927)

We're digging into one of the biggest hits of the 1980s with a look at the duplicitous romance of Sydney Pollack's smash hit Tootsie, starring Dustin Hoffman in a red sequined dress. Join in as we discuss Southern accents, Jessica Lange's breakout year, Bill Murray's subdued performance, and Dustin Hoffman's existential crisis. Plus: Should Dorothy run for president? Will Emily Kimberly ever return to Southwest General? How well does all the gender stuff here hold up? And, most importantly, is Dustin Hoffman somehow even more annoying than Michael Dorsey? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Arrival (2016)

We're talking birthday movies as we dig into the refreshingly healthy romance of Paul King's modern classic Paddington 2! Join in as we discuss our past experiences with the film, our favorite small roles, Hugh Grant's new act, and the forthcoming Paddington in Peru. Plus: What makes the Paddington movies so much more effective than other children's book adaptations? What other actors voiced Paddington in the modern era? Why are their so many nuns in St. Paul's Cathedral? To what extent must we view this as a (possibly the first) Brexit movie? And, most importantly, are there still Fuddruckers? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Tootsie (1982)

We're celebrating its 25th anniversary this week (and the release of his new movie Trap!) by taking a look at the romance of M. Night Shyamalan's 1999 Best Picture nominee The Sixth Sense! Join in as we discuss our own Shyamalan backstories, the movie's contentious development, its legendary box office run, and the troubled status of Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 and Captain America: Brave New World. Plus: How did Shyamalan get his mojo back in the past decade? How did Harvey Weinstein try to sabotage his career? What is Malcolm's award for? And, of course, what book did Anna buy her friend??? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Paddington 2 (2018)

We're celebrating 350 episodes by finally digging into a movie we've discussed since the first year of the show: Chris Miller's 2017 Oscar nominee The Boss Baby. Join in as we discuss the film's place in DreamWorks Animation history, Alec Baldwin's star persona, corporate espionage films, and the Boss Baby Symposium. Plus: What is Puppy Co's business model? Is the Boss Baby potty trained? What exactly are this movie's politics? Is there a finite amount of love in the world? And, most importantly, where do babies come from??? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Sixth Sense (1999)

We're back in the McConnaughey rom-com era talking about his fauxlationship with Sarah Jessica Parker in 2006's Failure to Launch! Join in as we discuss immoral schemes, paintball, blu-ray bonus features, and the career of costar Zooey Deschanel. Plus: Where exactly is this movie set? Why are there so many animal attacks? Does Paula have any friends? And, most importantly, what exactly is her business model? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Boss Baby (2017)

Just in time for next weekend's release of Twisters, we're taking a look at the romance of Jan De Bont's 1996 original, starring Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, and Jami Gertz. Join in as we discuss ill-timed breakups, the film's impressive practical effects, the numerous onset accidents, and the world's biggest steaks. Plus: Which is the titular twister? What happened to Jo's mom? Is the Dorothy machine needlessly complicated? And, most importantly, why date Melissa in the first place? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Failure to Launch (2006)

We're digging into the late-90s teen movie boom for a look at the Pygmalion-inspired romance of 1999's She's All That, starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, and just about every other young star of the moment. Join in as we discuss graduation pranks, unexpected dance sequences, the iconic makeover, and the 1999 MTV Movie Awards. Plus: What's the deal with Laney's art show? Is there any oversight over Usher's radio show? How involved was M. Night Shyamalan? And, most importantly, what is the cultural heir to The Real World? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Twister (1996)

We're unveiling dark secrets this week as we look at Ron Howard's 2007 adaptation of The Da Vinci Code! We read the book too, so we're here to dive deep into our favorite historical inaccuracies, pitch alternative castings, unveil the real (dumb) history of the Priory of Sion, and get into the DC Height Act. Plus: Does Dan Brown know that different types of Christianity are different? Is Ron Howard not trashy enough for this? Is Robert Langdon hot? And, most critically, who exactly are the ancients??? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: She's All That (1999) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/we-love-the-love/message