I Love This, You Should Too

This week we are discussing the 2002 wuxia epic: Hero (英雄). Join us as we talk about the stunning visuals, colorful chapters, understanding martial arts films, political readings, Indy’s love of Tony Leung (and most of the cast, really), Chinese history, and a bunch of other things I’ve already forgotten.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Hero (英雄, Yīngxióng) is a 2002 wuxia martial arts film directed, co-written, and produced by Zhang Yimou, and starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Donnie Yen and Chen Daoming. The cinematography was by Christopher Doyle, and the musical score composed by Tan Dun. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 75th Academy Awards. The historical background of the film refers to the Warring States Period in ancient China, when China was divided into seven states. In 227–221 BC, the Qin state was about to unify the other six states, assassins from the six states were sent to assassinate the king of Qin. One of the most famous incidents was Jing Ke's attempted assassination of the King of Qin.

We continue our mini Zhang Yimou film festival with the tragic romance Ju Dou (菊豆). We chat about the characters and their place as archetypes and metaphors, the striking visuals, the claustrophobic setting, uncle/fathers, creepy kids, and patriarchy, man. Patriarchy.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Ju Dou is a 1990 romantic-drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and Yang Fengliang, starring Gong Li as the title character. The film, based on the novel Fuxi, Fuxi (伏羲伏羲) by Liu Heng, is a tragedy that revolves around Ju Dou, a beautiful young woman sold as a wife to Jinshan, an elderly cloth dyer. The film was produced using the vivid Technicolor process, long after it had been abandoned in the United States. It became the first Chinese film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Upon its release, Ju Dou faced a ban in China, which was eventually lifted in July 1992.

In the first episode of what turned into a mini Zhang Yimou film festival, we discuss the beautiful period drama Raise The Red Lantern (大红灯笼高高挂). We get into its themes of oppressive patriarchy, gorgeous cinematography, common enemies, impactful silences, unintentionally perpetuating your own subjugation, and y’know, pretty lanterns and stuff.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 period drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. It is an adaptation by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novella Raise the Red Lantern (originally Wives and Concubines) by Su Tong. A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production, the film was later adapted into a ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang. Set during the Warlord Era in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man. It was the fourth of nine collaborations between Zhang and Gong. The film was shot in the Qiao Family Compound near the ancient city of Pingyao, in Shanxi Province.

Indy talks about a 90s hip-hop classic: E. 1999 Eternal by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Samantha ends an era with the docuseries Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, then we preview next week’s big watch, the Zhang Yimou period drama Raise the Red Lantern.

Raise the Red Lantern is a 1991 period drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li. It is an adaptation by Ni Zhen of the 1990 novella Raise the Red Lantern (originally Wives and Concubines) by Su Tong. A Chinese-Hong Kong co-production, the film was later adapted into a ballet of the same title by the National Ballet of China, also directed by Zhang. Set during the Warlord Era in the 1920s, the film tells the story of a young woman who becomes the fourth wife of a wealthy man. It was the fourth of nine collaborations between Zhang and Gong.

We are recapping the best of the year by going over our favourite movies, books, music, and TV shows of 2025! We recommend KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, Wicked, work by Bria Salmena, Clipse, Ken Pomeroy, Taylor Swift, Ocean Vuong, and more!

This episode was originally released on Dec. 7, 2020.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

A Christmas Prince is a 2017 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Alex Zamm, written by Karen Schaler and Nathan Atkins and stars Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Tom Knight, Sarah Douglas, Daniel Fathers, Alice Krige and Tahirah Sharif.

This episode we are breaking down a duet of Hallmark Christmas movies: Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday & Sister Swap: Christmas in the City (AKA Christmas at the Madison), two movies that star real life sisters (who don’t share any screentime), take place in different worlds (that look the same), separated by a great distance (sometimes), revolve around a dead uncle (who we know nothing about), and feature invisible tears, red velvet cake, volunteering, and combining forces. 

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

We have some quick reviews of a few holiday movies like the disappointing A Merry Little Ex-Mas, the mediocre I Believe in Santa, the surprisingly charming A Very Jonas Christmas Movie, the disturbing animated special The Christmas Tree, & more! Then Samantha pitches her 2Hallmark Sister Swap movies for next week.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Finally the episode you’ve been waiting for, podcast-wise. We are covering the 1960 classic The Apartment. Join us for a chat about the fantastic performances of Jack Lemmon & Shirley MacLaine, what it means to be a mensch, dramatic irony, unobtrusive direction, Christmas parties, & more!

Watch The Apartment on Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/movie/the-apartment-jack-lemmon/11805909

The Apartment is a 1960 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and produced by Billy Wilder from a screenplay he co-wrote with I. A. L. Diamond. It stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, with Ray Walston and Edie Adams in supporting roles.

The film follows an insurance clerk (Lemmon) who, in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder, allows his superiors to use his Upper West Side apartment to conduct their extramarital affairs. He becomes attracted to an elevator operator (MacLaine) in his office building, unaware that she is having an affair with the head of personnel (MacMurray).

We are getting an early start on the holidays as we recommend some favourite Indie (and Indy) Christmas songs from artists like; Jack Johnson, She & Him, & Low, and we preview our first lightly Christmassy big watch: the classic dark comedy The Apartment.

I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa

Watch The Apartment on Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/movie/the-apartment-jack-lemmon/11805909

The film follows an insurance clerk (Lemmon) who, in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder, allows his superiors to use his Upper West Side apartment to conduct their extramarital affairs. He becomes attracted to an elevator operator (MacLaine) in his office building, unaware that she is having an affair with the head of personnel (MacMurray).