We Love the Love

We return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time in 191 episodes for a look at Kenneth Branagh's 2011 franchise starter Thor! 

Join in as we discuss the arrival of Chris Hemsworth, the Odinsleep, the secret history of Donald Blake, and the franchise-dominated 2011 box office. 

Plus: Why did Anthony Hopkins take the role of Odin? How long has Jane had Dr. Blake's old shirt? What's the difference between the MCU's two glowing blue boxes? And, most importantly, what's the gayest Marvel movie? 

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Next week: Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)

The summer's ending, so we're taking a look at the unbelievable romance of the 1995 back to school comedy Billy Madison, starring Adam Sandler in his first lead role. 

Join in as we discuss Sandler's departure from SNL, the movie's long life on VHS, its lazy handling of queer people, and, of course, our favorite literary commentaries on industrialization. 

Plus: Has Sandler ever been drunk in real life? How are all the students white? Has Billy ever had sex? And why does he want the hotel job anyway? 

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Next week: Thor (2011)

This week we're taking a look at the romance between two parents in John Berry's 1974 rom-dram-edy Claudine, starring Diahann Carroll in an Oscar-nominated performance alongside James Earl Jones. 

Join in as we discuss Third World Cinema, the movie's portrayal of the welfare system, our favorite bus sequences, and the tragic circumstances that led to Carroll's casting. 

Plus: What are the rules of street dice? Do paddywagons always have open doors? And is it normal for bars to have Gospel choirs? 

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Next week: Billy Madison (1995)

It's time for vaudeville shenanigans as we look at the second Marx Brothers film, 1930's Animal Crackers. 

Join in as we discuss iconic jokes, Groucho's facial hair, Harpo's antics, Top Gun, and the dry performance of Margaret Dumont. 

Plus: Does anyone really know how to play bridge? Why does Mrs. Rittenhouse own so many knives? How did a college activist group save this movie? And why exactly is this movie called Animal Crackers anyway? 

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Next week: Claudine (1974)

In honor of her impending nuptials, we welcome all-star guest #FiFiFierce back to the podcast to talk about the surprisingly limited romance of Charles Shyer's 1991 remake of Father of the Bride. 

Join in as we discuss the respective careers of Shyer and his then-wife Nancy Meyers, middle-aged Diane Keaton, architecture school, dumb traditions, and animals at weddings. 

Plus: Does George not realize he's rich? Why are the bride's parents paying for in-laws' intercontinental flights? How did all the snow melt? When will we finally cover High School Musical 3? And, most importantly, will Fiona ever acknowledge that 1991 was kind of a long time ago? 

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Next week: Animal Crackers (1930)

We're looking at one of Clint Eastwood's many roles about being just too old (or maybe just old enough) to get the job done in the 2012 father-daughter baseball movie Trouble with the Curve, starring Eastwood alongside Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake as an afterthought romantic pair. 

Join in as we discuss this movie's position as the anti-Moneyball, a major plagiarism lawsuit, clogging, and Dear Evan Hansen. 

Plus: Did Clint's character kill that guy? How long can he play these characters? How did Johnny know to be at that gate? And what the heck was going on with Eastwood in general in 2012? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! 

Next week: Father of the Bride (1991)

We're headed back to the turn of the twentieth century to talk about the implausible romance of Michael Curtiz's 1942 musical biopic Yankee Doodle Dandy, starring James Cagney in an Oscar-winning performance as Broadway legend George M. Cohan. 

Join in as we discuss the US flag code, an accidentally hilarious proposal, a very silly framing device, and the movie's absolute aversion to conflict. 

Plus: Why did gangster star Cagney agree to do this movie? Why did Cohan's real-life wife sue the production? Did anyone give Johnny Jones's regards to Broadway? And, most importantly, was George really born on the Fourth of July? 

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Next week: Trouble with the Curve (2012)

We're headed into the serververse (and not, as the title would suggest, to space) for a look at the scant romance of the newly-released Space Jam: A New Legacy - now in theaters and on HBO Max. 

Join in as we discuss the year in film so far, LeBron vs Jordan, the failed attempts to make a Space Jam sequel in the past, and the one joke we both liked. 

Plus: Why did Will's audience applaud this movie? What exactly does the villainous Al G. Rhythm want? How is there no mention of HBO Max in the movie? And what will it take for us to subscribe to Paramount+? 

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Next week: Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

We're talking big business and bigger hair as we look at the romance of Mike Nichols's 1988 hit Working Girl, starring Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, and Melanie Griffith (in that order, according to the credits). 

Join in as we discuss Valium, the Bob's Burgers musical of this movie, the Oscar-winning score by Carly Simon, Alec Baldwin's breakout year, and, of course, CBS's Blue Bloods.

Plus: Is Cameron the victim of Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Which performance is Harrison Ford's hottest? How did Kevin Spacey get this typecast? And, most importantly, is Katherine a #girlboss? 

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Next week: Space Jam: A New Legacy (in theaters and on HBO Max this Friday!)

This Independence Day, we're finally cracking open the book as we look at two rekindled romances in the 2007 Disney sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets. 

Join in as we discuss Mount Vernon kidnappings, Samuel Mudd, the saga of the still-unproduced National Treasure 3, and Christian youth basketball. 

Plus: When did Patrick and Emily split up? Should Abigail be fired? Should the royal family sue Disney? Is G-Force worth a watch? And, most importantly, what's on page 47?!? 

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Next week: Working Girl (1988)