We Love the Love

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 [https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-kissing-booth-netflix-teen-romantic-comedy-sexist-1201969234/] (IndieWire) * "Book Publishing's Latest Success Still Has to Do Her Homework Every Night" [https://entertainment.time.com/2013/03/19/book-publishings-latest-success-still-has-to-do-her-homework-every-night/] (TIME) * "The Sixteen Most Influential Teens of 2013" [https://time100.time.com/2013/11/12/the-16-most-influential-teens-of-2013/slide/all/] (TIME) * "The Kissing Booth: How a Newport Teen Author Inspired Netflix" [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-53527635?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk&link_location=live-reporting-story] (BBC News) * "Set It Up and the Rise of the Non-Studio Rom-Com" [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/set-it-up-rise-studio-rom-1121694/] (The Hollywood Reporter) * "Inside the Binge Factory" [https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/how-netflix-swallowed-tv-industry.html] (Vulture) * "How Jacob Elordi Became the New King" [https://www.gq.com/story/jacob-elordi-men-of-the-year-cover-2023] (GQ) * "A Timeline of Snow White and its Many Controversies" [https://www.vulture.com/article/disney-snow-white-controversy-timeline.html] (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" [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221004/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i5259606488c5ad20cc20a5480de02cdc] (The Hollywood Reporter) * "Ang Lee is Heartbroken by Media Hype of Sex" [https://web.archive.org/web/20081209025408/http://showbiz.chinatimes.com/Chinatimes/ExteriorContent/Showbiz/Showbiz-Page/0,4434,content+110511+112007090300232,00.html] (China Times Showbiz) * "No Sex Scenes in China's Version of Lust, Caution" [https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/no-sex-scenes-in-china-s-version-of-lust-caution-1.653704] (CBC) * "Lee Admits 'Political Edit' of Film" [https://archive.ph/YiYI] * "Lust, Caution Actress is Banned in China" [https://www.reuters.com/article/film-lust-dc-idUSN0935238620080309/] (Reuters) * "Tang Wei's Erotic Sex Scenes Accused of Blaspheming Martyrs" [https://web.archive.org/web/20080612053510/http://ent.people.com.cn/BIG5/8222/86596/100104/100111/6262679.html] (People (China)) * "The Dark Side of Your $5 Footling: Business Owners Say it Could Bite Them" [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-dark-side-of-your-5-footlong-business-owners-say-it-could-bankrupt-them/2017/12/28/425b6ae8-e671-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html] (Washington Post) * "The End of Hooters" [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/hooters-bankrupt-sexuality-restaurant/682167/] (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 [https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/being-john-malkovich-1999] * "The Fun and Games of Living a Virtual Life" [https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/24/arts/film-the-fun-and-games-of-living-a-virtual-life.html] (New York Times) * "Being Charlie Kaufman" [https://web.archive.org/web/20050307105429/http://www.salon.com/ent/col/srag/1999/11/11/kaufman/print.html] (Salon) * Interview with Catherine Keener and Cameron Diaz [https://web.archive.org/web/20100107062624/http://www.crankycritic.com/qa/diaz_keener.html] (StarTalk) * Interview with John Cusack and John Malkovich [https://web.archive.org/web/20100131100423/http://crankycritic.com/qa/cusack_malkovich.html](StarTalk) * John Cusack Interview with Tasha Robinson [https://www.avclub.com/john-cusack-1798212832] (The AV Club) * "White Lotus Star Aimee Lou Wood, 31, Won't Get Botox. Here's Why" [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ke0lBEKP1_0] (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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JXcqzJjHf0] (YouTube) * Roger Ebert's four-star review of Risky Business [https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/risky-business-1983] * "At 20, Risky is Still Frisky" [https://variety.com/2001/film/news/at-20-risky-is-still-frisky-1117801630/] (Variety) * "My Wild Summer with Tom Cruise: Women, Sean Penn, and the Making of Risky Business" [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/my-wild-summer-tom-cruise-women-sean-penn-making-risky-business-1014670/] by Curtis Armstrong (The Hollywood Reporter) * "1983: MTV Aesthetics, Flashdance, and Risky Business (Erotic 80s Part 6)" [https://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/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" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc-ASQkPK28] (Celebrity Page on YouTube) * "Risky Business Director: "Some People Like the Visibility. I Don't" [https://www.salon.com/2013/09/02/risky_business_director_some_people_like_the_visibility_i_dont/] (Salon) * "Adam McKay 'Wouldn't Be Surprised' if Wicked was Banned in '3-5 Years' Due to its 'Radical' Storyline" [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/adam-mckay-wicked-banned-radical-storyline-1236094258/] (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 [https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bull-durham-1988] * "Running for President is Harder than it Looks: Nats Hold Tryouts for Racing Mascots" (Washington Post) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/running-for-president-is-harder-than-it-looks-nats-hold-tryouts-for-racing-mascots/2013/03/02/4e3f5eb8-835d-11e2-b99e-6baf4ebe42df_story.html] * "Teddy Wins First Presidents Race" (Washington Post) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2012/10/03/teddy-wins-first-presidents-race/] * "This is a Cry for Help" [https://www.vulture.com/article/yellowstone-taylor-sheridan-bella-hadid-season-5-episode-13.html] (Vulture piece on on the final season of Yellowstone) * "Shelton Celebrates 20 Years for Bull Durham" [https://web.archive.org/web/20080503101146/http://www.southernledger.com/ap/126175/Shelton_celebrates_20_years_for_Bull_Durham] (Southern Ledger) * "MVP: Kevin Costner" [https://web.archive.org/web/20070601034108/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1131725,00.html] (Entertainment Weekly) * "At the Movies: June 10, 1988" [https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/10/movies/at-the-movies.html] (New York Times) * "The Bull Durham House - With Southern Charm, 80s Nostalgia, and a Bathtub - is Sold" [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article288393120.html] (The News and Observer) * "Tim Robbins: Hall of Fame Violates Freedom" [https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/tim-robbins-hall-of-fame-violates-freedom-20030413-gdvj96.html] (The Age) * "1988: Kevin Costner, Sean Young, No Way Out & Bull Durham (Erotic 80s Part 11)" [https://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/1988-kevin-costner-and-sean-young-no-way-out-and-bull-durham-erotic-80s-part-11] (You Must Remember This) * "Bull Durham: A New Musical Begins Performances" [https://playbill.com/article/bull-durham-a-new-musical-begins-performances-september-10] (Playbill)