Grumpy Octopus

Meyers Marathon Episode 6: The Intern (2015)

Hello hello! Today marks the final episode of our Meyers Marathon, focusing on 2015's The Intern. It's a funky little movie that proposes a hard hitting question: What if you were old and you had a job? Ok, there may be a bit more to it than that. There's some family drama here, some crazy heist hijinks, possibly even romance (just a tiny bit). But really the main draw is Robert De Niro working for Anne Hathaway, giving out his old man life lessons on one hand and being introduced to Facebook on the other. Anyway, I'm not sure he even has a "job" really, just an internship. Are they paying him? I'm worried they're not paying him. He needs the money to buy more ties for his fancy tie rack, something you young people wouldn't know anything about, with your untucked shirts and loose collars! Sorry, that sort of young people shaming is exactly the kind of behavior you won't see from Robert De Niro in this movie, since he's basically a total sweetie pie. Listen to the episode to hear us discuss his positive qualities at great length. We're out of Nancy Meyers movies (for now), but we'll be back soon with more rom-com discussion, so keep an ear out!

Meyers Marathon Episode 5: It's Complicated (2009)

Happy Friday, Loyal Listeners! It's time for another episode of our Meyers Marathon, focusing on 2009's It's Complicated. And boy, is it. Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin are all here (to clarify, not on this podcast), and prepared to get themselves involved in many a farcical situation. This is the kind of movie that makes you think about the hard questions, questions like: When will Meryl's new kitchen be finished? How big will it be exactly? Can we see it? Alas no, but some things are so beautiful that they could never be captured properly on screen anyway. At least we still have all that  wonderful Meryl food to look at. And some delightful low-stakes shenanigans to watch these characters fumble through. So many characters, what a big family Meryl has - hey, John Krasinksi is here! He's having fun, we're all having fun, nothing complicated about that. Look, it's a great time. Still wish we could have seen that kitchen though.

Meyers Marathon Episode 4: The Holiday (2006)

Hello hello! It's been two weeks since our last episode, and we've recharged our talking batteries to podcast again. Hey, you know what else is a great way to spend two weeks? Perhaps try swapping houses with a stranger from another country! That's right, it's time for our Meyers Marathon to tackle The Holiday, perhaps the most beloved Meyers movie of them all.  The Holiday is a gentle film about finding love and growth where you didn't expect it. Therefore, we will be pitting its various elements against each other in fierce combat. Whose house is better? In what country would you rather live? Cameron Diaz vs Kate Winslet? Jude Law vs Jack Black? Who will win?! Only one way to find out. Enjoy listening, and remember that they're all richer than you anyway.

Meyers Marathon Episode 3: Something's Gotta Give (2003)

Ahoy hoy! Episode 3 of our Meyers Marathon is out now, covering the cranky and contentious Something's Gotta Give. Is that a description of the movie, or of Jack Nicholson's character? I'm afraid you'll have to listen to find out.  If you do, you may learn the answers to many intriguing questions. Consider, can a man in his mid-sixties embrace commitment when he never has before? Is Diane Keaton the world's funniest crier? What kind of monster would dangle Frances McDormand in our faces and then cut her out of the rest of the movie? Did Keanu deliver some exposition just now, or did we get lost in his eyes? Most crucially, something has gotta give here, but what? We may never know. It's alright. It's probably a metaphor.

Meyers Marathon Episode 2: What Women Want (2000)

Hello there! Episode 2 of our Meyers Marathon has dropped today, which means your two hosts have gained some exciting insight that a lot of people would love to get their hands on. That's right, we finally know What Women Want! After all these years!  Listen as we work our way through this mildly off-putting romcom that was honestly better than we expected given that it's a movie from 2000 about a chauvinistic man who can hear women's thoughts and also that man is Mel Gibson. The spirit of Nancy Meyers still peeks through the cracks here for those willing to look for it, and we've done our best to find her.