Confessions of a Closet Romantic

Bookish: Wuthering Heights/People We Meet on Vacation

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1322830/open_sms] I survived a bad winter storm that knocked out my heat and electricity for almost a week, so it's good to be back! Speaking of drama, Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books of all time, so I've been following the crazy anticipation for the Emerald Fennell film adaptation of the story that just opened this weekend. Adapting beloved classic stories for the screen isn't easy – filmmakers will never manage to perfectly interpret the story for every fan of the source material, and they have to earn attention in ways that books don't. Some filmmakers really get it right, though, despite the challenges, and when they manage to honor the original story while staying committed to their own version of it, beloved characters live another day. Classic books have survived for a reason, and I think they can handle all of the red latex corsets thrown at them. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/] It was certain that this movie [https://youtu.be/3fLCdIYShEQ?si=Z1k5GjxkOOzxJ-eB] was going to be hot and look stunning, no matter what. I think this is the ultimate review of the film and I haven't even seen it yet. A Tale of Two Hotties. [https://slate.com/culture/2026/02/wuthering-heights-movie-2026-review-margot-robbie-jacob-elordi.html] Is this the greatest love story of all time [https://youtu.be/XmuMd4FnnYo?si=fcakBZViD7tMuWFS]?! Or is that our trauma talking? The 1939 adaptation of Wuthering Heights is full of romance with a R and scenery-chewing, and resembles the book only a little, but it's glorious. I will watch the whole 1939 movie just for this scene [https://youtu.be/x5itUuxq5HE?si=bdJJPV6GUD5Aa_sd]. I think they got everything I loved about this book exactly right [https://youtu.be/m1C9DTOUH5s?si=VRZkc-HiaB_2pzaA]. "Based on the timeless love story by Jane Austen" and after that, they need to sell us on it because we are Fans. Well, personally I bought everything this version of Persuasion [https://youtu.be/Fz7HmgPJQak?si=DIPlq_nyBKfB3iEL]was selling. It's far from a perfect movie, and I haven't read the book, but the casting and direction of Which Brings Me to You i [https://youtu.be/5cK7nSZlebY?si=SDGUE5-0YiGpgtw-]s perfection, and I was glued to the screen from beginning to end. The Pop Culture Happy Hour [https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510282/pop-culture-happy-hour] from NPR is a podcast and newsletter that covers the "buzziest" movies, TV, music, books, video games and more.     Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poppyconfesses] If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!

Frenemies: Heated Rivalry/Plus One

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1322830/open_sms] I'm back from a long break and what a phenomenal show and movie to come back to. I've certainly had a lot of experience with frenemies in my life, and participated in  perplexing, frustrating romances where I bickered, bantered and got annoyed regularly, yet couldn't stay away. These stories embody that frenemies to lovers trope perfectly, so if you crave delayed gratification, casual betrayals and slow burning, combustible intimacy that fixes it all in your romance, start streaming ASAP.  CW: this episode is quite explicit https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/] I hesitate to post this trailer [https://youtu.be/ADi1iextoUM?si=z09_HsrpVxWGa1eD] because as usual, it doesn't begin to capture the tone and incendiary hotness of this fantastic series. The hockey romance series that started it all. [https://www.rachelreidwrites.com/books] Excellent interview with Connor Storrie & Hudson Williams [https://youtu.be/j_DO7ZA4bFA?si=o7p4yG67hW51d2FL] with Carly Lane of Collider (a past guest on this show).  "...it’s kind of crazy to have to learn how to skate, play hockey, speak Russian and do the accent and you don’t even know until a week before." If you are as shocked as I am that Connor Storrie did not actually grow up as a hockey playing Russian, here's an interview that explains how it all came about. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/connor-storrie-heated-rivalry-interview-1236444072/] To survive, they'll have to team up. [https://youtu.be/RZSeK851vZY?si=1hv98Mcrpn7EqBhD] Why yes, this does make the wedding season sound like a contact sport. How was I not aware of Emmy-nominated Maya Erskine? [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Erskine] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poppyconfesses] If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!

Outer Limits Love: Love Me

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1322830/open_sms] I don't often read or watch sci-fi stories, but add in a romance and I'm there. I have a specific kink for stories about human-robot love, android love, any kind of machinery that takes on human characteristics and can hug. Forbidden Planet is my jam, I, Robot and RoboCop freak me out a bit, but movies that ask questions about our essential humanity by transferring our ideal characteristics – and our flaws and romantic blunders – onto machines are some of my favorite types of romances. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/] "In here, we can create a world just for us." [https://youtu.be/7llQHCPp1c8?si=tWZskTmuDbH6d5gR] Plus, there's a beautiful house, a dog and lots of ice cream. My episode about Love in Unexpected Places. [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/love-in-unexpected-places-hercity-of-angels/] If you haven't seen the movie Her, [https://youtu.be/dJTU48_yghs?si=RtAptioSmSsrMOXH] it's well worth adding to your watchlist. Forbidden Planet [https://youtu.be/HYjbn8f4PEY?si=YyyDM4OCPGKg0HUG] and other sci-fi movies from the 1950s are always good for robot action, though there's no hanky-panky with faithful servant Robby the Robot. Now Klaatu [https://youtu.be/51JoEE_znyI?si=u8j9deK_HUEtlEF5] is one of the sexiest robots ever. A Barnes & Noble round up of stories about Love and Robots. [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/of-love-and-robots-11-stories-of-truly-science-fictional-romance/#:~:text=A%20Long%20Way%20to%20a%20Small%2C%20Angry%20Planet%20is%20very,on%20to%20more%20complex%20questions.] Reddit to the rescue: recs for romances about AI or robots [https://www.reddit.com/r/ScienceFictionRomance/comments/1jjtww5/romances_about_ai_or_robots_that_serve_humans/] that serve humans and learn to love. Smut and kinky robot sex optional. Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poppyconfesses] If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!

Quick Take: Nobody Wants This S2

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1322830/open_sms] (Life continues to kick my behind, so I'll be releasing episodes every few weeks or so through the rest of the year. Follow me on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss a thing. As always, thanks for listening!) Season 2 of Nobody Wants This was just released on Netflix, and it's different show runners, but equally heartwarming, sexy, touching and hilarious – if not more so. I'm only a third of the way through the latest season, but had to pop in and say: it's 100% fresh, so don't miss it.  https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/] First comes love, then comes life. [https://youtu.be/B66w_P39wi0?si=O8SXMKgj17D0WIQc] Episode descriptions [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobody_Wants_This], in case you need to catch up. "I didn't know I wrote a romcom...I thought I wrote Fleabag." Fascinating interview with Nobody Wants This creator/screenwriter Erin Foster at the American Film Institute [https://youtu.be/0YmZjGIP8zg?si=-MNjwTnnsA2GMSnA]. Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poppyconfesses] If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!

Gold-Plated Romance: Gold Diggers of 1933/Pretty Woman/Materialists

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1322830/open_sms] (Had a great time on my road trip, got back – and I've been sick ever since. This year has been one endless struggle bus ride, and there's room for more, so hop on :) Materialists seems to be a polarizing movie that isn't quite a romcom, isn't quite a straight up romantic drama, while ending happily, making it one of the most interesting hybrid stories I've seen in a while. Dakota Johnson is incredible as Lucy, a smart but cynical matchmaker who treats her clients as commodities – and threatens to do the same with her ex-boyfriend until she realizes his love for her survived their terrible break up, and her honest admission that she's somewhat shallow when it comes to choosing romantic partners. When she finally decides to make a romantic choice that isn't based on statistics, shrewd calculations or dating math but what's in her heart, that's when her life turns around. And that's what makes this movie deeply romantic to me. https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com [https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/] I change my mind about this trailer [https://youtu.be/4A_kmjtsJ7c?si=CEh7ATIRysWrX61q] – it captures the smart stylish vibe but not nearly all of the ups and downs in mood that make this such a fascinating film. Celine Song talked about her inspiration for writing and directing Materialists in a fascinating interview [https://youtu.be/k-pdK-fM_wE?si=NmAn59eYM3o4CPH-] on BBC World Service. Gold Diggers of 1933 (full movie) is currently on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/TpeN7vdQTk8?si=pFvNJy6B9O2UOiGZ] Oh and I forgot to mention – it stars a young Ginger Rogers too! The best hour and a half you will spend this week. The trailer for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes [https://youtu.be/60CM2-mFJWQ?si=ylXk3zI_Kr3Tb6lN] doesn't tell you much, but what's clear is this Technicolor 1950s movie about two show-stopping showgirls, one in it for love and the other mostly for the diamonds, is such a treat. How to Marry a Millionaire [https://youtu.be/5RkkIjXyOKI?si=bE1zmaIigzTfluUX] stars Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe as a stunning trio of broke but gorgeous roommates who we're supposed to believe have trouble landing super solvent guys who will love and dote on them. I love going down the rabbit hole of the related and gendered variations on the gold digger trope. [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GoldDigger] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/poppyconfesses] If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!