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Story:
A murder mystery brings together a private eye, a struggling actress, and a thief masquerading as an actor.

Detective:
Harry Lockhart

Release Date:
11 September 2005

Writer:
Brett Halliday (novel), Shane Black (screenplay)

Source:
“Bodies Are Where You Find Them”, by Brett Halliday

Mystery Analysis:
Detective as protagonist?
Jenny: Yep.  He’s even first in that stupid prologue.  Unfortunately the mystery doesn’t start there.
Lani: Yep, although it takes a while for the problem to start.

Murderer as antagonist?
Jenny: Yes.  As soon as the murder happens and Harry screws up the murderers nice clean getaway.
Lani: Yes, once the murder has actually happened.

Conflict created by mystery/murder?
Jenny: Yes, but again, not until the murder happens.  This movie needed to start much later; it’s got two prologues and then a huge waste of time about the heroine’s friend, and THEN the murder happens.
Lani: Yes. Until Harry witnesses the dead girl in the trunk, the antagonist couldn’t care less about him.

Fair play with all the clues given?
Jenny: Yes.
Lani: Yes.

Solved using deduction, not luck?
Jenny: Yes.
Lani: Yes.

All threads pertaining to the mystery pull together at the end?
Jenny: Too damn many threads are resolved, some of them having nothing to do with the main plot.  We were hostile at that point.
Lani: Yes, although some threads are resolved when we don’t need them necessarily.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Jenny says: 4 Pops
Mystery: 5, Craft: 4 (splitting the difference between the sloppy plotting and the incredible dialogue) Suspense: 4, Romance: 3 (Harry and Perry would have gotten a 5; they really missed an opportunity to do a great gay romance here)

Lani says: 4 Pops
Mystery: 5, Craft: 4, Suspense: 4, Romance: 3 (5 between Perry and Harry; 1 between Harry and Harmony, splitting the difference.)

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Story:
A shooting at an all night diner is investigated by three LA policemen in their own unique ways.

Detective:
Bud White and/or Ed Exley. It’s complicated.

Release Date:
September 19th, 1997

Writer:
James Ellroy (book); Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson (screenplay)

Source:
LA Confidential by James Ellroy

Mystery Analysis:
Detective as protagonist?
Lani: Yes. All three of them.
Alastair: Absolutely, although who the protagonist actually is remains open to debate.

Murderer as antagonist?
Lani: Yes.
Alastair: Yes, although the focus shifts from Patchett to Smith.

Conflict created by mystery/murder?
Lani: Yes, it’s the typical shed light/remain in the dark conflict.
Alastair: Yes, it’s present from the second scene of the film — or the first, if I had editorial control.

Fair play with all the clues given?
Lani: Yes; there were some areas that felt a little vague, but overall, I think everything was there all along.
Alastair: Yes, although it can be difficult to appreciate their significance through the smog of 1950s Los Angeles.

Solved using deduction, not luck?
Lani: Yep.
Alastair: Absolutely.

All threads pertaining to the mystery pull together at the end?
Lani: Yes; once you go back through from the end and look at the beginning, it all makes sense why it’s there.
Alastair: Definitely. All those errant strands are pulled tight in the last act, and it comes together beautifully.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lani says: 4 Pops
Mystery: 5, Craft: 4, Suspense: 4, Romance: 1

Alastair says: 4 Pops
Mystery: 5, Craft: 3, Suspense: 3, Romance: 2

PODCAST WARNING: Lani and Jenny found it hard to discuss this movie as professionally as they should have; therefore if you’re interested in a serious discussion of The Maltese Falcon, you’ll probably want to skip this one.  If you want to hear two women laughing hysterically about a noir classic, tune in.

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Story: A private detective searches for his partner’s killer and the statue of a black bird, accompanied by a beautiful woman who lies to him a lot.

Detective:
Sam Spade, the most famous hard-boiled detective ever.

Release Date: October 18, 1941

Writer: John Huston, Dashiell Hammett

Source: The novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett.

Mystery Analysis:
Detective as protagonist?
Jenny: Yep.  First character on the scene, owns the whole movie.
Lani: Yes, the first thing you see is Sam, it’s him all the way through.

Murderer as antagonist?
Jenny: Yep.  Shows up in the first scene, drives the protagonist crazy for the whole movie.
Lani: Also there right from the start, coordinating everything.

Conflict created by murder?
Jenny: It doesn’t seem so at first, but it does become evident at the end.
Lani: As soon as the murder happens, yes. Before that, it’s created by the fact that he doesn’t believe a word she says, right from the beginning. Which was good to discover, because neither did I.

Fair play with all the clues given?
Jenny: All the clues are given, but I think Sam makes a big deductive leap at the end, and there’s no way the police have enough evidence to prosecute.  Of course, it was shot in 1941; maybe back then you didn’t need much evidence.
Lani: I give a qualified yes. Some things Sam came to were based upon his deep knowledge of Miles Archer, and I’m not sure we got that knowledge as well in the first couple of seconds before Miles was plot meat.

Solved using deduction, not luck?
Jenny: Yep.  Spade’s a real detective, digging constantly.
Lani: Absolutely. The entire movie is him picking at people for clues. He’s a great example of an active protagonist.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Jenny says: 5 Pops: Solid mystery, well told.  The romance gets a 1 because that was sex, honey, not love, but then The Maltese Falcon isn’t a romance, so who cares?  The comedy, though: It’s not supposed to be funny but we were on the floor.  We NEED a gif of Brigid kicking Joel Cairo.
Mystery: 4, Craft: 5, Suspense: 4, Romance: 1, Comedy: 5

Lani says: 5 Pops – As a mystery, it’s a five. It does all the things a mystery is supposed to do. The ridiculous things we laughed hysterically about didn’t take away from that, so neither will I. I do have to say, it hasn’t aged well, in that I was laughing at a lot of things I don’t think they intended to be funny. On the other hand, it’s a movie I would absolutely watch again, if for nothing more than the moment he takes the gun away from Cairo, only to give it back loaded. And then, when he does it again with Wilmer. It’s the again that makes it funny.
Mystery: 5, Craft: 4, Suspense: 3 (I was laughing too hard and didn’t give a rat’s ass about any of them), Romance: 1, Comedy: 5

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Story: The British police are baffled by a series of suicides until DI Lestrade hires Sherlock Holmes who shows them that they have a serial killer on their hands.

Detective: Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective the world has ever known, here interpreted as a modern man, but very faithful to Doyle’s original character.

Release Date: July 25, 2010

Writers: Steven Moffat

Source: Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet”

MYSTERY ANALYSIS:

Detective as protagonist?

Jenny: Yes, definitely.  He fills the screen and yet is true to the original character of Holmes.

Lani: Absolutely, although I think there might be some argument to be made that Watson and Holmes share the protagonist role in this one, although I’m not sure. More a question than a set theory.

Murderer as antagonist?

Jenny: Yes.  Once he knows Holmes is investigating, it becomes personal.

Lani: Absolutely. Holmes sees the murder as a puzzle, but the murderer is personally targeting Holmes, trying to get his attention.

Conflict created by murder?

Jenny: Yes.  Holmes is drawn into the story by the intellectual puzzle, and the rest of they mystery is played out almost as a chess match.

Lani: Yes. Holmes is already engaged in the murders right from the start, as evidenced in the taunting of the cops in the press conference.

Fair play with all the clues given?

Jenny: Yes.  In fact, the viewer may figure out who the murderer is before Holmes does because he’s particularly blind at one point in a way the original Holmes never would have been.

Lani: Moffat takes special care to add text clues on the screen for anything that might be vague; he is absolutely faithful to the viewer as participant.

Solved using deduction, not luck?

Jenny: Yes.  It’s Holmes’s specialty.

Lani: Absolutely. Although the cabbie got there and revealed himself, Holmes had him tracked down already with the phone GPS.

STORY ANALYSIS & RATINGS:

Jenny says: 5 Pops.  I’d give it 6 if I could.

Mystery: 5, Craft: 5, , Suspense: 5, Comic Relief: 5

Lani says: 5 Pops. I’m leaving the romance score in, because there’s a definite romance between these guys. It may be a just-friends romance, but it’s a romance all the same, and I’m loving it.

Mystery:5 , Craft: 5, , Suspense: 5, Romance: 5, Comic Relief: 5

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Story: Someone is murdering young women in London, so the police call in Sherlock Holmes to solve the crimes.  Which he does in the opening of the movie, only to have the Big Bad escape which leads to him using his deductive powers to hunt him down again.  Plus Moriarty.

Detective: Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective the world has ever known, here given a manic intensity and sexuality by Robert Downey, Jr. not to mention making Holmes an action hero.

Release Date: Dec. 25, 2009

Writers: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg

Source: Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, but not any one title in particular

MYSTERY ANALYSIS:

Detective as protagonist?

Jenny: Yes, definitely.  He fills the screen, albeit a little more flamboyantly than the original Holmes.

Lani: You bet.

Murderer as antagonist?

Jenny: Yes, definitely.  He practically cackles in his black heart, challenges Holmes to catch him, and continues murdering with impunity.

Lani: It’s very clear who the antagonist is, and he’s consistently the antagonist from scene 1.

Conflict created by murder?

Jenny: Yes.  Holmes is drawn into the story by previous murders and is spurred on by subsequent killings.

Lani: Yep; it starts with Holmes saving one girl, then trying to stop the antagonist before he kills some more.

Fair play with all the clues given?

Jenny: Yes, although there’s so much STUFF going on in this movie, it’s hard to find the clues.  That’s fair play, though: red herrings are pretty much a staple in the mystery genre.

Lani: Not really. There are clues like the smell of evidence, which are expressed by seeing Sherlock Holmes smelling things, but it’s not enough information that the viewer can solve the puzzle herself. While all the clues are shown, they aren’t really given, thus making it impossible for the viewer to actively participate, which is the element that I think rules this out as a mystery. I think a key qualifier for a mystery is that the viewer has everything she needs to solve along with the detective.

Solved using deduction, not luck?

Jenny: Yes.  It’s kind of Holmes’s specialty.

Lani: Yep.

STORY ANALYSIS & RATINGS:

Jenny says: 5 Pops (the four for romance doesn’t really count since that’s such a minor subplot)

Mystery: 5, Craft: 5, , Suspense: 5, Romance: 4, Comedy: 5

Lani says: 5 Pops (with the proviso that it’s not a mystery, nor is it a romance, and that’s where this story doesn’t work as well, but it’s not what it’s supposed to be; it’s an Action Adventure, and for that, it’s a solid 5)

Mystery: ~ (not a mystery in the way we mean it, although the howdunnit is excellent, so this would be a 5, but… not a mystery), Action/Adventure: 5, Craft: 5, , Suspense: 5, Romance: 3, Comedy: 5

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Story: A group of people gather at a seaside resort where jealousy and hatred swirl around a famous actress, observed by the equally famous detective Hercule Poirot.

Detective: Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s fastidiously annoying little Belgian turned into a fabulously over-the-top big Belgian by Peter Ustinov.  (The entire cast of excellent actors pretty much follows him into camp excess as the chew the gorgeous Majorcan scenery.)

Release Date: March 5, 1982

Writer: Anthony Shaffer

Source: Agatha Christie’s 1941 novel of the same name, with significant changes.

MYSTERY ANALYSIS:
Detective as protagonist?

Jenny: Yes.  Ustinov’s Poirot is bigger than life, doggedly inquisitive, and in the movie version, on a paid investigation.

Lani: Absolutely. Although there is a minor blip in the beginning with a murder that seems unconnected, Poirot takes over as protagonist and is in conflict with the antagonist to solve his mystery from the (almost) start.

Murderer as antagonist?

Jenny: Yes, something that’s made clear in the big showdown at the end, complete with Poirot stopping the Big Bads as they head for the door.

Lani: Yes, even before s/he commits the murder, which makes for a solid antagonist and conflict all the way through.

Conflict created by murder?

Jenny: They’re all at each other’s throats before the murder which happens half way into the film, so the conflict looks like it’s being stirred up by the victim, but if you look closely, it’s being stage-managed by the murderers.  Still, as we said in the podcast, the murder is actually part of the find-the-macguffin/cover-up-the-theft-of-the-macguffin conflict between Poirot (hired to find the diamond) and the thieves who have come to the island to murder the only person who can pin the theft on them.

Lani: The problem here is the question, not the answer. During the discussion, we had some clarity on whether it’s the murder that creates the conflict, or the desire of the protagonist/detective to find answers, and the antagonist/criminal to hide them. I think this question needs to be about the conflict centered on the resolution of the mystery – protagonist yay, antagonist nay – and to that question, I answer a hearty, “Yes.”

Fair play with all the clues given?

Jenny: Yes and no.  The audience gets the clues when Poirot gets them, and he even lists them near the end of the movie, but they’re for only one partner in the murder, and they don’t lead to the key to the mystery, the motive.  It gets murkier on the second partner in the plot because the clues are weak and while prominently displayed on the screen, obscure.

Lani: I had some minor quibbles about playing fair; there are a couple of reveals at the end that are kind of there as clues, but not entirely. So I would say predominantly yes, with a couple minor exceptions.

Solved using deduction, not luck?

Jenny: There’s some bad luck on the part of the murderers–tossing the bottle into the sea and having it almost hit a witness, for example–but Poirot solves it by deduction.

Lani: Absolutely. It’s Poirot’s ability to distill the clues into a narrative that tells the tale which solves this mystery.

STORY ANALYSIS & RATINGS:

Jenny says: 5 Pops
Mystery: 5,  Craft: 4, , Suspense: 5, Comedy: 5, Fabulousness: 5

Lucy says: 5 Pops
Mystery: 5,  Craft: 4, , Suspense: 5, Comedy: 5, Fabulousness: 11 (did you see the polka dots?)

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Story: A former detective, now retired and married to an heiress, is reluctantly drawn back into detecting when an inventor’s mistress is murdered.

Detective: Nick Charles, abetted by his wife Nora, his dog Asta, and a lot of alcohol.  This is a very detective-centric story, and the movie version relies heavily on the chemistry of Powell and Loy which is legendary.  In fact, they were cast in this because the director noticed them bantering between takes on another movie.

Release Date: May 25.1934

Writer: Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich

Source: Dashiell Hammett’s novel of the same name

Mystery Analysis:
Detective as protagonist?
Jenny: Nick Charles is definitely the protagonist, but the screenwriters wanted the victim and all the suspects introduced first, a mistake that Hammett didn’t make.  His novel opens with:

“I was leaning against the bar in a speakeasy on Fifty-Second Street, waiting for Nora to finish her Christmas shopping, when a girl got up from a table where she was sitting with three other people and came over to me.”

That’s the right place to start the story, with the detective, especially a mystery like this one that is almost entirely dependent upon the charm of its main characters.

Lani: Nick is the protagonist, not that you’d know it much, because he doesn’t really have a dog in the fight. I think a good protagonist—even a detective in a mystery series—needs to need to solve the crime, even if it’s just for the paycheck. The fact that Nick doesn’t seem to care much for the first half of the movie makes me care even less. Plus, it’s a great lesson in “Start with your protagonist.”

Murderer as antagonist?
Jenny: Yes, but the plot is so confusing that it’s hard to tell.  I’d read the book a couple of times before so I knew what was going on, but I think it’d be tough if you were coming to this fresh.

Lani: Well, at first Nick doesn’t want to get involved, and Nora pushes him into it. Then Nick does get involved, and Nora tells him it’s too dangerous. The people who point guns at Nick (and they are legion) aren’t the antagonist, nor are they sent by the antagonist. They’ve just all got dogs in the fight, which again, Nick doesn’t. His dog is very laid back about the whole thing. So, a protagonist is trying to do something (which eventually, Nick is trying to find the murderer) and the antagonist is blocking him (the murderer trying to get away with it) but until the final scene, it’s really just everyone running around like headless chickens.

I would say the antagonist is the murderer, but it’s kind of slushy.

Conflict created by murder?

Jenny: The conflict begins because Nick doesn’t want to be a detective any more and Nora and others keep pushing him back to his old job, but the movie plot is so loose and confusing that the conflict isn’t significant.

Lani: The conflict—everyone wants Nick to solve the mystery, while Nick doesn’t—begins before the actual murder takes place. There is a murder, and we do want to find out who it is, so there’s that, but I’m not sure I’d say yes to this question.

Fair play with all the clues given?
Jenny: Nick cheats by recognizing the skeleton and not cluing the audience (or the police) in.

Lani: What Jenny said. Plus, the clues we had were as pickled as the protagonists.

Solved using deduction, not luck?
Jenny: Yep.

Lani: I don’t know. There’s that moment in the end where Nick turns to Nora and says he has no idea who did it, he’s just laying it out to make the murderer nervous until he revealed himself. That seems like luck to me. Jenny thinks he was just kidding, and maybe he was, but based on that, I’d say it was luck.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Jenny says: 4 Pops
Mystery: 4, Craft: 3, Suspense: 3, Romance: 5, Comedy: 4

Lani says: 3 Pops
Mystery: 3,  Craft: 2, Suspense: 2, Romance: 4, Comedy: 5

[Listen now] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 4, Supporting Cast: 3
Alastair says: 4 Pops ~ A fun, engaging show that is much smarter than it needs to be. Peter and Neal are great characters, their relationship is fascinating, and their world is one of sharp lines and gorgeous cinematography.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 4, Supporting Cast: 3

Poll: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Info:

Story: A white collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter and racketeer. Creators: Jeff Eastin

[Listen now] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 5, Supporting Cast: 5
Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ This show built on a strong beginning to become one my favorites. Deep, deft characterization complements tight plots, and the writing is nothing short of brilliant. Unmissable.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 5, Supporting Cast: 5

Poll: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Info:

Story: A crew of high-tech crooks attempt to steal from wealthy criminals and corrupt businessmen. Creators: John Rogers, Chris Downey

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 3 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 3, Main Cast: 3, Supporting Cast: 3
Alastair says: 3 Pops ~ This show does so much right, but is compromised by a unlikable, self-righteous protagonist. Enjoy it for the episodic storytelling, but don’t hold out hope that anyone will meaningfully arc — or stick around if they do.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 2, Main Cast: 4, Supporting Cast: 3

Poll: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Info:

Story: U.S. Marshall Mary Shannon must hunt down witnesses for federal cases in the witness protection program while also raising a rather dysfunctional family and her own personal life. Creator: David Maples

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 5, Supporting Cast: 5
Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ The writing unfolds beautifully as the story progresses, revealing new layers of complexity and character. Life may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s a masterclass in character writing.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 5, Main Cast: 5, Supporting Cast: 5

Poll: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Info:

Story: A former police officer returns to the force after having been wrongly imprisoned for years. Creator: Rand Ravich

[Listen now] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 4, Main Cast: 4, Supporting Cast: 5

Alastair says: 4 Pops ~ A solid premise and good execution is enlivened by a great cast of characters. The occasional false note isn’t enough to detract from a strong protagonist and a great supporting cast. Good, if not great.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Protagonist: 4, Main Cast: 4, Supporting Cast: 4

Poll: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Read the chat transcript here!

Info:

Story: A spy recently disavowed by the US Government uses his Special Ops training to help others in trouble. Creator: Matt Nix

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s comments are coming soon.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 1, Suspense: 5

Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ A fast, fun movie, featuring the best heist of the series. The character work is deft and insightful, with the sole exception of Tess, but not even the lackluster romance can bring this film down. Excellent.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 1, Suspense: 5

Blog Poll Rating: Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: Danny Ocean and his team of eleven plan to rob a Las Vegas casino baron. Release Date: December 7, 2001 Writer: Ted Griffin

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of Popcorn Dialogues — or at least, it’s one year since the first movie podcast, which was actually the second episode, but who’s counting? — and to celebrate, I put together a bonus episode looking back at the series of romantic comedies which started this whole thing. Remember how much Jenny and Lucy loved Roxanne? Remember how much they hated Barefoot In The Park? Remember the very first appearance of, “Lord, it wasn’t good”? Make yourself comfortable, pour something refreshing, and come relive the magic.

Listen here, or get it at iTunes.

And don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Ocean’s Eleven — 1.30 Eastern for the chat, 2.00 for the movie!

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ This smart, slick, sexy film attempts to combine an unlikely romance with a fractured structure, and somehow pulls it off. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a must-see for any fan of intelligent storytelling.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Romance: 5, Comedy: 4, Suspense: 4

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ I really enjoyed this movie while watching it, but loved it even more once I’d had some time to sit back and appreciate how tightly it was told. Some minor squibbles, but the romance sang, the cast was amazing and the structure was beautiful, so I have nothing to complain about.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Romance: 5, Comedy: 4, Suspense: 4

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: A bank robber escapes from prison and tangles with a beautiful US Marshall. Release Date: June 26, 1998 Writer: Scott Frank from an Elmore Leonard novel

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ This certainly isn’t a perfect movie, but it does so much right that I’m willing to overlook the cracks in the foundation. Great character writing, smart dialogue, and an interesting central question invigorate what is otherwise a fairly straightforward — and oddly dispassionate — caper.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 4, Comedy: 5, Suspense: 4

Jenny says: 3 Pops ~ Start where the story starts with your protagonist in trouble, and then make sure the story is ABOUT your protagonist . . . even if you do everything else beautifully, if you screw up those two things, you’re toast. Or a 3.
Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 3, Comedy: 5, Suspense: 3

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: After being conned into a stealing a black box, a group of security experts plan a heist to even the score. Release Date: September 9, 1992 Writer: Phil Alden Robinson, Lawrence Lasker, & Walter F. Parkes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Alastair says: 1 Pop ~ I’m guilty, perhaps, of defending the indefensible, but I find The Italian Job to be an interesting failure, if only for the utter opacity and vindictive antagonism of its storytelling. I don’t hate it as much as Jenny or Lucy did, but I look forward to never seeing it again.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 1, Comedy: 2, Suspence: 1

Jenny says: 1 Pop ~ This is the worst storytelling in PopD history. The protagonist is unlikable (and it’s Michael Caine, too, so how can that be?), the antagonist is confusing, the goal is uninspiring, and the plot is incomprehensible. Throw in Benny Hill and you have a Perfect Storm of Awful.
Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 1, Comedy: 1, Suspense: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Click here to read the chat transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: Michael Caine steals again, this time a gold shipment. Release Date: Sept. 3, 1969 Writer: Troy Kennedy-Martin

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Alastair says: 5 Pops ~ Rachel McAdams heads a fantastic cast, all of whom shine thanks to the fast, funny script and thoughtful direction. This is no guilty pleasure; this is a fine example of rock-solid craft.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ I love this movie. You should watch it.
Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: Mary Tyler Moore meets Broadcast News as a very young go-getter tries to revitalize an early-morning new show.
Release Date: Nov. 10, 2010
Writer: Aline Brosh McKenna

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2.5 Pops ~ A charming movie with tremendous potential, but which doesn’t quite live up to it. Funny, cute, and fun enough – I’d watch it again – but I’m really looking forward to the remake.
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 3, Comedy: 3, Suspense: 2, Romance: 1

Jenny says: 2.5 Pops ~ This is one of those movies that really should be remade. Huge potential, terrific cast, awful pacing and a romance that’s just not there on the screen.
Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 3, Comedy: 3, Suspense: 2, Romance: 1

Alastair says: 3 Pops ~ I give the movie credit for trying something audacious, but the writers weren’t up to the task. Let’s all hope that Cameron Diaz raises her game for the remake, and we get the movie this has the potential to be.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 3, Comedy: 4, Suspense: 2, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: Harry the Thief hires beautiful Nicole to help con his mark, telling her to just keep her mouth shut and let him do the talking. Like that’s going to happen. Release Date: January 7, 1967 Writers: Jack Davies and Alan Sargent

Breaking News: The Coen Brothers have written a remake of this with Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, and Alan Rickman. Unfortunately, they’re not directing.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Alastair says: 3 Pops ~ Gaping flaws in the craft of this movie aren’t enough to detract from the pleasure of watching the brilliant supporting cast.

Alastair’s rating breakdown: Craft: 2, Comedy: 4, Suspense: 3

Jenny says: 3  Pops ~ See it for Peter Falk and the rest of the great supporting cast, but a caper story with a weak hero isn’t much of a caper.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 3, Comedy: 4, Suspense: 2

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: A mobster trying to hold onto power and his girl friend gets distracted when the beggar who sells him lucky apples needs help to con her daughter and some visiting foreigners into believing she’s a wealthy woman. Release Date: December 25, 1961. Writers: Hal Kanter and Harry Tugend from a story by Damon Runyon.

Lucy and Jenny and Token Guy Alastair agree this is great comedy and great bromance and then part company on the craft (who is the protagonist anyway?). Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Hot Tub Time Machine is everything the title makes you think it isn’t; smart, funny, and well-written. There are areas where a little focus and clarity would have helped, but overall, this is a fun, well-written movie with a lot to love. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, (B)romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ This is a tightly written comedy in which the jokes are smart and complex, and everything pays off. The structure is a little loose and the ending is problematical, but only if you look too closely, so don’t look.
Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, (B)romance: 5

Alastair says: 4 Pops ~ My inner craft geek gets tangled up in the structural problems, but the rest of me is entirely charmed.  Smarter, sweeter and much funnier than I could have expected.  Proof, if proof were needed, that gross-out comedies are best when they have a heart, and know what they are.
Alastair’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, (B)romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript here!

Movie Info:

Story: Four men, bored with their lives, accidentally travel back to the eighties because of a malfunctioning hot tub.   Release Date: March 26, 2010.  Writers: Josh Heald, Sean Anders, John Morris

Lucy and Jenny have to drink just to get through talking about this turkey.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 1 Pop ~ A schizophrenic movie with no structure, no consistency in character and too few charming, funny moments. There was a hint of a great story in there, but it never got off the ground.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 2, (B)Romance: 1

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Part of this were funny, parts of this were awful, it started in the wrong place and ended on a dumb note. It’s a Frankenstein plot, a bunch of miscellaneous parts from different writers stitched together in with the mantra “as long as it’s funny, nobody will notice there’s no protagonist or antagonist or pacing, just a lot of . . . parts.” Bleah.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 2, BRomance: 2

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript here.

Movie Info:

Story: Three groomsmen go looking for the groom they lost during a drunken celebration.   Release Date: June 5, 2009  Writers: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

A heartwarming movie for the whole family that shows that Stephen Root is never ever bad in anything, and that everybody needs to throw a little wrench sometimes.
Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ One of my favorite feel-good movies of all time, and it even stands up to our gimlet eye. Wonderfully structured, incredibly funny (with the exception of some stuff that was tonally off), and oddly warm. Fabulous movie.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ I love this movie the way I love my poker-playing clams from Florida. Sometimes something is so right you don’t care that other people think it’s wrong. Loses a comedy point for mean-spirited fat jokes because they break the tone of the story. And because they’re awful.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 4, BRomance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Click here to read the chat!

Movie Info:

Story: A group of losers vow to defeat their rivals in a dodgeball tournament.  Release Date: June 18, 2004  Writer: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Lucy and Jenny discover that audacious comedy requires strong craft to hold it up. The people who put together this movie must have missed that memo. As a side note, this 44th episode of the podcast runs exactly 44 minutes and 44 seconds, completely without manipulation from us. We’re taking that as a sign that the Universe loves PopD. Good to know.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ I laughed out loud a lot in this movie, considering what an unholy mess the story was. A great lesson in what not to do with your protagonist. Don’t make him a lying ass and a wet blanket. Don’t make the best friend more interesting and fun and heroic. Do give him a goal, and a personality. Maybe they’ll bring back just Larry for another sequel. That movie, I’d watch.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 3, BRomance: 2

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Some really funny physical comedy and even funnier character interpretation by Andrew McCarthy cannot disguise the fact that the structure in this story is about as consciously present here as Bernie is for most of it. You need a protagonist with a goal and an antagonist even if you are writing about dragging a dead guy around the Hamptons.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 3, BRomance: 2

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the Transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: Two guys have to keep up the pretense that their mob-murdered boss is alive.  Release Date: July 5, 1989.  Writer: Robert Klane

A movie that would have benefited greatly from the writers knowing what story they were telling. Still, Catherine O’Hara makes it worth watching.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ Again, I have to say – “I’m hot, you’re hot” does not a romance make. Ashton Kutcher is much better in this than he typically gets credit for, but the dialogue was so leaden and the heroine written with such antipathy that even the good stuff – and there is some good stuff here, love the suburban neighborhood turning into a mass of killers – gets weighted down with the crap.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 2, Romance: 1, Action: 2, Comedy: 3

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Ashton Kutcher deserves better than this and so does Catherine O’Hara. I’m coming around to Lucy’s argument that the first half hour is prologue and the story really starts half an hour in, and it’s the hitman’s story again as assassins come out of the woodwork to take a $20 mill bounty on him. Unfortunately he’s married to a mostly-bubble-head and even once the shooting starts, his goal is muddled beyond trying to stay alive. Very like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it’s a good premise bobbled.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 1, Romance: 1, Action: 2, Comedy: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat here!

Movie Info:

Story: A vacationing woman meets her ideal man, leading to a swift marriage. Back at home, however, their idyllic life is upset when they discover their neighbors could be assassins who have been contracted to kill the couple. Release Date: June 4, 2010. Writers: Bob DeRosa and Ted Griffin

Lucy thinks this movie was funny; sometimes.  Jenny thinks it’s a crime against storytelling.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 1.25 Pops ~A charming setting and a solid premise are taken down by hubris and inexperienced storytelling. Damn shame.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure:1, Comedy: 2, Romance:1, Action-Adventure: 1

Jenny says: 1 Pop ~ Easily in the bottom ten films I’ve seen in my lifetime (and I’m old).  Terrible waste of good actors, great photography.  Awful, awful, awful storytelling.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 1, Romance: 1, Action-Adventure: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat here!

Movie Info:

Story: A hit man has second thoughts about his career and seeks refuge from his boss by finding work as a baker in a rural Welsh village. Release Date: May 28, 2008.  Writer: Gareth Lewis (also directed).

We’ve got nothing but love for this very fun, very real, very unrepentant hitman romantic comedy.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ A fun story told with affection and respect for a hitman and the woman who loves him. Surprising in all the best ways.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Action/Adventure: 5, Romance: 5, Comedy: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Finally a hitman-in-love movie that can stand with Gross Pointe Blank and Red.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Action/Adventure: 5, Romance: 5, Comedy: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the live chat transcript.

Movie Info:

Story: While drying out on the West Coast, an alcoholic hit man befriends a tart-tongued woman who might just come in handy when it’s time for him to return to Buffalo and settle some old scores.  Release Date: July 6, 2007 Writers: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely

Three important things for a successful movie: Characters we care about, coherent story, consistent tone.  Mr. & Mrs. S is O for 3.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 1 Pops ~ Proof that being hot doesn’t make a romance. The hot people must care, or we’re not going to. The ultimate “meh” movie.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 1, Action: 1, Romance: 1

Jenny says: 1 Pop ~ If your reaction to a movie is a repeated “WTF?” interspersed with checking the clock, the movie is, uh, flawed.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Craft:1, Action: 1, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other. Release Date: June 10, 2005.  Writer: Simon Kinberg

Lucy thinks it’s vile.  Jenny doesn’t think it was that bad, but Lord it wasn’t good.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 1 Pop ~ A weak, dumb, inconsistent hero seducing a smart but flatly written – and only technically of age – kidnap victim. A plot that meanders self-indulgently, and some of the worst dialogue I’ve ever witnessed first-hand. Not so much a story as a delivery system for male adolescent fantasies about bombs, guns, and Catholic schoolgirls. Ugh.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 1, Romance: 1, Action-Adventure: 1

Jenny says: 1 Pop ~ I think the story had a solid opening that it immediately undercut by giving us a hero to despise.  Aimed squarely at a specific audience without pandering to any other, so it gets credit for that, but not much else.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 1, Romance: 1, Action-Adventure: 2.

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat here!

Movie Info:

Story: Hitman Melvin Smiley, an expert at his lucrative job, goes on a job and falls in love with his kidnapping victim, turning his world upside down. Release Date: April 24, 1998 Writer: Ben Ramsey

The characters are great, the writing, not so much.  Leaden pacing and way too much Exposition Fairy, plus Lucy is bitter than she doesn’t get to see Diana Rigg mug a nun.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2.5 Pops ~ Some nice moments and a great premise buried under heavy layers of expositional dialogue and questionable motivation. Someone remake this the way it should have been? Please?

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Romance: 3

Jenny says: 3 Pops ~ A terrific premise and solid characters kneecapped by lousy writing; a criminal waste of a great cast. This one’s ripe for a remake.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the Chat Transcript.

Movie Info:

Story: A newspaper reporter hires an assassination bureau to kill its owner.   Release Date: April, 1969. Writers: Michael Relph and Wolf Mankowitz from novels by Robert L. Fish and Jack London

A beautiful fantasy about what happens when a Disney heroine ends up in New York City. The romance falls a little flat for Lucy, but Jenny loves it, and a little disagreement between best friends is always good for the podcast. Plus, we end with a little retrospective on the historical survey of romantic comedy, and what we learned.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ An adorable, funny, sweet movie with fabulous performances and a great script. A bit ‘meh’ with the romance, but that’s okay. Still, a lot of fun.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 3

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~Some people don’t know a fairy tale romance when they see one.  I love this movie.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Live PopD Community Chat Transcript

Movie Info:

Story: An animated fairytale heroine finds herself dropped into the middle of 3d life in New York City.

Release Date: 11/20/2007

Writer: Bill Kelly

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 1.5 Pops ~ Meh. This movie might have been cute, but I just don’t care. Too long, too self-indulgent, too uninteresting. I don’t even dislike it enough to hate it. It’s just… meh. Which is worse. Although Jude Law was cute, and he has a cow, so there’s that.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 1, Romance: 2

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Cut an hour of fat, rewrite the dialogue so it sparkles, make the characterization three-dimensional, deepen the relationships, and arc the plot, and you’d have yourself a movie here.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 1 Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.  Release Date: Dec. 6, 2006  Writer: Nancy Meyers

Lucy and Jenny watched this because they were feeling tense.  Two hours later with giddy with great movie glee.  The podcast is mostly fifty-some minutes of “I love this movie!”  Don’t listen to it until you have seen this movie.  Also, you must see this movie.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ It’s been a long, long time since I’ve watched a movie and thought, “I can’t wait to tell everyone about this!” I would recommend this movie hands-down to anyone. Even the violence is beautifully done, and I hate violence. Perfect, perfect, perfect. I don’t care what Jenny says about the avocado.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Craft: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5 Action/Adventure: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Very close to perfect movie.  Okay, forget the avocado, it’s a perfect movie.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Character: 5,  Adventure: 5,  Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Because it was an impromptu viewing, there is no Chat Transcript for this movie; sorry!

Movie Info:

Story: When his peaceful life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive and uncover his assailants while protecting and winning the woman he loves. Release Date: Oct. 15, 2010   Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber

Jenny and Lucy get enthusiastic about Albert and Allegra, grouchy about Hitch and Sarah (it takes a really bad movie to neutralize Will Smith’s charm), and outraged over the exploitation of romcom cliches.  Lord, it wasn’t good.

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 3 Pops ~ I adored Albert and Allegra, wanted to hold Hitch and Sara under the waters of the Hudson until they stopped being afraid to love. A wonderful secondary romance smothered by a terrible primary romance. Although I still adore Will Smith.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 4, Romance: 3

Jenny says: 3 Pops ~ Albert and Allegra rule, everything else drools.  Just fast forward until you see Kevin James.  Kevin James with Will Smith, Kevin James with Amber Valleta, Kevin James dancing in the street.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 4, Romance: 3 (an average of the 1 for Hitch and Sarah and the 5 for Albert and Allegra)

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript.

Movie Info:

Story: While helping his latest client woo the fine lady of his dreams, a professional “date doctor” finds that his game doesn’t quite work on the gossip columnist with whom he’s smitten.

Release Date: Feb. 11, 2005

Writer: Kevin Bisch

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 3 Pops ~ A wonderful romance, told beautifully, but hobbled by comedic attempts that are not only not funny, but are actively antagonistic to the good stuff. I still love it, though.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 3, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ [Jenny Comments]

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 1, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript.

Movie Info:

Story: A commitment-phobic veterinarian falls in love with a woman who can’t remember him the next morning. Release Date: February 13th, 2004 Writer(s): George Wing

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ When I first watched this movie years ago, I remember being unimpressed. Now, I’m impressed…. and horrified. When this movie is good, it’s fabulous. But when it goes bad – specifically in scenes that degrade and break the character of the heroine – it goes really, really bad. Damn shame.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 4 Pops ~A truly great romance with a well-matched hero and heroine, both of whom are extremely flawed and extremely likable because of it.  And then some writer from hell screwed it up.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: A cause-conscious lawyer and a wealthy development baron clash and fall in love. Release Date: December 20th, 2002 Writer: Marc Lawrence

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: NRC ~ Cute moments, sweet romantic elements, no conflict, no story.

Jenny says: Structure 2.  Comedy 2.  Romance 3.

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Chat Transcript: My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Movie Info:

Story: A woman falls in love with a man who loves her back.  She has a boisterous family.  That’s about it. Release Date: August 2, 2002 Writer: Nia Vardalos

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Go to iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4.5 Pops ~ A funny, sharply told love story that hits all the right notes. I especially love the divergence from the somewhat misogynistic source material; this movie is about both people breaking down the other’s defenses, and it leaves you smiling. The big flub is Allison Janney’s character, who was great but had no business being in this movie.

Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ I love the way this movie arcs the character with romance and the romance with the character, fusing plot and character, using brilliant music choices to move both.  Kat’s intro is musical characterization genius.

Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Click here for the Chat Transcript.

Movie Info:

Story: The Taming of the Shrew in a 20th century high school: Tempestuous, terrifying Kat must be lured into dating before her pretty little sister Bianca can go out; enter Patrick Verona, rumored to have eaten a live duck and therefore the man to tame the shrew.  Release Date: March 31, 1999. Writer(s): Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith, William Shakespeare (Taming of the Shrew)

Get the podcast: [Listen here at PopD] | [Listen in iTunes]

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4.5 Pops
I love this movie, and not just because of John Cusack. It deals with the darkness essential to being a hitman, without falling into the pit of brooding, guilt and redemption. While I would argue that the structure gets a bit muddy, and I have reservations about hitman love under even the best of circumstances, it’s a joy to watch, and a wonderfully written film.

Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4.5

Jenny says: 5 Pops
One of the few romances that gets the Hitman in Love trope right by making who Martin Blank is an integral part of the romance plot, fueling why he left the love of his life and why he came back to her while demonstrating his devotion with a hail of bullets and a cast iron frying pan.  I love this movie.

Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Special Guest Alastair Stephens says: 4.5 Pops
Martin Blank is a great character and ninety minutes of John Cusack is enjoyable under any circumstances — except, perhaps, Better Off Dead — but the remarkable thing about this movie is that it over-delivers in almost every way.  The script is deft and complex, the pacing is tight, the supporting cast is fantastic and this, for me, is the performance of Cusack’s career.  If only Minnie Driver had brought a little warmth to her role, and her character been a little more developed, it would be five pops all round.

Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Read the chat transcript!

Movie Info:

Story: A hitman goes home for his tenth high school reunion and courts a past love while dealing with the chaos of his current enemies.   Release Date: April 11, 1997 Writers: Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, and John Cusack

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

PopD Community Chat Transcript is not available.

Movie Info:

Release Date: July 19, 1995 Writer(s): Amy Heckerling

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 3 Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 3, Romance: 3

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

PopD Community Chat Transcript

Movie Info:

Release date: May 5, 1995 Director: Lawrence Kasdan Writers: Adam Brooks. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: ~ Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: ~ Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

PopD Community Chat Transcript

Movie Info:

Release Date: April 21, 1995 Director: Jon Turtletaub Writers: Daniel G. Sullivan, Fredric LeBow. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: November 13, 1992 Director: Dale Launer Writers: Dale Launer. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: July 21, 1989 Director: Rob Reiner Writer: Nora Ephron. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

C. J. says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: Dec. 18, 1987 Director: Norman Jewison Writers: John Patrick Shanley. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Krissie says: 5 Pops ~ Krissie’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance:

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: June 19, 1987 Director: Fred Schepisi Writers: Edmond Rostand (play), Steve Martin (screenplay). More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: ~ Structure: 1, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Jenny says: ~ Structure: 1, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Movie Info:

Release Date: October 11, 1985 Director: Savage Steve Holland Writer: Savage Steve Holland. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: ~ Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: ~ Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Notes:

Release Date: March 1, 1985, Director: Rob Reiner, Writers: Steve Bloom, Jonathan Roberts. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: September 21, 1984 Writers: Phil Alden Robinson (screenplay), Henry Olek (adaptation), Edwin Davis (novel). More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: x Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 2, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: x Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: August 7, 1978 Director: Howard Zieff Writers: Alan Mandel. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ Lucy’s ratings breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 4, Romance: 4

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure:3, Comedy:2, Romance:2

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: February 1, 1978 Director: Herbert Ross Writers: Neil Simon. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Movie Info:

Release Date: December 17, 1972 Director: Billy Wilder Writers: I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown:Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: March 10, 1972 Director: Peter Bogdanovich Writers: Buck Henry, David Newman. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 2

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 2

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: December 16, 1969 Director: Gene Saks Writers: I.A.L. Diamond. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: #Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 2, Romance: 1

Jenny says: #Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 2, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: A free-spirited bride tries to change her conservative lawyer groom. Release Date: May 25, 1967 Director: Gene Saks Writer: Neil Simon. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: # Pops ~ NRC A very enjoyable, fun movie. But, alas, when forced to adhere to the standard of what a true romantic comedy is, I have to come down that it’s not. Although I really, really want it to be. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4.5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 3

Alastair says: # Pops ~ NRC Alastair’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Jenny says: # Pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Movie Info:

Story: Nicole catches Peter in her house in the middle of the night trying to steal the paintings her father has forged. It doesn’t make things any easier when he kisses her. Release Date: August 19, 1966 Director: William Wyler Writers: George Bradshaw, Harry Kurnitz. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Cary Grant at his best, and his best is pretty damn good. Romance gets a 5 for both wonderful romances – Cary and Leslie, and Cary and Trevor. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Okay, maybe the structure should be 41/2 for how long it takes to get through the set-up, but I never got bored. Also, I love this movie. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance:5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: Walter is not happy about being blackmailed into spotting planes alone on a remote island in the Pacific during WWII. Then a French headmistress lands on the island with seven little schoolgirls. Release Date: Dec. 10, 1964 Director: Ralph Nelson Writers: S.H. Barnett, Peter Stone, Frank Taloff. More info at IMDb.

Last week we talked about the idea that so many of the movies we’d seen had good structure and good comedy but failed with the romance which brought the whole movie down, and we wondered what would happen if we found a movie with a strong romance and a flawed structure. And now we have in American Dreamer and we know that the romance will carry the movie even if the plot is a mess because we’re so emotionally involved with the characters. And Lucy, who was a virgin to this movie, says that she’ll absolutely watch it again for the great romance (Tom Conti squee from both of us here) even though she still doesn’t know what the hell was going on with the mystery plot. I know what was going on with the mystery plot because I’ve seen the movie a million times, and it’s still an awful plot. I don’t care. I love this movie. Lesson learned: Nail the romance and you can get away with murder. Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ Because I’d watch it again in a heartbeat. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 4 Pops ~ Because the romance is so strong. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 4, Romance: 5

Movie Info:

Story: Cathy Palmer loves romance novels, so she enters a contest to write a scene in a Rebecca Ryan novel and wins a trip to Paris. Trouble ensues. Release Date: October 26, 1984 Director: Rick Rosenthal Writers: Ann Biederman, David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: NRC

Jenny says: NRC

The Popcorn Poll says:NRC

Movie Info:

Story: C.C.Baxter is on his way to the top, helped along the way by his boss, who borrows his apartment to meet his mistress. Then C.C. finds out who the mistress is. Trouble ensues. Release Date: September 16, 1960 Director: Billy Wilder Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond. More info at IMDb.

So here’s what happened. Lucy was having a hellaciously bad day and went to bed early. I did my usual crash in late afternoon, wake up at midnight, and I’m working and at 3AM I get an e-mail from Lucy saying she can’t sleep, she’s too miserable. So I do my standard buck-up stuff in e-mail and when that doesn’t work I say, “Hey, how about a movie? We just watched Pillow Talk and Down with Love is the pastiche of that. It’s a terrible film but the art direction is amazing and if worse comes to worse, we’ll turn off the sound and talk while we look at the pretty pictures.” Lucy says, “I’ll make chocolate chip cookies,” and we meet in the kitchen at 3AM to eat warm cookies and watch this movie we’ve both seen once and hated. But hey it has David Hyde Pierce and cameos by Tony Randall, so not a complete loss, right?

Reader, we loved it.

After we’d stopped laughing, we looked at each other and said, “Podcast.” Because, Poppers, you need to know about this movie. The ratings are below with the impromptu podcast where we pinpoint the entirely STUPID plot move the writers made that kneecapped the movie, but basically, it was a lot of fun, we laughed out loud a lot, Ewan MacGregor definitely fell in love so we got a great hero with a romantic arc, Pierce and Sarah Paulson are hysterical, Pierce and MacGregor even funnier (they’re the Hudson and Randall of the 21st century), the costumes and sets are insane . . . it’s a really good time. Also Lucy went immediately to iTunes and downloaded the soundtrack, so the music is fabulous, too. She went upstairs to get my computer and came down to find me singing along with the credits, that’s how good it is. I NEVER sing along with anything on TV. But the movie just made me so happy because it was so smart/dumb . . .

WARNING: There are huge spoilers in this podcast. Don’t listen if you intend to watch the movie. But we’ll put up a poll for it in case you have the time to watch it. And you really should; it’s a good, good time. Also, we were giddy by the time we finished the podcast at 6AM and feeling very smug so there’s some unattractive gloating in there. Just telling you, we were obnoxious.

Get the podcast: Listen here at PopD | Go to iTunes

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4.5 Pops ~ I’m not saying it’s not flawed, and yes… perhaps low expectations and a total lack of sleep fed into the incredible love I had for this movie this morning, but I think we’ve got a sleeper classic on our hands. Too much hyperbole? Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Jenny says: 4.5 pops ~ Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 5, Romance: 4

Blog Poll Rating: 3.6

Movie Info:

Release Date: May 16, 2003 Tagline: The Ultimate Catch Has Met His Match. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ If the core of the story is solid, good craft will take you far. If it’s not, you get Pillow Talk. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 4, Comedy: 3, Romance: 1

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ Structure ruined by WTF ending and character violations. Comedy kneecapped by assumptions that using women and alcoholism are funny. Romance non-existent (should have been no pops but we don’t do that). The movie had so many great things–fabulous cast, tight pacing, wonderful moments but the core was rotten and hollow which meant everything else fell apart. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 3, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: 2.5 Pops

Movie Info:

Story Brad and Jan have to share a party line (two telephones, one line, not that uncommon in the fifties) and hate each other until Brad meets Jan. Then he wants to share something else. Trouble ensues. Release Date: October 7, 1959 Director: Michael Gordon Writers: Stanley Shapiro, Maurice Richlin. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ Another gold standard romantic comedy on par with It Happened One Night and His Girl Friday. Wonderful romance expertly built on the screen. Must watch it again. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: Richard thinks he’s going to replace Bunny with a computer. She thinks he’s wrong. Also he’s Spencer Tracy and she’s Katherine Hepburn, so you do the math. Release Date: May 1, 1957 Director: Walter Lang Writers: Phoebe Ephron, Henry Ephron. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ An excellent example of how preaching about issues can ruin a perfectly good story. Judy Holliday was lovely and charming and earned that Oscar, but the movie didn’t quite make it. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 1, Romance: 2

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ If you want to send a message, call Western Union. Or use e-mail. Anything but your story. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 3, Comedy: 2 (for Judy, otherwise 1), Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Release Date: May 28,1951

Story: Corrupt businessman Harry thinks his mistress should talk better so he can bribe more congressmen, so he gets her William Holden as a tutor. He never had a chance anyway; his mistress Billie is Judy Holiday. Do me a favor, Harry. Drop dead. Release Date: May 28,1951 Director: George Cukor Writers: Garson Kanin, Alfred Mannheimer. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ Even the best structure in the world can’t save a bad melon, and kids, this is a bad melon. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 2, Romance: 1

Jenny says: 3 Pops ~ Beautifully structured but schizophrenic comedy/farce with a truly terrible romance at its center because of Charles, the human potato. Graphic example of how not to write a romance. Rating Breakdown:  Structure: 5, Comedy: 3.5, Romance: 1

Blog Poll Rating: TBD

Movie Info:

Story: Ale heir Charles gets ensnared by conwoman Jean who accidentally falls in love with him. Bad choice. Trouble ensues. Release Date: Feb. 25, 1941 Director: Preston Sturges Writer:  Preston Sturges. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ Okay, here’s the thing; in many ways, this movie is indefensible. But I love it anyway, because it’s fun, it’s funny, and if you can just not allow the bad stuff to tweak you, it’s a really good ride. One of my all-time favorites, and it remains one of my all-time favorites, I don’t care how flawed it is. So there. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure 5, Comedy: 4, Romance: 3

Jenny says: 3 pops ~ This movie just does not work for me. I know, I know, millions love it including Lucy. That’s why the podcast ran ten minutes over. We can’t figure it out, either. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 4, Romance: 2

Blog Poll Rating:

Movie Info:

Story: A goddess-like socialite has a fiance, an ex-husband, and a newpaper reporter panting after her, but until she recognizes her own humanity, she is not worthy of love. Release Date: Dec. 26, 1940 Director: George Cukor Writers:  Donald Ogden Stewart from a play by Philip Barry. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ I think this movie proves that solid romantic comedies have to be, at their core, about heart. Where the characters’ passions lie, what matters to them more than anything else, what they love, and how well they get each other. A story that can make you laugh while making you feel something real is the gold standard for romcoms; this hits the bullseye perfectly. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Jenny says: 5 pops ~ I liked this movie even more after we analyzed it–and I loved it before we analyzed it. Such a great film on so many levels. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 5, Comedy: 5, Romance: 5

Blog Poll Rating: 4.5 Pops

Movie Info:

Story: Hildy wants to get married and live a normal life. Walter wants Hildy back. The mayor wants to execute somebody to get re-elected. Trouble ensues. Release Date: Jan. 18, 1940 Director: Howard Hawks Writers: Charles Lederer, Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 2 Pops ~ Painful in how good the good parts were, only to be so bad in the bad parts. A classic example of wonderful short game (scenes) and terrible long game (story structure).
Lucy’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 3, Romance: 2

Jenny says: 2 Pops ~ So many good moments, such a great heroine, such a waste of great scenes than made so little sense together. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Structure: 1, Comedy: 2,  Romance: 2

Blog Poll Rating: 3 Pops

Movie Info

Story: No-nonsense Russian bureaucrat Nina is sent to Paris to shape up some comrades who are selling some jewelry. French playboy count Leon is sent to the comrades to stop the jewelry sale. Opposites attract and Garbo giggles. Release Date: Oct. 6, 1939 Director: Ernst Lubitsch Writers:  Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, and Walter Reisch. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 4 Pops ~ I have always loved this movie, and I always will. But I could not wrench it into the box of true romantic comedy, because really… not romantic. Funny as hell, yeah. Great chemistry, absolutely. Charm your socks off, you bet. But romantic? Not so much.

And it’s that argument which we circle… and circle… and circle… for an hour. Apologies, Poppers. That’s what happens when you love something dearly, but can’t make it fit. You obsess. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Romance: 1, Comedy: 5, Structure: 5

Jenny says: 4 Pops ~ This is beautifully structured, beautifully paced farce. Truly a great movie. Not a great romantic comedy because they failed to build the romance. Yes, farce is not an easy place to make a romance work, but they didn’t even try. Great comedy. Lousy rom com. Jenny’s rating breakdown: Romance: 1, Comedy: 5, Structure: 5

Blog Poll Rating: 3.5 Pops

Movie Info:

Story: Paleontologist David wants a brontosaurus bone. Socialite Susan wants David. There’s a leopard. Trouble ensues. Release Date: February 18, 1938 Director: Howard Hawks Writer: Dudley Nichols and Hagar Wilde. More info at IMDb.

Story Analysis & Ratings:

Lucy says: 5 Pops ~ It Happened One Night was one of the first black and white movies I saw, and it was so good, it got me into classic films. What can I say? It’s a gateway drug. When I was younger, I loved it because it had romance and humor, and really, that’s all I need. Looking at it now from the perspective of a romantic comedy writer, I find that not only does it stand up, but it utilizes such eloquent skill in the storytelling that it’s an ideal movie to study for any writer.

Except for the fact that Ellie’s father is uneven. Jenny thinks he’s fine, but she’s wrong. Lucy’s rating breakdown: Romance: 5, Comedy: 5, Structure: 5

Jenny says: 5 Pops ~ I was prepared to take this movie apart and find all the flaws, but it’s a damn near perfect film with many brilliant narrative moves and real genius in the character development and the escalation of the romance plot. During the podcast, Lucy and I analyzed the heroine, the hero, some of the supporting characters including the antagonist, looked at some of the powerful narrative devices, and then talked about the way the comedy and the romance were essential to each other, but it was pretty much a love fest, no carping here. (Lucy thinks the father’s character arc is a character violation but she’s wrong.)

It Happened One Night set the bar for romantic comedy, and it set it high. Frank Capra is a genius, Gable and Colbert deserve their lasting fame, and I love Roscoe Karns (aka Oscar Shapeley). Jenny’s rating breakdown: Romance: 5, Comedy: 5, Structure: 5

Blog Poll Rating: 4.6 Pops

Movie Info:

Story: A spoiled heiress runs away from her controlling father and meets a cynical newsman who’s just in it for the story. Release Date: February 23, 1934 Director: Frank Capra Writer: Robert Riskin (screenplay) Samuel Hopkins Adams (story). More info at IMDb.

You know. Just another Friday night.

Jenny: Our first podcast was a practice run to make sure the equipment worked and I knew what I was doing (Lucy’s a pro), and to give people a chance to practice downloading. The podcast you’ll download was our fourth attempt. The third one was pretty good, but I sat on my mute button.

Click on “Download” to download. Thank you.

Follow Lani and Jenny live during the movie on Twitter every Friday night at 8pm EST at @JennyCrusie and @LucyMarch or #PopD! Pause your DVD at the beginning of the studio logo (MGM lion, Columbia lady, etc.) and then push play at 8 PM to coordinate your watching with the Twitter feed.