What She's Having… a Podcast

The Long-Anticipated Hiatus!

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 17:18:07 +0000

Dear friends, fans, and friend-fans,

Now that it’s Facebook-official, I (Alia) can very happily announce that Lisa gave birth to her baby last week! Mom and baby boy Jasper are happy and healthy and adjusting to their new life at home.

While we don’t have a set date for our glorious return to the world of rom com lambasting, we very much intend to keep it going into the foreseeable future.

From myself and Lisa, thank you so much for your support over the past couple years, and we hope to be entertaining you with our crazy movie picks again in the near future.

Episode 85 – WHAT WOMEN WANT

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:19:38 +0000

Welcome to the latest episode, where we discuss 2000’s What Women Want. In Nancy Meyer’s first foray into rom com directing, she goes BIG: Two of the biggest stars at the time as leads, impressive ensemble cast, and a high-concept idea full of promise. Unfortunately for her (and Helen Hunt, and Alan Alda, and most of all Marisa Tomei) this movie fails to deliver on all points. For a film that wants you to think it’s about the struggles of the average (read: rich and white) woman, it’s really saying more that women are incapable of communicating their desires, and we need a male surrogate through which to speak. And who better to do that than its lead, champion of the people, Mel Gibson! (*Gag*)

Get comfy, friends, this might be our longest one yet!

Episode 85 – WHAT WOMEN WANT

Episode 84 – MAID IN MANHATTAN

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 03:00:07 +0000

Welcome to the latest episode, where we nurse the emotional scars handed to us from the Oscars by delving into our very first Jennifer Lopez movie, 2002’s Maid in Manhattan. We couldn’t be more divided on this movie: Alia seems to love it unquestioningly while Lisa remains sceptical. We can both agree that Jennifer Lopez was perfectly suited for this role, and the (heartbreaking) supporting cast of Miranda Richarsdon and Bob Hoskins really elevates this film to a level that its script probably never intended. Ralph Fiennes as the leading man though? Jury’s still out.

Episode 84 – MAID IN MANHATTAN

Episode 83 – IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:25:39 +0000

Happy Birthday to us! We turn the terrible twos this week, so we thought we’d celebrate with a special movie we’ve had in the hopper for quite a while: 1934’s It Happened One Night. It’s hard for us to hide our complete love for this movie, but really, what’s not to like? A road movie that includes an escape by sea, bus and car, Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert blow every other at-odds couple out of the water with their amazing chemistry and quick wits. This film started it all off, and has an Oscar grand slam to speak for it.

Thanks for the two years of listening, friends! You can send all presents to the PO Box provided at the end of the episode.

Episode 83 – IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT

Episode 82 – ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 16:01:05 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Brought to us by the filmmaking team of Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman, it passes its ten-year anniversary as a pretty solid example that an American romantic comedy can be experiential, romantic, emotionally complex and a truly realistic depiction of the trials of falling in love, losing love, and doing it all over again. We can’t help but get excited talking about a movie that just seems to get more interesting and more fun with additional viewings.

You’ll have to forgive us for not bashing any part of it… we’ll make sure to watch something bad again soon!

Episode 82 – ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

Episode 81 – A FISH CALLED WANDA

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:04:21 +0000

Take an ear-gander at our first movie of 2015, as we discuss 1988’s A Fish Called Wanda. With the amazing ensemble cast of John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin, this film takes equal jabs at both American and British cultures. Part caper, part weird sex and part romance, this movie was a great way to kick off 2015.

This week we’re joined by Matt Brown, half the Mamo podcast and weekly contributor to Twitch Film with his column “Destroy All Monsters”.

Happy New Year!

Episode 81 – A FISH CALLED WANDA

Episode 80 – THE HOLIDAY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:38:40 +0000

We celebrate the Holidays once again as we discuss the 2006 film The Holiday, which is surprisingly short on the holiday stuff and big on the painfully long scenes. A good starting premise is too-soon soaked with overblown hollywood embellishments, reminding us that two women trying to grow out of bad relationships, really just need to rebound to the next guy. Did the actors do the best they could with a bad script? We’re not entirely sure, but we do learn that Cameron Diaz cannot carry extended solo-scenes talking to herself, and that Jack Black definitely sent his robot-double to set each day.

Unlike this film, which strangely glazes over the holidays and slaps on a saccharine New Years Eve scene, we hope that you and yours have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Episode 80 – THE HOLIDAY

Episode 79 – GROSSE POINTE BLANK

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:48:04 +0000

This week we discuss 1997’s Grosse Pointe Blank, starring John Cusack as a hit man, Dan Aykroyd as an evil hit man, and Minnie Driver as his love interest (Cusack’s not Aykroyd’s– that would be weird). We’re joined by Andrew Parker of Dork Shelf to get to the bottom of this funny, somewhat unscrupulous, action-infused romantic comedy. Oh, and it has a great soundtrack– just try and get Blister in the Sun out of your head after listening to this episode.

Episode 79 – GROSSE POINTE BLANK

Episode 78 – 9 to 5

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 01:44:03 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we take a break from the romance to discuss the acclaimed 1980 comedy 9 to 5. While the gender politics haven’t aged all that well, the trio of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton boasts undeniable charisma, and they do kick some figurative, and surprisingly literal, ass in the name of equal rights in the workplace. Including a memorable scene of the three women gettin’ high and imagining zany revenge fantasies, the film takes some crazy turns that Parton’s song of the same name did not prepare us for. Oh, 1980, the hair was weird and the moustaches were aplenty, and it’s enough-to-drive-you-crazy if-you-let-it.

(Oh, man, that song is in our heads forever).

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76984266/Episode%2078%20-%209%20TO%205.mp3

Episode 78 – 9 TO 5

Episode 77 – HELLO AGAIN

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:53:44 +0000

We celebrate Halloween with a discussion of Hello Again, a little known ghostly rom com from 1987 starring Shelly Long and Gabriel Byrne. It’s the age old story of a suburban housewife who chokes to death on a chicken ball and then gets necromanced back to life by her sister, then ends up meeting a handsome doctor. In short: insanity.

We’re joined by guest Stacey Sproule to try and make sense of this otherworldly comedy.

Episode 77 – HELLO AGAIN

Episode 76 – YOU’VE GOT MAIL

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:44:03 +0000

Join us this week as we tackle the 1998 rom com killing machine You’ve Got Mail. Written and directed by Nora Ephron, based on source material from the 1937 play Parfumerie and the 1940 movie The Shop Around the Corner, this is Tom Hanks’ and Meg Ryan’s third and final film together.

We find a lot to talk about with this monster: is this a sweet love story, a commentary on modern romance and dating, or a capitalist propaganda machine? We’re leaning towards the latter… but at least we have Dave Chappelle to keep us entertained!

Episode 76 – YOU’VE GOT MAIL

Episode 75 – CLUELESS

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 19:30:23 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 1995 Amy Heckerling film Clueless. Both an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, and a highschool movie at the start of the teen-movie craze of the late 90s, it’s also a pretty neat time capsule. We discuss Alicia Silverstone, the early 1800s rural English social sphere vs. mid-90s Beverly Hills, the ever-ageless Paul Rudd in his first rom-com role, and what it’s like to revisit almost twenty years later… sigh, we feel old.

Episode 75 – CLUELESS

Episode 74 – HITCH

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:40:34 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 2005 film Hitch, Will Smith’s first, and interestingly, last romantic comedy vehicle, and boy is this movie something. Smith barely keeps this one together with his natural charisma, but with hopeless comic timing, awkward performances, and generally the idea that all women are stupid enough to get tricked into falling in love… and this stinker still manages to clock in at 118 minutes. Good thing we still have those old Fresh Prince episodes to go back to, so we can try to start putting the pieces back together.

Episode 74 – HITCH

What She’s Having Goes Bi….Weekly!

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:34:31 +0000

Friends, we’ve decided to cut our episodes down to bi-weekly for the time being. Stay on the lookout here and on facebook for upcoming movie announcement mini-sodes and lots of other good stuff.

Our next episode won’t be released until next Wednesday, so for now, enjoy this picture, which may or may not be of our next movie. (Hint: totally is)

Episode 73 – THE F WORD

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 18:08:52 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the newly released 2014 film The F Word, (or the more generic “What If” to those outside Canada). Starring Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan, and helmed by Michael Dowse, this film offers a fresh take on a pretty conventional rom-com story of woe: what if the one you fall for is already taken? We discuss the origin of the film from an original play, why weddings are such a genre staple, and we relish in the beautiful shots of our hometown of Toronto, in a fantasy-land where winter doesn’t exist, and where the music is always loud.

We also welcome special guest J.M. McNab, from the Rewatchability podcast.

Episode 73 – THE F WORD

Episode 72 – THE HEARTBREAK KID (1972)

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 15:05:09 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss the 1972 film The Heartbreak Kid. This isn’t your average Farrelly Brothers’ remake, but the original helmed by comedian/actor/director/writer Elaine May. The film starring Charles Grodin, (pre-grumpy Dad phase), Cybill Shepherd and Jeannie Berlin, follows a honeymoon doomed with bad decisions and packed with so much squirm-inducing, terrible behaviour, it’s a wonder if this could be inspiration for all the anti-hero leading characters of more contemporary comedies. While being both a challenging and hilarious film, we do learn that Charles Grodin may also not like being a husband, as well as those big dogs.

We also welcome special guest Rob LaRonde, from the Rewatchability podcast.

Episode 72 – THE HEARTBREAK KID

Episode 71 – THE PRINCESS BRIDE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:37:48 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the beloved 1987 film The Princess Bride. We also team up with our bros from the Rewatchability podcast, J.M. McNab and Blain Watters, for our first ever joint episode! With so many quotable lines, wonderful costumes, silly stunts and sad stories from Blain, this is one memorable film for our generation. We discuss Rob Reiner and the wonderful cast, the amazing Mandy Patinkin, Homeland (no spoilers, promise!), whether Buttercup is a standout heroine, or just another helpless princess, and so much more!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43907196/Episode%2071%20-%20THE%20PRINCESS%20BRIDE.mp3

Episode 70 – BULL DURHAM

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 22:11:29 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss 1988’s Bull Durham, a movie about sex and baseball, and sexy-baseball. We follow Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner through a season of the minor leagues and a summer of moving on, moving up and a lot of getting it on. We share our thoughts on the differences between 1988 and 2014, how not to fuck up a strong female role, baseball memories and lots of Susan Sarandon love.

This week we welcome special guest Anne T. Donahue, writer, fellow podcaster, (check out Bevs with Anne), and very funny lady.

http://annetdonahue.tumblr.com/

Episode 70 – BULL DURHAM

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43907196/Episode%2070%20-%20BULL%20DURHAM.mp3

Episode 69 – MARRIED/YOU’RE THE WORST

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 12:34:21 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the newly released FX pilots Married and You’re the Worst, the first in the crop of tv pilots coming this year in our very own rom-com tradition. Packed with comedy actors both familiar (hey Jenny Slate!) and new, both shows aren’t wasting any time getting right into their respective romantic entanglements, showing us a slice of both the domestic and the wild, single life. Is 2014 the year of the romantic comedy rebirth on television? We’ll have to wait and see…

Episode 69 – MARRIED/YOU’RE THE WORST

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43907196/Episode%2069%20-%20MARRIED_YOU'RE%20THE%20WORST.mp3

Episode 68 – ROXANNE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:32:43 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss the 1987 film Roxanne. Starring Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah, and boasting a wonderful cast of supporting characters, (hey there Fred Willard and Damon Wayans!), this Cyrano de Bergerac retelling is as wacky as it is romantic, and often very hard to dislike – unless you don’t like movies where a couple guys dupe a woman and betray her emotions – in any case, it teaches one to never pick on a grown man with a big nose – he may just know karate.

Episode 68 – ROXANNE

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76984266/Episode%2068%20-%20ROXANNE.mp3

Episode 67 – THEY CAME TOGETHER

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 19:26:19 +0000

This week we watched the much anticipated 2014 film They Came Together. Packed full of silliness and absurdity, this self-reflexive parody includes an ensemble that reads like a list of your favourite comedy actors. Helmed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, the geniuses that brought you Wet Hot American Summer, it may be the romantic comedy genre parody to end all parodies. There’s no more jokes left, guys.

This week we welcome special guest Dan Gorman, from the podcasts See You Next Wednesday and Time Bandits on the Modern Superior network.

Episode 67 – THEY CAME TOGETHER

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76984266/Episode%2067%20-%20THEY%20CAME%20TOGETHER.mp3

Episode 66 – MODERN ROMANCE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 15:33:29 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we go back to 1981 when the genre was fresh and exciting, and Albert Brooks was telling it like it is with his second feature, Modern Romance. While Brooks holds a special place in the comedy lover’s heart, it’s the efficient storytelling and cringe-worthy realism that gets us excited to talk about this noteworthy rom-com gem. The film is a springboard for conversations about love, relationships, the nature of the romantic comedy, and also about drunk-dialing. We just want to watch the quaalude-scene on repeat – quaaludes, right? Oh 1981.

This week we also welcome special guest Matt Price, from the MAMO podcast.

Episode 66 – MODERN ROMANCE

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43907196/Episode%2066%20-%20MODERN%20ROMANCE.mp3

Episode 65 – OBVIOUS CHILD

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 18:50:46 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss the newly released 2014 film Obvious Child. Friends, we couldn’t wait to see this film and were not disappointed – in fact, we engage in the kind of gushing normally saved for the fares of Moonstruck, The Apartment, or in Alia’s case, The Housesitter. Not many of these come along in this genre, (women in four of the major creative roles? Holla!), and this is definitely a big fat present; a present that unselfconsciously covers heartbreak, foolishness, mistakes, hopeful romance and most wonderfully of all, centers on a really funny woman. We laughed, we cried, and laugh/cried, and gosh darn it were emotionally involved from the get go. This episode includes spoilers galore, so you should all just go out and see this movie. Just go, like, right now. Don’t be stupid.

Episode 65 – OBVIOUS CHILD

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76984266/Episode%2065%20-%20OBVIOUS%20CHILD.mp3

Episode 64 – WORKING GIRL

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 16:11:13 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we take on Working Girl, a film that packs 80s star power with the likes of Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver. Helmed by Mike Nichols, it shows us a little slice of 1988 America, a world where feminist politics on the big screen were surprisingly condescending, and everyone wants to be a cog in the wheel of the corporate machine… and everyone had big hair. All of them. We discuss unintentional but blatant sexism, objectification, our love for Joan Cusack, David Duchovny sightings and so much more.

This week we welcome special guest Anna Kay Eldridge.

Episode 64 – WORKING GIRL

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/43907196/Episode%2064%20-%20WORKING%20GIRL.mp3

Episode 63 – THE OTHER WOMAN

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:13:46 +0000

For our latest episode, we braved half-empty theatres to see 2014’s The Other Woman, starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton and some guy from Game of Thrones (aka Alia’s “second favourite Lannister”). The movie, directed by the oft-maligned (by us) Nick Cassavetes, tries its hand at a tale of female friendship where you would least expect it, then seemed to think that exploring the concepts of ‘cheating’ and ‘monogamy’ in a movie about being ‘the other woman’ was maybe just too much. We discuss a lot of our problems with the movie – uneven performances, awkward direction, overly broad pranking, but hey, there’s a busty babe running down the beach in some kind of attempt to subvert the male gaze… but then she marries old Don Johnson and it all goes kaput. Spoiler Al- oh whatever.

This week we welcome back special guest, and resident Cameron Diaz expert, Kate Evans!

Episode 63 – THE OTHER WOMAN

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76984266/Episode%2063%20-%20THE%20OTHER%20WOMAN.mp3

Episode 62 – THE WEDDING SINGER/50 FIRST DATES/BLENDED

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:21:08 +0000

Well friends, we’re back from hiatus to present a little thing we like to call the Sandler-Barrymore Trifecta. That’s right: we watched 1998’s The Wedding Singer, 2004’s 50 First Dates, and 2014’s Blended… and we suggest you not try this at home. With Blended as the latest release from the romantic comedy duo of Adam “Has left the building” Sandler and Drew “Could do better” Barrymore, it says a lot about lame dads and unfortunately not a lot about the title theme. But hey, Terry Crews was there for some reason!

This was quite the test of our romantic comedy devotion and it may actually have ruined Lisa’s unconditional love of The Wedding Singer… who are we kidding, “Somebody put some pants on that kid!”… Anyone?

Episode 62 – THE WEDDING SINGER/50 FIRST DATES/BLENDED

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/76984266/Episode%2062%20-%20THE%20WEDDING%20SINGER_50%20FIRST%20DATES_BLENDED.mp3

Episode 61 – HAPPY ACCIDENTS

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 09 May 2014 19:40:13 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 2000 film Happy Accidents. What’s more fetching than an earnest, fun-loving man that also reveals that he’s a time-traveller? We’re not sure. This movie, starring Marisa Tomei and Vincent D’Onofrio might just charm the pants off you, if you can get past the late 90s formalisms and remember Anthony Michael Hall from his 80s-movie days. We discuss the late 90s romantic climate, Ruby and Sam’s turbulent relationship, why time travel and romance go so well together, and many other digressions…

This week we also welcome back special guest Blain Watters, from Rewatchability.

Episode 61 – HAPPY ACCIDENTS

Episode 60 – MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 02 May 2014 19:20:41 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 1997 film My Best Friend’s Wedding. A vehicle that re-launched the rom-com reign of Julia Roberts, (“how dare she take a break from romantic comedies?” thought someone in 1996, as they rented a VHS copy of Mr. Wrong.). The film offers the actress a strong platform to show off her manic comedic chops, including some pretty sweet pratfalls, as well as flaunt her trademark cackle. While a box office smash back in ’97, we still found it so enjoyable we ran pretty long trying to discuss it all, what with its grand musical scenes and a cast totally up for a whole lot of silliness, (shout out to a young Cameron Diaz); also an age of giant cell phones and beige pant suits, so, you know. While we appreciate the comic delight of watching the romantic heroine bending her moral compass to win back her love, we’re just wondering if she’s sure about Michael. Really? Him? Is he funny?

This week we also welcome special guest Kate Evans.

Episode 60 – MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING

Episode 59 – VERY SPECIAL EPISODE: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:15:09 +0000

Last month, the two-part series finale of the epic romantic comedy sitcom How I Met Your Mother unleashed unto the interweb a haze of confusion, upset, and in some cases, blind fury. We’ve let the dust settle in the wake of the finale’s March 31 air date, and try to reason through the end of an often silly, often charming rom-com series that subverted the genre with the ritual postponing of the ‘meet cute’. Whether you were an occasional, ambivalent or super-fan, everyone seems to have an opinion.

We also welcome back special guest J.M. McNab from Rewatchability. He has some pretty strong feelings.

Please note, we go all out with SPOILERS.

Episode 59 – VERY SPECIAL EPISODE: HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

Episode 58 – HIGH FIDELITY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 01:01:38 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss the 2000 film High Fidelity, by the guys who brought you Grosse Pointe Blank, plus the guy who wrote Con Air, and Stephen Frears. Based on the book by Nick Hornby, John Cusack stars as Rob Gordon, a record store owner reeling over his most recent breakup. And like anyone who might value a record collection over say, character or maturity, Rob drags out his top-five most painful breakups, like a sad, sad, self-pitying pop song. He may not be a great guy, but we sure do love Cusack’s performance, (dare we say one of our top-five Cusack performances?).

Episode 58 – HIGH FIDELITY

Episode 57 – GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:23:05 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 2009 film Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Perhaps a surprise to anyone who ignored this one back in 2009, the film is a loose adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol- but with way less dimension and way more Matthew McConaughey. As fans of the recent HBO series True Detective and in light of the recent Oscar win, we go back to the days when McConaughey was the king of Hollywood romantic comedy, you know, to do some compare and contrast. With a little help from Michael Douglas, Emma Stone and Jennifer Garner, (as well as a former Much Music veejay), this is one elaborate rom-com… with ghosts. We sure do have a lot to say about this movie.

Episode 57 – GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

Episode 56 – THE NOTEBOOK

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 18:55:40 +0000

We say goodbye to March and our month-long excursion into romance (sans-comedy) with sighs, daydreams and long gazes out the window… and also the 2004 film The Notebook. A vehicle that launched the young careers of Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, it also boasts the wonderful James Garner and the amazing Gena Rowlands, for some strange reason we can’t quite figure out… in addition to being an odd directorial choice for Nick Cassavetes, son of Gena Rowlands and the late John Cassavetes. While a classic romance in form, this story of great-love-told-through-flashbacks gets muddled navigating between past and present, including some pretty confusing story elements and questionable treatment of those suffering with dementia, yet- it is hard to deny the enduring fan power that backs this flick, and the genuine chemistry between its young leads (yes, we know they used to be a real-life couple). There is one thing for sure though, the ladycast is back from the dreamy haze of romances and we’re ready for some comedy.

Episode 56 – THE NOTEBOOK

Episode 55 – THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:10:45 +0000

It’s almost springtime and we continue our romance month by warming up to some mature summer lovin’ with 1995′s The Bridges of Madison County. Maybe it’s the age-old tale of forbidden love, or how surprisingly good Clint Eastwood looked without his shirt, but we sure find it easy to get into this 90s classic starring Meryl Streep, playing Italian-born Iowa housewife Francesca, and Clint Eastwood as transient nature photographer Robert, (also playing double-duty directing the film). With the luscious mid-summer shots of the Iowa farmlands, the slow-burn of Francesca and Robert’s first meeting to seriously getting it on, or the way the movie just… takes it’s time… sorry, we just need a sec to fan ourselves down.

Seriously friends, we have some trouble criticizing this movie. We didn’t even make any immature jokes… okay, we made a few, but maybe we’re just getting into this whole ‘romance’ thing.

Episode 55 – THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

We also apologize for the occasional music droning in the background on this episode. Here’s to bad neighbours!

Episode 54 – THE WAY WE WERE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 15:06:51 +0000

Join us for the second episode in our month of romances, as we discuss the 1972 film The Way We Were. We follow Barbara Streisand’s Katie and Robert Redford’s Hubbell from college days as distant admirers, through their free-spirited early relationship, and their difficult marriage full of compromise. Do all good romances end in everlasting love? We’re not sure, but we do have a lot to say about Katie gettin’ naked and jumping in bed with a passed out Hubbell. The girl has moxy.

Episode 54 – THE WAY WE WERE

Episode 53 – CASABLANCA

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 19:01:45 +0000

We kick off March with a month-long detour, putting comedy aside to take a look at some of the most beloved films of the romantic-drama. We’ll be plunging into the depths of unrequited love, longing gazes and epic love stories spanning the years, starting with the 1942 film Casablanca. Back in the ‘40s as Rick and Ilsa, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman lit up the screen as long-lost lovers with their unexpected reunion in the titular city in Morocco. With the foreground of WWII and the love triangle between Rick, Ilsa and Ilsa’s husband Victor Lazlo, the film boasts some major romantic conflict, but as the film turns 72 this year is it still as powerful?

And if you forgot where all those famous romantic movie quotes come from, it’s this movie right here. All of them.

Episode 53 – CASABLANCA

Episode 52 – LEAP YEAR

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 15:00:43 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss the 2010 film Leap Year, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode for some reason. We’re happy this is not a leap year as the so-called Irish tradition of women only being able to propose to men one magical day every four years is the stupidest thing we’ve ever heard. The road trip premise and beautiful landscapes of Ireland don’t help this dud very much, but we found that whiskey helped us a lot when talking about it. While the film works like romantic comedy paint-by-numbers, could it also be the rare case where a bad rom-com is just as enjoyable? The answers to these and other important questions can be found on this week’s episode!

Episide 52 – LEAP YEAR

Episode 51 – JACK GOES BOATING

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 17:52:16 +0000

This week we discuss the 2010 film Jack Goes Boating, directed by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, originating from the play by Robert Glaudini. We found this romantic comedy-drama beautifully simple and a bittersweet way to remember one of our favourite actors.

Episode 51 – JACK GOES BOATING

Episode 50 – WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 15:46:16 +0000

This week we celebrate one year of podcasting with the 1989 Rob Reiner/Nora Ephron film When Harry Met Sally. The film, which tops many ‘best of’ romantic comedy lists, (and also gave us our namesake thanks to the very famous diner scene), sparks a spirited discussion on the age-old friendship/relationship debate, homage vs. imitation, truths about love that transcend time period and why secondary characters in romantic comedies might be more interesting than the leads. We don’t all love Billy Crystal (definitely not as much as Jenna), or any of Meg Ryan’s hairdos, but we can’t deny that this movie is a classic.

Here’s to another year of podcasts and faking orgasms!

Episode 50 – WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

Episode 49 – ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 17:13:56 +0000

Join us for the last episode of our first year of podcasting! We chose this very special time to talk about the 2008 Kevin Smith film Zack and Miri Make a Porno, for some reason. Get ready for an in-depth discussion on a film that is not as bad as you expected it to be. With a classic romantic comedy premise of friends realizing their unrequited love, the spin of ‘they make a porno!’ doesn’t have quite enough bang to refresh the genre, (see what we did there), but does include some very funny performances. We didn’t love it, we didn’t hate it. We just want more Craig Robinson dancing please.

Episode 49 – ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO

Episode 48 – BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:37:47 +0000

It’s cold outside friends, so let’s lament summer with the wintery romantic comedy tale, 1996’s Beautiful Girls. While Ted Demme’s oft-dramatic, coming-of-age film is plagued with actors who all look a little too old to be 20-somethings, there is plenty of genuine adult-panic mixed in with its easy-listening rock and roll soundtrack, misogyny and very questionable hair and fashion stylings. We won’t all agree that Timothy Hutton is an adorable romantic lead, or whether his relationship with Natalie Portman’s precocious youngster is sweet or super creepy, but hopefully we can all agree that Martie wears the shit out of the jean-overalls-over-sweater-and-turtleneck ensemble. Oh, winters of our 90s childhood…

Episode 48 – BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

Episode 47 – SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 19:41:23 +0000

Check out our latest episode and our first brom-com* of the year, 2010’s She’s Out of My League, starring Canadian favourite Jay Baruchel. Is this film a great example of subverting the genre, or does it pale in comparison to the loser-guy-wins-popular-girl trope that has been done better? Is a man shaving another man’s nether regions the true test of friendship? While we don’t all get behind this one, we can at least all agree we want more T.J. Miller in everything.

Episode 47 – SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE

*bromantic comedy. Stay with us, guys.

Episode 46 – THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 20:34:34 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we discuss the 2012 film The Five Year Engagement. Romantic comedies set around weddings or wedding planning are pretty much old hat– does this Jason Segel/Nicholas Stoller vehicle do anything to refresh the genre? Is it furthering outdated, sexist notions of marriage, or is it boldly suggesting that weddings just aren’t that important? We don’t agree on a lot this episode, but we can all agree that Princess Diana is a pretty great super-hero costume.

Episode 46 – THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT

Episode 45 – SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 22:32:04 +0000

Welcome to our first episode of 2014! We start the year off with the 90s classic Sleepless In Seattle, starring romantic comedy vets Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. As we look ahead at the new year and ponder the important things in life, we get down to the important questions: Is the film a worthy homage to the classic romance An Affair to Remember, or just a dud? Is it a great platform for Meg Ryan’s comic skills? What becomes of Annie and Sam after leaving the empire state building? And lastly, is the film one score away from being a 90s thriller?

Friends, it’s January, it’s f*ing cold, and we’re ready to watch a bunch of romantic comedies.

Episode 45 – SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

Episode 44 – NEW YEAR’S EVE

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:22:30 +0000

We ring in the end of the year with a discussion on the 2011 ensemble New Years Eve. With so many characters and so little in the way of plot or character development, the film celebrates the end of a year and the beginning of a new one with punch-in-the-face-style romances and bloated resolutions from people we don’t care about. For those who longed for Hilary Swank and Jon Bon Jovi to act side by side, Garry Marshall was listening.

For this very special New Years episode we got a little help from our friend J.M. McNab from Rewatchability.

Happy New Year!!

Episode 44 – NEW YEAR’S EVE

Episode 43 – WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 19:35:21 +0000

Join us for another episode celebrating the holiday season with the 1995 film While You Were Sleeping. After a great debate on Love Actually, it’s nice for us all to agree on how delightful this film is… and our crushes on Bill Pullman. While most holiday films focus on the build-up to Christmas, this one steps away to show the days after spent with family and friends, which many take for granted. It teaches us to appreciate those moments, even if they are riddled with bad advice on how to lie about being engaged to a guy in a coma.

This week we also take note that, yes, Sandra Bullock did narrate every 90’s movie that Morgan Freeman wasn’t available for.

Episode 43 – WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

Episode 42 – LOVE ACTUALLY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:07:50 +0000

You know it, you love it, we… are pretty divided on it! It’s the favourite holiday rom com, 2003’s Love Actually. It’s hard to summarize our longest episode to date, so we’ll just say there’s lots of yelling, lots of swearing, and more characters being called “dum-dum” than ever before!

So if you real-ly love Christmas, come on and let it… snow.

Episode 42 – LOVE ACTUALLY

Episode 41 – THE APARTMENT

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 17:14:16 +0000

Join us this week as we discuss one of the most depressing holiday movies ever, 1960’s The Apartment! Directed by Billy Wilder and starring a very young Shirley MacLaine, a still-pretty-young Jack Lemmon, and a “Yeah, he’s kinda old already” Fred MacMurray, the film really focuses on the sadness that some experience around the holidays. While it tackles some very serious issues like depression and suicide, it is still a very funny romantic comedy at heart. Will Miss Kubelik choose love or security? Will Mr. Baxter choose love or success? Will Mr. Baxter’s sheets finally get washed?! These and other questions answered, this week on What She’s Having.

Episode 41 – THE APARTMENT

Episode 40 – BRIDGET JONES’ DIARY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 03:38:41 +0000

We kick off December with the 2001 film Bridget Jones’ Diary, because, what better way to start the holiday romantic comedy season than with a fun-loving, kind of sloppy, hopeless romantic female icon like Bridget Jones? It’s been awhile since the phenomenon of the book-turned-major film starring Renee Zellwegger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant was the talk of the town, so we reflect on the big questions: Is Mark Darcy delightfully frumpy, or just super boring? Why do British romantic comedies always try to pretend London is snowy at Christmas? Are Bridget’s friends terrible people? Is Bridget’s staple of a ‘real’ woman still relevant today? We’re gonna ponder it all over a couple bottles of wine. Jones-style.

Episode 40 – BRIDGET JONES’ DIARY

Episode 39 – SIDEWAYS

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:38:59 +0000

Check out our latest episode as we take a look at a growing sub-genre, the “bromance” (or “bromantic comedy”, if you will), with perhaps one of the earliest of its kind, the 2004 film Sideways. Featuring unlikeable characters doing unlikeable things, with a hint of road-trip, male-bonding, budding romance, this wine-fest/character study maintains a gentle, thoughtful air… and even with all that drunk driving. So much drunk driving.

Also, do you remember that Paul Giamatti was in Private Parts? We sure do.

This week we welcome back special guest Rob Laronde from Rewatchability.

Episode 39 – SIDEWAYS

Episode 38 – THE PHILADELPHIA STORY

whatsheshavingpodcast@gmail.com (Whatsheshavingpodcast.wordpress.com) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 19:40:55 +0000

Join us for our latest episode where we discuss the 1940 film The Philadelphia Story, that boasts vintage Hollywood cache with the likes of Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and the very funny Katharine Hepburn. While the film revived Hepburn’s career in Hollywood, it is still to this day a top ranking film on many major lists of the all-time best romantic comedies… which shows that a lot of people are surprisingly okay with some light domestic abuse. That aside, Jimmy Stewart as a romantic interest (and playing drunk) is delightful– and he didn’t sock anyone. Just sayin’.

Episode 38 – THE PHILADELPHIA STORY

Note: Please try to ignore the intermittent clanging during the podcast, unfortunately it’s the heater in the apartment we record in– it’s getting cold in Toronto.