Falling In Love Montage

Welcome to our NOT AN EPISODE episode of I Feel Pretty! We had the great privilege of being invited to discuss this film with the cast of The Feminine Mistake Podcast. On the Feminine Mistake Podcast with Nicole, Sarah, and Hillary, we were able to be a part of a much richer and deeper discussion. Every week, The Feminine Mistake Podcast and a guest take a critical look at how woman have been portrayed in film and television. Nicole, Sarah, and Hillary lead us through a discussion of the film, introduce some hot facts, and measure how the film holds up to the scrutiny of the Bechdel test and other litmuses for on-screen representation. One of my favorite segments is Nervous Breakdowns where guests and hosts read bad, misogynist casting breakdowns. Find The Feminine Mistake Podcast on Facebook, Twitter, iTunes, and their production channel Critical Crop Top Here are direct links to the episodes, in case you feel pretty and lazy

Well, folks, we did it. You did it! It's done. We collectively watched Matthew McConaughey's least enjoyable movies (highly subjective statement, depending) and we survived. We just kept living — exactly as McConaughey dictated. We planned a wedding, we moved out of Mom and Dad's house, we visited the past and glimpsed the future, and now we are on one last treasure hunt — searching for GOLD!  Yes, you guessed it, Fool's Gold!  Joining us on this bestests of quests is the bestests of guests and co-host of Stranger Still podcast, Jon Biegen. Jon will pirate your heart like he has ours and you'll probably want to drop anchor at his harbor here and here. And, if you're observing, Happy McMorial Day!

Congratulations! If you listen to this episode, or even glance at it, you are three quarters through McConauMay. This would normally be a sad event but, having just watched Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, we're feeling a little raw (maybe even hostile) right now.  The only thing that can rectify this mood is the company of our spectacular guest, Nick Wood.  Nick is a newcomer to our production and podcast network Flying Machine but an oldcomer to his hilarious and inquisitive podcast, Stranger Still, which he hosts with fellow spectacular human, Jon Biegen. You can also catch Nick yucking it up with his Dad on Limited Cell- A Generational Hanna-Barbera cartoon review show. Please enjoy this episode as Helen, Valerie, and Nick single-handedly ruin his incredible wife's Mother's Day. There's some humor in here and hopefully a bit of a catharsis too.  Just Keep Living!

It's McConaunaMay part II, or as we're calling it (for some reason*) McConaunaMother's Day. In order to get enough wind in our sails to dissect 2006's Failure to Launch, we had to beg Ryan Healey, of Tales from the Static podcast to watch this film with us. OR — was it the other way around?  You'll never know (unless you listen to this episode) which is, btw, just as charming as our guest (i.e., hella charming).    *Because it's Mother's Day and we love Kathy Bates, that's why. 

Welcome to Matthew McConauMAY!  Every Monday in May, Falling in Love Montage is covering an early 21st-century Romantic Comedy starring Matthew McConaughey.  This week we break the cardinal rule of Wedding Planning and fall in love with our guest, Elle Riccardi. She knows a thing or two about weddings and even more about jigsaw puzzles.  Join us as we try to piece together this puzzle of a movie.  ✨Also, if you stick around for the very beginning (and why wouldn't you?) you'll hear some really big news! ✨ And if you stick around until the end (thank you) you'll learn that Helen and Valerie are month-long guests on one of their favorite podcasts, The Feminine Mistake Podcast, hosted by Hillary, Sarah, and Nicole.  Find them (and follow them) on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud or start listening to this awesome discussion of I Feel Pretty by clicking right here! 

We're back from our "Spring Break" and we have a question to ask you. You ready? Okay, what's better than two sisters on a podcast talking about a super awesome movie?  Oh, so I heard one of you say a million dollars and now that I'm getting into this I'm realizing there is probably more than one answer.  Okay, so yes, that is correct. BUT the answer I was looking for is THREE SISTERS talking about a really awesome movie! Helen and Valerie's sister, Tara, join them to talk about 1990's Mermaids

Batter up! Hear that call! The time has come for Helen and Valerie to discuss the Penny Marshall classic A League of Their Own. Friend to the podcast Jan poked us until we put her choices to a vote, and our beloved listeners voted overwhelmingly to hear about everyone's favorite chick sports flick. Expect some more fan picks and Jan picks in the future. We bumble our way through the plot, objectify David Strathairn, talk to a Matt, and make too many puns. So it's just like every other episode, really. And to think we were intimidated by the material. P.S. Art Garfunkel

We're back in black and we're back in black comedy. Joining us all the way from six hours in the future (c/o Germany) is Juha Heikkilä, esteemed guest, friend, and winner of a recent(ish) Facebook group caption contest. Juha can be found guesting on podcasts and occasionally tweeting. If you're dedicated, you can find his super secret archive of film blogs. We're still looking.

We didn't know what to call this clip episode.  It's winter, technically, but remember we are in Georgia, USA and while it was 35° today, it was 90° last week.  Also, the movies we clipped are from last spring so... ...while we're busy figuring it out, please enjoy these outtakes from—like I just said—last spring.    ***edit*** Around 26:21 I incorrectly reference a letter as unsent. Ladies and gents, the letter in question was in fact sent via email.  Thank you, that is all. 

If you're looking for Jet Li, you won't find him here. For some reason or another, we talk about Finn Taylor's 2016 comedy fantasy, Unleashed. It's your basic wish fulfillment flick with a generous layer of problematic events. But hey, Kate Micucci, right?  It's currently streaming on Netflix but be very careful with what you do with that information.  We also spend some extra time talking with a Matt, and this time—we have very similar feelings about the movie.   

1989's When Harry Met Sally asks the burning question, "Can men and women be friends after women have subjected them to a full-length episode about Fifty Shades Darker?" According to Bill O'Donnell, so-called software expert, most charming person in the world, and our special guest, the answer is "Yes, Yes, Yes!"

Masochism meets sadism in episode 53 when three lovely, talented, educated young women deliberately (why god, why?) watch Fifty Shades Darker, the critically reviled sequel to the equally critically reviled Fifty Shades of Grey (which they've also watched). Valerie and Helen are joined by sublime guest, Meghan Griffin for an uproarious and deserved ripping. Fall in love with Meghan now or get to know her better at any of her many delightful podcasts, Judging Book Covers Podcast, Fableulous Retelling Podcast, and A Handbook for Handbook for Mortals. *** expletive warning *** Falling in Love Montage podcast often embraces the freedom of profanity, however, a particular four-letter word comes up with fervent frequency and is used as a sub for every different part of speech, including the verb.  

Happy New Year!  We could think of no better way to ring in 2018 than to watch one of the best things about 2017 -- Wonder Woman. And we could think of no better person to discuss it with at incredible length* than our podcast sweetheart, #1 fan, and male counterpart (and previous guest) Ryan Lynch. And we could think of no better "Matt" to consult than Ryan's own (non-Matt) very best half, Ariel Azzara.  Check out all of Ryan's podcasts -- We'll Get it Right Next Year: An Adventure in Cinema (for which Helen is the Etta Candy) and Comrade sister-casts Divisive Issues and Oops, I Talked Politics, both also available at frondsradio.com -- and hit up Ariel on the internet to find out where you can send her tons of money for her upcoming wedding.  *like really incredible length

And with this, Titanic part 2, we gleefully (and finally) finish all our wrapping.  We wrap our six-episode (okay, seven) theme-song series, we wrap our first-ever 2 part episode, and we wrap our 2017 calendar.  Special thanks to Emily Bennett for proposing the brilliant and collaborative theme song you hear in this episode.  The warmest thank yous to our talented contributors, our beloved podcast family: Intro Singers: Emily Bennett, Ollie Brady/Jason Statham, Laura B., Frances Chang, Malcolm Nygard, Vanessa Riley Finnish translation and recitation: Juha Heikkil Electric guitar: Bill O'Donnell Outro Bass: Ryan Lynch Piano: Bill O'Donnell As we bid adieu to this year we take with us, hold dearly, and will never let go of the beautiful friendships we've made.  Happy New Year, friends!  *This episode is lovingly dedicated to the memory of GiGi       

20 years ago tomorrow, people poured into theaters to see James Cameron's epic romance-disaster film, Titanic. Just last week, Helen, Valerie, and two fellas named Matt shelled out a ton of cash, donned some serious 3D shades, and relaxed into their reclining movie theater seats for 195 minutes of Helen preciously reciting every line of Titanic. For the record, this is the preferred way to see Titanic. What happens now is part 1 of a very special 2 part episode, closing out FiLM's six-episode theme-song series, and our 2017 schedule.  Don't let go! 

The penultimate episode of our six-episode theme-song series has arrived and—if you're looking at your DVD packaging—its got a freaking bow on it. You're welcome! Best Acquaintances Podcast co-host and greatest person currently alive, Emily Bennett, joins us for a jovial conversation about one of the most irritating and (yet somehow) endearing of all romantic holiday films. And if that didn't give it away, it's Love Actually folks. We're talking about Love Actually.

While this episode is the fourth in a series of like episodes, i.e. our six-episode theme-song series, it is the first of its kind in many ways. 1996's Jerry Maguire is both our first 'sports' film and our first time welcoming two guests. FiLM favorite, Ariel brings charm, wit, and also her fiance, Ryan Lynch of We'll Get it Right Next Year: An Adventure in Cinema, and Comrade Radio's own Divisive Issues and Oops, I Talked Politics  to this decades-old tale of being a better person than you were yesterday while still making a shit ton of money for yourself and other people. It's a classic. 

We now interrupt our regularly scheduled six-episode theme-song series to bring you this special holiday message: "Hell is a teenage girl". No tricks, just treats for our devoted listeners. Happy bonus episode day/Jennifer's Body day/Halloween(?) Stay salty! 

Third in our six-episode theme-song series is 2004's Mean Girls. Joining us in this almost completely on topic, never meandering discussion is Vanessa Riley of the Square Roots podcast. I know you expect me to now work in some memorable lines from the film, but relax Glen CoCo, we do that plenty in the episode. 

Be silent. Be still. Be silent. Be still. Be silent. Be still.  For the second episode in our theme-song series, we took on the archetypical teen rom-com, She's All That. For this one we've returned to our classic format -- meaning it's just Helen and Valerie and a Matt, and the episode itself is at least 20% longer than the movie we were talking about.  Check out Matt LaStar's podcast, Bill and Matt are Losing It, on iTunes, Stitcher, and Facebook!