Heart Of Podness

In honor of Will's impending fatherhood, we're inviting dads onto the show to share the romance and parenting tips from some of their favorite movies. First up: Steven Spielberg's 1991 Peter Pan adaptation Hook, starring Robin Williams as Peter and Dustin Hoffman as the titular one-handed captain. Join in as we discuss Hook's place in the Spielberg dad canon, this odd transition point in the director's career, and the standout performances by Hoffman and Bob Hoskins. Plus: Why wasn't this movie made into a musical? Why can only Wendy (Maggie Smith) properly remember Neverland? Why does Peter have an American accent? And, most importantly, why is Peter's son Jack so terrible at baseball? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Taken (2008)-------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Roger Ebert's two-star review of Hook "A Peter Pan for the 90s" (New York Times)"Steven Spielberg: The EW Interview" (Enter

We're closing out our series on prounoun movies with the one that (probably) started it all: The 1927 silent romantic comedy It, starring the original "it girl" herself, Clara Bow! Join in as we discuss Bow's life and career, writer Elinor Glynn, 1920s Coney Island, and our favorite intertitles. Plus: What exactly is It? Who has It today? And, most importantly, is this movie Ittier than It (2017)? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Hook (1991)-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Watch It (1927) for free on YouTube!It in the AFI CatalogIt from Turner Classic Movies"It and the It Girl, Clara Bow" (Bright Wall, Dark Room)"Clara Bow: The Hard-Partying Jazz Baby Airbrushed from Hollywood History" (The Guardian)"Forgotten Hollywood: Clara Bow" (Golden Globes)"Remember When Jessie Buckley was on an Insane Reality Show?" (Vulture)

Pronouns and parenting collide as we look at the fast-moving romance of Raja Gosnell's 2005 remake of Yours, Mine & Ours, starring Dennis Quaid, Rene Russo, and most of the 00s Nickelodeon kids. Join in as we discuss cinematic lighthouses, an unexplained broken engagement, the nomination process for military leaders, and a very large pig. Plus: Who conducted the parents' marriage? At what point should you tell a date you have double-digit children? Are Quaid and Russo's characters just bad parents? And, most importantly, did this movie actually need to be longer? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: It (1927)-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Studios Mining Moppet Mania" (Variety)"Nightcrawler Actress Rene Russo is a Reluctant Star" (Los Angeles Times)"Dennis Quaid's Costar Blasts His 'Crazy' Trump Support after Air Force One Trip" (Entertainment Weekly)"Suspected Chinese Sp

We're attempting to define the quintessential We Love the Love movie this week as we look at the Russo brothers' much-maligned 2006 comedy You, Me and Dupree, starring Matt Dillon, Kate Hudson, and Owen Wilson. Join in as we discuss the Russos' pre-Marvel career, a hilariously miscast Seth Rogen, comedy Lance Armstrong, and several episodes of The Newsroom. Plus: Why is Michael Douglas's character so unhinged? What was Dupree's job at the start of the movie? Should married people have friends of any kind? And, most importantly, which character is "you" and which is "me"? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Yours, Mine, and Ours (2005)------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"The Russo Brothers are Directing Marvel's Biggest Blockbusters, but They're Modeling Their Career after Stephen Soderbergh" (IndieWire)"That Time Steely Dan Wrote a Letter Trashing Owen Wilson to His Own Brot

It's all about AI personhood this week as we discuss the doomed romances of Spike Jonze's 2013 Best Picture nominee Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and a disembodied Scarlett Johansson. Join in as we discuss our favorite digital characters, phone sex with Kristen Wiig, and the strange experience of watching this movie in the age of ChatGPT. Plus: Why was Samantha Morton replaced as the voice of the OS? Does Theodore really own the rights to those letters? And, most importantly, what really happened when the AIs ascended? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: You, Me, and Dupree (2006)------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Him and Her: How Spike Jonze Made the Weirdest, Most Timely Romance of the Year" (Vulture)"Behind the Preplanned Oscars Selfie" (Wall Street Journal)"ChatGPT Launching Talking AI that Sounds Exactly like Scarlett Johansson in Her - On Purpose?" (Entertainment Wee

Our investigation of gendered cinema leads us into singular pronouns with the 2025 football film Him! Join in as we discuss meme actors, half-baked religious symbolism, the fan-athlete relationship, and David O Russell's upcoming John Madden biopic. Plus: How do you parody the NFL? Why would Isaiah (Marlon Wayans) participate in this plan? How much NIL money does Cam (Tyriq Withers) already have? Is Julia Fox playing a witch? And, most importantly, is this a horror film? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Her (2013)-------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:David Ehrlich's C- review (IndieWire)"Him Has Got Style to Burn and Not Much Else" (Vulture)Goat: An Anti-Sports Horror Movie screenplay by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie"Julia Fox's Complete Dating History" (Harper's Bazaar)"Nicolas Cage Explains his Dinosaur Skull Fiasco and Hunt for the (Literal) Holy Grail" (The Hollywood Reporter)"Dakota John

As is tradition, this week we're tackling the romances of all ten Best Picture nominees, from Sinners to Train Dreams! Join in as we discuss our favorite un-nominated romances, an unusually good(ish) year for Best Original Song, transportation logistics, and a few small beers. Plus: Are recliners bad for cinema? Why does Frankenstein look like that? Do we need to bring back projectionists? And is there any romance in Bugonia after all? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Him (2025)-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Oscars: Film Academy Establishes Stunt Design Award" (The Hollywood Reporter)"KPop Demon Hunters is Officially Eligible for the Oscars" (Associated Press)"Only Two Original Song Nominees to Perform Live at Oscars" (Variety)"Matt Damon Says Netflix Wants Movies to Restate the Plot 'Three or Four Times in the Dialogue' because Viewers are on 'Their Phones while They're Wat

Our series on Hollywood's pronoun films reaches its peak with a look at hte marriage between Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke in Jordan Peele's 2019 horror classic Us! Join in as we discuss Peele's striking visual sense, rabbit cinema, nontraditional weapons, and the movie's satisfying but controversial refusal to give real answers to its mysteries. Plus: Why does Nyong'o work so infrequently? How much time does the central family spend at this vacation home? How widespread is the tether underground? What's going on with Peele's next movie? And, most importantly, what real-life figure inspired Nyongo's voice as the villainous Red? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: 2025 Oscars Extravaganza!!!--------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this week's episode:"Jordan Peele on Us: 'This is a Very Different Movie than Get Out'" (The Guardian)"The All-American Nightmares of Jordan Peele" (Rolling

Our series on pronoun films jumps back to the 1950s for a look at the romance of the 1954 monster classic Them! Join in as we discuss nuclear fear, ant-shaped spacecraft, failed 3D, and the shamefulness of listening to podcasts. Plus: What happened to the little girl from the beginning? Who exactly do the ant scientists work for? Why are there so many movies about ants anyway? And, most importantly, do two women ever share the screen in this movie? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Us (2019)---------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Them! in the AFI CatalogTurner Classic Movies writeup"70 Years of Them!" (BFI)

We're headed into the sewers looking for love as we begin our new miniseries "This Whole Thing Smacks of Gender," in which we look at the romance of Hollywood's finest pronoun-based films - and we're kicking off with Andy Muschietti's blockbuster 2017 adaptation of (half of) Stephen King's IT! Join in as we discuss our own favorite King adaptations, Bill Skarsgard's performance as Pennywise the clown, the various versions of the movie that almost got made, and the film careers of Game of Thrones stars. Plus: How does this film compare to the 1990 TV version? What was Pennywise doing before humans arrived in America? What's going on with that one scene everyone (wisely) refuses to adapt? And what was up with all those clown sightings in 2016? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Them! (1954)--------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Cary Fukunaga Offers New Details on Why IT Remake Fell Apart" (

We're closing the book on this year's unfinished business with a look at the romance of Stuart Hazeldine's 2017 faith film The Shack, based on the smash novel(?) by Wm. Paul Young. Join in as we discuss the film's racially diverse godhead, Sam Worthington's struggling performance, and our own experiences attempting to parse the book's bizarre theology. Plus: Why was this movie such a hit in Brazil? Why does it have a rom com score? Is having the faith of a child actually a good idea? And, most importantly, could Bones have solved this murder more quickly than Officer Tommy and the FBI? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: It (2017)

We're celebrating a beloved American holiday by looking at the romance of Harold Ramis's 1993 classic, Groundhog Day! Join in as we discuss the film's iconic status in the time loop canon, the 1993 Saturn Awards, Andie MacDowell's film debut in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, and typical Bill Murray production stories. Plus: How did screenwriter Danny Rubin land on the idea of a time loop? How long was Phil caught in the loop? How much did he spend on his last day? And, most importantly, which holiday mascot would be easiest to kidnap? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Shack (2017)---------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:American Eagle Foundation live cam (YouTube)"Ryan Coogler Says DCOM Luck of the Irish Influenced Sinners" (Deadline)"The Secrets Behind that Other Tarzan Movie - the One that Earned a Dog a Screenwriting Oscar Nomination" (The Hollywood Reporter)

We're headed back to the Stone Age for a look at the (b)romance of Brian Levant's feature film adaptation of The Flintstones, starring John Goodman, Rick Moranis, and a whole lot of other comedy stars. Join in as we discuss our favorite background gags, the 1994 box office, the movie's infamously large writing team, and our complete befuddlement at Kyle MacLachlan's evil plan. Plus: How was John Goodman pressured into taking the role of Fred? Why didn't Barney know everyone else would be at the restaurant? Why does the theme song play three separate times? And, most importantly, what about this was supposed to appeal to children? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Groundhog Day (1993)-------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Siskel and Ebert episode discussing the movie (YouTube)"Bedrock's Unsolved Mysteries" (Entertainment Weekly)"John Goodman Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters" (GQ on YouTub

We're dipping once more into the graveyard of failed franchises with a look at the romance of Stefan Fangmeier's 2006 adaptation of Christopher Paolini's novel Eragon! Join in as we discuss our own memories of the Inheritance Cycle, the film's lackluster visuals, the first round of Avengers: Doomsday teasers, and Avril Lavigne's "Keep Holding On." Plus: How long do dragons live? How much time passes during this movie? Why didn't it get a sequel? And, most importantly, where is the line between a genre trope and just being derivative? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: The Flintstones (1994)-------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Interview with Stefan Fangmeier at MovieWebInterview with Jeremy Irons at IndieLondon"Eragon TV Series in Development at Disney+" (Variety)"He Was a Teenage Spy, Surrounded by Treacherous Adults" (New York Times)"Shailene Woodley is Officially Passing on t

We're attempting to assemble a coherent romance from the incomplete parts of Chris Wedge's 2005 BlueSky film Robots - and mostly failing. Join in as we discuss impractical public transit systems, William Joyce's great character and world design, and our favorite (of many) fart jokes. Plus: How do robots die? Do they have souls? Why is this movie's premise so impossibly dark? Why do the female robots have nothing to do? And why was the Meet the Robinsons trailer so incredibly memeable? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Eragon (2006)------------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:"Robots Pushes Animation Envelope" (Sydney Morning Herald)"Chris Wedge and Bill Joyce Talk Epic" (Animation World Network)"If They Could Turn Back Time: How Tech Billionaires are Trying to Reverse the Aging Process" (The Guardian)"Startup City Groups Say They're Meeting Trump Officials to Push for Deregulated Freedom C

We're starting the new year with a look at our favorite movies of 2025, and also at DreamWorks Animation's 2015 film Home for some reason. Join in as we discuss Rihanna's acting career, Steve Martin's performance as Captain Smek, and the 2025 box office. Plus: What was the death toll of the Boov invasion of Earth? Who were our favorite weird little freaks? And what were the worst movies we saw this year? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Robots (2005)-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Almost Home prequel short (YouTube)"Building a New Foundation" (Animation Magazine)Tim Johnson interview with the Huffington PostTim Johnson interview at the Animation Home Network"How and Why Barry Jenkins Made Mufasa for Disney" (Vulture)“George Clooney Says the ‘Old’ but ‘Smart’ Ocean’s Eleven Gang will ‘Work around their Limitations’ in Upcoming Sequel” (People)"Adam Driver on Jarmusch, Star Wars, and Putting

We're kicking off the new year with a look at the romance of Richard Curtis's 2013 time travel romance About Time! Join in as we discuss our shared love of star Bill Nighy, a surprisingly comedic turn from Vanessa Kirby, and how to tell Tom Holland from Tom Hollander. Plus: How exactly does time travel work? How many English-speaking countries are represented in this cast? And why is Paul King directing a Labubu movie? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Home (2015)-----------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Richard Curtis interview at FirstShowing.net"White Lotus Star Tom Hollander Recaalls Accidentally Receiving Tom Holland's 'Astonishing' Avengers Bonus Check" (People)"Kate Moss Regrets 'Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels' Comment" (BBC News)"A History of the Donald Trump-Megyn Kelly Feud" (ABC News)"Orson Scott Card: Friend, Mentor, Bigot" (Wired)"Paul King to Direc

We're closing out the holiday season with a movie about trying to avoid it altogether: Joe Roth's 2004 holiday comedy Christmas with the Kranks! Join in as we discuss the surprisingly effective marriage between Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis), suburban paparazzi, a disgusting ham, and our least favorite decorating trends. Plus: Why change the title from John Grisham's novel Skipping Christmas? Is Blair secretly a villain? Is this a propaganda film in the secular War on Christmas? And what makes this a quintessential We Love the Love movie? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: About Time (2013)---------------------------------------------------Key sources and links for this episode:Roger Ebert's one-star reviewOfficial Christmas with the Kranks press kit"Joe Roth's 'Third Act'" (The Hollywood Reporter)"Megyn Kelly: Jesus and Santa were White" (Politico)

For this year's Christmas romance episode, we're checking in on the metatextual narratives of A Very Jonas Christmas Movie on Disney+! Join in as we discuss the standout performances in the packed supporting cast, the conspicuous use of the brothers' kids, the JoBros' long history on TV, and the dismal tie-in Yule log on Disney+. Plus: Who is this movie's intended audience? Why is the entire Will Ferrell family here? And why is the only good song the one that's bad on purpose? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: Christmas with the Kranks (2004)--------------------------------------------------Key links for this episode:"Hailee Steinfeld Reacts to Viral Buffalo Billboard" (Sports Illustrated)"A Full Timeline of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's Divorce Drama" (Cosmopolitan)Andrew Barth Feldman's musical tribute to Muppet*Vision 3D (YouTube)"Anger over Justin Bieber's Anne Frank Message" (BBC News)

We're headed across the country as we look at the surprisingly illegal romance of 1940's Remember the Night, the last film written by Preston Sturges before he became a director. Join in as we discuss this first pairing of Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, the sinister setup with Fat Mike, the film's ironically forgettable title, and ruffled undergarments of the early 1900s. Plus: How did this film drive Sturges to become a director? Why would Jack take this accused thief across multiple state lines? Why would anyone steal lug nuts off a car? And, most importantly, what punishment would Stanwyck consider appropriate for her character? Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Next week: A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)-------------------------------------------------------Key links for this episode:“Mitt Romney’s Dog-on-the-Car-Roof Story Still Proves to be His Critics’ Best Friend” (Washington Post)"Ex-Spouses Go to Court to Split Beanie Babies" (Los Angeles Times)Lux Radio Theatr