Grumpy Octopus

Ryan Romps Episode 2: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Our summer of Ryan Romps continues today with Sleepless in Seattle! It's Ryan and Hanks together again, and if you liked their chemistry in Joe Versus The Volcano, oh boy, you won't be seeing it here, as they will not be meeting. Or having scenes together. Hmm.

Can a rom-com work if the leads spend almost the entire movie apart? What if a rom-com is secretly just a movie about sad people trying to find some hope for the future? Is that what all rom-coms are? All these questions and more will be thoroughly dissected by us this week. Listen in to discover the answers, we have them! 

Ryan Romps Episode 1: Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

And we're back! Today kicks off our summer mini podcast of Ryan Romps! What better way to follow up a series of rom-coms than by watching multiple Meg Ryan movies? By the end of the year, we'll know this genre inside and out.

We're starting with Joe Versus The Volcano! Spoilers: the first half of this miniseries will have a noticeable Tom Hanks focus as well (a Hanks Hat Trick, if you will). But worry not, in this movie he is outnumbered by 1, 2, count 'em, 3 Meg Ryans! And all with different accents. There's a lot to unpack here, in a movie that's quite unlike any we've previously covered.

Why not throw caution to the wind and join us? You only have one life after all. But heed the wise words of Meg: You don't have to jump into that volcano.

Meyers Marathon Episode 6: The Intern (2015)

Hello hello! Today marks the final episode of our Meyers Marathon, focusing on 2015's The Intern. It's a funky little movie that proposes a hard hitting question: What if you were old and you had a job?

Ok, there may be a bit more to it than that. There's some family drama here, some crazy heist hijinks, possibly even romance (just a tiny bit). But really the main draw is Robert De Niro working for Anne Hathaway, giving out his old man life lessons on one hand and being introduced to Facebook on the other. Anyway, I'm not sure he even has a "job" really, just an internship. Are they paying him? I'm worried they're not paying him. He needs the money to buy more ties for his fancy tie rack, something you young people wouldn't know anything about, with your untucked shirts and loose collars!

Sorry, that sort of young people shaming is exactly the kind of behavior you won't see from Robert De Niro in this movie, since he's basically a total sweetie pie. Listen to the episode to hear us discuss his positive qualities at great length.

We're out of Nancy Meyers movies (for now), but we'll be back soon with more rom-com discussion, so keep an ear out!

Meyers Marathon Episode 5: It's Complicated (2009)

Happy Friday, Loyal Listeners! It's time for another episode of our Meyers Marathon, focusing on 2009's It's Complicated. And boy, is it. Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin are all here (to clarify, not on this podcast), and prepared to get themselves involved in many a farcical situation. This is the kind of movie that makes you think about the hard questions, questions like: When will Meryl's new kitchen be finished? How big will it be exactly? Can we see it?

Alas no, but some things are so beautiful that they could never be captured properly on screen anyway. At least we still have all that  wonderful Meryl food to look at. And some delightful low-stakes shenanigans to watch these characters fumble through. So many characters, what a big family Meryl has - hey, John Krasinksi is here! He's having fun, we're all having fun, nothing complicated about that. Look, it's a great time.

Still wish we could have seen that kitchen though.

Meyers Marathon Episode 4: The Holiday (2006)

Hello hello! It's been two weeks since our last episode, and we've recharged our talking batteries to podcast again. Hey, you know what else is a great way to spend two weeks? Perhaps try swapping houses with a stranger from another country! That's right, it's time for our Meyers Marathon to tackle The Holiday, perhaps the most beloved Meyers movie of them all. 

The Holiday is a gentle film about finding love and growth where you didn't expect it. Therefore, we will be pitting its various elements against each other in fierce combat. Whose house is better? In what country would you rather live? Cameron Diaz vs Kate Winslet? Jude Law vs Jack Black? Who will win?! Only one way to find out.

Enjoy listening, and remember that they're all richer than you anyway.

Meyers Marathon Episode 3: Something's Gotta Give (2003)

Ahoy hoy! Episode 3 of our Meyers Marathon is out now, covering the cranky and contentious Something's Gotta Give. Is that a description of the movie, or of Jack Nicholson's character? I'm afraid you'll have to listen to find out. 

If you do, you may learn the answers to many intriguing questions. Consider, can a man in his mid-sixties embrace commitment when he never has before? Is Diane Keaton the world's funniest crier? What kind of monster would dangle Frances McDormand in our faces and then cut her out of the rest of the movie? Did Keanu deliver some exposition just now, or did we get lost in his eyes?

Most crucially, something has gotta give here, but what? We may never know. It's alright. It's probably a metaphor. 

Meyers Marathon Episode 2: What Women Want (2000)

Hello there! Episode 2 of our Meyers Marathon has dropped today, which means your two hosts have gained some exciting insight that a lot of people would love to get their hands on. That's right, we finally know What Women Want! After all these years! 

Listen as we work our way through this mildly off-putting romcom that was honestly better than we expected given that it's a movie from 2000 about a chauvinistic man who can hear women's thoughts and also that man is Mel Gibson. The spirit of Nancy Meyers still peeks through the cracks here for those willing to look for it, and we've done our best to find her.

Meyers Marathon Episode 1: The Parent Trap (1998)

Good day! Spring approaches, and with it comes a new season of our Auteur Anthology, focusing on the one and only Nancy Meyers! Pivoting away from last year's theme of monsters, death, and depravity, we will now be engaging with the metaphorical monsters of romance and high end real estate. It's a Meyers Marathon, from now through May.

We begin today with Meyers' directorial debut, The Parent Trap (1998), a lighthearted romp where two parents attempt to traumatize their twin children by permanently separating them, and those children later attempt to drown a woman in a lake. There's also a cute butler. Listen and enjoy!

Del Toro Discourse Episode 13: Frankenstein (2025)

Happy new year! Today we have a (not so) surprising bonus episode of Del Toro Discourse for you! That's right, we're saying goodbye to the monstrous creature of 2025 and welcoming in the newer, more hopeful creature of 2026, as we discuss Guillermo's new Frankenstein adaptation.

Will this new film survive the judgement of our resident Frankenstein expert? What's larger, the Creature's height or his heart? How much of his funding is Victor spending on cute little outfits? These are just a few of the questions we try to wrangle in the extra long (sorry) finale (for now) to Del Toro Discourse.

And see you in a few months for something new!

Monster Mash Episode 6: Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Season's greetings to you! It's the laziest week of the year, and what better way to spend it than by listening to the final episode of Monster Mash, featuring the Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). He's a little funny looking, but he won't bite. Unless of course you invade his home, try to steal all his nice fossils, stick harpoons in him, and expose his entire ecosystem to toxic chemicals. Oh dear, it seems that our intrepid heroes have done all these things and more. Well, you can't say they don't deserve what happens to them. 

Please enjoy our discussion, and if you see any lagoon creatures this holiday season, leave them be.