Not A Bomb Special Edition: Cougar Comedies (with Michele Meek)
Join us for an exceptional bonus episode of Not A Bomb Podcast! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the immensely talented writer, filmmaker, and professor Michele Meek to our show. Michele’s vast expertise in the world of teen sex comedies elevates our podcast with a trove on insights making this episode truly extraordinary.
This week, our focus is on a specific niche within romantic comedy: The Cougar Rom-com! We'll be exploring two films from vastly different decades that surprisingly share similar story elements.
We kick things off with 1989’s Loverboy. Directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey, as a male escort trying to make money to pay for college. The film boasts a remarkable ensemble cast but also grapples with some troubling 80’s comedy tropes that just haven’t aged well.
Hold on, there's an extra treat! We also dive into 2023's No Hard Feelings, a gender-swapped remake of Loverboy. In this rendition, Jennifer Lawrence faces imminent home loss and responds to a Craigslist ad aiming to assist helicopter parents in coaxing their introverted son out of his shell. While the film faced criticism for its age-gap relationship, we discuss if No Hard Feelings offer more depth beyond its wild premise.
Please check out Michele Meek’s website for all of her details and links to her work - About Michele Meek - Michele Meek, Ph.D. Also, pick up a copy of Michele Meek’s newest book, “Consent Culture and Teen Films: Adolescent Sexuality in US Movies.” Michele Meek photos are provided courtesy of Stephanie Ewens Photography.
If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at NotABombPod@gmail.com or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.
Cast: Brad, Troy, Michele Meek
Join us for an exceptional bonus episode of Not A Bomb Podcast! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the immensely talented writer, filmmaker, and professor Michele Meek to our show. Michele’s vast expertise in the world of teen sex comedies elevates our podcast with a trove on insights making this episode truly extraordinary.
This week, our focus is on a specific niche within romantic comedy: The Cougar Rom-com! We'll be exploring two films from vastly different decades that surprisingly share similar story elements.
We kick things off with 1989’s Loverboy. Directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey, as a male escort trying to make money to pay for college. The film boasts a remarkable ensemble cast but also grapples with some troubling 80’s comedy tropes that just haven’t aged well.
Hold on, there's an extra treat! We also dive into 2023's No Hard Feelings, a gender-swapped remake of Loverboy. In this rendition, Jennifer Lawrence faces imminent home loss and responds to a Craigslist ad aiming to assist helicopter parents in coaxing their introverted son out of his shell. While the film faced criticism for its age-gap relationship, we discuss if No Hard Feelings offer more depth beyond its wild premise.
Please check out Michele Meek’s website for all of her details and links to her work - About Michele Meek - Michele Meek, Ph.D. Also, pick up a copy of Michele Meek’s newest book, “Consent Culture and Teen Films: Adolescent Sexuality in US Movies.” Michele Meek photos are provided courtesy of Stephanie Ewens Photography.
If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at NotABombPod@gmail.com or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.
Cast: Brad, Troy, Michele Meek
Episode 179 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Step into the shadowy realm of Not A Bomb podcast, where we usually dissect the celluloid carcasses of the biggest cinematic misfires, searching for a glimmer of redemption. Emphasis on "usually," for this time around, one of our own sleuths botched the job, opting for a flick that wasn't just a cash cow but a darling of both critics and the masses.
In this Noirvember rendezvous, the fellas welcome back Josh from The VHS Files, delving into the foggy alleys of 2011's neo-noir opus - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Adapted from Stieg Larsson's tome and the 2009 rendition, this remake might just be the elusive phoenix that eclipses its predecessor. Maestro David Fincher paints a chiaroscuro masterpiece against the icy backdrop of Scandinavia, weaving a dark tapestry of neo-noir intrigue.
Tune in as the crew navigates the labyrinth of why this film is so explosive, discovering along the way that our host, Brad, is a bit hazy on the premise of his own show. Witness accountability in the dim glow of the studio lights as they unravel the enigma of choices made in the noir shadows.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) is directed by David FIncher and stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, and Joely Richardson.
Please sure to check out The VHS Files wherever you get you podcasts and subscribe to their YouTube channel - The VHS Files YouTube.
Step into the shadowy realm of Not A Bomb podcast, where we usually dissect the celluloid carcasses of the biggest cinematic misfires, searching for a glimmer of redemption. Emphasis on "usually," for this time around, one of our own sleuths botched the job, opting for a flick that wasn't just a cash cow but a darling of both critics and the masses.
In this Noirvember rendezvous, the fellas welcome back Josh from The VHS Files, delving into the foggy alleys of 2011's neo-noir opus - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Adapted from Stieg Larsson's tome and the 2009 rendition, this remake might just be the elusive phoenix that eclipses its predecessor. Maestro David Fincher paints a chiaroscuro masterpiece against the icy backdrop of Scandinavia, weaving a dark tapestry of neo-noir intrigue.
Tune in as the crew navigates the labyrinth of why this film is so explosive, discovering along the way that our host, Brad, is a bit hazy on the premise of his own show. Witness accountability in the dim glow of the studio lights as they unravel the enigma of choices made in the noir shadows.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) is directed by David FIncher and stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen, and Joely Richardson.
Please sure to check out The VHS Files wherever you get you podcasts and subscribe to their YouTube channel - The VHS Files YouTube.
Episode 178 - One False Move
"Keep an eye out for the snoopers, pal, and don't forget to grab your smokes and that special gal of yours. There's a new episode of 'Not A Bomb' in town, and it's drenched in Noirvember's shadowy embrace. These fellas, they're diving deep into the darkness, dedicating the whole month to noir flicks. And what's their opening act? The year '92 brings us a crime thriller so dark, it'd make the devil himself shiver - 'One False Move.'
Now, 'One False Move,' when it hit the streets, had the critics singing its praises like a chorus of fallen angels. But the greenbacks, they didn't dance to its tune, and the flick vanished into the abyss, forgotten, some say thanks to that upstart Reservoir Dogs. But don't you worry, chum. These guys, they're laying down the gospel on 'One False Move,' telling you just why it's got the soul of a true neo-noir, a classic in every sense.
So, slip into the shadows, light up a smoke, and let 'Not A Bomb' take you on a ride through the heart of 'One False Move,' a film that's as classic as a dame in a red dress."
One False Move is directed by Carl Franklin and stars Bill Paxton, Cynda Williams, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Beach, Earl Billings, and Jim Metzler.
If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at NotABombPod@gmail.com or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.
"Keep an eye out for the snoopers, pal, and don't forget to grab your smokes and that special gal of yours. There's a new episode of 'Not A Bomb' in town, and it's drenched in Noirvember's shadowy embrace. These fellas, they're diving deep into the darkness, dedicating the whole month to noir flicks. And what's their opening act? The year '92 brings us a crime thriller so dark, it'd make the devil himself shiver - 'One False Move.'
Now, 'One False Move,' when it hit the streets, had the critics singing its praises like a chorus of fallen angels. But the greenbacks, they didn't dance to its tune, and the flick vanished into the abyss, forgotten, some say thanks to that upstart Reservoir Dogs. But don't you worry, chum. These guys, they're laying down the gospel on 'One False Move,' telling you just why it's got the soul of a true neo-noir, a classic in every sense.
So, slip into the shadows, light up a smoke, and let 'Not A Bomb' take you on a ride through the heart of 'One False Move,' a film that's as classic as a dame in a red dress."
One False Move is directed by Carl Franklin and stars Bill Paxton, Cynda Williams, Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Beach, Earl Billings, and Jim Metzler.
If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at NotABombPod@gmail.com or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.