Filtrer par genre
Welcome to Confessions of a Closet Romantic, a sweet and sexy show highlighting the smartest, most engaging romantic stories on the big and small screen — sometimes books— that share a common takeaway.
I'm a writer, former film student and book reviewer who has loved romance forever — those hopeful, heartwarming and dramatic stories about sex, romance, connection and love. I've always felt shamed for loving this genre, but not anymore!
Every two weeks, I'll be your ridiculously enthusiastic, gushing, affectionate companion as we explore a diverse range of sexy, compelling love stories. Romance lovers, never feel shame, and never watch alone! Join me!
- 99 - Serial Romantic: This is Me Now: a Love Story
I'm a J Lo fangirl from way back, and even though the title of her narrative concept film based on the album of the same name seemed ridiculously self-absorbed, I got completely transported by it anyway, because...J Lo. It's not just the story of her second chance romance with the person she never stopped loving, and has reunited with over the age of 50, it's a story about how she learned to love herself in the intervening years. I was also super invested in the making-of documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told. But if I'm being honest, that title gave me the ick too — until I discovered that was what Ben Affleck called the emails and letters written to each other as they were falling in love all over again. And just like that, all was forgiven.
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I freaking love the trailer for This Is Me Now. Irresistible! The steampunk heart factory with J Lo toiling away in a sexy tank top, and her homage to Singing in the Rain, are two of my favorite scenes in this short movie.
You don't figure stuff out when everything's hunky-dory — you figure it out when it's hard. Yassss, La Lopez. These trailers are absolutely compelling and were cut by a master editor — J Lo does not play. Bypass the title and get stuck into The Greatest Love Story Never Told.
I got this wrong:Variety actually says "J. Lo has earned more than $1 billion in box office receipts, and that’s just for her rom-coms." But I'm guessing her portion of that was in the multi millions.
Decider film critics can be counted on for the most succinct and mouthwatering reviews.
All you needed to know about the album, documentary and movie project.
"There’s something bigger here that I can share about what I’ve learned in these past 20 years, and when I’ve been making all these records about love, and trying to figure that out.”If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 19 Apr 2024 - 98 - Romance Replay: Second Chance Romance
I have the sweetest hangover that I don't want to get over. My first ever visit with my long-distance sweetie was amazing, he's already gone home, and we're already planning our next visit. I'm exhausted, but in the very best way, so I bring you a replay of my second chance romance episode, which I created a little over a year ago after I got on dating apps for the first time in years, hoping for a love like this. And then Twitter brought us together —once upon a time, it was good for something. Never give up, romance friends!
The Long Distance Romance episode that I mentioned.
And the Second Chance Part Two episode that I mention at the end.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 - 97 - Long Distance Romance: Going the Distance/What Happens Later
I'm meeting my LDR sweetie for the first time this week, after more than a year of online dating, and excited doesn't begin to cover it. Humans are spread out all over the globe yet hyper connected, so many of us will experience a long distance romance at some point in our lives. LDRs are thrilling and intensely romantic, but can also leave you open to frustration and pain. A decent lingerie collection, unlimited Skype, solid communication skills, generous use of emojis and regular video sex really helps. The characters in these movies love while distant in either geography or the heart, and their screen journeys have all of the intimacy, affection —and miscommunication and heartache —that's part of loving someone across the miles.
CW: miscarriage, sex
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"What are you wearing?!" There are many hilarious scenes in Going the Distance thanks to the timing of this fantastic ensemble cast, but there's plenty of genuine emotion too.
"I have a good life, but I never again met anyone who made me feel the way you do." What Happens Later is a poignant romance about missed connections and bad timing that surprises in quiet ways. David Duchovny and Meg Ryan are a perfect match for this style of overlapping conversational script, infusing it with gentle comedy, midlife weariness and emotional depth.
The ending is ambiguous, which makes the story feel light and hopeful, and if you watch to the end, you see Meg Ryan's touching dedication, which brought a lump to this romcom fan's throat.
When you look at stills from the shoot, you realize how beautifully lit and art directed What Happens Later is. It looks nothing like this dinky regional airport.
How to survive a long distance relationship and make it work.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 22 Mar 2024 - 96 - Spirituality and Desire: Black Narcissus
I'm a classic film nut, and there's no better example of overblown, dramatic and romantic Hollywood storytelling than the movie Black Narcissus, starring Deborah Kerr. Based on the 1930s Rumer Godden novel, it’s a story that shows how women throughout history have so often buried themselves in service to others as they sublimate their own feelings and desires — or more likely, find those desires shamed, controlled and punished. So let's celebrate Women's History Month by enjoying stories where women conduct even the tiniest rebellions against the oppression of their true selves.
CW: explicit discussion of sex, desire and religious belief.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
My guest, Violet Grey, blogs about kinky sex and spirituality at Becoming Violet Grey.And she writes erotica for the sex positive site BloomStories: "Intimate audio stories designed for diving deep into your pleasure."
The trailer for the 1947 Black Narcissus movie.
And a slightly different, thrilling and sizzling angle on the convent of Saint Faith.
The enduring allure of erotic masterpiece Black Narcissus
The first edition book jacket of the novel is stunning.
And so is the classic 1911 perfume on which the title is based.
Rumer Godden was quite a woman.
Rumer Godden converted to Catholicism late in life, and a few of her 60 works of fiction and nonfiction, like Black Narcissus, explored the mystical, spiritual and practical aspects of religious life.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 - 95 - Think Pink: Barbie Part 2
In this episode, I'm joined by my romance friend Mariah to gush, giggle, get deep and then frothy again about the Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, directed by Greta Gerwig. It was the most mega of mega movie hits last year, now Oscar nominated in many categories, and well deserved. It's been a long time since a movie has made me laugh and think this much, and we just can't stop talking about it.
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There are more clips and even more delicious gushing in my recent Boss in Pink: Barbie (Part 1) episode.
This is one of my favorite scenes in the movie, which I mentioned early on, but just couldn't fit into the episode. Who am I kidding: the whole movie is my favorite scene.
The Margaret Atwood poem that Mariah mentions is You Begin.
Every single person on the planet: If you haven't seenBarbieyet, please do. And then let us know what you think.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 23 Feb 2024 - 94 - Hotter Than Ever
My favorite shows, books or movies feature women over the age of 40 finding sensuality, romance and connections of whatever type they desire. Unfortunately, society likes to pretend that women — especially older women —don't have desires. There aren't many examples of sexy fearless aging in Hollywood once you get beyond the Book Club and Nancy Meyers movies, shows like And Just Like That and Grace and Frankie, all of which feature the movie industry stable of "acceptable older actresses." That doesn't stop me from constantly searching for any romantic story featuring not-young, but wise, experienced, sexy women. Erin Keating, host of the Hotter Than Ever podcast, spent her career in TV development and has thoughts about all of this. We dish, get deep, and have fun chatting about what sexy and authentic women's lives look like after a certain age, on screen and off.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
On Hotter Than Ever, Erin Keating has fascinating, wide-ranging conversations with women who "broke the rules and reshaped their lives for the better." She also talks about career, ambition, reinvention, relationships, divorce, dating, sex (and more sex), aging, body image and more "in a frank, irreverent way that also manages to be deep as f*ck." So true.
I absolutely loved her intimate, vulnerable episode from last fall, "Making Peace with Divorce and Opening Your Heart to Love."
I briefly mentioned The Old Lady Project in this episode. It's an initiative to encourage the development of screenplays, scripts and theatrical works with "significant parts for women older than 50, a demographic that is mostly unseen in mainstream media."
The "bottle" movie that Erin mentioned isGood Luck to You, Leo Grande, starring Emma Thompson. I did anentire episode on this fantastic movie a couple of years ago, and if you like stories about sexy, gorgeous, complicated women of a certain age, don't miss it.
Personally, I've never seen a Nancy Meyers movie that I haven't loved, especially because of how sexy and authentic and messy her middle-aged women characters are.
Katee Robert writes the most intelligent, sizzling hot, and kinky romantic erotica. Her Dark Olympus series is not to be missed.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 09 Feb 2024 - 93 - Boss in Pink: Barbie
I'm one of the last remaining people on planet earth to see this amazing movie, and it still managed to surprise me, even after all the hype. I love Greta Gerwig, I love her courage in telling a story about feminism and patriarchy using Bazooka pink, candy colors and a beloved, if stereotypical, doll. And I love Barbie even more now after learning about her modern diversity and variations. For a doll that's survived more than 60 years, transformed amid many cultural changes, and is still selling in the millions each year, she remains an inspiration.
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The Barbie trailer — but you will want to see the whole thing. Maybe many times.
How Greta Gerwig and her Oscar-nominated art directors created Barbieland and all those fantastic Dreamhouses.
Greta Gerwig may not have gotten an Academy Award nomination as Best Director, but Barbie is nominated for Best Picture, which I forgot to mention, so that's pretty fantastic. In my Barbie Part Two episode, we'll talk about the fantastic America Ferrera performance in this movie, for which she's received an Oscar nomination.
The fascinating history and evolution of Barbie.
More fun facts on Barbie.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 26 Jan 2024 - 92 - Hanukkah Hijinx: Round and Round
It's a holiday miracle: I've finally watched one of the most perfect Hallmark holiday movies I've ever seen, with stellar writing, directing, editing, and acting. The story is heartfelt, it has relatable stakes, it's romantic and touching and funny: everything a holiday movie should be. Not surprisingly, it's inspired by one of my favorite romcoms of all time, Groundhog Day, the original time-loop romance. I rooted for all of the characters, and the central romance, from the first moments of this movie, and also got very very hungry for latkes with applesauce and jelly donuts.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
"A romcom where a magic dreidel causes a woman to get stuck in a Hanukkah time loop and I know what you're thinking but it's so good."
A little preview to hold you over until it's re-broadcast a bit later in the month.
I was invited to a friend's house for Hanukkah one year and their sweet son was so excited to teach me how to playthe dreidel game.
Mouthwatering recipes for Hanukkah celebrations,including a recipe for homemade jelly doughnuts or sufganiyot. I'll take mine with Nutella, please.
"Journalist" Vic Michaelis stars in Very Important People, interviewing "the most interesting people in society today" all played by comedians given an elaborate, surprise makeover, complete with latex masks, to help them invent a new character on the spot.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 14 Dec 2023 - 91 - Darkly Funny Connection: Shiva Baby
There's no way to exactly describe the dark and hilarious debut dramedy Shiva Baby except to say: you giggle at what should be sad, feel heartbroken for what should be exciting, become annoyed with the emotional meddling, and end up a ball of stress and tension — until the twists and turns of this darkly comic plot unwind the whole thing, ending with a painfully hysterical moment and heartwarming queer romance in the making. With an emotional roller coaster loaded with relatives and lovers like these, who needs enemies? By the end of the movie, it only proves that laughter is therapy.
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Shiva Baby is a little over an hour and well worth seeing, but if you only have a minute, the trailercaptures some of its unique flavor.
Rachel Sennott would love to "help other young women write or act in comedy" and girl, you're a fresh, generous, delightful soul. Her journey into acting and comedy —and this movie —is such a sweet wholesome story.
"Women decode sexual messaging from a young age...They have to process what sex means, what it can do for them, what it should do for them, what they’re supposed to do for it...and I’m interested in how women figure it out." An interesting interview with director and writer Emma Seligman.
A beautiful explanation of the meaning and ritual of the ancient Jewish tradition of sitting shiva.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 30 Nov 2023 - 90 - Shipboard Romance
How I love a romance set aboard a luxury cruise ship or ocean liner, especially classic movies set on ships in the early to mid 20th-century, a heyday of ocean travel. The coziness, the leather luggage with a separate toiletries case, the cute staterooms and cabins, the service, people dressing for elegant dinner and dancing, the endless ocean views, and falling asleep rocked by waves...of course, in this dream, I'm on the Cunard Line in a massive luxury suite with full balcony, and my sweetie is right by my side as we sail to some exotic location. Shhhhh — don't wake me up.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
All you ever wanted to know about the history of the ocean liner.
Movies in this Episode
Let Them All Talk
Like Father
An Affair to Remember
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Now, Voyager
The Lady EveOne Way Passage is a 1932 melodrama starring William Powell as an escaped murderer traveling on a ship from Asia to America to face charges. He persuades the detective supervising him to remove his handcuffs so he can flirt with a beautiful woman he’s met on board, played by Kay Francis, who's in the final stages of a fatal illness. She doesn't know about him and he doesn't know about her as they fall in love. Sob.
Romance on the High Seas is a ridiculously delightful romcom farce of mistaken identity on board an ocean liner, starring Doris Day in her first movie role.Dodsworth is a romantic drama about mid-life and second chances starring Walter Houston as a Midwest auto manufacturer who sells his lucrative company and sails to Europe for the trip he’s always wanted. Except he’s traveling with his self-centered, shallow wife, brilliantly played by Ruth Chatterton, and his affection for her is fading fast. When she begins having an affair on board right under his nose, he surprises himself by falling in love with a grounded, compassionate, free-spirited American woman also traveling on the ship, played by Mary Astor. Maybe you have to be a certain age, but I absolutely love the satisfying happy ever after in this movie. It was made in 1936 but still feels fresh today.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 16 Nov 2023 - 89 - Gothic Romance: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde/Mary Reilly
It's Halloween week, and time to confess that I'm strangely attracted to Gothic horror stories and creepy "romance," especially the many interpretations of the fascinating classic 19th century novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Each filmmaker and writer present different themes in their Jekyll and Hyde adaptations, from gender and sexual politics, personal ethics and morality, to abusive patriarchal structures and class and power inequities. The original story featured only men, but that hasn't stopped many modern adaptations of the story from featuring women as a romantic plot point and catalyst for Mr. Hyde's deeply disturbing and scary nuances.
CW: brief scenes and mentions of physical, sexual and psychological abuse
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Chat with me on Threads: poppy_confesses
Recognizing domestic violence and abuse is the first step.
Do you recognize the signs of dating violence and abuse?
Spark Notes has the full text of the novellaand explorations of its themes and motifs.
"A strange story of mystery and adventure, love and laughter" says the trailer for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941). I haven't laughed once in all the times I've watched this movie, but there's plenty of mystery, suspense and spookiness.
Here's the "cheap little dreams" scene from the 1941 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde movie. Spencer Tracy is seriously creepy-evil and poor Ingrid had tried to get away from his abuse for weeks and months.
"...[Stevenson] did not wish to have the allegory rigidly defined. 'Everything is true,' he told Sidney Colvin, 'only the opposite is true too; you must believe both equally or be damned."Fascinating look at the many interpretations and adaptations of the Jekyll and Hyde story.
This scene from Mary Reillyrepresents the undercurrent of class, intimacy, sexuality, passion and veiled threat that this version brings to the story. Honestly Malkovich is terrifying but Julia Roberts is unflappable as Mary.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 02 Nov 2023 - 88 - Romance in the Buff: Naked Attraction
Selecting potential mates based strictly on physical attributes is definitely a vibe —as seen on the UK dating show Naked Attraction, which has recently started streaming in the US. As expected with a TV show that features full frontal nudity, it's inspiring quite a lot of discussion :)
So I invited my UK-based sweetie (a.k.a. Mr. Bingley, a perfect nickname, because he's ridiculously kind, like the Jane Austen character) to discuss the nuances with me, because he has seen every episode of every season of this show. By day, he's an educator and gives presentations to college students on safe sex, consent, diversity and acceptance, among many other topics. He really likes the show, I really kind of didn't, and we come to some interesting conclusions about it.
CW: explicit discussions of genitalia and sexual activity
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My episode on the drama and romance of dating showswith Jennifer of the Every Romcom podcast.
The Naked Attraction trailer for the US audience, with naughty bits covered.
The full Monty, Naked Attraction S11 ep05 episode that I featured in my episode. You know what? I couldn't stop watching this one.
Season 5 episode 2of Naked Attraction features Judith, a 57-year-old sexually open Christian chorister who is looking for a partner. To say her appearance was polarizing is an understatement (you go, Judith). The show has been fairly diverse with queer, polyamorous, disabled, trans and older contestants.
The Decider "stream it or skip it" review of Naked Attraction.
Apparently, plenty of Americans have now said: stream it! "The people have spoken and they want to see the peen."
This review from a few years back decides that the show is cringeworthy in parts, but also "curiously heartening" and "a force for good." I think I would agree.
Small exposures to body positive content can improve body image, according to research by the University of New South Wales. "They found women aged 18–25 who viewed body positive posts daily over a 14-day period reported a decrease in body dissatisfaction and less tendency to compare their appearance with others. Their improvements in body image were also maintained four weeks after viewing the content."If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 19 Oct 2023 - 87 - Romance Replay: Love Over 40
I just saw Book Club: The Next Chapter, a frothy, fun and flirty sequel to Book Club, a movie I talked about in this episode, and I'll feature the sequel in an upcoming episode. This time, the besties end up in Italy and it's a sweet and sexy exploration of long-term friendship, shared adventures, and finding your romantic bliss by taking a chance with the help of friends who almost know you better than you know yourself. They sip Prosecco in a Roman café, travel by water taxi to a Venetian palazzo, have a multi-course dinner lit by lanterns in a stunning Tuscan setting, and basically get horny for the Italian countryside. These ladies know how to live, and they look fantastic doing it. Ciao bella.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 - 86 - Quick Look: the Trope-y Romcom Goodness of Love at First Sight
I'm not a snob when to comes to romantic tropes. I don't discriminate: the more outlandish the better, and I love them all. Every beat might be as familiar as the back of my hand, but my attitude is: bring it on again. It's even better when there are little refreshing updates to beloved romcom plots, like in the new Netflix movie Love at First Sight. This unimaginative title promises the most smarmy movie experience ever, but it turns out to be a tender, warmhearted, romantic story about different kinds of love, fate, and the bravery it takes to embrace it all.
(I tried to make this episode spoiler-free, but if you're good at picking up clues, you might want to watch the movie first).
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For once a really good trailer that communicates the fun and irresistible romance of this movie but doesn't hint at the emotional plot points at the center of the story. Gold stars all around.
And for those who appreciatea really good spoiler synopsis (whoops, Oliver didn't miss his flight, Hadley joined him on his —insert googly heart eyes here in place of my brain).
The script is co-written by Jennifer E. Smith, based on her YA romance The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. The entire cast is delightful.
I certainly don't agree with all opinions in this movie review, but one thing I do agree with: Haley Lu Richardson needs to star in more romcoms.
"Do people really meet and in moments simply know they're meant to be? New evidence suggests: Yes, they do."Psychology Today on the phenomenon of love at first sight.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 21 Sep 2023 - 85 - Romantic, Painterly Psychological Thrillers: The Essex Serpent/The Beguiled
Is it Halloween yet? If it's getting cooler where you live, too, let's brew some tea or pour some hot chocolate or hot cider and snuggle on the sofa with two of the most atmospheric, painterly, creepy yet oddly feminist and romantic movies I've ever seen. CW: brief references to marital physical abuse and graphic 19th century medical techniques.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
A ghostly figure, an escapee from the local asylum, a forced marriage to a violent lunatic, and an intrepid woman who insists on wearing trousers while she's solving the mysteries: this creepy limited series, based on the classic 19th century novel by Wilkie Collins, has it all. If you're into romantic suspense, don't miss The Woman in White. The 1948 version is a delicious, edge of your seat creepfest as well.
Oh this trailer for The Essex Serpent makes me want to start watching it all over again. Look at those mysterious, gorgeous, painterly shots! The music is so eerie and evocative, too. It's based on the award winning, best-selling novel by Sarah Perry.
Watching the trailer for The Beguiledmade me realize that Colonel McBurney comes into the house carried by the women, and leaves the house the same way. The Beguiled is full of luscious symbolism and gorgeous fairytale shots that lull you into a false sense of security, which only ratchets up the suspense.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 07 Sep 2023 - 84 - Love Bomb: You Hurt My Feelings
I'm a huge fan of the films of Nicole Holofcener, and her latest is another lo-fi, funny, thoughtful story for anybody who's ever tried to make a romantic, platonic, sibling or parental relationship thrive. Is it ever okay to tell a little white lie to the people we love to spare their feelings? When is it okay to fib a little? Do blunt honesty, the unvarnished truth, or our brilliant but unsolicited opinions make people feel appreciated and loved, or is the truth a little more complicated?
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The intense intimacy, affectionate humor and heartache of You Hurt My Feelings is a gorgeous emotional smorgasbord.
An interview with writer/director Nicole Holofcener (not "holofcenter," as I said in the episode :(.
"The problems at the center of “You Hurt My Feelings” may seem insignificant from the outside, but when they happen to you, they’re seismic." Afantastic review of the film by Christy Lemire.
So exactly how should we give constructive criticism to someone we love? Some actionable tips here. Julia Louis Dreyfus does a beautiful job of acting out emotional flooding in this movie.
In case you have an artistic friend or lover: Pixar's 7 essential steps to giving creative feedback.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 24 Aug 2023 - 83 - Surf's Up: the Sensual Romance of Surfing
Ever since I first saw 1959's Gidget rerun on TV, I thought surfing and beach culture looked like the most fun you could have all summer. I might be an outsider still but my surf crush continues with every surfing movie or documentary that comes along, and the crazy-sexy fictional or real-life characters who make riding multi-story ocean waves look like a beach picnic. How could you not fall in love?
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies
The one and only Gidget, the story of the "beach generation." Moondoggie's right: there is no next best thing to love!For many, Point Break (1991) with Keanu Reeves is the ultimate rush — and surfing movie. I prefer thetechnically impressive 2015 remake: it's an irresistible band of brothers story with romance and a bunch of gorgeous, knuckleheaded, uber-talented adrenaline junkies who have you rooting for them from word go. The trailer alone gives me a stomachache!
"This is more than about surfing — it's about the choices you make in life."Chasing Mavericks is a feel-good story about found family, the roles we're sometimes given, and the passions that make all of us tick.
Supposedly, it's a "teen drama" set in a surfing town in Australia, which is why I even started watching Surviving Summer, but I got sucked right into the clever script, acting, editing and gorgeous production values.
Blue Crush is the ultimate summer surf-and-sand romantic drama.
Documentaries
The Endless Summer (1966) is the granddaddy of surfing documentaries, and it's totally groovy.
The "girl gang" in the new 4-part documentary Surf Girls: Hawaiiare barely into their 20s and yet so impressive, wildly talented and completely awesome.
The sound design, pacing and incredible surfing skills and photography on display in the multi-part documentary 100 Foot Wave keep you on the edge of your seat.
One version of the Ozaki Eight based on the Point Break remake. It's definitely one way to "honor the power of the ocean." But I'll need to celebrate the ocean from the shore, on a beach blanket.
Find surfing oral histories, podcasts, virtual tours and more at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center online.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 10 Aug 2023 - 82 - Romance Replay: Year Round Holiday Magic: The Bishop's Wife
Summer is kicking my butt, and I desperately need to chill. Let's celebrate Christmas in July and enjoy a replay of one of my favorite episodes, about one of my favorite classic holiday movies: the romantic and spiritual The Bishop's Wife, starring my movie boyfriend, the dashing and debonair Cary Grant.
This story is the gift that keeps on giving: what if a gorgeous angel came down to earth to answer a bishop's prayers for guidance, giving him not what he wants, but what he needs, while falling in love with his earthly wife, making her feel appreciated, and charming the whole community as well? I can watch this movie at any time of year--it's always comforting, bringing back the coziest feelings of the chilly winter holiday season.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 27 Jul 2023 - 81 - Reunited in Love
It's almost reunion season — translated into stories, that theme seems to always include unrequited love and crushes, frustrated ambition, embarrassing attempts to impress, reliving lost youth, and shattered dreams. Some are dramedy, some straight-up drama, but reunion movies have one thing in common: characters whose pasts collide with the present in endlessly fascinating ways. And the plots nearly always involve a search for connection, romantic or otherwise.
CW: explicit descriptions of sex acts, references to suicide, adult themes
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
TV Show
How to describe the first season of the anthology show The AfterParty?! Take one part Colombo, a dash of Magnum PI, a jigger of the most charming and cynical British whodunit, more than a smidge of Knives Out, the hilarious, streetwise, no-BS attitude of Tiffany Haddish set against an afterparty hosted by a celebrity for their high-school reunion, and you've got it.
Movies
The dancing in the kitchen! The deep affection! The musical beds! Reminisces and lost hope! The Big Chill captured a mood and a time, and the soundtrack and ensemble of gorgeous, talented actors was a big part of that.
"We can go to the reunion and just pretend to be successful!" Their simple plan goes gloriously haywire in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. Personally, I think this movie has become a modern classic thanks to the deliciously sarcastic Janine Garofalo, the daffy performances of Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as Romy and Michele, and this interpretive dance scene. The soundtrack is a perfect time capsule as well.
The Royal Tenenbaumsisn't nearly as precocious and precious as Wes Anderson's later films (which I happen to love) and maybe he's an acquired taste. But the quirky intellectual Tenenbaum children are supposedly influenced by characters in JD Salinger novels, and that makes them fascinating to me. I wouldn't want a reunion with this family, but they sure are interesting to watch.
This Is Where I Leave You starts with infidelity and siblings reuniting to mourn the death of their father, but that that doesn't prevent them from thrashing and fighting their way through some absurd, emotional situations. The script is subtle and quietly funny, leaning on the excellent ensemble cast to bring it home, and do they ever.
It reminds me of another excellent reunion film, The Family Stone, which takes place at Christmas, with siblings trading partners —unexpectedly of course, for maximum dramady.
I'm so not the demographic for raunchy comedy likeZack and Miri Make a Porno but I laughed out loud throughout this movie. Elizabeth Banks and Seth Rogen do such a beautiful job of anchoring the amusingly outrageous friends to lovers plot in their affection, and eventual love, for each other.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 13 Jul 2023 - 80 - Quick Take: You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
This minor Woody Allen film asks a really pertinent question for a romance podcast: do we fool ourselves by looking to the stars, horoscopes, psychics or fortune tellers to comfort and convince us that love is out there waiting for us? Or does this harmless belief in destiny help us survive a harsh and often cruel world? While possibly making us very annoying to friends and family? Gemma Jones is the sparkling center of this quietly humorous and often emotional movie about holding onto your own brand of spirituality and belief in unseen forces that just might influence your romantic future — as everyone else's romances crumble around you.
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As usual the trailer for You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger doesn't quite capture the playful, bright, sharp yet affectionate mood of this movie, and so much of that is due to its amazing actors.
"Experts say when accountability looks like individuals deciding whether they want to watch a movie or not, that isn't much justice at all." Excellent opinion piece on the complicated life of Woody Allen set against the cultural #metoo movement.
"I'm blue collar — I finish a movie, sit around for a couple of days, and think: what the hell am I doing? It's boring. And I start working on something else." Woody Allen answers reader questions for Time magazine.
A nice interview with Lucy Punch on developing the sex worker character Charmaine in the movie.
And finally, an interview with the amazing Gemma Joneson how she landed and developed her starring role — she was the emotional center in Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility, and she is very much the emotional center of this movie, too.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 - 79 - LGBTQ Love: Supernova/The Prom
I'm taking a closer look at two emotional and exhilarating romantic LGBTQ love stories to celebrate Pride Month. These movies are very different in tone, but are equally heartwarming and visually exciting, with incredible performances. I laughed, I cried, I danced and sang along, and you can't ask for a better celebration than that.
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Supernovahas a quiet confidence that lulls you to its poignant, inevitable conclusion, but its melancholy sadness doesn't detract from the grace and beauty of its love story.
"We're from Broadway!" Enough said. An inclusive DIY prom hosted by Meryl Streep and an incredible cast with buckets of twinkle lights, rainbow tablecloths, and fabulous music and dancing? Who could resist? Here's your invitation to The Prom.
The Prom movie is top-notch frothy yet meaningful entertainment, from the direction and production to the music, lyrics, choreography and incredible performances. Here's more information on the writers, producers, full cast and crew of this impressive collaboration.
I can't get enough of this song.
Ariana DeBose has been making quite a name for herself on Broadway, too. She kicked off this year's Tony Awards with the most amazing, jaw-dropping opening performance.
Background on The Prom (the Broadway musical) with the story about the real student the movie and show are based on.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 - 78 - Raunchy Medieval Romcom: The Little Hours
It's difficult to describe the tone of this bawdy, outrageously gigglesome medieval romcom: it's played straight, for laughs, while deeply subversive, satirical and quietly hilarious, just like its 14th century source material, The Decameron. The brilliant comic acting and directing maximize the satire, connecting ancient social norms with current religious, sexual and gender politics. The result is quietly magnificent. CW: kink and sex, religious satire
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Y'all! I cannot tell you how many times I've reread the Elizabeth Lowell medieval romance trilogy series. "Simon the Loyal has vowed never to love, for love makes a warrior weak..."
The Decameron, Vols. I & II (English translation) are available free as downloadable ebooks on Project Gutenberg.
Decameron Web, a project maintained by Brown University, is chock-full of interesting facts about the book and its text: its inspiration, the Italian culture surrounding author Giovanni Boccaccio, the motifs and themes of the allegory, and a fascinating look at sex and the clergy during medieval history.
This corny Virgin Territory traileremphasizes the bawdy farce and clergy gone wild of this 2007 romcom, also based on The Decameron. It looks like a soft porno about the Black Death, but seems equally randy if that's your mood.
As usualThe Little Hours trailerreally doesn't capture the complex tone of this movie, so let's take a look at a few scenes.
John C Reilly's face throughout this scenemakes the whole thing. Well that, and Dave Franco's innocent yet hilarious way of describing 69 and jizz kink to a priest.
Parts of this movie could be described as Sisters Behaving Badlyand no one behaves worse than Aubrey Plaza in a habit. She's a reluctant, eye-rolling bride of Christ in the most hilariously inappropriate way in this scene, poking fun at cloistered clergy's isolation, sexual repression and fear of the secular world in medieval culture.
A fun interview with Seth Meyers and Dave Francowhere he describes his wife Alison Brie's reaction to his threesome scene in the movie. Oh yes ladies and gentlemen, it's a hot one. Very little consent, sadly, but very hot.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 01 Jun 2023 - 77 - Bros-mance
Bros was a bit of a box office disappointment, but it's a fabulously funny, honest and sexy gay romcom. Fire Island may have gotten there first by also showcasing an entirely LGBTQ cast, but when it's about romcoms this good, everybody's a winner. We're finally hearing different voices in Hollywood (not enough), and seeing a diversity of people (not enough, but going in the right direction) experiencing on-screen romance and love, and it's about damn time.
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Fire Island is another funny, sexy and pioneering gay romcom. I covered it last year.
At last! A really fantastic trailer that captures the vibe of the movie!
Billy Eichner talking about how he came to write this movie.
The anatomy of that hilarious picnic in the park scene.
How Sleepless in Seattle influenced the Bros movie score.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 18 May 2023 - 76 - Sexy Dad Bod: the Evolution of George Clooney
What more could be said about witty, gorgeous George Clooney? For a long time now, George has been a worthy modern day Cary Grant, with all of the bantering sexy suave of that classic film icon. But I've noticed in more recent roles that George is moving into his rumpled cargo shorts phase (with just the slightest potbelly, still ridiculously attractive) as he adds more and more father figure roles to his hot little filmography.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies
This vintage trailer makes Room for One More sound like a sexually charged romp with the parents of a family of young kids, which it really isn't (thankfully). Though a desperate Cary Grant craving alone time with his wife for some private adult fun is quite the subtle and sexy subplot.
There's some icky sexist late 1950s patriarchal stuff in Houseboat but it doesn't take away from the chemistry between luminous Sophia Loren and gorgeous Cary Grant, who fall for each other as they team up to care for his motherless children.
Penny Serenade is a romantic melodrama that punches all of the right buttons, a story about a couple (Irene Dunne and Cary Grant) who can't get pregnant and decide to adopt a baby, with all of the struggle and heartbreak — and joy — that follows. The child who plays their daughter is insanely adorable.
Out of Sight is one of those amusing action-packed sexy capers that succeeds because of the fantastic ensemble acting and lively direction. As the two unlikely romantic leads, Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney —and director Steven Soderbergh —knock it out of the park. This movie is still memorable more than 25 years later.
Much like the Rat Pack original, the Ocean's Eleven remake is packed to the rafters with stylish, sexy, attractive actors projecting that super-fun-when-it's-fictional alpha male energy. George Clooney, as the insanely handsome, smooth, cocky and confident con man ringleader, is at his peak here.
The sad yet funny tone and deep themes of The Descendants coupled with the low-key, authentic performances and Hawaiian music underscoring the emotion, turn this movie into a quiet masterpiece. A young Shailene Woodley won awards and industry recognition for her portrayal of George Clooney's daughter Alex.
Ticket to Paradiseis completely predictable but also surprising in some ways, with amazing chemistry between the romantic leads and the excellent ensemble cast, which is how all good romcoms should be.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 04 May 2023 - 75 - Breakups and Makeups: High Fidelity/Rye Lane
The only romantic breakups I "enjoy" are fictional ones, especially if the couple makes up after learning something valuable about themselves and their partner. Nothing better than romantic reconciliation, but sometimes the healthiest outcome is going our separate ways, and we often discover that our best romance is with ourselves. Romcom realizations like these are much easier and neater to achieve on film, and that's probably why I love screen stories like these.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/
Movies
Begin Againis a quiet little film about artistic integrity and one woman's awakening to the romance she has cultivated with herself--- and who doesn't love Adam Levine in one of his first film roles as Keira Knightley's rockstar boyfriend?
It's hard to believe that the writer of Thor: Love and Thunder (Jennifer Kaytin Robinson) wrote and directed the sweet, warm Someone Great. I fell in love with Gina Rodriguez in this movie, and the trio of leads turn this into a charming story about the importance of friends in any life transition, especially romantic endings.
I loved every single second of I Want You Back and I shipped the pairing of Jenny Slate and Charlie Day from word go — as friends, as lovers, no matter what, I just wanted them to be in each others' lives. Even if they did act out pretty outrageously.
Is there anything sexier and cuter than John Cusack in his prime? Is there anything more hilarious than Jack Black as a supporting actor in pretty much any movie?! As far as I'm concerned, High Fidelity remains a romcom classic. And it was shot in my hometown, too.
Yes we've seen a similar romcom before (Before Sunrise) but the inventive way that Rye Lane is constructed — from the story structure to the editing and sound design —plus the setting and absolute charm of the leads, make this a refreshing, unexpected take on the trope.
I think two of the most emotional, philosophical and authentic movies ever made about lost romantic love are La La Land and 500 Days of Summer.
Cosmopolitan magazine has rounded up 39 of the best movies to help you get over even the nastiest break up.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 20 Apr 2023 - 74 - Beautiful Survivor: Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields
Warning: major gushing ahead! In this episode, I'm taking a look at the new two-part documentary Pretty Baby, all about the life and career of Brooke Shields. I think it's safe to say she was my first girl crush, and I still adore her. She's had a charmed but often difficult life, full of exploitation and some abuse, and has come out on the other side with her intelligence, sense of humor and groundedness intact. She's a survivor, and for that I admire the hell out of her. CW: emotional trauma, abuse of power, alcoholism, sexual assault.
http://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Thetrailer for the Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields documentary on Hulu.
Brooke Shields tells Vogue the story behind her iconic 1980s Calvin Klein Jeans ad campaign.
Yes it's corny but I really enjoyedSuddenly Susan
How I loved and adored Lipstick Jungleand will never get over its cancellation. Never!
Brooke Shields' book, Down Came the Rain,is about her experience with postpartum depression. She has also written a memoir about her relationship with her alcoholic mother, and some children's books.
Just take a look at all of the acting roles this womanhas done in her life!If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 06 Apr 2023 - 73 - Connecting the Dots: Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne
You know what would be fun? A trip to a planet where women's pleasure is a priority, and the fluidity of relationship styles, sexual orientations and identities is embraced at all times! In other words, let's journey into the candid documentary series Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, hosted by the supermodel turned actress and LGBTQ+ icon, documenting her personal and educational exploration of all things surrounding identity, sexual pleasure, romantic connection and why we feel how we feel as sexual beings.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The official trailer for Planet Sex on Hulu.
"Doing the show just opened me up to so much... Advocating is one thing, but being a part of the community and enjoying and celebrating your own queerness is different. I feel like I did that for the first time, and it was amazing...And it’s not just being queer; it’s being proud of who you are as a person, no matter how you define yourself." Excellent interview with Cara Delevingne in Variety on the launch of the show earlier this year.
Erika Lust is a Swedish filmmaker who has been a female-gaze erotic film director for almost 20 years. You can find interviews with her and trailers for some of her workhere.
Skirt Club is an international "exclusive all-female community for empowerment and sexual discovery" that sponsors events in cities around the world.
A brief glimpse at some of Cara Delevingne's movie roles (I love her acting).
Excellent article on how to explore your sexual or gender orientation or identity. Exploration is good!If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 23 Mar 2023 - 72 - Romantic Heartache & Lessons of Love 2: Hadestown/Ironweed/The Red Shoes
It's part two of our exploration of sad romances. This time, we look at the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Hadestown, which is--like Moulin Rouge--based on the ancient myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. I look at another ill-fated Depression-era love story, Ironweed, and another tragic art vs. romantic love story, The Red Shoes. And Oz, The Relationship Coach, stops by to give us some tips on handling heartbreak. All I can say is: have tissues nearby.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Guests
Follow Mariah Cotnoir on Twitter and Instagram @marcoots
Oscar Adrian is a relationship coach specializing in relationship break ups. Follow him on Twitter and get his post break up roadmap here.
Show
The incredible original Broadway cast recording of Hadestown
Clips from the Broadway show Hadestown.
The Hadestown cast performs a lo-fi NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
A wonderful animaticon the song "Any Way the Wind Blows" from Hadestown
Movies
Get your Kleenex out: the Ironweed trailer.
The entire "He's Me Pal" scene from Ironweed, complete with heartbreaking twist.
The famous British filmmaking partnership The Archers made The Red Shoes, among many influential movies, and it set the bar for ballets choreographed for the screen, including Gene Kelly's An American in Paris. The 1948 Technicolor is glorious. Watch the full movie here.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 09 Mar 2023 - 71 - Romantic Heartache & Lessons of Love 1: Moulin Rouge
Sometimes all you want is a good cathartic cry, especially if it's over love and heartbreak. In this two-part episode, I'm joined by romance writer and fellow heartache aficionado Mariah Cotnoir to explore two tragic love stories full of romance, beauty and much-needed personal growth. We've all been there —if we're lucky —and despite the pain, romance is still the best game in town, whether in lived experience or the movies.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Follow Mariah on Twitter and Instagram @marcoots
The classic Moulin Rouge trailer.
KT Hawbaker article about Moulin Rouge's roots in ancient mythology.
Another fantastic movie about the tragic sacrifices often required of an artistic life, especially for women, is The Red Shoes (1948). This lush Technicolor film is peak classic Hollywood romance. Watch the full movie here.
More about the Bohemian movement throughout history.
The fascinating background of the Nature Boy song.
A love story to rival all others.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 23 Feb 2023 - 70 - A Different Valentine: the Romantic Drama of Dating Shows with Every Rom Com
I'm back with fresh episodes featuring slightly offbeat romance, just in time for Valentine's Day :-) First up, a conversation with Jennifer Howell, the producer and cohost of the Every Rom Com podcast about the romance, drama and fun of reality dating shows. She's obsessed with them and I'm not at all, so exploring the format and culture of these shows was fascinating. And I learned that we both think intellectuals are hotter than gym rats (they really are).
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Jennifer cohosts the smart Every Rom Com podcast, which takes a look at a wide range of rom coms and romantic movies through fun facts, trivia, a feminist perspective and bubbly spontaneous conversation. You can find their archive, including our discussion of the classic movie White Christmas and their discussion of the movie Singles, here.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @everyromcom and Twitter @everyromcompodShows:
Love Connection
Elimidate
Love Island
Are You the One
Terrace House
Love is Blind
Naked Attraction
We didn't have time to talk about Sexy Beasts, the goofiest, most bizarre idea for a dating show, which turns out to be pretty adorable.
Rock has its supergroups, Netflix has its supershows, combining fan-favorite singles on one big cringe sounding reality dating show.
Jennifer mentioned:
Singled Out, the cult dating show, co-hosted by Jenny McCarthy, that ran from 1995-1998 on MTV. There have been a couple of reboots since then, including one in 2020 hosted by Keke Palmer. The vintage show hit some major decibel levels but the energy could only be described as manic fun.
Back in the Groove the hot post-40 dating-and-sexual-fantasy come to life.
Dating shows that celebrate couples of all ages.
13 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows and where to watch them.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 09 Feb 2023 - 69 - Romance Rerun: Romance After DarkThu, 26 Jan 2023
- 68 - Romance Rewind: Bedroom Therapy
I'm taking a tiny break this month to plan ahead and I'm re-running some of my favorite episodes from last year. First up, Bedroom Therapy, featuring the sexy and heartwarming movies Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and The Sessions (check out the original episode for more information on my guests and show notes).
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 12 Jan 2023 - 67 - Quick Take: How to Please a Woman
I am starting the year as I mean to go on, celebrating another mainstream movie, much like Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, that is focused on womens' capabilities, wishes, desires and pleasures. And not as a subplot, but central to the action. I think it's a very auspicious start to the new year. May this tiny trend continue!
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
It's their job to iron and mop and give orgasms—in whatever order the customer demands. Luckily none of this is illegal. They checked. The ensemble acting of How to Please a Woman is one of the best aspects of this sweet little ride of a movie.
I think this review gets it right—a solid three stars. This movie might not be about the most earth-shattering sex, the most titillating banter or Instagram-perfect moments, but it is about seeking out the sex life you deserve, in any form, starting right where are you are.
I was a bit unfair to The Full Monty in this episode —it's a similar enjoyment for sure, but there's something about a movie described as "crowd pleasing" that rubs me the wrong way—like knowing you're going to get smoothed sanitized stereotypes rather than some earthy authentic moments. I think How to Please a Woman balances it well. Not too shocking but not ready for Hallmark either.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 29 Dec 2022 - 66 - Year-Round Holiday Magic: The Bishop's Wife
So many holiday films in my rotation every year, and my favorites tend to be classic movies: absorbing emotional stories full of romantic, platonic and familial love, redemption arcs, and endings with joy and hope. The Bishop's Wife (1947) has it all, and it's a movie I watch throughout the year when I need comfort or inspiration. And you can't beat Cary Grant as an angel in a well-cut suit.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
More about The Bishop's Wife director, writer, cast and crew.
A fewfun behind the scenes picturesfrom my two favorite classic Christmas movies from Sister Celluloid.
OK this isthe most bonkers vintage trailerI think I've ever seen. But you do get to see Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young running around the film lot, so that's fun.
A sweet exploration into why this movie is an underrated Christmas classic.
If you don't mind ads, you can watch thefull The Bishop's Wife movie here. A Christmas miracle!If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 15 Dec 2022 - 65 - A Musical for the Lovelorn: Cyrano
"Yes, I'm in love. I dare." Oh this movie. I'm sobbing at the drop of a hat lately, and it turns out that a heart in love and cracked wide open is the perfect foil for Joe Wright's glorious, lush, emotional film, Cyrano. This sung-through musical makes the prettiest lovelorn cocoon, and Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett are a revelation.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/
The rich, romantic look of the Cyrano movie is just as compelling as the lyrical choreography, music and acting.
The main cast and director on the making of Cyrano. I am now truly, madly, deeply in love with Peter Dinklage, especially for his emotional singing, and Haley Bennettembodies pure passion and love as Roxanne. She even cries beautifully.
An interesting glimpse into the creative process of director Joe Wright, and what inspired him to adapt the Cyrano stage musical for the screen.
But what about that ending?If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 01 Dec 2022 - 64 - Quick Take: Kevin Can F... Himself
This dramedy-within-a-sitcom show is all about settling in life, marriage and relationships, especially romantic relationships, and then waking up to who you are and what you really want and need. I can't stop thinking about it, Annie Murphy's performance, the way it's structured and written — and that manic intrusive laugh track, which can just get the f.... outta here.
Kevin Can F... Himself isn't just a PG-rated title, but a symbol of a character who struggles to express her deepest, most troubling emotions about how her life has turned out —until the moment she decides that her dead marriage and small-town working class life isn't going to be the sum total of who she is.
I know it's called Everybody Loves Raymond but I've always called it Everyone Loves Raymond and apparently I can't stop now. I actually find it very very funny, a sort of laugh-until-you-cry —with recognition — show. Even when the stereotypes chafe, there is so much truth in them.
Fleabag is the most original comedy to hit the screens in decades. It's my reference point for groundbreaking writing and producing — well, until the next Phoebe Waller-Bridge comedy project, I guess.
All these years later, justice has still never felt as delicious as in the cameo-studded video for Goodbye Earl.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 17 Nov 2022 - 63 - Dating Romcoms: He's Just Not That Into You/How to Be Single
If you're the one person on the planet who hasn't heard: I've been on dating apps, and wow, I need to process. Let's do it together, shall we?! There's nothing more amusing than a dating romcom full of romantic disaster, then sweet gooey love at the end. Or that invigorating enemies-to-lovers story to get you in the mood to dive back into your matches. Or not.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
"Not surprisingly, men were more likely than women to rate hooking up as the reason they used dating apps, but they were also slightly more likely than women to say they used the apps to look for love." Are Dating Apps Better at Finding Love or Sex?
Ah, yes, that old playground for our anxieties, a.k.a. the love lab: How to Make Dating Apps Work for You.
Movies
First came the book, then the movie. He's Just Not That Into You has become a focusing romantic philosophy of mine, and has saved me plenty of heartache, too.
I'm not particularly concerned if Die Hard is or isn't a Christmas movie (it isn't). But using it as a tiny conceitin Love Hard turns it into something adorable. Well, that and the homage to the most famous scene from Love Actually and a truly awesome consensual version of Baby It's Cold Outside.
Rachel Leigh Cook and Damon Wayans Jr. have incredible chemistry in Love, Guaranteed but they aren't the only charming thing in this well-written, beautifully cast and well-paced romance.
I had forgotten how delightful and funny How to Be Single is, and I especially love the message about the value of messy, imperfect partnered romance — but also the value of learning to love yourself solo.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 03 Nov 2022 - 62 - Romances We Love: Juno/Before Midnight
From time to time, I like to ask people about the romances they love best, the stories that changed their lives or made them think about love and connection a bit differently. After meeting Danielle and Wolfgang from the Hello, I'm Listening podcast, I immediately wanted to ask them this question. Turns out that we all love a good coming-of-age story —plus their real-life romance started out with a meet cute, too, so I liked them immediately.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Wolfgang and Danielle talk about everything from how they met and relationships to mental health and trauma in their podcast Hello, I'm Listening. It's like a delightful and intimate chitchat with friends.
Named one of the American Film Institute's Top 100 American Films, The Philadelphia Story (1940) is also one of the best romantic comedies from the first golden era of romcoms. Awarded an Oscar for Best Screenplay, this story of a rich privileged East Coast woman learning hard truths about herself on the eve of her second marriage, with the help of her ex-husband and a down-to-earth reporter, never gets old. The acting, the sets, the costumes, the script, the snappy banter —it's all covered in fairy dust. Magical.
Juno is a moving coming-of-age story about a sharp, sarcastic high school student forced to confront very adult situations after she gets pregnant, and decides to give the baby to a local adoptive couple. It's authentic, warm-hearted and emotional, thanks to a magical combo of music, acting, direction and semi-autobiographical script by Diablo Cody, which also won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar.
Before Sunrise,Before Sunsetand Before Midnight is a movie trilogy and collaboration between Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and director Richard Linklater, tracing the ongoing story of how Jesse and Celine fell in love one night in Vienna, reconnected years later in Paris and then finally got married. The trilogy is another magical story about getting to know yourself in relationship, and how one important connection can change you forever. I would be perfectly happy if we followed these characters into old age.
One of my early episodes, All the Words Romance, included the first two films in the Before trilogy.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 20 Oct 2022 - 61 - Second Chance Romance Part Two
I'm concluding my second-anniversary celebration with another second-chance romance episode, featuring movies about finding romance later in life, especially after sadness and disappointment. This theme is one of my favorites, especially as I get older and wade back into the dating pool. It's a funny and bizarre experience at times, but these movies give me hope that my second chance is out there—if only for two hours.
Movies
The Face of Love is described as a "psychological romance" and it's hard to describe its emotional tone: dramatic longing, new romance elation and bittersweet melancholy combined. In other words, my idea of perfect romance right now. I believe they did love each other, even if it was based on shifting emotional sands — you'll have to tell me if you agree. Warning: this is not exactly an HEA, but the journey is beautiful.
The Love Punchis the most ridiculous but adorable British farce set in motion after a divorced middle-aged couple, played by Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan, discover their retirement nest egg has been stolen through corporate mismanagement. How they get revenge and reconnect at the same time is delightful, but I would watch these two perform a diner menu, so perhaps I'm not the best judge.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up about a single mother (Christina Ricci) who gets pregnant from a one-night stand with a handsome man-child (Hamish Linklater), and their decision to make an honest attempt to make the relationship work, is a HFN (Happy for Now) romance, and refreshingly real because of it.
Marry Me is a super slick, commercial romcom, but I thought it was very entertaining, mainly because I was rooting for second-chance love for the middle-aged protagonists, winningly —and somewhat unrealistically —played by Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.
Dating and falling in love when you're older can be challenging, scary and push every single one of your buttons — and that's only the first few dates. Enough Said.
If you've never seen Bette Davis as an ugly-duckling-turned-swan after escaping her controlling mother and falling in love with a handsome, unhappily married man in Now, Voyager, you haven't seen one of the best second-chance romances ever made.Based on the best-selling novel by Sinclair Lewis, Dodsworthis the story of a self-made but unhappily married millionaire (Walter Houston) who realizes that money doesn't equal happiness after he meets a compassionate, intellectual widow (Mary Astor) and gets a second chance at true love.
Books
The slightly older, wiser, bantering protagonists of Beach Read and Book Lovers are a romantic delight.They're still young and gorgeous when they get their second chance but Bittersweet, part of the wonderful True North series, is a warm-hearted, hot, and passionate romance.
The Dirty Little Midlife... a.k.a. Heart’s Cove Hottiesromance series is the hot, sexy romcom we all want to star in at midlife —and beyond.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 06 Oct 2022 - 60 - Second Chance Romance Part One
I'm celebrating the second anniversary of this podcast with a two-part episode on one of my favorite romantic tropes, second-chance romance. In this case, it's finding love, sex and connection at a later age or after romantic or sexual disappointment. Older and wiser has never felt more hopeful as I'm talking with retired sex therapist and erotic romance writer Dr. Donna Jennings a.k.a. Dr. J, getting her tips for navigating healthy sexuality at any age. CW: this is a spicy, explicit episode, full of NSFW sensual sex talk.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Dr. J creates "sex-positive content to empower the sexually curious." Find links to her writing and newsletter here. And listen to replays of herTwitter Sexuality Space recordings, including the one about Netflix's How to Build a Sex Room featuringReSpark Pleasure Rooms.
ICYMI, check out my episodes on Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, How to Build a Sex Room and kinky romance.
Dr. J talks about the power of erotica for igniting fantasies and desires —or exploring new ones. Try some of her stories or check out this fantastic round-up of online erotica by Bustle.
Dr. J mentioned the sex positive community The Mon app, and the women's sexual wellness platform Rosy.
Bellesa is an amazing sex-positive one stop shop for sex toys, sex education, female-centric porn and erotica.
Kinkly is another fabulous sex-positive and kink-positive online sexual health resource with lots of information for kink and sex/orgasm beginners.
Kinky sex can be done solo. Who knew?!If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 22 Sep 2022 - 59 - Quick Take: How to Build a Sex Room
It's a NSFW, shame-free look at relationship and healthy sexual desires to celebrate the second anniversary of this podcast! I've grown along with this show, and I fully embrace the wide range of fantasies and desires represented in sex-positive romances, romantic movies, and TV shows — like How to Build a Sex Room on Netflix. I can't say enough about how lighthearted, fun, empowering, sexy and surprising this show is.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Romance After Dark is the episode where I explore my newfound love of kink in romance. There are some sexy, sizzling hot read-alouds in this episode too.
Learning from Romance Part One is the episode where I talk about discovering new aspects of my sexuality thanks to the romance genre.
How to Build a Sex Room takes you on a journey not only through private fantasies and desires and ways to stimulate them, but lots of fascinating relationship dynamics, too. All credit to the casting director on this show and to the producers for making it so inclusive.
Building your own sex room tips from host Melanie Rose. The first one is easy: just make your bed, and make it inviting.
I called it a "pod" but the correct term for a polyamorous group is polycule. I found that segment to be the most intriguing in the whole show. That polycule is so sexy, loving and affectionate with each other, it makes me want to join one myself.
Excellent round up of sex furniture including that sex chair! It's in my Amazon cart right now.
And a round up of sex swings. Just because.
And the pony chair.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 08 Sep 2022 - 58 - Adapting Austen: Netflix's Persuasion with Romancing the Story
Apparently I'm one of the few people on the globe who enjoyed Netflix's Persuasion with Dakota Johnson :) I take a deep dive into this adaptation with Sarah Gamez, romance writer, filmmaker and host of Romancing the Story podcast. We chew over what the filmmakers got right and perhaps got wrong in this version. And I confess that pretty much any Jane Austen adaptation is a good adaptation for me as long as it's billed the right way.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Sarah Gamezhosts the wonderful Romancing the Story: Writing Romance, Storytelling, and Business of Books podcast featuring interviews with authors and entrepreneurs discussing "storytelling structure, self-publishing must-haves, and developing narratives, while exploring different genres and medias as well as romance. After all, every story is a love story." Sarah is a marvelous interviewer and her wide-ranging discussions are fascinating.
Tony-nominated British theater director Carrie Cracknell directed this version of Persuasion, and co-writerRon Bass, also wrote My Best Friend's Wedding and Entrapment as well as Rain Man. Both clearly know how to stage a witty, romantic, emotional story with real stakes.
Netflix's Persuasion is a Work of Sneaky Genius. "For years, we Brits have peddled a superficial, Richard Curtis-esque version of ourselves in movie theaters across the pond in films like the Bridget Jones franchise, Love Actually, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral...The conceit was so effective that, really, it was only a matter of time before the Americans turned the game on its head and started serving Britishness back to us."Book
Download a free Persuasion e-book at Project Gutenberg
Movies/TV Shows
The one and only Bridget Jones' Diary
And the one and only Phoebe Waller-Bridge, writer and star of Fleabag
And there is nothing like S1 of Bridgerton
Or the 1995 version of Persuasion
Or the 2005 Pride and Prejudice!
My, how I love me a Jane Austen adaptation. And now, only if you're brave:Netflix's PersuasionIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 25 Aug 2022 - 57 - Advice Romance Part 2: The Truth About Cats and Dogs/The Ex Talk
It's more fictional and real-life advice in this action-packed episode! Isabelle Popp, a contributor to BookRiot, stops by to talk about her recent essay about romance novels, and Carly Lane, pop culture critic and "romance nerd" for Collider, Vulture and Paste Magazine, explores her upcoming book A Regency Guide to Modern Life. We'll revisit the vintage romcom The Truth About Cats and Dogs, a Cyrano retelling set against the backdrop of a pet-advice show, and take a peek at The Ex Talk, a contemporary fake dating romance about a relationship advice radio show.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Writers/Guests
You Are Never Too Late to Start Fucking is the best kind of advice: empowering, supportive, never prescriptive but inspiring and hopeful. Girl on the Netwrites the most honest, vulnerable yet hilariously funny sex positive posts and produces sizzling hot female-gaze audio porn. This essay is required reading for people over a certain age who are launching themselves again, or people who — for various reasons —may have never fully explored their sexual destiny.
Isabelle Popp is a smart, funny and thought-provoking essayist atbookriot.comand her essay Should Romance Novels Reflect Realities or Indulge Fantasies? is a must read for all romance book lovers.
Carly Lane is a pop culture critic and expert romance nerdwho channels WWJ(A)D (What Would Jane Austen Do?) for her upcoming advice book A Regency Guide to Modern Life: 1800s Advice on 21st-century Love, Friends, Fun, and More. The book will be published this coming February and you can pre-order here.
Books/Movies
This trailer for The Truth About Cats and Dogs has that frantic 90s style but don't let that put you off —my advice is watch or rewatch this romcom pronto. It's silly, smart, funny and ultimately an empowering story about platonic and romantic love.
Being a public radio nerd, I soooo enjoy the banter and inside baseball references in The Ex Talk. This fake dating romance about public radio employees who pose as exes to dole out relationship advice on air, while juggling semi-successful professional and disappointing real-life love lives off air, is delightful.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 11 Aug 2022 - 56 - Advice Romance Part 1: Romance Road Test
In the next couple of episodes I take a look at advice romance: fictional advice in a contemporary romance and a romcom set at radio stations, real life online advice, and a smart, funny new podcast called Romance Road Test.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
What will pull these couples closer together--or push them apart? In Romance Road Test, good friends Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg put romance hacks to the test in their marriages.
The show is a spin-off of their long-running, popular By the Book podcast. How to Be Fine: What We Learned from Living by the Rules of 50 Self-Help Books synthesizes lessons learned from hosting the show.
Here's anice round up of some of the best female online advice columnists in modern times. Not all of the columns are still running, and some have changed hands, but the archives are a treasure trove. Bye-bye Dear Abby.
"I implore you to do everything you can to connect yourself to peers and professionals who will offer you support and guidance. Doing so won’t likely make you feel great in one day. You might not even feel great in a year. But you’re going to feel a whole fuck of a lot better, I can promise you that. There isn’t any reason for you to be alone in this, dear one. You are not alone. There are so many people out there who will nod their heads in understanding and recognition when you tell them all the things you just told me."
Cheryl Strayed is one of the best online advice columnists. Her long-running Dear Sugar (not Ask Sugar as I said in the episode) is a modern classic for a reason.
Heather Havrilesky has gathered her Ask Polly columns into a book How to be a Person in the World: Ask Polly's Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life and that's not an overpromise. Her writing is vulnerable, sometimes raw, wise and full of compassion for herself and others, so chock-full of insight on the thorny issues of life, that I have bookmarked the majority of them. She narrates the audiobook and it's fantastic.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 28 Jul 2022 - 55 - Bedroom Therapy: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande/The Sessions
Sometimes what you need is a deeper connection, some bedroom therapy, a sexual experience full of healing. And sometimes that means going to the experts — at least those skillfully played by actors. I'm joined by friend of the podcast Diana and former sex worker John S. to help break down fantasy vs. reality and explore these fictional journeys to sexual fulfillment.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
I think anyone over a certain age who still desires healthy sexual experiences will feel the bittersweet emotional journey of Good Luck to You, Leo Grande right down to their soul. It's an intimate chamber piece that packs a quiet emotional punch. The incredible performances by Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack give this movie its emotional force.
It's hard to describe the funny, touching and uplifting emotional tone of The Sessions but there isn't a drop of pity to be found anywhere. The performances byJohn Hawkes, Helen Hunt and William H Macy aren't showy but they're exceptional.
"Sexual surrogacy is a therapeutic practice designed to help a person become more comfortable with sex, their body, and/or the emotional and physical skills they need for intimacy." Sounds like a lot of us could use that kind of therapy.
The market for male sex services has tripled in the last five years, according to one study. If my reaction is anything to go by, I'm thinking Leo Grande might now increase those numbers.
“It turns into a relationship,” a male escort says, “even if it’s only for one night.” Mmmmmm. The Sex That Women Want When It's Costing Them $400 an Hour: Eight Surprising Things You Can Learn from Male Escorts by Men's Health magazine.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 14 Jul 2022 - 54 - Quick Take: Fire Island
Happy Pride Month! Squeaking just under the wire with a quick take on this frothy, fun gay retelling of Pride and Prejudice, set in that historic LGBTQ+ summer destination, Fire Island in New York. What a sunny, cute, romantic romp of a romcom this is!
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There's more than a touch ofBoogie Nights in the look ofFire Island.
Joel Kim Boostertalked to Varietyabout how the movie was developed. His favorite romcoms are My Best Friend's Wedding and Clueless, so the guy knew how to put together a solid retelling.
Here's a taste of Joel Kim Booster's stand up. He's adorable, even when he's making fun of difficult topics.
Fire Island’s queer literary history is fascinating, starting with Oscar Wilde visiting Cherry Grove in the late 19th century.
Fire Island has a National Seashore andhere is a bit more about its fascinating history stretching back to the 1700s. It has a few structures on the National Register of Historic Places, and a long history with pirates and shipwrecks.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 30 Jun 2022 - 53 - Hot for Teacher: Romance in Academia
School's out for summer! I was a nerd and school and libraries were my happy places. Intellectualism, books and words were my religion. So it's no surprise that I'm a sucker for romances set in academia. The age gap and power difference tropes can be difficult to handle well but some romances manage to walk that fine line while bringing all of the absurd humor and steamy romance.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
MOVIES
Passionflix ("we find the most passionate content to satisfy our viewers") is like the Hallmark Channel for those who like their romance spicy and steamy. They adapt best-selling romance novels into original content and since the company is run by a woman and the films are mostly written and directed by women, movies that emphasize the female gaze are their specialty.
This trailer for Gabriel's Inferno is like a mini-telenovela, in all the best ways. Have an icy drink nearby.
There's more than a touch of Jane Austen's Emma, that novel of "young hubris and romantic misunderstandings" in the plot of Maggie's Plan. I love its brutally real modern exploration of the intersection--or not--of mothering, romance, commitment and career, all from a female perspective.
The name of Ethan Hawke's TED talkis "Give Yourself Permission to Be Creative." I absolutely love that he's sitting in a bar with string lights all around giving this "talk" which is more like a conversation. He's just too down to earth to wear that headset on a stage. This is the best nine minutes you'll ever spend.
BOOKS
I've only read the first Gabriel's Inferno book and while it isn't the best written romance I've ever read, it's definitely one of the most sexy and unforgettable, full of the juiciest, slightly naughty romantic tropes. Gabriel is an irresistible Stern Brunch Daddy.
When a student accidentally leaves a story in an essay assignment, detailing her most private and erotic fantasies, it could have meant total humiliation. Instead, The Professor is impressed with her talent and presents her with a choice that includes private tuition at his home. Whewwwww. Charlotte Stein writes steamy romances in a witty, elegant literary style that's pure catnip to me.
If you can't get enough of romance set in academia, Goodreads has assembled agood list. Some of the books feature large age gap tropes, so definitely check the descriptions if that isn't your thing. The Kiss Quotient and Only When It's Us aren't hot for teacher stories, but they feature a university setting and they're fabulous.
Charlotte Brontë even wrote her own version of academic love.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 16 Jun 2022 - 52 - YA Nerds in Love: Along for the Ride/Dash and Lily/Never Have I Ever
I'm tired of the grown-up world! Give me whipsmart, funny teens having adventures, falling in love and exploring how to navigate young adulthood — teaching the grown-ups in their lives a few lessons along the way. They're the inspiration I need right now.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Along for the Ride is the most warm-hearted, tender story about one of the biggest milestones in a teen's life. It's based on the best-selling novel by Sarah Dessen and written by screenwriter Sofia Alvarez, who also adapted the YA novel To All the Boys I've Loved Before for the screen.
Yeah I'm all grown up but I was thoroughly sucked into the story of Dash and Lily. The clue treasure hunt! The diary entries! Dash's distraction from his lonely Christmas! Lily finding her intellectual equal! The will they or won't they like each other in person! This is my idea of a perfect holiday story.
Sex Education has gotten a green light for a fourth season, which is good news because I feel like these students are my friends — despite the fact that they get lucky more than I ever have in my entire life.
High school sophomore Devi has a newly awakened libido that she's dying to try out in the hilarious Never Have I Ever. Co-created and co-written by Mindy Kaling, loosely based on her teen years, the series is full of her trademark vulnerable, warm-hearted hilarity. The third season debuts this summer.
I've covered Cyrano de Bergerac retellings in previous episodes and The Half of It, from writer-director Alice Wu, is one of the very best.
What do you do when you're a teen angry about the gender status quo? If you're the daughter of a former punk activist, you create your own radical feminist zine at your high school. That's Moxie! Directed by and starring Amy Poehler, with a screenplay adapted from the 2015 novel of the same name by Jennifer Mathieu, this show is comedy, a takedown of patriarchy and social commentary in one.
Enola Holmesis the teen sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, and she's inherited the family talent for solving whodunnits. When her eccentric mother goes missing, she enlists her brothers' help in tracking her down. Millie Bobby Brown as Enola is a smart, spirited wonder, and Henry Cavill in 19th century coats and cravats is pure hotness.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 02 Jun 2022 - 51 - Quick Take: Gentleman Jack
An announcement, and a quick take on the BBC/HBO co-production Gentleman Jack. This show is regency-adjacent romance reimagined, reflecting sexual identities hidden at the time, turning the period into an era where all love stories were represented and accepted. From the production and writing to the ensemble acting, it's thrilling delight.
If you'd like to leave a review or support the show with a tip, visit the top menu at
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I'm only partway through S1 so this Gentleman Jack trailerthrills me down to my toes. I can't wait to see Anne find love and come into her own as a talented industrialist landowner. You can binge the complete S1 on Amazon Prime, Hulu and HBOMax. S2 is airing right now on HBOMax.
More on the fascinating life of Anne Lister who lived in Halifax, West Yorkshire "... tucked into the foothills of the Pennine mountains in the north of England, the location of such well-known and beloved stories as Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre,and The Secret Garden."
I found out that director/writer Sally Wainwright is from Yorkshire as well and created two of my favorite UK TV shows of the last 20 years, Happy Valley and Last Tango in Halifax!If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 19 May 2022 - 50 - Sexy Mythological Retellings: Neon Gods/Mighty Aphrodite/Wonder Woman
We're going way back to ancient myths in this episode, taking a look at some books and movies that reimagine these eternal, compelling stories in a sexy-modern, romantic and exciting way.
Thanks to my special guest--listener and writer Mariah--for gushing with me yet again on this episode. You're the best!
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Books
Neon Gods is the spectacular Book 1 in theDark Olympus seriesby Katee Robert. Electric Idol is the fabulous Book 2, and the third book of the four-book series, Wicked Beauty, will be published next month. I'm beyond excited.
This episode included an excerpt from Stephen Fry's fantastic Mythos audiobook. It's a collection of Greek myths, retold by the beloved British writer, actor and comedian.
Movies/TV Shows
Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth is a classic book andTV show, and both are well worth the time.
I don't watch a lot of movies based on comic book characters, but I was absolutely stunned at how compelling and impressive Wonder Womanwas —both the movie and the title character, played by Gal Gadot (one day, I'll pronounce her entire name correctly).
Mighty Aphroditeis an ironic take on the eternal push-pull of love and desire. Not every joke has aged well but there's still a lot of clever charm in the story. Mira Sorvino is phenomenal — she won an Oscar and Golden Globe for her performance.
Lore Olympus is a super popular webtoon that's now being adapted as a YA animated series.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 05 May 2022 - 49 - The Romcoms of Richard Curtis
Richard Curtis romcoms are canon, and I've touched on them before, but now I'm joined by a special guest, Joe of the Right in the Schoolies podcast, to try to tease out why they work so well, and talk about the differences in UK and US romance and romcom humor. Let's dig in!
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Joe is a complete delight. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook and listen to his fabulous podcast Right in the Schoolies here.
I first fell in love withCatherine Cohen's modern idiosyncratic poetry, but never got to experience her weekly cabaret show in New York. That poetry vibe — along with hilarious songs and comedy —are captured in her new Netflix special,The Twist…? She's Gorgeous. I had a big goofy grin on my face the entire time I was watching it.
Movies/TV Shows
I first sawFour Weddings and a Funeral in London, and its warm, affectionate humor and found family tropes remind me of a very special time in my life.
Notting Hill isn't Richard Curtis' best, according to Joe. But as an American book publicist based in London, I haunted quirky little book shops like the one in this movie, so it has a special place in my heart. Plus, the found family trope in this one is epic.
To be fair, Love, Actually has lots of moments that I enjoy. Just don't make me sit down at Christmas to watch the whole thing.
Vicar of Dibley only got three seasons (and a few comedy specials) and each one is a delight. This little highlight reel of vicar Geraldine's path to Mr. Right just fills me with giggles. I think the reason this series works so well is the contrast between the seriousness of Geraldine's religious calling with her joyous search for love. Joe feels another reason it works so well is because so much of the humor comes from the quirks of English church and village life.
The Vicar of Dibley ensemble cast is fantastic but the late great Emma Chambers as the vicar's verger Alice deserves her own highlight reel. I CRY with laughter watching this.
Bridget Jones's Diary, cowritten by Richard Curtis, is based on Helen Fielding's best selling novel and it's full of those vulnerable, awkward attempts at love that Joe talked about in this episode.
Richard Curtis wrote the story for the sequel Mamma Mia Here We Go Again, and I like it even better than the original Mamma Mia movie. It feels emotionally deeper and I think the plot fits even better with the ABBA songs.
About Time is the most touching look at love and family and what happiness really means. In this romantic fantasy, an ordinary guy is given a family secret that allows him to travel back in time and redo past relationship mistakes. In true Richard Curtis fashion, there's a bit of sadness mixed in, but it ends happily.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 21 Apr 2022 - 48 - Slowburn Romance: Bridgerton/Sanditon/Bright Star
My favorite costume dramas of last year are back with sophomore seasons, and they're the slowest of slowburns. Will Charlotte get over the loss of Sidney and finally find someone in Sanditon who appreciates her? Will Anthony Bridgerton marry for love or family? I've thrown in one of my favorite slowburn screen romances, inspired by the love of poet John Keats for artist Fanny Brawne. This is slow but incendiary love — the opposite of instalove, but sexy and romantic all the same. (CW: film clips contain spoilers!)
Many thanks to Kristina, JM and Jack for buying me a coffee and supporting the show. If you like what you hear and want to support the show, send me a little tip here.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies/TV Shows
Bridgertonhas been a runaway hit on Netflix for good reason: excellent direction, crisp editing, emotional scripts, stunning costumes and sets, exceptional ensemble acting, incredible pop/classical music, and a wonderfully diverse cast. Oh and the wigs! Insane hairdressing.
Sanditonis based on the final unfinished Jane Austen novel. It's a fresh, modern adaptation and a costume drama lover's dream. Rose Williams as Charlotte Heyward is the central jewel of the excellent ensemble cast. Her friend Georgiana Lambe, played by Crystal Clarke, really comes into her own during this season.
This is a somewhat odd trailer for Bright Star. The overall mood of the film is more elegiac — stark and darkly romantic, which better suits the story. This scene, a bit longer in the film, is one of my favorites and represents the mood of the movie best to me.
Books
Bridgerton is based on the romance series by Julia Quinn.
My college seminar instructor would rap my knuckles because Keats' poem is actually called Ode on a Grecian Urn. You can find more of his famous poems here. Keats' lifewas tragic but also prolific, full of romance, friendship and beauty.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 07 Apr 2022 - 47 - Historical Romance Badassery
To celebrate Women's History Month, I'm highlighting favorite real and fictional badasses. Warning: I mention the word badass many, many times in this episode. Clearly I love me a bit of badassery. Women worthy of official biographies and iconoclastic female characters in historical romances all provide ready-made inspiration. I need as much of that as I can get.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Virginia Woolf's house on Gordon Square (4th picture in right sidebar). She had many gatherings of the Bloomsbury Group in that house.See the windows with the balcony in front? I sat in that room as an inaugural student in the Gender Studies program at University of London. One of my favorite memories ever.
Mariah mentioned the gender non-conforming writer and performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon
Books
For me there is nothing like reading about someone's life through their diaries.Virginia Woolf was a dedicated diaristwho documented the fascinating people, work and relationships that filled her days in the early 20th century.
She was also a talented essayist. A Room of One's Own is a groundbreaking, feminist classic.
A Week to Be Wicked is Book 2 in the witty, smart, sexy, sizzling hot Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare.
Mariah and I talked about Brazen and the Beast, Book 2 in the Barenuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean.
I read from At His Lady's Command by Nicola Davidson, part of the Surrey Sexual Freedom Society novella series.It's one of the hottest historical romances I've ever read.
Movies/TV Shows
Orlando is visually sumptuous and totally intriguing, as is the Virginia Woolf novel it's based on. The movie's gorgeous ethereal music was co-written by director Sally Potter.
Wynonna Earp is thrilling, a bit scary and thoroughly absorbing.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 24 Mar 2022 - 46 - Brave Romcomedy
I'm celebrating International Women's Day with a round up of comedy badassery by Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Jenny Slate, Rose Matafeo, and Iliza Shlesinger. Whether it's a romcom movie, TV show, blog, book, or live special, these writers are funny, raunchy, honest and real when talking about their lived experiences. They're badass inspiration. (CW: lots and lots of profanity, mentions of body image, brief mention of drug use, and lots of juicy sex talk.)
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
This episode featured a section from "Bring Me Tequila and Your Dick" an audio porn story from the smart, sexy, funny, real and really kinky Girl on the Net.
Movies/Comedy Specials/Audiobooks
Ali Wong has never been better in her hilarious Netflix comedy special Don Wong. Baby Cobra is also wet-the-pants funny. Just me?!
The friends to lovers trope in Always Be My Maybe is so heartwarming. Ali Wong's chemistry and banter with Randall Park is smart and delicious.
Michelle Buteau has hilarious laid-back comic timing as Ali Wong's best friend in that romcom, and she's a really good standup comic too.
You can count on Amy Schumer to be scathingly honest in her observational comedy, especially while exploring marriage and pregnancy in her mid-late 30s. She dishes it all like a boss in Growing. I really like her low-key vibe, too, as she narrates her life stories in The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.
A big part of Iliza Shlesinger's sharp, smart comedy is her physicality—especially the voices and faces she makes. Elder Millennial is a great example. She narrates the audio version of her book of essays Girl Logic and it's fantastic.
I fell in love with Jenny Slate in the romcom I Want You Back, and then fell in love with her all over again watching her comedy specialStage Fright.
I can't count the ways I love the goofy charming antics of Starstruck. Rose Matafeo is a curvy, self deprecating and hilarious emotional mess who is completely relatable, which is why I think this show works so well.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 10 Mar 2022 - 45 - Love & Romance Over 40: Part 2
I'm really starting to feel that cultural and romantic invisibility cloak that covers women of a certain age. Luckily, there are a few aspirational, sometimes inspiring TV shows and movies that feature people over the age of 40 romancing each other and getting it on — even if it seems that you need to have a beautiful face, well-placed wrinkles and a near-perfect body to deserve the same.
CW: talk of anti-body positivity and toxic Hollywood and cultural beauty standards.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
This podcast will always be free, but if you want tosend me a tipto keep this labor of love going, I would greatly appreciate it!
Guests
You can find the full essay "On Bodies" here and follow the brilliant writer Kristina on Twitter.
Taffeta V. is a true Renaissance woman -- she is a semi-retired costume designer, wardrobe mistress, writer and host of two cool podcasts among other things. You can find her on Twitter.
Jack Badelaire studied film and has written many historical action-adventure novels. His Twitter feed is a delight.
Movies/TV Shows
Issues around relationships, sex and aging have never been so funny or profound as they are in Grace and Frankie.
I absolutely loved catching up with Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda from Sex and the City 20 years later in ...And Just Like That. The show isn't perfect but it looks gorgeous, they look gorgeous and the story arcs are a perfect evolution for these characters.
Mamma Mia is full of age- and sex-positivity and it's exuberant and exhilarating, thanks to the direction, acting and the music of ABBA. Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again is equally delightful.
All I Wish is a cool story about finding passionate love later in life. If only I could book Sharon Stone's make-up artist, hairstylist and trainer.
Hampstead is charming and you can't beat the London setting. Brendan Gleeson and Diane Keaton are just marvelous in this.
I love Jennifer Lopez, so of course I'm going to eventually see Marry Me. I'm a romance podcaster, not a monster. I'll just have to be feeling particularly confident that day, because for a 50 year old with two children, girlfriend does not look a day over 30.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 24 Feb 2022 - 44 - Love in Disguise
A distilled, potent, curated, intensely romantic relationship might not always be possible in life, but it's certainly a staple of classic and modern romantic stories. The exquisite romances in today's episode happen through love letters, physical disguise, and boyfriends for the night--or the moment. They're sexy, passionate and all about the heart's deepest desires that emerge only when love is in disguise.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
"Companionship is a big deal for a lot of people, even before the pandemic," says sex worker Chel, who offers the girlfriend experience with "nerdy girl-next-door chitchat and role-play ranging from sweet and steamy to kinky and even dark." She's featured in a fascinating recent profileby erotica writer Guy White.
Novelist and writer Suzanna Lundale tweets some of the most amazing VSS (Very Short Stories).Movies
Steve Martin turns Roxanne into the most heartfelt, vulnerable, funny and clever story about a lovable man who believes he's unlovable.
The movie musicalfeaturing Peter Dinklage as Cyrano is directed by Joe Wright, who directed the 2005 Pride and Prejudice I was gushing about in my previous episode.
There's a reason Shakespeare in Love won a bunch of Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
It was supposed to be all business: we know how this trope goes! The Wedding Date gets tied up a little too neatly at the end, even for a romcom, but it's charming.
The Girlfriend Experience is titillating, fascinating and terrifying. Riley Keough stars as law student & high-end escort Christine Reade in a performance you'll never forget.
The Extra Man is a quirky movie about an aging NY escort who takes a young aspiring playwright under his wing. Worth watching for the performances of Paul Dano and Kevin Kline alone.
Victor/Victoria is an original love in disguise movie, and it's a delight from beginning to end.
Easywas featured in my Sex Positivity episode — it's one of my favorite TV shows of the last 10 years.
BooksAfter Stella hires hot escort Michael, she not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all of the other things he's making her feel in The Kiss Quotient.
The Boyfriend Experience is sexy, smart and delicious.
Curio, the story of American ex-pat museum curator Caroly and Didier, the Parisian escort she hires, is one of my favorite romances I've read so far this year. Beautifully written and totally seductive, it has an intriguing twist before you get to the happy ever after.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 10 Feb 2022 - 43 - Mod Classic! Jane Austen
This former literary snob confesses that — at least right now — I prefer watching Austen to reading Austen. I need streamlined, quick banter, a snappy pace. Luckily, there are a ton of adaptations, retellings and inspired by Austen books and films to last quite a while. Vanessa King, author of A Certain Appeal, the Pride and Prejudice-inspired story set at a New York burlesque club, stops by to talk about why she decided to modernize Austen. And listener Mariah joins me to explore the 2005 Pride and Prejudice with its subtle updates to the classic story. Grab a cozy throw and pull up a chair. How do you take your tea?
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The performance of theaudiobook of A Certain Appeal by Julia Whelan brings this bright, modern Pride and Prejudice reset to life. Darcy is the hottest, sexiest thing ever here--as good a lover as we'd always hoped he'd be.
The final sequence of the 2005 Pride and Prejudiceis pitch perfect in every way: the pacing, the dialogue, the editing, the performances, the music. Darcy striding toward Elizabeth, frock coat flapping, across that misty field at dawn! How close they stand in this modern adaptation! And the casual, young-love intimacy of that final shot, with them in various stages of undress, is exactly what a modern audience wants to see for this favorite Austen couple.
I realize I say this about nearly every kiss or proposal in an Austen adaptation, but the proposal in the 1996 Emma performed by Jeremy Northam and Gwyneth Paltrow is just about the most beautiful ever filmed. The whole movie is a delight, modern, fun and fresh, but in this sequence, writer/director Douglas McGrath constructed the ultimate culmination of their friends to lovers journey. The gorgeous score by Rachel Portman doesn't hurt, either.
That final kiss sequence in the 2007 Persuasion just thrills me to my bones. It's such a perfect metaphor for their second chance/last chance relationship. Sally Hawkins' performance in this movie was a revelation, and she is now one of my most favorite Anne Elliots ever. You can watch the whole movie, broken into two parts, here.
Clueless, based on Emma, may have been made in 1995 but it still feels fresh and modern today — fully capturing the spirit of that centuries-old story.
And for some bonkers, post-modern fun, you can't beat the delightful time-travel story Lost in Austen or the immersive amusement park that is Austenland.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 27 Jan 2022 - 42 - Learning from Romance: Part 3
The lessons keep on coming! In this final episode in my miniseries on what I've learned from romance, I encounter...monster erotica. I'm tardy to the party, so giggle along with me as I explore my "first-won't-be-last" monster fucking romance, and listen to an excerpt from an erotic monster story--full of tentacle sex--by guest author VB Beringer.
Books
A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor is Book 1 in the short Tempting Monsters series. It's sweet, hot, steamy, intriguing and tender, all at once, which makes it the perfect intro to monster erotica. It's available on Kindle Unlimited.
Guest writerVB Beringerspecializes in fantasy, science-fiction and other erotica sub-genres. He read an excerpt from "Night Fever" from The Rift Walker erotic action-adventure series, available on Medium. Find links to his writing here. He creates custom erotica, people!
TV Shows
There are two seasons of the sweetly kinky Bonding on Netflix and this show could not be more sex positive about BDSM while also having a good bit of fun with it, too.
Sex Educationhas to be one of the most delightful sexual coming of age stories ever committed to film. This series, about the teenage son of a sex therapist who decides to make some extra money by giving sex advice to his classmates, is absolutely delightful and the young ensemble cast is incredible. Gillian Anderson as the gorgeously randy sex therapist is a highlight. No monster fucking but pretty much every other kind of sexual challenge makes an appearance in this hilarious but tender show.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 13 Jan 2022 - 41 - Learning from Romance: Part 2
My year of reading romances has modeled so many good things for me, especially stories with the family of choice trope. We're not all lucky enough to be raised in an emotionally healthy family, so reading about how loving, supportive people show up for the people they care about can be a healing experience.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Lauren is a fellow member of the Heaving Bosoms podcast Facebook page, and we share a love of many of the same romances. She was so much fun to talk to--thanks Lauren!
Fran writes the most witty, romance-related epigrammatic tweets.
There are a lot of other interesting tropes linked from theFamily of Choice trope page at TVTropes.org.
Books
The rock bands in the VIP series by Kristen Callihan and the Dirtshine rockstar series by Roxy Noir are some of the best families of choice romances I've ever read. Fall is my favorite book, but both series feature intersecting, emotionally rich, sexy steamy stories about the realities of life in the spotlight, and what happens to ordinary people when they enter that glamorous world.
The New York burlesque setting of A Certain Appeal makes for an inspired Pride and Prejudice retelling. The Elizabeth, Jane and Darcy of this story are irresistible, too. Don't miss the audiobooknarration by Julia Whelan -- her Darcy is a sexpot.
Movies
This trailer for Magic Mikeis mwah.
The women in Hustlersare so stunning, so sexy and centered in their power, you almost forget their modern gendered Robin Hood scheme is basically breaking the law.
Broadway Danny Rose, A Prairie Home Companion, and classic movies The Bandwagon, Gold Diggers of 1933 and the Broadway Melody movies of the 30s are some of the best found family showbiz movies ever made. 42nd St. is groundbreaking, and Footlight Parade creates much of the same magic.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 30 Dec 2021 - 40 - Classic Holiday Romance
'Tis the season for my much-loved, annual classic holiday movie marathon. For me, film is richer in B&W, and you can't beat classic holiday movies for stirring inspirational monologues and heartwarming affection, love and romance. (CW: for a few mentions of suicide).
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Music in this episode:
Jazzy Bells by Dee Yan-Key is used courtesy of a Creative Commons license from the Free Music Archives. The sleigh bells sound effect is courtesy of a Creative Commons license from freesound.org.Movies
Christmas in Connecticut has so many funny and charming moments.
The Man Who Came to Dinner is stagey and delightfully over-the-top. Here's the Christmas Eve scene when Lorraine Sheldon discovers that she's been pranked and didn't actually get engaged to a lord.
Here's the whole sequence leading up to That Phone Call in It's a Wonderful Life. The rotary phones! The 78 records! People looking dignified and dressing up! Plus the sweet authentic sentiment--this movie represents pure love to me, and I never tire of it, no matter how many times I see it.
Another delightful Jimmy Stewart holiday classic is The Shop Around the Corner. I've talked about this movie a few times, because the rom com You've Got Mail is based on this charming story (see my Intimate Worlds episode).
In Bell, Book and Candle, Jimmy falls under the spell of Kim Novak on Christmas Eve. I mean, who wouldn't?
The lesser known Frank Capra holiday classic, Meet John Doe, is now in the public domain--watch the full movie here.
Frank Capra intended to directIt Happened on 5th Avenuebut it didn't happen--it still ends up being the most charming and affectionate holiday film he never directed. When a tramp squats in a 5th Avenue mansion around Christmastime, he changes the post-war lives of many other people--including the billionaire who owns the mansion.
Cary Grant plays the charismatic angel Dudley who comes to earth at Christmas to help a struggling bishop in The Bishop's Wife. Dudley realizes if he wants to help the bishop, he needs to show him how to cherish and value his wife. There are many beautiful moments and scenes in this film, including this oneperformed by The Mitchell Boychoir. Heavenly.
Janet Leigh plays a young war widow with an adorable son who works as a secret shopper at Christmas in Holiday Affair. After she meets a handsome salesman (Robert Mitchum) in the toy department, her whole world is turned upside down and she starts to reconsider marrying her steady boyfriend.
The hopeful post-war sentiment of White Christmas moves me, no matter how many times I've seen it. The lush romance, music, gorgeous costumes and wintery Technicolor sets turn this movie into a holiday fever dream.
Remember the Night is about a beautiful shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck) taken home to Indiana for Christmas by a handsome district attorney (Fred MacMurray) who feels bad that she'll sit in jail over the holiday. It has everything you wantIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 16 Dec 2021 - 39 - Learning from Romance: Part 1
I've made some surprising discoveries about myself while reading romances this year. The wave of positivity, love, respect and acceptance for all sorts of fictional characters in these stories has encouraged me to love and accept myself, and even discover new aspects of my sexuality.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
GLAAD has really useful definitions for the entire asexual spectrum, including demisexuality. Come to think of it, I just might be aceflux, too.
So what does it mean to be sapiosexual? Oh, this is me as well — if your brain is sexy to me, then you're super hot.
"Sex can be anything: Just kissing; having a long, erotically charged conversation...as long as you’ve got consent, and no unwanted pain, you can roll around like puppies.” The secret to great sex.
I mean, I have eyeballs and can see that David Gandy is hotter than the surface of the sun. But what is his mind like? And is he kind? Does he love on puppies? Help older ladies carry their groceries? These are the questions that a demisexual might explore before jumping in the sack.
Featured in this episode:
Connect with writer, listener and general badass Kristina on Twitter.
Writer VB Beringer specializes in monster/fantasy erotica, and he's a doll.
The fascinating article by writer Lacey Cross about the intersection between her demisexuality and her erotica can be found here.
Erotica editorTasha Taylor is a delight.
Movies
Her is one of my favorite movies ever and represents romance heaven for demisexuals like me.
Clueless (1995), loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma, is the most adorable movie. Alicia Silverstone's performance is full of humor and heart--she makes the whole thing tick, and even the 90s slang stands up.
Books
Grace and Seb, the demisexual nerds-turned-lovers of My Fake Rake, are a delightful pair. The audiobook is fantastic.
The mental health, social anxiety and demisexual/asexual rep in The Charm Offensive is absolutely heartwarming. Sweet Charlie and Dev win you over immediately.
I fell in love with Gray and Kai inThe Happy List. The way these men love, cherish and respect each other first as friends, then lovers, is sexy and inspiring.
Jake, the hero in Tempting Talk, is a hot cinnamon roll dIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 02 Dec 2021 - 38 - Royally Romantic
It's the Anglophile edition of the podcast, where I claim to "not be into royalty all that much," and then immediately prove myself wrong. Fake kingdoms in mountainous areas of Europe, fake royalty who always seem to speak with a British accent, commoners lifted from their humdrum, working-class lives as a metaphoric crown is placed on their heads: I might giggle uncontrollably over the contrivances, but I'll watch and read it all.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
My bestie, Charles, Prince of Wales, lives quite the charmed life.
Movies
A Little Princessby Frances Hodgson Burnettis a classic of children's literature. It was adapted into a memorable 1939 movie calledThe Little Princess starring Shirley Temple as the plucky young heroine Sara Crewe.
The Victorian novel The Secret Garden, also by Burnett, was adapted into a wonderful 1949 movie starring Margaret O'Brien.
The Hallmark royal holiday movies are frequently re-run around Christmas on streaming or cable services that offer the Hallmark Channel as well as the Hallmark app.
I have great memories of ice skating every winter and even the summer at ice rinks in the Midwest where I grew up, so my affection forChristmas at the Palace isn't a mystery. The King in this movie is a fox, too--his voice alone makes me feel weak.
The Prince & Me is a winner because of the two lead actors, especially Julia Stiles, and the sequels just didn't re-create that magic for me.
His Highness in Crown for Christmas is another hottie and this reminds me — I need to make my list for Santa.
Once Upon a Holiday steals pretty shamelessly from Roman Holiday but it's a fun twist on the royal gone rogue story. Paul Campbell is my Hallmark movie crush--he's lanky, handsome, witty and smart and I'll watch him in anything.
The jewel in the crown of all royal romances is Roman Holiday (1953) with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It's Audrey Hepburn's first starring role, but you would never know it. This movie is magical and has two absolutely perfect on-screen kisses.
Books
Prince Nicholas in Royally Screwed starts out a gorgeous, privileged, egomaniacal royal, but quickly become lovable, caring, and relatable thanks to his love for--and on--lowly barista Olivia Hammond. She's sassy and curvy, he's sensual and ripped, and the sex sneaked in around the security detail is very, very hot.
The grump/sunshine pastry chefs of Battle Royal and their "battle of wits and whisks" on the fictional reality show Operation Cake, make this romance clever bubbly fun and an absolute delight in audiobook.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 18 Nov 2021 - 37 - Romance After Dark
My current fantasy bedroom is full of steam & kink. I'm in the mood, people, so let's read-aloud from some of the hottest, kinkiest romances I've ever read! It's hard to find this level of heat, consent, care AND happy-ever-after on screen, but romance writers have got you covered.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The Psychology of Sexual Kink at The Swaddle is a must read.
The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for consenting adults in the kink and non-monogamy lifestyles by fighting discrimination and persecution.
In case you were curious: Vice lists the top five kinks in the US. And here are the results of a 2015 survey of sexual diversity in the US.
Clips
I love the Netflix showEasy for so many reasons, but mostly because it's chock full of humor, relatable relationship issues and sex positivity. The writing is smart, and the ensemble cast is fantastic, too.
Calling all musical theater geeks: Schmigadoon! will be catnip for your soul.
Fifty Shades of Grey is the kink granddaddy of them all. This movie is a comfort re-watch for me.
Hot Stuff
The gorgeously smutty Serve series, set in an exclusive NYC BDSM club, was my introduction to kink in romance and it's a doozy.
Melt Into You is the scorching-hot Book 2 in the Loving on the Edge series, set at a private, exclusive BDSM ranch in Texas.
Sugar Daddies. Daddy Crush. Y'all. Y'ALL.
Neon Gods is Book 1 in the steamy, sexy Dark Olympus series.
The erotic short stories by women & erotic podcasts round-ups from Oprah Daily are chock full of kinky, sexy, hot AF goodness.
Erotica flash fiction writer JM Seaborn writes dirty, smut-hot stories featuring daddy kink and dominant/submissive scenes.
The evolution of a kinkis a fascinating read, full of compassion, sex positivity and acceptance.
The explicit female-gaze audio pornfrom Girl on the Net is super well-done and classy, and it probably doesn't hurt that she narrates with a British accent.
Love Bytes Originals offers high-quality short form audio romance and erotica. Their stories bring "heart, heat and humor" and their professional team of narrators are fantastic. It includes one of my favorite romance audiobook narrators, Emily Woo Zeller.
I haven't signed up for Audio Desiresyet -- "erotic audio stories for women and couples" -- but oh, I want to.
Cosmo magazine was writing about girl power and sex positivity way before it was cool. So leave it to them to develop the Complete Beginner'sIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 04 Nov 2021 - 36 - Bad Boys & Gentle Villains
Does a bad boy or villain hero give you a bit of a thrill? A little tingle? Dark romance unsettles me, but there's something reassuring and protective in the gentle villain/noble demon, who chooses any means to the end of protecting you from hurt and harm. They'll burn down the world for you when needed--and what's not to love about that?
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More on theMorality Pet and Morality Chain tropes at tvtropes.org. Every aspect of these story tropes fascinates me and I can spend hours following the links on this site.
You can find my guest listener Monique at the fantastic Her Entrepreneurial Spirit podcast.
Movies/TV Shows
Watching the characters in Dangerous Liaisons out-evil each other is delicious up to a point, but it ends with most of the players' lives in tatters.
The Talented Mr. Ripleywith its glamorous 1950s Italian setting, is so charming at first: you watch rich, beautiful young people living an indulgent, luxurious lifestyle. But it quickly devolves into tragedy, and by the end, this story seriously creeped me out.
My best friends on the block had Grease on VHS and I lost count of the number of times we watched it.
The setting, plot and main characters of French Kiss make it one of the most delightful rom coms of the 90s.
The bit that I watched ofShadow and Bone was excellent, but I need training wheels before I can get into most world building like this.
Books
If you enjoy world building, the sexy, sweeping and captivating fantasy-romance series Blood and Ash is wildly popular for a reason.
Return Billionaire to Sender is part of the Billionaires of Manhattan series by Annika Martin, and they're not your typical arrogant, hot rich guy romances. Every one I've read has been full of clever banter and plotting, funny, sharp heroines and sexy bad boys who adopt them as morality pets only to become the better men they were always meant to be.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 21 Oct 2021 - 35 - Calling Every Body: the Radical Romance of Shrill/This Way Up/Dietland
These funny, sharp TV shows written by women knock fat- and mental illness shaming on its behind, and tell stories of hard-won self-acceptance instead. It's about embracing our deepest desires and the person we are, not who They say we should be. It's about romancing yourself. CW:mentions of body shaming, anti-fat bias, mental illness, and briefly, abortion, weight loss and suicide ideation.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
I paraphrased the gorgeous Mary Oliver poem, The Summer Day.
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance fights the discrimination that one third of the world experiences on a daily basis.
TV Shows
Shrill is one of the most joyous TV shows about anti-fat bias and body acceptance that I've ever seen. It's fun but also smart and thoughtful, and much of that is due to the charming performance of Aidy Bryant as Annie. The show is produced by Elizabeth Banks and Lorne Michaels, so funny rules, but always with that trademark light touch and satirical bite.
How do I count the many ways I loveThis Way Up? From its overall tone to the hilarious writing and often poignant performance of Aisling Bea as Aine, just trying to recover from a nervous breakdown while keeping her sense of humor intact, it's such a funny but insightful journey down the messy road to self acceptance.
Dietlandpulls zero punches in its depiction of fat shaming and the difficulty in accepting yourself in a critical, mean and often abusive male-dominated world. Their solution might not be the most realistic, but it's certainly satisfying.
The Bold Type is a glossy modern take on holding onto your self-esteem and self-worth while operating within the Global Female Dissatisfaction Industrial Complex.
Books
In the acerbically funny memoir Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman sticking up for yourself means amusing yourself at the same time. Lindy West covers how to keep your sanity while "coming of age in a culture that demands women be as small, quiet, and compliant as possible -- like a porcelain dove that will also have sex with you."
Dietland is a crazy ride, a feminist subversive fantasy that "guarantees you won't look at a pair of stilettos or a bathroom scale the same way again."
Muffin Top by Avery Flynn is one of the sexiest, most fat-positive romances I've ever read. Marie Lipscomb'sIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 07 Oct 2021 - 34 - Goodbye Romance Shame, Part 2
It's the first anniversary of this podcast! Turns out, I'm even more in love with romantic TV shows, movies and books one year on. And still feel no shame--mostly--crushing on romance. So in support and love for the genre, let's revisit some of the lushest, most romantic, and rom com funny movie scenes evah. Cue the gushing.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies/TV Shows
The scenes featured in this episode are from just a few of my all-time favorite romantic movies & shows:
Outlander, especially the first season, is a must for anyone who loves stirring, romantic epics. It's based on the massiveseries of adventure romance books by Diana Gabaldon.
The "official" trailer for Something's Gotta Give says nothing about the sweet, sexy honesty of the age & sex positive romance between Harry Sanborn and Erica Barry, played by Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Any Nancy Meyers rom com is a must see.What more can I say about this classic, groundbreaking rom com? It's in my Romance Hall of Fame, and I've quoted from it throughout much of my life.
Ditto for this classic rom com. Another personal Romance Hall of Fame entry. It's no surprise that Nora Ephron and Meg Ryan were involved with both movies.Moonstruckis a romantic comedy, a poetic and sexy look at the whims of love, and a meditation about the importance of family (or found family) in grounding you when you feel lost.
Laurence Olivier often chewed the scenery and was quite the ham, but he was never more moving than in this scene from the 1939 movie Wuthering Heights, based on the novel by Emily Brontë.I featured the rom com Book Club in my Love, Sex and Romance--After 40 Edition episode, and I adore its age and sex positivity.
I'm going to feature Trainwreck in an upcoming episode because I love the humor, honesty and bravery of Amy Schumer's writing and acting.
I featured Destination Wedding in an early episode and its banter and wit put this in my Top 5 Modern Rom Coms.
Books
If you're recovering from romance shame,Dangerous Books for Girlsis a fascinating look at the history of the romance genre, why it's so important to women, and why it has been mocked for so long. And most importantly, why you shouldn't feel bad about escaping into its stories.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 23 Sep 2021 - 33 - Dear Darling: the Romance of Letters & Messages
There's nothing more intimate than a letter, card, text or message written for your eyes only. The epistolary novel has been popular for centuries, and romantic stories using this device can feel like the best kind of eavesdropping.
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Movies/TV Shows
The script forLove & Friendship takes Jane Austen's epistolary novel Lady Susan to new heights. I always call this director "Will Stillman" but it's Whit.
84 Charing Cross Roadwill always have a special place in my heart. The bookand movie are delightful.
Daddy Long Legshas it all: So playful and Parisian! The costumes! The music! Slightly inappropriate with the age-difference trope!
Kevin Bacon plays the titular characterinI Love Dickand the whole thing is a visually fascinating, messy, complicated look at desire.
I find most Hallmark movies insipid, but the lead actors' chemistry, locations and script for Her Pen Palmade it super enjoyable.
Books
You can readLady Susanby Jane Austen onProject Gutenberg.I cried multiple times while reading the romance-novel-in-text Way Down Deep. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, but it's an HFN and the characters are beautifully fleshed out despite learning about them in short messages. Their emotional journeys are unbelievably compelling.
From the smart banter and hilarious plot, to the funny heroine and gorgeous grumpy hero, The Billionaire's Wake-Up-Call Girl is one of the best romances I've read this year. Can't wait to read the whole series.
InFlashed, a former male model and party boy gets in a near-fatal accident and hides away at his secluded ranch. He reluctantly hires a local art student as his live-in cook and housekeeper with one rule--she’s not allowed to see him. So she resorts to texting him.
Stay is about an exclusive virtual assistant service that promises its VIP clients anonymity--until the owner figures out that the customer sending her mildly flirty texts requiring her attention at all hours is a hot hockey superstar.
The World Needs More Love Letters is a wonderful letter writing project.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 09 Sep 2021 - 32 - The Sweet, Sexy Cinnamon Roll
The sweet, sexy romantic cinnamon roll: there's no better hero in all of Romancelandia. Let's explore this gooey hearted, tender fictional confection and why this character brings all the feels.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The Onion article that inspired the whole thing.Movies/TV Shows
Ashton Kutcher was a sweet doofus in That 70s Show and he grew up to be the hot cinnamon roll of No Strings Attached.
The opposites-attract romance of Long Shot only works because of the sweet, relatable cinnamon roll that is Seth Rogen.
You only have to see a few scenes from Ted Lasso to get the quirky, gooey, warmhearted charm of this series.Bill Hader is the best cinnamon roll ever inTrainwreck.
Hugh Grant and his group of kind-hearted friends in Notting Hill qualify as one huge cinnamon roll.
The 40 Year Old Virgin has the usual Judd Apatow bro excesses, but cinematic cinnamon rolls Steve Carell, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd keep things mostly tender and sweet.
Luke Wilson loving and helping Sarah Jessica Parker fly her freak flag in The Family Stone epitomizes the cinnamon roll hero.
Books
Ren Bergman is the sweet, soft hero of Always Only You, the second book in the Own Voices Bergman Brothers romance series by Chloe Liese. Every single Bergman brother is a cinnamon roll, and this entire series is so diversity-and-disability-positive it just warms the heart.The heroes in Kate Clayborn's books Love Lettering and Love at Firstare tender-hearted, introverted, intellectual geeks, and I don't think there's a better combination. Featured in the Intimate Worlds episode.
Marie Lipscomb writes body-positive romances. and the plus-sized hero and heroine in Amped, her third and latest book in the Vixens Rock series, are kind, caring and absolutely irresistible.
The cinnamon roll hero of The Sweetest Fix is a baker who ca
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 26 Aug 2021 - 31 - Love in Unexpected Places: Her/City of Angels/ Tangled Wires
Intimacy and love can be found in the most unexpected places. In sci-fi and fantasy-tinged romance, that means online, offline, synthetic or organic, from a lab, with creatures on earth or heaven above. Open hearts find love everywhere.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies/TV Show
Her inspires so many questions: what is true intimacy? Is love chemistry, an accident of fate or a created experience? It's visually interesting, the sound design is stunning, the acting is superb, and the script is thought-provoking. Its multi-talented director Spike Jonze won an Academy Award for the screenplay. Many have taken a stab at analyzing this intriguing movie.
City of Angels is based on the 1987 Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire. It's a much less complex, but still beautiful--if tragic--love story. Meg Ryan was in her prime, and Nicolas Cage was never better (excepting Moonstruck of course).
I wrote a whole college paper on Wings of Desire. There's so much to unpack in this beautiful film, especially the idea of beings on another astral plane witnessing, supporting and loving human beings through their desires, fears and earthly suffering.
Upload is a heartwarming dramedy series that imagines a subscription-based virtual afterlife, except "Heaven" is a luxury mountain resort that you could probably never afford while alive, complete with angel-like customer service reps. The central romance between an angel and her digital charge is the slowest of slowburns, and when they finally express their love for each other, the series ends. They're planning a S2, so hopefully we get more of this couple.
Book
Sci-fi and fantasy romance is a brand new thing for me, and I was shocked at how much I loved the sci-fi romance Tangled Wires. The tone of this book is as cool and smart as I'd imagine a human-android relationship might be, and there's a fascinating plot twist, too, to prove we're not always in charge of experience--or love.
Well, leave it to the academics to be buzzkills about love :) This multi-year metaphysical philosophy projectattempts to define love: Emotion? Experience? Desire? Biological urge?
The old-school modem sound effect in this episode is used under a Creative Commons license from freesound.org.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 12 Aug 2021 - 30 - Bodyguard Romance: The Bodyguard/Girl Gone Viral/Dangerous Beauty
Sometimes all I want in this world is strong arms around me, someone who has my back, and a soft place to fall. That's when I pull out a good bodyguard romance. Nothing in the world makes me feel safer than these stories. They've got me dreaming of an avenger, a 24/7 personal protection officer of my very own.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movie
The Bodyguard (1992) is one of the first things that comes to mind when you think "bodyguard romance." It looks a bit clunky to my eyes now, but the chemistry between Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston is an eternal flame.
Books
Goodreads has a great round-up of bodyguard romances to get you started. If you're like me and don't enjoy suspense and violence with your romance, definitely read the reviews of these books first before you go in.
Girl Gone Viral, part of the short Modern Love series, is about two vulnerable people finding love and security in each other. Family and mental health issues are woven so skillfully throughout--the focus is always firmly on this gorgeous couple.
Dangerous Beauty is a slow-burn bodyguard romance, full of hot sexual tension and bunker love, but the full-on sexytimes come right at the end–-AND it ends on a cliffhanger. Book 1 of 3. Arrrrghhh.
Pawn is Book 1 in theIronclad Bodyguards series. If the other bodyguards in this series are like Sam, I'll be reading every book.
Rock Chick is completely bonkers and the hero is definitely an over-protective alpha right to the end, but the heroine is a firecracker and it's a sexy, fun ride with mild/brief suspense & danger.
Vulnerableis Book 1 in the 14-book McIntyre Security bodyguard series, and it brings all the juicy tropes: wounded heroine, secret protector, age-difference, virgin, millionaire, and band of brothers romance. Imperfect, Book 5, is about a combat-blinded former Navy SEAL, a McIntyre brother, who falls in love with his scarred artist neighbor. Fantastic disability rep in this book. CW for brief descriptions of physical assaults in both books.
I finally made my bed alcove dreams come true. SomeIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 29 Jul 2021 - 29 - Romantic Capers: Murder Mystery/The Lovebirds/Date Night
There's nothing like the bubbly fun, clever banter and twisty plots of a romantic caper movie*. It's just the thing when you crave romance and sexy flirting in beautiful settings, plus a dash of gentle mystery and mild suspense. *Episode contains spoilers. Lots.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies:
The Lady Vanishesis a comfort re-watch for me, even though I know whodunit. The central romance is so charming.
The Thin Man and its sequels are delightful from start to finish. Nick and Nora Charles are the ultimate married-couple energy to me. Made more than 80 years ago and still bright and fun.
Charade has been called the best Hitchcock film that he didn't direct, and I agree. I don't know what's more appealing: the plot, the Paris setting, Cary Grant's handsome humor or Audrey Hepburn's beauty and stunning costumes.The gorgeous French Riviera settings of Murder Mystery and To Catch a Thief are worth the watch alone, but the plots and champagne-bubble fun will win you over.
Manhattan Murder Mystery isn't top drawer Woody Allen but it's sweet and fun. Diane Keaton is the star here.
The Lovebirds walks so many fine lines well that its effect and scope just can't be summed up in a trailer. You have to see it.
Steve Carell and Tina Fey are at their straight-man best inDate Night, especially during the car chase scene.
Other romantic capers worth a look:
The beautiful Audrey Hepburn is back for another vintage caper, this time with Peter O'Toole in How to Steal a Million.There was a remake, but the original The Thomas Crown Affair is full of 60's cool.
I prefer this Jim Carrey remake of Fun with Dick and Jane to the original.
Tom Cruise is ridiculously charming and Cameron Diaz shows off her great comedic timing in Knight and Day.
It's all about the hot chemistry between sexy Sean Connery and sexy Catherine Zeta-Jones, plus a badass plot in Entrapment.
The warmth and humor of George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez were never better than in Out of Sight.
Hot White Heist is a queer audio caper performed by a cast of talented stage and screen actors. It's daffy and delightful.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 15 Jul 2021 - 28 - Romantic Recycling: When Harry Met Sally/Groundhog Day
Many contemporary romances are based on, or inspired by, rom-com movies. Turns out recycling romance is good for the narrative arc--and heart as well.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.comThe Vulture roundup that inspired it all.
Movies
Groundhog Day is classic for a reason.10 moments from When Harry Met Sally. I said that Harry and Sally don't marry anyone else during the movie, but always forget Harry's ex-wife.
About Time is a lushly romantic story with a gorgeous HEA.
Sliding Doors is mostly fun and romantic but there are some serious themes as well (just fyi).
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days isn't one of my favorite rom coms--it seems a bit mean at times--but apparently I love this plot in recycled form (see below).
Books
People We Meet on Vacation:the narrative arc of this story, told in flashback, takes you through ten annual vacations and miles of emotional history between friends-to-lovers Poppy & Alex. Affectionate, sexy & compelling.In a Holidaze: Mae spends most Christmases with her family at a mountain cabin along with family friends. And she's spent most of that time pining for their friend's son. After a serious accident, she regains consciousness on her way to the cabin to begin the holiday again. And again. Maybe this time she'll finally romance the guy.
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating: Hazel, a sweet, ditzy schoolteacher and Josh, a thoughtful physical therapist, are opposites yet best friends who don't realize that they're the ones actually dating on the double blind dates they set up for each other.
If Henry Golding is cast as Michael in The Kiss Quotient movie, I will launch into the crush stratosphere.
Not the Girl You Marryis a clever, richly emotional reverse How to Lose a Guy. Jack and Hannah meet and decide to date each other temporarily to save their jobs--without the other knowing the relationship is fake. Burned by love, they never expect to fall for each other, but oh, how they do.
Runaway Girl is a sizzling hot take on the movie Runaway Bride, about a sheltered beauty queen who runs from traumatic relationships with her fiancé and Southern family, right into the arms of a hunky special ops Army diver living in Florida. Drooled over every dirty detail.Hold Meis an updated You've Got Mail. STEM geniuses chat for m
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 01 Jul 2021 - 27 - The Romance of Rock
Music romances and seduces listeners, sometimes gently and sometimes with a rough, dirty, driving, relentless hot beat. That kind of romance rocks, and its rockstars are sex on legs.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Music
"Energy" by Scott Holmes Music & "Unashamed Ballad" by Learning Music, used with a Creative Commons license from freemusicarchive.org
Pink is one of the biggest badasses in rock. Her video for So Whatis classic. The concert documentary Pink: All I Know So Far follows her & her family on a European tour ending with 2 sold-out shows at Wembley.I always call this Marshall Crenshaw album Flag Day, but it's Field Day. Whenever You're On My Mind is one of my favorite songs. Cutie.
Rockstar Romances:
Goodreads has excellent round-ups of romances featuring male & female rockers.
The VIP series by Kristen Callihan follows a hit band that's survived rockstar drama as family. It's full of charismatic characters, rich details and some of the hottest romantic scenes I've ever read.
Bad Habit is a series about a band of the same name by J.T. Geissinger. Make Me Sin is about their aloof, hostile drummer who falls in love with a sweet florist. Incredible story.
The trilogy Dirtshine by Roxie Noir follows members of the band Dirtshine as they handle recovery, fame, stardom, & falling in love in/out of the industry. Loved these stories.Movies:
I first heard about New York's CBGB club when it was mentioned in the Talking Heads song Life During Wartime. Apparently CBGB the movie isn't completely accurate but it's a fascinating history of the tiny dive where many groundbreaking acts got their start.
The Dirt is a movie based on the memoir by Motley Crue.
The Runaways is a biopic about how the iconic all-girl band, led by Joan Jett, was formed in the 70s.
Remember when Arnel Pineda replaced Steve Perry as the lead singer of Journey? The movie Rock Star follows a singer with a similar chance to achieve rock-n-roll dreams.
Bohemian Rhapsody brings Freddie Mercury & Queen's history to life.
Almost Famous is the story of a 70s teen wannabe gonzo music journalist suddenly immer
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 17 Jun 2021 - 26 - Sex Positivity: Easy/The Overnight/The Intimacy Experiment
I crave more sex- and age-positivity, a wider range of human sexuality and relationship, in the romantic TV shows and movies that I watch now. Romance novels have always done a great job at representing shame-free sexuality, desire, and fantasy. But the Netflix series Easy and the movie The Overnight also get it right.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Salt-n-Pepa Let's Talk About Sex. The late 80s-early 90s style in this video! It dates from 1991 and wow, things were different back then. But the ladies got it goin' on: let's talk about it.
A good, briefdefinition of the different types of human sexuality. I love that they point out that sexuality can change throughout your life.
Britannica has a fascinating worldwide sociological overview of human sexuality. There's even a good section on solo sex :)
What it means to be on the asexual spectrum.
It's possible to have hot sex and intimacy without intercourse. Here's an excellentarticle full of ideas on how to go about it.Movie/TV Show
An exploration of the lo-fi, indie mumblecore film movement.Joe Swanberg created, wrote, directed and co-produced the TV series Easywhich is quite a feat. Just look at the size of that cast! The range of subjects!
The Overnight works because of the cast. I've crushed on Adam Scott for ages, and he's the perfect straight man here -– the main reason this even works. Ditto for Jason Schwartzman. Taylor Schilling and Judith Godrèche are also amazing. The Duplass Brothers produced this movie, and they're also big in the mumblecore movement.
The Amazon TV series Transparentis a touching tragicomedy about a trio of LA-based siblings who struggle with sex, love and relationships, while supporting their father coming out as trans. Jay Duplass stars in this show, and he's so good in it. It's a small world.
Books
I can't say enough about the respectful, passionate way Naomi and Ethan relate in The Intimacy Experiment. It's mostly a slow burn, but when things heat up, they heat up. Check out The Roommate, too, which defines a steamy, sex-positive plot.
The Belle and the Beard by Kate Canterbary is a clever and sexy romance, loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. It features a Southern-born, super-capable woman with childhood trauma and a grumpy arborist hero who identifies as pansexual. He's been in love with a man in his past, and now he loves her. I love roIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 03 Jun 2021 - 25 - Sporty Romance
Romances about people at the height of their physical prowess in pro sports finding love with a partner who matches their wit and talents is a bit unfair to us mere mortals. But I'll live vicariously through these stories all day long.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Eileen Brennan and Goldie Hawn are comic gold in Private Benjamin.The incredible hakafrom Rugby World Cup 2011.
Thatserving contest in Wimbledon. The plot is charming and the performances and chemistry of Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany make it worthwhile.
The book roundups by Book Riot and Goodreadsare full of sport romances of all types.
Hockey romances
I read from Man Down, part of the irresistible Rookie Rebels hockey series by Kate Meader. Her Chicago Rebels hockey series is also fantastic.
I also read from Always Only You, Book 2 in the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese. This story is my favorite, and this romance series is easily one of my favorites ever.Heated Rivalry is a M/M romance about top-tier NHL players—a cheerful Canadian and a grumpy Russian— who fall for each other and are secret on-off lovers for years until they realize their relationship is worth the risk. Loved this one.
Unadulterated Something is a F/F romance about women's hockey rivals who hate each other--until they both retire from the game and get jobs coaching at an elite girls school in Massachusetts. Sweet and warm-hearted.
Rugby romances
Melt for Youby JT Geissinger is a slow burn featuring a Scottish rugby player on hiatus, and the bespectacled bantering editor across the hall in New York he falls for. Hot and hysterically funny.
Love Hard is about a widowed rugby player for New Zealand's All Blacks team who falls for his late wife's sassy, curvy best friend from school.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 20 May 2021 - 24 - Romantic Belonging
Found family, partners, true-blue friends: it's all about the groups of people who claim us, warm our hearts, and have our backs no matter what, who help us feel that we belong.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Remember the TV show Queer as Folk? It originated in the UK, and there was a US version too. Its group of friends fits this trope so well. My high school crush/date came out to me on prom night so I felt a bit like Daphne in this clip: happy and proud for him, but a bit disappointed, too. The TV show Friendsis all about this trope, too, of course.
My BFF lovesmotorcycle club romances, which embody this trope as well.All the Tropes on band of brothers is great, andtvtropes.org also explores a band of brothers trope off-shoot called True Companions.
Four Weddings and a Funeral is still charming and touching, with one of the best “we belong together” found-family examples in any rom-com.
Bromance Book Club is the first book in the Bromance Book Club series by Lyssa Kay Adams. Its band of brothers is romance gold—needless to say, Netflix snapped up the rights so the story will be coming to a tiny screen near you sometime soon.
Daniel is a steady, wise and affectionate presence in the Loveless Brothers series by Roxie Noir, and his story, Best Fake Fiancé is one of my favorites, along with Levi’s and Eli's stories.
Jo Beverley’s Malloren series is one of my top favorite romance series ever. Devilish, the oldest Malloren brother Lord Rothgar's story, is one romance I can happily read over and over.
Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series centers on an English village in the Regency era with blue stockings and shy, spirited women who don't quite fit in as its residents, along with the group of aristocratic men who love them. They're full of wit and whimsy, the perfect place to start reading historical romance.
The Beautiful series by writing duo Christina Lauren is quite a ride: spicy hot and kinky (unlike their more recent books) with "naughty" tropes that ratchet up the fantasy.
I plan to explore this fantastic series in an upcoming episode, but for now, let me say that
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 06 May 2021 - 23 - Romantic Banter
Banter is the best kind of romantic conversation, full of wit and emotional tension, leaving clues for us about how the couple really feels about each other. The best banter strip teases for our brain. It's verbal foreplay for the hot action to come. It's all about the juicy, sexy romantic banter in this episode.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
After I said the word aloud, something didn't sound right, so I looked it up and it's pronounced Yah-KUZ-ah. Sigh. Apologies to my Japanese listeners--but it gives me an excuse to bring up Drunken Angel, a fascinating 1948 yakuza film directed by one of my favorite filmmakers, Akira Kurosawa.
If you've never seen a Spencer Tracy/Katherine Hepburn movie, you can't go wrong with Adam's Rib. Everything about it is perfection: the script, the acting, the plot and the fabulous costumes and sets. It was made in 1949 and still feels fresh. Plus I have a weird thing for that cozy kitchen in their apartment.
Destination Wedding is one of the funniest rom coms I've seen in years. I go into greater detail about this movie in my All the Words Romance episode. If you like sexy-smart banter, don't miss this one.
Friends with Benefits is the funniest rom com that I forgot to watch. If you are a banter fan like me, rush to your nearest streaming service and watch this.
Enemies with Benefits is part of the Loveless Brothers series by Roxie Noir. I can't express how much I adore the band of brothers trope in this series. It centers on a family of five hot, hunky, slightly bad boy brothers who live in a small Virginia town, and the cool, sharp, bantering women who fall for them. And the delicious dialogue and insightful interior monologues? Let's just say I strongly suspect LA-based Roxie Noir is a screenwriter too.
So many romance fans adore the Blood and Ash fantasy/romance series by Jennifer Armentrout. I haven't read much in that category, but wow, it sounds like I need to.
As you can tell from her confession, Monique is a warm, sparkling presence, and you don't have to be a business woman to get a ton of healing heart messages from her podcast, Her Entrepreneurial Spirit. It's a don't-miss podcast for me.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 - 22 - The Romance Spectrum: The Kiss Quotient/The Bride Test/Doc Martin
Human beings exist on a spectrum of diversity and differences, and romances that reflect that are touching my heart lately. The widest range of life experiences represented in stories can only be a good thing. Being seen and accepted, not treated as an exception, is inspiring. It's all part of the flow of life.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
April 2 was World Autism Awareness Day, and April is National Autism Awareness Month in the US. Audible has afantastic roundup of audiobooks in all genres that celebrate neuro difference and diversity.
Interesting articlein Forbes on disability representation in film.I call Michael, the hero ofThe Kiss Quotient, a cinnamon roll in this episode and realized not everyone's familiar with the character labels of Romancelandia. There are so many I still don't know :) A cinnamon roll hero is the sweetest, kindest, most supportive, all around nicest person to a heroine. Here's a great roundup of booksfeaturing cinnamon roll heroes.
The Bride Test audiobook. Have I mentioned how much I love it? It's narrated by Emily Woo Zeller. She has won awards. I would follow that voice anywhere.
The third book in the series, The Heart Principle, is coming soon! Learn more about bestselling author Helen Hoang here.
At the moment, it looks like Doc Martincan be streamed on Hulu, Acorn TV and YouTube TV in the US.
Here's the compilation of the Doc's most awkward moments from S1 and S2.Michael is described as looking like a particular K-drama heartthrob in The Kiss Quotient. If you haven't watched these, they're like a romance/soap opera combo. Netflix has a ton and wow, they're addictive. I used to work in book publishing, so I'm currently gobbling up the K-drama Romance Is a Bonus Book.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 08 Apr 2021 - 21 - Intimate Worlds: You've Got Mail/Love Lettering
Some of my favorite romantic stories create intimate worlds where true, vulnerable, heartfelt things can be said--and done. Sometimes it takes half the story to get there, sometimes it takes most of the story, but it's always worth the wait for that magic moment when characters finally bare their hearts.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Original vintage trailer for The Shop Around the Corner. Oh, the charm.
Nora Ephron followed the original first date scene very closely in her remake, You've Got Mail. Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan were very good friends in real life and Jimmy carried a tiny torch for her for a long time. Thinking that's why they're so adorable together in this movie!
The trailer for You've Got Mail. It doesn't do this movie justice. At all. See it!
Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn is worth the read in any format, but the audiobook, performed by Nicol Zanzarella, is sublime.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 25 Mar 2021 - 20 - Romantic Longing: 500 Days of Summer/La La Land
Unrequited love, "the timing's wrong" coupling, enemies to friends, friends to lovers, and then sometimes back to friends. What are these relationships about? Does chemistry even need a category? Some unforgettable romantic movies pin down that bittersweet, undeniable connection.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Change the World and Change Your Mindare the soundtrack to this episode. Yep, I'm an idealist.
Featured in order:
500 Days of Summer
When Harry Met Sally
The Age of Innocence
La La Land
The Red Shoes is a glorious, groundbreaking visual trip of a movie that explores how love and romance connect with the artistic process.
Made of Honor
Sex and the City
The Broken Hearts Gallery
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 11 Mar 2021 - 19 - Choose Your Own Trope Adventure
Most romance makes me feel warm, optimistic and hopeful. But sometimes hot and kinky is what you need. A touch of BDSM. Sex with an alien. The wild fantasies of some contemporary romances practically catch fire on the page. And sometimes non-fancy hot sex with good communication and a considerate fictional character who appeals to you does the trick. It's risk-free, shame-free pretend in this episode, in any flavor you want. Vanilla? I'm here to support it all.
Confessions of a Closet Romantic
If you like exploring story forms in any genre, TV Tropes is the place to be online. Plan on a week--or at least being late for dinner.
Book excerpts in order:Savor You from the Fusion series by Kristen Proby. This whole series is on fire, especially in audiobook.
An Indecent Proposal from the O'Malleys series by Katee Robert. Haven't read the whole series yet, but oh I'm going to get to it. If you like your romances hot and spicy with a bit of kink, Katee Robert is your one-stop shop.
Best Man with Benefits, by Samanthe Beck, part of the Wedding Dare series. This series is hot, hot, hot.
There wasn't enough space, but I'm in love with the hot hockey hunks with hearts of gold in the Chicago Rebels series by Kate Meader. Unmissable for professional-sports hero trope lovers!
If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 25 Feb 2021 - 18 - Love, Sex and Romance - After 40 Edition
I've been having fun reading a ton of contemporary romances featuring buff young things getting it on. But it's time to get real: which means ageless love, with plenty of imperfection, wisdom and fun thrown in. It's romance full of humor, honesty, acceptance and kindness. The sexiest combo I know.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The Heaving Bosomspodcast features different romance novels that best friends Erin and Melody have enjoyed--or just have opinions about. Hysterical, smart opinions.
At Home in Mitford
Movies/TV Shows mentioned:
Something's Gotta Give
Our Souls at Night
Book Club
Grace and Frankie
State of the Union
Geraldine bags Johnny Depp!! in this Vicar of Dibley special.
It's ComplicatedIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 - 17 - Tardy to the Alpha Party: Fifty Shades/Crazy Rich Asians
It's all about the alpha male today. Because he likes it that way, and dammit, makes me like it too. Plus, nobody ties a sexier Windsor knot than Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Is it hot in here? The official, and super steamy, Fifty Shades of Grey trailer.
And then, it gets FiftyShades Darker.
Crazy Rich Asians trailer.
The Romcomathon podcast episode on Crazy Rich Asians.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 - 16 - The New Ton: Bridgerton & Sanditon
Who knew that Empire-waist dresses, waistcoats, cravats and women discovering their own power could be so sexy? Well, fans of Regency romance know. It's all about the debs and the Dukes in this episode. These two shows are the place to start your new, fresh, modern costume drama love affair.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Fascinating interview with Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusen. He talks about adapting the books, the mostly female writers' room, the female gaze throughout and a controversial sex scene.
The Duke and Daphne's first dance. With all kinds of fireworks.
Every costume drama dance scene is the best dance scene to me, but Oh This Dance. It's worth watching the entire season of Sanditon for this moment.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 - 15 - The Comfort of Corny Romance
Nothing wrong with indulging in slightly corny and comforting romantic movies. I talk about a bunch of my favorites in this episode, chock full of cheese (the tasty romantic kind).
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Movies mentioned:
The screwball comedy I featured is His Girl Friday(1940) starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. What a chemistry set!
The Holiday
The Lake House
Message in a Bottle
Leap Year
The Proposal
Grease 2
Blue Lagoon
Bridges of Madison County
Only You
Ever After
Compilation clipfrom Endless Love (1981)
The movie is based on the book Endless Love, the best-selling Salinger-esque novel by Scott Spencer. One of my favorite books of the 80s.
A fun royal Hallmark holiday movie,Christmas at the Palace.
Not romantic but so touching: November Christmasis one of the best Hallmark holiday movies ever. Have a hanky ready.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 31 Dec 2020 - 14 - A Cozy, Humorous Holiday: Little Women/The Family Stone
The March and Stone families give us the cozy, faithful and often funny holiday we all need this year.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Trailers:
Little Women (1933)
Little Women (1949)
Little Women (1994)
Little Women (2019)
The Family Stone
Download the Little Women ebook at Project GutenbergIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 - 13 - Grand Romantic Gestures & the Little Things
This episode is about one of my favorite romantic tropes of all time: the grand--or small but meaningful--romantic gesture.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Stream NBC's Lipstick Jungle here
The Age of Innocence trailer
Elizabeth's thank you to Darcy and the second proposal scene from the 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice
The breathtaking glider scene from Fifty Shades of Grey.One Last Night by Vaults is on constant repeat lately, and I can picture every moment of this scene when I hear it.
Go sailingwith Christian and Ana. BTW, spoiler: he's going to buy you that vintage Tudor mansion later. Yeah, now that's a grand gesture.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 03 Dec 2020 - 12 - Tale of Woe: the Heartbreak and Happiness of Jane Eyre
In this episode I talk about one of the best filmed versions of the classic novel Jane Eyre: the 2011 romantic movie with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska. In my humble opinion, ahem.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
<p>Project Gutenberg,a library of more than 60,000 free e-books!</p>
<p>The Mr. Rochester book.</p>
<p>The second fireside conversation between Mr. Rochester and Jane.</p>
<p>The proposal scene.Passion played out in the woods and/or nature! Always a winner! See also The Grabby Kiss episode. Mia breaks my heart each time I watch this scene.</p>If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 19 Nov 2020 - 11 - Chilly, Twisted Love: Rebecca
In this episode, I talk about the classic romantic suspense novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and the sexy 2020 Netflix adaptation.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
<p>The full Alfred Hitchcock version of Rebecca from 1940.</p>
<p>The 2020 Netflix Rebecca trailer.</p>
<p>The Rebecca episodefrom A Novel Adaptation.</p>If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 05 Nov 2020 - 10 - Can't Stop Extra: the Gutsy Rom-Com The Duchess
In this episode, I talk about the hilarious, often crude new Netflix rom-com series The Duchess starring comedian/actress/writer Katherine Ryan.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
<p>A lot of the material for The Duchess seems to have been inspired by this Katherine Ryan Netflix special.</p>If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 30 Oct 2020 - 9 - Come for the Suspense, Stay for the Romance: Death Comes to Pemberley & The Scapegoat
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Death Comes to Pemberley trailer. Anna Maxwell Martin is one of my favorite Elizabeths, too.
It's based on a bookby P.D. James
The Scapegoattrailer
The Scapegoat bookby Daphne du Maurier
The foreplay to the train make-out clip from North by Northwest
Notorious, full movie. That Scene comes right at the end.If you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 29 Oct 2020 - 8 - Slightly Scary Romance: The Woman in White
In this episode I talk about the visually stunning 2018 miniseries The Woman in White, a creepy romantic mystery perfect for Halloween.
http://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
Where to stream The Woman in White
2018 WiW miniseriestrailerand fantastic "sizzle reel"
1948 WiW movie trailer
Trailer for the dark and sometimes humorous Sleepy HollowIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 22 Oct 2020 - 7 - Romantic Rewinds and Binges: Outlander/A Discovery of Witches
In this episode I talk about my latest binges and obsessive romance rewinds, Outlander and A Discovery of Witches, and try to answer the question: am I going nuts?
http://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
OutlanderS1 trailer
A Discovery of WitchesS1 trailer.That Kiss comes right at the end.
All Souls Trilogy books.
ThearticleI mention.
Another funarticleon the topic.
Music mentioned in the Confessional:
Lissie's amazing cover of Go Your Own Way
I Foundby Amber Run
Never Gonna Dance by Fred Astaire, from one of my favorite Astaire/Rogers movies.
You Go to My Head by Frank Sinatra. He practically makes love to every vowel in this song.
You're the Best Thing by The Style Council
More Than Thisby Roxy Music
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Stardust by Nat King Cole. The best version of this song, ever.
The Mayor of Simpletonby XTC
Jungle Love by Steve Miller BandIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 15 Oct 2020 - 6 - Can't Stop Extra: Unrequited Love, Sherlock Style
In this extra episode, I talk about one of my favorite tiny romantic moments in the clever detective drama Sherlock.
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The Christmas Scene (tag says "dearest Sherlock" not "Merry Christmas, Sherlock," even better): https://youtu.be/ulYsQ7-w4PU
A fun video compilation of some of the best Sherlock moments: https://youtu.be/OJ8eQZLcfXAIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 09 Oct 2020 - 5 - All the Words Romance/Before Sunrise, Before Sunset & Destination Wedding
In this episode, I talk about some of the wordiest rom coms ever, and why I can't get enough of these romances.
Show notes at: http://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
This clip from Destination Wedding is the scene just prior to the one I discuss in this episode. You say puma, I say mountain lion, it's all hysterical: https://youtu.be/ICVNRU90Z-Q
The Q&A scene from Before Sunrise: https://youtu.be/sbwzV4cN90I
And the stop the car scene from Before Sunset: https://youtu.be/TUbgKkn9qFwIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Thu, 01 Oct 2020 - 4 - Can't Stop Extra: The Last Tycoon/The Matt Bomer Experience
In this extra episode, I continue talking about the actor Matt Bomer, because I can't get enough of his performance in The Last Tycoon. Someone, rescue me…
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com
The Last Tycoon trailer: https://youtu.be/KnRIv-QNtjg
Pure glamor: https://condenaststore.com/featured/norma-shearer-and-irving-thalberg-in-a-garden-edward-steichen.html?product=poster
Oh, this picture: https://artsmeme.com/2009/01/15/jewish-prince-of-hollywood/
More about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thalberg in Hollywood: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/11/16/slow-fade-arthur-krystalIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 25 Sep 2020 - 3 - The Grabby Kiss/Becoming Jane
In this episode I talk about some of my favorite visual romantic tropes— like a grab and a kiss and passion in the woods, used so well in the movie Becoming Jane.
Becoming Jane movie trailer: https://youtu.be/qmd-ej9Hx20
That Dance: https://youtu.be/mXoa7RcYT8M
Emma proposal scene: https://youtu.be/LTgOLHxQ9mM
More about Jane Austen's early life: https://www.notablebiographies.com/An-Ba/Austen-Jane.htmlIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Fri, 18 Sep 2020 - 2 - Chemical Hearts: Back to Senior YearFri, 04 Sep 2020
- 1 - Goodbye Romance Shame/Mr Malcolm's List
I'm finally saying goodbye to shame about loving romance, and talking about the book Mr. Malcolm's List.
Show notes at confessionsofaclosetromantic.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please click share in your podcast app and tell your friends! Thanks for listening!
Tue, 01 Sep 2020
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