THIS IS EVERYTHING. I was laughing out loud. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Truly one of my favorite movies of all time and this was a chefs kiss commentary of it. As soon as a finished reading it I wanted to go back and read it again. Oh and I will be watching the movie now tonight. Thank you for this craft of art.
I always enjoy your deep dives even if I haven't seen the movie! A Cinderella Story was after my time, but I had to comment bc there was a point at which I could recite like half the dialogue from Some Kind of Wonderful from memory, and I may or may not still have a wee crush on late-80s Eric Stoltz. (If he's turned into an antivaxxer I don't wanna know about it.) But yeah teen movies! They barely change! We love them!
I have somehow never seen this movie! Most likely because it came out well after I exited my teens, but I probably would still enjoy it. Naturally it's not streaming anywhere, but I bet my library has it!
I'm glad you're enjoying Dead to Me. Even if the storylines aren't working, the actors are always wonderful. I love its focus on adult female friendship, even it wasn't formed in a traditional manner.
this movie streams EVERYWHERE for me because I own it lol. I need to be able to watch this movie at a drop of a hat at any moment -- it's a mental health accommodation.
I know you say you read my newsletter even though you haven’t seen the movies I write about…well that’s me today, because I was devouring every WORD of this even though I’ve never seen A Cinderella Story!!
Somehowbi never saw this movie! Which I can't exactly blame on already being a grown ass adult 20 years ago, because I also managed to watch High School Musical multiple times when it came out, so the real glass house is me.
I kind of wish I could respond to this whole post inline, like an email, but it would just be stuff like "fricking Jennifer Coolidge!!" and "How long ago did he die? That estate would be in PROBATE." So it's probably for the best. (I assume her dad fell during the earthquake and died of blunt force head trauma, a thing that always kind of worried me when I lived alone, especially after I nearly did exactly that slipping in the shower.)
"The real glass house is me" lol. I assume something loose fell on her dad's head, which again, can absolutely happen! It's also just such a wild "whoops the dad died" moment in a movie that I couldn't help but comment on it. The stepmother would also not have been able to witness the will as (presumably) a beneficiary/interested party, but it's a MOVIE so we don't think about PROBATE
The fact that you mention The Torkilsons and Some Kind of Wonderful in this makes it even better than it was anyway. Also, I’ve now had ‘Hear You Me’ stuck in my head since I opened the newsletter.
A Cinderella Story is literally my formative everything— my hypothetical jeopardy category I would sweep and brag about for the rest of my life. It’s what I based high school on… until I realized it was not lol. So glad to read your breakdown and love for it too!
omg the idea of sweeping A Cinderella Story jeopardy category -- now I'm thinking what the questions would even be! But truly it is a perfect movie (for all its many imperfections)
THIS IS EVERYTHING. I was laughing out loud. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Truly one of my favorite movies of all time and this was a chefs kiss commentary of it. As soon as a finished reading it I wanted to go back and read it again. Oh and I will be watching the movie now tonight. Thank you for this craft of art.
ha I'm glad you enjoyed it! one of my top favorite comfort movies for sure
I always enjoy your deep dives even if I haven't seen the movie! A Cinderella Story was after my time, but I had to comment bc there was a point at which I could recite like half the dialogue from Some Kind of Wonderful from memory, and I may or may not still have a wee crush on late-80s Eric Stoltz. (If he's turned into an antivaxxer I don't wanna know about it.) But yeah teen movies! They barely change! We love them!
Who DIDN'T have a crush on late 80s Eric Stoltz. Also Mary Stuart Masterson in that movie -- it was a bi awakening for real.
TOTAL bi awakening. And she is at least 33.3% responsible for my learning to play drums haha
Even though your excellent commentary means I don't actually *need* to see this movie, I need to see this movie now.
You really, really do.
Wow, I wish you would do the Olsens' "It Takes Two" -- my kid is 33 and I'm imprinted
haha an Olsen movie would be so fun!
I have somehow never seen this movie! Most likely because it came out well after I exited my teens, but I probably would still enjoy it. Naturally it's not streaming anywhere, but I bet my library has it!
I'm glad you're enjoying Dead to Me. Even if the storylines aren't working, the actors are always wonderful. I love its focus on adult female friendship, even it wasn't formed in a traditional manner.
this movie streams EVERYWHERE for me because I own it lol. I need to be able to watch this movie at a drop of a hat at any moment -- it's a mental health accommodation.
And totally agreed re Dead to Me!
I know you say you read my newsletter even though you haven’t seen the movies I write about…well that’s me today, because I was devouring every WORD of this even though I’ve never seen A Cinderella Story!!
I am HONORED to return the favor but also shocked you've never seen it!!
Somehowbi never saw this movie! Which I can't exactly blame on already being a grown ass adult 20 years ago, because I also managed to watch High School Musical multiple times when it came out, so the real glass house is me.
I kind of wish I could respond to this whole post inline, like an email, but it would just be stuff like "fricking Jennifer Coolidge!!" and "How long ago did he die? That estate would be in PROBATE." So it's probably for the best. (I assume her dad fell during the earthquake and died of blunt force head trauma, a thing that always kind of worried me when I lived alone, especially after I nearly did exactly that slipping in the shower.)
"The real glass house is me" lol. I assume something loose fell on her dad's head, which again, can absolutely happen! It's also just such a wild "whoops the dad died" moment in a movie that I couldn't help but comment on it. The stepmother would also not have been able to witness the will as (presumably) a beneficiary/interested party, but it's a MOVIE so we don't think about PROBATE
Whining about feasibility during movies is my most* endearing trait, of COURSE I'm thinking about probate!!
(*least, why am I this way??)
OK, another one I'll come back to later after homework! I'm downloading Cinderella Story as we speak and will come back here after a watch.
Also, unrelated, I saw Ava Wilder tip her hat to you in her substack today! Anytime I see women lifting women it makes my heart swell. <3
I was just talking about how iconic the “Hear You Me” scene is to my sister a couple days ago. Glad we’re on the same wavelength lol
they ATE with that scene as the kids would say
The fact that you mention The Torkilsons and Some Kind of Wonderful in this makes it even better than it was anyway. Also, I’ve now had ‘Hear You Me’ stuck in my head since I opened the newsletter.
Not a bad song to have stuck in your head (in my book)!
A Cinderella Story is literally my formative everything— my hypothetical jeopardy category I would sweep and brag about for the rest of my life. It’s what I based high school on… until I realized it was not lol. So glad to read your breakdown and love for it too!
omg the idea of sweeping A Cinderella Story jeopardy category -- now I'm thinking what the questions would even be! But truly it is a perfect movie (for all its many imperfections)