Hi, everyone. I'm Shakara Mabone.
Jack:And I'm Jack Williams.
Kyra:And welcome to Breel in It In, the podcast where we take a moment to reel in the best and worst film moments while keeping our commentary a % real.
Jack:Today, we're talking about rom coms. So let's grab your let's grab your popcorn, and let's reel it in. Ew. And today joining us, we have Amy.
Amy:Hi, guys. Thank you for having me.
Kyra:Thank you for being on this podcast today.
Amy:Of course. So
Jack:I I guess we can start with you, Amy. What is your experience with rom coms? What's your favorites?
Amy:So I started I don't know. I would say, like, middle school. I just really like them because I thought it was, like, the cheesy stuff that are really cute. Mhmm. And then, like, it's like the I don't know.
Amy:The stuff that you think is gonna happen in, like, when you're in your twenties or, like, when you're in high school and stuff like that. And then just adding the comedy is just so hilarious. It's it could be stupid, but then it adds to the cheesy element. So I really like rom coms, and they also like this is gonna make me sound really dumb, but, like, it doesn't make you think. You know?
Amy:There's there's
Kyra:I don't think that's dummy at all. Like, it's such a carefree, you know, like, movie genre.
Amy:So Yeah. Yeah. And, like, I don't know. Sometimes it's nice to rewind, not be able to not have to think too much about what does a director mean when they're doing this, or, what does it mean that this actor is doing this? Like, you don't have to dig too deep into it like an English teacher would.
Amy:You can just, like, you know, kick your feet back, just watch it. And it's like something that, you know, can make you happy and stuff like that.
Jack:I so agree. And I feel like I I I actually because I got into rom coms, I feel like, a lot more recently. I think I think it was over break. I I kinda just got on, like, a rom com kick, and that's part of the reason I wanted to talk about it. But I think it was definitely a response to me.
Jack:Like, I I I I watch all these, like, films that require all this, like, analytic, like, all these, like, interpretations. You need to, like, really dive deep into it to, like, understand it. And sometimes, it's like, I wanna watch, like, I wanna watch something I can just kick my feet back to and Yeah.
Kyra:Yeah. My grandma, she had, like, a lot of rom coms growing up, like, on the VHS. So I don't know. Whenever she used to watch, like, her rom coms, I used to just, like, sit me along beside her and just be like, oh, You know? And she used to tell me, like, well, you don't understand it now, but you will understand it when you get older.
Kyra:Like but, yeah, rom coms is most definitely one of my top genres real.
Amy:Yeah. And, like, every time, like, my boyfriend and I have, like, a movie night, I'm always, like, suggesting things that are, like, cutesy. No. But yeah. Because, like, it's you don't have to, like, think about it, and, like, he's always, like, he's like you.
Amy:He likes the movies that, like, you have to think about. You really have to, like those, like, mind bender movies. I'm like, oh my god. Like, sometimes, like, I you know, I could have had a test or something. Like, let me rewind, watch my little chick flick, and you can stay here or not if you want.
Amy:Like I also
Jack:I I for me, at least, I I kinda I try to reject this notion that, like, certain films you can't provide, like, you can't analyze, you know? I I think we tend to get this idea, and I think I've talked about this before, but we get in this idea that, like, because one film is one way, you you have to analyze it a bunch, because another film is another way, it's like, oh, that's just, like, stupid, or it's just like this. It's just a rom com. But I think, like, I think what's so fun about it is, like, you can you can dig deeper into those movies, which I I love to do. But I also, you know, I need my movies where I can just, like, not pay attention the whole time.
Kyra:So I was just curious, like, why do you feel like rom coms is, like, different today than it was, like, back in the early two thousands?
Amy:Well, I wanna say, like, the February was mostly, like, I guess I feel like that was the height of rom coms. I'm not saying, like, you know, there isn't any right now, but I feel like there was just this, like, I guess, like, script that everyone like, every one of them followed is either, like I don't know, you meet someone when you're, like, going to get coffee or something. It was like that strict script that people would follow, and it wasn't like there wasn't there there just wasn't too much variety when it came to it, but I feel like and there's obviously, like, the diversity thing that comes along with it as well. Yeah. So that is, like, the main comparison that I would see from, like, back then, like, the
Kyra:two thousands. The only reason why I asked because I was just, like, thinking I was watching, I was watching 13 going on thirty because I seen it in so long. Like, I had to rewatch it because I was like, well, it's been a minute. And then I watched what was it? It was To All The Boys I Love.
Kyra:I know. Two different movies. You can't really compare them, in my opinion. But I was just thinking, like, well, I really haven't, like, seen, like, the promo for To the All the Boys I Love because it's more, like, on Netflix and, you know, like, streaming. You know, like, I'm sorry.
Kyra:I'm drawn up here. But I'm just saying, like, I think that's why, you know, romance, romances, it really feel the same because you don't really get the same, like, push as, you know, it wasn't in early 2000s because you want people to actually, like, go out to the movie theaters and see it and things like that. And I was just, like, curious, you know. So
Jack:There's also not just with rom coms. It's not something I've only noticed with rom coms, but the early two thousands, they had, like it was an aura almost, like and I think the two main genres I see it with is, rom coms and action. Action movies in the early two thousands had this, like, very distinct style,
Kyra:like Yeah. You know what? The last, like, really big action movie that I feel like would have that same feel was I mean, just a tad bit Proud Mary. Have you seen that movie before? I
Jack:did not. No.
Kyra:Is it Taraji? Mhmm. You haven't seen it? Oh, well, it's a good movie. You should check it out.
Kyra:But but, yeah, I really agree.
Jack:So Yeah. Like yeah. They had just, like, I I tend to think of, like, Daredevil. Right? Mhmm.
Jack:The the Hellboy movies. They just, they made use of, like, over the top music a lot. These sort of, like, grand action sequences that you I feel like you don't see it today. But I think on the rom com note, for me, I don't it was a little hard it was harder for me to kinda nail down what exactly that distinctiveness was with those early two thousands movies. Because, like, I who's the last, like, new rom com I watched?
Jack:It was probably, the Sydney Sweeney movie.
Kyra:Oh, anyone but anyone but you.
Jack:Anyone but you. Yeah.
Kyra:And I
Jack:feel like that, in a way, kinda emulated that. But if you watch that and compare it to something like 13 going on 30, Harry Met Sally, it's just, like, so different.
Kyra:Oh, if you wanna get, like, technical with, like, the film in general, I think it's just, like, the overall visual style of it. Like, you have the the warmer tones, you know, like Mhmm. The dreaming lightning, you know, like, the sunset or, like, the sunrise. You know, you're at the beach and things like that. And then the costume, like, specifically pinpointing for 13 Going North 30 and Legally Blonde, you have all these bright colors, you know, pink, red, etcetera, etcetera.
Kyra:You know, I think that's what the difference is versus, you know, the modern films nowadays. It seems kinda just a bit like not I'm not, like, crapping on the, you know, modern, but it seems just a bit monotone, you know? Like Yes.
Amy:Yeah. Yeah. So I think it also kinda has to do with, like, the delivery of the cheesiness, because I feel like it was very much accepted back then for all this all the actresses and actors to do that. But I feel like when you compare it to something like Anyone But You, it's very, like, cringe in a way. Like, I found myself cringing through some of the scenes.
Amy:I'm like, what are they doing? But, like yeah. Is there Is there 2,000
Kyra:movies also had that little bit of cringeness, though?
Jack:Curious now. Is there an aspect of it, because we're viewing it twenty years later
Kyra:Yeah.
Jack:That, like, we just don't we just like, maybe years from now, we'll look back and be like, oh, like those early two twenty twenty movies. Like, they had this, like, vibe. We just don't I wonder if that's what but I don't know. I also feel like these movies have been kinda hailed as, like, classics, like, even when they were, like, we first came out. But I don't know.
Jack:Obviously, I wasn't alive, when, like, Harry Met Sally came out. But
Kyra:Oh, can we talk about that when Harry Met Sally? Let's take it well, it wasn't all the way back. What that movie came out, like, in '97 or something like that?
Jack:I think it was late night.
Kyra:Yeah. Okay. So here's the thing. I like late nineties rom com. Like Okay.
Kyra:Have you guys seen my My Best Friend Wedding with Julia Roberts?
Jack:I have not. No.
Amy:I think I have.
Kyra:No? Okay. Well, I really love that movie. So, yeah, let's talk about it. Let's let's talk about it.
Jack:What Harry Met Sally? Yeah. Harry Met Sally first of all, my introduction to this movie, was in my, I think, junior year of high school. I had a teacher who she would always be like men and women can't be friends. She was my, like, sex ed teacher, which was kind of funny.
Jack:But the that she had she had this, like, crazy it was controversial within the school because everyone was always like, oh, no. Like, met and women, keep your friends, whatever. But she would always just, like, stick by it. And then if you if you took her, sort of, like, the second the follow-up to the sex ed class, which, like, you didn't have to take, but it was an elective. I took it.
Jack:She she, like, had us watch it when Harry Met Sally. And then she basically just, like, used it as evidences to, like, why what she's saying is correct. But, yeah, if you haven't seen Harry Met Sally when Harry Met Sally Spoiler. Bill spoiler. Billy Crystal makes this point early in the film that, men and women can't be friends because the sex stuff always gets in the way.
Jack:And Sally's like, oh, no. That's not true. I have a ton of male friends. And then, of course, in the end, they get together.
Kyra:But Which interesting it is interesting that she said that because we have not seen not one male friend that, you know, Sally mentioned. So I just thought that was interesting in my opinion.
Jack:Yeah. Yeah. And I think it's also kinda it does play on, like, the trope of, like, the friends to lovers, I guess. Because, like, when she I feel like a lot of those early two thousands films, like, late nineties kinda relied on, like, split like, 13 Going on 30 Mhmm. With the Mark Ruffalo and, who's the main girl in that?
Jack:Is that Julia Roberts? Am I making that? And 13 Going on 30?
Kyra:No. Jennifer Gartner. Jennifer Gartner. No. That's me.
Jack:One thing one thing about me is I have, I have crazy face blindness when I Yeah. I'm not. Sometimes.
Kyra:Actually someone. You must ask the elementary side tracked. I have not. No. Okay.
Kyra:So you know when Barbara always get, like, the people like, the celebrity wrong?
Amy:Yeah. Yeah.
Kyra:But, yeah, speaking of trope, you know, one thing I noticed about, like, the early 2,000 film is that the guy always leave his ex girl or not his ex girlfriend, his girlfriend, his fiancee, or his wife for, like, the one he thought he loved.
Jack:Always taken at the start, and then they yeah.
Kyra:What's up with that? I don't because when I was talking to 30 going on 30 and I was, like, thinking about these other films that I watched, I was, like, sigh.
Amy:I don't
Kyra:like it.
Jack:Yeah. Exactly.
Amy:That's just that's like going back to, like, the same script. It's always, like, the same script whether it's, like, you know, different characters or whatever, different life stories. It always just, like, reverts back back to that same script. And that's, like, what I think is, like, the key differentiating factor between those back then and, like, those, like, right now.
Jack:And that's, I think, when we talk about, like, things being, like, easy to watch. Mhmm.
Kyra:You
Jack:know? I think that definitely plays into it because it's, like, I can I can watch this, and I know exactly what's gonna happen by the end of it?
Amy:Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Kyra:But then
Jack:there's always, like, a gimmick. You know? Like, 13 going on 30, there's, like, the, you know, she's older. And, like, there's serendipity, if you guys have seen that one, where, the gimmick is, like they they talk about, like, fate the whole time, and it's like like, oh, like, you know, you don't actually know if they're gonna meet towards the end, but, like, obviously, they are because it wouldn't be a movie if they didn't. But
Kyra:You know, I feel like what's a underrated rom com? Bring It On, The original one. Like, the very first one.
Amy:I don't think I've seen the first one. No? But I've seen, like, one in the series. I don't know which one it is, but I've seen one.
Kyra:Wow. That's such a good film.
Jack:When did the original come in?
Kyra:Like, in February.
Jack:When when is it rebooted then?
Kyra:I don't think they have reboots. It's just like a Oh, okay. Okay.
Jack:I hear you're saying.
Kyra:Franchise. Yeah. Like, I only say it is original because Mhmm. After a while, the franchise just gets sucky in my opinion. But
Jack:Yeah. Sure.
Kyra:Yeah. You know what else? I feel like what's really, you know, defying, like, the early two thousand rom coms, I just feel like the casting for one. Like, back then, you knew, like, Julia Roberts. You knew Jennifer Garner.
Kyra:You knew, what's his name? He's he was in the one movie with Jennifer Lopez, The Wedding Planner, the costar.
Amy:Oh, oh,
Kyra:oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,
Jack:oh, oh, oh,
Kyra:oh, oh
Amy:a couple of all
Kyra:of them. Yeah. That is him. Yes. I just feel like, you know, you have, like, the big stars on screen.
Kyra:Like, okay. You have Sydney. What was her name again? Sweetie.
Jack:Sweetie.
Kyra:Sweetie. I knew that was her name.
Jack:I just didn't wanna butcher it. To say that they're, like,
Kyra:you know, like, you had a
Jack:it's, like, two really big.
Kyra:Like, you know? Like, you have them, but, like, I don't know what it is. Like, back then, everybody knew them. And I that's what I just noticed now with, like, the with the Mandarin, rom coms. You just don't really know the actors and the actress, which is good because, you know, you have to, like, start a new whole generation, you know, of, like, the face of, like, oh, the America's sweetheart and stuff like that.
Kyra:So that's just the observation I had.
Amy:I wonder if that, like, comes with time though because well, obviously, they were pretty big, like, back when it was actually made, but then we look back and we we, like, see them from, like, like Mhmm. Present movies as well as those movies, and we're like, oh my gosh. Like, they're iconic. We know them through x
Kyra:y z.
Amy:But then, like, it might be their breakthrough movie for people in, the actress and actresses in these modern rom coms. And then we look back, like, twenty years later, and I'm like, oh my gosh. Like, this, like, person started at this movie. So
Kyra:It just remind me of, like, Issa Rae. Have you seen Insecure before? Well, it's a TV show, but, oh, man. You should watch it. But it just reminded me of her.
Kyra:Like, I feel like if rom coms will be, like, not similar to, like, the early two thousands, but, like, a little bit, like, toe to toe, but a little bit more, like, modernized. I feel like Issa Rae will be the one to, like, change that, honestly.
Jack:Why is it?
Kyra:Because I just you have to watch her work to understand, like, she have, like first of all, I believe soundtrack makes all the movies.
Jack:That's definitely definitive of those early February ones.
Kyra:Exactly. It was gonna
Jack:throw in a song that
Kyra:was like, okay. And if you watch Insecure if you're a fan of Insecure, everybody know, like, the soundtrack makes up that show too. But you also have, like, the the actors and the actress and things like that and the great storyline.
Jack:Mhmm.
Kyra:So that's why I feel that way. You know? Mhmm. But she also stay on like, stay trending by, like, talking about, like, social commentary that's happening right now, like, you know, the man if men and women can be friends, or, like, who should be paying for the date and things like that. So I think that's what grabs the audience back, if that makes sense.
Kyra:Mhmm. So yeah.
Jack:It definitely yeah. I think the rom com's ability to address, sorta, yeah, issues in in romance, I think, is, is overlooked. Like, when I was talking about, like, being able to analyze, like a rom com I think you can do it like through that lens one Example I think is, have you guys seen mr. And mrs. Smith?
Kyra:Oh, yeah.
Jack:Classic, right? No, like classic, you know, love mr. And mrs. Smith, and I think it definitely, and honestly what's crazy about that is I think
Kyra:it's in the show?
Jack:That's what I was about to get to.
Kyra:Yeah. I'm, like, so excited.
Jack:But the original, definitely, it was action and it was romance. Yeah. You know, back to what I was talking about about, those both had, like, sort of distinct styles in the early two thousand. I think it embodied both of those, which is crazy because you just mentioned it. But when we, think about, like, the new one.
Jack:Right? Like, the the Donald Glover one. Mhmm. They take a it's the same thing. Right?
Jack:The same premise, but they take a totally different, like, I guess, perspective on it. Like, it's still funny, and there's still action. But when they talk, it's almost like the character they feel a lot more real. You know? It feels like a real conversation or, like, a real, like, argument or whatever you'd have with your significant other.
Jack:Like, when the Yeah. I'm thinking of the scene on the beach.
Kyra:Oh, yeah.
Jack:You know? Mhmm. Where they're talking about, like, his mom and stuff like that.
Kyra:Yeah. I agree. And I think that's what more of these modern, rom coms is adopting a little bit more. Like, it's, like, more realistic. Like, you know, in the early February, you do have, like, the storyline where the girl gets breaking up with or gets dumped or she find out her man is cheating and things like that.
Kyra:And she, I don't know, glow up. Honestly, what I observed in, like, in these newer films, that's not really a big issue. You know, it's more like a mutual breakup and things like that. Or like, oh, okay. I like to be single.
Kyra:It's fine. You know? So what? You know? If you get what I'm saying?
Kyra:So, yeah, I'm a definitely agree with that.
Jack:Yeah. Yeah. For the individual.
Amy:And it's, like, more like variety too. It's not like there's just like you said, like, someone gets broken up with. But there's stuff like that one movie where she the, Jane the Virgin, like, that actress, so someone great or something like that. Like, she gets broken up after, like, eight years, and then she's, like, finding herself again. So, like, that, like, there's, like, tropes that, like, you wouldn't expect kind of, but it's also very much relatable because someone could be going through the same thing that she is.
Amy:So I think that's, like, really cool that they're incorporating, like, real life scenarios, like you said, where it wasn't present in the past.
Jack:Yeah. It definitely, like, allows you to connect to them and still, like, find find it funny and find entertain like, I love the original miss mister and missus Smith. Mhmm. I don't see myself in any any of those, like, conversation because they're just so, like, wacky and bizarre. And and then, obviously, there's, like, themes in those movies.
Jack:There's themes present in those movies that, like, you can probably relate to. But in the newer version, you know, I I I can relate more to those characters. Like, I can I can see myself there, which I think is honestly is the goal of, like, a good movie or a good show in in my opinion?
Kyra:Oh, yeah.
Jack:Yeah. See yourself in the characters.
Kyra:Most definitely.
Jack:But it's I think they've definitely it's almost like it's because it's not totally adopting, like, a serious tone. Right? But what I love about there's a clear distinction. Right? Because you have, like, rom coms and you have regular romance movies.
Jack:Yeah. You know? And what's almost funny about that is rom coms obviously make you laugh. Regular romance movies are often associated with, like, sad emotions.
Kyra:Yeah. You
Jack:know, there's always, like, an ending that's supposed to make you cry or, you know, some it ends in tragedy or whatever. Yeah. Which I I just find that parallel,
Amy:like, pretty funny. Mhmm. Yeah.
Kyra:I don't
Amy:think I definitely agree with that. It's weird because then you see, like, people like Nicholas Sparks who obviously make tear jerker romantic movies.
Jack:Yeah.
Amy:But I really haven't, like I feel like there's very, like, a scarce amount of, like, movies where it's, like, romantic Mhmm. But it's, like, a happy ending.
Jack:Yeah.
Amy:But, like, without, like, that undertone of, like, comedy or anything. Like Mhmm. Literally just following the script same script as a regular romantic movie, but without the tearjerker part, I feel like it's kind of, like, rare to find in a way.
Jack:It's like if the movie's not wacky and goofy, then it's probably gonna be sad.
Amy:Yeah. And there's, like, no happy medium kind of in between. So I think that's kinda
Kyra:Like, even though this is a historical drama, but, like, the Titanic, for instance.
Amy:Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Jack:I mean, that's a romance. That I mean, people, I think, consider that, like
Kyra:I mean, yeah. One of
Jack:the greatest,
Kyra:like, romance of all time. But it's this movie. Well, I don't know if you guys seen it. It's by Tyler Perry. It's, like, it's called Why Did I get married?
Kyra:First of all, that movie is so toxic. I hate it, actually. But, yeah, it's like I mean, it's a rom com, but, like, it's so much drama
Jack:in that. Like Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that's that
Kyra:that's interesting
Jack:to me. I always always think about that. I think maybe because you're talking about striking a medium. I think one of those movies the the only one the only one that comes to my mind, I think, would be La La Land.
Amy:Yeah. Because
Jack:that's like but it's still a sad ending. You know? It is still I mean, but it's more it's a bit more melancholy, but, yeah, it's like, that's definitely I'm gonna start thinking about that a little more. I'm gonna I'm gonna search. If you guys have any romance movies that you think are have a happy ending and are not rom coms, email me.
Jack:Jack.williams@statenews.com. We're always looking for people to email in. But one more thing I wanted to talk about Mhmm. Is sex in movies, which isn't necessarily just talking about rom coms or romance movies. But I think one one would assume that sex is actually, like we seen, like, an uptake in that in film, and we actually haven't.
Jack:According to The Economist, story they did back in 2024, it looks like, they actually discovered that there is less sex in big movies right now. What do you guys make of that?
Amy:That's crazy. Because I just I feel like there's, like, a time and place for it. Uh-huh. Especially, like, I understand when it's, like, a rom com or, like, a romantic movie. And, like, obviously, there's, like, innuendos, like, throughout.
Amy:Like, you don't, like you kinda get that what's one's leading to the other. But, like, there's some movies I'm like, is that really, like, necessary? Like, does it add anything to the plot? The one big, like, argument that I saw was, like, when Oppenheimer came out. Now I personally haven't seen Oppenheimer, but, like, I do know there is a sex scene in it.
Amy:And, like, knowing my knowledge about Oppenheimer and, like, the time period, did they really have to show a sex scene?
Kyra:I don't know. So real.
Jack:It was, there's I think there was a sex scene, and then there was the other scene where did you
Kyra:Oh, no. No. No.
Jack:Oh, there
Kyra:was another scene. Thinking about another film.
Jack:Yeah. There there was another scene where I don't even know how to describe it because it was really weird, but he was, he's in this room, and they're all, like, interrogating him about, I think it was, like, being a communist or whatever.
Amy:Okay.
Jack:And there's a scene where he and he he's kinda, like, having these hallucinations that, you know, it's kinda trying to, like, portray his, like, he's not in the right state of mind.
Amy:Okay.
Jack:And then he's naked.
Kyra:And
Jack:then they cut to, like, the people asking questions, and they cut back. And, his wife is there, and they're, like, having sex, like, in front of them. But, like, obviously, the people can't see it. That's how I remember it. But I think it was that.
Jack:That was another one of the things people were referencing. It's like, was that really, like, did we need to see the ad?
Amy:Yeah. And I just feel like it's, like, thrown in there somewhere on all any of the stuff that I watch. Obviously, there's, like, stuff like Euphoria where, like
Kyra:Insecure. It's crazy. Like, insecure almost every week.
Jack:Well, it's crazy you mentioned Euphoria because I think the the the caveat to to this was that while there's less sex in movies, there's more sex in TV. Oh. People can get away with that now. You know?
Kyra:That's interesting. Now that you said that, I do realize that a lot. So yeah.
Jack:I think you I mean, Euphoria, obviously, like, great example of that. Oh, and I guess, sexual content. So I guess that includes, like, nudity and stuff. But, I think the the primary reason for that is, before, like, two thousands, I guess, people started, companies started realizing if we make movies PG 13, we can appeal to a wider audience more money. Right?
Jack:Right. And, obviously, when you have a PG 13 movie, you can't really have as much sex. So I think that's the primary driver. But then with TV, it makes sense because, you have a more specialized audience. You know?
Jack:Not everyone's watching Euphoria every weekend or whatever. Right. Yeah. Right. But yeah.
Kyra:Yeah. I just think it's the levels, honestly, that should be necessary. Well, like, it's like what Emmy say, like, time and place, time and place. You know? It just depends on the plot of the movie.
Jack:Yeah.
Kyra:Now if it's something like I don't know. What's a good film?
Amy:Like a romper?
Kyra:Just in general.
Jack:Would we blank on the movie podcast about what's a good movie?
Kyra:I don't know.
Jack:Let's take La La Land.
Kyra:Okay. Exactly. I just feel like it shouldn't be, like, hard, you know, core. You know? Yeah.
Amy:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Jack:No. I get what
Kyra:you're saying. Yeah. I really agree with Amy. Like, it's just the time and place, honestly. And I just feel like the levels, like, if it's just too much, like, it's just too hardcore.
Kyra:I think that's what those out the audience in my opinion. I mean, that's a no brainer. But
Jack:I think it's also just I agree with that. And I think back in the day or back in the day or pre two thousands, you had a lot of, like, you had a lot more, I feel like, experimentation in film. Nineteen fifties to February, you had a lot more experimentation in film. So there were there were a lot more people who were, like, willing to experiment with ideas of sex and ideas of nudity, and they they were really playing with that idea of time and place. Mhmm.
Jack:And then by the time the two thousands rolls around, it looks like there was more of, like, a set, like, okay, there is a time and place, and Yeah. You should probably follow that directive. You know? Like, you should know what the time and place is. Whereas back in the day, they were just kinda like, let's explore that.
Jack:You know? Let's talk about that. Let's have a conversation about that. You know what I'm saying?
Amy:Yeah. I also agree with what Kyra said because I think there's, like, a fine line in some films where it's just like, you know, like he said or, like, intent like, for the audience to understand what's going on. Yeah.
Kyra:I just have a I I just thought of a film. So have you guys seen Queen Islam? No. No? Oh my gosh.
Kyra:You should see that. It's all movie recommendations. Such a good movie. Oh my gosh. But it was a scene okay.
Kyra:So, basically, it's about two well, they wasn't even a couple. It was just about two black people. You know, they was, like, out. And then one of them was a lawyer, and then they got pulled over and, you know, police
Jack:Yeah.
Kyra:All that extra stuff. So the lawyer decided to do something crazy. You know, I'm just going off my head. I I I'm not really you know? But she decided to, like, do something crazy that would, like, jeopardize their freedom and stuff like that.
Kyra:So, basically, they all be on a run. It's like a Bonnie and Clyde type situation. So while they was on a
Jack:I've seen this. Sorry.
Kyra:Okay. You're not.
Jack:Going to my yeah. No.
Kyra:I know. I know exactly. Okay. So you know the scene I'm talking about then? The the sex scene?
Kyra:Yeah. Yeah. When that movie came out, like, when that movie first came out, everybody was so pissed at that scene because it was just like, okay. Like, what's the but not gonna hold you up. Thinking about it and looking back on it, I feel like it was a bit necessary if you just, like, look into it deeper because you gotta understand, like, two black people on a run.
Kyra:You know?
Jack:No. I that but I think that's, like, a good, like Mhmm. That is a time and place.
Kyra:You
Jack:know? Like, on the run Yeah. That's right. Together. Yeah.
Kyra:There's a time and place. You never know if they're gonna, like, you know, survive for one because
Jack:So yeah. Yeah. They definitely, like, there's something to be said there, I think, about it.
Kyra:I'm so sorry. I just have to, like, put that out there.
Jack:No. Yeah. Yeah. I a % agree. Or, like, I think whenever, we talk about, like, queer representation in cinema
Kyra:Mhmm.
Jack:And that this is why, you know, when you hear when you hear people who, like, try to advocate for less, queer stuff in, like, books and movies and stuff like that sorry. I'm getting kind of political here. But, you the you see that the they're they're always, like, oh, like, we don't need our kids looking at sex. When it is, like, okay. Look.
Jack:How then how do we talk about sexuality without portraying sex in some way? And then, you know, then you realize it's kinda just a guise for homophobia. So I think definitely and and we see a lot more queer representation on screen nowadays, sex becomes like a lot it becomes important, you know?
Kyra:Most definitely.
Jack:So then, I guess, it kinda forces us to question, like, who's determining that time and place dynamic? You know? Who's setting that directive for us when we when we talk about, like, sex in movies? I think we should always be questioning that, you know?
Kyra:I feel like you always go back to patriarchy.
Jack:No. A %. Yeah. I mean, we talk we talk about more sex in the nineteen hundreds, but, you know, it was heterosexual. Like, you know?
Jack:Mhmm. Yeah. That's a
Kyra:good question. I'm gonna, like, actually think about that.
Jack:Yeah. I think it's something for you guys to think about going forward. But I don't know. I don't know. Looking forward, I don't I like to think that the state of the movie industry right now is sorta on its way, to becoming I I feel like we're on our way to another, like, sort of experimentation another experimental revolution
Kyra:Yeah.
Jack:And film, like, some new movement that's
Amy:coming out.
Jack:So maybe someday, maybe in the future, we'll get, like, more wind up getting more sex in movies than we have now, but, I'm curious. That's just my 2ยข.
Kyra:Yeah.
Amy:I just think it's more kind of normalized now
Jack:Yeah.
Amy:Rather than before. Mhmm. Kind of adding on to your point. So that might make it seem as though we're, like, kind of what's that word? You're, like, used to it?
Amy:Desensitize. There
Jack:you go.
Amy:There we go. I wrote an article on this too, but, like or not on this topic, but desensitization. But I feel like kind of now that, like, we're seeing more of it, we've grown kinda desensitized it, and it seems like we're seeing more than we actually are. Mhmm. So that could be an explanation as to why, like, statistically, there isn't an increase in the sex scenes.
Jack:Yeah. I mean, there was explicitly a d it was, like, 20% less, which I thought was, like, really interesting.
Kyra:Mhmm.
Jack:Yeah. And I think that was using higher grossing movies. So maybe, like, with experimental stuff, there is still, like, the same amount because, I mean, I mean, those movies tend to gross a little less, but, we also get less experimental movies in general now, I think, than we did back in the day. Yep. Yeah.
Kyra:So, like, do we still want that early February, like, feel, though?
Jack:I yeah.
Amy:Oh, sorry. No. Go ahead. I think maybe for, like, the nostalgia. Mhmm.
Amy:Because, like, what I'm kinda kinda comparing this to is, like, how people are really fixated on, like, 2016 and those vibes. Yeah. Like, it gets to
Kyra:a point this 2016.
Amy:I well, I yeah. For sure.
Jack:Like, if
Kyra:it For
Amy:sure. But, like, it kind of, like, gets to a point where I feel like if we don't, like, step out of the past and the nostalgia, like, what how
Kyra:are we gonna change?
Amy:So there's obviously, like, the of. Yeah. There's, like, moments where you're just like, oh, like, the two thousands. Like, that vibe was so great. Like, the little chick flicks, like, the cheesiness.
Amy:But then, like, if we kinda dwindle on that, if we keep making movies on that, like, are we gonna go progress forward and get, like, maybe unlock more genres and scripts within
Jack:A new era?
Amy:Yeah. A new era, basically, within, like, rom coms.
Jack:Yeah. I I definitely think we shouldn't confine ourselves to one. And I I feel like every time someone tries to recreate a a time period in film, it just never it Yeah. I I mean, homage is a %. It is, like, I think, like always make an homage.
Jack:We should always be, like, homaging to previous things. I think it's great. But, yeah, I think when we when we try to just, like, recreate an era that is from the past or better left in the past, then it's it's not gonna be it's not gonna be a good movie.
Kyra:I just want more warmer tones in films. Like Yeah. I don't know what it is. I I just feel like it's a euphoric feeling. You know?
Kyra:So
Jack:This has been Reeling It In. I'm Jack Williams.
Kyra:And I'm Kyra Maybone.
Jack:And, we'll see you next
Kyra:week. Bye.