This 2022 Thai rom-com follows two friends caught in life's frustrating cycle of missed connections and bad timing. Haikal and CJ dive into Thailand's brilliant approach to humor (that fart joke!), the refreshingly realistic portrayal of modern relationships through social media, and why the missing romance might actually be the point. Listen as they debate whether a love story without a clear resolution makes for brilliant storytelling or just leaves you wanting more—much like the characters themselves.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(07:50) - The Good Bits
(33:45) - The Weird Bits
(44:15) - The Bad Bits
(52:35) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
College best friends navigate love, friendship, and destiny in Bollywood classic "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998), as first-time viewer CJ and lifelong fan Haikal debate this beloved romantic epic. The hosts can't stop gushing about "the aura!" of stars Kajol and Rani Mukerji, while lovingly roasting everything from questionable basketball scenes to that infamous Polo Sport shirt that took three hours to purchase. Their playful analysis weaves between nostalgic '90s fashion choices and heartfelt discussions about love, proving some Bollywood classics really do stand the test of time – even if their style choices shouldn't.
(00:00) - Introduction
(07:45) - The Good Bits
(38:30) - The Weird Bits
(01:04:50) - The Bad Bits
(01:19:00) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Netflix's Spanish romance "Love Divided" (2024) tests whether love can bloom between neighbors who've never met face-to-face. CJ brings insights from the French original while Haikal questions suspicious apartment aesthetics, leading to heated debates about everything from pet names to European architecture. Between accidental Antonio Banderas comparisons and an MVP cat actor, our hosts explore what gets lost (and found) in translation.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:05) - The Good Bits
(24:50) - The Weird Bits
(45:50) - The Bad Bits
(01:10:30) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
A professor-turned-fake-hitman finds unlikely romance in "Hit Man" (2023), sparking CJ and Haikal's heated debate about mixing murder with meet-cutes. Between Haikal's law enforcement fact-checks and CJ's theory about this being a "romantic comedy for straight men," our hosts can't decide if dark humor love stories like this should exist. And really, is it that weird to like bird watching? Spoilers ahead!
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(05:58) - The Good Bits
(18:00) - The Weird Bits
(41:15) - The Bad Bits
(01:03:35) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Sandra Bullock's lonely ticket collector gets tangled in a Christmas case of mistaken identity in "While You Were Sleeping" (1995). CJ and Haikal dive into this holiday rom-com classic, debating '90s fashion disasters and perfectly-timed slapstick moments. Between one host's shocking Sandra Bullock/Michael Jackson comparison and their shared love of fake family Christmases, this charming comedy proves some lies are worth telling.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(03:50) - The Bad Bits
(14:10) - The Weird Bits
(36:35) - The Good Bits
(52:00) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
A modern take on George Michael's classic song turns into 2019's most baffling holiday film. CJ and Haikal watch "Last Christmas," where even Emilia Clarke and Michelle Yeoh can't quite explain why they're discussing 1999 Yugoslavia during Christmas. Between praising Henry Golding's charm and debating if this is even a rom-com, our hosts try to piece together Emma Thompson's peculiar passion project. Spoilers ahead for the movie that takes "I gave you my heart" literally.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:18) - The Bad Bits
(40:03) - The Weird Bits
(01:00:38) - The Good Bits
(01:11:50) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Was 2006 really that long ago? CJ and Haikal's watching of “The Holiday” (2006) says yes. Nancy Meyers' rom-com staple lands differently in an era where nobody trusts strangers from the internet, let alone swaps houses with them. Their commentary bounces from the film's gorgeous cast (Jude Law somehow looks perfect even while crying), to its accidental time capsule of gradient websites and indoor smoking, to the eternal question of why Jack Black keeps playing Jack Black. What starts as a cozy movie night turns into an amusing debate about how much rom-coms have changed – and haven't – since the days of BBM and Blockbuster dates.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(04:00) - The Bad Bits
(29:57) - The Weird Bits
(58:09) - The Good Bits
(01:12:45) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Listen in as Haikal & CJ discuss Lindsay Lohan's latest holiday film "Our Little Secret" (2024), fresh from their Sunday spa date! From mysterious kangaroos at the vet to church services gone hilariously wrong, they break down what makes this childhood-friends-to-exes-to-lovers story surprisingly charming. Hear CJ gush about the magic of Christmas decorations while Haikal questions if we really need that many lights. Featuring heated debates about patient Uber drivers, magical family portraits, and the art of hiding snacks in winter coats. Whether you're Team Romance or Team Skeptic, this episode proves that sometimes the best holiday stories come wrapped in predictable plot-lines and perfectly-timed snacks.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(05:10) - The Bad Bits
(20:10) - The Weird Bits
(45:57) - The Good Bits
(01:04:27) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
This week, we're unpacking "Hot Frosty" - a film that's more about meticulously arranged cherries than actual romance. Haikal's convinced the male lead is auditioning for a future Joker role, while CJ can't stop obsessing over the catalog-perfect set design. Is it a love story? Absolutely not. Is it a visual feast with serious production design vibes? Absolutely. Tune in as we break down this film that's equal parts bewildering, mediocre and somewhat fascinating.
Timestamp:
(00:00) - Introduction
(05:00) - Overview of “Hot Frosty”
(18:10) - Set Design and Character Dynamics
(34:40) - Romantic Moments and Cheesy Humor
(52:15) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations
