While this sounds like a just plain awesome idea, my newest phase has some grounding in the actual craft of writing.
When I first began listening to podcasts, I stumbled across Will Write For Wine, hosted by
Lani Diane Rich (Lucy March) and
CJ Barry (Samantha Graves). Of course, I thought, "What an excellent concept. Two of my favourite things. Let's bang those together and see what falls out.", and listened to them all. I loved those podcasts, with their dangerously teetering blend of writing craft and drinking games. Sadly, those podcasts finished up in March last year. In fact, before I started subscribing. D'oh.
Stumbling to find something to fill the void, I came across another Lani Diane Rich podcast, this time with the stunningly clever
Jennifer Crusie, called
Popcorn Dialogues. In PopD, these two watch a movie, then tear it apart, using the conventions of romance writing craft, to ask why some things work and some don't. It's really very cool.
They loved ENCHANTED, and tore HITCH into bloody, twitchy little lumps. They began with 1950's rom coms and are now just heading into a series they've dubbed "Hitmen in Love".
On the website, PopD's catch-cry is "watching movies to write better novels". So I thought I'd give it a red-hot go.
I've raided the DVD cabinet, and Kmart's bargain bins, and my mum's TV cupboard. Plus my wardrobe and the space under my bed (I'm one of those people that finds things on the spesh and sekrits them away around my house to give away as gifts. There's a very good chance 90% of these items won't ever be found again.), and I've collected some romcom DVDs.
Here's what I've got (images from www.imdb.com):
I like the heroine's dress. That counts, right?
Although Hugh makes me want to poke a stick in my eye, Drew is a romcom staple not to be sneezed at (PopD enjoyed FIFTY FIRST DATES, for the most part). And I love music, so this is a good start. The vest is a worry, but I'll soldier on.
I have a nasty feeling about this one (could be echoes of my cleaning-hate), but I'll give it a shot.
I think I've seen this--I used to get quite worked up about Michael Vartan back in ALIAS days. As I get older, though, he gets too skinny to float my boat much. :)
I'm not a SEX IN THE CITY kinda chick, so I'm going into this one blind. Her dress is also cute.
Didn't McConaughey have some weird off-screen bizzo going on? Or was that the guy from STARSKY & HUTCH? Are they the same guy? I mix them up, mainly because they're not...
RYAN REYNOLDS! Yum. With stick.
I don't think I even care if this isn't educational. I'm in it for the pictures. Hopefully, he loses his shirt within the first five to ten minutes.
Jack Black. I like him in SCHOOL OF ROCK, and Tenacious D's TRIBUTE just stuck him with superglue in my book of cool. Which leads me to...
PopD kinda poked this one with a big bad stick. They called it 'Meh.". The most interesting part is apparently where Jude's character admits to having a cow. Really, Jude is a bit too Hugh-ey for me, so I'm not surprised. I'm worried I'm going to keep wanting Kate to race to the front of the ship and hold her arms out like she's flying all through this one.
Jane Austen - Check
Book - Check
I can feel the educationment happening already...
Ah, more Drew. Love the fairytale angle.
Finally, I've found these, which I realise aren't romcoms, but they're going on the TBW pile anyhoo:
I'm quite satisfied just by the title. I mean, really, how could this one not be fabulous?
This one is THE BOAT THAT ROCKED here in OZ.
They rocked. They rolled. Then they sank.
So, how's my DVD stack looking? Have you seen any? Are any of them going to change my life? Or will they make my eyes bleed?
I'm quite satisfied just by the title. I mean, really, how could this one not be fabulous? 
