A Lifetime of Happiness: Movies, TV, and Video Games

Our Favorite Movies Part 1

• Steve Bennet-Martin, Stephen Martin-Bennet • Season 1 • Episode 174

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The Steves discuss some of their favorite movies across the genre in the first of two episodes dedicated to the movies that make us happy!

Ending- Any music or audio clips were borrowed from the original source material.

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Steve:

Hello, returning Happys and new listeners. This is Steve Bennett Martin, and this is

Stephen:

Steven Martin Bennett, and welcome to a lifetime of Happiness, the

Steve:

podcaster. We take you on our journey through some of the movies, shows, and other bits of pop culture that are helping to keep us happy, while hopefully bring a smile to your face along the way. And this

Stephen:

month is award season for our podcast and we're kicking it off when presenting our favorites in these common movie genres.

Steve:

Yes. And you love movies so much. What would you say was the first movie that you ever truly fell in love with and that you watched over and over again?

Stephen:

Clue. Clue. It was I remember that we went to. The movie rental place in our hometown small town. So we did not have a blockbuster or anything like that. Mm-hmm. It was a locally owned place and we were looking for a movie and, our family had played board games forever in today. Mm-hmm. And the guy was like, well, here's some new things that we've got on vhs cuz that's the time. That was the time. And one of'em was clue. And I think I watched that movie six times, that first weekend. Awesome. And you've loved movies ever since. Yeah, and I like. Kept asking for us to rent it every time we went to the move place. And I was told, no, we can't do that. And it honestly, and I finally taped it off of HBO once. Yeah. But I didn't own it until I was like, 18. That's your own

Steve:

faults. It is. But yes. Why don't we get into starting with the genre that I'm probably least passionate about, but found two, I still like

Stephen:

Favorite movies, action movies. Yes. What

Steve:

are your favorite movies where things blow up or disastrous happen?

Stephen:

So my first one that I think is just so good is speed. I love Sandra Bullock. I love Keanu Reeves, and their chemistry in this movie is amazing. The action sequences in the bus with the jump over the unfinished part of the freeway, or the escape at the end, it's all so really good, and it's definitely one that I could watch again and again and again.

Steve:

Yeah. I always forget which one's the one on the boat and which one's? The one on the truck

Stephen:

bus thing. Bus is speed and the one on the boat is speed two that Sandra Bullock was contractually obligated

Steve:

to do. Oh, no, that doesn't sound fun when you put it that way. No.

Stephen:

What's one of your favorites?

Steve:

I would say Jurassic Park was the first one that I just growing up was just, It was at the time where it was in the movie theaters and like I was a little kid and what little kid doesn't love dinosaurs?

Stephen:

I was fully obsessed with the movie Jurassic Park. I had read the book and like I was all Jurassic Park all summer long.

Steve:

Yeah. What's another of yours?

Stephen:

It would be true Lies.

Steve:

Never seen it. You,

Stephen:

you know I love me some Jamie Lee Curtis. Yes. And she is magic in this movie with Arnold Schwartzenegger. And you are Eliza douche coo. I was gonna say, that's why

Steve:

I would watch it now. Yeah.

Stephen:

He's a spy, but it's a secret and she thinks that he's a boring nothing. Mm-hmm. And then they get kidnapped and have to be spies together. And there's this amazing scene on, we haven't been to the Keys, but you know that really long bridge. Sure. That goes to the Keys and there's a whole like big action scene there. The whole movie is so very, very good.

Steve:

Yes. And if I were to pick a second one, I'd say Aliens, the second one. Not the first one, but the first one's a close second to the second one, which is funny. But yes, aliens too, I think was also a very fun action movie.

Stephen:

Absolutely. And that was definitely one. Where even more so Sigourney Weaver just got to be a badass.

Steve:

Yeah. Cuz the first one was definitely more survival. Horror. The the second one is like, action. Yeah. All right. And what about drama, since you love drama? Drama?

Stephen:

It would be s Shashank Redemption. Doesn't that make you happy

Steve:

though? Is it a happy movie?

Stephen:

Our drama's usually happy movies. Sometimes we shall see. Oh. Well, I wait till they see the one you picked. Oh, okay. Go for it. So Shawshank Redemption, Tim Robbins is a man wrongfully convicted of his wife's murder, and he ends up in prison where he meets Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins unknownst to the others, spends his time there digging a tunnel all the way outta prison. The human interactions in that and what a lot of people don't know is it's based off of Stephen King. Short story called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Oh, I did not know that. Yep. Tell us one of your happy drama movies.

Steve:

I love the movie about the young woman who learns that she can enjoy love, but ultimately puts herself first and lives a full happy life. Titanic.

Stephen:

Yeah. Because everyone knows that everyone leaves that movie theater just smiling and happy. No one leaves the theater

Steve:

crying. No, never. Never. It's a happy drama. I love more of like the drama of like the boat stuff. Oh, is it more than like, I didn't even put this as like a romance movie cuz I don't love the love story as much as, I just love like the drama on the boat.

Stephen:

Oh, the, when the boat starts sinking and that last 45 minutes or so. It's amazing. Yes. What's another one for you? So that would be almost famous Uhhuh. This is where I fell in love with little Katie Hudson Uhhuh. It's a movie about a young man that's given a chance to write a story for Rolling Stone Magazine. And so he goes on tour with this up and coming band and the kid's like, 14, 15, 16. Yeah. Somewhere in there. And he meets Penny Lane. Mm-hmm. Kate Hudson. And he has experiences that change his life forever. The soundtrack is to die for the acting and the writing are exceptional. It's a movie that is just astounding. Excellent. Now, What is your second favorite drama movie of all time

Steve:

I chose, I wanted to have an L G B T one or a gay one. And after looking at the list of gay movies, so many of the dramas are either about like dying of AIDS or your loved one dying of AIDS or hate crimes. Yep. And because of all of that, I would say my happiest favorite gay drama is Fire Island, which we watched last year together, and it was, no, I'm not saying it was one of the best movies of all time, but if you want a drama that shows. A stories about a gay group of men in their thirties trying to find themselves that it's more about the their own journeys than it is about finding their next piece of ass. Or about drugs or about, yeah, like any of the negative stuff. I would say that it's a good watch for that reason. And

Stephen:

it's also based off of

Steve:

pride and prejudice, which I would never have known. And you figured out what halfway through or like, not even like a third of the way through

Stephen:

or a third of the way through. I was like, Wait a minute. I know this story. This is pride and Prejudice.

Steve:

That's awesome. Everyone loves a good laugh. What gets you laughing? So in

Stephen:

terms of favorite comedy movies, it would be my cousin Vinny. I believe that the movie is infinitely quotable. Marissa Tome was a revelation and absolutely earned her. Oscar. Joe Peci is at his funniest, and I can watch this movie again and again and never get tired of it. Mm-hmm. It's, I don't know, like it just amazes me that somebody wrote something that is this funny and is still this funny like 30 years later.

Steve:

Yeah, no, I agree. And that's awesome. I watched it for the first time 30 years later and it was still,

Stephen:

yes. Now, what's one of yours? The

Steve:

sweetest thing. I love that movie. It was a comedy that was like, well, it's a romcom. It was more about like the group of girls and their adventurous together, which I liked and it just makes me happy and it makes me laugh, and it just taught me how I'm supposed to react to your penis whenever I see it. Ooh, it's so

Stephen:

big. I loved this movie because. It gave Christina Applegate. Yeah. A comeback. A comeback and a big starring role. Treating her like a real actress for the first time because she was great on married with children. Yeah. But it was wonderful to see her as an adult actress and really talented. Yeah. And it also has some Blair who I love. Yeah.

Steve:

That's one. I could just, if I was to, if we were flipping channels and it was on tv, be like, hold on, let's at least watch till the next commercial. Yeah.

Stephen:

Now my other one is one of my favorite movies of all time. Death Becomes

Steve:

Her. We've done an episode on it people can listen to.

Stephen:

Yes, Meryl Streep and Goldie hon. At the top of their game, I probably have this movie completely memorized. And I should have known earlier in life I was gay as this was my favorite movie as a 12 year old. I can see

Steve:

that being quite telling.

Stephen:

Yeah. What about you? What's another favorite comedy movie of yours? I

Steve:

would say it was not Ano, it's not another gay movie and I know that you feel differently, but it also, I think, shows. Our age got more. Cuz at the time when in the movie came out, it wasn't even, not another gay movie for me. It was like the first like gay movie that I saw or like, not, not like the first one but like the first comedy one like this. But like I was able to understand about like half the jokes just from like pop culture in the time. But I didn't get some of the gay or gay jokes that I get later on whenever re-watching it. But it was also just amazing, like cuz I was, at that time where I was like, I think in college or like fresh out of high school-ish where it was just, Seeing like guys being able to talk about their sexuality so blatantly and even though it was like, it's funny, but it's also just like, it was just freeing at the time, being able to be like, wow, like you can have gay friends and like talk about your love life and stuff and it was just

Stephen:

cool. Yeah, and I love that it was that there were enough gay movies by that time that they could do this as a parody. Yeah. It was funny. Now what about some of your favorite musical

Steve:

movies? I love The Greatest Showman and I can watch it over and over again and we did a whole episode on it about it. Yes,

Stephen:

I agree. The Greatest Showman is fantastic and they had such a good viral marketing campaign mm-hmm. Leading up to it showing like the behind the scenes, the behind the scenes rehearsals on those two songs that got people sharing the videos and getting really excited for it to come out and. It was everything. Yes. Yeah,

Steve:

it was. But what It will always be your everything.

Stephen:

Molan

Steve:

Rouge. Yes. You can also hear a whole episode

Stephen:

of us talking about that. Yep. Nicole Kidman's role that made her a movie star. She goes all in on her acting and over the top zaniness. Her singing is exceptional. The story gets me every time. It's funny, it's heartbreaking. The cast is superb. And I also have to do a quick shout out to Chicago, the movie. It is my favorite Broadway musical. And the movie version is stellar and I believe it actually shines brighter than the stage show filling in some gaps in the story of the stage show. And if I had been able to pick three, Chicago would've been the third slot.

Steve:

Awesome. Well, we can give that honorable mention because my second one is kind of cheating. It's pitch Perfect.

Stephen:

That totally counts as a musical movie. Yes, it's

Steve:

a musical movie with pop culture, like pop songs that I knew. So it was super fun. And Sideway is running and I love it. Yeah, it's very funny and it holds up and it's funny.

Stephen:

It is really funny. Mine second one is Sister Act. Yeah, that makes sense. Another movie from my childhood that I would watch on Repeat will be as hysterically funny. It's the movie that introduced me to Dame Maggie Smith and Kathleen to Jimmy. And I love the song Choices. The sequel is excellent, but the original is top tier for me. Yeah. Awesome. Now favorite romance movies? You can go first.

Steve:

All right. I would say the notebook, as cliche as it is, because with all the drinking and drugs I did, I know that I'm gonna get some form of dementia one day, and I just hope that you take care of me that way.

Stephen:

I will absolutely take care of you with a pillow acro. I mean, yes, I would take care of y'all. Okay. What about eu? Mine is also another movie from my childhood that has stuck with me. And this along with Princess Bride Clue, are tied from my favorite movies of all time. It is the Princess Bride. I have, and that, that and Death Becomes Her and Princess Bride are my top three and has not changed for 30 years. This movie makes me laugh. It makes my heart soar. It hits all the right notes, the writing and the acting. I could go on and on and I did because we did an episode on this one. Again, it's just great. I love

Steve:

it. Yeah. And for my other one, it is another game movie that we did an episode on. Yes. Call Me by Your Name. Just a solid romantic love story that I went in expecting to throw super amounts of shade at, and at the end I was actually like, good story, bro.

Stephen:

I liked it. That one kind of broke my heart, but I mean, I think that's what he was supposed to do because it was about his first love and

Steve:

Yeah. And that normally, but like what I appreciated was it was broken heart where like they both ended up like living lives. Yeah. And not like a broken heart because one died. Right.

Stephen:

Which, yes. I can definitely appreciate

Steve:

that. Yes. Let's do a something. Oh wait, you have one more to go over and it is a Happier Romance movie.

Stephen:

Yes. So it is my Big Fat Greek wedding. Yes. This is the movie that gave us the wonderful NEA Vados who wrote this movie. Based off her one woman stage show. This was the little independent movie that could, I saw it three times in the theater. It's just really, really funny. It holds up well after all these years. And another movie that has so many wonderful quotes in it. Especially thanks to the amazing acting talents of Andrea Martin as her Aunt Vula. Mm-hmm. With You don't eat. No meat is okay. It makes me smile. Yes. Now it wouldn't be our podcast if we didn't talk about some super superheroes. So let's talk about some favorite Marvel M C U movies. Well, you're

Steve:

already on the record for your favorite being Captain Marvel. So why don't you remind us for those who didn't listen to the episode.

Stephen:

Yeah, so this movie was so much fun. Bree Larson did a phenomenal job. Her onscreen chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson was fantastic. I would like, I'd watch a Buddy Cop or like a competing detective movie or something with them in it. I love the throwback to the eighties, especially the blockbuster scene. Mm-hmm. And I'm very much looking forward to the Marvels. That will be very good. Yes. What about you? What's one are of

Steve:

your favorites? I feel like, I mean, you have to, we have to throw a nod and a out, like for the amount of storytelling and perf like storytelling, perfection they achieved with the Infinity War endgame combo. Agreed. It would, it would be an entire podcast in itself to explain the lead up and the events of the movie. In an episode, but it just, it the fact that they took so many years of world building across these different stories and managed to tie it all together in such an amazing, like, it was a cultural phenomenon, like the ending of Infinity War and like how it left people until we got endgame. Oh, I know. Like it

Stephen:

was like 20 movies. Yeah.

Steve:

The country like grieved together over half of their superheroes dying, even though we hoped that most of them would come back and figured they would. Oh, like it just, You have like for something that changes pop culture as we know it. I think we have to give a nod to those, that combo. Oh,

Stephen:

100%. No. No company has ever built up that kind of mythology and story with that kind of payoff. Ever, and I doubt it will ever be done again.

Steve:

Yeah. I'm still enjoying all the Marvel movies. I, I get annoyed at the haters that are like, well, it hasn't reached the same heights. I'm like, how could you

Stephen:

expect it took 10 years?

Steve:

How could you expect them to hit that level every 10 years? It just seems

Stephen:

absurd. Well, and also we're only in like year four of the buildup. Give it some time people. Yes. Well,

Steve:

wanna know something that is universally praised and beloved. What's that? Your next favorite

Stephen:

one? Oh yes, black Panther. There's something so special about this movie. Yes. The acting is amazing and it's some of the best of any superhero movie, and I think a lot of that goes to our leads. Especially the. Absolutely wonderful. And too soon gone. Yeah. Lead himself and especially miss Stella of how Stella got her groove back. Yes. Angela Bassett, Angela Bassett, that I love so much. But something has to be said about the amount of myth and world building that was done in such a short period of time in that movie that feels so fleshed out and so real, and you buy into all of it and. Yeah, this movie has held up extraordinarily well

Steve:

as also, it's only been a few years. It's not like we're talking about decades.

Stephen:

I know, but like sometimes you see a superhero movie, you're like, that was good. And you go back and watch it. You're like, oh. Not as good as I thought.

Steve:

Yes. Well, we haven't re-watched it yet, but I also added to this list Spider-Man. No Way Home, because again, just in terms of what they were able to accomplish, taking all these crazy different Spider-Man movie timelines and reboots and remakes with copyright issues and have it actually make sense in a plot of a movie that was actually cohesive and good was just

Stephen:

really cool. Well, and what's kind of fun with this is. Usually Spider-Man's origin story is done in the first 45, 50 minutes of a movie mm-hmm. With Uncle Benton dying. Yeah. And his origin story was the trilogy. Yeah. This is what made him Spider-Man. And you don't really get that until the Aunt Mac at the end of No Way Home and you're like, fuck. They build all of this up as his origin story. Yeah. And. Oh, it was super, super well

Steve:

done. Yes. Plus, we now know that Canon geologically Spider-Man could have a three-way. With himself. With himself.

Stephen:

So awesome.

Steve:

Yes. Now, we also can't give a whole category related to superhero Marvel movies without giving one to superhero movies where Marvel's not allowed. Well, where

Stephen:

it's not M C U. Well,

Steve:

true, true cuz we are gonna twist it with the Marvels. So go into a non M C U superhero movie of your

Stephen:

favorite. That would be Xmen two Xmen United. Well, days of Future Past is fantastic. This one is still my favorite. It's based off of one of my favorite X-Men stories. God Loves Man Kills, which is where they're trying to destroy all mutants. And it gives us more of Rebecca Romaine as mystique and her interactions with Mag Nito FKA Janssen as Jean Gray is outstanding in this one given so much more to do. Then the first movie. Great Action. Great effects, great story. A plus best X-Men movie, I believe.

Steve:

Yes. And while not an X-Men, he might as well be sometimes yes. I also am just in love with Deadpool and how they were able to take this smirk worth of mouth from the comics and like bring him to life in like a perfect way. Like Ryan Reynolds was made to play that role. It's just, that's another movie just. I could re-watch it over and over and over again and laugh every time. It is

Stephen:

so super funny. They did nothing wrong in Deadpool. Like it is a perfect movie. Yes. I I I wouldn't change a thing like Bravo.

Steve:

Yes. And what about another movie you think is perfect?

Stephen:

So this is me going over to the DC Universe. Yeah. It would be Batman Returns. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. That is, that's all you need to know. Yeah. But it has so many other good things. The chemistry she has with Michael Keaton, who is my favorite Batman. Yeah. Their chemistry is palpable. The line about the missile toe, whenever they figure out who the other one is, and Danny DeVito as the pen was actually scary to me as a child. So yeah, that one is my favorite Batman movie. And one of my favorite superhero movies of all

Steve:

time. Yeah, and I would also have to add to that list Spider-Man into the spider verse, cuz who would've thought a cartoon Spider-Man movie would be like the best superhero origin story? That we've seen in probably 10, 20 years. That's like, again, non Marvel,

Stephen:

but just, oh, and the animation was so beautiful. Yeah, it was so

Steve:

cool. Like all of it was so well done. I can't wait to see the new one.

Stephen:

For those who haven't seen it, hey, go watch it. But it's about Miles Morales the best fighter man, and it's, oh, it's so good. And I'm very excited to see. The new Spider Verse movie. Yes.

Steve:

And we've already talked a little bit at the opening about your favorite mystery movie of all time. It is

Stephen:

Clue. I know it's shocking. Wait, I knew that. Yeah. This is the Apex best ever mystery movie Case closed. Hands down. I can actually quote this entire movie. It's funny, it's witty. They don't slow down for the laughter after the jokes, and it has three different endings that all worked how it was filmed. A truly all-star comedic cast that worked so beautifully with each other, and even after all these years and literally seeing it over a hundred times. Mm-hmm. There are still certain things I'm noticing because usually I'll focus on. Somebody, but I've been taking time whenever we will re-watch it again. Yes. To watch people who aren't speaking Yeah. And how they're all acting with their whole bodies and reacting and it, it's just so good. And it deserved more at the time when it came out, but I'm glad that. It has the respect It does now.

Steve:

Good. Excellent. We all, I also love knives out and we spend a whole episode talking about

Stephen:

it. Yes, it is very, very good. I'm glad that it is now a mystery series. Yes. I fully support that. And again, he's grabbing actors at the top of their game, throwing them in and letting them play these wonderful games. Yeah. Together and. I can't wait to see what they come up with for the third one, because obviously the first two were so successful. There's gonna be a third. Yes. What about your next one? You may not have seen this one. Nope. It is the usual suspects.

Steve:

So, and by the way, knives out three is confirmed apparently.

Stephen:

Oh, excellent. Usual suspects, the sole survivor of a peer shootout tells the story of how a notorious criminal. Influence the events that began with five criminals meeting in a seemingly random way. Great actors. Unfortunately, it's directed by alleged sex offender. Brian Singer. Same. So is X two X, so was X two. You just

Steve:

love sex offenders? I do not. You just love them so much, Steve? I do not. They're your favorite of people. Stop. Okay. Just kidding. That was not on the

Stephen:

record. No. But the most important question for the usual suspects is, Who is Kaiser Soce? And I'll show you sometime because it's honestly a mystery movie I think you would really like.

Steve:

Cool. And more recently we watched Missing, which I just loved for the turning the mystery genre on its head with the way that it was done using modern technology and communication and just showing how resourceful these kids can be with the technology when they have. Critical thinking skills. It was just really at the story itself was fascinating. I was constantly like guessing what's gonna happen next and constantly wrong, and I enjoyed every

Stephen:

minute of it. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. And yeah, I don't want to give anything away because it's newly out on streaming. And there are so many twists and turns that like there were certain things I was like, oh, I hope that's not true. Or Oh gosh, no, no. And like then the movie would turn and you'd be like, I didn't see that coming. Yes. So favorite documentaries. Well,

Steve:

we have to show how smart we are, so we have to talk. Well then again, I looked at my answers. Let's not talk about how smart we are. Let's talk about the nonfiction we enjoy. Okay, you go first. I. My mind was blown with the coded bias on Netflix and talking about just the way that technology as it's been developing unknowingly, has bias biases against people, whether it be women against different people of different ethnicities, gender identities, and it was just really eyeopening. How,

Stephen:

how does it have these biases explain a little bit. Because I don't think I watched it with you.

Steve:

We'll rewatch it together because I'm not that smart to say it on the spot. But it, it also is the reason why after watching that, that I never click on sponsored Amazon ads or sponsored anything. If I search, I always scroll down to the non-sponsored ones cuz they taught me about how bad it is. But like, it really makes you think about the way that you're using the internet. And I love like social commentary. I love the technology talk. So it was a really

Stephen:

eye-opening experience. Excellent. My, one of my favorites is Gray Gardens. Mm-hmm. That we did an episode on. If you haven't gotten the idea, I force Steve to do episodes on my favorite things and I love him for it. So the Gray Gardens deals with the cousins of Jackie o and their acentric lives and their fall from Opulence. Yes. It has such great characters that you wouldn't be blamed if you thought they were made up. And we can actually send a special thanks to Jinx Monsoon for bringing little Edie Bouvier Beal into the minds of a new generation of queers.

Steve:

Yes, it was great seeing Ronnie's cousins

Stephen:

or big Edie Ronnie in the future. Yes.

Steve:

And I also secret, I love porn. And sex and all of that. But like, not even in a perverted, like for me doing it myself type of way. Like I love listening to, and like people's talk about their, like sexual experiences, not in a pervy way, but like how different it can be for so many different people and how we can look at sex differently, like when

Stephen:

we watch that. So you wanna build a sex room show?

Steve:

Yeah, exactly like that. So like I, the recently watched on Netflix Money Shot the PornHub story Pornhub's the website that pops up anytime most of us type P into our web browser. But just, and it was a really well done that had talked about some of the controversy associated with it, where it was justifying they were like not doing their best to make things a safe space on the internet. Mm-hmm. But then it was also fascinating hearing about the way that the blowback against it wasn't hurting anyone other than the consenting performers. Right. And so I just. I love it. I love, like I said, if you, if you love like it's honorary, the shout out was there was one recently I think on sex work on Hulu as well. But I just, I love sex work documentaries and like porn documentaries and all that kind of

Stephen:

stuff. I also enjoy one's like, we watched that oh, it was Sex

Steve:

for Sale, the untold story about like all the different streaming things.

Stephen:

We also would watch one called Stay Sweet. Yes. Where it was exposing a certain sect of a religious order and I really enjoy, like, expose things like that. And there's a new one about that creepy Dugger family. Oh, you'll have to watch that. Yeah. But my other favorite documentary is Paris's Burning. Mm-hmm. It is a look at the ballroom scene of New York City in the 1980s. It is a must for any lgbtq plus person. This is our history. This is where we came from. That scene and that time gave rise to so many parts of queer culture that we still have and we now celebrate and. It's it honestly, just watch it. It's really good. All

Steve:

right. And what about, I need to take a nap real quickly. So I only talk about the historical fiction movies. Well,

Stephen:

so one I saw over Christmas that I didn't think you would like, but now I'm like, it's so good. I might have you watch it. It's called r r r, and it is an Indian movie with subtitles for Part of it. And I first saw this movie on Netflix, and it tells the story of two freedom fighters who embark on a long journey before fighting against British colonialists. And it has one of the best dance sequences of any movie. And the song with that dance sequence ended up winning the Oscar for best original song this year.

Steve:

Yeah, I liked Apollo 13 because it made history seem almost fun and space is cool.

Stephen:

I went to Space Camp. I know, and, and like I used to think I wanted to be an astronaut. And then they were like, oh, you have to go if you really wanna be an astronaut, you have to be in the military and a pilot. And then I was like, no, thank you. Yes.

Steve:

And what about another one for you?

Stephen:

It would be Hamilton. Yes. So thanks to Lynn Manuel Miranda and Disney Plus, we got to see a filming of the original Broadway cast. So 10 Nickley

Steve:

counts as a

Stephen:

movie. It counts as a movie, and it's a stunning and amazing musical. And the soundtrack is exceptional and sticks with you and. I really, really liked it. So yes, I count this as a historical fiction movie because it, we got to watch it. Yes.

Steve:

And then I liked the help because it was funny in parts. I want to give some people a poo pie some days, and I appreciate them for giving me that visual.

Stephen:

Yes, that was another movie that we covered and exceptionally well acted. In all parts, whether it was the heroes or the villains, and I just think that is another just mm. A plus movie.

Steve:

Yes. And I for, I see that you loved for Disney movies, the Little Mermaid last week. So much. It's your favorite Disney movie of all time. Well,

Stephen:

the animated movie is one of my favorites. Oh, okay. That makes no sense. Yeah. I immediately fell in love with the character of Ursula and the song, poor Unfortunate Souls. And as you know, as I've been talking about for several years, since they announced it, I've had high hopes for the live action movie and it did not disappoint. In some ways I loved it even more. And what I think is great is now I have two versions. Of my favorite Disney movie.

Steve:

Yes. Unlike me who I still have to stick to, my favorite animated movie being Lion King, which the live action was not as good. No. Or happy or uplifting. No. Or made me feel good. No. I, when I was little, wanted to be Simba so bad and I didn't understand why I couldn't just be a lion cub. I see that for you.

Stephen:

Yeah. That adds up, right? Yeah. I was really disappointed in the live action. It. Took the color and the joy. And I know that there's dark themes in there, but somehow everything, it all seemed dark. Yeah, it all seemed dark. The things that I really enjoyed out of it. And what's crazy is, I think it's the same director that did the Jungle book for Live Action and the Jungle Book Live Action was fine, was fantastic. Oh, I don't remember it. Oh, I loved the Live Action Jungle book, so yeah. Stick with the animated Lion King. Yes.

Steve:

And we've done an episode on this one and talk about all the time. Hocus Pocus is

Stephen:

your second? Yes. It's one of the first movies where I wanted to, the so-called villains to win. I just wanted them to get one child so they could stay young and make it past the first night. Mm-hmm. Like, I don't, and I, and I'm glad to know that as I got older, I found out I'm not the only one. That one of the Sanderson sisters to win? Yes, we all did. And every queer person knows and loves the, I put a spell on. You've seen? Yes. And though some didn't enjoy the sequel, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and allegedly they're finishing out a trilogy. Oh, awesome. Yeah. And what is your other favorite Disney movie?

Steve:

I would say Finding Nemo. It came out in a time that, As far as I'm personally concerned, and I haven't looked at what other US came out around that time, but it felt like a dry spell for Disney for me. I think so. And it was just like, oh, I can still love Disney. And it was at the point where I was in high school, so I was like a little bit too old for it, but I was still able to appreciate it and enjoy it. I still remember like one of my girlfriends in high school giving me like a NEMO stuffed animal that made it to me to college. Mm-hmm. And so, yeah, just for where it came out in my life and the fact that it still holds up pretty well, And I have the memory of Dory sometimes. So it was nice to be, definitely have dory's memory. It's generally selective. Like if I wanna remember something, I will remember it. But if we're talking about something and it doesn't register, in my mind, does important. Like I have Dory moments quite frequently, so it's

Stephen:

like, babe, we have to do this. What do you mean? We talked about this? I don't think we did. We did, but normally

Steve:

my answer always for that is like, okay, I'm down for it. And that's probably why I didn't bother remembering it as I was like, when it will happen, I'll be okay

Stephen:

now. Other movie, other movie studios besides Disney make animated movies. Really? It's a shock, but

Steve:

it's true. Yeah. I loved one called Shrek.

Stephen:

I really enjoyed Shrek. I actually think I enjoyed Shrek too more. Yeah. But Shrek is fantastic. Yes. What else for you? It's held a Train Your Dragon. It's my favorite Dreamworks movie. Shrek was also done by Dreamworks. Something about Shk two is it has a great soundtrack and there's some really fun things. On the D V D that there was like DVD karaoke stuff on there. That's fun. Yeah. But How to Train Your Dragon favorite Dreamworks movie. I love the story. It makes me cry every time. Mm-hmm. Like to this day, I love the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless, and I would totally go to live in that world at the end of the movie so that I could have a pet dragon.

Steve:

That would be awesome having a Pet Dragon. And while I hesitated putting it on my list of happiest movies,

Stephen:

it's not happiest. It's favorite.

Steve:

The favorite. The land before time was like in my childhood, I was like, how is this not a Disney movie? Because it just is so Disney. Well, and, and other than the mom dying, it was like pretty fun movie.

Stephen:

And his grief and trauma afterwards. Well, yeah, but that will happen. But it was a good movie. Yeah, it is a really, really good movie. And

Steve:

I re, that movie as, as a young child, helped me show like see that like stories could be told that aren't always about happy endings and it was still okay.

Stephen:

Yeah. And I remember having a stuffed little foot. Yeah. And I remember, I think Pizza Hut had. The puppets of each of the characters that you could get? No. That was a really good movie and my other favorite, it's technically animated. It's who framed Roger Rabbit.

Steve:

That counts enough.

Stephen:

I was obsessed with this. Yes. In my childhood.

Steve:

Yes. You're on the record for thinking Tune Town was real and being upset that you couldn't visit it.

Stephen:

Yeah, that is true. Yes. It had Disney characters and Warner Brothers characters, so I actually don't know. Who made the movie? Who cares? Yeah. It blended animation with the real world. As you said, I wanted to visit Tune Town badly, and I wish there had been more Roger Rabbit movies like this, but I'm glad that we have this one that I think is just perfect. Yeah, and

Steve:

we have the remake they're doing. No, I know. I'm kidding.

Stephen:

Okay, then let's talk about favorite. Fantasy movies.

Steve:

Well, I grew up at the age, well, maybe it wasn't, maybe it was old at that time, but Willy Monkin, the Chocolate Factory was just whimsy on a stick that

Stephen:

was old when I was young.

Steve:

Okay. So, yes. But I remember growing up with that movie and just the fantasy of it all. And everyone wanted to visit the chocolate factory and didn't want to be one of the brats and every, I was like, I would totally be Charlie. Like I wouldn't be one of the bad kids.

Stephen:

I could see you being Mike tv. I don't

Steve:

know what you're

Stephen:

talking about. That's okay. I see myself unfortunately being like Violet, violet Bogar. Yeah. Unfortunately. Yeah. I loved the mpa Lumpa songs. Yeah. So much like, and some of the kids got songs like Veruca, I Want it Now. Yeah. And it's kind of dark and scary for kids too, like when they're on the boat. I enjoyed it. Yeah. No, it's really good. And I. I did not enjoy the remake as much. No, me either. And I know that it was more honest to the book or whatnot, but I also believe that they destroyed the MPA Lupe songs cuz you couldn't understand the words. Yeah. Now one of my favorite fantasy movies is Practical Magic. We did an episode on it, we did two Sisters, both witches and it's the story of them and love and family. Nikki Kidman, Sandy Bullock. Great story. It's fun, funny, emotional, and that scene at the end where they all work together is everything. Yes.

Steve:

I also wanted to throw a curve ball on this list with the Shape of Water, cuz that was a really cool

Stephen:

fantasy movie. It was a really cool fantasy movie. And I love anything with Guillermo del Toro. Yes. And I know a lot of people just refer, they're like the Shape of Water, the fish sex movie. I'll take it. Yeah. It. Was really, really well done. And you believe the story by the time it's all said and done. I, I agree. Yeah. That's a fantastic

Steve:

movie. And for your second one, if I had remembered it would've been on my list as well. Jumanji? Yes. The original. The original, well, I, the new

one's

Stephen:

good too. Yeah. Because it technically is a sequel. Yeah. And this movie makes me happy. Robin Williams is always a delight. But I think he's even more wonderful in this. And even though the board game they were playing was trying to kill them, I always thought it would be fun to play it myself. And also it's nice to know that this movie Stars two Broadway Divas, BB New and Laura Bell Bundy. Yes. And

Steve:

what about favorite adventure movies? Favorite

Stephen:

adventure movies? So, For me, and I think this is a product of my age and things. Mm-hmm. But it would be Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom. That adds up. I enjoy all of the Indiana Jones movies, but this is my favorite. You have K mall and the pulling, the beating heart out snake surprise. You have the Mine car action sequence. The musical number at the beginning, not to mention Kay Hui Kwan who as a child was so fantastic in that movie and now we love him in everything everywhere, all at once. Yep. Now, what about you? What's a favorite adventure movie? Back to the Future,

Steve:

which you showed me as a grownup and I still love it. Like I was a kid.

Stephen:

Yes. These movies were a huge part of my childhood and they all aged extremely well. Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Leah Thompson, they make magic. And this trilogy, I also think is perfect. Yes. For me, a second one would be The Mummy. It's kind of Indiana Jones for a new generation. Brendan Fraser is funny and charismatic. The action is really good. I find the story compelling. I really enjoyed the special effects. Not so much the special effects as the rock, as the serpent king in the second one, which is pretty bad, special effects. But overall, Excellent.

Steve:

Yes. And then of course Jaws cuz we need a

Stephen:

bigger boat. We need a bigger boat. It's an excellent movie. It made a lot of people afraid to go in the water. Yeah. I prefer the action of Jaws too, more than the original. Yes. But this one had really, really good dramatic and emotional depth to it. Mm-hmm. And for its time period to make people believe that that was a real shark. Is kind of impressive. Yes.

Steve:

And what about science fiction? Yes. This

Stephen:

is our last category for this episode. And

Steve:

then I'm taking a nap.

Stephen:

Favorite science fiction movies. So for me my first one is Space Balls. Mm-hmm. My brother loved the Star Wars movies for me. It was the Parody Space Balls.

Steve:

I actually thought that that was another Star Wars movie. No, when I was younger.

Stephen:

Mel Brooks's parody send up of the Star Wars movies. It has Rick Moran's Dark Helmet, Daphne Zuniga from Melrose's Place as Princess Vespa. And there's always something about this movie that just tickles my funny bone and. Like there were certain jokes I didn't get as a child, but I still thought they were funny. And then watching them as an adult, I thought they were even funnier. Mm-hmm. So this has always stuck with me. What about you? I

Steve:

enjoyed Star Wars six. I think the number was Return of the Jedi. Yes. Because I wanted an Ewok for a pet and I love the Ewoks and I also love the pet. And now we have

Stephen:

our own Some little, now we have our own We Ewok. So yeah. I love it. I agree. The Return of the Jedi was really good. I think that was probably one of the first end of Trilogies that a lot of people had seen. And to have that story of played out and you get all of this payoff and everything. I think I saw it first.

Steve:

Oh, okay.

Stephen:

That's

Steve:

interesting. Yeah, it happens. It was on TV and it was on, so I watched it,

Stephen:

For me, W e easily in my top 10 favorite movies of all time now, and my favorite science fiction movie, everything Everywhere, all at Once. It was the movie of 2022. Incredible cast, Oscars all around truly epic, funny, emotional action. The special effects in fight scenes are legendary and already iconic. I mean, Fighting with dildos. I love that it's a truly special movie because even once you look past some of the absurd things, the deeper story of a woman finding herself is truly wonderful and, and it, I really, really love that movie. Awesome. Now what about you, FA? Other favorite science fiction movie? Total

Steve:

Recall, but it was more just cause I was struggling finding a second.

Stephen:

So you mean the one with Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Steve:

No, the re, the remake, but I still like it with the Three boobs lady. I just think that that'd be a cool world to live in for a

Stephen:

minute. I have not seen the remake at all, so I can't comment on that. But I will trust you. I also

Steve:

didn't think too hard. So if someone's like, really, that doesn't add up? It probably doesn't and I'm misremembering it. But every Rose site I was researching, I had to stop cuz I ran into ET on the list and I hate ET and it makes me scared. So I had to stop. Why does

Stephen:

ET make you scared? It's

Steve:

been terrified since I was a child for it. My family would traumatize me and they thought by getting me over the fear, they would sneak me onto the ET ride at Epcot or at the Universal, universal Universal Studios. And I was. Having full-blown child meltdown in my family who just was laughing at me the entire time. That's

Stephen:

some trauma right there. It

Steve:

was really bad. Like the, that was like, but ET won't be on the ride. And they're like, no, he won't be on the ride. He won't be on the ride. He was everywhere on

Stephen:

the ride. And he's at the front of your cart too.

Steve:

It was, it was rough and it was only when I watched it in high school that I was like, okay, it's not terrifying, but like as a child,

Stephen:

I was terrified of it. I don't think I've watched it since I was a child because it bothered me so much. Yeah. No, no,

Steve:

so that's, that's where we're stopping for the day. Yes. That's it for now. We'd love to hear what you think of our categories so far. Any favorites you might have on the list or any ones that we might have missed. You can do that by emailing us at Happy Life pod@gmail.com, or

Stephen:

you can get us in touch with us on all the socials and tell us that you agree with our pics or we totally missed out on this one. By getting in touch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok at Happy

Steve:

Life Pod. And until next time, everybody stay happy. Don't worry. The horror movies are coming next week.