The Ro-Co Review

The Ro-Co Review is a podcast where Nate and Tash review romantic comedies and discuss 'em. Just think: You don't to have sit through these if they're bad, they do! You'll know if it's a good movie for taking your honey. And if the sex scenes are hot or disappointing. How great is that? Natasha Levinger. natashalevinger.tumblr.com @natashalevinger on twitter Nate Shelkey. www.shelktone.com @nateshelkey on twitter

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Episode #58 -- "Blended"

This time we review "Blended" starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. And our fabulous guest Pam Murphy. Topics include: hecklers, tampon size, Africa, and Tash's bathroom safari emergency.

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Episode #57 -- "Neighbors"

Nate Shelkey and Natasha Levinger's podcast reviews "Neighbors" starring Zac Effron and Seth Rogen. Topics include: the Brony Convention for My Little Pony, Tash's fondness for blasting Soundgarden, and the elusive "Dream Girl".

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Episode #56 -- "Her"

This week, we welcome back a three-time guest, the always charming Tony Carnevale.

The movie we’ve chosen to see is “Her,” written and directed by Spikes Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. This is movie is set in the near future, with Phoenix deciding to purchase a new operating system marketed as the most lifelike AI ever created — so much so that he starts to fall in love with it(her)!

What will happen, you ask? Well, you will be charmed. But you will also be taken into the dystopia of the longest-distance relationship you can think of. Still, worth seeing!

Just know that dating a computer isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Topics include: the “true waist,” the possibility of loving more than one person, cybersex, long-distance relationships (with computers?), hippie names, Catalina and the future of video games.

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Episode #55 -- "Frozen"

Watching from Nate’s apartment, we welcome Tash’s friend Josh Haber as our guest this week. Our pick is Disney’s new animated feature “Frozen” starring Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, and Idina Menzel.

The story concerns a royal family in Norway with a slightly unusual problem: one of the daughters has the power to create ice. But unfortunately, she doesn’t really understand her powers yet. (It’s tough being a teenage mutant, ask those turtles!) Mix in a gruff but handsome ice cutter, a suave prince from a nearby kingdom, a reindeer named Sven, and a zany snowman and you’ve got the makings of another Disney hit.

If you like songs about the snow, and snowmen in particular… you are going to like this movie. If you’re more of a heat miser…. hmmm… maybe stay away?

Topics include: Tash dates Santa, RIP Sexy Santa, bathroom attendants, Norway, and being “over it” on safari.

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Episode #54 -- "About Time"

What? Is it time for another episode of The Ro-Co Review? Why yes, Faithful Listener. Yes, it is.

Now, this movie is something that Nate has been looking forward to for months, maybe with a little bit of trepidation because Tash has not been a Richard Curtis’ fan in our previous outings. (If you watch romantic comedies at all, you know Richard Curtis-he brought us “Four Weddings In A Funeral”, “Bridget Jones”,”Notting Hill”, and “Love, Actually”.) But there was no need to worry. Curtis brought the goods big time.

Our returning guest is the lovely Laura Bahr as we watch “About Time” starring Domhnall Gleeson(“Harry Potter”), Rachel McAdams(no stranger to time traveling husbands), and Bill Nighy. This movie starts as Gleeson’s character Tim learns on his 21st birthday that all the men in his family can travel back in time. Once you swallow that pill, you’re in for an emotional yet completely satisfying movie. Maybe a bit more on the romance side of things, then the comedy scale, but Curtis has still got it!

Topics include: My Sister, The Date Monitor, Nate’s disturbing 2nd grade teacher, vagina massages, the “mom” cut, crying in movies, restaurants in the dark, and astral projection. Take a listen!

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Episode #53 -- "Ass Backwards"

This week we’re back on Tash’s couch.  We watched ‘Ass Backwards’, the new comedy written by and starring Casey Rose Wilson(‘Happy Endings’) and June Raphael(‘Bride Wars’). Not a straight-up romantic comedy–it’s more of a gal pal road trip style romp. Also rounding out the cast are Paul Scheer(‘The League’) and Alicia Silverstone.  

Some of the important topics we hit include:  which floor to live in a cat condo, why Jews don’t camp, Nate’s experience as Annie this Halloween, beauty pageants, ‘Crossroads’, egg donors, the introduction of “Stat Man”,  and junior nips.

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Episode #52 -- "Enough Said"

This week we welcome back for a three-peat, the wonderful Samantha Morris.  And we see Enough Said, starring James Gandolfini(sniff), Julia Louise-Dreyfuss, Toni Collette and Katherine Keener.  Topics include:  Would Gandhi be a good boyfriend? Is poet a silly job?  Tash's beef with Australians. And how to whisper.

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Episode #51 -- "Don Jon"

We finally see a movie in a timely fashion with our guest the vivacious Melissa Rosen. The movie? Don Jon.  Directed, written, and starring Joseph Gordon Levitt as well as Scarlett Johanssonn, Tony Danza, Julianne Moore, and Glenne Headly.  Topics include:  the "Guido" character, porn myths, teaching your kids about porn, blow job expectations, adventures in buying Playboys, and the cool Pope.  

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Episode #50 -- "The Spectacular Now"

For our 50th episode, we ended up seeing a movie that isn't very ro-co at all!  But full of ro… Our guest is the awesome Amy Rhodes(Ellen).  We saw The Spectacular Now starring Shailene Woodley(The Descendants) and Miles Teller (Footloose). Topics include:  Iowa, Friday Night Lights, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gertie, and "lucky cats".  

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Episode #49 -- "The Way, Way Back

Back in the car, unleaded (sans guest!) we see 'The Way, Way Back' with Sam Rockwell, Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, Allison Janney, and the list goes on!  Topics include: The 4 Agreements, Wanda G. Spreadworthy, "summering", Hawaiian flower protocol, Nate considers older women, and the Cloon Dog.

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Episode #48 - "Before Midnight"

In our 'cast, we're back in the car with a new guest…. the wonderful D'Arcy Carden(Inside With Amy Schumer)!  We tackle the latest in the Before… series from Richard Linklater… Before Midnight with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.  Topics include: Tricky last names, JGC, burglary tips, cat edge, disturbing nipple play, should Jessie and Céline be together?, Shane Beat, and 'pre-mail' 

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Episode #47 - "Frances Ha"

In our newest 'cast, we welcome back fan favorite Tony Carnevale and review Frances Ha starring Greta Gerwig and co-written by her and (directed by) Noah Baumbach.  Topics include:  brownies, black & white movies, New York in your 20's, besties, meeting Richie Rich, modern dance, nosebuds, men with two cats, picking up girls at the grocery store, giving out fake numbers, and Nate's favorite wrong number-"Sandwich Girl"

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Episode #46 - "The Place Beyond The Pines"

In this episode, we tackle another non-ro-co because when Ryan Gosling says he isn't going to make movies for awhile.  You need to pay attention!  Hence.... "The Place Beyond The Pines" starring Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, and Bradley Cooper.  Our guest is the lovely A.J. Langer(My So-Called Life, Private Practice).  Topics include:  Catalano vs Krakow, Brian Austin Green, professional screen kisses, Eva Mendes & the Goss, what to do when is Ray Liotta at-the-door, Clyde disses Brett's motorcycle prowess, and bald talk!

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Episode #45 - "Admission"

In this episode, we see "Admission" (starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, as well as Wallace Shawn, Michael Sheen, and Lilly Tomlin).  Back in the backseat is Samantha Morris!  Topics of the day include:  Nate and Tash talk sleepovers, Happy Endings, Gosling talk, getting into college, movies to watch while folding laundry, and is John Mayer only mom music now?

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Episode #44 - "Side Effects"

In this episode, we see "Side Effects" (starring Rooney Mara,  Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Channing Tatum) because we didn't want to see "Quartet" that badly.  Okay, so it's not completely a romantic comedy.  It's not really a comedy.  It's not a romance.  But we SAW IT okay?  Topics include: Girlscout cookies' arrival, Tash's loveable cat Dr. Schwartz, getting Michelle Williams a good man, Idol Talk, the Sodercoaster, and what would happen if one of us dies in the bathroom?

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Episode #43 - "Warm Bodies"

In this episode, we take to the car again and see "Warm Bodies" starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, and John Malkovich.  Topics include: contemplating dating a zombie, new review, Tash's text ticket, Nate visits the Grand Canyon, American Idol, Dole Whip, and Nate's Girlscout Cookie Order.

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Episode #41 -- "Safety Not Guaranteed"

We're baaaack.  This one is slightly late so just pretend it's before the holidays and not after.  Okay?  Then you'll appropriately prepared.  We review "Safety Not Guaranteed" starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, and Jake Johnson.  It's just us… on the couch.  Our topics include:  Tash's manse, time travel, Tash's mystery phone puzzle, musical dealbreakers, and twin f*ckers.