Whenever we get gloomy with the state of movies, it’s usually because we’re bombarded with half-baked concepts, threadbare plots, and shoddy characterization. General opinion makes out that one movie that manages to include all these concepts, 2003’s Love Actually, is a cherished Christmas classic, but we don’t see that. When we made two wintery cocktails and sat down to watch this very long anthology movie, none of our comments were messages of hate or revenge- they were all logical questions, like why is this movie trying to wedge the drama of death and broken relationships into a fluffy holiday romcom, and why do so many of the relationships feel upsetting or unbalanced, and why does it seem to think fat people are so horrible? Join us for our special Christmas episode as we try to lovingly reshape this ill-conceived movie, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/whywatchpodcast and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Besides, we’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that Love Actually is all around this time of year, so you might as well listen to us discuss it anyway.
LOVE ACTUALLY IS MULLED AROUND
- 3 cups apple cider
- 2 cups dry red wine
- .5 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 1 sliced orange
- 1 sliced apple
Combine apple cider, dry red wine, maple syrup, peppercorns, orange, and apple in a medium pot. Gently simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
NATIVITY LOBSTER
- sparkling rose wine
- brown sugar stout beer
- ground espresso
- orange twist garnish
Fill 2 flutes .75 of the way with pink champagne or sparkling rose. Top with stout beer and garnish each with a small pinch ground espresso and an orange twist.