We Really Like Her!

This week on FONDAVISION ... Jane Fonda doing her best Blanche DuBois in a sub-textually queer film from the writer of Funny Girl (the play and film)! Listen in as Emily and Danita navigate Tennessee Williams adaptation Period of Adjustment (1962), which features one of Jane's earliest on-screen performances. Is this black-and-white MGM picture just another silly pitstop on Jane's way to serious superstardom, or does it have some sneakily forward-thinking themes that would steer the course of her career forevermore?

After a brief hiatus, Danita and Emily are back with a new instalment of FONDAVISION! Join them as they cringe through Jane's most problematic movie yet: 1977's Fun with Dick and Jane. What was Activist Jane thinking when she made this failed satire that includes raging homophobia, transphobia, racism and misogyny? What's the Real True Hollywood Story behind those rainbow socks she wore in it? And, most importantly, where does this movie rank on the FONDAVISION scale of success?

In the second episode of WRLH!'s Jane Fonda series, Emily and Danita take cakes to the face with the challenging (and, honestly, occasionally chuckle-worthy) Monster-in-Law (2005). Was this early aughts comedy the triumphant return to cinema that Jane may have hoped it would be after 15 years? Where's the sequel starring Wanda Sykes as the scene-stealing Ruby (and only Wanda Sykes as the scene-stealing Ruby)? Has there ever been better horror girl representation than J.Lo and Jane watching A Nightmare on Elm St.? And, most importantly, what did Jane think of Jennifer's performance in Hustlers?

WE'RE BACK, BABY! Join We Really Like Her! co-hosts Emily and Danita as they kick off Fondavision — a new series dedicated to the iconic works of the one and only Jane Fonda — with the politically and erotically charged opus that is Book Club (2018).Is it as good as they remember it was when they saw in theatres with Emily's mom and their friend Candis while drunk on rosé? Is Jane's character, Vivian, the direct descendant of Samantha Jones? And did Don Johnson (Dakota Johnson's father to Danita) fall in ~TRUE LOVE~ with Jane while shooting this movie? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the premiere of Fondavision!

Climb into our fur(s) and get cozy because we’re closing out 2019 with an extended episode dedicated to our favourite films directed by women this past decade! We’re talking everything from underrated tearjerkers (YOUR SISTER’S SISTER, anyone?) and acclaimed dramedies (LADY BIRD!) to fearless horror flicks (remember THE VOICES?) and genre-defying docs (here’s looking at you, SHIRKERS). Plus, we reveal our top movie of 2019 (it is, shockingly, unanimous!) and which gore-geous horror film we’ll be screening at Toronto’s Revue Cinema on January 30! We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

Which hit film is heartfelt, hilarious, head-banging, and helmed by a most righteous babe of punk cinema? It’s WAYNE’S WORLD (party time, excellent)! In honour of Emily’s birthday, we’re bowing down to Penelope Spheeris’s WAY worthy 1992 comedy about friendship, “foxy” ladies, and finding success on your own terms. Let’s look straight into the camera and address important questions like, did you ever find haiku writer, secret drummer and possible Scorpio Garth Algar endlessly relatable? Also, has there ever been a more excellent faux rocker chick than - cue Gary Wright’s “Dream Weaver” - Tia Carrere’s Cassandra? And why in the hell did Mike Myers not trust Penelope’s vision for what would become one of the most iconic music moments in movie history???We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

This week we’re taking a trip to 1960s Louisana with Toronto filmmaker Lu Asfaha! As Kasi Lemmons tours the world with her new film, HARRIET, we’re revisiting her magical debut feature, EVE’S BAYOU, a film about growing up, sisterhood and the complicated nature of memory. After lamenting the fact that Lemmons didn’t get all the calls after this truly remarkable work (which Roger Ebert dubbed best film of 1997!!) killed at the box office, we celebrate the other incredible women who helped her bring the film to life (including cinematographer Amy Vincent, actresses Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Debbi Morgan). Plus, Lu speaks to the ways Lemmons inspires her as a genre writer/director and gives us a sneak peek of her two (!!) films screening at the Regent Park Film Festival this month: DEAD END (November 20) and PALADIN (November 21). And Danita debuts her fan theory linking Eve Batiste to Danny “Redrum” Torrence! We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a

For this year’s Halloween episode, we’re digging up a forgotten favourite! Yes, it’s time to revive the conversation around director Mary Lambert and her grossly (emphasis on the GROSS!) underrated 1989 adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. Follow us to the forests of Ludlow, Maine as we unearth our true feelings about the 2019 remake and the ways in which it (im)pales in comparison to Mary’s revolting and revolutionary take. We also mourn the loss of Mary’s original concept for Pet Sematary II (which would have followed Ellie Creed!) and wonder whether the Fun and Fucked Up horror film is dead, or just buried under a pile of “elevated” yet uninteresting spins on the genre. We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

One, two, a new episode for you! We’re back from our hiatus to celebrate the 25th anniversary of NEW NIGHTMARE with dreamghoul and fellow horror lover Lindsay Traves. Join us in the boiler room as we slice and dice the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise, revisiting Heather Langenkamp’s ongoing role as Nancy Thompson. Why do we still scream for Robert Englund as literal child murderer Freddy Krueger, but hardly ever talk about Nancy, a true survivor, pyjama enthusiast, and precursor to one of the best modern final girls (calling Sidney Prescott!)? And what would a new NEW NIGHTMARE look like, especially without Nancy’s biggest fan, Wes Craven, in the picture? We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

We're finally over our post-festival colds (okay, Emily's still coughing a bit) and ready to share our final TIFF thoughts! Settle in with a seasonal beverage (pumpkin spice cold brew, anyone?) and listen in as we reflect on all the women-directed films we saw, including new works from Kasi Lemmons (HARRIET) and Alma Har'el (HONEY BOY) as well as debut features from Aisling Chin-Yee (THE REST OF US, a.k.a. Danita's new favourite film!) and Rose Glass (SAINT MAUD). Plus, what did Movie Club think of Renée Zellweger's buzzed-about performance in JUDY? Will Beanie Feldstein be redefining teen cinema (again!) with HOW TO BUILD A GIRL? And why is Emily so obsessed with KNIVES OUT?We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg, edited by Danita Steinberg, and features a theme song by Emily Milling.

We sat down with actor Raffey Cassidy, director Malgorzata Szumowska, and writer Catherine S. McMullen to talk about their incredible film 'The Other Lamb' which celebrated its World Premiere at TIFF19. We got the scoop on Jeffrey the ram (!!!), location scouting in Ireland, adapting a short story for the screen, and the joys of collaborating with women.

TIFF 2019 is fully underway and we were lucky enough to interview Shelly Love, director of A BUMP ALONG THE WAY. In this minisode, Shelly talks about the importance of childcare funding within film budgets, the process of preparing to make her first feature, and travelling with her two year old.We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg. Edited by Danita Steinberg and theme song by Emily Milling.

In our first interview of TIFF 2019, we chat with WORKIN’ MOMS writer Karen Moore about her directorial debut, VOLCANO! In this mini episode, Karen tells us why she, in particular, wanted to make a short film about two friends (Hannah Cheesman and Jess Salgueiro) sharing drinks and secrets at Toronto’s Shameful Tiki Bar. Plus, a few hot tips on the best spots to grab a drink during the fest and some words of wisdom for first-time directors. We Really Like Her! is produced by Emily Gagne and Danita Steinberg. Sound engineering by Perry Jackson and theme song by Emily Milling.

Pull up a Muskoka chair and a huge box of Kleenex because this week’s episode is dedicated to birthday girl Danita and two of her all-time faves: Bette Midler and BEACHES. Listen in as Danita looks back on her lifelong relationship with the Divine Miss M, including a devastating childhood story involving a VHS tape, an autograph, and a couple of extra 'D's (!). Plus, what does Emily really think of BEACHES after only watching it for the first time two years ago (with Danita, of course)? And did Garry Marshall really want there to be “more catfights” in this ode to the ups and downs of female friendship? We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

We’re, like, freaking out because Hollywood Suite archival producer and film programmer Alicia Fletcher is with us this week to talk about Martha Coolidge and her bitchin’ 1983 flick VALLEY GIRL! Listen in as we flip right out over this California-set riff on Romeo and Juliet, including its seriously cute cast (Deborah Foreman + Nic Cage 4 ever!), rad soundtrack (we melt for “I Melt with You”!), and totally tubular costumes. Why is this literally perfect movie not talked about as much as John Hughes’s entire (and, honestly, grody on reflection) filmography? The patriarchy can “Fuck off, fer sure! Like, totally!” We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

Finish up your Snapple because it’s time to take an emotionally-charged tour through Reese Witherspoon’s career and filmography with writer and person Anne T. Donahue! Follow us as we travel down the Oscar-winning actress/producer’s many roles and career paths before we reach our final destination: her raw, riveting performance in Jean-Marc Vallée’s 2014 film WILD. Can we talk about Reese’s fearless commitment to Cheryl Strayed’s story about grief, loss, addiction and perseverance without making a pit-stop to address the Andrea Arnold / Big Little Lies controversy? Also, when is Reese going to do Anne’s book, NOBODY CARES, for her Book Club? We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Danita Steinberg, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

It’s summer and we’re in *a mood* so we decided it was finally time to talk about the unfairly maligned and absolutely brilliant Diablo Cody. If we’re going to be honest to blog, we love everything Diablo does (Emily especially), but this week we’re focusing on one of her most challenging works: 2011’s YOUNG ADULT. Why does this uncompromising, uncomfortable character study about a depressed writer obsessed with her high school beau not get discussed more? Could it have something to do with how so many other Diablo scripts - JENNIFER’S BODY, TULLY, RICKI AND THE FLASH - are dismissed for centering on “unlikeable” leading ladies (a.k.a. women dealing with legitimate issues like life, death and mental health)? We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Sonya Suraci, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

Break out your purple clogs and your most capable outfit! Drunk Feminist Films cast member Bernita Rebeiro is in the passenger seat of our Jeep this week, giving us the 411 on why she’s still majorly, totally, butt crazy in love with Alicia Silverstone and her performance in CLUELESS. Better buckle up because we’re not only discussing Amy Heckerling’s, like, totally important teen film and its utterly aspirational protagonist, (fashion icon/do-gooder Cher Horowitz!), but also the “Crazy” gross trend that may have made Alicia say “Outie!” to other major acting roles. We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Sonya Suraci, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

This week, we are sitting and talking about Nicole Holofcener's debut film, critically-acclaimed ode to female friendship WALKING AND TALKING. How is it that this film, which paved the way for so many great modern works by and about women (including, yes, BRIDESMAIDS), isn’t talked about as much as the films of, say, Cameron Crowe and Noah Baumbach? And, more importantly, whatever happened to Anne Heche? All of this and more as we finally give the lovely, amazing, and recently Oscar-nominated Nicole the episode she deserves!We Really Like Her! is produced by Danita Steinberg and Emily Gagne, edited by Sonya Suraci, with a theme song by Emily Milling.

Lace up your fave sneakers and put on your best jumpsuit because Emily and Danita are back with a sneak preview of Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, BOOKSMART! Listen up as they geek out over this new comedy that follows nerdy BFFs Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) as they attempt to get their party on for the first time the night before their high school graduation. Does this so-called SUPERBAD of the 2010s really make the grade in terms of its portrayal of teenage friendship, sexual inexperience and being “uncool”? Or is it, much like high school, way overhyped?