Mel & Jill Geek Out

Summer of Blockbusters: Star Wars Episode V Empire Strikes Back - Jill Needs the Force

Fair warning - Jill’s ADHD is strong this episode and her mind jumps from topic to topic, even when discussing the movie. We start with a quick discussion on name pronunciation before quickly segueing into a discussion on fanfiction, trigger warnings, recently read, etc. 
 
We flipped the order and started with notable scenes from the movie where the besties spend  a considerable amount of time breaking down the scenes Jill had comments and/or questions for. (i.e. cutting off Luke’s hand.) We touch on the films many accolades as well as some fascinating behind the scenes tidbits. 
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

The Valley, Season 1, Episode 5: Debbie Downer in the House

We start the episode with Mel giving us a rundown of the mysterious happenings in her house. Jill suspects she may have someone living in her attic. (Paranoid much?)
 
This episode of the Valley really revolved around three relationships; two of which are crumbling in real time on the screen. However, Danny and Nia are couples goals. This really was the Debbie Downer of relationships on this episode.  
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

Summer of Blockbusters: Independence Day - Punch an Alien Today

The Besties kick off this episode with chatting about this weekends events from F1 and the news from Rebecca Yarros. With Sir Hamilton winning the British Grand Prix to Ollie Bearman officially getting his F1 seat at Haas, F1 went into their two week summer break on a high-note. The ladies also discussed the new F1 movie called, stupidly, F1. They hope it’s good, but who knows. They finish off with a quick walk through the cover reveal of Onyx Storm and what Violet’s second signet might be. 
 
The next Blockbuster on the block is Independence Day! This patriotic classic actually holds up pretty well all things considered. From a fantastic cast of Hollywood A-listers to a plot you actually care about, this film hit it out of the park. If you haven’t watched it again in a while, you really should. If only to remember some of the great quotable lines and see what minimal CGI and practical effects can really do for a film. 
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

The Valley, Season 1, Episode 4: Mostly a Digress

This episode of The Valley was really a filler episode so the Besties spent the first half of the episode going down some rabbit holes. We touch on a wide range of topics starting with marine animals which eventually turned into other animals we get to see while driving in the car or in an aquarium. That somehow evolved into the hilarious minor league baseball names (go look them up - you’ll have a good time) and the Besties reading journeys for 2024 (spoiler alert: Jill’s winning by a landslide). 
 
Needless to say, the actual episode of The Valley was a bit of a snooze fest. All that really happened is the ‘fallout’ from the racist Republican argument from the previous two episodes, and a couple of flashes of family life for Nia & Danny and Jax & Brittany. Both the Besties walked away just hoping for a new storyline in episode 5. 
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

Summer of Blockbusters: Jaws - Healthy Fear of the Ocean

We cover a lot of topics in the episode. We touch on Lawyer TikTok where Jill laments that she should have been a lawyer.  Mel pushes her Jax & Kristen end-game theory which Jill STILL disagrees with. However, they both agree that Travis & Taylor are end-game. We then briefly talk about the Austrian GP and the unexpected results before diving into the deep with the movie Jaws. 
 
Mel gives us the Film Student run down of the movie while Jill tells us her embarrassing Jaws secret and lectures everyone about having a healthy fear of the ocean. From editing to music, the film doesn’t disappoint. It’s known for the first-ever summer blockbuster for a reason!
 
We end the episode gushing about the upcoming Olympics!
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

The Valley, Season 1, Episode 3: For Once It Wasn’t Jax

We start the episode with yet another Taylor Swift discussion and a little clowning... Wembley Weekend 1 was magical in so many ways, including the hard launch of Taylor & Travis’ relationship with the help of British royalty and Travis’ debut on the Eras stage. Jill has somewhere managed to hold on to 3rd while Mel’s husband continues to kick ass in their F1 league. 
 
The major plot points of episode 3 are essentially couples counseling with Michelle & Jesse and the ‘Racist Republican’ accusations against Michelle. The besties were cautious of the ‘life coach’ that Michelle and Jesse brought in, but he actually ended up being a good option for the two of them. The ‘Racist Republican’ fight culminates at a ‘Capri’ themed party where things get extra spicy between Michelle, Janet, Jesse, Kristen, and Luke. There may or may not be an Olympic digress session for your listening pleasure sprinkled in the middle of that episode.
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

Summer of Blockbusters: The Sandlot - Squints and Smalls

Mel and Jill discuss the latest gossip about Brittney’s Boy Band ex and his poor life decisions before diving into this week’s Summer Blockbuster  - The Sandlot. 
 
The Sandlot brings out all the nostalgic feels in the besties. We gush over our favorite characters and scenes of this beloved cult classic. This leads into the clearly inevitable digression into our general love of baseball. From iconic lines to an all-star adult cast, The Sandlot is the perfect summertime feel-good movie. 
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.

The Valley, Season 1, Episode 2: Don’t Invite the Ex-Boyfriend

Mel & Jill begin the episode discussing the newly discovered fact that Liam Lawson has a good singing voice. F1 - can we get a driver talent show please????
 
The episode revolved around 3 major plot arcs this episode - The titty twister incident, the pantsing, and the Luke v. Alex situation. All of these are honestly, pretty childish. But are we really surprised given the cast members involved with these incidents? Not in the least. Mel has an insane endgame theory that Jill just cannot get on board with. 
 
Mel and Jill are best friends who love to enjoy film, tv, books, and more and talk about them together. All opinions are not associated with the content we’re discussing.