B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping another edition of Lights, Camera, Albums into the ol’ VCR. 

In today’s edition of Lights, Camera, Albums, we’re going to cover Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album, GUTS. GUTS is like a mix of the Freaky Friday and 10 Things I Hate About You soundtracks, so it only seems logical to give it the Lights, Camera, Albums treatment. Also, we’ve already done SOUR, and I’m a completionist.

If you’re new here, Lights, Camera, Albums is a series where I pair each song on an album with a movie. Sometimes, it’s obvious. Other times, I have to over explain myself into oblivion, and you still need to tilt your head and squint. Fun! 

Without further ado, let’s jump into Lights, Camera, Albums: Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS.   

“all-american bitch” as Saved! 

You can’t listen to this song and tell me it doesn’t scream 10 Things I Hate About You, but I digress (because I already used 10 Things for another edition of LCA). 

Saved! is a wonderful runner up though. I can picture Cassandra (Eva Amurri) singing this to Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) as Hilary Faye tries to convert her YET AGAIN. Also, I’ve had Saved! in my back pocket since the concept of Lights, Camera, Albums, and I finally had the perfect place for it. 

“bad idea right?” as Bridesmaids 

The older I get, the more I appreciate Bridesmaids. I also more than understand Annie’s (Kristen Wiig) self-destructive behaviors, including when she continues to hook up with Ted (Jon Hamm). Ted is absolutely horrible, and her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), tries to tell her multiple times how bad this situation is. 

“vampire” as Renfield 

Renfield is obviously a bit more reserved and wouldn’t use the exact lyrics from “vampire.” But, I can see him, in his sweet little rainbow sweater, singing this to Dracula when he finally stands up to him.

“lacy” as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 

I would love nothing more than to hear Michael Cera sing “lacy,” let alone Scott Pilgrim. Scott (Micheal Cera, obvi) and Envy (Brie Larson) had an awful breakup, and Envy went on to front a super successful band, so it’s hard for Scott to escape her. Envy sucks, but Scott still has some feelings for her. 

They’re definitely into pegging (no judgement). 

“ballad of a homeschooled girl” as Lady Bird 

I know that Lady Bird (Saoirse Ronan) wasn’t homeschooled, but in true adolescent fashion, she’s very dramatic, and every single thing is seen like it’s the end of the world. 

“making the bed” as Heathers 

In Heathers, Veronica (Winona Ryder) “upgrades” her friend group and ditches her old best friend, Betty (Renée Estevez), for popularity and for the Heathers. She doesn’t want to go to a party, but Heather Chandler (Kim Walker, RIP) forces her to by threatening to make her a social pariah. Veronica obviously doesn’t deserve the things she goes through, but she chose to make herself miserable by choosing the Heathers. 

“logical” as Cruel Intentions 

Much like Saved!, I’ve been holding on to Cruel Intentions for the right moment. I see “logical” being written from Annette’s (Reese Witherspoon) perspective after Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe) rejects her. They do eventually end up together (for a brief time, anyway), but Sebastian rejects her after he begins to feel guilty about the bet. 

“get him back!” as Rosaline

First and foremost, I think Rosaline is criminally underrated. Secondly, Katilyn Dever is a national treasure. Anyway. Rosaline is a modern-ish (it’s still set in the same time period, but you’ll see what I mean) retelling of Romeo (Kyle Allen) and Juilet (Isabela Merced), from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin, and Romeo’s ex-girlfriend, Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever). After Juliet catches Romeo’s eye, Rosaline is willing to try just about anything to “get him back!” 

Kathryn Merteuil is somehow a mix of Buffy and Faith with a sprinkling of Darla. 

“love is embarrassing” as He’s Just Not That Into You 

This one was an easy connection for me. He’s Just Not That Into You shows us love from all sides, and it doesn’t leave out any of the embarrassing parts. 

“the grudge” as The Beguiled (2017) 

I know there’s an original, but we’re going with Sofia Coppola’s because this is my blog. Surprisingly, I’m not the biggest fan of The Beguiled (I don’t think it’s a bad movie, but it’s not 100% my bag), but I do think it’s a wonderful representation of “the grudge.” Did Martha (Nicole Kidman) really need to amputate Corporal McBurney’s (Colin Farrell) leg, or was it because she caught him in bed with Alicia (Elle Fanning)? Sounds like a grudge to me. 

“pretty isn’t pretty” as Sierra Burgess is a Loser 

Okay, listen. I’m a sucker for a teen movie, so yes, I have seen Sierra Burgess is a Loser. Sierra (Shannon Purser) uses Veronica (Kristine Froseth) as her proxy because Veronica is “prettier,” and she doesn’t want to reveal her real identity to Jamey (Noah Centineo). Fuck traditional beauty standards and the idea of leagues. Sure, every single person won’t be attracted to you, and you won’t be attracted to every single person, but we have to get over these stupid convictions society has. 

“teenage dream” as Sixteen Candles 

I know that Liv sings about blowing out her 19 candles, but her mentality about growing up immediately made me think of Sam Baker’s (Molly Ringwald) in Sixteen Candles. Sam keeps wondering when she’s going to get a boyfriend, and, much like Lady Bird, carries some adolescent drama.  

Hey, ScarJo, do you need a bandaid for that scab?