Pretty Much Pop: A Culture Podcast

A philosopher, an actor, and a sci-fi writer talk about media and how we consume it.

Film

PMP#201: John Wick Minus Wick

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In light of the new film Ballerina, we discuss the John Wick franchise that kicked off in 2014 with four films plus a (bad) Peacock TV show called Continental: From the World of John Wick. We also watched the recent documentary Wick Is Pain about the making of the series. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al are joined by Brian Casey to mostly talk about the main four films in … [Read more...] about PMP#201: John Wick Minus Wick

PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)

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In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with Hollywood and how we the audience understand how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Are executives the well-intentioned bumblers depicted in The Studio, or the evil interferers we've seen in other media? What's with the fascination with old … [Read more...] about PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)

PMP#199: Missioning Impossibly

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Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al talk about the eight-film action series that launched in 1996 (based on the 1966 TV series) in light of its apparently final film. Is this a coherent narrative as the last film would have you believe, or just an excuse for a series of Tom Cruise physical challenges? Maybe the latter is enough for us! Did you know that the co-writer/director … [Read more...] about PMP#199: Missioning Impossibly

PMP#196: Our “Sinners” Shindig

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Luvell Anderson (Philosophy prof. at U of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign) joins Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al to discuss Ryan Coogler's new vampire siege/black studies film starring Michael B. Jordan. We talk about the film's comments on black freedom, black music, the church, why the film needed twins, whether the vampires were even necessary, the film's humor and structure, … [Read more...] about PMP#196: Our “Sinners” Shindig

PMP#189: Bob Dylan As We Know Him

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In light of the recent release of the James Mangold film A Complete Unknown, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Dylan superfan Al discuss the man, the myth, and the music. The film clearly aimed to make the music, environment, and political activity of the '60s come alive today, but does the simplification required to make a coherent film undermine that goal? We also touch on his … [Read more...] about PMP#189: Bob Dylan As We Know Him

PMP#188: Vampire Appreciation

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In light of Robert Eggers' film Nosferatu and the end of What We Do in Shadows, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the many vampire shows and films all the way back to Bram Stoker's 1897 novel (and of course the folklore goes back much further). The journey from the Dracula novel to the 1922 rip-off Nosferatu through a 1979 Werner Herzog version to the current one … [Read more...] about PMP#188: Vampire Appreciation

PMP#187: Taking Down Santa Claus

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For our annual holiday episode, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al talk about Santa qua mythical and cultural figure, getting into the history of the character, his film appearances, and how the emphasis on kids' belief compares to religious belief. Plus, grading Xmas movies on a curve and Black Santa! Follow us @law_writes, @sarahlynbruck, @ixisnox, @MarkLinsenmayer. Get an … [Read more...] about PMP#187: Taking Down Santa Claus

PMP#186: From Oz Books to Wicked Film

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We're coming up on the quasquicentennial anniversary of L. Frank Baum's children's book, The Wizard of Oz (that's 125 years!), and the film version of (the first half of) the musical Wicked has been released. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al talk about the landmark 1939 film musical, the 1978 film The Wiz, Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked, the stage musical, the … [Read more...] about PMP#186: From Oz Books to Wicked Film

PMP#185: Steve Martin: X-Tuple Threat

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Steve Martin was the biggest comic celebrity in the late '70s, became a huge movie star, and now delivers gentle comedy and fast banjo licks according to his desired rich guy schedule. In light of the popularity of Only Murders in the Building (which just finished season 4), last March's Apple TV documentary STEVE! (martin), and his current blockbuster tour, we consider … [Read more...] about PMP#185: Steve Martin: X-Tuple Threat

PMP#183: Classic Universal Monster Movies

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It's our Halloween episode! Brucker Nourse from the Autopsy of a Horror Movie podcast joins Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al to talk about the first wave of Universal Studios monster movies in the 1930s: Dracula, Frankenstein (and Bride of...), The Invisible Man, and The Mummy. Are these actually enjoyable to modern audiences, or is their value primarily in seeing how … [Read more...] about PMP#183: Classic Universal Monster Movies

PMP#182: Tim Burton: Shtick Macabre

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In light of the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, we discuss the films of director (and occasional writer) Tim Burton since his career was firmly established via short 1984 film Frankenweenie, 1985's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, and the original 1988 Beetlejuice. More recently, he's been on tap with Disney and has his hands in so much IP that we've already covered him … [Read more...] about PMP#182: Tim Burton: Shtick Macabre

PMP#181: M. Night Shyamalan’s Films Are a Trap

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In light of the new film Trap, we look at this writer/director's oeuvre. Was he a bright light (The Sixth Sense) that at one point went out (certainly by The Happening), and has that light gone back on as he's regained full control in his most recent films (Knock at the Cabin, The Visit, et al.)? Is he a genius, overrated, or somehow both? And what hath he wrought via his … [Read more...] about PMP#181: M. Night Shyamalan’s Films Are a Trap

PMP#179: Deadpool Gets Meta

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We discuss the Deadpool films in light of the new Deadpool & Wolverine, which leaves the fourth wall thoroughly smashed. Is the new film just a meta-text about the existence of other Marvel films? Is this just a particularly irreverent phase in superhero films (contra Christopher Nolan Batman seriousness)? Featuring the usual crew of Mark, Sarah, Al, Lawrence, and Al. … [Read more...] about PMP#179: Deadpool Gets Meta

PMP#177: Inside Out – Animated Psyche

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We discuss the 2015 and 2024 Pixar films by writer/director Pete Docter , featuring the usual crew of Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. These films show kids that it's OK to be sad and how to cope with anxiety. Is the films' emotional impact objectionably manipulative? Does the "mental landscape" depicted helpfully represent the various elements we juggle, or is it just a … [Read more...] about PMP#177: Inside Out – Animated Psyche

PMP#176: Furiosa: Are We Mad Maxed Out?

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Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the five films in George Miller's Mad Max/Road Warrior franchise. What was the original appeal of the series, and has this changed? Are we still afraid of an "Apunkalypse," or is this just an aesthetic to be ripped off by Fallout and other properties? How can films 80% occupied by car chases be actually good? Is Mad Max an icon a la … [Read more...] about PMP#176: Furiosa: Are We Mad Maxed Out?

PMP#175: Podcast of the Planet of the Apes

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We discuss the ten films that all started with the 1968 Charlton Heston vehicle (based on Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel) through the latest offering, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. What psychologically are these films about, and has their mission statement changed over time, for instance from fear of displacement by savages in the original to just fun fantasy adventures with … [Read more...] about PMP#175: Podcast of the Planet of the Apes

PMP#170: Poor Things and Other Yorgos

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Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the 4-Oscar-winning film Poor Things as well as the other creations of writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos, including most notably The Lobster, Dogtooth, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. These films mix high concepts, purposively stilted line-readings, and increasingly rich cinematography with horror and gross sex. Watch the dance scene … [Read more...] about PMP#170: Poor Things and Other Yorgos

PMP#167: “May December” and Other Docudramas

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When we've already heard about someone's personal scandal in the news, do we need to also see it dramatized with A-list actors? We discuss Todd Haynes' 2023 film fictionalizing the long-aftermath of the Mary Kay Letourneau story. The main events of May December are fictional (based on a story by screenwriter Samy Burch along with Alex Mechanik): An actress (Natalie Portman) … [Read more...] about PMP#167: “May December” and Other Docudramas

PMP#166: Miyazaki’s Anime Dreamscapes

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In light of the new, acclaimed film, The Boy and the Heron, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al reflect on the Studio Ghibli films that Hayao Miyazaki has directed since the '80s, including Spirited Away, My Neighbor Tortoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, The Wind Rises, Princess Mononoke, etc. Does the visionary design make up for the languorous pacing? We talk about the anime … [Read more...] about PMP#166: Miyazaki’s Anime Dreamscapes