Cubbie Chats Podcast

📚  11 Books in October, Barnes & Noble Book of the Year Finalists & My Worst Horror Read! | Cubbie Chats Welcome back to Cubbie Chats! We're wrapping up October with a look at the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year finalists, my October reading wrap-up, and the books that made me laugh, think, and occasionally question my reading choices. Are the Barnes & Noble finalists deserving of...

Welcome back to  Cubbie Chats , where film, television, and pop culture are always on the table! This week, Cubbie is back from a week and a half of being sick with some BIG opinions, and trust us, there's plenty to discuss. First, we're ranking the  Modern Family  characters from WORST to BEST! Why does Manny Delgado land at the bottom? Is Cameron Tucker hilarious enough to excuse his toxic behav...

I may be sick, congested, and wrapped in a blanket, but that isn't stopping me from talking about the movies and TV shows you need on your radar! This week on  Cubbie Chats , we're diving into Mike Flanagan's new adaptation of Stephen King's  Carrie , exploring its modern twists, unforgettable characters, and the potential beginnings of a Stephen King multiverse. Then, I'm sharing my thoughts on ...

What do pumpkins, book bans, witchcraft, and Jane Austen have in common? More than you might think! This week on Cubbie Chats, we're talking about rediscovering our whimsy, embracing our differences, and the controversy surrounding Sally Rooney's books being pulled from UK bookshelves over her support for Palestine Action. Is it a book ban? Let's discuss! Plus, I'm reviewing Alice Hoffman's  Pract...

Texas is banning thousands of books, and now AI is helping decide which ones get removed. In this episode of  Cubbie Reads , Cubbie dives into the growing book-ban crisis in Texas, the use of AI to evaluate books under Texas legislation, and why literary censorship is becoming such an urgent issue. Then we switch gears and talk books! Cubbie reviews three wildly different reads:  The Art Thief by...

Cubbie is back with another film and TV episode! We’re talking  Lanterns  as the DC series finally starts picking up steam, John’s complicated path toward becoming Green Lantern, Hal Jordan’s increasingly difficult-to-love personality, and what could be coming next. Then we head back to  American Horror Story: Season 13 , where the story is finally starting to come together—but only after a LOT of...

September may have been a slow reading month, but the books I picked up were anything but ordinary! This week on Cubbie Reads, I'm talking about three books I finished and one nonfiction read that has me completely fascinated. We’re diving into  Last Night at the Telegraph Club  by Malinda Lo, a beautiful coming-of-age story exploring queer identity, community, and what it meant to be an Asian Ame...

This week on Cubbie Chats, we're talking Brad Pitt's  Heart of the Beast,   a film I wanted to love but ultimately found pretty average and, more importantly, the real star of the movie: Odin the combat dog. We break down the film's pacing, action, suspense, CGI bears, and why watching Odin go through hell may have been the hardest part for this dog lover. Then, we're going back to  Heroes  as I r...

Practical Magic 2 has arrived, and Cubbie has plenty to say about Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s return, the new generation of Owens witches, and why this might be the best sequel of the year. Then we dive into some of the best witchy movies to revisit for spooky season, from  Hocus Pocus  and  Halloweentown  to  The Craft  and  The Skeleton Key . Plus, Cubbie reviews Ethan Hawke’s  The Weight...

Do audiobooks actually count as reading? Apparently, more people than you’d think say no—and Cubbie is diving headfirst into the debate. This week on Cubbie Reads, we're talking about the science behind audiobooks, why they might be just as beneficial as reading a physical book, and why Cubbie is realizing his personal bias against them might be getting in the way. Plus, he shares his struggles wi...

This week on Cubbie Chats , we're talking about two very different kinds of horror. First up, Onslaught , Adam Wingard's bloody, campy throwback to '80s B-movie action and slasher films. Super soldiers, revenge, ridiculous moments, gore, and plenty of fun—even if it doesn't always make its heroine the badass she deserves to be. Then, we shift to American Doctor , a devastating documentary followin...

Dolly Parton’s legacy goes far beyond music. In this episode of Cubbie Reads , I’m talking about Dolly’s love of books, the incredible impact of her Imagination Library, and some of her favorite reads—including Oral History , The Little Engine That Could , The Grapes of Wrath , and Big Stone Gap . Then, we’re heading to Texas to talk about the state’s growing book-ban controversy, a banned-book le...

This week on Cubbie Chats , Cubbie is blown away by Coyote vs. Acme , a movie he thinks might be nearly perfect. From its smart comedy and nostalgic Easter eggs to its gorgeous 2D animation and the bizarre story of Warner Bros. shelving the film, Cubbie breaks down why this movie deserves to be seen. Then, Cubbie goes against the crowd on Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars . Despite its rough reviews an...

Cubbie is pissed this week. First up: AI-generated books at Barnes & Noble?! Cubbie breaks down Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt’s comments about potentially selling AI-generated books and why the idea of AI replacing human creativity has him seriously concerned. Then we’re heading to Texas, where Cubbie goes OFF about the latest push to remove books from school libraries. From The Perks of...

Cubbie is on a losing streak. Insidious: Out of the Further has officially tested his patience, and he’s ready to condemn the franchise to hell. From predictable scares and recycled horror tropes to the desperate need for Patrick Wilson to come back, Cubbie breaks down why this latest installment just isn’t scary. Then, complete tonal whiplash: Netflix’s Don't Say Good Luck delivers the emotional...

It’s time for another Cubbie Reads! 📚 This week, we’re talking about what’s happening in the literary world—from the newly announced Booker Prize longlist to the New York Times’ 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century (and yes… I have some thoughts about Gone Girl taking the #1 spot 👀). Plus, I’m reviewing The Saturday Night Ghost Club , sharing my Summerween TBR , including The Very Secret Societ...

Cubbie is back, and he has QUESTIONS. What actually makes a movie terrible? For Cubbie, The Last House on Netflix checks basically every box — bad acting, plot holes, zero suspense, questionable character decisions, and a story that left him wanting his time back. But after that very necessary rant, we shift gears and talk about the surprising return of the theatrical experience. Five major movies...

Welcome to the very first episode of Cubbie Reads , a new literary series from Cubbie Chats ! This week, I'm diving into Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye , a novel that completely challenged me as a reader. We unpack Pecola Breedlove's heartbreaking journey, explore the novel's themes of identity, beauty standards, trauma, and generational cycles, and discuss why this story has remained one of the m...

Tom Holland is having the summer of a lifetime, and Cubbie is here to break it all down. From Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey to Marvel's Spider-Man: Brand New Day , this episode dives into standout performances, controversial casting debates, breathtaking practical effects, and the emotional themes of grief, identity, and hope that make both films unforgettable. Plus, Cubbie shares why these movi...

We're officially halfway through 2026, so let's take a look at the highest-grossing movies of the year so far ! From billion-dollar blockbusters like Super Mario Galaxy to surprise indie sensations like Obsession , I'm breaking down the year's biggest box office successes, what shocked me the most, and which upcoming releases could shake up the rankings before the year is over. Then we're diving i...

This week on Cubbie Chats , I'm diving into some of the most fascinating books and movies I've experienced lately. First up is Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle, a queer horror novel that explores religious trauma, identity, and the dangers of conversion therapy through a terrifying supernatural lens. Then I discuss the new Australian horror film Leviticus , a chilling story that weaponizes love and f...

Cubbie Chats is back! After a three-week hiatus, Cubbie returns to the mic to talk creator burnout, stepping away from social media, rediscovering creativity, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is unplug and recharge. Then it's time to dive into some of the biggest movie releases of the summer. Cubbie breaks down the psychological horror of Backrooms , explores the disturbing beauty stand...

Get your popcorn ready! In this episode of Cubbie Chats , Cubbie dives into a jam-packed triple-feature review of the latest releases hitting screens large and small. First up, he breaks down Marvel’s special presentation, The Punisher: One Last Kill . From Jon Bernthal’s deeply emotional, Emmy-worthy performance to the perfectly balanced, non-stop gore, Cubbie explains why this standalone project...

In this episode of Cubbie Chats , Cubbie gets vulnerable about a major creative shift—explaining why he’s swapping out his beloved Stranger Things merch for Marvel and Anime shelves to reclaim his creative spark and confidence. But the real "main event" is a deep dive into the highly anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada . Cubbie breaks down why this sequel isn't just a "cash grab," analyzin...

Cubbie is back, nerds! After a brief hiatus to battle the "paralysis by analysis" of a major rebrand, your favorite Stranger Things guy is returning to the mic with a fresh perspective on the fandoms you love. In this episode, Cubbie dives deep into why the Artemis 2 mission has him in his feelings—from the historic crew to the touching tribute of naming a lunar crater after a late spouse. We’re a...