PopaHALLics

PopaHALLics #167 "Alien in Heartland" Five people trapped in a house during what may or may not be an alien invasion begin to suspect one of them is a shape-shifting alien. That's the "Twilight Zone"-like premise of "Alien in the Heartland," an independent film made in Indiana and available to rent or buy on Prime Video . We interview writer/director Eric Pascare...

PopaHALLics #166 "Lost and Found" This episode's all about discovery: Finding a space villain's kidnapped son, rescued puppies and true love in NYC, a way to keep your creative spark against autism, and, yes, even creepy monsters hidden in the walls of a retirement community. Theaters: "The Mandalorian & Grogu." In the latest "Star Wars" big-screen relea...

PopaHALLics #165 "Baaaad People?" If a shepherd is kind to his sheep but combative with humans, is he still a good person? When Iggy Pop rolled around in glass, was he just embodying the spirit of punk rock? And then there's the husband who suddenly abandons his 20-year marriage and his wife and kids ... We discuss all of them, and more, on this episode. Theaters: "The Sheep De...

PopaHALLics #164 "Damaged Goods" Damaged people make for good pop in this episode, from a Neil Diamond tribute band with trouble at the door to a widow keeping busy to cope with her son's disappearance over 30 years ago in "Remarkably Bright Creatures." Streaming: "Remarkably Bright Creatures," Netflix. This movie adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's novel stars...

PopaHALLics #163 "Pop-ping up Everywhere" Buckle up, kids! On this episode, we zoom around from deep space to 1998 New York to Palestine to Ireland to a Mormon community in Utah to Elle Fanning's bedroom. Note: Three of the trailers below open with someone waking up gasping. Prepare to be breathless!   Theaters: "Project Hail Mary." In this huge sci-fi hit, a high school s...

PopaHALLics #162 "Many (Happy) Returns? People come back on this episode—to the past, to gangland trouble in the present, to a murder that keeps occurring, and to home. Theaters: "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." When Princess Rosalina gets kidnapped by Bowser Jr., Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are on the case. With the voices of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black...

PopaHALLics #161 "All in the Family" Family runs through this episode, whether it's a crime family with a manipulative matriarch, a family of animals (dinosaurs)  or a homeless-looking guy trying to build a "family" from hostages to stop technology from taking over the world. In Theaters: "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die." In this sci-fi action comedy with cr...

PopaHALLics #160 "It's Time to Light the Lights" From Kermit the Frog to the KGB, from Bad Bunny to "Eternity," we are all over the pop culture landscape. There's even a short review of Oscar-nominated shorts. Streaming: "Eternity," Apple TV. After a woman (Elizabeth Olsen) dies in this romantic comedy, she must choose who she wants to spend eternity with: H...

PopaHALLics #!59 "Train Dreams and Wonder Men" We discuss the Oscar-nominated "Train Dreams," Marvel TV series "Wonder Man," the latest "Bridgerton," and more! Plus Resident Kid Expert (age 10) reviews "KPop Demon Hunters." Streaming: "Train Dreams," Netflix. A logger (Joel Edgerton) struggles with the meaning of life in this Best Picture...

PopaHALLics #158 "Pop Goes the Globe!" We look at two movies with Golden Globe awards—"One Battle After Another" and "Marty Supreme"—as well as the movie "Life of Chuck," the rom-com "People We Meet on Vacation" and Tulsa-set crime comedy drama series "The Lowdown." In Theaters: "Marty Supreme. " Timothee Chalamet won a Golden G...

PopaHALLics #157 "Ho Ho Pop" On our last episode of 2025, we discuss new movies including the latest "Knives Out" and "Hamnet," and books including a great take on the Lennon-McCartney relationship. Plus Kate looks back at "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"! In Theaters: "Hamnet." Academy-Award winning director Chloe Zhao and author Maggie O'Farrell e...

PopaHALLics #156 "Scott of the Bells" In this on-location episode, Steve interviews Scott Soltermann, who plays, records, and programs the carillion (bells) at Butler University in Indianapolis. Steve and his wife often hear the bells in their neighborhood and began wondering about the anonymous player.  Scott, a former music and special needs teacher, also listened to the bells while gr...

PopaHALLics #155 "Breaking Good" Can one unhappy woman save the world from "hive mind"? Why does Kate think motherhood is an important theme in the new "Frankenstein"? And Alicia Silverstone may be "Clueless" about her feelings in a new holiday movie. Streaming: "Pluribus," Apple TV.  In the new sci-fi drama from the creator of "Breaking Bad,&...

PopaHALLics #154 "It's Alive!" In this mini-episode, Steve's solo with his review of Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and the book "Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run," by Peter Ames Carlin. Kate provided rapid-fire reviews of new albums by female artists. Streaming: "Frankenstein," Netflix. Del Toro's version of Mary She...

PopaHALLics #153 "Popping Up Secrets" Dad and daughter dish on Lily Allen's "divorce album," the new seasons of "Slow Horses" and "The Diplomat," a late-to-the-party discovery of TV's "Interview with a Vampire," a funny, wise novel called "I See That You've Called in Dead"—and more! Streaming: "Sisu: Road to Revenge,&q...

PopaHALLics #152 "Guinness, Ghosts, and Valley Girls" Dad and daughter dish on "House of Guinness," about a family struggle for control of the brewery; "Presence," a ghost story told from the ghost's POV; variety show host Ed Sullivan and civil rights; and more! Plus the duo likes looking back at "Romy & Michele's High School Reunion." Me too!...

PopaHALLics #151 "Halls on Holiday: The PNW (Part Two)" Steve's almost month-long "retirementmoon" in the Pacific Northwest continues! In this episode: A whirlwind trip to Canada, Bainbridge Island, and Seattle. The Aquarium , the Space Needle , the Museum of Pop Culture , the Fremont Troll , Jimi Hendrix's grave —and more! Join us. Some memorable places and experienc...

PopaHALLics #150 "Halls on Holiday: The PNW" (part one) Join us for a special adventure into the Pacific Northwest! Steve celebrates his retirement with a "retirementmoon" - an almost month-long trip in Oregon and Washington State - and Kate joins him in Seattle. In part one, Steve and his wife travel cross-country on the Empire Builde r train; explore funky Portland ; travel a...

PopaHALLics #149 "Pasta & Politics" Season 7 kicks off with us digging into two food movies designed to make your mouth water, as well as action thrillers involving getaway drivers and ... politicians?!  Streaming: "Nonnas," Netflix. A man (Vince Vaughn) risks everything to honor his late mother by opening an Italian restaurant with real grandmothers as the chefs in this 20...

PopaHALLics #148 She Pop Dad and daughter discuss pop culture with strong women, from a K-pop group battling demons with song to the women in a Mafia family to Taylor Swift. Theaters: "Freakier Friday." In this comedy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan from 2003's "Freaky Friday" switch bodies again, this time with daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter. Hijinks ensue! Stre...

PopaHALLics #147 "Pop and Politics" Steve and Kate weigh in on "South Park" taking on Trump; the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show; and the demise of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Then we talk Lena Dunham's new show; Happy Gilmore—and more! NOTE: Steve's voice is muted in spots due to recording difficulties, not interference by governme...

PopaHALLics #146 "Bad Boys" Is it possible for bad men to redeem themselves, as when twin black gangsters face off against white vampires in "Sinners"? What makes a man bad—his personality, upbringing, status in life, as the Bluebeard-themed novel "Sour Cherry" asks? And would it really be so bad to save the family fishing business by running drugs ("The Waterfro...

PopaHALLics #145 "Schemers & Dreamers" In this week's offerings: A businessman trying to con investors, improv actors trying to con criminals, a group hoping to draw attention to black string bands, and cops trying to solve murders despite long odds. Will they succeed or fail?  In Theaters: "The Phoenician Scheme." Writer/director Wes Anderson's latest quirky, dea...

PopaHALLics #144 "Mission ImPOPible" Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to learn if these pop culture offerings are enjoyable: "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning." "Thunderbolts." "Fountain of Youth." "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." "Wolf Man." And more! In Theaters: "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning.&q...

PopaHALLics #143 "Pop Go the Generations" Dad and daughter discuss the thrill of introducing your kid to your childhood pop culture faves. Also: Tina Fey does a series remake of an old Alan Alda/Carol Burnett movie. A documentary looks at Anita Pallenberg, "a rock and roll goddess." And Steve examines the making of the classics "Double Indemnity" and "High Noon.&...