Popcorn Culture

A searing look at how modern dating and relationships affect the practice of consent and blur the lines, I May Destroy You is a show that experiments with storytelling and boundaries. Its creator Michaela Coel turned down a million dollar deal with Netflix to have total creative control and ownership - we talk about how that might have impacted the show, and how the show treats themes not often di...

One of the quintessential coming-of-age movies (and dramedies), Juno tells the story of a smart, independent teenager confronting an unexpected pregnancy and dealing with the twists and turns of life. In this episode, we talk about how this movie handles difficult subjects with deft writing, sharp comedy and emotional depth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From epic medieval battles to the grueling tales of World War II, audiences have always been fascinated by the concept of war and how it's portrayed in movies. Is it the element of pure danger that keeps us watching? Or is it the notion that most of these amazing stories are inspired by true events? On this Supercut, we talk about our favorite war films, what makes a great battle scene, and why a...

A U.S. Navy Commander named Ernest Krause, played by Tom Hanks, and his Allied crew are being pursued by German U-Boats. Soon, Krause will find himself trying to survive the most complex naval battle in history - The Battle of the Atlantic! On this episode, we check out AppleTV+'s newest high-profile offering, Greyhound. At a lean 91 minutes, the big budget film is designed for streaming, but will...

General. Slave. Gladiator who defied an emperor. Movie that won Russell Crowe an Oscar. In this episode, we revisit 'Gladiator' - one of the finest movies from the year 2000. The film also cemented Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and composer Hans Zimmer as Hollywood gold. We discuss Gladiator's pop culture impact, how a slew of copycat films tried to replicate its success, and why the story of Ma...

Everyone’s teenage years are likely filled with emotions, adventures, hopes, and disappointments - it’s no wonder they are such fertile ground for cinematic storytelling. In this Supercut, we discuss the many variations of teen movies, the iconic names behind them, and what makes them work (or not!). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adapted from the popular children’s book series of the same name, The Baby-Sitters Club follows the friendship and adventures of five middle-schoolers as they start a babysitting business in Stoneybrook, Connecticut. While the show takes a fun and lighthearted tone, it doesn’t shy away from addressing real issues that many young people of today face, such as divorced parents, self este...

The quintessential skiver’s handbook, this John Hughes teen comedy from 1986 became an instant classic thanks to its irreverent humour, memorable performances, excellent soundtrack and its infectiously youthful vibe. We revisit Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for a big dose of ‘80s nostalgia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it's epic novels or comic books, adapting for the screen comes with its own unique set of challenges. For instance, keeping fans of the book happy while ensuring that viewers can understand the story on its own terms, cutting characters and storylines to fit a 2 hour running time, and even casting the right actors for characters who've lived in the public imagination for years. The list go...

Based on Donna Tartt's complex novel about trauma, grief and art, The Goldfinch tackles the tale of Theo Decker, and what happens after he survives a bomb explosion in a museum that kills his mother. In the process, he also inadvertently steals a painting, and it's this act and its consequences that will come to haunt him. The Goldfinch was said to be an unfilmable novel, with its layered narrativ...

How do we treat people who are different to us? What does it mean to have special abilities - to be a mutant? The very first film in the (frankly uneven) X-Men movie franchise explores these questions and does so in style. Marking the Hollywood debut of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, it's also the first time that these beloved comic book characters were seen on the silver screen. We discuss the impact...

Dreamy doctors, smooth lawyers, and scientists born wearing bifocals. On-screen professions may be vaguely based on real life, but that hasn't stopped us from wanting the careers of some of our favorite characters. On this Supercut, we explore the many ways professions are portrayed in pop culture and discuss why some of them, while hilariously inaccurate, are just so appealing to us! See omnystud...

Based on Erie Stanley Gardner's character of the same name, Perry Mason is back on TV screens and apparently this time, his show is sleeker and slightly edgier than its classic counterpart. But are preachers, beat cops, and gruesome crime scenes enough to make this a worthy reboot of the original series? In this episode, we tag along with Perry Mason, private investigator, as he navigates 1932 Los...

With Malaysian cinemas opening their doors again from July 1, we look at the unique experience of “going to the movies”, and whether it can ever be replaced by the multiple other screens now available to us. We also recall milestone films when it comes to big screen releases, and share some of our own favourite movie-going memories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Malaysian cinemas opening their doors again from July 1, we look at the unique experience of “going to the movies”, and whether it can ever be replaced by the multiple other screens now available to us. We also recall milestone films when it comes to big screen releases, and share some of our own favourite movie-going memories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Spike Lee’s latest screen outing, four ageing war veterans return to Vietnam in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader - and a treasure that they hid while serving there. Starring Delroy Lindo, Chadwick Boseman, Isiah Whitlock Jr and Norm Lewis, the movie brings an African American lens to the Vietnam war, while also drawing on issues of race and social justice that continue t...

That soaring shot of a brachiosaurus. The T-rex reflected in a sideview mirror. The chilling sight of a velociraptor’s breath puffing on a glass panel. These iconic screen moments are indelible memories created by one of THE biggest cinema releases of all time, the original Jurassic Park from 1993. With Malaysian cinemas reopening this week after three months of closure, we recall the awe of...

There's a lot of truly excellent TV and good shows available these days, and many of them have production levels (and budgets) that rival or surpass the best of cinema. So what has led to the rise of Prestige TV and how do you sift through the best of the best? And how have streaming services and bingeing changed the game? We dive deep into that very subject on this episode of Supercut. See omnyst...

Space Force reunites Greg Daniels and Steve Carell after The Office, and blends workplace comedy and political satire as it looks into the formation of the United States Space Force and its efforts to put boots on the moon. We discuss whether the show is a fun binge watch, and whether it succeeds at satire, comedy or both. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A cult classic in its own right, Galaxy Quest is a science fiction comedy in which the stars of a defunct but beloved sci-fi television franchise are put in charge of real intergalactic peril. On this throwback, we talk about what Galaxy Quest got right when it came to parodies and tributes, and also why Star Trek fans voted it the seventh best Star Trek film of all time in 2013. See omnystudio.co...

Lost underwater kingdoms. Dystopian future cities. Galaxies far, far away. Some worlds invite us with warmth and magic and wonder. Others warn of danger around every corner. World-building is a crucial component of filmmaking, as it creates entire cinematic universes within the context of a film. On today's Supercut, we discuss the worlds we love, the ones that we're in awe of, as well as the ones...

Four films, one episode! Fantasy Island, Underwater, Cats, and 1917 have made it to Malaysian homes thanks to Astro On Demand. On today's show, we check out some of the films that graced the big screen earlier in the year, and take a second peek at previously discussed movies like Cats and 1917. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If this were a different timeline, Wonder Woman 1984 would be in cinemas right now. We may not get to see the sequel to Patty Jenkins' 2017 blockbuster for a while, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate the character while waiting in anticipation. On this Throwback Tuesday, we look back at two iconic live-action iterations of Diana Prince - Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot - in an effort to (re)hype...

Citizen Kane. Ben-Hur. Gone with the Wind. Even the original Star Wars trilogy. We often hear or read about these movies, with critics saying that they're must-watches... but why do some folks find watching old movies a challenge? There's plenty that goes into this, from changing standards and ideals of performances and direction, to being used to newer effects. We dive into all of that in this Su...

A couple - played by delightful writer-comedians Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani - who are on the rocks, find themselves inexplicably involved in a murder... and hijinks ensue. So begins the plot of The Lovebirds, which is what the Popcorn Culture gang are reviewing this week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.