The Middle of Culture

In this lively and irreverent episode of The Middle of Culture , Peter and Eden build a tier list ranking 29 DC movies, from the highs of Christopher Reeve's iconic Superman to the lows of Black Adam , which earns a new category all its own: "F*** You Forever." Along the way, they debate the merits of Nolan's Batman trilogy, praise Margot Robbie while trashing her material, and wax poetic about Mi...

Show Notes: Life Updates & Pencil Parties - Eden recounts a surreal Minneapolis trip to witness the "sharpening" of a 20-foot neighborhood pencil statue. - Attendees included 1,500+ people, costumes, DJs, and a fake giant pencil sharpener hoisted into place. - Cassi already has cosplay plans for next year. Dollhouses, Gundams & DIY Projects - Eden builds a full miniature room box to pose m...

Episode Notes: - The episode opens with Eden reading a Tumblr post that hilariously and bleakly explains modern burnout as a result of living in a crumbling world. Peter and Eden relate strongly, setting the tone for a cathartic conversation. - Eden checks in with the ongoing Adachi and Shimamura manga journey. Volume 8 features a flash-forward to adulthood and two momentous forehead kisses. - Gam...

Show Notes: - Spiritbox concert recap: Peter attended a standout show in Salt Lake City, noting the energy, mixed-gender crowd, and explosive live performance that solidifies Spiritbox's rising status in metal. - Graduation celebrations: Aubrey graduated from the University of Utah; Peter recounts the efficient ceremony and celebratory Rodizio Grill outing. - TTRPG return: Peter is back to GMing,...

What We've Been Up To Peter's Update: - Recovering from a cold - Saw his wife Elissa perform as Mary Poppins in local theater - Unable to watch planned content like Andor and Daredevil Born Again - Finished playing Avowed , started Eternal Strands but finding limited character progression - Considering returning to Dragon Age: The Veilguard and excited about Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered E...

📝 Episode Notes 🎮 Main Topic: RPG Mechanics We Love (and Why Avowed Stands Out) - The hosts highlight key RPG mechanics that elevate the player experience: - Maps that matter: Clarity, verticality, and incentivized exploration. - Visible resources on mini-maps: Encourages environmental interaction and rewards curiosity. - Streamlined crafting: Especially for those who don't usually like crafting...

Catching Up: • Peter shares a laid-back spring break filled with Avowed , a vasectomy, and home recovery. He praises the game's gray morality and engaging writing. • Eden talks about buying a Boox Palma (a minimalist e-reader) to curb phone addiction, reading five books in a week, and recommends the Practice Perfect romance series by Carson Tate. Tech Dalliances: • Both hosts talk about recent tec...

Welcome back! • Peter and Eden catch up on life, touching on: • Why modern society feels like a "hellscape." • Eden's unique take on a book club (it's really just a reason to meet at a bar and talk about books). • A foray into Bad Movie Bros, a community dedicated to watching and laughing at terrible films. • Highlights from their recent March Badness-- including absurd movies like The Core and th...

Life Updates & Gaming Adventures The February blues hit hard as we commiserate about adulting struggles, work deadlines, and the never-ending battle against muddy paw prints Eden champions Obsidian's Avowed as a triumph of weird fantasy and complex moral choices that puts other RPGs on notice Peter confesses he hasn't fallen under Avowed's spell yet but is intrigued by Eden's passionate defens...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Middle of Culture! Your hosts, Peter and Eden, are here to dive into the world of pop culture, sci-fi, and everything in between. This week, we’re braving the cold and tackling a highly recommended novella that’s been on our TBR list for far too long. What we are checking out: Peter has been diving into some serious reading, tackling "The Lost Metal"...

Welcome back to The Middle of Culture. This week, we take a deep dive into the state of entertainment in 2025. From the bleak outlook of upcoming movies and TV to the rare gems in music and video games, we break down what we’re anticipating with excitement and what we’re bracing for in disappointment. Movies and TV Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning -- The only movie Peter is planning to see...

This Week on "The Middle of Culture": Return to The Matrix! Twenty years after Neo and Trinity's supposed final chapter, we're diving deep into 2021's surprise sequel "The Matrix Resurrections." After weeks of defending the oft-maligned sequels, we're here to ask: Does this unexpected return stick the landing? (Spoiler: We might have some hot takes that'll surprise you!) 🎮 What We're Into: - Eden...

In this special retrospective episode of The Middle of Culture , Eden and Peter reflect on two years of podcasting by pitting every movie they've covered in a bracket-style showdown to crown the "Best Movie of the Podcast (So Far)." This reflective journey explores their evolving tastes, the movies that shaped their discussions, and the surprises along the way. Highlights - Catching Up: Eden and P...

This week, we return to dissect The Matrix Revolutions , the third and originally final installment in the Matrix series. From its action-heavy sequences to its emotional farewells, we explore how the film concludes Neo's journey and its place in the trilogy. Along the way, we discuss their latest media obsessions, frustrations with games, and what's on our radar this holiday season. Episode Highl...

Peter and Eden are back, diving headfirst into their analysis of The Matrix Reloaded . They explore its ambitious themes, dazzling action sequences, and how it stacks up against the original Matrix . From the philosophical depth of free will and control to Morpheus' magnetic leadership, the hosts dissect what makes this movie a messy yet compelling cinematic experience. Episode Highlights: • Deser...

This week on The Middle of Culture , Eden and Peter navigate the whirlwind that is November. We delve into our personal struggles and victories, offering our listeners a peek into our hectic lives, creative endeavors, and coping strategies for challenging times. Key Highlights : The November Grind : Peter shares his experience participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for the third...

# The Middle of Culture - The Matrix (1999) In this episode, hosts Peter and Eden dive into the groundbreaking 1999 film The Matrix. Having not seen it in nearly 20 years, Peter watches it for the first time since the early 2000s, while Eden revisits this influential sci-fi classic. First, we discuss what we have been checking out lately, with Eden discussing "Pupposites Attract" and Peter discuss...

Pixels, Preferences, and the Passage of Time: A Gaming Journey This week on "The Middle of Culture," Eden and Peter dive into the ever-shifting landscape of their video game tastes. But before they press start on the main topic, they level up listeners with their recent media adventures! Eden takes us on a whirlwind tour: - They ponder whether "The Wild Robot" tugs at heartstrings or manipulates e...

Buckle up, culture enthusiasts! Eden and Peter are back, and they're taking you on an interstellar journey to the haunting world of Solaris. But first, fasten your seatbelts for a whirlwind tour of their latest obsessions: 🎸 Peter's been headbanging to Nightwish's new album, "Yeserwynde" - but is it too bombastic? He's found solace in the gritty, aggressive sounds of Bay Area thrash legends, Exod...

Tarkovsky's "Solaris" Divides Our Hosts! Journey with us through the cosmos of pop culture in this week's episode of The Middle of Culture! Our hosts dive deep into the enigmatic world of Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 sci-fi classic, "Solaris." But before we blast off, strap in for our signature pop culture roundup: - Diablo 4: Is it heaven or hell? - Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn: Worth a re-read? - New...

Get ready for an unexpected ride on this week's "The Middle of Culture"! Life threw us a curveball, but Eden and I rolled with the punches, delivering an episode packed with pop culture goodness. First, we dive deep into our recent obsessions: - Eden takes us on a journey through the grim darkness of Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader and the galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Outlaws. - Comic book fan...

This week on "The Middle of Culture," brace yourselves for an epic journey into cinematic chaos! Eden and Peter dive headfirst into the 2023 live-action adaptation of 'Knights of the Zodiac,' based on the beloved anime 'Saint Seiya.' But why would our intrepid hosts willingly subject themselves to this cosmic catastrophe? Buckle up because Peter's behind-the-scenes tale of how this movie made it o...

Join us for an insider's look at San Diego Comic Con 2024! This week on 'The Middle of Culture,' Eden and Peter share their unique perspectives on the world's biggest pop culture event. From Eden's presentation at the Comic Arts Conference to Peter's first-time experience, discover the highlights beyond the Hall H hype. Dive into their adventures on the bustling conference floor, gain insights fro...

Buckle up for a high-octane episode of "The Middle of Culture" as hosts Eden and Peter, fueled by their passion for film, rev their engines for a deep dive into the Wachowski sisters' 2008 film "Speed Racer." At the time, it was a critical and commercial flop, but since its release, this visually stunning adaptation has gained a devoted following. But does it truly deserve a victory lap? Before hi...

Madame Web: Marvel Masterpiece or Cinematic Catastrophe? Swing into the world of Sony's latest Spider-Verse entry! This week on 'The Middle of Culture,' hosts Eden and Peter face off in an epic showdown over 'Madame Web.' Is it a hidden gem or a box office disaster? Eden's fallen under the movie's spell, while Peter claims it's more toxic than a radioactive spider bite. Join us for a hilarious, no...