The Poppedcast

In this episode, I dive into my latest obsession with the Star Wars universe, from TV series to movies and games, exploring how the franchise continues to evolve and adapt to modern streaming and cinematic landscapes. I share my thoughts on the success of the Mandalorian, the complexities of Star Wars storytelling, and potential directions for future installments. Make sure to subscribe to my Subs...

Join Gareth as he dives into his latest journey through Universal Monster films, revealing how his curiosity and storytelling background shape his take on cinema. Perfect for film enthusiasts, storytellers, or anyone interested in the history of horror This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

In this episode, I read out my essay from the Popped blog where I explore The Bride (2026) as a modern conversation with The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Stick around at the end where I have a quick chat around my thoughts on both films! As always, thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped...

Hello and welcome to Popped. A space to explore cinema history, cinema culture, and how world events can be reflected through the silver screen. Though I’m not usually into award ceremonies, this year I tuned into BAFTA as a friend of mine was up for an award. It’s moving to see someone you know being recognised for an amazing talent that they have. They were also dressed to kill! This month’s Pop...

Hello and welcome to the Poppedcast. A space to explore cinema history, cinema culture, and how world events can be reflected through the silver screen. Thanks for reading. This week is an audio version of a written post. I take a look at how three landmark works captured the human cost of Thatcher’s Britain. From rising unemployment to racial tension and the birth of neoliberal individualism, thi...

Hello and welcome back to Popped, a blog connecting film and cinema history to our lived experience. It’s been a little while but I’m excited to be back with the Poppedcast which has a new feel to it. After reflecting on the kind of stuff I like to listen to, and the experience I want create for Popped , this month’s Poppedcast is a more reflective, less “recommend-y” listen. It’s something I had...

Hello and welcome back to Popped! A newsletter about the history and culture of cinema. What’s in this month’s Poppedcast? As usual I have some excellent clips, books and docs to talk about. More detail on each one below. The archive clip this month is lovely and it would be great to hear what you think. Clip The Saviour of Cinema - Aunt Laura I don’t often use the word quintessential, but this is...

Hello my pride of cinema stars and welcome to this month’s Poppedcast. A listening experience where I talk about a book, a clip and an additional interest from the cinema world. It’s only the second month so I’m still finding my feet with this new format. I say “um” more than anyone else on earth and good grief am I a heavy breather. I’ll stop breathing for the next Poppedcast ‘k? I’m particularly...

Hello and welcome to Popped! A newsletter about the history and culture of cinema. This week we’re talking Talkies. How they came to be and how Hollywood reacted. It’s a whistelstop tour of this fascinating subject. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

Hello and welcome to Popped ! A newsletter about the history and culture of cinema. This week I’m trying out a possible new regular post. I tend to jump from one thing to another, so I thought it may be time to settle on at least one thing at least semi-regularly. After a while of dabbling in podcasts, I've come to enjoy a few and thought I should borrow some ideas directly from them. My art teach...

This week is a little story about how I ended up buying over 550 dvd's from Facebook marketplace, and why you should too! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

Hello and welcome back to Popped, a podcast about the history and culture of cinema. With the release of Alien: Romulus, this week I’m looking back to the release of the original back in 1979. Enjoy! And if you do, please share! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

Hello and welcome back to Popped! A newsletter about cinema history and culture. This week is a roundup of things I've learned, read and seen in July. This episode also includes my thoughts on the latest film releases from July! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

Hello and welcome back to Popped, a newsletter about cinema history and culture. I’m off on holiday this week! I’ll be taking the rest of July off to sit around and, let’s face it, watch films. Until then folks, enjoy this one! Animation is often taken for granted. Its presence is everywhere. It advertises to us, it entertains and educates our children, it brings our games alive, but we generally...

Hello and welcome back to Popped! This week we’re getting a little bit nerdy about one of the all time classics by Alfred Hitchcock. If you haven’t seen Rear Window , don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers here. But do go and rent it or pick up a copy, it’s fantastic! This isn't an exhaustive "making of", but some of the more specific elements that I loved learning about. A quick note to say that...

It’s Popped’s One Year Anniversary! On the 1st May last year, I sent out my first newsletter. It was a personal story about my first trip to the cinema in Aberystwyth. Since then, I’ve shared with you another 35 pieces of writing that I’ve tried to make myself proud with. What started off as Reel Stories, soon became Popped. I’ve been lucky enough to interview interesting people, visit new places...

This week I visit the oldest purpose built cinema in the UK, The Duke of York's Cinema in Brighton. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit popped.substack.com Welcome Back to Popped It’s been a little while since I've done a post of things. I said I’d do these once a month, but that was a lesson in failing to deliver. There are bits below that I’ve kept by from other newsletters, some quotes I like, and up coming dates for your diary. This time I have enhanced the newslett...

Hello and welcome back to Popped, a journey through cinema history and culture. Thank you for joining me! Around two weeks ago, despite myself, I posted a question here on Substack: What is your first cinema memory? I’ve collated some of the cinema stories that were shared, as it really blew my mind that people were happy to respond, and their stories were little pockets of joy. This is a public e...

Hello and welcome to Popped, a journey through cinema history and culture. Thank you for joining! This is the next instalment of my Women in Cinema series! I hope you enjoy and please do comment, share and like to your hearts content. It really does help. Remember too that you can listen to me read this if you want. Just click the play button above. This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

While I was Las Vegas recently, I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to The Sphere, the largest spherical building in the world with a massive, wrap around screen. In the back of my mind I thought, this would be a great experience to write a journal entry for Popped. So I did, and here it is. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu...

Hello and welcome to another edition of Popped, a journey through cinema history and culture. It’s great to have you here again and if you’re new, thank you for joining! Remember there is an audio version of this above if you would prefer. This week, I am finally getting back to a series of stories about the women who made waves during the golden age of silent movies and beyond. With it being the...

Welcome! I’m Gareth and this is Popped, a podcast that delves into the history and culture of cinema. January means a fresh but fleeting enthusiasm for every aspect of life, and Popped hasn’t escaped my renewed energy. One thing I enjoy is putting these posts together and from what I can see, you seem to enjoy them too. So I’ve decided to make these a monthly thing and this is, therefore, your Jan...

Welcome to Popped, a newsletter that delves into the history and culture of cinema. This is the first in a series on the work of women in early cinema and how these people have shaped our movie landscape today. The early life and legacy of Anita Loos is an unfortunate example of the struggles of women in Hollywood and how we still fall short of allowing women’s stories to rise to the top. She was...

For my first proper podcast, I want to round up my year in film! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit popped.substack.com