WVIA Pop Shop

Is Supergirl just another superhero movie—or does it have something meaningful to say about justice, trauma, and what it means to be good?

Is Toy Story 5 really about toys—or is it about what children are losing in a technology-driven world?

In this episode of WVIA Pop Shop, Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton discuss Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg's latest science-fiction thriller.

Can a He-Man movie actually say something meaningful about modern masculinity?

In the return of WVIA Pop Shop, Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton discuss The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first Star Wars movie to hit theaters in years. Is it a worthy big-screen adventure, or does it feel like a streaming episode stretched into a movie?

Join us as we close out Season One of Pop Shop by dissecting Honey Don’t—the latest film from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, starring Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza.

In this episode of Pop Shop, our crew take a Wakandan wild ride through Eyes of Wakanda—the first streaming series of Marvel’s Phase Six, produced by Ryan Coogler. This four-part animated anthology explores the mysterious missions of Wakanda’s War Dogs as they recover lost vibranium artifacts across history and time.

Take a deep dive into Eddington, the latest film from director Ari Aster, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eddington explores power, politics, and personal trauma in a New Mexico town teetering on the edge.

Is the new Naked Gun reboot starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson a worthy successor to the classic spoof series? In this episode of Pop Shop, the crew take a deep dive into the absurd, hilarious, and surprisingly complex world of the rebooted Naked Gun.

In this episode of Pop Shop, take a deep dive into the latest and possibly final MCU film for a while: Fantastic Four: First Steps. Is Marvel’s “First Family” finally getting the cinematic treatment they deserve, or is this another misfire in a franchise with a rocky past?

In this episode of Pop Shop, our crew dive deep into the latest Marvel Studios streaming series, Ironheart. From its place at the end of MCU’s Phase 5 to hot takes on the show's acting, storytelling, and themes, no powered suit is left unexamined.

In this episode of Pop Shop, the crew dive deep into the bold new direction of James Gunn’s Superman. Is kindness the new punk rock? Has the DCEU finally found its footing? And how does this Superman compare to past portrayals?

In this thought-provoking episode of Pop Shop, WVIA’s resident pop culture professors Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton, along with producer Kara Washington, dive headfirst into one of the most hotly debated questions in entertainment today: Are we living through the worst era of American pop culture—or is it just misunderstood?

Dive deep into 28 Years Later—the latest installment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s revitalized zombie franchise. Is this visually stunning sequel a return to form or a narrative misstep?

In this episode of WVIA Pop Shop, dive deep into Wes Anderson's newest film, The Phoenician Scheme. Is it a quirky masterpiece packed with visual wit and dry humor—or does it stumble under the weight of its own aesthetic?

In this episode of the WVIA Pop Shop podcast, the crew dive into The Materialists, the much-anticipated romantic drama from writer-director Celine Song (Past Lives). Starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the film explores the intersection of love, money, and identity in a world dominated by algorithms and surface-level dating metrics.

In this episode of Pop Shop, hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton, with producer Kara Washington chiming in, break out the “Anticipometer” to rank and roast the most talked-about films of Summer 2025. From superhero fatigue and live-action remakes to unexpected indie gems and bloated blockbusters, the crew offers their signature blend of sharp insight, academic wit, and genuine fandom.

Step into the neon-lit world of 1980s television with WVIA's Pop Shop! In this episode, hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton—with insightful input from producer Kara Washington—dive deep into the best, worst, and most criminally overlooked sitcoms of the decade that gave us big hair, bigger shoulder pads, and unforgettable theme songs. From The Facts of Life and Family Ties to Small Wonder and...

In this lively and insightful episode of WVIA's Pop Shop, co-hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton—alongside producer Kara Washington—dive deep into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. From iconic first-timers like Chubby Checker and Joe Cocker to returning nominees like Soundgarden and Cyndi Lauper, the hosts unpack the legacy, controversies, and curious omissions behind this year’s...

In Part 2 of their in-depth exploration of Andor Season 2, Pop Shop hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton return to the Star Wars universe to examine how the critically acclaimed series concludes—and whether it cements Andor as the best Star Wars story yet. Joined by producer Kara Washington, the trio dives into the emotional finale, the evolution of Cassian Andor, the show's sharp political com...

In this episode of Pop Shop, hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton—joined by producer Kara Washington—take a deep dive into Andor Season 2, the gripping Star Wars series streaming on Disney+. From prequel politics to moral gray zones, the team unpacks the complex storytelling, grounded characters, and bold themes that set Andor apart from the rest of the galaxy far, far away. They explore how An...

In this electrifying episode of WVIA Pop Shop, hosts Allan Austin and Patrick Hamilton—joined by producer Kara Washington—take a deep dive into Thunderbolts, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With sharp wit and thoughtful critique, they explore whether this mismatched team of anti-heroes, including Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, and the Winter Soldier, can revive a franchise...

Whether you're a cinephile, history buff, or pop culture enthusiast, this conversation offers rich insight into one of 2025’s most original films.

In this deep-dive episode, Allan, Patrick and Kara break down the return of Marvel’s blind vigilante in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+. Is this revival a faithful rebirth of the gritty Netflix original—or a misstep into Marvel mediocrity?

Is Minecraft a creative triumph or just another shiny IP cash grab? Is it secretly begging to be a musical?