The Cult Popcast

Episode 219 ”Andor” Season One

| Review | This is what revolution looks like. Let’s call it… war. Produced for Disney by the brilliant Tony Gilroy, Andor is a shocking testament to the true narrative potential of Star Wars. This first installment of a two season series details the brutal beginning of the Rebel Alliance, whose efforts culminate in George Lucas’ original trilogy. While there are familiar hallmarks of the franchise, there’s also rich worldbuilding, intriguing drama, nuanced performances, and an appropriately timed philosophical treatise on the insidious rise of fascism all to the tune of HBO quality writing and production. This is Star Wars like you’ve never seen it. And you should see it.

Episode 218 ”Glass Onion”

| Review | An object that seems densely layered, but in reality, the center is in plain sight… that would be Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion, the latest entry from the auteur in what will be a series of films inspired by the many novels of Agatha Christie. Returning to center stage is Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, the world’s preeminent detective, back with his definitive southern charm to unravel yet another devious mystery.

Episode 217 ”The Fabelmans”

| Review | Family, art… it’ll tear you in two. Steven Spielberg is one of the most celebrated and accomplished directors of all time, and The Fablemans is his chance to finally tell his own story. A dramatized account of the master storyteller’s formative years, this movie is just as much a love letter to Spielberg’s own family as it is to the craft and history of cinema.

Episode 216 A Tribute to Jason David Frank

| Review | The man, the myth, the Green Ranger is gone... and it feels that a great White light in the world has gone with him. We've never met him but he has left an indelible impression on Steven since his youth. We are here to talk about the legacy and passion that JDF left behind.

Episode 215 ”The Crown” Season Five

| Review | A quasi sequel episode to us previously talking about Netflix's The Crown. We're talking all things royal today as we discuss season five as well as the recent Harry and Meghan doc... also produced by Netflix. 

Episode 214 ”The Menu”

| Review | Please don’t say mouthfeel. The Menu is a sleek and stylish comedy-thriller with sharp commentary on consumerism and class. Helmed by veteran prestige television director Mark Mylod, this carefully portioned film is a decadent experience amidst the mass produced garbage competing for your attention. Just take a bite and see.

Episode 213 ”The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special”

| Review | I was going to write a witty description for this episode, but my small, soft brain is numb due to the sheer amount of superhero media Steven is making me consume. I will say this: the Guardians of the Galaxy are cool, and so is Kevin Bacon. See you in May for Volume 3.

Episode 212 ”Violent Night”

| Review | Time for some season’s beatings! Santa Claus comes to town in Violent Night, a jolly little Christmas action flick that takes itself just the right amount of seriously. With equal parts Die Hard, Home Alone, and Bad Santa, this might be another holiday staple. Merry Christmas you filthy animals.

Episode 211 ”Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

| Review | In August 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away. The Black Panther’s legacy was iconic, and director Ryan Coogler determined not to recast the character, but to continue his story through his family. While not a perfect film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an inspired and bittersweet end to “Phase Four” of the MCU, and it introduces newcomer Tenoch Huerta as Namor, ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talokan (Atlantis).

Episode 210 ”Tales of the Jedi”

| Review | The dead speak! Tales of the Jedi is a short and sweet anthology of bonus Clone Wars episodes designed to fill out the lives of two beloved characters in particular: Count Dooku and Ahsoka Tano. We get more Qui-Gon, need I say more?