A couple weeks ago, Mav learned that they were making a sequel to a movie that he loves, Spring Breakers. The thing is, that's an indy film that basically no normal people have ever seen and probably no one is looking for a sequel to. Even more curiously, none of the original cast, writer, or director are returning. And since it's a movie about teenagers, some 15 years later... how is it a sequel exactly? And for that matter, what even is a sequel? So on this episode Mav and Katya are joined by returning guest Nathan Koob to do a sequel to our prequel episode and talk about exactly what it is that makes something a sequel and why. Are they chances at creativity? Are they souls cash grabs?...
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e206. Return of the Oscars Preview – 2022
If you’re a movie fan then you might know that the Oscars are coming up next weekend. In fact, you probably even know if you’re not a movie fan. The Oscars are weird. Every year they’re a big deal for Hollywood… except really, does anyone care? The Oscars have been bleeding viewers lately, with last…
Call for Comments: Unintentional Group Synchrony and the Madness of Crowds
From Wayne: I’ve had several conversations with people about their experience in crowds at various events. For me this was primarily a function of my experience at concerts. I can verily easily just get caught up in the music and the moment, losing a certain amount of a sense of self and ‟becoming one with…
Call For Comments: Why do we fill out Oscar ballots?
Dune, West Side Story, The Power of the Dog, and Belfast are all nominees for the 2022 Academy Award for Best Picture From Monica: The 2022 Oscars are upcoming on March 27th, so we’re doing a good old-fashioned predictions episode. But as I sat down to fill out my ballot, I also found myself in…
e205. Why Do We Love Batman?
If you’re a regular listener of this show then you no doubt are aware that the Batman was released in cinemas last week. At the current moment, it is in fact the number one movie at the box office worldwide. And of course, that was to be expected. Everyone knew that it would be a…
e203. Consumption, Capitalism, and the Culture of Luxury Fashion
Can you tell the difference between Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci, and Versace? What about Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo? Do you even know who these people are? In all likelihood you read that list and knew that those are some of the biggest brands in luxury fashion. Or, if you…
Call for Comments: Hey, Are Y’all Talking About Batman?
From Hannah: How have we gone over two hundred episodes without dedicating an episode to talking about Batman? (Indeed, the Eternals of all superheroes got their own episode before we decided to focus on Batman.) From Mav: I mean, we didn’t. Episode 54 was totally all talking about Batman! Just none of you were on…
e202. To Kill a Mockingbird… and a Maus — Censorship & Book Banning
Every once in a while the world of weekly pop culture and the world of literary academia collide so totally that the world notices even outside of our show. Last week was one of those weeks. A school board in Tennessee voted to remove Maus, the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning Holocaust memoir graphic novel,…
e201. The Romance Show: (Hannah wouldn’t let us call) Love In The Time Of COVID
Despite the fact that it is perennially one of the best selling genres in literature, Romance is often looked down upon. Part of this is simple misogyny; as a culture we look down upon things that are seen as “for women.” However, not only are romance novels dominant best sellers, romance as a concept essentially…
Call for Comments: Bridgerton Is Back … and Still Beloved?
March 22, 2022
From Hannah: Bridgerton caused a stir worthy of Lady Whistledown when it premiered on Netflix in Christmas of 2020. Voxpopcast found so much in the first season to discuss that we recorded not one but two episodes where we analyzed everything from its portrayal of sex to the implications of the alternate historical setting. You…