The new Apple TV+ documentary Girls State asks: how would high school girls do things if they were in charge? The film is a follow-up to 2020's Boys State , and this time, follows an annual high school program that gives hundreds of girls a chance to create a mock government, complete with elections and a Supreme Court. It was made during the 2022 session, which ended days before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the case is very much on the minds of the girls in the program. Learn m...
Apr 11, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1835
The sweeping historical epic has roared back with Shōgun . The FX miniseries takes place beginning in 1600, in a fictionalized but historically inspired feudal Japan, where the previous ruler has died with an heir not yet old enough to be in power, and everything has become chaotic. Shōgun has war, power struggles, violence, impossible love, beautiful naked people, and thorny questions about whose story it really is. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more a...
Apr 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1834
Stephen King is one of the most successful living writers. He's written more than 50 books that have sold hundreds of millions of copies. And his works have been adapted into a number of classic films, including The Shining , The Shawshank Redemption , and It . This month marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, Carrie , so we are revisiting our guide to Stephen King. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Apr 09, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1833
The new action film Monkey Man is Dev Patel's film – he serves as star, director, and co-writer. He plays a young man whose village was destroyed and mother murdered by elite members of society. He sets out to infiltrate their corrupt, rarified existence and seek his bloody, bloody revenge. There's plenty of gunplay, knife-play, ax-play, bone-crunching, tuk-tuk chases, and gouts of blood. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Apr 05, 2024•25 min•Ep. 1832
Tom Ripley is back — and still can't be trusted. The character — created by novelist Patricia Highsmith — was made indelible by Matt Damon in the film The Talented Mr. Ripley . Now, he's played by Andrew Scott on a Netflix series called simply Ripley . Tom once again worms his way into the life of one Dickie Greenleaf and attempts to sabotage his luxurious life in the Italian countryside. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices:...
Apr 04, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1831
Throw on those boots with the spurs, grab your cowboy hat, and saddle up that horse, because Beyoncé's highly anticipated album, Cowboy Carter is here. Cowboy Carter is a country-fied album, full of legendary guests like Dolly Parton and Linda Martell, and duets with stars like Post Malone and Miley Cyrus — all tied together with the unbridled swagger of Queen Bey. But is Beyoncé knocking down the doors of the country establishment, or looking for validation? Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour ...
Apr 02, 2024•34 min•Ep. 1830
Movies had a big year in 1999. Today, we're going back 25 years to talk about some of the most interesting movies released in 1999 — including Drop Dead Gorgeous , Office Space, and The Talented Mr. Ripley . In this encore episode, we'll talk about what holds up, what looks really different, and what we miss the most. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Apr 01, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1829
Godzilla has been around for 70 years and recently won his first Oscar. The beloved 2023 Japanese production Godzilla Minus One won an Oscar for visual effects. Now, the Hollywood MonsterVerse franchise rolls on with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire , which pairs the two titans as they face a common enemy. Today, we talk about both movies and how they offer different takes on the decades-old monster story. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 29, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1828
In the new Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Proble m, a killing during the Chinese Cultural Revolution sparks a chain of events that puts humanity at risk. When scientists start dying in mysterious ways, five friends just might be the key to saving the world. The series' showrunners include David Benioff and D.B Weiss, the team behind Game of Thrones, who are once again adapting an epic book series. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 28, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1827
The new docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV examines the working environment of the young stars who fueled Nickelodeon's rise. The series pays close attention to allegations of sexual harassment, manipulation, and other problematic behavior by Dan Schneider, who was in charge of shows like iCarly , Sam & Cat , and All That . And Drake & Josh star Drake Bell talks publicly for the first time about the sexual abuse and assault he says he experienced at the hands of his dialogue coach...
Mar 26, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1826
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the latest entry in the blockbuster action-comedy franchise. This time, the crew has set up shop in New York, and, with the help of the surviving original Ghostbusters, tries to stop a demon looking to freeze the world and rule over it. The film is packed with both newer and nostalgic cast members, including Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and more. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more abo...
Mar 25, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1825
The 1989 movie Road House starred Patrick Swayze as a no-nonsense bouncer who saves a honky-tonk bar from a local toughs. Now, in the new remake, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a former UFC fighter who accepts a job to clean up a seaside bar in the Florida Keys that's being terrorized by a motorcycle gang. There's still plenty of fighting and plenty of brooding, but how does it hold up to the original cult classic? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 1824
In the new movie Immaculate, Sydney Sweeney plays Cecelia, an American woman who joins a convent in Italy. But after she arrives, she encounters strange occurrences and mysteriously winds up pregnant. Almost everyone in the convent touts it as a miracle, but Cecelia isn't so sure. Horror, of course, ensues. Immaculate was directed by Michael Mohan – who previously collaborated with Sweeney on the Hitchcock-esque thriller The Voyeurs . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/...
Mar 21, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1823
If there is a spot in your heart-shaped like a rom-com, we've got some good news for you. You can stream a few playful love stories from your couch, whether you're a fan of Lindsay Lohan's red hair shining in Irish sunlight, Glen Powell's gleaming chest, or Camila Mendes navigating the glamorous art world. Today, we're rounding up three recent romantic comedies : Irish Wish, Anyone But You, and Upgraded. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor ...
Mar 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1822
In the very funny and gently surreal new film Problemista , Julio Torres plays Alejandro, a young man from El Salvador scraping by in New York City as he pursues his dreams. But those dreams – and his immigration status – become imperiled. He must turn to a frazzled, fire-breathing art critic played by Tilda Swinton for emotional and financial support, which proves very fraught. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 18, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1821
The movie Love Lies Bleeding is a fun and weird erotic thriller. It's set in the late 1980s and stars Kristen Stewart as a brooding gym manager who falls in love with a hitchhiking bodybuilder, played by Katy O'Brian. Directed by Rose Glass ( Saint Maud ), the film's got a killer electronic soundtrack, and cinematic references of everything from John Waters to Showgirls . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 15, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1820
The bingeable comedy series Girls5eva is a silly parody of the music industry. It's about four down-on-their-luck members of a 90s girl group who reunite to stage a comeback, and find that a lot has changed. The show features a stacked cast, including Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, and Paula Pell. Girls5Eva recently moved to Netflix and just returned for a new season, so today, we revisit our conversation about the series. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcast...
Mar 14, 2024•15 min•Ep. 1819
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the latest movie in the popular and surprisingly thoughtful animated film franchise. Jack Black returns to voice Po, a gigantic, adorable panda who becomes the highly unlikely Dragon Warrior. He embarks on a quest alongside a devious fox, played by Awkwafina, to face a new villain, the Chameleon, played by Viola Davis. You got your hero's journey and training montages and some pretty stellar voice acting. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices N...
Mar 13, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1818
Netflix's Love is Blind is like a bad relationship that's hard to give up. We've had doubts. We've had fights. And now, in its sixth season, we just can't seem to call it quits. This season has more strange proposals, more fights between people who obviously should not get married, and more moments when we find ourselves saying, "Really, Love Is Blind ?" Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR P...
Mar 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1817
At this year's Oscars, Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer won in most of the major categories, including best picture and best director. It was also a big night for Emma Stone, and Robert Downey Jr. Plus, Ryan Gosling brought the kenergy with a performance from Barbie . Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 11, 2024•28 min•Ep. 1816
Will it be Oppenheimer ? Will it be Barbie ? Or will it be some other story entirely? It's time to get down to business, because the Oscars are upon us. In this guide, we're talking about actors, directors, best pictures — and everything we think will and should win. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 08, 2024•48 min•Ep. 1815
This year's Oscar nominees for outstanding documentary feature are really strong entries that are available on streaming now. They also happen to be pretty heavy, gripping watches — and well worth checking out. Today, we get into what we think will win, what should win, and where to watch this year's nominees. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1814
Most dating shows have two things in common: They are terrible and they are watchable. That dynamic continues on Peacock's new dating show Couple to Throuple. Four couples exploring polyamory arrive at a resort and are allowed to choose from a smorgasbord of single people in the hopes that they will find a "third" who can put the "throup" in "throuple." Drama ensues. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/ad...
Mar 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1813
This year's crop of Oscar nominees for the best international feature adopt vastly different approaches to tell their disparate stories. There's a couple that tackle the specter of fascism, one about the plight of migrants and one about an infamous real-life plane crash and its aftermath. Also there's one about a guy who cleans toilets. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 05, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1812
This year's Oscar nominees for best original song are headlined by two songs from Barbie: one from Billie Eilish, and the other from Ryan Gosling. But there's also an intriguing mix of tracks from Jon Batiste, the Osage Tribal Singers, and Becky G — with an assist from perennial Oscar nominee Diane Warren. Today, we get into what we think will win, what should win, and what criteria should we use when we judge original songs in movies? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com...
Mar 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1811
Dune: Part Two is a sweeping, soaring space epic and this year's first big movie. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, and directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film delivers plenty of spaceships and big explosions like any good sci-fi blockbuster should. But it also tackles themes of rebellion, religion, and the use and abuse of political power. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 01, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1810
The new and unsettling Lifetime docuseries Where Is Wendy Williams? documents the former daytime talk show host as she struggled with alcohol addiction, serious health ailments, and financial issues. Days before the documentary aired, we learned that Williams had been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. The four-episode series raises many ethical questions related to celebrity, privacy, and perceived exploitation. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Feb 28, 2024•25 min•Ep. 1809
The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender is regarded as a classic. Now, it's gotten a live-action adaptation on Netflix. The series tells the story of a boy named Aang (Gordon Cormier) who must learn how to harness the power of air, water, earth, and fire — and ultimately save the world. But how does the new show hold up to the beloved original? Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Priv...
Feb 27, 2024•21 min•Ep. 1808
Oppenheimer tells the story of the brilliant physicist (Cillian Murphy) who oversaw the construction of the first atomic bomb. It goes on to chart the dark, complicated legacy of what he made – a technology that has gone on to irrevocably change the world, and that retains the real possibility of ending it. Christopher Nolan's film was a blockbuster hit last summer, and it earned 13 Oscar nominations – including best picture and best director. Today, we are revisiting our conversation about the ...
Feb 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1807
The movie Drive-Away Dolls is a shaggy comedy about a couple of lesbian friends (Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan) who take a road trip and unwittingly find themselves wrapped up in a bizarre criminal caper. There's a strange briefcase, a shady senator, and psychedelic vibes, which makes for one weird little movie. The movie directed by Ethan Coen, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tricia Cooke. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Feb 23, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1806
