Pop Culture Happy Hour

Kristen Meinzer, a media commentator and co-host of The Nightly, and Christina Tucker, co-host of Wait, Is This a Date?, dive into the magical chaos of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. They discuss the film's overstuffed plot and praise Rosamund Pike for her standout performance. The duo debates whether the returning characters feel rusty and likens the film to Fast & Furious with its spectacle. They agree it’s a perfect airplane movie and highlight the fresh talents of Justice Smith, all while speculating about the future of the franchise.

In this discussion, Ronald Young Jr., a film and television critic, and Rihanna Cruz, a freelance music journalist, dive into the remake of The Running Man. Ronald concludes it outshines the original while noting its political nuances. Rihanna lauds the film’s action and worldbuilding but critiques its female subplot. They explore the adaptation’s tonal faithfulness to Stephen King's source material and debate casting strengths, particularly Glenn Powell’s performance. Plus, they share what’s making them happy, including competitive shows and a surprising Drake album!

Kristen Mines, a media critic passionate about analyzing tone and performance, and Chloe Veltman, an arts and culture commentator known for her historical insights, dissect the Netflix series 'Death By Lightning.' They delve into its unique blend of comedy and drama, exploring the portrayals of President Garfield and his assassin, Guiteau. Kristen highlights its entertainment value while Chloe critiques historical accuracy and character depth, leading to an engaging debate about political representation and storytelling in historical dramas.

The discussion dives into the darkly humorous premise of a misanthrope left alone in a hive-mind world. Rhea Seehorn's captivating performance as the troubled author Carol serves as an emotional anchor. The hosts explore Vince Gilligan's unique storytelling style and the poignant themes of individuality versus comfort. They question what is lost when humanity is homogenized and the heartbreaking nuances of grief. Ultimately, it's a gripping investigation of human connection and the irony of wanting intimacy while rejecting society.

Predator: Badlands is the latest film about an alien race that hunts things using all sorts of space-gadgets. It’s told from the Predator’s perspective. He’s an outcast sent to a hostile planet to hunt down a deadly monster to prove his worth to his people – with Elle Fanning joining as an unlikely ally. It’s from the same team that made Prey. And both Predator movies are much better than they had any right to be.Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopcultureTo access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Barry Hardiman, a Senior Editor on NPR's Investigations team, joins to unpack Guillermo del Toro's reimagining of Frankenstein. They explore the film's stunning visuals and dark themes of creation, life, and societal rejection. Barry draws parallels between the monster's plight and modern anxieties around technology and AI. The discussion also touches on Jacob Elordi's powerful performance, the film's shifts from the original novel, and its contemporary relevance to parenting and class. They close with personal recommendations that spark joy.

Rachel Sennott’s next project, the HBO series I Love LA, has finally arrived. And like plenty of shows before it, it’s about young people trying to work and socialize in a big city while screwing up in every conceivable way. Sennott stars as an ascendant employee at a boutique talent management firm with a very online crew played by Josh Hutcherson, Jordan Firstman, Odessa A’zion and True Whitaker. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In the new film Hedda, Tessa Thompson plays a woman bored with her dull husband, and who devilishly manipulates the affections of everyone in her orbit. Writer/director Nia DaCosta makes some bold changes in this adaptation of the classic Henrik Ibsen play Hedda Gabler, and sets almost all of the action during a lavish party gone awry. But this is not your grandmother’s Hedda. It’s sexy, chaotic, and, above all, messy as hell. It’s streaming on Prime Video. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopcultureLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jordan Morris, a podcaster and graphic novel creator, and Kate Young, a film and culture critic, dive into HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry. They discuss the show’s chilling horror elements and how it balances gross body horror with suspense. The guests critique the handling of child trauma and ethical storytelling, while debating if Pennywise's origins detract from the terror. They also appreciate the diverse representation in the cast and explore the military subplot's implications, highlighting strong performances from young actors.

Badatri D. Chaudhry, a film critic and arts editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, joins the discussion on the intriguing film Bugonia, where Emma Stone plays a CEO caught in a bizarre conspiracy. The panel delves into the film's dark themes and complex dynamics, questioning its portrayal of capitalism and the claustrophobic tone. They also explore the implications of Lanthimos's direction on Stone's characters and debate the film’s unsatisfying ending. The conversation wraps up with a lively segment about recent art and media that brings joy, including recommendations on performances and music.