Entertainment journalist Leigh Livingstone and movie expert Tim Iffland review the newest film releases, plus break down the latest trailers and movie news. Bite-sized, moreish and a little salty – this is Popcorn Podcast with Leigh and Tim.
The Card Counter is under Popcorn Podcast interrogation, as Leigh and Tim discuss the character-driven drama starring Oscar Isaac as a haunted gambler walking the line between redemption and revenge. The film from 'Movie Brat' writer and director Paul Schrader also stars Willem Dafoe, Tiffany Haddish and Tye Sheridan, but is it worth taking a bet on?
Popcorn Podcast chats to Oscar-winning director Eva Orner about her powerful new documentary Burning, which takes an unflinching look at the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires while shining a light on the urgency of climate action. As well as Leigh and Tim's discussion of the doco, Orner shares her passion for the project and the challenges of bringing Burning to fruition, why she was compelled to make the film and what must happen to help prevent another tragedy like this. Burning is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription to the service.
Popcorn Podcast dives into sci-fi remake Dune, based on Frank Herbert's iconic novel of the same name. Featuring a stellar cast, including Timothée Chalamet as the fabled Paul Atreides, Denis Villeneuve's long-awaited blockbuster delivers on his trademark visual flair, but does it live up to the lofty expectations? Join Leigh and Tim as they discuss Dune 2021. Plus, Stray offers a moving new perspective, a Jurassic World prologue delivers a Dominion first look, and the Three Musketeers movies coming our way.
Popcorn Podcast invites The Many Saints of Newark director Alan Taylor to talk about revisiting the world of The Sopranos to bring this prequel to life and why it was the right choice to cast the late James Gandolfini's son, Michael, as the younger version of his iconic character, Tony Soprano.
Popcorn Podcast invites The Many Saints of Newark star Alessandro Nivola to talk about his charismatic, but dangerous, character Dickie Moltisanti, how he bonded with Michael Gandolfini over the enormity of their roles, and the fear and excitement of working with gangster movie icon Ray Liotta.
Leigh and Tim are as mismatched as Venom and Eddie in their Venom: Let There Be Carnage views. But like the journalist (Tom Hardy) and his symbiote (also Tom Hardy), the co-hosts find a way to co-exist for this review of director Andy Serkis' sequel. Does the second film better the original? Or is it total carnage? Listen to the no-spoiler review now.
Leigh and Tim join Edgar Wright's magical mystery ride Last Night In Soho, starring Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy as two women entwined by time, location and fate. Is it worth the trip Downtown? Take a listen to the bite-sized episode. Plus, a new Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer gives us everything and nothing, Greta Gerwig and Mel Gibson's next directing projects, and a sneak peek at Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic.
Join Popcorn Podcast as we discuss the outlandish Zola – a movie of our modern age, inspired by a series of wild tweets about a waitress/stripper who finds herself trapped in an out-of-control weekend that is stranger than fiction. But how true is this tall Twitter tale? And what does it say about the future of filmmaking?
Popcorn Podcast has all the time in the world for No Time To Die, Daniel Craig's fifth and final outing as James Bond. Join Leigh and Tim for this bite-sized episode two years in the making as they discuss the blockbuster 25th Bond film. Plus, why we'll have to wait for Rogue Squadron, Leonardo DiCaprio vies for his next Oscar as a cult leader and Aussie director Patrick Hughes brings us War Machine.
Popcorn Podcast travels to 5000 BC to bring you a review of Marvel's latest superhero epic, Eternals. With special guest Nick L'Barrow from Nick's Flicks Fix, Tim discusses whether Chloe Zhao's intimate look at humanity is a successful entrant in the MCU. Plus, we reveal who turned down a $29m offer for a sequel, which actor is voicing the lasagne-loving Garfield, and who Jon M Chu cast as Elphaba and Glinda for his Wicked film adaptation!
Leigh and Tim talk Sopranos prequel The Many Saints Of Newark, joined by special guests Alessandro Nivola and director Alan Taylor, who share insights from the making of the film as well as how Michael Gandolfini handled stepping into the shoes of his late father's iconic character, Tony Soprano. Join us for this exciting bite-sized episode of Popcorn Podcast. Plus, Dune: Part 2 is announced, the Brenaissance continues, Pixar sends us to infinity and beyond and we chat MCU from Bill Murray to Eternals.
Popcorn Podcast breaks down Halloween Kills, featuring special guests Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle Richards, director David Gordon Green and producer Malek Akkad. Halloween Kills may be slaying at the box office, but does the sequel in this rebooted horror franchise deliver on being bigger, bolder and deadlier? Dive into this bonus bite-sized episode of Popcorn Podcast to find out.
Popcorn Podcast's Malignant review will really grow on you. Leigh and Tim discuss the horror throwback from director James Wan, starring Annabelle Wallis as an abused woman with a connection to a serial killer. Plus, there’s new trailer talk featuring Ambulance, Being The Ricardos and Uncharted, Marvel delays its big-hitters and does Barbie have her Ken?
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has Popcorn Podcast racing back to the cinema for the first time in four months after Sydney lockdown. The 25th MCU epic, starring Simu Liu, is a success in its Asian representation, choreography, effects and performances, but do you agree with what Leigh and Tim have to say? Plus, there's a new DVD giveaway to enter, James Gunn has found his Adam Warlock, Robert Pattinson reveals his The Batman voice, and Ghostface is out for blood in the first trailer for Scream.
Lamb is on the Popcorn Podcast menu this week and, as usual, Leigh and Tim have differing opinions on whether this A24 film inspired by Icelandic folklore is fun on the farm or a fairytale fizzer. Plus, DC Fandome is almost here, there are new trailers for Tick, Tick... Boom, Cyrano and Resident Evil: Welcome To Racoon City, and why you should see important Australian documentary The Children In The Pictures.
Popcorn Podcast invites director Justin Kurzel and writer Shaun Grant to talk about their controversial new film Nitram, reflecting on one of the darkest chapters in Australia's modern history: the Port Arthur Massacre. The events leading up to the horrific event – where 35 people were killed and 23 more injured – are explored in Nitram, starring Caleb Landry Jones in his Cannes Best Actor-winning performance. There has been a lot of discussion about the film and whether it should have been made, so we ask Kurzel and Grant to expand on their decision to delve into this story and share how they approached it with sensitivity and awareness.
It’s not a good episode, it’s a great episode, and action comedy Free Guy has Popcorn Podcast bopping along to Mariah Carey's Sweet Fantasy. Director Shawn Levy teams up with Ryan Reynolds for the first time, but do they deliver a charming or challenged adventure? Plus, everything from the No Time to Die premiere in London to Wonka casting new is covered, while Marvel confirms more upcoming projects and Sydney cinemas are set to re-open very soon!
Popcorn Podcast invites Simon Barrett to talk being a first-time director with Shudder's Seance and his return to found footage anthology series V/H/S, as well as press him for details about John Travolta and Nicolas Cage reuniting for Face/Off. Barrett is a horror aficionado and frequent collaborator with friend Adam Wingard, with the pair having worked together on projects including the third Blair Witch film. Currently Barrett and Wingard are penning the scripts for both the long-awaited Face/Off sequel and Thundercats.
Leigh and Tim talk Nitram, a new Australian film reflecting on the lead-up to one of the most devastating tragedies in the country's modern history: the Port Arthur Massacre. Director Justin Kurzel and writer Shaun Grant join Popcorn Podcast to discuss their approach to and reasons for making the controversial, but highly acclaimed, film as well as their choice to cast American Caleb Landry Jones in the lead role of the perpetrator. Plus, there are new trailers for Finch The Tragedy of Macbeth and Spencer; Fantastic Beasts 3 gets an official title; and Sam Neill's secret movie.
Popcorn Podcast invites Ride The Eagle co-writer and director Trent O'Donnell to talk about making the heartfelt film with his mates, Jake Johnson and D'arcy Carden, and the surprising freedom and fun times of filming during a pandemic. Plus, the Aussie shares how great it is to be back home and the joys of working with acting legends Susan Sarandon and J.K. Simmons.
