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.
TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF POPCORN PODCAST, WE’RE GIVING AWAY THREE GIFT PACKS FEATURING AN OFFICIAL POPCORN PODCAST MUG, MOVIE MERCHANDISE AND A $20 ITUNES GIFT CARD, SO YOU CAN WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE NEW RELEASE MOVIES!
Popcorn Podcast is thrilled to chat with 20-year-old Australian actor Zen McGrath about his starring role in Oscar-winner Florian Zeller's The Son. McGrath shares fascinating insights into the process of making The Son, including how he got into the emotional headspace of his troubled character and, equally as importantly, how he decompressed from the intense work once cameras stopped rolling…
M Night Shyamalan returns with apocalyptic thriller Knock At The Cabin, starring David Bautista, Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge. Leigh and Tim get into the nitty-gritty of the film, which follows a young girl and her parents taken hostage at a remote cabin by four armed strangers who demand the family make an unthinkable choice. Much like its characters, Popcorn Podcast must decide what they believe. Is this a return to form for Shyamalan or another miss for the enigmatic director?…
Popcorn Podcast discusses Florian Zeller's The Son, featuring a powerful performance from Hugh Jackman as a father struggling to connect with his troubled and angry teenage son (Australian Zen McGrath). Oscar-winner Zeller once again explores the dynamics of a fractured family through the lens of mental illness in his heavy-hitting second feature film, which also boasts stellar performances from Laura Dern and Vanessa Kirby. Join Leigh and Tim for a bite-sized, but in-depth discussion into this must-see moving drama. Plus, we talk James Gunn's DCU slate announcement; Oscars buzz; Madonna's cancelled biopic; and so much more…
Darren Aronofsky's The Whale sparks a deep and profound conversation this week. The character study of a reclusive English teacher (Brendan Fraser) living with severe obesity who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (Sadie Sink) has garnered criticism for its subject matter, but Popcorn Podcast dives into the film's symbolism, message and the incredible Oscar-nominated performances of Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau to bring you all you need to know about The Whale. We hope you enjoy this bonus episode of Popcorn Podcast…
Popcorn Podcast takes Todd Field's Tár to task, unpacking its complex narrative themes and awards season buzz for star Cate Blanchett. With a Golden Globe and Critics' Choice under her belt (with a BAFTA nomination secured and Oscar nod expected), does Blanchett's performance as an unravelling composer-conductor within Field's intersecting story of power and privilege hit the high notes? Plus, Avatar 3 news; Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic; and Ghostface is out for blood in the first trailer for Scream VI…
Popcorn Podcast returns for season nine with a movie review of Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans, starring Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, and Paul Dano. The Fabelmans is a cinematic memory of the forces and family that shaped legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg's life and career, wrapped in a universal coming-of-age story inspired by the life of the acclaimed filmmaker. Leigh and Tim share their affections for Spielberg's work and discuss the many successes of this deeply personal film. But does this fable live up to the hype? Plus, Avatar: The Way of Water is the king of the worldwide box office; Nic Cage sinks his teeth into a new role; and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer promises an explosive take on history. All this and more in an exciting episode of Popcorn Podcast.
Leigh and Tim discuss British film The Lost King, starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. In Steven Frears' (Philomena) latest offering, Philippa (Hawkins), an amateur historian, defies the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, which were lost for more than 500 years. Join Popcorn Podcast in their quest to excavate the truth from brilliant performances amid this story of a woman determined to find her voice (and King Richard) against the odds. We hope you enjoy this bonus holiday movie review…
Popcorn Podcast is thrilled to welcome Gabriel LaBelle, the rising star tasked with playing a young Steven Spielberg in his autobiographical drama The Fabelmans. Spielberg's latest is a deeply personal story, based on his childhood and formative years, that offers a window into the experiences that shaped him as one of the greatest directors of all time. LaBelle, the 20-year-old son of character actor Rob LaBelle, shares some lovely anecdotes of his time working with Spielberg, as well as what an emotional experience it was for all involved and how this role has changed his life. We hope you enjoy this very special interview episode of Popcorn Podcast…
Ruben Östlund's Palme d'Or-winning Triangle of Sadness is in Popcorn Podcast's sights. Starring Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean and Woody Harrelson, this wicked and divisive satire follows a fashion model influencer couple (Dickinson & Dean) who join an eventful cruise for the super-rich. Your co-hosts discuss the social commentary Östlund explores within a world of privilege, class and chaos, and Tim feels compelled to traumatise Leigh throughout the episode. Find out if this award-winning film lives up to the hype in a bonus holiday instalment of Popcorn Podcast…
The time has arrived! Popcorn Podcast returns to the world of Pandora in the final episode of season eight. As the long-awaited sequel to the highest grossing film of all-time, James Cameron's Avatar: The Way Of Water has a lot to live up to, promising a visual and technical spectacle to blow the original out of the water. Does the acclaimed filmmaker deliver a record-breaking follow-up in its more than three hour runtime? Dive into this bite-sized no-spoiler episode with Leigh and Tim to discover if The Way Of Water meets the hype. Plus, DCU's 10-year plan takes shape and casualties; Scream VI heads to New York; Margot Robbie delights as Barbie in first trailer; and the Golden Globe nominations are ripe for discussion…
Leigh and Tim discuss Martin McDonagh's new film, The Banshees of Inisherin, this week, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as lifelong best friends who suddenly call it quits. A stunned Pádraic (Farrell), aided by his sister (Kerry Condon) and a troubled young islander (Barry Keoghan), obsessively tries to repair the relationship with shocking consequences. Your co-hosts dive into the hilarious, yet sad, McDonagh tale which exposes the complex and simple layers of humanity and the ripple effect our choices can have. Plus, Elvis cleans up at the AACTAs; Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 teases a compelling sci-fi experience; James Gunn reacts to fiery DCU speculation; Rush Hour 4 is back on the development freeway; Michelle Yeoh joins Wicked; and Taylor Swift calls action on her directorial debut…
Popcorn Podcast brings you seasons beatings with a review of anti-Christmas movie Violent Night. Described as "Die Hard, but with Santa" by director Tommy Wirkola, Violent Night sees a disillusioned Santa forced into a bloody and brutal battle to save Christmas when a group of ruthless mercenaries attacks the estate of a wealthy family on Christmas Eve. Leigh and Tim revel in the action-packed holiday flick and discuss the impressive stunt work, special effects and performances from David Harbour as Santa Claus and John Leguizamo as bad guy Scrooge. Plus, big trailer drops from The Super Mario Bros Movie, Indiana Jones, Guardians of the Galaxy and Transformers; and the 95th Oscars revamps its televised categories in 2023…
Popcorn Podcast is thrilled to sit down with Violent Night director Tommy Wirkola – who studied film in Australia on the Gold Coast – to learn how this action-packed anti-Christmas film crossed his path, why he knew Stranger Things' David Harbour was the right man to play a hardened Santa Claus with a score to settle. Wirkola also reveals his favourite "Christmas inspired" kills from the film – and there are some real doozies in Violent Night. We hope you enjoy this Popcorn Podcast interview with Tommy Wirkola…
Popcorn Podcast sits down with iconic actor John Leguizamo to chat about his new action-packed Christmas film, Violent Night, co-starring David Harbour as a disgruntled Santa Claus forced to battle mercenaries to save the holidays. Known for his memorable characters in many beloved films, Leguizamo shares his family holiday traditions, reveals why Beverly D’Angelo made him nervous and reveals his favourite shocking scenes from Tommy Wirkola's new bloody and brutal black comedy. We hope you enjoy this fun interview with the one and only John Leguizamo. It's a (nut)cracker!
Popcorn Podcast goes on a fairytale adventure this week to review the long-awaited Disney sequel, Disenchanted. Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey and Maya Rudolph, Disenchanted finds Giselle (Adams) questioning her happily ever after, inadvertently turning the lives of those in the real world and Andalasia upside down in the process. Listen as Leigh and Tim decree if the movie musical hits the right notes or casts a disastrous spell in a magical new episode. Plus, Disney Pixar's Elemental trailer captivates; James Wan and Jason Blum join forces to terrorise us forever; Bradley Cooper cast in Spielberg's Bullitt remake; and Indiana Jones and the de-ageing adventure…
Popcorn Podcast is delighted to sit down with Krew Boylan, the multitalented star and writer of Aussie film Seriously Red, and the Kenny to her Dolly, Daniel Webber, to chat putting wings and feet on your dreams, what makes Dolly such an enduring icon, the secret world of celebrity impersonators and which celebrity Leigh could pass for. We hope you enjoy this very special episode…
Popcorn Podcast serves up a delicious review of dark comedy The Menu. The multi-course movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult as guests who travel to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive isolated restaurant where the reclusive, celebrated Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu with a few surprise twists. Listen as Leigh and Tim savour the secrets and shocks of The Menu in an unmissable episode. Plus, Margot Robbie's Pirates of the Caribbean film axed by Disney; The Princess Diaries 3 has fans excited; and a first look at Magic Mike's Last Dance.
Popcorn Podcast welcomes British director – and regency-era film fan – Emma Holly Jones to chat about her new movie Mr Malcolm's List. The period-set romantic comedy puts a clever twist on the genre as a scorned woman (Zawe Ashton) enlists a friend (Freida Pinto) to exact revenge on London's most eligible bachelor, the picky Mr Malcolm (Sope Dìrísù). What unfolds is a game of intrigue with women leading the charge. Jones shares what else sets her first feature apart from its contemporaries and why it was important to challenge the historical inaccuracies of the genre with diverse representation. We hope you enjoy this special episode of Popcorn Podcast…
Popcorn Podcast returns to Wakanda for Ryan Coogler's Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. The highly anticipated new MCU instalment closes Phase Four in the wake of Chadwick Boseman's untimely death with a story of loss, grief and hope, while introducing us to mutant antihero Namor (Tenoch Huerta), king of the hidden undersea nation of Talokan. When his kingdom is threatened as a direct result of King T'Challa's (Boseman) decision to reveal Wakanda's true nature, Namor wages war with the surface world – including Wakanda. Does Black Panther: Wakanda Forever tread troubled waters in a way that honours the original? Listen to Leigh and Tim to find out. Plus, the Academy announces its next Oscars host; James Cameron makes a shocking Avatar call; Snoop Dogg's life story coming to the screen; and double the fun with John Wick...
Leigh and Tim go head-to-head this week over Harry Styles’ latest film, My Policeman. The Prime Video original follows three friends in 1950s England caught in a tangle of repressed desires, secret longing and regret who find themselves at a crossroads 40 years later. Popcorn Podcast is torn on this forbidden love story. Listen to the bite-sized and salty episode to find out why. Plus, Jeff Goldblum's magical role in Wicked; Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Sissy Spacek and Megan Mullally are the Fabulous Four; Dodgeball 2 rumours heat up; Avatar: The Way of Water's runtime has your co-hosts stunned; and Hercules joins TikTok?…
