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.
Director of Supergirl Graig Gillespie is on Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of the DCU space opera. Supergirl which proves the range Craig has as a filmmaker, from critically acclaimed indie cinema to this big budget comic book adaptation. In our chat, Craig talks about the tonal balancing act he was going for, how he and Milly Alcock were “co-conspiritors” on set each day and the zero fucks nature to Kara that he loves.
Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira is on Popcorn Podcast in an interview DC fans won't want to miss. We first got a taste of Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El in 2025’s Superman, but Ana is giving us the true introduction to the hero in her first feature length appearance since 1984’s Supergirl. In our chat, we talk about how Ana was mining Kara’s complexities and grief, that Krypton as a symbol of home, the films connection with The Princess Bride and James Gunn’s brief to Ana about the DCU world she was to play in.
You've got a friend in Popcorn Podcast because we are reviewing Toy Story 5 with special guest - broadcaster, comedian and podcaster Mitch Churi! Mitch and Tim take a trip down nostalgia lane and talk to the impeccable and inventive animation style, If Taylor Swifts song hits the mark and why Conan O'Brien's Smarty Pants and Greta Lee's Lilypad steal the show. All this and more as Mitch and Tim talk about their Woody's and what could be buzzing in the parents bedrooms...
Full disclosure...you're going to love this episode. Special guest, comedian, film critic and host of the podcast The Last Video Store Alexei Toliopoulos is on Popcorn Podcast to unpack Steven Spielberg's latest summer blockbuster, Disclosure Day. Tim and Alexei interrogate the weird and wonderful layers of the film, the exceptional performance of Emily Blunt, the big swings the film takes and the undeniable steady hand of a Spielberg film. It's a jam packed episode film lovers won't want to miss. NB: this review contains spoilers from the film.
Actors Joe Bird, Mia Wasikowska and writer/director Adrian Chiarella are on Popcorn Podcast to talk new queer horror, Leviticus. We recently sat down with Joe, Mia and Adrian to discuss how the universality of fear connects us, how our primal fear plays a role in unlearning things, how horror is a safe space for the queer community, and the significance of Naim and Ryan’s rings in the film. That and so much more, including how Titanic influenced a particular scene.
Piper Curda & Bobby Moynihan join Popcorn Podcast to celebrate Disney Pixar's Hoppers streaming on Disney+. In our chat, Piper and Bobby talk about their amazing Beaver Sanctuary experience in the UK, what momentoes they now hold from their experience on the film, why their director got them to do 80-100 takes for some lines and so much more. You’re gonna love it.
We have the POWER on Popcorn Podcast reviewing Masters of the Universe with Special guest, YouTuber Chris Stanley. Tim and Chris travel to Eternia to dive headfirst in this highly anticipated summer blockbuster. Does it live up to the expectations of fans? Does the world building establish a world audiences will connect with? Does the comedy stick the landing? All this and so much more in an episode you don't want to miss.
Academy award nominated filmmaker Travis Knight is on Popcorn Podcast to talk his new blockbuster fantasy epic, Masters of the Universe. In our chat, Travis talks about his very clear vision for the film he wasted no time in bringing to life, how he married practical and visual effects in the film perfectly and a story about Queen lead guitarist you have to hear to believe.
This is the way to our review of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, with special guest entertainment journalist and "professional fan", Deeny Guide. Tim and Deeny unpack everything from the films transition from TV show to the big screen and just how much they think Pedro Pascal is actually in the film. From admiring the puppetry, lore and IMAX experience, Tim and Deeny share their unfiltered thoughts on the films successes, stumbles and reaction to Rotta Hutt's abs. All this and so much more in an episode made for Star Wars fans who want to leave no stone in the galaxy unturned.
Australian filmmaker Zoe Pepper is here to talk her satirical dark comedy, Birthright. In our chat, Zoe talks about the films power dynamics, satirical tone and why she gravitates towards things that are dark and political. She also shares the intention behind the films heightened music and the moral grey area the story plays in.
Freelance critic and filmmaker Andrew Fraser joins Popcorn Podcast to talk David Lowrey's Mother Mary. Tim and Andrew interrogate the film at a cellular level, uncovering the many layers behind the two-hander between an artist in crisis and her creative collaborator. Does the film stick the landing as it juggles allegorical messages, healing deep wounds and a ghost story that connects it all? From the identity of a pop star to the films Gothic aesthetic, Tim and Andrew unpack it all.
Life Could Be A Dream director Jasmin Tarasin and screenwriter Courtney Collins discuss their deeply important film about the destructive cycles of coercive control. In our chat, Jasmin and Courtney share how the film came to be and the unique creative process that beared fruit between writer, director and actor. They also discuss how they extended their web of knowledge to authentically represent cohesive control in relationships and how important the partnerships with CommBank and the Mancave are to the films message.
Our Mortal Kombat II review is here, with content creator and Mortal Kombat expert and Movie Nerds Founder, Ryan Adams. Buckle up as Tim and Ryan examine the origins of the Mortal Kombat game and whether this highly anticipated sequel gets it right. From its IMAX release to the tight action, stunts and set pieces, this chat is a flawless victory example of how a film can be a hit for one and a misfire for another.
Mortal Kombat II director Simon McQuoid returns to Popcorn Podcast! In our chat, Simon shares his goal to create a maximalist world, how the IMAX experience levelled up the sequel in big ways, why dialling up the female representation was a must for the story and the dirty fighting he revelled in bringing to live. All this and much more.
Get over here friends because the trio of stars we have on Popcorn Podcast for Mortal Kombat II is a flawless victory. Karl Urban (Johnny Cage), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade) & Josh Lawson (Kano) are here. In our chat, the gang share how much improvisation came into play with the “battle of the one liners”, how important the strong female voice was for the film, why Karl Urban was happy to hand over the “dangerous stuff” to the stunt team, and what sits at the heart of each of their characters.
The incredibly talented Molly Gordon is here to talk new family film, The Sheep Detectives. In our chat, Molly gives us insight into her glamorous “va va voom” entrance, how her role was a “delicious challenge” and what it was like working with “dream boat” Aussie Hugh Jackman, plus so much more.
Gird your loins for Popcorn Podcast's review of The Devil Wears Prada 2. Tim and Marni strut into their thoughts about the sequels existence, how the characters have matured and the impact of the films fashion and music to the story. From topics on character caricatures, the art of doubling ones income and an adoration for Aussie Patrick Brammall, this review covers all corners of the catwalk for fans and skeptics. That's all...
Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd joins us on Popcorn Podcast to talk new action thriller, Seven Snipers. In our chat, Ioan describes the experience of expert training to become a sniper, how the human elements of the script drew him in, what filming on location in Australia offered his performance and the underrated joys of solo visits to the cinema.
Deborah Mailman returns to Popcorn Podcast to talk her latest collaboration with Warwick Thornton, Wolfram. In this insightful and joyous chat, Deborah shares how writer/director Warwrick Thornton had her at hello, the softness of the story that attracted her to the project, how she found a soft landing after cameras stopped rolling and the cultural obligation of telling this story and also making it entertaining for audiences.
The King of Pop's long awaited biopic, Michael, has hit the big screen and special guest Connor Dalton joins Tim to dive deep into the films triumphs and tribulations. Tim and Connor discuss if the film succeeds in its attempt to dramatise the meteoritic rise of Michael Jackson, if the transformative performance of Jaafar Jackson is Oscar worthy, and if the online war between critics and fans is balanced or biased. All this and so much more!
