Culture Pulse

On this episode of the podcast, Dane and I discuss our predictions for the finale of Alex Garland’s Devs after having watched 7 of the 8 episodes in the miniseries. For the latter half of the show, John Lanier and Erika Houtz join us for a discussion of the actual finale episode and the series as a whole.

https://archive.org/download/episode-14-devs-finale/Episode14_DevsFinale.mp3

In this proto-apocalyptic age, you can find solace in the latest episode of Culture Pulse. We discuss life in the age of coronavirus before launching into our main topic: Devs, the latest TV miniseries from compelling sci-fi creator Alex Garland. Devs follows the paths of a grieving, enigmatic tech entrepreneur and the employee who becomes embroiled in a plot thick with murder, international IP theft, and the potential for an algorithmic model of all that has been and may be.

https://archive.org/download/episode13devs_202003/Episode13_Devs.mp3

Awards season has wrapped and with 2019 receding into the rearview, it’s time to take a look at the year ahead in film. On this episode of Culture Pulse we discuss our most anticipated movies from what looks to be a promising year at the multiplexes and, increasingly, in your living room. Several of our favorite auteur directors, including Charlie Kaufman, Wes Anderson, David Fincher, Spike Lee, Christopher Nolan, and Kelly Reichardt, are all releasing movies in 2020. The year ahead also brings major blockbuster releases including a new entry in the James Bond franchise, a Top Gun sequel, and the start to the next phase in the MCU with Black Widow and The Eternals. Join us for an animated discussion of an exciting year for the rapidly evolving film industry.

https://archive.org/download/episode122020moviepreview/Episode12_2020MoviePreview.mp3

On the latest episode of Culture Pulse we discuss Netflix’s The Witcher–a new series adapted from the book series of the same name by polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia, the titular Witcher, a bounty hunter with exceptional strength and basic magical powers in the politically tumultuous fantasy world called The Continent. Also starring is Anya Chalotra as Yennefer, an ambitious sorceress and love interest for Geralt, and Freya Allan as Ciri, a royal member of the ruling family in Cintra one of the many kingdoms under threat by the theocratically fanatical Nilfgaardians. Your intrepid hosts James and Dane discuss our reactions to the show as well as the proliferation of fantasy in the post Game of Thrones television landscape.

https://archive.org/download/episode11thewitcher/Episode11_TheWitcher.mp3

Launching, Disney+, the new streaming service from cultural behemoth Disney, The Mandalorian is a miniseries in the star wars universe following a lone gunslinger type who wanders the galaxy hunting bounties for anyone willing to fork over the cash, no questions asked. When one of his bounties turns out to be a baby yoda-esque creature, The Mandalorian will confront his own difficult origins against the backdrop of a lawless universe fragmented by the destruction of the empire. Dane and James discuss the beginnings of the series, their thoughts on production quality, and where the series may go. We also dissect the Christmas ad released by Peleton.

https://archive.org/download/episode10mandalorian/Episode10_Mandalorian.mp3

Season 4 of the beloved sci-fi animation show Rick & Morty returned November 10th after a 2-year hiatus. Join Dane, a fully committed fan of the show, and James, an ambivalent but open-minded viewer, for a fun-filled romp through the premier and three key episodes from prior seasons.

https://archive.org/download/episode8rickmorty/Episode8_RickMorty.mp3

Rejoin hosts James Gregory and Dane Jackins for a highly stimulating review of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Spoiler warning given about halfway through the episode.

https://archive.org/download/episode7onceuponatimeinhollywood/Episode7_OnceUponATime_in_Hollywood.mp3

SPOILERS for Inception revealed about halfway in this, our sixth episode of the podcast.  Hosts James “slack-eye” Gregory, and Dane “Gerous” Jackins, are joined by a very special guest Laura “Grand Dame” Rogers to review the latest release from visionary director Christopher Nolan: Inception.  After a long hiatus, broken computers, apartment relocations, and various other lively adventures, the hitmaking machine Culture Pulse is back for an exhilarating discussion on this thrilling blockbuster.  I hope you enjoy the show and feel free to give us a shout out in the ratings on iTunes, or an internal shout out if you prefer to avoid the publicity.

http://www.archive.org/download/Episode6-InceptionDreamsAndBeyond/Episode6-InceptionDreamsAndBeyond.mp3