Hate to Interrupt

This week on Hate to Interrupt, we explore the legacy of Citizen Kane—a film often crowned the greatest of all time—and its unexpected companion piece, David Fincher’s Mank. How do the two films mirror and contradict one another, and what do they say about Hollywood’s obsession with storytelling myths? Plus, we lighten things up with our thoughts on the Peacemaker season premiere.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In this episode of Hate to Interrupt, we dive into two films at opposite ends of the spectrum. First up is Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman, the surreal, one-take exploration of ego, artistry, and legacy that helped redefine what “prestige cinema” could look like in the 2010s. Then, we turn our attention to the brand-new War of the Worlds starring Ice Cube — a film so disastrously bad it’s already sitting at a 4% on Rotten Tomatoes. We break down why Birdman continues to inspire admiration while Cube’s War of the Worlds feels like a baffling misfire, and what these extremes say about the range of modern filmmaking.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In Episode 47 of Hate to Interrupt, we’re diving headfirst into the wild and unpredictable career of Zack Cregger. From the raunchy absurdity of his directorial debut Miss March (2009), to the shocking genre-bending horror of Barbarian (2022), all the way to his freshly released and highly anticipated Weapons (2025)—we’re covering it all.

We trace the unlikely evolution of a comedy sketch troupe star into one of today’s most exciting horror directors, dissect what makes his storytelling so unpredictable, and debate whether his chaotic comedic roots still peek through in his horror work.

It’s a journey that starts with a Playboy bunny road trip and ends with us nervously checking our basements for hidden tunnels.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In Episode 46 of Hate to Interrupt, we’re joined by a very special guest: Ellie from the Making Media Matter YouTube channel! Ellie brings along one hell of a film pick—Jennifer’s Body (2009), the once-misunderstood horror-comedy that's become a cult classic and feminist touchstone in the years since its release.

We unpack the film’s marketing mishandling, its sharp satire of high school dynamics, and why Megan Fox and Diablo Cody were way ahead of their time. Ellie brings her trademark insight into the conversation, and we get into how Jennifer’s Body fits into wider cultural and media conversations.

Also—quick apology: VHSGuy’s mic had some issues this week. We promise he’s not recording from inside a tin can next time.VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠⁠

⁠⁠MakingMediaMatter

First up: Marvel's latest attempt at rebooting the Fantastic Four. Is it finally the version that gets Marvel’s First Family right? Or are we stretching ourselves thin trying to defend another mid-tier blockbuster?

Then we shift gears (hard) into Ari Aster’s Eddington—his enigmatic, polarizing follow-up to Beau Is Afraid. We unpack its dreamlike horror, existential dread, and whether or not Aster’s surrealist tendencies have finally gone too far... or just far enough.

A conversation about broken families, cosmic horror, and men making big choices in big coats.

⁠VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In Episode 44 of Hate to Interrupt, we stick with the supernatural and the spectacular. First, we continue our Raimi retrospective by revisiting Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2—two films that not only redefined superhero cinema but gave us one of the best on-screen depictions of responsibility, anxiety, and upside-down kissing.

Then we pivot to the other side of comic book adaptations with Constantine (2005), the noir-heavy, Keanu-led DC film that’s developed a passionate cult following. Angels, demons, Doc Ock, and Tobey Maguire's tears—this episode has it all.

Whether you're into web-slinging or chain-smoking exorcists, there's something here for the tortured soul in all of us.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In Episode 43 of Hate to Interrupt, we dive into two defining visions of superheroes from two very different eras. First, we break down everything we know (and speculate wildly) about James Gunn’s upcoming Superman—his fresh approach, casting choices, and whether this could finally reset the DC universe.

Then we swing back to 2002 to revisit Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, the film that kicked off the modern superhero boom. We talk tone, legacy, and why Raimi’s version still holds up over 20 years later.

From hopeful aliens to awkward teen heroes, this episode is a love letter to the weird, wonderful evolution of the superhero genre.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In this duo episode, Ghoulif and VHSGuy take the wheel for a high-octane double feature. First, we break down the upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth—what we’re hoping for, what we’re dreading, and whether dinosaurs still have bite in 2025.

Then we throw it back to the ultimate biker-cop cult classic, Stone Cold (1991), starring Brian Bosworth in all his mulleted glory. Explosions, leather, and questionable undercover tactics—what more could you want?

It’s new-school blockbusters meets old-school badassery. Just the two of us, talking movies and causing trouble.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

In Episode 41, we’re joined by fellow YouTuber and film commentator Mertkaykay for a deep-dive discussion on the cult classic Donnie Darko. We talk time travel, teenage angst, creepy rabbits, and why this movie continues to resonate decades later.

We also sit down with Mertkaykay for an in-depth interview about her channel, her favorite kinds of films to cover, and what draws her to the weirder corners of cinema and storytelling.

VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif⁠

⁠MertKayKay

For our 40th episode, we’re joined by the always insightful Laughinglulu to dive into one of the most anticipated horror sequels in years: 28 Years Later. We discuss what this next chapter means for the legacy of the rage virus trilogy, how it stacks up to 28 Days and Weeks Later, and whether the film delivers on its long-awaited return.

From genre expectations to franchise evolution, this is a blood-soaked, brainy episode you won’t want to miss. Tune in and rage with us.

⁠VHSGuy⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠StopCulture⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Ghoulif

LaughingLulu