Never Seen It Podcast

This week on The Never Seen It Podcast, we’re discussing Poor Things (2023), the wonderfully strange, visually spectacular, and unconventional film from director Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef.

We welcome back special guest Guy Rosfeld, technical producer of the Saturn Awards, as we take a deep dive into Bella Baxter's extraordinary journey of self-discovery after being brought back to life by the unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.

For this episode, we switch up our usual movie discussion format with a collection of five discussion cards and a bonus question. Each card presents a different question about the movie, giving everyone an opportunity to share their interpretations, challenge each other's opinions, and explore some of the film's bigger ideas.

We discuss sexual liberation, feminism, patriarchy, personal autonomy, human nature, and the importance of experiencing the world for yourself. Is Bella's journey really about sexual exploration, or is it something much deeper? Does she have to experience the worst of humanity to understand herself? And how much of her story is an exploration of the world versus an indictment of the people trying to control her?

We also debate which characters we would trust with our lives, who makes the worst decisions, and which elements of Poor Things we'd love to experience ourselves. Naturally, the conversation takes a few unexpected detours into steampunk cinema, unusual food, vintage cruise ships, and the things we'd all like to experience if we could step into Bella's world.

We examine the film's unusual production design, its whimsical steampunk aesthetic, its memorable supporting characters, and the way Bella gradually develops her own agency and independence. We also discuss whether the movie presents an idealized version of personal freedom and relationships, and whether its feminist themes are complicated by its portrayal of sexuality and ownership.

Finally, we look ahead to a hypothetical Poor Things sequel set twenty years later, share our final thoughts, and reveal our ratings.

In This Episode:

• Poor Things (2023) movie review and discussion
• Emma Stone's performance as Bella Baxter
• Yorgos Lanthimos and his distinctive filmmaking style
• Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe's performances
• Sexual liberation and female autonomy
• Feminism, patriarchy, and the ownership of women
• Bella Baxter's journey of self-discovery
• The relationship between Bella, Max, and Duncan
• Human nature, relationships, and emotional attachment
• The film's surreal production design and steampunk aesthetic
• The best and worst decisions made by the characters
• Which Poor Things character would we trust with our lives?
• Our favorite elements of the movie's bizarre world
• Imagining a Poor Things sequel twenty years later
• Final ratings and recommendations

Is Poor Things one of Yorgos Lanthimos' best films? Join us as we discuss one of the most unusual and thought-provoking movies of 2023.

Thanks for listening to The Never Seen It Podcast!

Find us on social media and visit neverseenitpodcast.com. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, and leave us a review if you enjoy the show.

What are the best and worst movies of 2026? We’re breaking down our favorite films, biggest disappointments, and everything in between in this special year-in-review episode of The Never Seen It Podcast!

With a slightly smaller panel this time around, Adrian and Alex (Filipino Grigio) compare their favorite and least favorite movies of the year, discussing everything from blockbuster franchises and sci-fi adventures to independent films and unconventional storytelling.

We kick things off with some of our biggest disappointments, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which Adrian felt traded storytelling and emotional depth for flashy visuals and merchandise opportunities. We also discuss Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride, starring Christian Bale and Jesse Buckley, and why its interesting premise and stylish presentation didn't quite come together. Alex shares his disappointment with Masters of the Universe, questioning its creative decisions, reliance on Earth-based storytelling, and attempts to recreate the comedy of movies like Guardians of the Galaxy.

But it's not all bad news!

We get into some of our favorite movies of 2026, including Project Hail Mary, a science fiction adventure that delivers both spectacle and genuine emotional weight. We also discuss The Invite, Olivia Wilde's relationship-driven comedy starring Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz. Alex brings his own recommendations to the table with I Want Your Sex, Greg Araki's provocative comedy, and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.

Along the way, we get into some bigger conversations about movies and the entertainment industry:

• Are major Hollywood studios becoming too afraid to take creative risks?
• Why are smaller filmmakers tackling more interesting stories about intimacy, sexuality, and relationships?
• Has dating and hookup culture changed for younger generations?
• Are people losing their willingness to socialize, take chances, and make real-life connections?
• Is Hollywood creating fewer memorable movie stars and character actors?
• Why is it becoming increasingly difficult for working actors to make a sustainable living?
• What can filmmakers learn from David Lynch about following their creative instincts, embracing weird ideas, and not being afraid to make something unconventional?

We also talk about the staying power of David Lynch, including Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, Inland Empire, Blue Velvet, and The Straight Story. Could an entire David Lynch retrospective be in our future?

Plus, Alex shares a little about his recent trip to Japan, including his growing interest in Japanese soft vinyl toys (Sofubi), kaiju collectibles, and the incredible vintage toy culture he discovered in Akihabara.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about movies, filmmaking, Hollywood, pop culture, nostalgia, and what makes great art worth discussing.

What were your favorite and least favorite movies of 2026? Let us know in the comments!

We’re diving headfirst into the strange, bloody, and deeply unconventional world of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the 2026 psychological horror film directed by Jane Schoenbrun and starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson. What initially looks like a throwback slasher movie quickly becomes something far more surreal, with layers of symbolism, disturbing imagery, and themes that leave us debating what we just watched.

The story follows Chris, an aspiring filmmaker tasked with revitalizing the fictional Camp Miasma horror franchise. Her search for the franchise’s reclusive original star, Billy, leads to an increasingly bizarre journey through sexuality, identity, trauma, and the blurred boundaries between movies and reality.

We discuss why Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma defies traditional horror movie expectations and how its movie-within-a-movie structure becomes central to its storytelling. We break down the mysterious Little Death, the recurring imagery of vents and geometric patterns, and the possibility that the film’s strange visual language represents voyeurism, repression, and the act of watching people perform for a camera.

We also explore the film’s treatment of queer identity, sexual awakening, shame, and trauma. How does Billy’s relationship with Chris connect to the experiences buried beneath the fictional Camp Miasma franchise? Can horror movies offer comfort and a sense of belonging to people who feel like outsiders? And what does it mean when the stories we grew up watching become intertwined with our own identities?

The conversation goes deeper into the movie’s surreal filmmaking style, including its David Lynch-esque atmosphere, hand-painted matte backgrounds, 35mm film texture, VHS aesthetics, and striking cinematography. We talk about the opening title sequence, the nostalgic music choices, and the wildly exaggerated slasher sequences that contrast with the film’s more intimate emotional moments.

We also debate competing interpretations of the ending, including whether Chris’s journey is a psychological transformation, something more supernatural, or a story that exists on multiple levels of reality. Is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma ultimately a horror movie, a queer coming-of-age story, a meditation on the film industry, or an unconventional love story wrapped in grotesque imagery?

Plus, we share our reactions to the film’s pacing, discuss the appeal of comfort horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Dawn of the Dead, and explain why this strange, divisive movie gave us so much to talk about.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma movie review and spoiler discussion
• Jane Schoenbrun’s surreal filmmaking style and psychological horror
• Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson’s performances
• Slasher movie tropes, meta-horror, and fictional horror franchises
• Little Death and the symbolism of the mysterious killer
• Queer identity, sexual awakening, shame, and trauma
• Voyeurism, filmmaking, and the exploitation of performers
• Nostalgia, VHS tapes, and the comfort of horror movies
• David Lynch influences, dreamlike imagery, and visual storytelling
• Hand-painted matte paintings, 35mm film, and cinematography
• The film’s music choices and exaggerated gore
• Theories about the ending and the relationship between movies and reality

Warning: Spoilers ahead! We discuss major plot developments, interpretations of the film’s symbolism, and possible explanations for its ending.

Join us as we try to make sense of one of the strangest horror movies of 2026. We may not agree on every interpretation, but that’s part of what makes this movie worth discussing.

Subscribe to The Never Seen It Podcast for more movie reviews, horror discussions, film analysis, and conversations about the movies we can’t stop thinking about.

We’re diving into the world of killer puppets with a discussion of Puppet Master (1989), the cult horror classic that turned tiny, murderous creations into icons of direct-to-video horror. Joined by returning guest Sam, we revisit this bizarre supernatural slasher and ask whether its creepy puppets can carry a movie filled with questionable decisions, strange characters, and gloriously over-the-top horror moments.

We kick things off by discussing why Puppet Master deserves another look, especially for horror fans who grew up watching VHS-era genre movies. Sam shares why the film holds a special place in his childhood memories, while we compare our first impressions of a movie that some of us had never seen before.

From there, we get into the movie’s mysterious puppeteer, André Toulon, and the strange mythology surrounding his creations. Who is the real Puppet Master? How does the power to bring inanimate objects to life work? And what exactly is going on with Neil Gallagher, the life serum, and the movie’s increasingly bizarre ending? We debate the answers, examine the film’s mythology, and discuss how the sequels and prequels expand the franchise’s mythology, including its unexpected Nazi connections.

Of course, the real stars of Puppet Master are the puppets themselves. We break down fan favorites like Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Leech Woman, debate which designs are the creepiest, and explore how their unique abilities make them memorable horror villains. We also discuss the practical effects, stop-motion animation, claymation, and clever live-action techniques that bring these miniature monsters to life.

But how well does the rest of the movie hold up? We talk about the underdeveloped human characters, confusing psychic abilities, questionable character decisions, awkward horror tropes, and moments that leave us wondering how anyone in this movie manages to survive as long as they do. We also examine the film’s sleazy atmosphere, surprising gore, unsettling makeup effects, and the creative choices that give this low-budget horror movie its distinctive personality.

Along the way, we explore the movie’s connections to other killer doll and killer puppet films, including Dolls and Trilogy of Terror. We also get into the influence of Italian genre cinema, the inspiration behind some of the puppet designs, and the kind of behind-the-scenes filmmaking ingenuity that makes practical effects horror so much fun to discuss.

And because this is The Never Seen It Podcast, no horror movie discussion would be complete without a few ridiculous tangents. We investigate the logic of the puppets’ code of conduct, wonder who inherits the title of Puppet Master, and ask why the survivors seem remarkably casual about the murderous weekend they’ve just endured.

Is Puppet Master an underrated cult horror classic, a gloriously weird product of the VHS era, or a movie whose puppets are far more interesting than its human characters? We break down the scares, the silliness, the practical effects, and the franchise lore to decide what makes this 1989 horror movie worth revisiting.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Puppet Master (1989) and its legacy as a cult horror movie
• André Toulon, Neil Gallagher, and the mystery of the Puppet Master
• Blade, Pinhead, Tunneler, and Leech Woman
• Killer puppets, supernatural horror, and the life serum
• The franchise’s Nazi-related mythology and prequels
• Practical effects, stop-motion animation, claymation, and makeup effects
• The movie’s gore, sleaze, camp, and direct-to-video atmosphere
• Confusing plot points, questionable decisions, and horror movie clichés
• Connections to Dolls, Trilogy of Terror, and other killer doll movies
• Why the puppets might be more compelling than the human cast

Join us as we revisit a wonderfully strange chapter in horror history and decide whether Puppet Master still has the power to make us laugh, cringe, and look twice at the toys sitting on our shelves.

What happens when a Ouija board unleashes a demon, a teenager starts experiencing terrifying premonitions, and a low-budget horror movie goes completely off the rails? We find out in our discussion of Don't Panic (1988), the obscure Mexican supernatural horror film directed by Rubén Galindo Jr.

This episode of The Never Seen It Podcast welcomes back our old friend Sam, reuniting with the crew for a spooky-season movie discussion packed with outrageous moments, questionable filmmaking choices, and plenty of laughs. Justin, aka GhostNerd88, picked this obscure horror gem and makes the case for why it deserves a place in the so-bad-it's-good hall of fame.

We start with the movie's supernatural premise: Michael's 17th birthday party takes a terrifying turn when a Ouija board unleashes the demon Virgil. Soon, violent nightmares, strange premonitions, and a series of murders send the story spiraling into increasingly bizarre territory.

From there, we dig into everything that makes Don't Panic such a memorable viewing experience. We discuss the hilariously awkward English dub, strange sound effects, questionable acting, confusing plot points, and a villain who looks like he wandered into the wrong horror franchise. We also examine Michael's unforgettable dinosaur pajamas, his questionable decisions, and the movie's unusual approach to supernatural visions and demonic possession.

But it's not all bad news for this obscure 1980s horror movie. We give credit where it's due, particularly for the surprisingly effective television special effect and a memorable dagger kill. We also discuss the film's Freddy Krueger influences, its potential for a modern remake, and whether its central concept could work with better writing and contemporary horror filmmaking techniques.

We also take a detour into other horror favorites, discussing Ouija board movies and supernatural horror recommendations, including Talk to Me and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Along the way, we share our personal horror favorites, debate what makes a cult classic, and explore why a movie can be technically terrible yet still deliver an incredibly entertaining experience.

Does Don't Panic deserve its cult horror status? Should Hollywood revisit its premise? And how many bizarre dubbing choices, questionable performances, and inexplicable scenes can one movie deliver before it becomes essential viewing for fans of bad horror movies?

We share our final thoughts, compare our reactions, and explain why this strange 1988 horror film gave us so much to talk about. If you love obscure horror movies, cult cinema, cheesy supernatural thrillers, and hilarious movie reviews, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Don't Panic (1988) and its supernatural horror premise
• The Ouija board, demonic possession, and psychic premonitions
• The movie's English dubbing, acting, sound design, and practical effects
• The bizarre dinosaur pajamas and unforgettable character moments
• The film's Freddy Krueger influences and potential for a remake
• Other supernatural horror movies, including Talk to Me and Ouija: Origin of Evil
• What makes a cult classic and why some terrible movies are incredibly entertaining
• Our final ratings and recommendations for spooky-season viewing

Join us for another episode of The Never Seen It Podcast, where we watch the movies we've missed, share our honest opinions, and never run out of things to argue about.

Visit neverseenitpodcast.com, follow us on social media, and let us know which obscure horror movies we should watch next!

We finally take on Michael Mann's 1995 crime masterpiece Heat, a movie that brings together Al Pacino and Robert De Niro as two professionals on opposite sides of the law. We discuss Neil McCauley, Vincent Hanna and the obsessive cat-and-mouse relationship that drives the entire film.

We start with first impressions, including Arnold's experience watching Heat for the first time after mostly remembering its legendary gunfight. From there, we dig into why the movie feels like much more than a traditional action or heist movie. The discussion explores how Michael Mann combines crime, drama, character development and spectacular action into one sprawling Los Angeles epic.

We break down some of the movie's most memorable sequences, including the opening heist, the tense surveillance sequence, the famous downtown Los Angeles bank shootout and the quiet but powerful diner conversation between Pacino and De Niro. We also discuss how Heat influenced movies like The Dark Knight and became a blueprint for video games such as Payday and Grand Theft Auto V.

One of the biggest topics is the relationship between Vincent Hanna and Neil McCauley. We talk about how both men are incredibly skilled at their jobs but struggle with their personal relationships. Their conversation in the diner becomes the emotional heart of the movie, as two men on opposite sides of the law recognize just how much they have in common.

We also unpack the movie's ending and that unforgettable moment when Vincent and Neil finally face each other at the airport. We discuss whether the final gesture represents respect, friendship, professional acknowledgment or something closer to a handshake after an incredibly intense game of chess.

The conversation also gets into Al Pacino's larger-than-life performance, Robert De Niro's restrained approach to Neil McCauley, Val Kilmer's memorable work as Chris Shiherlis, the supporting cast, the movie's incredible cinematography and the grounded feeling of its action sequences.

We even talk about how the film's emotional story elevates it beyond being simply a great heist movie. The characters' relationships, marriages, families, careers and personal sacrifices give Heat a dramatic weight that many action movies never achieve.

Finally, we give our ratings and discuss whether Heat deserves its reputation as one of the greatest crime and heist movies ever made. Justin gives it 4/5, Arnold gives it 4.5/5, Alex gives it 4.5/5, while Adrian gives the film a full 5/5 on Letterboxd and considers it one of his favorite movies of all time.

We discuss Roofman, the crime drama starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst and inspired by the real-life story of a former Army Ranger who robbed McDonald's restaurants and secretly lived inside a Toys R Us. We break down the movie's surprising mix of comedy, drama, romance, crime, and suspense, while asking why we find ourselves rooting for a criminal.

LONGER EPISODE SHOW NOTES

We’re talking about Roofman, the Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst crime drama inspired by the unbelievable true story of Jeffrey Manchester, a former Army Ranger who turned to robbing McDonald's restaurants and eventually hid inside a Toys R Us while trying to build a new life.

We were surprised by how different Roofman was from what the marketing seemed to promise. What initially looked like a lighthearted crime comedy turns into a surprisingly emotional story about crime, redemption, love, family, loneliness, and the consequences of trying to escape your past.

We talk about Channing Tatum's performance and how he balances the character's natural charm and comedy with the more dramatic and emotional moments. We also dig into Kirsten Dunst's performance and whether her character's willingness to trust him feels believable. Does she fall in love with the real person, or the version of him she believes he is?

One of the biggest things we discuss is the movie's "Robin Hood" effect. Even though the main character is robbing businesses, the movie makes it surprisingly easy to empathize with him. His personal code, his unwillingness to hurt people, and his interactions with the family make us want him to get away with it. But the movie also shows what happens when that Robin Hood fantasy starts turning into greed and excess.

We also discuss the movie's portrayal of masculinity and veterans. Rather than presenting its veteran protagonist as a stereotypical damaged or hardened character, Roofman gives us someone who can be vulnerable, compassionate, funny, romantic, and emotional. We talk about why those quieter aspects of the character make him feel more human.

The movie's romance is another major part of our discussion. We break down his relationship with Kirsten Dunst's character, the church scenes, his relationship with her children, and the moment when she realizes who he really is. We also debate whether he consciously chooses to get caught because he doesn't want to disappear from their lives without an explanation.

Of course, we have plenty of questions about the movie's stranger details. How does someone secretly live inside a Toys R Us for months? How does he get away with stealing video games and other merchandise? Why doesn't the missing inventory raise bigger red flags? And why does the Toys R Us manager seem completely incapable of noticing what is happening inside his own store?

We also talk about the final Toys R Us robbery, the moment when the main character breaks his own code by hurting someone, and how that changes the audience's relationship with him. We discuss the tension of the final act and why the movie's relatively grounded approach works better than some of the twists we expected.

There are also plenty of tangents, including movie trailers that give away too much, the nostalgia of seeing Toys R Us and Blockbuster on screen, Channing Tatum's comedic chops, the legendary "I don't wanna grow up" Toys R Us jingle, and what we'd actually do if we suddenly became rich.

So is Roofman a crime movie, a romantic drama, a comedy, a redemption story, or all of the above? We get into all of it in this episode of The Never Seen It Podcast.

We finally go back to 1985 for a deep dive into Back to the Future, Robert Zemeckis' beloved time-travel classic starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown.

For some of us, Back to the Future is a movie we've seen dozens of times. For others, this was a first-time watch. That gives us a chance to look at the movie from both sides: the nostalgia of growing up with Marty McFly and the DeLorean, and the experience of discovering a movie that has become so deeply embedded in pop culture that we've all seen its references before we've even seen the movie itself.

We talk about why Back to the Future still holds up, especially when it comes to its screenplay, pacing, visual storytelling, practical effects, VFX, character introductions, and attention to detail. The opening sequence alone gives us plenty to discuss, from Doc Brown's clocks and inventions to the subtle pieces of exposition that establish the story before Marty even appears.

We also break down the time-travel mechanics and the butterfly-effect consequences of Marty traveling back to 1955. How does changing his parents' relationship affect the future? Does the movie successfully explain its own rules? What happens to Marty's memories when he returns to a completely different version of his family? And does the movie wisely avoid over-explaining its time-travel mythology?

The performances are another major part of the conversation. We discuss Michael J. Fox's iconic performance as Marty McFly, Christopher Lloyd's surprisingly grounded take on Doc Brown, Crispin Glover's George McFly, Thomas F. Wilson's Biff Tannen, and the chemistry between the cast. We also get into the fascinating production history behind Michael J. Fox replacing Eric Stoltz after a significant amount of filming had already been completed.

As movie nerds, we couldn't skip the filmmaking details. We talk about the DeLorean as one of the most recognizable movie cars ever, the original idea of using a refrigerator as the time machine, the practical effects and miniature work, the aging makeup used on the characters, and why some of the visual effects still impress decades later.

From a screenwriting perspective, we discuss why Back to the Future is such a useful movie to study. The film constantly plants information, establishes characters and objects, sets up jokes and details, and then pays those elements off later. We also break down whether Marty actually follows a traditional hero's journey or whether George McFly is the character who experiences the more traditional transformation.

And, of course, we get into some of the movie's stranger elements, including Marty accidentally becoming the object of his mother's affection, the Libyan terrorists, the movie's portrayal of 1950s culture, the racial language of the era, the infamous Crispin Glover lawsuit, the influence of Back to the Future on later pop culture, and the connections people see between Doc and Marty and shows like Rick and Morty.

We also discuss the ending and what it means for Marty when he returns to a dramatically different version of his family. Is it really a perfect happy ending, or does the movie leave us with some fascinating questions about alternate timelines, memories, identity and the consequences of changing the past?

Finally, we talk about our favorite scenes, the Johnny B. Goode sequence, the soundtrack, the movie's incredible rewatchability, and whether Back to the Future still deserves its status as a classic.

If you've never seen Back to the Future, grew up watching the trilogy, love time-travel movies, or are interested in how a great screenplay puts together setup and payoff, this episode has plenty to dig into.

We finally watched the original The Fast and the Furious from 2001, and this one turned into a much bigger conversation than we expected.

For some of us, The Fast and the Furious was a nostalgic favorite that we grew up watching over and over. For others, it was a movie we had written off for years as a shallow car movie. But after finally watching it, we discovered there's a lot more to appreciate than just street racing, flashy cars, NOS and Vin Diesel delivering lines about family.

We break down the original Fast and Furious story, including Brian O'Connor going undercover to infiltrate Dominic Toretto's crew, his relationship with Mia Toretto, and the complicated choice he faces when he realizes he's becoming loyal to the people he's supposed to investigate.

We also dive deep into the car culture behind the movie. Donnie explains how The Fast and the Furious helped bring JDM, Japanese import cars and tuner culture into the mainstream, while we talk about the real-world street-racing scene, race nights, modified Hondas, the rivalry between people who build their own cars and people who simply buy expensive performance cars, and how accurately the movie captures that early-2000s car culture.

The practical filmmaking is another major part of the discussion. We talk about the famous Honda Civics driving underneath the semi truck, the final train sequence, stunt drivers, the specialized car rigs used to film actors inside moving vehicles, and why the practical effects and on-location shooting give the movie a more grounded feeling than many modern action movies.

We also look at the movie's early-2000s aesthetic, including the paper maps, floppy disks, lack of smartphones, stylized racing sequences, music and the overall feeling of watching a movie made before modern digital filmmaking completely took over.

Then we get into the Fast & Furious franchise itself. We discuss how the series evolved from a relatively grounded street-racing movie into increasingly massive action spectacle, whether the franchise became "Flanderized," the importance of Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, the arrival of characters like The Rock and Jason Statham, and whether the later movies became more like The Expendables with cars.

And, of course, we talk about the lines, scenes and moments that have become part of pop culture: the Ferrari race, the Supra, "granny shifting," the infamous three Honda Civics, the big rig hijacking and the movie's unforgettable car dialogue.

Most importantly, we talk about the theme underneath all the cars and action: family and loyalty. The final decision between Brian and Dom works because Brian has become part of Toretto's family, and Dom ultimately recognizes that Brian has repeatedly helped save him and his crew.

By the end, we compare our ratings. Alex gives the movie 3/5, Donnie gives it 4/5, Justin gives it 3.5/5, Arnold gives it a massive 5/5, and Adrian gives the original Fast and the Furious a strong 3.5/5.
Whether you're a longtime Fast & Furious fan, a JDM enthusiast, a Paul Walker fan, or someone who has somehow never seen the original, we have plenty to talk about.

What happens when a love of pop culture turns into a mission to give independent creators and underrepresented voices a bigger platform?

We sit down with Aaron Nabus, founder and president of FilAm Creator Con, a nonprofit convention dedicated to celebrating and empowering Filipino American creators. Aaron also co-hosts the Hall H Podcast, covering independent pop culture creators, comics, conventions, and the artists working behind the scenes.

We talk about Aaron's journey from launching Hall H as a blog focused on San Diego Comic-Con's Artist Alley and small press creators to turning it into a podcast that has spent a decade spotlighting independent artists, writers, podcasters, and other creators.

From there, we dig into the origins of FilAm Creator Con, how the pandemic delayed its launch, and how the event grew from its first convention at the National City Library into a much larger celebration of Filipino American creativity. We discuss the growing demand from exhibitors, the importance of public libraries as community spaces, and why supporting independent creators matters in an entertainment industry increasingly dominated by major corporations.

We also explore Filipino American representation in pop culture and why Aaron felt compelled to create a space where Filipino creators could be seen, heard, and supported. That conversation takes us into movies, comics, Filipino culture, Filipino food, martial arts, and some of the Filipino influences hiding in plain sight throughout Hollywood.

We talk about San Diego Comic-Con, Artist Alley, independent artists, community events, and Aaron's work creating opportunities for creators who can't necessarily get into Comic-Con itself. We also discuss the Filipino Creator Mini-Con, community Drink and Draw events, open mics, and the importance of partnering with Filipino-owned businesses.

As fellow podcasters, we get into the realities of building an audience in the age of algorithms. Aaron shares his philosophy that podcasting is ultimately about human connection rather than chasing numbers, along with his advice for creators trying to build genuine relationships with potential guests and collaborators.

We also discuss Aaron's Filipino folklore and mythology coloring book Kickstarter, which brings together Filipino American artists and gives creators another opportunity to showcase their work.

And because this is Never Seen It, we can't resist getting into movies. We talk about Filipino representation in films like Starship Troopers and Game of Death, Bruce Lee and Filipino martial arts, Asian cinema's influence on Hollywood, foreign films like Hero, and the movies we wish more people would discover.

Finally, we tackle one of the biggest issues facing artists and creators right now: artificial intelligence. We discuss AI-generated art, creative ownership, compensation, automation, the economics of AI, and whether technology should be augmenting human creativity rather than replacing it.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about movies, comics, conventions, podcasting, Filipino American representation, independent creators, community building, and what it means to create something simply because you believe it deserves to exist.

FilAm Creator Con is scheduled for September 19 in San Diego and is free and open to the public. Aaron also shares information about volunteering, sponsorships, the convention, and the Filipino folklore and mythology coloring book Kickstarter.

Some helpful links:
 

• FilAm CreatorCon (nonprofit)
   
• Filam CreatorCon 2026 (convention event page)
   
• Filipino Folklore and Mythology Coloring book – Kickstarter page