Pop Break Today

he Shining is 40 years old and brothers Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are here to talk about it.

The Shining is a horror film directed by legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. It is based on the novel by Stephen King, adapted by Kubrick and writer Diane Johnson. It stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, an author driven mad by ghosts as he looks after a secluded hotel for the winter. Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd star as Wendy and Danny, Jack's wife and son, the latter of who has psychic powers. Other roles include Scatman Crothers as chef Dick Hallorann and Joe Turkel as Lloyd the bartender.

The movie was first released on May 23, 1980. It made $44 million dollars domestically on a $19 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo. While it initially garnered mixed reviews and two Razzie nominations for Worst Director and Worst Actress, critics and fans today hail it as one of the greatest horror films of all time. The Library of Congress added The Shining to the United States National Film Registry in 2018.

In the podcast Aaron and Josh go over the performances, the themes, and how the movie differs from the novel. The two also discuss if The Shining is scary and what even makes something frightening.

Pop Break's Television Editor Alex Marcus is joined by editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin, and senior columnist Josh Sarnecky to talk about the happenings in television.

Here’s the format of the show:

The Best Thing I Saw on TV Last Month – Alex, Bill, and Josh talk about a show/episode/event we liked from the last month including: Dark Side of the Ring, Clone Wars, and Hulu's Normal People.

The News You Need to Know – Alex, Bill, and Josh discuss the possibility of COVID-19 related storylines in modern television.

Streaming Wars – Alex, Bill, and Josh picks a streamer they think “won the month” based on new shows airing/upcoming shows announced etc. and whether it was Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon, or another streaming platform that came out on top.

Featured Review – Alex, Bill, and Josh review the new from Damien Chazelle (La La Land) on Netflix new, The Eddy. The series stars Andre Holland, Amandla Sternberg, and Joanna Kulig about a struggling jazz musician in Paris, France.

Welcome to the second episode of Good Bye to All That - Pop Break's television podcast series that focuses on season (and sometimes series) finales of shows you absolutely need to be watching.

Pop Break's Television Editor Alex Marcus is joined by former Television Editor and current senior writer/podcast Matt Taylor - who you've heard on And The Winner Still is Like, and The Way Too Early Oscar Prediction Podcast.

This episode they talk about Hulu's smash sensation, Normal People.

In the episode they discuss:

-How faithful the series is to the acclaimed Sally Rooney novel of the same name

-The incredible performances of series leads Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal

-The series intimate approach to interpersonal relationships as they shift and change over time

-Whether it deserves the mantle of “the best millennial romance”

It's that time again. Time for brothers Aaron and Josh Sarnecky to celebrate another movie anniversary. Today it's Gladiator, the acclaimed historical epic directed by Ridley Scott.

Gladiator opened in theaters on May 5, 2000. It stars Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Spencer Treat Clark, and Richard Harris. It won five Academy Awards, among them Best Picture and Best Actor.

Podcast topics include the action, the performances, and the film's historical accuracy. The brothers also compare it to other Ridley Scott films and discuss the many sequel rumors that have spawned over the years.

Goodbye to All That...is Pop Break's brand new podcast series that looks at Season (and sometimes series) finales happening in 2020.

Hosted by Pop Break's TV Editor Alex Marcus, this series features guests from Pop Break and the world of pop culture.

In the premiere episode Alex is joined by Pop Break music editor Kat Manos, and the site's editor-in-chief and Westworld reviewer, Bill Bodkin. The trio talk about the third season by breaking down the five major relationships in the series as well as looking towards the future of the series ... and why we got Stubbs instead.

Pop Break's Television Editor Alex Marcus is joined by editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin, and senior columnist Josh Sarnecky to talk about the happenings in television.

Here’s the format of the show:

The Best Thing I Saw on TV Last Month – Alex, Bill, and Josh talk about a show/episode/event we liked from the last month including: Ducktales, The Plot Against America, Star Wars: Clone Wars and more

The News You Need to Know – Alex, Bill, and Josh discuss JJ Abrams' massive deal with HBO MAX, and the three series he's attached to -- Duster, Justice League: Dark, and Overlook.

Streaming Wars – Alex, Bill, and Josh picks a streamer they think “won the month” based on new shows airing/upcoming shows announced etc. and whether it was Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon, or another streaming platform that came out on top.

Featured Review – Alex, Bill, and Josh review FX on Hulu’s highly anticipated sci-fi drama Mrs. America starring Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne and an all-star cast.

Welcome to the Season 2 Finale of our retrospective Oscar podcast series — And the Winner Still Is. Hosted by film editor Marisa Carpico and senior editor Matt Taylor (Way too Early Oscar Predictions Podcast) this series looks at various years in Oscar history.

The winner of Best Picture is spotlighted and then the other films in the category are discussed. The duo also breaks down the director and the acting categories as well as other another notable categories. Of course their own our personal snubs will be addressed as well.

The episode focuses on the 1934 Oscars aka the 7th Academy Awards. Nominated for Best Picture were: It Happened One Night, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Cleopatra, Flirtation Walk, The Gay Divorcee, Here Comes the Navy, The House of Rothschild, Imitation of Life, One Night of Love, The Thin Man, Viva Villa!, The White Parade. Winning individual awards were: Clark Gable (It Happened One Night), Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night), and Frank Capra (It Happened One Night).

Believe or it or not, The Road to El Dorado recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Senior Columnist Josh Sarnecky and Senior Writer Aaron Sarnecky are here to talk about it.

The Road to El Dorado is loosely based on "The Man Who Would Be King" by Rudyard Kipling. It stars Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez, Armand Assante, Frank Welker, Jim Cummings, and Edward James Olmos. Musician Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice reunite with executive producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, whom they worked with on the original Lion King. The movie released on March 31, 2000.

Podcast topics include the animation, the songs, and how the Road to... series starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope inspired the film. Aaron and Josh also discuss the movie's place in DreamWorks' animation catalog as well as in animation history.

Welcome to the 6th episode of Season 2 of our retrospective Oscar podcast series — And the Winner Still Is. Hosted by film editor Marisa Carpico and senior editor Matt Taylor (Way too Early Oscar Predictions Podcast) this series looks at various years in Oscar history. Pop Break's music editor Kat Manos joins the episode.

The winner of Best Picture is spotlighted and then the other films in the category are discussed. The duo also breaks down the director and the acting categories as well as other another notable categories. Of course their own our personal snubs will be addressed as well.

The episode focuses on the 2008 Oscars aka the 81st Academy Awards. Nominated for Best Picture were: Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, and The Reader. Winning individual awards were: Sean Penn (Milk), Kate Winslet (The Reader), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), and Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire).

Welcome to TV Break, the monthly television podcast of The Pop Break!

Newly minted Television Editor Alex Marcus is joined by editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin, and senior columnist Josh Sarnecky to talk about the happenings in television.

Here’s the format of the show:

The Best Thing I Saw on TV Last Month – Alex, Bill, and Josh talk about a show/episode/event we liked from the last month including: Westworld, Year of the Rabbit, The Plot Against America, and more.

The News You Need to Know – Alex, Bill, and Josh discuss well...the world we now live in and how TV is being impacted.

Streaming Wars – Alex, Bill, and Josh picks a streamer they think “won the month” based on new shows airing/upcoming shows announced etc. and how it was Disney Plus, Netflix and Amazon came out on top.

Featured Review – Alex, Bill, and Josh review FX on Hulu’s highly anticipated sci-fi drama Devs starring Nick Offerman.