Pop Break Today

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are here for a bonus movie podcast. This time they’re talking about Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl for its 20th anniversary.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a fantasy adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski. It is based on the Disney theme park ride. The movie opened in theaters on July 9, 2003.

In the film, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) seeks to reclaim his ship, the now cursed Black Pearl, from the treacherous Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). Jack teams up with Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) when Barbossa abducts his love interest, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley).

The Curse of the Black Pearl was the surprise hit of 2003, with the pirate genre considered unprofitable. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Depp. The film spawned four sequels.

Josh and Aaron discuss their first impressions of Pirates, before going into the plot, performances, action, and effects. They also talk about the future of the franchise.

For another pirate film podcast, you can listen to Aaron and Josh’s Muppet Treasure Island retrospective.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is streaming on Disney+.

Anchored in Asbury returns with two people who helped inspire the creation of this podcast -- Vincent Minervino and Magdalena O'Connell -- an absolute renaissance couple if there ever was one.

Vincent and Magdalena are the creators of the Hi-Tide Summer Holiday (aka the Asbury Park Surf Music Festival), the owners of the renowned international surf music label Hi-Tide Recordings, the new imprint NuTone Recordings, and the owners of the online record shop Boro Records (soon to have a physical location in Freehold, NJ).

In this episode we discuss how Vincent & Magdalena scored the iconic surf outfit The Ventures for both the Hi-Tide Summer Holiday (happening 8/18-20 at the Asbury Lanes & Asbury Hotel) and their record label. They discuss the evolution of the Hi-Tide Summer Holiday and their wishlist for bands they want to have in future iterations as well as the far flung places the fest will go. They also discuss their labels, vinyl sales, surf music, how the pandemic lead to the creation of NuTone and more.

It’s Podwork Angels: The Rush Hour, a podcast dedicated to the Canadian rock band Rush! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by fellow Cinema Joes podcast host Noah Franc of FrancNoir, as well as Luke Martin, host of Talking the Coda, as they delve into the discography of Canada’s favorite sons, from 1974 to 2012.

In the 15th episode of the season, Justin, Noah, Luke, and recurring guest Chris complete their trek through Rush’s discography by discussing their last studio album (and the namesake for this podcast). They visualize earthbound angels, voice a few minor quibbles of a pretty great album, and name the song most likely to be part of the 2019 psychological film The Lighthouse.  And as always, they recommend more artists for your listening pleasure.

Host Picks:

Limelight (A Song We Think Is Underrated, or Just Really Like)

Chris – Clockwork Angels

Justin – Halo Effect

Luke – Caravan

Noah – The Wreckers

Handle with Kid Gloves (A Song We Don’t Like So Much)

Chris – The Wreckers

Justin – N/A

Luke – Wish Them Well (minor complaints)

Noah – Wish Them Well / The Garden (minor complaints)

Words of the Profits (A Favorite Lyric)

Chris – The Anarchist

Justin – The Garden

Luke – BU2B2

Noah – Carnies

Magic Music That Makes Our Morning Mood (A Favorite Musical Moment)

Chris – Headlong Flight

Justin – Carnies

Luke – Headlong Flight

Noah – Geddy Lee’s bass on every song

Other Artists We’ve Been Listening To:

Chris – Mastodon

Justin – Gojira

Luke – Sama’ Abdulhadi

Noah – Gorillaz

Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.

Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.

In this episode, Allie and Tyler tackle the 2020 Netflix original film “Fatal Affair” (not to be confused with “Fatal Attraction” despite the filmmakers’ best efforts), starring Omar Epps and Nia Long. Join them as they discuss the difference between an “affair” and a “whoopsie,” what makes a good disguise and the fine line between being a hacker and being a magician.

Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.

To see more of our hosts, check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider, SYFY and NBC Insider. Find Allie’s work at Parade and Business Insider!

And don't forget to follow us on social media —

Allie: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok

Tyler: Twitter

Not Couple Goals: Instagram and Twitter

Hello and welcome to Bill vs the MCU! Each month your hosts Pop Break Podcasts Editor Alex Marcus and Pop Break Editor in Chief Bill Bodkin take another step into the wider Marvel Multiverse, with reviews and interviews on the film and television series that may be drawn upon as the MCU dives deeper and deeper into its Multiverse Saga.

After rewatching the first four phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in season one and rewatching most of the first phase of Marvel’s Defenders Saga in season two, Alex and Bill are back with their third season, entitled “Agents in Crisis,” where they will be diving into the broadcast television corner of Marvel Multiverse and reviewing select arcs from the first four seasons of Agents of SHIELD.

This month, Alex and Bill check in with the pilot episode of Agents of SHIELD before jumping to S1E16-22 aka The Fall of SHIELD arc, as Phil Coulson and his team are sent reeling following the reveal in Captain America: The Winter Soldier that SHIELD had been infested with Hydra since its inception. 

To help them discuss this underrated and under-appreciated season of TV, Alex sits down with the New York Times Bestselling author of How Story Works and SHIELD superfan Lani Diane Rich. She helps break down what sets this series apart from the ocean of genre TV shows we have been wading through since 2013 when the series debuted. 

Special guest Dan Cohen, host of the Batman By The Numbers podcast, also stops by for another edition of Alex’s monthly segment Miss Minutes Marvel Memo, where they try to cram in a month’s of MCU headlines in five minutes!

Don’t forget to come back next month when they’ll be reviewing Agents of SHIELD S2E9-11; S2E16-17; & S2E20-22, aka The Rise of The Inhumans!

Agents of SHIELD S1-7 are available to stream on Disney+.

For more from our Lani Diane Rich, including the podcasts discussed in today’s episode, please check out her website Chipperish Media!

For more from Dan, check out his podcast Batman By The Numbers, found the last Tuesday of every month right here on Pop Break Today.

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are back for their latest movie retrospective. This time they’re chatting about Disney’s Mulan for its 25th anniversary.

Mulan is an animated adventure film directed by Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft. It is based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan. It opened in theaters on June 19, 1998.

In the film, a young Chinese woman named Mulan (Ming-Na Wen, singing voice by Lea Salonga) poses as a man to take her frail father’s place in the Imperial Army. Aiding Mulan is the miniature dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). Other characters include Captain Li Shang (BD Wong, singing voice by Donny Osmond), the villainous Hun leader Shan Yu (Miguel Ferrer), and the Chinese Emperor (Pat Morita).

Mulan opened to a positive reception and outgrossed Disney’s previous two animated films. It received one Academy Award nomination for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. Mulan spawned a direct-to-video sequel in 2004 and a live action remake in 2020.

Aaron and Josh discuss the movie’s plot, performances, animation, and songs. They also discuss the film’s reception and place in Disney’s animation catalogue. 

For more Disney podcasts, listen to Josh and Aaron talk about Hercules and Lilo & Stitch.

Mulan is streaming on Disney+.

Welcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.

Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.

In this episode, Allie and Tyler are joined by the man who helped get them this podcast, Pop Break All Star Al Manarino, to discuss the rarely seen action/romantic thriller. They cover “Savages,” starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively (as well as others) and directed by Oliver Stone. Tag along as Allie and Al pitch much better versions of this movie and Tyler struggles to pronounce the name “Chon.” Can a movie with a throuple, explosions and the word “wargasm” possibly be bad? Listen and find out.

Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.

To see more of our hosts, check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider, SYFY and NBC Insider. Find Allie’s work at Parade and Business Insider!

And don't forget to follow us on social media —

Allie: Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok

Tyler: Twitter

Not Couple Goals: Instagram and Twitter

It’s Podwork Angels: The Rush Hour, a podcast dedicated to the Canadian rock band Rush! Justin Mancini of TheCineMaverick.com & Cinema Joes is joined by fellow Cinema Joes podcast host Noah Franc of FrancNoir, as well as Luke Martin, host of Talking the Coda, as they delve into the discography of Canada’s favorite sons, from 1974 to 2012.

In the 14th episode of the season, Justin, Luke, and recurring guest Chris head into the mid-aughts to talk covers and Rush’s penultimate album. They define the many levels of “monkey business,” have complete opposite reactions to the same songs, and chronicle the origins of the “Booujze.” And as always, they recommend more artists for your listening pleasure.

Host Picks:

Limelight (A Song We Think Is Underrated, or Just Really Like)

Chris – Far Cry (from Snakes & Arrows)

Justin – Mr. Soul (from Feedback)

Noah – Workin’ Them Angels / Hope (from Snakes & Arrows)

Handle With Kid Gloves (A Song We Don’t Like So Much)

Chris – Heart Full of Soul (from Feedback)

Justin – Workin’ Them Angels (verse section) (from Snakes & Arrows)

Noah – Faithless / Bravest Face (from Snakes & Arrows)

Words of the Profits (A Favorite Lyric)

Chris – Armor and Sword (from Snakes & Arrows)

Justin – Armor and Sword (from Snakes & Arrows)

Noah – The Way the Wind Blows (from Snakes & Arrows)

Magic Music That Makes Our Morning Mood (A Favorite Musical Moment)

Chris – Crossroads (from Feedback)

Justin – The Main Monkey Business (from Snakes & Arrows)

Noah – Malignant Narcissism (from Snakes & Arrows)

Other Artists We’ve Been Listening To:

Chris – The Who

Justin – Portishead

Noah – Steve Hackett

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are here for a bonus movie retrospective. This time they’re talking about The Truman Show for its 25th anniversary.

The Truman Show is a psychological satire directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol. It opened in theaters on June 5, 1998.

In the film, Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey) is the unwitting star of the world’s most popular reality show. Over the course of the story, Truman grows increasingly suspicious and tries to escape his home island. Running the show is show creator Christof (Ed Harris). Other characters include Truman’s wife Meryl (Laura Linney), his long-lost flame Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), and his best friend Marlon (Noah Emmerich).

The Truman Show was a critical and box office hit. It was nominated at the Oscars for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Ed Harris.

Aaron and Josh talk about the plot, performances, themes, and legacy of The Truman Show. They also look at Jim Carrey’s career.

For another Jim Carrey movie, listen to Aaron talk to Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin about Dumb & Dumber.

The Truman Show is streaming on Paramount+

There’s arguably no superhero in existence that has been reimagined, redefined, or reinterpreted more than Batman.  No matter how many times he’s been rebooted, audiences are always willing to come back to Gotham City’s greatest defender.  With so much Bat content out there, there’s plenty to dissect, analyze, and of course, rank!  This podcast is dedicated to a surgical evaluation of Batman’s history, with a focus on ranking several topics in the world of Batman, among other classic Bat themes and characters.

Join host Daniel Cohen, Pop Break’s former Film Editor and Resident Bat-Maven, as he brings on several guests every month to share his passion for the one and only Dark Knight.  From Adam West to Robert Pattinson, no bat stone will be left unturned. Bottom-line: If you’re a Batman fan, this is required listening.

After facing constant delays, director turmoil, and early positive reaction, The Flash has finally arrived!  We’ve seen it.  Did we like it???  Well, you’ll have to listen to find out that answer.

SPOILER WARNING

Daniel is joined once again by Podcast Editor, Alex Marcus, and making his Batman by the Numbers debut, the host of the Podwork Angels podcast, Justin Mancini.  They discuss everything!  The characters.  Story.  The cameos!!! (Again, spoiler alert).  Did Michael Keaton’s return as Batman work?  Did Michael Shannon’s return as General Zod make waves?  Is Barry Allen actually the main character in his own movie?  What does this movie mean going forward for the DCEU, or rebooted DCEU, or kind of rebooted, but is it, but maybe it is, or some of it is, we’ll see, we don’t know, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Listen in real time to Alex breaking Batman news to Daniel on the podcast, and be entertained by Daniel desperately trying to comprehend the information.

Also, please keep in mind this podcast was recorded before the UNDERWHELMING box office results were made official, BUT it is addressed.

This podcast is an absolute whirlwind, and you don’t want to miss it!