PopaHALLics #77 "Dinos to Darth Vader"
We cover a lot of ground in 27 minutes, from amazingly realistic dinosaurs to a Jedi haunted by his experience with the future Darth Vader ... from a strange but true World War II ruse  to Mormon extremists ... from the return of "Stranger Things" to a novel inspired by an intense fashion rivalry. Dig in!

Streaming:

• "Planet Prehistoric," Apple TV.  This nature series from the BBC and executive producer Jon Favreau (Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney) didn't really film dinosaurs in their natural habitats. It just looks that way.
• "Obi-Wan Kenobi," Disney +. In this limited series, Ewan McGregor stars as the title character, hiding out in the desert after his pupil Anakin Skywalker embraced the Dark Side. But then an old friend needs his help ... 
• "Operation Mincemeat,"  Netflix. How to throw the Nazis off your invasion plans? First, get a dead body ... Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyn, and Johnny Flynn star in this movie based on a true spy story from World War II.
• "Stranger Things," Netflix. They're baacccck. And so's otherworldly evil in Hawkins, Indiana. The gang's all split up, but I have this feeling they'll come together, don't you?
• "Under the Banner of Heaven," FX. A devout detective's faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder connected to religious extremism and a prominent Utah family. Andrew Garfield stars in this miniseries based on the nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer.
• "Ghosts," CBS/Paramount Plus.  In this sitcom, a young woman (Rose McIver) inherits a mansion, at first unaware that many ghosts live there. If living is the right term..
• "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," Paramount +. In the decade before James T. Kirk takes the helm, Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commands an Enterprise with Spock (Ethan Peck) and other familiar characters. Outer space adventures with heart. 

Books:

• "The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel," by Jeanne Mackin. An American woman becomes entangled in the rivalry between two very different designers fighting to be the most successful and influential in Paris.

Music:
Our Popahallics Playlist #77 features Squirrel Nut Zippers, Red Baraat and other artists Steve saw at Bayou Boogaloo and in New Orleans. Or you can get your summer on with the playlists Kate's listening to, Surf Rock Sunshine and Summer Throwback.