Host of the Bistro Californium podcast Yeerk.P sits down with me to discuss Michael Winner's 1973 exploitation film Death Wish starring Charles Bronson and the similarly themed 2026 film Citizen Vigilante directed by Uwe Boll and starring Armie Hammer. We compare the films, the contemporary political and cultural context of each, and touch on other entries in the vigilante film genre. We also spend time talking about current political controversies in the UK, especially the release of Rupert Lowe's report on grooming gangs, the murder of Henry Nowak, and the assassination of Ann Widdecombe.

In which we discuss the horrific and preventable murder of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman, recent revelations about the killer, and how it relates to the political and social climate in Rogers Park, Chicago, and America as a whole.

In which Thomas and I discuss the BAFTAs/Tourette's incident and the broader cultural implications of the controversy. We also discuss online self-improvement stuff and the utility (or futility) of right-wing social groups.

In which we discuss all things Chicago including the CTU, the CPD, Jon Burge, the titans who build the city, and the changes in Chicago's character in recent times. We also discuss immigration politics, including the Minnesota fraud scandal, the Catholic Church's role in mass migration, and the Hart-Cellar Act.

In which myself and the lovely Kim Chee discuss living in Chicago as a Republican, the LA riots, transracial adoption, the COVID era, and other topics.

In which we discuss The Wicker Man (1973), the remake of the Wicker Man (2006), The Wicker Tree (2011) and Midsommar (2019). I haven't checked but I think we're the first ones to do a pod about all these movies at once and connect what I think are their obviously related themes like gender roles, the relationship between neo-paganism and modern Christianity, and the tension between a dominant society's obligation to respect secluded cultures and their obligation to assert their own values.

JJ Alejandro joins Thomas and Rory to discuss Mel Gibson's masterpiece Apocalytpo and the way the political discourse surrounding the film reduces its big-picture themes. But first we start off with a rant from Rory about a frustrating experience he had on the CTA on his homebound commute that day.

Rory and Thomas sit down with Dr. Ben Braddock to discuss Virginia politics, the recent election results, the state's political scandals over the years, and more.

We sit down with author and law student Jared Klickstein to discuss his phenomenal book "Crooked Smile: What It Took to Escape a Decade of Homelessness, Addiction, & Crime" and its nuanced take regarding the criminal justice system and drug policy. We also dig into his background and his experiences with the publishing industry and touch a little bit upon recent events.

Freelance photographer and host of The Saltbox Mattio Pattio sits down with us to discuss New York nativism, the mayoral race, the usefulness of debate, diversity, libertarianism, engaged life, and more!