On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, the Host gives their 2026 "State of Cinema Address". Topics include: AI in Filmmaking, the 2026 Oscar Nominations, and an outlook on the rest of the upcoming 2026 film slate. Enjoy!

Production Notes

Intro: 0:00-1:09

• Basics of the Address 1:10-3:32
• AI in Filmmaking Analyisis 3:33-31:46
• The 2026 Oscar Nominations 31:47-46:27
• The rest of the 2026 Film Slate 46:28-53:36

Outtro 53:-37-55:00

Notes

Comics Cultural Collateral Damage

Cinematic Cultural Collateral Damage

'Rise of the machines': The Creative Emptiness of AI use in Filmmaking and Beyond

The 2026 Oscar Nominations

Most Anticipated Films: Rotten Tomatoes

Most Anticipated Films: IMDB

Most Anticipated Films: Variety

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast we are capping off the end of the year with another "best of List." This episode is designed to be a companion piece to my Final essay for 2025 on the blog: The Dojo's Top Ten Films that Encapsulate 2025. As with the list on the blog, this episode's list is not a list of the films that are the most Sociologically relevent, but rather, the films that I saw in 2025 that I gave 4 stars and above to on my Letterboxed page. Because of the function of lists, I will not be including detailed production notes for the episode as that will inevitably spoil the films on this list. Enjoy, everyone. Happy Holidays ! See you all in 2026.

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Rebecca Gibson returns to the podcast to talk about the sapphic, Sci-Fi, Shakespearean, trans-inclusive, time-bending novel: This Is How You Lose The Time War. by Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladstone. Dr. Gibson and the host discuss gender fluid narratives, neurodivergent masculinity, and the cultural impact/importance of reading. Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-2:57

Update on Dr. Gibson's work: 2:58-10:35

• TedX VCU Talk
• Paris Trip
• Dr. Gibson's upcoming books

The Basics of the book 10:36-21:15

• Plot Synopsis
• Trivia

Historical Context 21:31-75:44

• Dr. Gibson's background with the book
• The Host's experience reading the book
• A bit about Romance (interlude 1)
• The literary influences and Sci-Fi cannon
• A bit more about Romance (Interlude 2)
• The context of the 2010's
• Looking for hope in an untethering world
• Last bit of Romance (interlude 3)
• The Cultural Impact of the book
• The current way we consume content
• The book's reception

Social Analysis 75:45-102:53

• The book's fluidity (Gender, Sexuality and Narrative)
• Moving closer to sex with robots and Robot Sexuality
• Neurodivergence, Robots and Masculinity
• On how omniscient beings experience love

Outtro: 102:54-123:26

• Favorite Passages and Letter Distriution Methods
• TV Adaptation Fan Casting
• The Matrix 5 thoughts

All Clips used under Fair Use

Links

• How Star Wars and Star Trek Ruined Sci-Fi
• Signified B-Sides Sigma Masculinity
• "Love Lost" by Mattia Cupelli
• Companion: Iris reaches 100%
• Derrida on Signatures
• Dr. Gibson's Books Their Socials @drrgibsongirl (bluesky) @rgibsongirl (twitter)
• The Sociologist's Dojo Blog
• Related Essay: The Curious Case of Elon Musk and Tony Stark: 'Sigma Male' Masculinity and the Myth of the Benevolent Billionaire

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Jaime Hartless Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Farmingdale State College returns to discuss the beauty and body horror of Coralie Fargeat's The Substance. The Host and Dr. Hartless talk Cronenberg, The 'Me Too' movement, the imposed shame/horror of the female body by patriarchal systems, and of course, the intersecting evils of Capitalism. Enjoy!

Production Notes

Intro: 0:00-2:55

Update on Dr. Hartless's research 2:56-5:13

• Chapter 22: "From "Born This Witch" to "Bad Bitch Witch": A History of Witch Representation in Western Pop Culture" in Witch Studies Reader (March 2025)

Basics of 'The Substance 5:14-28:28

• Production (Cast and Crew)
• Plot Synopsis
• A Dennis Quaid Aside
• Trivia ( A Revenge Aside)

Historical Context 28:29-70:46

• Dr. Hartless's first impressions
• The Film in conversation with generations of Hollywood
• The Use of Social Media
• "The Substance Effect" [Mikey Madison and Demi Moore]
• "The Substance Snub" [ Horror and Hollywood]
• "What if Cronenberg, but Feminist?"
• Women as commodities and "Girl Power" Feminism
• The Manosphere Language and "Logic"

Social Analysis 70:47-116:56

• Toxic Gender Socialization messages
• The Mother/Daughter Dynamic
• 'The Substance' as Capitalism
• A Reproduction Metaphor
• Toxic Beauty and Body Standards
• 'The Substance' as an amalgam of "Fix yourself" beauty Products
• No "Better self" under Patriarchy and Capitalism
• Protections against 'The Substance' [FDA and IRB]
• The Manufactured Shame and Horror of the Female Body
• The Dangers of Film immortalizing Youth

Outtro 116:59-118:43

• Plugs and Social Media
• Upcoming Essays and Episodes

All Clips used under Fair Use

Links to Suplemental Material Referenced in the Episode:

• Witch Studies Reader
• Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
• The Monstrous Feminine by Barbara Creed
• Maya Hawke discussing the importance of Social media in Casting
• Demi Moore Acceptance Speeches [ Globe , SAG, Critics Choice ]
• Mikey Madison Beating out Demi Moore for the Oscar
• RFK JR disgustingly false comments on girls and puberty fits right in with Harvey from The Substance
• The Essay Series on The Films of Julia Ducournau
• The Sociologist's Dojo Blog

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we're going back to school with the John Hughes 80's Classic: The Breakfast Club. Media Scholar Shelley B. Woke joins the host to talk about high school cliques, peer group socialization, the criteria of an 80s teen comedy, "The John Hughes Effect", "The Brat Pack" and a lot more.

It's time to stay after class, because we all have detention... (Yes, We know in the film it takes place on a Saturday!)

Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-2:05

Basics of Shelley B. Woke 2:06-14:40

• What they 'stan' for in Popular Culture
• First Job in Journalism
• Pop Culture and decision-making aside
• Celebrity and People in Power
• Allison Reynolds: Their 'Social Media 'Sona''
• Guilty Pleasures and social "shame"

Basics of The Breakfast Club 14:41-23:43

• Plot Synopsis
• Trivia (IMDB, Criterion Blu-Ray)

Historical Context 23:44-89:03

• Shelley's history with The Breakfast Club
• 80's Teen Comedy Criteria
• "The John Hughes Effect"
• "The Brat Pack" Label
• The Generational Conversation and Universality of the Film
• The Legacy of The Breakfast Club
• AIDS Crisis Context

Social Analysis 89:04-132:40

• Peer Group Socialization and clique archetypes
• Shallow Themes and a lack of resolution
• The enduring whiteness of John Hughes Films
• Allison Reynolds: A Nonbinary Paragon
• The Film's peroblematic gender and sexual politics
• Class and Status divisions in Academia

Outtro: 132:41-135:27

• Plugs and Socials

All Clips Used under Fair Use

• The Breakfast Club Film
• The Breakfast Club Soundtrack
• The Mountain Goats- This Year
• 'Fuck J.K. Rowling'-Apathy Unit

Links

• Shelley B Woke Bluesky
• The Sociologist's Dojo Blog
• Essay on Celine Sciamma's Girlhood
• The Queering Feminist Spectacle of Thema and Louise
• The Breakfast Club: John Hughes, Hollywood and the Golden Age of the Teen film by Elissa H. Nelson
• College Suicide Nets article

On this month's guestless episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, The Host rounds out the 2025 Summer Movie season with the near 20 films they saw in the theater between the begining of May through the beginning of August 2025. Listen, as a raging metaphorical dumpster fire is miraculously saved by three films from Pedro Pascal, and a few hidden gem honorable mentions on select streaming services. Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Because this episode contains a list of films that will be gone over in detail, the usually meticulous production notes will be suspended.

Note:

All of the films mentioned can be found on the blog and podcast's Letterboxd page

Read the latest essay on the blog here

All Clips were used under Faire Use.

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Hattie Earle, Senior Lecturer in English and Creattive Writing at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of the new book: Silence in the Quagmire: The Vietnam War in U.S. Comics joins the host for a frank discussion of Militarism in Comics. Discussion topics include: The importance of comics as a medium, the racialization of "the enemy other", and why Frank Castle, and those that emulate him, are simply...the worst. Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-2:10

The Basics of Dr. Earle 2:11-31:42

• Dr. Earle "stans" for early Simpsons episodes
• Keeping the Acadfemic at bay when consuming Pop Culture
• 'An Evangelist of Comics'
• Introducing Dr. Earle's book (8:58-16:52)
• The Soft Power of Comics and the Hard Power of Foreign Policy
• Relationship between WWII and Vietnam in Comics
• Reluctance to discuss My Lai

Historical Context 31:43-79:06

• Comics being used differently in different conflicts
• Comics impact on the Anti-War movement
• Historical Revisionism and relitigation of war through comics
• Comics as Manufacturing Consent
• Propaganda shaping public consciousness
• The Importance of the internet on Anti-War movements

Social Analysis 79:07-113:24

• The construction of "The Enemy Image" and its racialized "othering"
• Superhero comics embodying American Experiences (Immigration, Foreign Policy, Tragedy)
• Discussing Frank Castle: The Punisher
• The Gender Politics of Militarism and Comics

Outtro: 113:25-116-10

• Dr. Earle's Social Media
• Coming up on the Blog and Podcast
• Next Episode: Summer Movie Recap: (August 2025)

*All Audio Clips used under Fair Use*

Links

• Silence in the Quagmire: The Vietnam War in US Comics by Dr. Hattie Earle
• Police, 'The Punisher' and Performative Masculinity- The Sociologist's Dojo
• The Curious Case of Elon Musk and Tony Stark- The Sociologist's Dojo
• Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White by Frank H. Wu
• YellowFace Documentary
• War, Politics and Superheroes by Marc DiPaolo
• Eddie Adams: Saigon Execution
• International Noise Conspiracy: "Capitalism Stole My Virginity"

On This month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Ted Preston Philosophy Professor at Rio Hondo College and the Host conclude their two-part discussion on John Rambo and The Rambo Franchise.

Listen to Part I

Here in Part II

The Host and Dr. Preston conclude their discussion on "The politics of The Rambo Franchise" asking the question "What makes Rambo, Rambo?" Before diving into the masculine representation of the iconic character, then looking into the franchise's legacy and its overall cultural relevance. Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-2:55

• "Previously on The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast

The Politics of the Rambo Franchise Part II (2:56-33:18)

• Rambo I-V "Becoming Less Rambo"
• Rambo is Presented as always right
• Shifting to the political right
• Stallone and Reagan (Rambo III)
• The political messages of Last Blood
• Political Co-opting of "the Rambo image"
• Response to Pop Culture shifting to the left
• Rambo as "Militainment"

Social Analysis 33:19-89:54

• Rewatches and Niostalgia
• Dr. Preston's perfect pitch for Rambo: Last Blood/New Blood
• The Sociologist's Dojo's review of Last Blood
• John Rambo as a cultural icon
• Rambo and Masculinity (a political Strongman)
• Aging and Legacy

Outtro: 89:55-96:46

• Film Franchise Rankings and Thoughts on a possible "Rambo: New Blood" film.
• Dr. Preston's Next Episode
• Upcoming Episodes and Essays

Links

• The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen
• Regan and Rambo article LA Times (1985)
• Rambo Politics from Regan to Trump by Bonnie Honig
• First Blood by David Morrel
• How Slyvester Stalone's Rrambo became a symbol for Right Wing Politics- Esquire

On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, return guest Dr. Ted Preston, Professor of Philosophy at Rio Hondo College and the host begin their two part discussion of John Rambo and The Rambo franchise.

Here in Part 1, we first get an update on Dr. Preston's research before diving into the films. This first half focuses on their discussion of the basics of the films, franchise trivia and the first bit of historical relevance for the character and the series. The episode asks the question about what makes an 80's action film, how Rambo fits that criteria, and provides the opening discussion of the politics of Rambo on screen.

Enjoy!

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-310

• An Episode in Two Parts

Update on Dr. Preston's Research 3:11-6:21

• Cato and Neurodivergence

Basics of the Franchise 6:22-28:49

• Second Disclaimer and References Used
• Structure of the Episode

Basics:

• Inception (David Morrel's original book)
• Calarco Pictures Rights and Adaptation

Synopsis of the Series:

• Changes from the Text
• Trajectory of the films and Popularity of the Series
• Trivia

Historical Context 28:50-82:51

• Dr. Preston and the Host's experiences with the character and the franchise.
• 80's Toy Tie-ins
• What makes an 80's action film?
• Stallone and Schwarzenegger Feud
• Rambo and Cultural Lag
• The Politics of The Rambo Franchise (Part 1)

Links

• The Last Action Heroes by Nick de Semlyen
• Regan and Rambo article LA Times (1985)
• Rambo Politics from Regan to Trump by Bonnie Honig
• First Blood by David Morrel
• How Slyvester Stalone's Rrambo became a symbol for Right Wing Politics- Esquire

All Clips were used under fair Use

On this Month's Episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Ellen Meiser, friend of the pod, Co-host of The Social Breakdown Podcast, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and author of the new book: Making it: Success in Comercial Kitchens joins the host in discussing the dismal Dakota Johnson duology of 2015's Fifty Shades of Grey and 2024's Madame Web. We talk bad scipts, worse BDSM representation and why you should never trust fan fiction, or an IP cash Grab

Production Notes:

Intro: 0:00-2:24

Update on Dr. Meiser's work: 2:42-12:03

• Her Piece in "The Conversation"
• Making it: Success in Commercial Kitchens
• an ASA Context Essay
• The Menu Reference

The Basics of Fifty Shades and Madame Web 12:04-38.32

• Production
• Plot Synopsis
• Trivia

Historical Context: 38:33-78:54

• Personal Contexts and Public Response
• Dakota Johnson and "The Actor's Dilemma"
• Creator Control
• Fifty Shades's popularity
• Fifty Shades post "Me Too"
• Madame Web ignores 9/11
• A Spider-Man aside
• The Critical Reception for both films
• Superhero Fatigue or Failure?
• Theater Monopolies are coming back
• "The Streaming Culture" change

Social Analysis: 78:55-101:28

• Misrepresenting BDSM and Kink
• Fifty Shades is a 'Princess' Film
• Responsibility of the Author
• Responsibility of the Consumer
• Amy Bonomi study on I.P.V. and Fifty Shades
• The Female Gaze
• Madame Web's Bureaucracy of 'Nothing'
• The Faux Feminism of Madame Web

Outtro: 101:29-114:34

• A curated list of better Erotica
• Ellen's Next Episode: Alex Garland's Civil War
• Plugs
• Post-Script Easter Egg

Links

• Ellen's Website (Get access to publications and see what she's working on)
• Amy Bonomi et al. study
• Sex toy injuries and Fifty Shades
• McDonaldization of Society
• The Sociologist's Dojo Blog