Zebras In America

On this Popcorce Eschaton, Scott and John take a look at two drastically different, but complimentary, prison films: the raging ember of empathy for inmates, 1947's 'Brute Force,' directed by Jules Dassin, and Claire Denis's 'High Life,' a sci-fi meditation on the battle between despair and hope.

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Song clip at the end is "Willow" by Tindersticks feat. Robert Pattinson, available on

'Music for Claire Denis’ 'High Life‘'

Scott and John are joined once again by the brilliant Marcus Pinn as they discuss one of the most important documentaries ever made and one of the greatest testaments to the power of unions, 'Harlan County, USA.' They explore the enduring intensity of the film, the struggle behind getting the movie made, and what 'Harlan County, USA' has to say about the struggle of the working class, both in 1977 and today.

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Marcus Pinn's writing can be found at www.pinnlandempire.com, and his latest music collaboration, 'Moses Malone' with garfunkle, can be found here: https://garfunkle.bandcamp.com/album/moses-malone

Song clip at the end is from "Black Lung," composed and performed by Hazel Dickens

Robots! The insatiable maw of capitalism! Awesome tunes! Scott and John dive into the glorious 1980s toy commercial... that is also a beautifully scored and animated ride through the galaxy with wonderfully realized characters, 'Transformers: The Movie!' Then they transition to the much more muted tones, but no less beautiful and energizing, world of 'Ghost in the Shell,' a dystopian masterpiece that tackles artificial intelligence, the nature of the soul, and how capitalism steals our right to our own bodies. These movies are a lot and they ROCK! "Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong," indeed.

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Song clip at the end is from "Dare," written and performed by Stan Bush, available on the 'Transformers: The Movie" original motion picture soundtrack.

Scott and John take a trip to the Spanish Civil War to look at two profound meditations on death, conflict, and childhood, Victor Erice's 'The Spirit of the Beehive' and Guillermo del Toro's 'The Devil's Backbone.' They discuss how each film approaches fascism and finds beauty even in the most devastating tragedies.

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John take a journey to medieval Scandinavia for tales of flight both physical and spiritual. First they discuss Nicolas Winding Refn's 2009 film 'Valhalla Rising,' then focus on the 2012 post-Black Death survival picture 'Escape.' Go North, grab a sword, and RUN!

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Clip at the end is the song "Havenless," from Enslaved's album 'Below the Lights' (2003), available from Osmose Productions:

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/below-the-lights

It's time to rail against the patriarchy and celebrate the power of conjuring on Popcorn Eschaton! Scott and John take a look at the 2015 Robert Eggers horror film 'The Witch,' how it ushered in a new wave of anxiety-filled horror films, and whether or not it ends "happily" for its young protagonist. Then they discuss the landmark silent film 'Häxan,' Benjamin Christensen's extraordinarily stylish pseudo-documentary that excoriates the persecution of women, the poor, and the elderly under the guise of witchunting. Listen, if you would like to live deliciously...

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John take a hard look at two very hard-to-watch films. First, they discuss Isao Takahata's animated classic of war, suffering, and the love between siblings, 'Grave of the Fireflies.' Then they shift focus to Jonathan Glazer's Academy Award-winning 2023 film 'Zone of Interest,' and why it doesn't have the emotional impact Takahata's film does.

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

It's America's pastime on another Popcorn in America crossover! The great Marcus Pinn returns, this time to discuss a movie from his childhood, 'The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings!' He, Scott, and John get into how baseball can embody the most optimistic view of the American Dream, as well as being emblematic of its history of racism and discrimination. 'Bingo Long' is a movie that embodies baseball's dual nature: the freewheeling fun of its charismatic cast, as well as the poverty and exploitation experienced by its characters. It's worth discovering!

Marcus Pinn's 'Night Music' can be purchased here:

https://5oclockshadowboxers.bandcamp.com/album/night-music

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

It's another Popcorn/Zebras crossover as Scott and John are joined by the great Marcus Pinn to discuss Alex Garland's new film 'Civil War'! Is there substance to its violent imagery? Does Garland, as an Englishman, have any special insight into American culture? How many stars does the mere presence of one De La Soul song add to a film's rating? All these questions will be answered, which is more answers than you'll get from this movie!

Marcus Pinn's 'Night Music' can be purchased here:

https://5oclockshadowboxers.bandcamp.com/album/night-music

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Scott and John continue to explore the world of animation, this time journeying to the Japanese countryside to celebrate a pair of Studio Ghibli films. First, they discuss the 1991 Isao Takahata-directed classic film of nostalgia and self-discovery, 'Only Yesterday.' Then they explore perhaps the most signature Ghibli film (and character), the Hayoo Miyazaki classic 'My Neighbor Totoro.'

Logo designed by Jesse Arnold

(https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/)

Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers

(https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/

Music sample comes from the track "A Soaking Wet Creature" from the 'My Neighbor Totoro' soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaish