On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John are joined by prison reform professional Noah Barth. to discuss the modern classic 'The Shawshank Redemption.' They examine the film's take on the prison system as an institution, hope, and the relationship between platonic soulmates. Noah brought a great deal of wisdom and insight to the discussion and helped us use the film as a springboard to talk about one of the most difficult topics in our nation's history. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/) Song at the end is a sample from "Escape From the Prison Planet" by Clutch.

It's time for Scott and John to take a dive into M. Night Shyamalan's 2006 fantasy 'Lady in the Water,' the much-maligned fairytale of community and redemption. They discuss how the film has its heart in the right place but is also extremely messy, how Shyamalan could benefit from more active collaborators in his filmmaking, and the parallels the film has with Bantu Kongo cosmology. Also: John is introduced to a hip-hop classic from 1992! Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/) Song at the end is a sample from "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth.

It's spooky season, so Scott and John are diving into John Carpenter's underappreciated, philosophical, theological, and science-obsessed horror movie, 'Prince of Darkness'! They discuss Carpenter's brilliant music, the big questions the movie asks, and opening the box of quantum mechanics to get at Schrödinger's Cat, even if it means we also open a jar of Evil Goo! Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/ Song at the end is a sample from "Hell Breaks Loose," available on the 'Prince of Darkness' Soundtrack.

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/