Popcorn Podcast

Barbara Stephen, CEO of Flying Bark productions, joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her role in leading the prolific independent producer of family-focused animated content. With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Barbara manages the studio's creative and business operations across its three locations and has been essential to Flying Bark's growth and success. In our chat, Barbara talks to the diversity in the animators and artists they hire and the importance of creative culture, the desire to do something exceptional - such as their work on Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender and gives a tease as to what they are working on now.More Popcorn: Minions: The Rise of Gru reviewHoppers stars Piper Curda and Bobby Moynihan on life lessons and tiny crowns

Popcorn Podcast is going FULL SPOILER in our review of Spider-Man: Brand New Day with special guest, creator Kai Munton. Tom Holland and Zendaya are back as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and MJ as a forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges. Tim and Kai discuss why Peter Parker is such a relatable hero, how the movie explores grief, trauma and themes of belonging and connection. Meanwhile, Tim reveals his recent run in with a spider, we talk Sadie Sink's performance as [REDACTED], theorise what the end credit scene is all about and revel in the incredible look and feel of this epic adventure. All this and so much more!More Popcorn:Check out Kai Munton on InstagramSpider-Man: No Way Home full spoiler-filled lowdownShang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Asian representation, choreography, effects and performances

Australian actor Callan Mulvey joins Popcorn Podcast to talk his dystopian action drama, The Run. In a post-pandemic world crippled by a global fertility crisis, an aging smuggler (Callan Mulvey) struggles to protect a runaway teenager and her baby from ruthless criminals, while trying to complete his run for his vicious employers. It is a deeply nuanced and layered performance that Callan brings to life beautifully. In our chat, Callan talks about how he feels about scenes getting cut that he is passionate about, how much he loves the collaborate process and surrendering to it, how his characters costume came together, and how the psychology of his character informs his performance.More Popcorn: We Bury the Dead: a smart grief story in zombie skinHigh Ground, a powerful historical drama that gives insight into the country's troubled past

Help us take Matt Damon home with special guest, film critic and journalist, Thuy Ong to review Christopher Nolan's, The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a mythic action epic, bringing Homer’s foundational saga to the big screen. After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops, Sirens, and Calypso along the way. Starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and a murderers row of Hollywood heavyweights, Tim and Thuy uncover the films underlying sense of empathy amongst the sheer spectacle of this story. From body horror, to ellite eye acting, sticking it to the keyboard warriors of the internet, lobbying for Zendaya to be our spirit guide and the immense scale of the film, this episode is a journey worth taking.More Popcorn:Check out Thuy Ong on substackLeigh and Tim jump into Christopher Nolan’s time-bending sci-fi TenetIs The Devil Wears Prada 2 an in-season sequel?

Andy Serkis is on Popcorn Podcast to talk his latest directorial effort, and animated retelling of George Orwell’s classic novel, Animal Farm. Starring an all-star voice cast including Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Steve Buscemi, Glenn Close, Laverne Cox, Kieran Culkin and Woody Harrelson, this adaptation shifts George Orwell’s allegory from Stalinism to modern corporate corruption, trading a dystopian tone for "something a little more uplifting." In our chat, Andy shares how the origins of his adaptation were originally much darker, how the corruption of power is explored in his film, what he considers to be his spiritual home, and which moment in a Paul Thomas Anderson film brings him joy.More Popcorn:Lin-Manuel Miranda returns to Moana with new song and sound adviceMoana: culturally important, but is it worth reimagining?

Obsession writer/director Curry Barker is on the podcast for this very special interview episode. Curry Barker is the talk of Hollywood with his horror hit making more than US$400m at the box office on a budget of US$750K. But it’s not just the financial success that is making headlines. Obsession has become part of the cultural zeitgeist with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Holland praising the movie and the talents of the cast and Curry. In our chat, Curry talks about the film club he is now part of, his reaction to people getting tattoos inspired by the film, how he discovered a new vision for his film during the process, and how he helped Inde Navarrette learn how to scream.More Popcorn:Smile 2 writer and director Parker Finn joins Popcorn PodcastJoe Bird, Adrian Chiarella and Mia Wasikowska talk fear, homophobia and love in Leviticus

Make way for our review of Disney's live-action reimagining of Moana, with special guest Justin Hill. Starring Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson, Moana follows the adventurous, strong-willed daughter of a Polynesian village chief who sets sail to save her island. Justin and Tim go beyond the reef to discuss everything from how significant and beautiful the Polynesian culture representation is to the divisive discourse about this film even existing. From Laga'aia's star-making performance to Johnson's potential miscasting, as well as the wigs, CGI, music and action, Tim and Justin leave no coconut unopened in an in-depth conversation for any fan or foe of this controversial remake.More Popcorn: Listen to Justin Hill Plus OneDoes Disney’s Snow White have too many princess problems?Does Disney's live-action Mulan live up to the original animation?

Zoey Deutch, David Wain and Ken Marino are here to talk Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass - a high-concept cliché machine that plays dumb so smart. It’s so bonkers and is so gleefully committed to its absurdity as it follows midwestern bride-to-be Gail Daughtry who has a “free celebrity pass” agreement with her fiancé — who uses it. With her relationship in crisis, Gail sets out on an epic journey through Hollywood to even the scales. In our chat, Ken and David reveal who they write their films for, what it was like for Zoey to join the Wain/Marino Cinematic Universe, why the films stupid premise meant they just HAD to make it and who the secret Australian characters are in the film.More Popcorn: Scat and a killer snowman: inside The Naked GunThe Roses review: Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch lead epic battle

This is your offical invitation to join special guest, movie obsessive, Brad Ellmoos on Popcorn Podcast to talk all things The Invite. Directed by and starring Olivia Wilde alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, The Invite follows a couple who invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbours for a dinner party, where the night spirals into unexpected places. Tim and Brad delight in the films wit, hilarity and heart, why its award worthy performances from Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz can't be understated and why this film might just be the most fun you'll have at the movies this year.More Popcorn: Review of hilarious and intelligent new comedy BooksmartPopcorn Podcast reviews director Olivia Wilde's sophomore offering, Don't Worry Darling