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Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight on practical filmmaking and working with Queen guitarist Brian May
Academy award nominated filmmaker Travis Knight is on Popcorn Podcast to talk his new blockbuster fantasy epic, Masters of the Universe. Travis Knight has a history of reviving nostalgic favourites, having directed Bumblebee, the 2018 solo film focused on the yellow-hued shapeshifting robot from the Transformers franchise. As a kid, his own collection of Masters of the Universe plastic heroes gave him his very first experiences crafting narratives and dramas on the floor of his bedroom; and now he is directing the first live-action adaptation of the beloved Mattel toys since 1987. In our chat, Travis talks about his very clear vision for the film he wasted no time in bringing to life, how he married practical and visual effects in the film perfectly and a story about Queen lead guitarist you have to hear to believe.
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5. Is Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu worth a trip to the cinemas?
01:15:57||Season 17, Ep. 5This is the way to our review of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, with special guest entertainment journalist and "professional fan", Deeny Guide. The first Star Wars film since 2019 follows bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice Grogu as they are enlisted by the New Republic to track down Imperial war criminals. Tim and Deeny unpack everything from the films transition from TV show to the big screen and just how much they think Pedro Pascal is actually in the film. From admiring the puppetry, lore and IMAX experience, Tim and Deeny share their unfiltered thoughts on the films successes, stumbles and reaction to Rotta Hutt's abs. All this and so much more in an episode made for Star Wars fans who want to leave no stone in the galaxy unturned.More Popcorn:The Skywalker saga comes to an end with The Rise of SkywalkerStar Wars superstar John Boyega joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss his powerful new role in Breaking
Zoe Pepper on Birthright’s satire and moral grey area
20:55||Season 17Australian filmmaker Zoe Pepper is here to talk her satirical dark comedy, Birthright. The film follows Cory and his pregnant wife who find themselves evicted, jobless, and forced to stay with his parents. What transpires is a battle of the generations as the edges of Cory’s reality slip away leading to an unexpected path that detonates the family. In our chat, Zoe talks about the films power dynamics, satirical tone and why she gravitates towards things that are dark and political. She also shares the intention behind the films heightened music and the moral grey area the story plays in.More Popcorn: Does Bong Joon Ho's sci-fi satire blow minds?Bugonia review: Yorgos Lanthimos’ corporate fever dream stings deep
4. Mother Mary: big swing cinema and its place in art
49:05||Season 17, Ep. 4Freelance critic and filmmaker Andrew Fraser joins Popcorn Podcast to talk David Lowrey's Mother Mary. Long-buried wounds rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), on the eve of her comeback performance. Tim and Andrew interrogate the film at a cellular level, uncovering the many layers behind the two-hander between an artist in crisis and her creative collaborator. Does the film stick the landing as it juggles allegorical messages, healing deep wounds and a ghost story that connects it all? From the identity of a pop star to the films Gothic aesthetic, Tim and Andrew unpack it all.More Popcorn: Parker Finn joins Popcorn Podcast to talk Smile 2Popcorn Podcast takes Todd Field's Tár to task
Jasmin Tarasin and Courtney Collins on the destructive cycles of coercive control means to let go and begin again
22:54||Season 17Life Could Be A Dream director Jasmin Tarasin and screenwriter Courtney Collins discuss their deeply important film about the destructive cycles of coercive control. Life Could Be A Dream aims to examine the cultural scripts that shape peoples expectations of love and help equip them to recognise financial abuse and other forms of coercive control while taking steps towards financial independence and safety. In our chat, Jasmin and Courtney share how the film came to be and the unique creative process that beared fruit between writer, director and actor. They also discuss how they extended their web of knowledge to authentically represent cohesive control in relationships and how important the partnerships with CommBank and the Mancave are to the films message.Trigger warning. This episode's discusses domestic violent and cohesive control. If you or someone who know needs support, please call 1800RESPECT which is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.More Popcorn:She Said: Exposing Weinstein and the origins of the #MeToo MovementWomen Talking: All you need to do is listen
3. Is Mortal Kombat II the flawless victory fans were hoping for?
01:00:42||Season 17, Ep. 3Our Mortal Kombat II review is here, with content creator and Mortal Kombat expert and Movie Nerds Founder, Ryan Adams. Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade and Kano are pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. Sounds exciting, right? Well buckle up as Tim and Ryan examine the origins of the Mortal Kombat game and whether this highly anticipated sequel gets it right. From its IMAX release to the tight action, stunts and set pieces, this chat is a flawless victory example of how a film can be a hit for one and a misfire for another.More Popcorn:Karl Urban, Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson on improv battles, strong female characters and Voldemort’s nutsack?Mortal Kombat II director Simon McQuoid on his made for IMAX sequel and the tournament’s dirty fighting
Mortal Kombat II director Simon McQuoid on his made for IMAX sequel and the tournament’s dirty fighting
10:57||Season 17Mortal Kombat II director Simon McQuoid returns to Popcorn Podcast! The ultimate battle that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders is the big, loud and camp sequel director Simon McQuoid set out to make and he is here to share insights into how he achieved just that. In our chat, Simon shares his goal to create a maximalist world, how the IMAX experience levelled up the sequel in big ways, why dialling up the female representation was a must for the story and the dirty fighting he revelled in bringing to live. All this and much more.More Popcorn: Return to our interview with Simon McQuoid for Mortal KombatKarl Urban, Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson on improv battles, strong female characters and Voldemort’s nutsack?
Karl Urban, Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson on improv battles, strong female characters and Voldemort’s nutsack?
13:22||Season 17Get over here friends because the trio of stars we have on Popcorn Podcast for Mortal Kombat II is a flawless victory. Karl Urban (Johnny Cage), Jessica McNamee (Sonya Blade) & Josh Lawson (Kano) are here as the fan favourite champions pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. In our chat, the gang share how much improvisation came into play with the “battle of the one liners”, how important the strong female voice was for the film, why Karl Urban was happy to hand over the “dangerous stuff” to the stunt team, and what sits at the heart of each of their characters.More Popcorn: Karl Urban: bye-bye Butcher and The Boys explosive finaleJosh Lawson and Sisi Stringer, stop in to talk Mortal Kombat
Molly Gordon gets her “va va voom” moment in The Sheep Detectives
08:26||Season 17The incredibly talented Molly Gordon is here to talk new family film, The Sheep Detectives. Molly plays Rebecca who is a mystery and an immediate suspect from the moment she arrives in Denbrook after the murder of her father George (Hugh Jackman) and the news he had a fortune of $30 million. In our chat, Molly gives us insight into her glamorous “va va voom” entrance, how her role was a “delicious challenge” and what it was like working with “dream boat” Aussie Hugh Jackman, plus so much more.More Popcorn: Australia's most beloved superstar, Hugh Jackman on his film ReminiscenceMolly gordon in The Broken Hearts Gallery review